Page 89 of These Wicked Hearts

“Shut up, Atlas.” He bites my throat, claiming his territory. “You know, I was here all alone with nothing but time.”

“Oh yeah?”

“And I went shopping.” His lips suck another bruise into my collarbone. “I may have bought you a birthday present.”

That shocks me a little. “Did you?”

“You wanna see?”

I get off him and let him get up off the bed. I love him like this, shirtless and barefoot, his movements loose and easy. Nothing like the rigid man he was that first night we met. Not that I minded, but it’s like all his jagged edges have sanded down around me. He disappears into his bathroom before coming back out with a box. “What is that?”

He grins, handing me the wrapped box “Oh, this should be good.”

I unwrap the present and it takes me a moment to realize what the hell I’m holding. A laugh bursts through my lips as I take in the abnormal-looking dildo.

“Chen and I went to a comic store. They make toys shaped like fantasy creatures and this one—” He grins.

“Whoa, wait, back up. You went to a comic store?”

He shrugs, sitting beside me. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

He shrugs again. “I was curious.”

I look at him for a moment, and his gaze goes back to the Hulk-themed dildo. I take it out of the box, inspecting the thick green toy with veins running along the shaft. “It’s so thick and veiny.”

Gage laughs. “It’s called the Banner, and I thought it was funny.” Fuck, it’s so big. “Best part? It sticks to a wall.”

“Yeah?”

“Like, maybe a shower wall.” His eyes drift to the bathroom door. “And maybe if someone is feeling brave enough to take on the Hulk . . . I’d like you to fuck me, while this fucks you.”

I grab his hand, springing off his bed and walking fast to the bathroom, ignoring his laugh as he follows me in. “Eager thing.”

I want to tell him I meant what I said. I missed him so much while I was gone. Texting and calling were fine, but this here is so much more fun. Gage just makes everything fun. He sticks the toy on the counter, and I watch the veiny green monster wiggle back and forth. “It’s really big.”

“Yeah.” Gage’s fingers slide down the front of my sweats. “Do you think you can take it?”

I’m not sure, but I know I want to try. “I’ll be good for you.”

He pats my face lightly. “I have no doubt about that, hockey boy.” He drops to his knees, shimmying my sweats down over my ass. “God damn.” His palms slide up the back of my legs before roaming over my ass. “If it’s too much, tell me. It’s just meant to be funny. I didn’t really intend to use it.”

“But you thought of me using it?” I swallow.

He looks up, his brown eyes melting like chocolate. They’re heavy, practically drunk. He nods slowly. “I want to see how much this greedy hole can take.” He runs the pads of his fingers along my crease. “Do you want it?” He rises to his feet, grabbing himself and holding his dick through the front of his sweats. The outline is thick.

“Yours?”

“Yeah.”

“On your knees.”

I lower carefully, my muscles still sore from the hockey and traveling. I look up and watch him smile. It’s like a devilish shadow comes over him. It’s like he’s hosting a demon. Eagerly, I dip my fingers into his jeans, slowly unzipping the fly with measured patience. The anticipation feels so good.

I look up at him, his red lips spread into a smile.

He gives me a slight nod as if he can read my mind, and I lean into the soft cloth of his briefs, pressing my lips against the bulge in the fabric. I inhale, his scent going straight to my brain. My cock aches between my legs, but I don’t reach to touch it. Not until he tells me to.