Paladin, page 16
Arsen was also disappointed. There was nothing he wanted more than to take Ever upstairs and eat him for lunch, but he had to focus on work and then stream for a couple of hours. Then he would spend the rest of the night making Ever beg, cry, and scream in whatever way he could.
He pressed another kiss to his mouth, then said, “I have to finish my shift. Jericho isn’t coming in today. Later. After I finish my game. Okay?”
Ever’s full lower lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout, but Arsen wasn’t buying it. The little shit was learning all too quickly how to get what he wanted from Arsen. If he didn’t set some kind of boundary, they’d have no place to live because Arsen would give up all his responsibilities just to have Ever naked and willing underneath him twenty-four hours a day.
“Don’t you make that face at me,” Arsen murmured, even as he leaned in and gave him a kiss that lingered, giving in to the urge to slide his tongue between Ever’s slightly open lips. He tasted as sweet as he looked. “Go read your book, okay?”
Ever sighed, then nodded.
“Good boy.”
Ever’s lips fell open, a hazy look crossing his face. Arsen had no idea how to decipher what had just happened, so he just ignored it…for now. “Do you want me to order you lunch?”
Ever shook his head, putting his hand on his stomach. “I think I’ll throw up if I try to eat lunch.”
“Yeah, you might just want to sleep it off,” Arsen said, helping him from the counter.
Ever stood on tiptoe, threading his fingers behind Arsen’s neck and forcing his head low enough for him to kiss him again. Arsen allowed it, even as he walked him backwards towards the steps, only breaking the kiss when they reached the bottom tread. “Upstairs, now, besenok. Let me know if you get hungry.”
Ever sighed, glowering at him. “Fine.”
Arsen watched him go with a smile.
He really had created a monster.
They were finally raiding the church. This wasn’t the last level, but it was where they would finally find the last chest containing the piece they would need to assemble the puzzle, allowing them to fight the final boss. It was going to take all of them to get past the guards. Lake was in charge of the mission, even though Arsen was currently in charge of the stream. They tried to take turns on who got credit for the views.
“Pay attention, Arsen. On your six,” Lake shouted into the mic.
Arsen turned, running the enemy through, blood flying as the body crumbled to the ground. Arsen crouched beside the body, stealing the pouch full of gold and healing potions, then took off at a run to join the rest of the team.
Arsen shot a look at the time. It was already ten o’clock. Was Ever already sleeping? “After the raid, I’m out.”
Seven snickered. “You’re so whipped, bro.”
“You’re so jealous,” Arsen countered.
“I’m jealous, if anybody’s interested,” Nico offered. “Ever is so fucking cute, dude. He’s, like, pocket-sized, like those little sugar gliders. I want to carry him around in my pocket all day and feed him.”
Felix made an irritated sound just as his character beheaded a woman who looked like someone’s babushka. “He’s not a purse dog.”
“Dude, did you just take out Grandma?” Cree asked, disgusted.
“That outfit was hideous,” Felix said. “She had it coming.”
“Focus, guys. We just have to get into the church and get the chest and then we’re golden,” Lake said.
Arsen didn’t hear Ever enter the room—didn’t even know he was there until he stood beside him. He pushed Arsen’s hand off the keyboard so he could step between his arms, plopping into his lap, then wiggled forward, his legs sliding easily beneath the arms of the chair so he could cling to Arsen, laying his head on his shoulder.
Arsen didn’t have time to ask what he was doing. Lake kicked in the door to the church, revealing twenty plus guards with swords and crossbows. Arsen slid the chair closer to the desk, hands returning to the keyboard, but it was hard to concentrate. Ever smelled so fucking good and his lips were pressed against Arsen’s throat, his breath puffing against his skin in a way that was getting Arsen hard.
The shouting in his headset was deafening as Lake screamed orders at them. In the end, they won but just barely. Ever snuggled against Arsen the entire battle, not at all fazed by his jerky movements or his shouting in Russian. Arsen would have thought he was asleep if it weren’t for Ever’s fingertips under his shirt, making patterns on his back.
