Dean’s gaze swung between Roman and Xavier.
Xavier visibly tried looking humble. He failed on every level.
With a shake of his head, Dean tried for a smile. “A celebrity chef, huh?”
Xavier nodded. “I swear you’ll enjoy yourself.”
“I guess I’ve got some time.”
Roman tried not to show his triumph. Getting to know Brett’s brother was one more step into Brett’s inner circle. It wouldn’t be long until Brett wondered how he ever lived without Roman. His plan was coming together nicely. Roman couldn’t fail.
Five
For the first time since the wreck, Brett didn’t feel too bad. His left leg was still pretty much useless and sore, but his head felt clear after a full night’s sleep in his bed. Visiting with his little brother yesterday had been a huge help too. Sometimes, Brett forgot how much he needed what little family he had. Spending the day in bed with Xavier, Dean, and Roman while eating and talking nonstop lifted his spirits and made things seem not as bad today. Another highlight was the knee scooter that waited for him by the bed with a note from Xavier saying it had been delivered early this morning. Brett was ridiculously excited to try it out. It was so easy and made his life seem like a breeze compared to the way he had been struggling. The all-terrain scooter let him move from place to place with ease. He managed to bathe, dress, and do his hair with very few adjustments.
Once he had done as much as he could do to rescue his mangled appearance, Brett found himself still staring in the mirror. His face looked a mess. Both his eyes were black, and his left cheek still looked swollen. But oddly, he felt good. He had chosen a bright pink shirt and checkered shorts for the day. Brett loved being different. People either admired his courage or rolled their eyes at his eccentric style. Either way, he never left a neutral impression. He wanted people to see him and remember him. Right now, he needed to see Roman. It was time to get the man’s vacation back on schedule. A hint of sadness wormed its way into his happiness at that thought. Roman would go home as soon as Brett no longer needed him. Hell, he might take one look at Brett moving around and leave today. Brett’s shoulders squared. He would have to give Roman a reason to stay. At least for a couple more days. They had unfinished business. A wicked smile tugged at Brett’s lips. If Dean hadn’t shown up yesterday, Brett might have convinced Roman to finish some business yesterday. Damn. He needed to see Roman’s sexy face.
With his knee balanced on the scooter and a smile in place, Brett rolled his way down the hall and into the bedroom he had assigned Roman. He didn’t stop to think about his welcome. Childlike glee kept him moving. “Look what I can do.” A completely nude Roman greeted him as he rounded the corner. Brett quickly turned his face away. He wished he had been quick enough to miss the sight altogether. Goddamn. So much delicious skin. “Sorry. The door was open, but I should’ve announced myself sooner or something.”
A sexy chuckle floated through the air and washed over Brett. Roman crossed the room. Before Brett knew what would happen, Roman clutched his chin, turned Brett’s face back his way, and captured Brett’s mouth. It was carnal and heaven. Brett lost the ability to think and breathe.
Roman pulled away and swiped the moisture from Brett’s bottom lip. “I find it odd that you never turn away from Xavier’s nudity, but—with me—you act as if you’ve never seen a naked man.”
“Xavier wants me to look at him.”
A slow and sexy grin spread across Roman’s lips. “So do I.” He gently kissed Brett’s nose—like trying to heal it before moving to Brett’s bruised cheek. He whispered more confessions while his lips lightly brushed Brett’s skin, seducing him. “I like to be watched.” Brett felt Roman’s lips shape a smile against his skin. “I think you do too.” He ran his hand down Brett’s stomach, stopping before he reached the waistband of Brett’s shorts. “That’s why you’re wearing this hot pink shirt. You like it when people’s eyes caress your skin. It makes me wonder what else you’d be willing to do while on display.” Brett lost his breath. He was so turned on that he couldn’t find the oxygen in the air. Roman turned away before Brett could panic and push him away. “Since you’re up and moving, we should go out for breakfast. Do they serve anything other than coffee at that Back Porch place of Wrecker’s? You should let your friends see that you’re okay.”
Brett’s eyes ate up the sight of Roman crossing the room to dress. His every muscle bunched and rolled—like a predator ready to pounce at any moment. Roman was a dangerous work of art, but Brett realized something monumental. His killer body and beautiful face weren’t why Brett couldn’t stay away. Roman saw him. No one else saw him and it was fucking terrifying.
When he didn’t respond, Roman turned his way, as he pulled on his clothes, giving Brett full view of his erection. Brett wanted it. He wanted all of Roman. He hadn’t called Roman because he knew the man would do anything for a price. Brett had called Roman because—deep down—he had known Roman would do him in ways no one else understood.
“They have pastries and breakfast breads,” Brett heard himself answer—like he responded from a distance. He was totally screwed. Roman knew him. It was entirely possible this man would be his ruin.
Roman freely admitted he moved a lot slower than necessary while pulling on his clothes. He made a show of flexing as he tugged his clothes in place. Brett openly watched. He made Roman proud. Roman had always suspected Brett would be like fire in his bed. Lots of people claimed to be kinky, but few truly knew the meaning. Brett would play. Goddamn. Roman had never wanted anyone as badly.
It hurt tucking his erection away and pretending his lust didn’t matter. Right now wasn’t the time, though. Roman still hadn’t proven his worthiness. Occasionally, Brett still looked at him like he stripped for a living. He did, but Roman needed Brett to see him as more than a toy before they slept together. Otherwise, he would never be more than someone to use and throw away in Brett’s eyes.
“Let’s see you in action,” Roman said as he crossed the room fully dressed. “Set that baby in motion and show me what you can do.”
A bright smile lit Brett’s face, doing nothing to squelch the flush of desire still tinting his cheeks. “Probably not as much as I’d like but definitely more than yesterday. You’ll probably still have to help me down the garage steps and into the car, but otherwise, I’m good to hit The Back Porch, if you are.”
“Let’s go.” Wrecker would be on his honeymoon by now, so Roman was all in. Now that he knew Brett had been with Wrecker, he didn’t feel quite as keen to ever see the guy again. Brett happily set his scooter in motion. He looked adorable—like a happy kid, rolling his way down the hall. When they reached the garage stairs, Roman easily plucked Brett from his feet and set him at the bottom of the three steps and handed down his scooter before closing the door behind them. He headed for the Range Rover again, since he knew it would be the easiest for him to help Brett maneuver in and out.
As he lifted Brett into the passenger seat of the SUV, Brett shocked the hell out of him by kissing him. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Roman’s, as if testing the waters. When Roman leaned into the kiss, Brett opened his mouth over Roman’s bottom lip. Roman tried to protect Brett’s foot, but he lost himself. He dragged Brett closer while pushing his thighs apart to make room for him to get as close as possible. Brett pulled his hair and bit his bottom lip. Things turned into an inferno so fast that Roman threw out every plan he had to slowly seduce Brett. Before Roman could start tearing off clothes, Brett’s kiss slowed and softened. He went from being a wildcat to tender in an instant. Roman wasn’t any less seduced. In fact, he wanted even more than before. Brett’s body wasn’t enough. Roman craved his soul. He knew himself well enough to know he wouldn’t stop until he had it.