much younger man. Fourteen years, in fact. My partner’s younger brother.
The write-up for his FBI file would have read like this: Male, mid-twenties, Asian and Caucasian heritage, 5’7”, light build, increasing influence in US art scene, growing reputation overseas. Watch for increasing cultural impact. And of course: In a relationship.
After years of bringing him a morning beverage, I’d never set foot in Braxton’s apartment because I knew once I was inside, I’d never want to leave. It’d be impossible not to duck in again every morning, leading to any number of scenarios. Scenarios achingly appealing, but none we could have come back from without hurting each other or Hunter. I had to keep a distance between us, out of respect for Brax, his dirtbag boyfriend, and his brother.
But today I’d had to come inside and check that he was safe. He’d clearly been crying and I wasn’t going to leave until I knew it wasn’t because of his dirtbag boyfriend. I hadn’t needed to touch him, though. Not ethically. Physically though… I’d had no choice. I wanted to comfort him so badly my chest ached.
Brax shuddered when I’d demanded to know what was wrong. I must have been too harsh. The fragility about him called to my inner Dom, and the growl in my voice must have spooked him. I clenched my jaw and told myself to take it down a notch. It was eight o’clock in the morning, no need to get all dominant on this waifish heartthrob while trying to make sure he was all right.
“Nothing’s wrong. I promise.” Brax cleared his throat and swirled the take-out cup on the counter. “I just had a few nightmares last night. It happens, uh, a fair amount.”
I hummed in understanding. Hunter had told me about Brax’s nightmares, although not in great detail. Just enough to give me context. About the same amount I knew about Brax’s past, too. Just enough.
I should have been leaving. He was fine. There was no threat. But I couldn’t convince myself to move.
“They say talking about nightmares can help,” I blurted.
“Oh, yeah, my shrink says that a lot.” He flashed me a grin as if to say I wasn’t qualified to hear what his psyche had dished up the night before.
I took a sip of my coffee and watched his face as he leaned against the kitchen counter and idly swirled his cup against the countertop. He was the portrait of an exquisite artist. His lithe frame draped in brightly colored silk, with his elfin features set in a slight, adorable scowl as he stared at his latte.
“Thanks, though.” He wet his lips and raised his eyes to mine.
Bright blue with flecks of deeper shades, and a softness to his gaze even when he was looking right at me said he was still inside himself. The knowledge this beautiful man had grown up on the streets made me quietly furious. Hunter had told me enough about Brax’s past I could fill in the blanks. He’d been fucked over by the foster system, like most of the brothers to one degree or another, but he had been young when he was out there on his own. He’d done what he’d needed to in order to survive. I’d worked sex crime cases, I knew how many men were willing to pay a gorgeous teen for sex…and how violent it could get. I could guess what those nightmares might have been about.
“I wish I could fix it for you. Make things better.” Oh, shit. But the words had been lingering in the back of my mouth for…years.
He inhaled deeply and fluttered his eyelids shut. His long lashes kissed his mascara-stained cheekbones and he swayed forward as a soft noise escaped his throat. He opened his light blue eyes, they pinned me in place.
“I wish you could too—”
The intercom buzzed, and Brax snapped upright, a flash of panic on his face.
“Hey! What the fuck? Buzz me up.” Ian’s grating voice was even more unpleasant coming through the compressed sound of the intercom.
I inhaled sharply and gritted my teeth in frustration as Braxton immediately shot over to the door and buzzed him up. I hated the way Ian spoke to him. Brax was with such an asshole. But if I really admitted it, I hated that he was with anyone who wasn’t me—
No. Not going there.
“So…thanks for the latte. I have to go get ready for my day.” Brax smiled at me politely from where he stood by the door