Arsen ended the game but not the feed. He removed his headphones, leaning forward to read the comments.
Ever!
Told you it was his boyfriend.
Thanks for making all of us feel really single.
I want an Ever.
I want an Arsen.
I want them both together…where I can watch.
Arsen rolled his eyes.
Ever sat up. “Are you done?”
Arsen nodded. “Yeah, I still have to—”
Ever’s lips were on his, his mouth opening against Arsen’s, tongue running along the seam. The stream was still running, but he couldn’t refuse something Ever offered so eagerly. He slid his tongue inside for just the briefest moment then pulled back.
“We’re on camera, besenok,” Arsen reminded.
Ever was undeterred, unzipping Arsen’s hoodie and sliding his hands across his bare chest, his lips finding Arsen’s neck.
“So turn it off,” Ever said, dipping to kiss Arsen’s collarbone. “You said we could play after your game. You said you’re done. Let’s play.”
Bozhe Moi.
Even with his headphones sitting on the keyboard, he could hear his friends whistling and cheering. The chat on the side was flying far too fast for Arsen to read it, but he was sure it was borderline pornographic. He didn’t even care. His hands were sliding under Ever’s ass, his fingers teasing under his shorts. Fuck it. Arsen gripped him tight and stood, Ever clinging to him like a koala. Arsen didn’t get far. He dropped to the edge of the bed, Ever still in his lap. The camera couldn’t see them, and the mic likely couldn’t pick them up, either. But, honestly, Arsen didn’t care. Ever clearly didn’t, either.
He was already pushing Arsen’s hoodie off his shoulders, his palms splaying over his chest. As he let his hands roam, his tongue darted out, licking over his lower lip.
He traced the tattoo around Arsen’s nipple. “What does ‘Press Start’ mean?”
“Press the button and find out,” he teased.
Ever’s eyes were all pupil as he looked at him then back down to Arsen’s chest. His fingers dragged over Arsen’s nipples. He groaned, bucking up against Ever so he could feel how hard he already was.
The way Ever’s eyes lit up was everything. He bit his lip, concentrating as he ran his thumbs over the tight peaks, making Arsen shiver.
“Fuck, you’re killing me,” Arsen managed.
Ever smiled, then leaned his weight against him, like he was asking for something. He wanted Arsen to lie down. He complied without thought, liking the way Ever looked on top of him.
Ever hovered over him, then placed an open-mouthed kiss right in the center of his chest, his tongue darting out to lick at the skin there. Arsen gave a shuddery breath but held still, letting Ever do what he wanted.
His hands slid down to Arsen’s ribs, but his mouth closed over one nipple, licking over it like a cat, before he scraped over it with his teeth. Arsen hissed, his hands squeezing Ever’s ass and grinding his hips against him. “Where did you learn that?”
Ever looked up, face serious as he said, “Romance novels.”
Then his head dipped once more, and he was sucking, then licking, then tugging at Arsen’s nipples with his teeth until it was Arsen who was coming unglued.
“Is this okay?” Ever asked quietly.
“Whatever you want is okay,” Arsen answered, meaning every word.
When Ever slid off the bed to the floor, Arsen instantly regretted giving Ever free reign. Was he pushing him too far too fast? Felix and Noah both said Ever was an adult and capable of making his own decisions. This was his decision, right? Who was Arsen to refuse?
When Ever’s hands caught in the waistband of his shorts, Arsen lifted up, letting him slide them off, pushing up on his elbows to look down. Big mistake. The sight of Ever looking up at him with those wide eyes and that perfect face was too much.
Ever came up on his knees, his hands gripping Arsen’s thigh as he rubbed his face against his cock, then licked a broad stripe along the vein that ran along the underside. Fuck, maybe Ever was part kot. He certainly enjoyed using his tongue.
Arsen gripped the sheets as Ever explored, not taking him in his mouth but kissing his inner thighs, the crease of his leg, running his nose along the dip just above his hip bone. It was fucking maddening.
He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation even as he cursed it. It took him by surprise when Ever’s mouth closed around him, causing his whole body to tense. There was no hesitation, no timidity.
