Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I can get it.”
“I know. Maybe I like taking care of you.”
Alexei was surprised that Soren frowned rather than smiling at the sentiment, seeming to close up like a hermit crab tucking into his shell. “What?”
“Nothing.”
He snorted as he finished cleaning Soren’s chest. “Liar.”
“I don’t want you thinking I can’t take care of myself.”
It actually took him a second to get to the root of that sentence. On the surface, it didn’t make sense to him. The only people he knew who might be more capable than Soren were his uncles, and that wasn’t by much. “Because of your age?”
“Because of our age difference. I’m fourteen years older than you. I don’t want you looking at me like I’m an old man and can’t…”
“Can’t what?”
“Can’t keep up with you,” he softly finished.
Laughter jumped from him so suddenly that he stumbled backward a step. He was still laughing when he tossed the washcloth into the bathroom and ambled into the bedroom. “My uncles are in their forties, and I can’t keep up with them.” Alexei paused to get the blankets straightened before he flipped out the light and climbed into bed beside Soren. “Besides, you’re hurt and allowed to be babied a little. Plus, I kind of like doing things for you. I like taking care of people.”
“Did you want to be a nurse when you were a kid?”
“For a while, but you’ve got to take that with a grain of salt. I also wanted to be an astronaut, fashion designer, fashion model, French chef, race car driver, and part of a super-awesome boy band. I was all over the place. The point is that I don’t see you as old or incapable. I’m not going to treat you like that.” He leaned up on his elbow and looked into Soren’s face, though it was hard to see in the darkness. “But I need you to not treat me like a kid. I know my own mind. I can make my own decisions and take care of myself. I don’t need some daddy figure in my life telling me what to do, but I do like older men because you tend to have your shit pulled together. I’ve got no time for fucking nonsense.”
Soren chuckled softly as he cupped Alexei’s cheek with one hand. “Angel, I don’t think I’ve met anyone with their shit more pulled together than you.”
Alexei allowed Soren to tug him closer for a slow kiss that made his toes curl in the sheets. No one had ever touched him like Soren did, like he was a priceless artifact that needed to be cherished and cared for. Sometimes he acted with need and urgency, but most of the time, it was a slow exploration as if he wanted to learn everything he could about Alexei. It was intoxicating and addictive.
“Get some sleep,” Alexei murmured when the kiss ended, his lips brushing against Soren’s as he spoke. “We’ve got to visit the Louvre in the morning.”
Alexei rolled onto his side, snuggling down under the blankets, and Soren immediately moved beside him, spooning him. Yeah, he loved to top, but he also loved being the little spoon. At least, he loved it with Soren, his larger body wrapped protectively around him.
“Angel, it’s probably bad to ask now, but do you have any other safe places besides this apartment?”
Alexei smiled in the darkness. “You’re thinking shit might go crazy after we get our hands on the hard drive tomorrow.”
“Yep.”
“I’ve got a couple of other places around Europe and one in the States if we need it.”
The last of the tension flowed out of Soren’s frame and he drew Alexei in tighter. “Good. I think it’s best to stay in Europe for now.”
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow will be fine.”
Chapter 12
It was a perfect June day. The sun was shining brighter than usual in the incredible blue sky. The tourists weren’t getting underfoot too much and even traffic seemed tolerable.
Or maybe it was an average day and it all seemed to be a little more, a little better, because of the sexy blond strolling beside him. He was wearing dark jeans and a deep-purple-and-black button-down short-sleeved shirt with matching purple-rimmed sunglasses. Even today’s lipstick had a hint of plum, making his smirk look a bit sassier.
Naturally, Soren had gone for clothes that would allow him to blend in with the crowds—blue jeans, a gray T-shirt, and a plain black ball cap. He had a couple of tools tucked on his body that he’d retrieved from the bag Alexei had held onto, but the most important thing was that he had a cell phone.
“Was the Louvre always part of your plan or an impulse?” Alexei asked as they paused outside the massive glass pyramid in the center of the courtyard that served as the entrance into the museum. It was a strange structure to see when surrounded by the elegance of the royal palace. The thing looked out of time and place, but he had to admit that he liked how it glowed at night when lit from within.