Savior:A Tattered Club Story(18)

“See Scarlet on your way out and she’ll set you up for two weeks out. Keep the area clean.” Niko grabbed a tube of ointment from the plastic container on the shelf. “Put a thin layer of this on it once a day for a couple of days. Keep it out of the sun.” Get out of here before I donkey punch my brain.

Ethan nodded. “Can I look in the mirror now?”

“Yeah.” Niko headed back to the desk, hoping the raging thud of his heart would calm down the farther Ethan walked away.

“Oh my God, Niko. It’s beautiful. Perfect. Even without any color it’s...it’s perfect. Did I already say that?” His soft laugh echoed against the white walls. “I love the hummingbird. You’re so talented. No wonder your waiting list is so long.”

Niko wasn’t one of those assholes who needed his ego petted, but damn if it didn’t make him stand a bit straighter coming from Ethan. “I’m glad you like it.” Niko grabbed the towel from the table and sprayed down the plastic mattress with disinfectant. “Where are you headed now?” Niko didn’t want to give a shit, but for some reason he did. Ethan had mentioned he had been kicked out so where was he staying?

Ethan walked back to the table and picked up the backpack off the floor. “I...um, have a lot of studying to do so I’m headed to the library.”

Niko knew that look. The brown and green that had sparked in those hazel eyes looked dull and jaded. “Do you…” Jesus, what in the hell was he doing? “Do you want to get some coffee or something?”

Ethan’s lips split into a half smile. “I better get back to school, but thanks for the offer. Maybe after our next appointment? I didn’t picture you as a coffee drinking kind of guy.”

Niko felt the weight in his chest dump into his gut. Why would he want to buy coffee for some kid he’d just met anyway? What was he expecting? A fucking date? And when in the hell had he become a coffee drinking kind of guy? Niko turned around and smirked. Ethan was nineteen, for Christ’s sake, and a mental fucking check was in order.

Think about cock to help get Seth off the hook. Take one for the team. And, I’m. Not. Gay.

Only gay guys met for coffee.

Niko busied himself with prepping for the next client. “You’re right. I’m not the coffee type. Forget about it.”

Ethan nodded and barely tipped the corner of his lips into a grin. “Got it. I guess I’ll make an appointment. Thanks, Niko. I really am glad I came. You’re amazing.”

The defeat in his voice made Niko cross his arms over his chest, mentally bracing himself from groveling like a damn idiot. He’d had three real friends in his life and all of them were the only family he had left. So adding a fourth to the short list wasn’t necessary. Matter of fact, it was a freaking liability, given the way Ethan’s warm gaze zoned in on his chest.

Wasn’t his problem. He leaned his ass against the counter. When the doorknob clicked. “Where are you staying, Ethan?” Not my problem. “Don’t fucking lie to me.”

Ethan paused, opened his mouth then snapped it shut again. “With friends. I’m staying with friends.”

Niko closed the space in three long strides. “No, you’re not.” Ethan backed up until his shoulder hit the door. “You’re starving, probably lost a couple of pounds since I saw you last time, and damn if you don’t look as scared as a stray dog.”

The fire in Ethan’s pale cheeks glowed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m...I’m fine and taking care of myself. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. Besides, I have an apartment lined up that I’m signing for tomorrow for an apartment tomorrow.”

“And tonight? Where are you staying tonight?”

“A friend’s,” he said, turning his other shoulder until he was flat against the door panels. Niko didn’t mean to crowd the kid, but rage drowned his senses. He planted his palms on either side of Ethan’s head. “Niko, please, I just want to go. You’re making me... I don’t know. I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore.”

Niko breathed out, hard. Back up. Just back the hell up and let him go. Jesus Christ. “Fuck.” Niko crashed his lips against Ethan’s mouth, expecting...hell, he didn’t know what to expect, but when Ethan opened, letting Niko slide his tongue into the heat, they both sighed.

Tilt, turn, devour. Niko tasted, sucked, licked Ethan’s lips until he leaned back, panting, watching Ethan’s chest rise and fall. “Shit,” he grumbled, leaning in again, this time cradling Ethan’s cheeks between his palms. “You...fuck, Ethan.” Each stroke of his tongue was met with Ethan’s affection.