Nick started to pace the garage. Bryce wanted to grab him, pull him close. His words shocked Bryce. Hell, he would have been pissed if the situation were reversed, if he had to hear about Nick and Jill. He hadn’t thought about it in that much depth before—none of it. How much this could hurt so many people.

“I understand that things are a little different for me. I run off my heart. Maybe shit like that shouldn’t bother me, but it does. I can’t help what I feel.”

No, he couldn’t. Bryce couldn’t help it, either, because as much of an asshole as it made him, he wanted Nick angry at the idea of him with someone else. He wanted Nick to want to claim him, even though the thought also scared the living shit out of him.

“Hey,” Bryce called, and Nick stopped moving. He walked over to the man. Nick tried to turn but Bryce grabbed his face so he couldn’t. “It should bother you. You have every right for it to bother you. Fuck, I want it to bother you, because I’d lose my fucking mind if I had to hear about you and Jill like that. Don’t ever apologize for wanting me to be yours. Whether you realize it or not, Nick, that’s what you’re saying, so fuck your first statement about today meaning we shouldn’t be trying this. I’m not walking away. Tell me you’re not, either.”

They were at a crossroads, not the first one they’d hit, and he sure as shit knew it wouldn’t be the last.

Bryce waited for Nick to jerk away, to pull back, but he didn’t. Instead, Nick dropped his head so their foreheads were touching. He grabbed Bryce’s waist, his fingers digging into Bryce’s flesh. “You’re right. I’m not walking away... I just... I didn’t expect it to hurt. I should have. I’m a man that likes answers, Bryce, and where you’re concerned, I don’t have any. Just a lot of questions—what is it about you? Why do we both feel like this? What the hell is going to happen if we keep this up? Why does it feel like my whole fucking life was spent waiting for something, even though I didn’t know it until now?”

Bryce’s chest expanded, like his insides were parting, making a place for Nick to settle in. “That was awfully sweet. You trying to get into my pants? I’ll give you a hint, I already want you there.”

Nick laughed, but Bryce could tell it was forced. “I get it. I get it because that’s how I feel about you. There’s never been a time in my life that I’ve wanted another person the way I want you. We’ll figure this shit out, Nick. We will. Just don’t run before we get the chance.”

Nick gripped him tighter. And Bryce grabbed him the same way, wanting him close. This was fucking crazy, because they were standing in the middle of his open garage where anyone could see, but right now, he didn’t care. “I’m not going anywhere,” Nick said, then leaned in closer, his mouth next to Bryce’s ear. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said again. “I want you. Jesus, I want you. You make me feel fucking wild. Make me feel like I can do anything.”

“I’m dirty. Come shower with me.”

“I told you I liked you dirty,” Nick replied.

Bryce damn near came in his pants. “I know you do, but shower with me anyway.”

“You lead and I’ll follow, but I might trip up along the way.”

Bryce knew he wasn’t talking about their shower.

“We both will. Come on, let’s go.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Nick watched as a naked Bryce leaned into the shower to turn it on. His ass and thighs were muscular, dark hair on his legs. His shoulders and back flexed as he adjusted the water temperature. Nick couldn’t stop staring at him.

His whole life, beauty consisted of femininity to him—a woman’s curves, her breasts, a smooth body. He liked things soft, and there was nothing soft about Bryce. He was the definition of masculinity, down to the grease beneath his fingernails, yet looking at him now, Nick was pretty sure he didn’t even know what sexy was until he’d met the man standing in front of him.

Bryce looked over his shoulder at Nick. “Why are you still dressed? Come get naked and dirty with me.”

Nick tried to keep things light the way Bryce did. “You ruin the dirty part with a shower.”

“You only say that because you’ve never taken a shower with me before.” Bryce stepped under the spray and closed the shower door. It was detached from the tub, a standing shower with two glass walls, similar to Nick’s.

Bryce ducked his head under the spray, running his hands through his hair, and with that visual Nick was suddenly really fucking ready to experience his first shower with Bryce. He pulled off his clothes, his cock already stiff, before opening the door and stepping in. The hot water stung as it beat down on his skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat already coursing through him.