Savior:A Tattered Club Story(19)

Ethan wrapped his arms around Niko’s waist and tugged. “I need more, Niko. I need—”

“I know...I know what you need.” Niko pressed his cock, the long rod pushing against the front of Ethan’s shorts. “I can’t. I can’t.” Niko sucked in air as he broke the kiss to close the distance between their foreheads. He waited for his heart to explode, but it never did. Every beat raged faster than the last, a throbbing pulse in his brain. Everything was okay. It was good, right?

The way Ethan’s slender body fit snugly against his chest felt better than okay. Mediocre wasn’t even a word in the dictionary. The heat wrapped him in a cocoon he’d never experienced before—never thought he could.

Ethan peppered tender kisses over the ink on his neck. “I’ve never wanted someone like you. You’re so different. I didn’t know you were gay.”

Whoa. Wait. Back that fucking train up.

Niko stepped back, forcing an icy cavern between them. “I’m not gay.”

Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “But, you kissed me. I thought—”

Niko turned around and walked to the desk. “You thought wrong. Get your appointment and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

Niko waited for the click of the door before turning around. The tip of his cock filled. Every beat of his heart matched time to the metronome pulsing in the thick vein lining the heavy column. What the hell? Maybe he should pass the next appointment off to Seth or Ben. He ran his fingers through the soft faux hawk on his head. He needed to work through one more appointment then go the hell home and forget today ever happened.

“Hey, you doing okay? Your client seemed shaken up.” The Professor leaned against the doorframe. “Did the pain get to him?”

Niko turned around unable to meet his mentor’s gaze. Hell, how was he going to look in a mirror again? This wasn’t getting a blow job in the bathroom. He’d kissed Ethan. Like really kissed him. “Yeah, is the apartment upstairs still for rent?”

The Professor dipped his brows. “Yes, you have someone in mind?”

“Kind of.” Niko started prepping colors for the next appointment. “The kid that just left needs a place to stay. I don’t know how much he can afford, but I can...I can help out.”

The Professor walked in and patted Niko on the shoulder. “I remember when a young man spray painted a mural on my brick wall and was crazy enough to leave his logo—even after he was put on probation. I’ve come to learn that same young man would give anyone the shirt off his back. If he needs a place to stay then it’s his. We can work something out for the rent. I recall you paid me in repairs around this place. I’m sure we can find something for—what’s his name?”

The name slipping off his tongue sounded like sin. “Ethan...Ethan Cohen.” Emotions were a weakness and liability on these streets.

“Ah,” The Professor said with silver brows raised. Niko felt the tension in his gut coil with The Professor’s tone. “Well, tell Ethan Cohen he has a place to live and a job if he wants it. Don’t forget about the meeting tonight. The conference is in a month and we still have to organize rotations. Tattoo Monthly magazine wants to come by and do interviews.”

Niko nodded as he pulled the cell out of his pocket. “I’ll be here.”

“Niko?” He looked up and saw The Professor rub the long, manicured white hairs of his beard. “You can trust me.”

Niko didn’t need to hear it. “I know.”

The Professor tapped the frame and disappeared. Niko scrolled through where he’d entered Ethan’s number. Scarlet hadn’t given a glance when he’d asked for the digits, the way her bright red lips had tipped into a grin hadn’t gone unnoticed.

He pressed Ethan’s name and started typing.

Where are you?

He waited. Nothing. What was he doing? He should’ve let Scarlet make the call.

“Ethan? This is Frank, your four-thirty consultation.”

“Hey man,” Ethan said and tossed the phone on the counter on the way to the cabinet to pull the man’s file. “I started on the dragon you talked about on the phone. Have a seat.”

The phone vibrated, sending an echo over the counter. Niko was a little too quick to pick it up. God, he was turning into a total pussy.

Walking to catch a ride back to school.

Shit, the kid didn’t have a car.

Came back. I need to talk to you.

One second later.

It’s cool. Was it a moment of weakness on both our parts? No worries. Straight guys hit on me all the time. See you in two weeks.

The throb vibrating his veins was back. I wasn’t hitting on you. Get back here. Now.