Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

After getting off the phone with Max, he’d called Hollis.

Ian wasn’t stupid. While Ian might be happy to assist Max, the young man might not be as eager to let Ian into his life. Hollis would protect Ian as well as offer another voice of reason.

Even if Max had nothing to do with what had been happening at the restaurant, Ian wanted to help him. He only vaguely remembered him from his time at Jagger’s. He’d been quiet and so damn pretty with big eyes. Ian knew he was younger than himself by at least a few years and had spent too much time getting passed around at the parties. Ian had no idea how Max had found himself trapped in Jagger’s clutches. Maybe he’d been sold by his parents as well. Or just kidnapped like so many others had been.

That wasn’t important. Ian could help him start over. Find a better, safer, happier life.

The sound of movement in the restaurant had Ian’s head popping up. He glanced quickly at his phone to check the time and found that it was way too early for Max to be there. As he was getting to his feet and starting to move around his desk, Hollis appeared in the doorway.

“You okay?” Hollis immediately asked.

“I’m fine. Everything is fine,” Ian said. He continued around the desk and wrapped his arms about Hollis’s waist. He tipped his head up, offering his lips for a kiss. Hollis relaxed against him and tenderly brushed his mouth over Ian’s, warming his chilled lips.

“Has it gotten that cold outside?” Ian asked when they separated.

Hollis nodded. “We’re definitely getting those first real tastes of fall. We might actually get our first frost soon.”

“Mmmm,” Ian hummed. “I guess I’ll have to make sure I do a good job of warming you up when we get home tonight.”

A wicked grin spread across Hollis’s face as he backed Ian up while still keeping his arms wrapped around Ian’s waist. “Really, now?” he drawled. Bending his knees, Hollis grabbed Ian by the thighs and lifted him, earning a surprised yelp from Ian, and sat him down on the edge of the desk. “Exactly what were you thinking of doing to warm me up?”

Spreading his legs, Ian pulled Hollis closer. The tantalizing scent of leather and the spicy hint of cologne teased Ian’s nose. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face against Hollis’s hard chest, trying to wrap his smell around him. This man meant everything to him. More than the restaurant. More than all his dreams for becoming a great chef. Hollis was home and happiness.

Hollis leaned down and captured Ian’s lips in another drugging kiss that had Ian lifting his arms and wrapping them about Hollis’s neck before hooking his heels behind his lover’s calves. He loved their height difference. He wanted to fucking climb this man every chance he got. Hollis started to pull away and Ian bit down on his lower lip, holding him in place for a second before releasing him with a final lick.

“We probably shouldn’t be starting this now,” Hollis said with a low chuckle.

Ian sighed, hating to agree with him. The timing wasn’t great. “Later. Tonight I’m going to crawl all over you and make you beg me.”

“You know you own me.”

Ian grinned up at Hollis. He did know it. But then, Hollis owned him heart and soul.

“I really don’t want to ruin your mood, but I need to know. What is your goal for tonight’s meeting with Max?” Hollis asked. Ian had told him about his surprise breakfast with Max that morning, and he had a feeling the only thing keeping Hollis from losing his temper was the fact that Snow had been there as well.

Ian leaned back a little and his hands slid down to rest on Hollis’s chest. “What are you talking about? Our goal is to help Max.”

Hollis pressed his lips together and stared silently at Ian like he was trying very hard not to frown while figuring out exactly what he could say without upsetting his husband. Yeah, that wasn’t going to fly.

“Just say it,” Ian snapped.

“Our focus should be on keeping you safe. You’ve been attacked in our damn home once already. We aren’t completely sure that Max is the one behind the attacks yet. And now there’s some other guy who’s probably eyeballing you as well. Either Max’s dealer or his pimp. Maybe both. I want to help him too, but not if it means that you’re going to come in a distant second.”

“We can do both. We can help Max and protect me,” Ian said confidently.

Hollis didn’t look so convinced, but he kept his comment to himself and instead asked, “What time was he supposed to be here again?”

“Quarter to midnight. What time is it now?” Ian twisted around and scooped up his cell phone, checking both the time and that he didn’t miss any phone calls or messages while he was snuggling with Hollis. There was nothing new that had come in, and it was just now twenty until twelve. Five more minutes.