Page 71 of The Sweetheart
“Please what, baby? Look at me.” Nolan pulled away from him so that he could see his face, but Kai couldn’t bring himself to look up. “Please what?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered, pathetically confused by the tumult of fears chasing around his brain.
“You do know. Come on now. Use your words.”
“I can’t lose you,” Kai blurted. Nolan sighed again, but the smile on his face was amused. He rested his forehead lightly against Kai’s.
“What did I tell you on Tuesday when we were talking about Liam? And if you tell me you don’t know, there will be a spanking coming your way.”
“You said nothing he said would change how you feel,” Kai whispered, and Nolan’s arms tightened around his waist.
“What else?”
He’d said that he would have Kai’s secrets if they became a problem, but Kai didn’t want to remind him of that. The idea of having to confess his sins to Nolan set his stomach roiling again.
“You said you didn’t judge me for the stuff I did.”
“That’s right. I don’t give a damn about the past. I care about what you do right now and what we’re going to do in the future. I’m not looking backwards. Don’t worry about Chris. I told you, sometimes time is the only way to earn trust, and we have time on our side, isn’t that right?”
“Yes, Daddy.” And Kai was surprised to find that his words did make him feel better. His panic had abated some, and, even though he still kind of felt shivery, he did trust Nolan when he said the past didn’t matter. It still felt like a fragile thing in his hands, like if he jostled it too much it might break.
“Look at me.”
Kai did as he was told, meeting warm, coffee brown eyes. Nolan had his “Kai” smile on and he searched his face, looking for something.
“Perfect,” he murmured, and Kai couldn’t help the smile that spread on his face. No one had ever looked at him before and thought, “perfect,” that was for sure.
“I think you got that backwards.” He bit back a grunt when Nolan slapped him hard on his ass and then grabbed two fistfuls and squeezed.
“Don’t contradict me.” He claimed Kai’s mouth in a kiss, and Kai responded hungrily pressing into Nolan’s body as both of their cocks started to fill. Kai rubbed against him, his poor, touch-starved dick desperate for a little affection, until Nolan pulled back. “Nuh uh. You still have two more nights on your punishment.”
Kai groaned. “I’m dying!”
“And yet I can already tell your lesson is finally registering. I’m proud of you, baby.” He sounded a little proud, but mostly amused, but it triggered a realization in Kai. He was right. For the first time ever, Kai had brought his concerns to Nolan andeven though he’d a minor freak out, they’d dealt with it. Together.
“I did learn my lesson,” Kai said proudly.
“Yeah, you did.” Nolan kissed him again. “Come on. Let’s get back out there.” Nolan took his hand, but when they rounded the corner, Chris was blocking their path, arms crossed.
“Were you eavesdropping?” Nolan asked, tensing his grip on Kai’s wrist.
“Maybe.” He fixed his stare on Kai. He wanted to step into Nolan, but he forced himself to stand his ground. “What he said about trust and time is true. The truth of the matter is, I already believe that you care deeply for Nolan… when it’s easy. I mostly just need to know what kind of person you are when things get tough.”
“Respectfully, Chris, you don’t need to know shit about me.” Kai tipped his chin stubbornly, but Chris seemed unfazed.
“Nolan might be able to make that argument, but let me assure you that everything that relates to Katie is my business.”
Kai wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, but he bit his tongue. He wanted to say that he didn’t care, but he did. Even though he’d only known her for a short time, Katie was his friend, and she’d become his confidante in this life that he’d suddenly dropped into. Shemeantsomething to him so as much he would love to cuss Chris out properly, he wouldn’t.
And Kai guessed that he was grateful Chris hadn’t said anything to her that might tarnish her opinion of him.
“Alright, enough,” Nolan cut in. “You’ve said your piece. Leave it alone now.”
Chris gave his brother one last look and then nodded.
“I came to let you know we’re leaving. Katie’s tired and she has papers to grade.”
“Can I say bye?” Kai asked.