Ever gripped the base with his hand, bringing his lips down to meet it, sucking hard enough to make Arsen moan. “Did you learn that from romance novels, too?” he asked, breathless.
“Mm,” Ever hummed, sending the most delicious vibration along Arsen’s dick.
As Ever worked him over, Arsen decided he would write the biggest thank you note to Barnes & Noble, maybe even to every author in the romance section. Chert. It should be illegal for someone to look so sweet while doing something so goddamn dirty.
Arsen’s fingers threaded through Ever’s hair, but then he stopped. He didn’t want him to feel forced or rushed, didn’t want to inadvertently bring up any bad memories. He dropped his hand to his thigh. Ever took his wrist and put his hand back on his head without missing a beat.
Fuck.
Still, Arsen tried not to grip him too tight or work himself too deeply into Ever’s mouth, but it was impossible. Ever was even better than he could have imagined. Even though Ever blamed the novels, part of Arsen feared the real reason Ever had gotten so good at this. And it wasn’t from anything good.
But Arsen didn’t want to think about that. It wasn’t the time. Others might have forced Ever, but he wanted this. He’d initiated this. He wanted to make Arsen feel good, and fuck, if he wasn’t doing a perfect job. He’d imagined this scenario too many times during too many cold showers.
Ever was better than any fantasy. He ran his tongue along the crown of Arsen’s cock, then licked over the slit.
Arsen’s eyes rolled behind closed lids. “Oh, fuck. You’re so good. Da, vot tak. Zdes. Zdes. That feels so fucking good.”
Dirty talk wasn’t really Arsen’s strong suit in any language, but as soon as he said it, Ever pulled off, lips spit-slick and parted, chest rising and falling rapidly, that same dazed expression from earlier on his face. “Say it again.”
“That feels so good,” he repeated.
Ever shook his head. “The other part.”
The other part? “You’re doing so well?”
Ever blushed then looked down, nodding. Did Ever want him to…praise him? Oh, fuck. That was why he’d gone all gooey when Arsen had said “good boy” earlier. Arsen’s aching cock was now throbbing. There was nothing Arsen wanted more than to spend the rest of his life telling Ever how amazing he was.
He ran his thumb along his cheek. “You are. You’re perfect. Perfect and so fucking pretty.”
Ever made a tiny sound, then slid his mouth back over Arsen, once more enclosing him in the wet suction of his mouth. He wasn’t sure he could take much more. He sat up, his hands fisting in Ever’s hair, rolling his hips just enough to get the rhythm he needed.
“Oh fuck. That’s it. God, you’re so good. Your mouth feels so fucking good. Just looking at you on your knees for me is gonna make me come. Vot tak. Vot tak.”
Ever whined around his cock, his gaze flicking up to meet Arsen’s. That was it. Two more thrusts and he was coming hard, spilling onto Ever’s tongue, groaning as he swallowed it all. When he was finished, Ever sat back on his knees, looking up at Arsen expectantly.
“Come here, my good boy,” Arsen said, pulling Ever back into his lap. “It’s my turn.”
He peeled Ever’s shirt off, dropping it onto the floor, then buried his face against his neck, kissing the skin there, licking a stripe to his earlobe. “Kiss me. I want to taste myself on your tongue.”
Ever did as Arsen asked, making another high-pitched whine when Arsen sucked. He slid his hand into Ever’s shorts, swiping his thumb over the tip. He was already leaking. He used the pre-cum to smooth the slide of his hand on him, but that wasn’t enough. He licked his palm then returned it. He really needed to start keeping lube in every room in the house.
That didn’t seem to matter. Ever was already fucking into Arsen’s fist, his face buried in his neck. “Don’t hide. I want to watch you.” Ever hesitated, but then sat back. “You don’t have to be shy,” Arsen said.
Ever didn’t look convinced, but a couple more strokes of Arsen’s hand and Ever forgot all about being watched. He seemed to forget about everything but chasing his own pleasure. He tipped his head back, lips parted, eyes closed. He was so fucking beautiful. Arsen could watch him like this forever, could study the way he was falling apart. The way his breaths increased…
The half-bitten sounds falling from his lips…
And then, he started swearing, “Oh. Oh, fuck. Don’t stop. Please. I’m almost… I’m so close… Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.”
