Savior:A Tattered Club Story(37)
“You have these places on speed dial? You must never eat at home.”
Niko paused, shoved his phone back into his pocket then leaned out the door. “I live alone. Sometimes it’s easier than cooking.”
Ethan’s stomach did a flip-flop. For a moment, he didn’t feel sorry for Niko. Living a lie bought a person a one-way ticket to loneliness. Ethan had experienced it and learned the hard way. “You have Casper.”
With that, Niko smiled. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
Niko opened the trunk and Ethan swallowed. “You bought a microwave?”
“You’re going to need one,” he said like the word duh would naturally follow the statement.
Ethan slid the backpack off his shoulder and carefully set it down. He fisted the front of Niko’s T-shirt and tugged as hard as he could. Not waiting for the shock to wear off, Ethan crashed his lips against his parted mouth. Quieting the almost protest with his tongue, Ethan tilted his head and closed his eyes.
Niko’s grip bit into the flesh on Ethan’s waist, but he didn’t care. He’d felt much worse. He moved his head again, hating the space when Niko retreated. His knees weakened when warm, strong hands, cradled the sides of his head as Niko feasted.
“Fuck,” Niko growled before leaning in again taking a slow wipe in Ethan’s mouth. “Grab some bags.” Both were panting as Ethan loaded up both arms with plastic sacks while Niko grabbed the microwave.
Ethan bumped into Niko’s back as the key slipped into the lock. “Hurry up. I have to pee.”
Niko laughed, a sound he could get used to. “Hold on, skinny jeans.”
He stepped through the doorway and gasped. “Niko, it’s perfect.”
“It’s not very big, but it’s comfortable and it has everything you need. The loft has the bed and a dresser. The bathroom is right there.” Niko pointed to the door at the base of the short staircase
“God.” He stood in the center of the studio apartment knowing the smile on his face made him look like a twelve-year-old on Christmas, but he didn’t care. This place was safe and his.
“You get settled in and I’ll grab the rest of the bags.”
“Wait.” Ethan realized Niko had mentioned a bed. “The Professor said the apartment was unfurnished.”
“Yeah, he didn’t know there was stuff left up here. It’s all good.”
Ethan felt like he’d won the lottery. “That’s awesome!” He was going to sleep in his new place.
By the time he got out of the bathroom and explored the loft, Niko was hauling two armloads of plastic sacks. “Hey, bright eyes, wanna grab a couple of these?”
Ethan laughed and ran over to unload an arm. “Sorry.” He set the bags on the floor beside the open staircase. “God, Niko, you thought of everything. I like the coffee cup dish towels.”
Niko blushed. “You said you work at a coffee shop.”
So, that was a total boyfriend thing to say. Ethan turned away, hoping to hide his smile. This part of Niko didn’t want to run. This side wanted to laugh and kiss boys. Ethan liked the vulnerable Niko. They set plates on shelves, plugged in a single cup coffee maker, put silverware in drawers then took several bags to the loft.
“I didn’t know what color you’d want so I got white.”
Ethan unfolded the fitted sheet, clutched it against his chest, and fell backwards on the mattress. “I don’t care if the sheets are yellow, red, or rainbow. I have a bed!”
Niko laughed and sat on the edge of the mattress. “You’ll always have a bed, Ethan. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ethan rolled onto this side. “Come here.”
Niko turned away, planting his elbows on his knees, letting his hands dangle. “I never thought I’d be here. You know? Like this.” Ethan scooted closer, needing to be the net when Niko took this plunge. “When I was sixteen, I did something to protect someone I cared about, someone who ended up not giving a shit about me. Jesus.” He rested his head in his hands. “I fuck women, Ethan. A lot of them. I never sleep over and I’ve had only a couple to my place. We fuck on the couch, in the shower, on the floor. Never in my bed.”
Ethan closed his eyes, remembering the soothing warm liquid in his palm. He was special, finally. To someone, he meant something.
“This is wrong for so many damn reasons. You’re young, hell, you’ve been someone’s slave for money—basically.”
Ethan opened his eyes, turning his cheek to lay rest it on the uncovered mattress. Maybe he wasn’t so special after all.
“And, if anyone found out I want to sleep with—Jesus, you—they’d take me for a fucking fool.”