Page 31 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

I open the cupboard under the sink and find a bundle of new toothbrushes Yasmin must have gotten during our last trip to Costco. I open one, put on some toothpaste, and hand it to him before running the hot water in the tub. “Yeah. They’re not good people.”

“How so?”

It usually annoys me when people ask too many questions about my past. It feels as if they’re digging for something to use against me or gossip to their friends about. But when Aaron sticks the toothbrush into his mouth and just watches me for answers, it’s obvious that he wants to get to know me. If I want this thing with him to work, and I really do, then I need to open up to him a little. Even though I consider my past life a closed chapter. I suppose he deserves to read the footnotes to who I am now.

“They’re trash. None of them ever attempted to do any honest work. I used to be a lookout for my dad as early as eight years old,” I say, making sure the water isn’t too hot. Aaron is brushing his teeth, so I continue. “He was a burglar all his life. My uncles and cousins partnered with him, but they also sold drugs, often the worst quality stuff. I remember there was this one batch that ended up sending several people to the hospital. They didn’t even feel guilty about it.”

I shake my head, once again wondering if I can ever be fully normal. In my own eyes, I have transcended the past, but the truth is that it remains in me, rearing its ugly head in the worst of moments.

Like when I didn’t hesitate to wreck Henry’s wrist. That dog-eat-dog mentality came right back to me in a flash, and I knew that I had to be vicious to get him to back down.

Aaron is still brushing his teeth but reaches out to stroke my arm. Weirdly enough, the silence between us isn’t even awkward. I’ve got all of his attention.

He speaks after rinsing his mouth. “I’m sorry. Your cousin was trying to sell me something and I didn’t know how to get out of it at that point. He asked me about my necklace—” Aaron’s fingers drift to his neck and the chain that isn’t there.

Fuck. Fucking Henry. I wish I could break the bastard’s other hand.

“I shouldn’t have left you alone for so long. It’s not your usual crowd. Not that... I mean, most of my acquaintances are good people, but there's always bad apples,” I reassure him and pull off my top.

His eyes glaze over, and he inches closer. It gives me a kick that I have such as effect on him.

“No, you shouldn’t have left me. Why invite me if you’re gonna spend half the night flirting with girls?” He makes a pouty face even though his fingers are already on my sides. He’s definitely much more expressive when drunk and despite the accusation thrown my way, I think he’s adorable.

“It’s just for business reasons,” I complain and pull him close while the water splashes behind us and heats up the interior. “They stopped me, one started recording, and I needed to be the guy everyone thinks I am.”

Aaron cocks his head, and a bit of color returns to his cheeks. “What… business reasons? You’re not sleeping with them for money, are you?”

That really throws me off, and I lean back to make sure he sees my face. “What? No. No, they’re potential customers, and free marketing, if they post a good video of me.”

His eyes go wide and he grips my arms. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry! I’m fucking this up!”

I exhale, but he’s new to this, and read way too much into my interactions with some of the party guests. “Look, maybe it’s not super clear to you, but I am only flirting with girls to seem like more of a catch. Nothing’s gonna happen with them, ever,” I say and stop the water flow before shoving down my pants, underwear and socks.

His face lights up, and he attempts to unbutton his pants, but by the way his fingers keep missing their mark, I’m guessing he’s far from sober. “So you’re gay, not bi?”

“I am very gay, pretty boy,” I say, doing it for him. I don’t hesitate to undress him the rest of the way either, and as I scoot down, removing his shoes and socks, I take my time looking at his cock and balls.

“But you… flirt with women? And you’ll keep doing that? But you’ll only sleep with me?” His breath hitches.

Heat dashes up my back. He’s looking down at me with so much desire I can feel it touch me, so I rise and place my hands on his hips. “Now you get it.”

I haven’t thought about it in detail yet, but I instantly know this is what I want, even if just to make him focus on me only. It wouldn’t be fair to not give that in return. He’s not only my type to a T, but it’s also such a hassle to keep my secret while sleeping around. I’d consider hooking up with someone during a trip, but not now that I’ve made a commitment to him. Our thing might be temporary but he deserves to get all of me.

He presses his minty lips to mine, and his growing erection pokes my thigh. Time to change position before my own cock gets too interested in reciprocating.

I give him a little peck on the lips and crawl into the tub, gesturing for him to join me. “Does that mean you agree?” I ask, to make sure we’re on the same page, but my gaze remains glued to his pale, bony form. He’s delicate like a little bird, but not feminine. His shoulders, his wrists, his cheek bones, they’re all sharp angles.

“Yes. I mean… I don’t like that I’ll have to watch you flirt with girls, but at least I get it now. It’s just for show.”

I hold his hand when he wobbles, almost falling into the water, but he eventually manages to settle. It’s time to wash his hair.

“Slide down a bit,” I ask him, and when he does, I play with the black curls as they form a halo around his face, which remains on the surface. “I’d rather not flirt with them either, but I think of it as acting.”

“What about my promise?” He gives a sheepish grin. “You owe me two blowjobs. But, like, not in a creepy way. You don’t actually owe them. No one is obligated to sex. You don’t have to—” Aaron groans and covers his face, making me laugh.

“No, I know, I know, glad that we agree on that," I say, pulling him back against me. His hair is wet against my cheek, and as I squeeze him close, it releases warm water. “But I definitely do owe you those blowjobs. It’s only right that I make good on that promise.”

“And is um… now a good time?” He looks over his shoulder, and even his profile is oh so pretty.