Page 12 of Hard as Steel

“No,” Steel shouted in his face. “You were my dream. I’ve spent my life incapable of letting anyone in. I had an abusive father, and when I found my soulmate, he crushed me. My entire life has been stunted because I couldn’t fall out of love with you. Do you have any idea how much I’ve hated you for that?”

The pain was too much. Tears streaked down Krystof’s face. “You’re right. I deserve that. I shouldn’t have come to California. You deserve better than me. Always have.”

“You’re a fucking idiot.” Steel stormed away, wiping his face. “Let’s get lunch.” The words sounded irritated, as if there was nothing he would rather do less.

Krystof had to nearly run to keep up with Steel’s angry stride. “It’s okay. We don’t have to go to lunch. I can call a cab to take me back to my car. Surely there’s a flight I can be on by tonight, so you never have to see me again.”

Steel spun on him so fast, Krystof almost fell. “Why can’t you just shut the fuck up?” Steel’s mouth slammed into him with enough force his teeth cut into his lip.

Krystof didn’t flinch away. He came back at Steel with every bit as much passion. Steel shoved him against the hallway wall and ran his hands down Krystof’s body. He was on fire. It had been so goddamn long since anyone touched him. A moan escaped him. He missed every damn thing about Steel. His body craved him. His heart ached for the kiss to never end. He couldn’t stop crying, and Krystof didn’t care. This was his man. His home. Krystof’s everything. He choked on his love. Only God knew how living without this almost killed him.

Steel pulled away an inch but didn’t release Krystof’s face. Krystof hadn’t even realized how lovingly Steel embraced him. “Don’t ever threaten to leave me again. I can’t keep reliving that nightmare. You owe me more than that. It’s time for lunch.”

Krystof stood frozen, watching Steel’s sexy ass and back leaving him behind.

“Chop, chop, Kryssy.”

Krystof jogged after him. He had no idea what had just happened. But Krystof knew he wasn’t going anywhere until he found out.

Chapter Five

“Does this outfit say American charity event?”

Steel wore a huge grin. He looked happy. Sometimes the knowledge that Krystof was the reason Steel had so much joy in his eyes would hit from nowhere. There was so much pride and love in his chest.

“Very classy, Krysty.”

Krystof rolled his eyes. In Steel’s journey to find a pet name for Krystof, he had been called a lot of things. “Krysty?”

“Hmm. Maybe not.” He snapped his fingers. “Kryssy. My classy Krystof.” He moved to his knees on the bed they shared and snagged the lapels of Krystof’s dress coat and lured him closer. His eyes glowed with a teasing light. “Yeah. That’s the one.” He nuzzled Krystof’s neck before placing a light kiss beneath his ear. When he spoke, his breath brushed Krystof’s skin. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were the classiest person I had ever met. I have no idea what you saw in this backwoods country boy.”

Krystof was already breathless with Steel in his space. “I saw my other half. Backwoods country boy never even crossed my mind.” He shuffled closer and ran his hands down Steel’s back until he cupped Steel’s perfect ass. “My first thought was, wow. He’s so beautiful. You had likely saved my life, and all I could focus on was your eyes. I’ve never felt the way I did before that moment.” Krystof swiped his lips across Steel’s mouth. “I haven’t stopped feeling that way since.”

With his fingers linked behind Krystof's neck and his forearms resting on Krystof’s shoulders, Steel held his stare. “I love you.”

Krystof’s mouth went dry. They had danced around those three words for at least three months now. Steel was always the brave one. “I love you too.”

Steel kissed him. The way their lips touched was the sweetest of gestures. He placed a light peck on the tip of Krystof’s nose. “You look absolutely perfect for a charity event. You’ll be embarrassed to be seen with your backwoods bodyguard.”

Krystof pulled Steel flush against him in a tight hold. “Never.” As Krystof took the kiss he wanted, he silently vowed he would make sure Steel never regretted confessing his love, because no one could love him more.

Steel stared at a menu he had seen hundreds of times, as if his life depended on it. His sanity certainly did. Their server came to their table for a third time.

“Are you guys ready to order?”

Damn. Steel couldn’t keep sending the poor girl away. He met Krystof’s gaze. His chest hurt.

Krystof focused on the server. “Yes. Apologies for the holdup.” She visibly melted at Krystof’s accent. Everyone did. “I’d love the surf’s up salad. The vinaigrette on the side, please.”

A smile exploded across Steel’s face, listening to Krystof saying “surf’s up.” This was not Kryssy’s usual restaurant.

The server looked his way. “Tenderloin Caesar, please.” He passed her his menu and Krystof’s. “Thank you.”

With a smile, she walked away.

The moment she was gone, Steel focused on Krystof again. “This isn’t the type of place that knows you were taught only the servants touched things. You usually hand your menu back.”

The smile Krystof wore at the claim took his breath away. “I’m aware. I thought you’d like to hang on to at least one so you can continue hiding behind it.”