Full Domain (Nice Guys 3)

“Here,” Kreed said from behind as he draped a running jacket over his shoulders. In the back of his mind, he’d registered the cooler weather, but hadn’t really noticed until Kreed brought it to his attention. “You’ve been out here awhile. I didn’t want you to get cold.”

This man deserved every happiness this world had to offer. Aaron reached out and placed his hand on Kreed’s forearm, stopping his retreat as he stepped away. When he turned to fully face Kreed, it wasn’t the wind that chilled him to the core, it was the uncertainty in Kreed’s eyes. Aaron hated knowing he’d caused that look. He hated that more than anything. Guilt and trepidation made making eye contact impossible, so he looked down at the sand.

“Rain’s on its way,” Kreed said quietly. Aaron wasn’t sure how to reply. It wasn’t like Kreed to bring up the weather or try for small talk. Kreed had always been straightforward. Aaron sucked in a deep breath and forced himself to lift his head and meet Kreed’s stare. He couldn’t see any contempt or regret, but the concern he found speared his heart. He never wanted to see that or the disappointment swimming in those depths.

“I love you, Kreed. I’m sorry I never…”

“I know. I love you, too,” Kreed replied. His words were encouraging, but he still wasn’t sure what it meant for them. The guy should hate him for lying, manipulating his friend, and jeopardizing both their careers. Aaron gathered his strength and stepped closer. Kreed wrapped one arm, then the other, around him.

“I never planned on any of this happening. As much as you’ve figured out, there’s a lot you don’t know.” Aaron furrowed his brow and worried his lip. He was scared and still unsure, but relieved and touched Kreed had said he loved him. The deputy marshal was willing to forgive him and turn a blind eye. More so, he’d figured this moment would have ended in his own arrest. Since that didn’t seem to be the case, he owed Kreed all of the truth.

“As long as it doesn’t jeopardize your safety, I don’t really care.”

“You say that now…” he started.

“Aaron, you have to know things aren’t just cut and dry to me.”

“Yeah, you didn’t arrest me in there, but you still can.”

“It’s always gonna be you. I’m never gonna let that happen. I’m very protective of you.”

“You really see a future for us after all of this?” Aaron asked.

“Yes, and I have for a while.” Kreed held him closer, rubbing his hands up and down Aaron’s arms, the friction warming his skin.

“Kreed, I’m the fugitive they want so badly. I’m one of the men behind the mask. Even if I walk away, that’s never gonna change.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’m not letting you go for any reason. I can’t stress that enough.”

Silence fell between them. Aaron slid his arms around Kreed and just held him tightly. Simple acceptance was something he’d never experienced, and if Kreed believed they could have a relationship, then he had to try. There was still so much he needed to tell Kreed, but he’d hold it till Kreed was ready to hear it.

“I need you to give it up though, Aaron. What you’re doing… I get it. You’ve brought awareness. You’ve started a movement. You educate the world, but that needs to be enough. Let the next generation guide the crusade.”

“You’re right. The group needs to grow, but without me. It was becoming a problem. My partner and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on our viewpoints.”

“And this person or persons knows who you are? They’ve already tracked y’all to Nebraska with this hack.”

“They’re not as smart as they think they are. They haven’t figured out that when they chase Protector, they’ll always end up in Nebraska. For the most part, we’ve kept our identity from each other. It wouldn’t take much for my partner to figure out who I am—we’re both pretty savvy—but we haven’t broken that code of ethics since we started.”

Kreed nodded and took Aaron’s face softly between big palms, the touch so tender and warm against his skin that it eased his heart and comforted his soul.

“I promise if you do this for me—you give this up—I’ll do everything in my power to make your life better. I’ll love you, take care of you, and provide for you. If you can find a way to move in with me, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy. I’ll even share my Lush with you. I’ve seen you eyeing them. I know you want it.”

Aaron smiled at the twinkle of mischief in Kreed’s eyes. He needed that light-hearted moment. Everything had been way too serious today.

“As long as you’re willing to share that Lush.” Aaron chuckled. Kreed leaned in and kissed him briefly. “I’m nervous, Sin. This is all so fast.”

“It’s not fast when you know what’s in here,” Kreed said, lifting Aaron’s palm to his heart. Aaron brought his other hand up to cup the back of Kreed’s neck and held him there to deepen their kiss, making it hard and sweet. Aaron could feel the emotion behind Kreed’s kiss. The sky crackled with lightning and drops of rain made themselves known on their skin. Aaron pulled back, took Kreed’s hand, and led him into the house just as the storm started to gather momentum.

They had lost their clothes, shedding them as they’d come into the house. Aaron turned to face Kreed’s open and honest expression. This man loved him and was willing to turn his head, look the other direction, to give him a chance to prove himself. His out. He wouldn’t ever have to hide himself from Kreed again. Kreed had the ability to rip him to shreds, to destroy him in so many ways.

The wind picked up outside, and he heard the distinct tapping of rain on the windows as he pulled Kreed down the hallway. Sin slammed his mouth against Aaron’s the moment they stepped into the bedroom. He pushed an insistent tongue between Aaron’s lips, and he opened eagerly, sliding his tongue firmly against Kreed’s, tasting him, kissing him, falling deeper in love with this magnificent man with every urgent brush of their mouths.