Havoc (Tattoos and Ties 1)

“Okay, I’ll try better.” Keyes gave in, because he was ultimately always going to give in to this man. He pushed off the raft, seeing more alcohol in his near future. If he didn’t get himself together, he might find himself dropping to his knee and declaring his undying devotion. What a tool he’d be. He started for the pool steps, hearing more than seeing Alec following along behind him through the water, so he said over his shoulder, “I’m sorry I struggle with talkin’.”

=?=

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Alec said absently, having his own struggle with losing some of the hurt Key’s instant distance had caused. He looked up to say something more when he stumbled over his steps, watching the movement of Key’s fluid body. Key’s shorts hung low on his hips, rivulets of water trailing down his beautifully decorated skin as he walked toward their towels. His powerful muscles flexed as he reached for the terry cloth and began drying off. Everything but Key faded, even his hurt feelings fled as a renewed commitment to their shared future settled inside him. He had to be doing something right, Key was there with him now.

Alec walked the length of the pool and refreshed Key’s drink, but not his own. They had a long way to go on their in-home date night. Dinner, dancing, and waking up tomorrow morning wrapped in Key’s strong arms.

“Hungry?” Key asked, meeting him halfway back around the pool and using his towel to dry Alec’s chest. It was a sweet move, one performed with care. When Alec nodded, Key traded him the towel for the drink and a quick press of the lips. “I’ll get the grill started.”

Alec watched him leave while he picked up the lotion and towels left behind. His personality was such that when he saw what he wanted, he went for it. And, man, did he have a strong need to verbalize their commitment to one another—to lock it down. But in this case, he needed to slow down. Stop pushing. Enjoy what was offered, and go with it like he’d promised himself he’d do. It just seemed like he was wasting so much time. Hell, if it were completely up to him, he would quit his job, help Key get away from that atrocious club, and have them up in the New England area, setting up home while he begged Reed to hire him.

Lost in thought, he started through the pool house bathroom door, not even realizing Key was close until he came up behind him and locked one of those big brawny arms around his waist, bringing him to a halt. Key leaned in and whispered, “You keep talking as if there’s a future for us.”

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Alec spoke honestly, resting back against the warmth and comfort of Key’s hard chest.

Whatever he’d said gave Key a good chuckle as his breath caressed his skin, and Key nuzzled Alec’s neck, the prickly stubble sending a shiver down his spine. God, he loved that move. “I’m always comfortable around you.”

Alec closed his eyes and turned his head, sealing the moment with a deeply heated kiss. When he broke away, he reared back and looked at Key. Key swayed on his feet then pulled out of his arms before going for the house. “Don’t get too drunk. I’m gonna have my way with you.”

Key’s laugh followed him inside.

The night couldn’t get better. Alec sat in a patio chair, not a place he’d normally choose to have dinner on such a warm summer’s night, but Key preferred the outdoors, wanting to be outside at any given opportunity. So Alec sat outside, loving how the ceiling fan above stirred just enough air to make the evening sultry, but not unbearable, as they listened to the Echo, which turned out to have an endless supply of music.

“It’s good,” Key said, throwing in the towel. Literally. He wiped the napkin over his lips, then down over his scruffy beard. A move he’d watched him do over and over again. His guy hated the idea of any food lingering.

“There’s more,” Alec said, lifting his glass of wine, taking a sip while crossing one bare foot over his thigh.

“Nah, I’m good.” Key started to rise, reaching for Alec’s plate.

“Leave it.” Alec placed his hand over the plate, but Key just shook him off. They’d developed a rhythm. Alec cooked, Key kept the kitchen clean.

“This is my contribution.” Keyes didn’t care that Alec hired a staff of people to clean up after just one man. He wanted to do his part, so he did, no matter how hard Alec might protest.

“You bought the steaks,” Alec pointed out, trying to justify keeping Key there with him.

“You bought the baked potatoes,” Key countered, hands full, heading for the kitchen.