Bad Boy Ink (Get Ink'd #5) - Ali Lyda Page 0,76

“I’ll tell you that, and that I love you, Aiden, as often as you want to hear it. I made a mistake. A big one. But I’ve learned from it and I hope you can find a way to let me show you that I’ve grown. Because of you. For you.”

“Fuck,” I said, as a tear slid down my cheek. “I really didn’t want to cry.”

Someone off to the side shouted, “Kiss him already!”

I laughed, more tears spilling, and Bryce turned a brilliant shade of red. He tipped his head in question and I nodded. Yes. Yes.

He kissed me. Applause erupted around us and I’d never in my life felt connected to so many people in a single moment. Their enthusiasm buoyed me, but it was tasting Bryce again, having the familiar crush of his mouth on mine, that made the moment perfection.

When we broke apart someone else yelled, “Now propose!”

Bryce turned and raised his hammer. “None shall command a god!”

There was a smattering of laughter, and I joined in, although my laughter was a little watery.

“I have a hotel room,” I managed. It had been a splurge, especially since I lived within a bus ride to the hotel. But I knew that being in crowds tended to drain me quickly, and if I could go hide in a room for a bit, I could recover enough to not miss much of the convention.

Now it felt like a stroke of genius because I didn’t think I could wait much longer than an elevator ride to get Bryce alone.

“Lead the way,” Bryce said, blue eyes dancing with relief and anticipation.

I took his hand and started toward the elevator. Our exit was accompanied by catcalls and well wishes, applause and hoots. As soon as the elevator doors shut, I realized that a fantasy of mine was about to be played out. I was taking Thor to my room. I swallowed hard, my cock pressing tight against my jeans.

“Where’d you get the costume?” I asked, trying to hide the delight and desire in my voice.

“Oh,” Bryce replied. In the reflection of the steel doors, I saw him rub the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Bryan helped me find a rental place.”

“Hm,” I said, wicked thoughts already flashing.

“What?” he asked, sounding worried.

I shrugged. “I just think we should look into buying it. Or having one made for you. Because I have to say, I really like it.”

His deep laugh sent a shudder of hunger through me. “You like when I dress up?”

I turned to him, pressing my palms to his taut stomach. “Definitely. Thor is one of my favorite characters. And now I am going to get nailed by him.”

Bryce pretended to look hurt. “I thought you were excited to get nailed by me. That my dramatic apology was good enough to knock the underpants off you.”

“Don’t get me wrong, that was the perfect apology. I’d been wrestling with texting you. I shouldn’t have punished you with silence. It wasn’t fair.”

“You don’t have to say you’re sorry,” Bryce said, his thumb stroking my cheekbone.

I leaned into his touch. “I do. I mean, I totally understood why you were acting the way you did. If our situations had been reversed, I’m not a hundred percent sure I would have been much better. But despite knowing you were hurting, I decided to ice you out. I was...afraid.”

He pulled me in for a tight hug. “Jesus, I was scared, too. I thought I’d lost you because I was a selfish asshole.”

I pushed my nose into the nape of his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. The world just felt better in his arms. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I’m sorry the most.”

I chuckled. “Are you...are you turning self-pity and apologies into a competition?”

“Darn tootin’.”

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, and I was ready to be done with apologies and clothing. The walk to the room was fast, with me practically dragging him along. I swiped the key and as soon as we were in, I was pressing him against the door and kissing him.

But Thor was having none of it.

Strong hands found my waist and he twisted and pushed until my back was flat against the door and the mass of his costumed body was pinning me there. Jesus fuck, I had died and gone to Heaven. Or Asgard. I supposed it depended on—

Bryce’s lips were on mine, kissing away all ability to think. His mouth was hot and demanding and there was nothing I could do but