Chapter Two

After driving around for fifteen minutes, killing time, Adam headed back to the restaurant. He found a spot where he could see inside, but Pink couldn't easily see him. With the SUV backed into a parking space, he watched the building. Even though he had no idea who he watched for, Adam had an irrational belief he would know exactly who this mystery date was the moment he saw him. It was like he could smell the competition. Adam rolled his eyes at his stupidity. He had to stop being jealous. It was dumb. Pink would never be his. He was just here to keep Pink safe. Pink had been too nervous. That meant—whether Pink realized it or not—something felt off in his gut. Adam didn't want to be too far away if something went wrong.

Fifteen more minutes passed. The sun got lower in the sky. Adam stared at the door, wondering what was going on inside. His phone chirped. Adam nearly pulled a muscle, racing to grab it. Pink's name popped up on the face. He checked the message.

Pink: What did you decide to do with your night?

Adam smiled. Even on his date, Pink texted him, worrying about his happiness.

Adam : I'm shopping. Since I'm already in town, I figured I would kill some time. Why are you texting me on your date?

Pink : He hasn't shown up yet. I think I've been ghosted.

For a moment, Adam saw red. How dare some little shit flake out on Pink? Didn't he know how goddamn lucky he was Pink even looked his way? Adam knew he was being irrational. Not five seconds ago, he had been a jealous mess. Now he was angry the guy hadn't shown.

Adam: Do I need to come get you?

Pink: Do you want to come eat with me instead? I already ordered a drink and I'm hungry. Plus, I don't want to look like a loser.

Adam: Give me five. I'm at the mall.

Pink: Thank you.

That was ridiculous. Pink never had to thank him. Adam spent four minutes grinding his teeth. It was the longest four minutes of waiting in his life, but he couldn't give his stalking away. Finally, he climbed from the SUV and headed inside. The place was loud and smelled like steak cooking. He headed past the hostess and straight for Pink's table. There was no missing his hot pink hair. Adam found the wild hair color sexy as fuck, and he didn't know why. It was just the epitome of Pink's personality.

Pink lit like a kid on Christmas morning as Adam slid into the booth across from him. "Hey."

Damn. Adam had never really stood a chance. "Hey. So, what's the wanker's name anyhow?"

Pink laughed. Heads turned their way. "There's the British in you. It doesn't matter. My feelings aren't hurt. You're much better company."

That sounded a lot like Pink was only being nice. He didn't have time to argue. Pink moved on.

"I didn't call you away from anything important, did I?" Pink looked as if the idea horrified him. "I didn't even think about that before texting you. You probably get tired of me stealing your free time."

Adam snorted. "I'm old, Pink. There's nothing for people my age to do."

"Is there nothing for you to do or do you not want to do anything?"

That was a good question. One no one ever asked. "I'm a bit attached to being home, honestly. When I moved in with Quentin, I found a peace I can't explain. I got a home. An amazing place away from every terror I'd known. This time of year, staying by the pool, enjoying the sun until it disappears, and then soaking in the sounds of the night. That's where I'm happiest. I look forward to it every year."

Pink held his gaze and nodded along. He was always an active listener. It was obvious he cared when people spoke. "Since I pulled you away from your happy place, I have an idea. Let's get our food to go. We can sit by the pool and eat our dinner. Afterward, we can swim or light the fire pit."

That sounded nice, but life wasn't all about everyone else. Pink never thought about himself. "You deserve a night out."

A gorgeous smile touched Pink's lips. "Honestly, a night by the pool sounds way better than trying to hear each other over the noise here."

Adam searched Pink's features. "If you're sure."

Pink nodded. "Let's do it."

Adam couldn't look away from him. Why did he have to be everything Adam wanted? Life had never been fair. In fact, it had been downright cruel. But craving Pink and knowing Pink would never be his was hell. Hating himself for his desires was twice as bad. He had never thought so low of himself. Adam didn't know how to stop.

When Adam spoke of watching the day turn to night, his expression had made Pink crave the night air. He wanted to savor whatever gave Adam that much peace. Pink wanted to share it with him. Plus, Pink simply loved spending hours talking to Adam more than anything else in the world. That was why he had canceled his date at the last minute. Plus, he was just scared shitless at the idea of exposing himself to someone else's desires. Pink had come so close to breaking through his fears. Then his heart had pulled him away from the edge. Pink only wanted to be with Adam. That was the only place he felt completely safe.

His dads, Snow and Quentin, owned a huge chunk of his heart. Snow had saved him from hell. Quentin had given him a steady home. They had adopted him and given him a real last name. But only Adam had held a gun to a man's head solely for Pink's safety. When Pink had been working as a stripper, he had stupidly let the past nearly take him back again. But Adam had been there. He was Pink's hero.

He wondered if Adam noticed his stare. Pink couldn't stop watching the way the breeze ruffled his hair. Adam truly looked every bit as at peace as he claimed while enjoying the night.

Pink had to talk about something before he made Adam uncomfortable. "Why don't you date? I mean, I've never seen you date anyhow."

