Running a palm lightly across Aaron’s bedhead, Kreed decided breakfast would be a necessity after the intensity of last night. He grinned at the thought of the workout they’d had. The kid would no doubt wake up starving this morning. Kreed carefully managed to shift his position and lift his head to stare down at the guy sleeping so soundly on his chest. Aaron looked so much younger than his twenty-nine years. As expected, a small twinge of guilt spiked through Kreed for allowing himself to give in to his desires. He should have been stronger. Business never mixed well with pleasure, and now the stakes were so much higher, if that were even possible.
With the pad of his finger, he brushed over Aaron’s lip and a wave of emotion flooded his heart. He had to protect this beautiful man. If Kreed wasn’t level-headed and diligent, he could end up getting them both hurt—or even killed—not to mention the other four men he cared about across town. He needed to get his head back in the game. But all he could think of at the moment was how sweet those perfect lips tasted.
Fuck! He laid his head back against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling with a sigh. He was in so deep, and it had happened so quickly.
He needed to stick to his rules. Kreed placed a soft kiss on the top of Aaron’s head before carefully untangling himself from the sleeping guy. Aaron stirred and turned to his side, allowing for an easier escape.
Rolling out of bed, Kreed walked quietly across the floor toward the door, his muscles protesting the action. Oh yeah, he would be feeling the little reminders of last night’s activities…hopefully for a few days. He smiled to himself as he left the bedroom, softly shutting the door behind him.
Making a pit stop by the hall bathroom, he brushed his teeth and worked at taming the hair sticking up in all directions. He ran a hand over the stubble on his face and decided to leave it, since Aaron had confessed he liked the five-o’clock shadow.
Kreed chose commando as he pulled up his athletic shorts and headed for the kitchen. They’d have to make a store run, meaning Aaron would have to go to the grocery store, but they were good for today. He started the coffee before pulling out the bacon and eggs. Kreed had always liked to cook. He wasn’t Chef Ramsey by any stretch of the imagination, but he liked the idea of cooking and trying out new things. That was another thing that made him the yin to Aaron’s yang. He could prepare food and Aaron could sure put it away.
Thrown off guard at the random thought, Kreed took a giant mental step backward. His only focus needed to be on the here and now. That was it. What was going on today, that was all he could allow. If the kid was interested, he’d give them the next twenty-hours. He craved a new life, but right now, he had a case to solve and people relying on both of them to execute that with precision.
Since both situations—this case and his personal, fucked-up emotional crossroads that had started even before his brother’s death—required his full attention, he had to concentrate on this case first and put the rest on the back burner until they had that wrapped up tightly.
“Hey,” Aaron said from behind him. Kreed looked over his shoulder, and all the internal debate he’d suffered through faded. Aaron was there with him, and he looked amazing. Bed-rumpled, sleepy-eyed, hair sticking up in every direction, and deliciously naked, trying in vain to tug on some jeans. He kept missing the opening with his foot, stumbling several times before he managed to get his foot inside the leg hole. There was no underwear, he’d obviously gotten out of bed and come straight to the kitchen, probably absently grabbing at his jeans on the way out of the bedroom. Kreed would have been fine having him remain naked throughout the day. A twinge of disappointment rippled through him when Aaron gave a small jump, pulling his pants up and tucking his package inside.
“Hey. Coffee’s ready.” Kreed pointed toward the pot. While the bacon sizzled, he went for a bowl to break the eggs. “You hungry?”
“Always,” Aaron said, still standing in the middle of the kitchen. Since he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes to himself, Kreed turned back and caught a look crossing Aaron’s face, some emotion passing quickly over his features. Maybe regret? Uncertainty? That had Kreed’s brow furrowing a bit. He wasn’t entirely sure what that look meant, but something wasn’t right, and he damn sure didn’t want to see regret, especially since he was on board with testing the theory of a possible future for them after this case ended. Kreed left the bowl on the counter and walked across the kitchen.
“Good Morning.” Kreed pulled Aaron to him.
“Good Morning.” The lines on Aaron’s face relaxed as he tilted his head and lifted enough to kiss Kreed’s lips. He liked that move and countered with one of his own, wrapping both his arms around Aaron, drawing him up tightly against his body. They fit well together, and he lowered his head, adding tongue this time. The kiss was swift, and to his surprise, Aaron broke away first.
“The bacon’s burning,” Aaron said, pointing toward the stovetop. Kreed hid his smirk. Of course the kid would notice the food, effectively ending the intimate greeting Kreed had tried to give. Another thought occurred, and Kreed darted around a little panicked. He wanted Aaron secure in what they’d shared, but he also needed to stretch out their rations to make the food they had last another day, and burning breakfast, even for a passionate kiss, wouldn’t help matters. Luckily, their breakfast wasn’t burning, only ready to be turned. “I’ve got to get online. I have something working that I need to take care of. Is that a problem?”