sitting outside Ezra’s house, I guess it’s possible he’s seen me picking him up or dropping him off. Or, hell, it’s a black truck. It looks like a million others. It’s entirely possible he thinks he’s in the right, but I’ve done nothing that I can think of to give him the idea that Ezra is any danger with me. Maybe he’s jealous?
Jessie: True. He did have that jilted lover tone about him. I guess just keep me posted on Ezra’s health and tell him to call me. I’ve been texting him, but he’s not responding.
Declan: Will do. He’s been sleeping almost nonstop. I’ll give him another hour and then I’ll get him up and have him call you.
Jessie: Nah. Don’t wake him. Just let him know when he gets up on his own. I know you’ll take good care of him. You always have.
Declan: Yep. I’ve got him. Talk to you later.
Declan tossed the phone aside. Fucking Wrecker, sticking his nose in other people’s business. Ezra would talk to the guy when he talked to him, but it was Declan’s time with Ezra right now. He knew he was crazy when it came to Ezra. Declan didn’t need anyone else pointing that out. He let it go and climbed into the tub and started scrubbing. With the jets going, his shampoo and body wash turned the top half of the water into bubbles. His muscles relaxed. Declan closed his eyes and leaned his head back, letting the tension in his muscles drain away. The water shifted. Ezra climbed into the opposite end of the tub and sat between Declan’s feet. He pulled his knees up to his chest and openly stared at Declan while Declan stared back through half-closed lids.
“Did you sleep okay?” Even Declan heard the gravelly edge to his voice—like lust filled him already from Ezra’s presence alone.
Ezra nodded. “Did you? I’ve been in here for a minute. I even brushed my teeth, and you didn’t stir. For a second, I thought you had passed out.”
Damn. It was possible he had dozed off and hadn’t realized it. Between Ezra’s health scare and Wrecker’s threats, Declan had been on edge for days. “I spent the whole night savoring the fact that you were in my arms. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted that.”
Ezra hid a smile against his knees.
Declan sat up. “Come here.” Declan urged Ezra closer and went to work scrubbing his body. He bathed Ezra like he would a child, washing his hair and body. Ezra tolerated him without complaint. Declan relished every second. Once he had Ezra clean, he tugged Ezra forward until Ezra straddled his lap. Then he leaned back again with Ezra cuddled against his chest. Ezra settled down into his arms. Their bodies molded together.
“It’s still funny to me that you’re such a big guy and you chose this tiny house.”
“There’s nowhere for you to go here,” Declan admitted as he skimmed his lips across Ezra’s temple. “You can’t escape me here.”
Ezra didn’t respond. He simply lingered in Declan’s arms like he knew it was where he belonged. “You’re hard for me again,” Ezra said after a few minutes, sounding sleepy.
“I’m always hard for you. You’ll have to learn to ignore that.”
Ezra chuckled. The small sound vibrated against Declan’s chest.
Declan needed to change the subject. “Are you feeling up to going out? There’s an awesome all-you-can-eat breakfast place not too far from here. It’s close to a shopping center I think you would like.” Declan knew he would have to sweeten food with some other prize, since Ezra still wasn’t showing any signs of having an appetite.
“That’s fine.”
Declan wasn’t dumb. He knew he needed to act quickly on Ezra’s agreement. His mood might change any second. Declan held Ezra to his chest and stood. With a laugh, Ezra wrapped his legs around Declan and held on while Declan climbed from the tub. Once he was out of the tub with no chance of falling, Declan found his feet glued to the floor. He couldn’t take another step. The sound of Ezra’s laughter was too much for his heart.
“In case I haven’t said so, and you’re still not understanding what’s happening here, I’m completely in love with you.”
Ezra’s features softened. “I love you too.”
“Then kiss me.” Declan couldn’t stop the demand if he tried.
Ezra didn’t hesitate to press his lips to Declan’s. Declan swore his body temperature immediately rose by ten degrees. No one had ever made him burn the way