Adam met his stare. A hint of a smile passed over Adam's lips. "Too many reasons to name, really."

He hadn't shut down the conversation. Pink wanted to know more. "Do you like men or women?"

Adam's smile grew. "As you pointed out, I don't date. I don't have a preference."

That answer was as clear as mud. "Okay. So, you're bisexual? Asexual?" Pink dragged out the questions, hoping Adam would stop him when he hit the right answer.

Adam laughed. He leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine.

Pink nearly growled in frustration. "I thought we were friends."

"We are. Why are you forcing yourself to go on dates if you don't want to be touched?"

If Pink wanted Adam to talk to him, he had to be willing to talk too. "Because I absolutely do want to be touched, but I'm equally terrified at the idea. I mean, what if I freak out or break down? The dating world is a nightmare when everyone is sane. No one will understand me, and I can't expect the type of patience it might take to be with me." Pink's shoulders fell. "Well, that was depressing. Forever alone," Pink whined obnoxiously, trying to infuse some humor into the heavy topic.

Adam stood and peeled off his shirt.

Pink's mouth went dry.

When Adam's hands moved to his belt, Pink's gaze followed. Goddamn. Adam unbuckled his belt. "Don't just sit there. You need some fun in your life. Pool time."

"I don't have my suit."

Adam shrugged. "What's the difference between underwear and trunks, really?"

He had Pink there. Pink stood and peeled off his shirt. He only hoped he didn't humiliate himself by going hard. It might happen under these circumstances, with Adam stripping the way he was. He quickly removed his clothes, intent on getting into the chilly water before he embarrassed anyone. As soon as he was down to his underwear, Adam tossed him into the pool before he saw it coming. When he surfaced, laughing and sputtering, he found Adam a lot closer than he expected.

Adam's hands touched Pink's waist. Pink automatically wrapped his arms around Adam's neck without thinking. He couldn't stop smiling. Adam looked more carefree than Pink could recall ever seeing him.

"I'm touching you. You're not panicking."

"That's because it's you."

Adam cocked his head to the side and studied Pink. "What makes me any different from any other man?"

There were thousands of things Pink wanted to say but couldn't. So he went with the truth he could share. "I trust you."

Adam gave him a sharp nod. "Then there's your answer. Don't let anyone touch you unless you know with every fiber of your being you can trust them." Adam leaned in closer, making Pink's heart race. His gaze automatically dropped to Adam's lips. As he watched, an evil smile appeared. "To answer your question, I'm bisexual." Before Pink had time to process the confession, he went flying through the air, going under as he landed in deeper water. It seemed Adam was in the mood to play. Pink was game. He swam back without surfacing. When he reached Adam, he pulled his legs out from beneath him. They both surfaced, laughing. It was the best night Pink had in a long time. He didn't want it to end.

Adam lost track of time as he stood beneath the hot shower. Steam filled the room. All he heard was Pink's voice, admitting he wanted to be touched. From that moment, Adam had known he needed to cool down or he would confess his heart, then beg Pink to let him be the one to show him how beautiful things could be when they were consensual.

With his eyes closed and shampoo running down his body, he still felt the moment Pink wrapped his arms around his neck. Everything had felt so natural. He had known he had to change the mood. Otherwise, he would have ruined their friendship. But Pink had felt good in his arms. Adam's dick hardened at only the memory. Why was he like this about Pink, of all people?

Adam dropped his chin and stared at the cock that stared back at him. He lifted his hands and dropped them again, showing he had nothing. "You need to stop. He doesn't want us."

His erection didn't care.

With a growl, Adam palmed his dick. He would just take care of this the way he always did. Adam didn't need anyone else. He tried shutting out thoughts of Pink. Pink had so easily talked about something Adam had never known how to express. Not just anyone understood people like them. The ones who did weren't interested in Adam. Life had been very frustrating for him. Damn. He didn't want that for Pink. Pink was everything he wasn't. He still possessed a spark for life. Adam didn't have that, but he wanted to touch it. A moan rose in his throat. He wanted to touch it so fucking bad. Adam ached to know what it was like to kiss Pink. To have Pink willingly caress him the way Adam stroked himself.

He lost the ability to shut Pink's image from his mind. Sometimes, for the briefest moments, he thought he saw flashes of desire in Pink's eyes. He knew it was merely the lighting or whatever, but he saw those expressions inside his head. Adam pictured Pink straddling his hips. He knew too much about Pink's body. The tiny underwear he wore did nothing to hide a thing. Then water made them cling to every delectable inch. Adam stroked faster. The images in his mind turned dirtier by the second. They kissed and bit. He made Pink moan. Adam blew on Pink's skin. A strangled cry reverberated from the walls of the shower. Pleasure pulsed through his cock as cum spit from him, hitting the shower floor. Adam kept massaging until every twitch passed. He didn't open his eyes. Adam didn't want to lose the last wisps of his fantasy. He didn't want to return to his cold reality. Pink was still too young for him, and Adam was a monster for wanting him.