Arsen had to bite back a smile. Hearing fuck fall from that innocent face was his new favorite drug. Ever’s blunt nails dug at Arsen’s shoulders, leaving tiny half-moon indents in his skin. Would he scratch at Arsen’s back when he was inside him, when he was driving into the tight heat of his body? Fuck, if he could have gotten hard again he would have.
Ever cried out, then he was spilling over Arsen’s fist, pitching forward and sinking his teeth into Arsen’s shoulder. Arsen couldn’t stop the growl that escaped. He’d been too hasty with Ever. He should have taken his time, should have given him more attention than a handjob.
“Will you fuck me next time?” Ever breathed into Arsen’s ear.
Jesus. “Is… Is that what you want?” Ever didn’t look at Arsen, just nodded against his throat. “Then yeah. I will.”
“Good,” Ever said, then tacked on, “I’m hungry.”
Maybe he’d finally found a way to get Ever to eat. “Do you want to order food or go to the diner?”
Ever leaned back. “Can we order food from the diner? I’m too tired to move. I feel like my brain melted.”
Arsen reached for his phone to place the order but realized quickly it was in his room. Which was down the hall. Which meant passing in front of the camera, which was still on. He gently set Ever on the bed and pulled his clothes back on, not bothering to zip his hoodie.
He went to the computer to make sure there was nobody on the stream, eyes going wide as he realized they were all still there. Chatting. About him and Ever and what they were doing off-camera. Arsen rolled his eyes, disconnecting, before he went back to Ever.
“Let’s go, besenok. You’ll have to look at the menu.”
Ever shook his head, then gave him wide eyes and that over-exaggerated pout. “I can’t walk.”
Arsen snorted. “I’m onto you,” he said, even as he picked him up bridal-style, carrying him into their room and tossing him onto the bed. “You won’t be able to get your way just because you pout at me.”
Ever looked disappointed. “I won’t?”
Arsen shook his head. He fell on top of Ever, snagging his wrists and holding them hostage. “Of course, you will. Just try to use your powers for good instead of evil.”
Ever giggled. “Okay. Now, feed me.”
Ever looked for his book everywhere. Under every pillow, every couch cushion. Even in the bathroom, just in case. Everywhere. But it was gone. There was a chance Arsen had moved it while he was cleaning earlier, but he wasn’t there to ask. He had walked down the street to grab their food from the deli.
Ever had tried—again—to get Arsen to let him cook—he knew how—but Arsen refused, saying he wanted Ever to focus on getting comfortable in his new space before taking on any domestic chores.
Ever smiled. That was just how Arsen was. He only cared about Ever and Ever’s feelings. Still, he felt bad. Arsen wasn’t made of money, and what he did get, he spent sparingly. When Ever had called him out on spending money on take-out, he said it was him cutting into his gaming fund, not bill money, and if he wanted to spoil Ever, he could.
It seemed like a dream. Ever had dreamed of escaping Jennika a million times over the years, had even thought about finding a way to end it all himself. But he just couldn’t do it. The promise of something more, someday, had always been too alluring. And now, he had it. Sometimes, he worried he had died and this was heaven. Did heaven smell like diesel fuel and motor oil? Maybe so.
Ever sucked in a breath. The garage.
That was where he had left his book. He’d sat on the counter after lunch and pretended to read while he covertly watched Arsen bending over the engine of the vintage car he wouldn’t stop gushing about. Ever hadn’t cared about the car, but staring at Arsen’s butt while he talked with passion about something that excited him was addicting. Especially, with his low, sexy voice and that sometimes heavy accent.
He was so…manly.
“Good boy.”
The way he’d purred that right in Ever’s ear… It was like he’d figured out the cheat code to Ever’s secret desires, and whenever he said it, it melted something low in his belly. They still hadn’t had sex. Arsen had been called to Jericho’s condo to take care of something and Ever had fallen asleep waiting.
