Page 93 of The Primary Pest

“Yes,” Dmytro laughed. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Now, let’s go see if Ajax got your colors right.” Grandpa took off in his scooter, girls and dogs following along after. “Sasha, you’re the one who likes puce, right?”

“No, I don’t!” she said, aghast. “What’s puce?”

Dmytro laughed. Ajax watched them disappear down the corridor at the back of Ajax’s spacious home where the girl’s bedrooms were located. His suite was on the other side, overlooking the water. Nerves built up as Ajax opened the door and let Dmytro lead the way in.

“This is the master. Bathroom, dressing area, and closets are behind those doors.” The room was spacious and simple, decorated in shades of gray with blue, black, and amber accents. The furniture was sturdy and well made, the lines classic. He’d laid down soft rugs, set up a music system, and added a small fountain and some plants. There was no television. His room was a sanctuary. Ajax only hoped Dmytro would feel at home there too.

“It’s beautiful.” Dmytro took in the sweeping view of St. Nacho’s and the ocean beyond. “Far finer than anything I’ve ever had.”

“You—” Ajax corrected himself. “Wedeserve it. I think we do.”

Dmytro stood beside him, staring out. “Are you certain you want this?”

“Yes.” Ajax took his hand. “There has to be a point at which you’ll stop asking me that, right?”

“I’ll always need to know how you feel.” Dmytro looped his arm around Ajax’s shoulders.

“Do you think what I want changed between the time you called this morning and now? Or are you worried because you still perceive me to be young and fickle?”

“That’s notentirelytrue,” Dmytro admitted.

Ajax leaned against him. “Right now, I feel lucky to have you in my life. Will that change? I don’t know. It might. Should that stop me from being with you? From loving you right now? No.” Ajax shook his head. “Not even if I’m going to get hurt. I want this.”

“What ifIget hurt?” Dmytro asked. “What about when I’m old and my children have come to love you. What if you change your mind then?”

“No one knows the future.” Ajax reached up to trap Dmytro’s face between his hands. “Do you believe I’d hurt you on purpose? That I would betray your trust?”

Dmytro shook his head slowly. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life,” Ajax said fervently, “yes. With my heart. With everything, Mitya.”

Dmytro’s body stiffened faintly.

“I’m sorry.” Ajax winced. “You never gave me permission to call you that.”

“Of course you may call me Mitya. It’s just an old family nickname.” He relaxed again. “It was a surprise is all.”

“Are we okay?” Ajax drew Dmytro’s head down and brushed a kiss over his lips. “Are we going to try?”

“Yes, we will try. I believe we will succeed.” His arms tightened around Ajax’s body. “Welcome me home, Ajax.”

Ajax smiled against his lips. “Welcome home, Mitya.”

“You can do better than that.” He pushed Ajax into the softness of the bed behind him. Ajax stretched out beneath Dmytro, loving the feel of Dmytro’s cock against his growing length.

It had been far too long since Dmytro had held him like this, the few times they’d been together were always hurried or in motels where he was acutely aware of neighbors on the other side of tissue thin walls.

Ice-blue eyes met his. “Welcome me home properly, little mink.”

“Oh, I will.” Ajax winked up at him. “I will.”