Knight turned on his heel and smiled despite the sour feeling at the back of his throat. “Congratulations. I’ve heard the news.”
Laurent’s smile got even wider. “You’ve told him?” He rushed over to Beast and hugged him tight. “I’m so happy Beast has accepted my offer. Kai Mercier. Doesn’t that sound lovely?”
“Kai M—” Knight’s voice trailed off as he tried to meet Beast’s eyes but couldn’t with Beast looking away, as if the horizon offered all the pleasures of the world. “Ohh, that’s so adorable. Will the babies be little Merciers as well?”
Laurent frowned. “Well, yes. Of course. And we haven’t discussed it yet, so it’s quite inappropriate of you to speculate.”
Beast looked between them wide-eyed. “What babies?”
Laurent pulled on his hand. “Let’s go.”
“The babies you two are gonna have. My nephews and nieces, brother,” Knight said, satisfied by spoiling the moment for Beast as well. So he was a vengeful, bitter motherfucker. But who was Beast to speculate on his and Elliot’s… arrangement?
Beast groaned as he walked off with Laurent, and their conversation was too hushed for Knight to hear, which only meant he was now left all alone with his thoughts. The vision of Jake threatening Elliot mixed with his own anger at hearing that Elliot had claimed they were a thing.
And yet he couldn’t wait to see him. While also wanting to just get on his bike and never come back again.
He stood in place, watching Beast and Laurent reach the garage and disappear inside. His mind was racing and left him in a strange place where he truly had no idea what to think. The icy wind blew Knight’s long hair into his face, and he took it as his cue to move. He ran up to the nearest door and unlocked it, sliding in just in time to avoid facing Beast’s judgmental stare again. The corridor greeted him with air so hot it stung his cool skin and made his cheeks burn, but as he pulled off his gloves and rubbed stiff hands over his chest, Beast’s words still wouldn’t leave Knight’s head.
Were all his friends thinking that Elliot was Knight’s boyfriend, or were those just Beast’s speculations? He didn’t like being forced to deal with this kind of shit!
Knight briefly slowed down, remembering that he left all his luggage—and the bike—outside, but since the snow wasn’t falling and there wasn’t much wind, he decided to deal with the shitstorm first and go about his usual business later.
He walked to the front of the house, then past the gargoyle statue, then up the stairs, all the way to his apartment. And then he stalled, unsure what to do next. It was his apartment. Right there, behind his door was his space, and yet he’d given Elliot the access code so that he could have more comfort. And now he was hesitant to enter. His. Own. Damn. Space.
He opened the door and stormed in.
Elliot’s wide smile greeted him as soon as their eyes met. He rushed off the sofa to hug Knight. The room was so warm Knight was already sweating and all Elliot had on was a pair of jeans that seemed to be getting too tight on his slender legs and a T-shirt. His hair was damp, and as soon as he wrapped his arms around Knight’s waist, it became obvious he’d just showered and smelled so deliciously fuckable Knight had to remind himself of his purpose.
“Are you hungry?” Elliot asked and kissed Knight’s jaw.
Knight took a deep breath, struggling with his hands so close to Elliot’s sides he could easily grab and push him away. But he couldn’t just do that. “I—ah... I heard you fought with Jake.”
Elliot groaned and pressed his face against Knight’s scarf. “He’s a dumbass. Doesn’t matter.”
Knight looked around and spotted Elliot’s bag peeking from behind the screen that divided the living and bedroom areas. His heart thumped, and he felt hot and cold all at once. His hands hovered close to Elliot’s hips, but when the soft, damp hair tickled his neck, he hesitated again. He knew exactly what he’d feel if he put his arms around Elliot. His body was long and flexible like a Siamese cat’s. It fit so well in Knight’s embrace that he was afraid that were he to put his hands on those narrow, delicious hips, any talking would be over. He needed to stop this.
“That’s not what I heard.”
The dark eyes met Knight’s in an instant. If Elliot really were a cat, his ears would have pricked up. “What did he say? Whatever it is, he’s probably lying.”
Knight balled his fists. “He has as much right to suck my dick as you do.”
Elliot’s brows going lower over his eyes told Knight all he needed to know. “Excuse me?” He stepped back, and his arms slipped away from Knight’s waist.