In the Eyes of Crazy(24)

Land let out a long breath, not wanting to get overwhelmed about things he was still coming to grips with. He knew it would happen in time. If the other humans in the house could do it, he could, too. “I’m not sleeping with anyone but Payson,” Land decided to say instead. “I don’t want to sleep with anyone but Payson. Many of the other guys here are also in a committed relationship. These guys are Payson’s family, not orgy partners.”

Land watched Larissa worry her bottom lip. It was a reaction he knew well. It meant she was working up the nerve to say something she didn’t think he’d like hearing, but in her opinion, needed to be said. Seeing the concern in her blue eyes, so similar to his own, Land knew she just wanted to look out for him. He didn’t always want her opinion or agree with her views, but there was no doubt in his mind she cared for him and loved him. Larissa was his family. This situation was more than a little awkward for both of them, but Land knew he needed to help her understand he wasn’t walking away from Payson.

Finally, she opened her mouth and pointed out, “You were still a virgin until last night. How do you know what you like?”

The flush Land had been fighting won. Heat crept across his chest and up his neck into his cheeks. There was no way in hell he was going to try to explain how fantastic Payson made him feel, how if he came any harder he’d end up dying from bliss. “Ever believe in love at first sight?” he asked softly. At her incredulous look, Land shrugged. “We fit.”

“I don’t want to see you get hurt, Land,” Larissa murmured.

“I know that,” he assured, smiling and

squeezing her hand. “You won’t, but if that ever

happened, I’d always have your shoulder to cry

on and you can tell me you told me so,” he teased,

trying to lighten the suddenly somber mood. “That will never happen,” Payson said from the

doorway, gaining their attention.

Land’s heartbeat accelerated as he watched his

lover stalk across the room toward him. He caught

the glint of lust and something else, something

wild and primitive, in Payson’s gray eyes. Without

hesitation, Land opened his arms and accepted his

lover’s embrace.

Payson cupped Land’s jaw with one palm, his

other arm locking tight around his torso. They

stared into each other’s eyes for several seconds, and Land easily read all the building love and affection Payson had for him. It warmed him that

his lover didn’t even try to hide it.

Finally, Payson broke the poignant silence by

asking, “Are you okay? He didn’t strike you, did

he?”

The gruffly spoken words caused Land to suck

in a harsh breath, his heart swelling just a bit more

for this man. He felt protected. Safe. He smiled.

“I’m fine. Larissa might not understand how

quickly our bond formed, and maybe I don’t

either,” he admitted, “but she didn’t purposefully

bring that homophobe here. She thought she was

helping,” he murmured, defending his sister while

offering her an understanding smile. She was

family, after all, and they cared for each other. Payson nodded, then turned toward Larissa, his

arm still tight around Land. “I have no quarrel

with you. No one here does. I freely admit I was a

player for a long time, but Land is my one-andonly. You’ll never have to say I told you so to him.

His happiness means everything to me.”

Larissa looked at Payson for a long time, then

slowly nodded. Something akin to comprehension

filling her eyes. “Well, I do get that, now. I was

just looking after my little brother, after all. It’s

what big sisters do.” She crossed her arms and

gave Payson a gimlet stare. “Don’t make us

wrong. You ever hurt him, I’ll cut off your balls.” Payson returned her look with a toothy grin.

“You’re welcome here any time, but you’ll never

touch my balls.”

Snorting, Larissa strolled toward the door. “Not

if you were the last man on earth. Let me know

when you’re packing and I’ll come help, Land,”

she called over her shoulder.

Once she was gone, Payson returned his focus

to Land. “You’re packing? You’re moving in with

me?”

Knowing his lover trusted actions far more than

words, Land shoved him, causing him to back a

step and collapse onto the sofa. Wasting no time,

he climbed onto Payson’s lap and attacked his

mouth. Payson tangled his hands in Land’s hair

and took control of the kiss.

Heat and need coursed through Land and his

cock hardened in his pants. It had been less than

an hour, he knew, but already his dick ached and