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Fuck, was that why he was here?

Told you, we’re dating.

“I… really… this…”

“Is it so hard to say that you want more?” Lennon asked in a serious tone that had Kodi glance back at him. There was the hurt that he wasn’t quick enough to hide.

Kodi released a pent-up breath. “You know when you talked about Nate?” Lennon gave a quick nod. “Well, I had an Andrew who told me I was an immature dick who needed to rein my stupid ass in.”

Lennon visibly bristled, his fork hitting the plate with a clang as two spots of pink appeared when his eyes lit up with anger. “He called you stupid?”

“Yep, many times and he was right—”

Lennon slapped a hand over Kodi’s mouth, and his lips parted in shock at the move and furious expression he now wore.

“Don’t you dare call yourself stupid. I won’t tolerate that nonsense coming out of your mouth. There is nothing stupid about you. You have an analytical mind that’s sharp as a tack. You couldn’t do what you do without it. The speed at which it runs does not make you stupid either, it makes you unique, special and there is damn all wrong with that. I won’t say you didn’t frustrate me with your outbursts, and they made me a little crazy, because we both know that would be a lie.”

He drew in a breath, more flushed than when he started. “I didn’t understand the impact of having to focus so hard and what a strain that was on you because your mind works so quickly. Now I do, and it’s easier to see when it’s happening and help you deal with it.” He sat back and crossed his arms, his jaw thrust forward. “Andrew was a selfish asshole who was too up his own ass to take the time to notice your triggers and help. He simply is and never was worthy of you.”

The matter-of-fact way he said it revealed the honesty of Lennon’s belief and Kodi dragged Lennon off his seat and kissed him with all the mixed emotions Lennon’s defending him caused. His family were the only ones who had ever done that. He’d had no friends at school, or college, because people backed away once they experienced one or two outbursts. He’d pretended it didn’t matter and moved on, keeping his distance until he’d met Andrew. Kari was the only one who knew how hurt he’d been by Andrew, and Kari’s opinion of Andrew was very similar to Lennon’s. The difference was that Lennon had never met him.

Lennon gasped against his lips, his hands pressing to his shuddering chest, putting a little space between them. “Is this wise?”

The question had Kodi draw back, though he didn’t let go of Lennon—couldn’t make himself—as he searched his expression. “Possibly not. I’m not always good at making wise choices. Do you want me to stop?”

It wasn’t the question he wanted to ask, but it was the one that came out. Asking if Lennon wanted to take a chance on him, he wasn’t ready for if he said no. He was more emotionally entangled than any boss and employee should be. However, changing course now wasn’t happening. That ship had sailed off on Wednesday when he’d purposely followed Lennon home, knowing the outcome could be this.

“No, but you need to know that my bat—we—take this seriously. I don’t do casual hook-ups, Kodi. It’s not who I am. I want a relationship with the person I have sex with. I’m not expecting a mating,” he said in an earnest voice, the honesty striking deep at the vulnerable place Kodi hid away for fear of it being damaged again. “But you need to know we don’t take starting something like this lightly.”

“I’m not sure what I’m offering right now, if I even want a mate.” He didn’t miss the flicker of disappointment watching Lennon so closely. “I have done casual hook-ups because they were easy when there was little expectation beyond them. I know that’s not what I want from you.” Was it enough? Kodi couldn’t say.

The seconds ticked by as the clock seemed to go in reverse while he waited for Lennon to decide if he was willing to take the risk. And it was a risk, Kodi got that. He was not an easy person to be around all the time, despite Lennon’s speech. They both knew it.

Lennon wiggled out of his hold and slid to the ground. Kodi kept his expression from revealing his regret at the distance now between them, taking that as Lennon’s answer.

His eyes widened a fraction when Lennon held out his hand and, as if he’d read Kodi’s mind, said, “You’re worth the risk.”

Kodi was off his seat straight away. He didn’t take the hand but lifted Lennon clear off the floor, giving in to his wildly flowing joy. His mouth tasted Lennon’s, relaying the hunger that had grown since the first spanking. A hunger that left him stumbling towards the bedroom door, thoughts of getting Lennon out of the onesie and discovering if he tasted as good everywhere his only priority.

Chapter Nineteen

Lennon

The searing claim of Kodi’s mouth left his thoughts scattered like leaves on the wind. The possessive hands hooked under his bottom and the solid line of muscle pressed against him brought with it need. Its potency nowhere near what it had been the first time they kissed, yet it still knocked Lennon sideways. The world appeared as if on a tilt, and he couldn’t fathom how to fix it when those soft, plump lips encouraged—demanded—Lennon’s to part for the tongue to delve in and taste.

He hooked his feet together, thighs squeezing, tilting his pelvis to rub his straining cock against the hardness, looking for relief. The velvet softness of his onesie gave him contrasts that left him gasping for more.

The hands cupping his ass held him tighter when Kodi ground himself on Lennon’s erection. Despite the denim and his own clothing, he could feel the heat of the turgid flesh beneath. His knee knocked into something hard sending a shooting pain through his joint.

“Ouch,” he cried out, wrenching his mouth free, glazed eyes searching for what had hit him.

“What did I do?” Kodi growled, his eyes dark with lust.

“Think I clouted my knee on the door.” Lennon reached awkwardly, trying to rub at the throbbing spot, then gave up when he couldn’t bend far enough without fear of toppling them both over as Kodi staggered into his bedroom.

“Sorry.” The apology was muffled against Lennon’s throat where Kodi was grazing his teeth against his fast-beating pulse.

Knee pain—what knee pain?