Chapter Three

Despite his best efforts, Pink didn't do a good enough job of dodging Knight. He had tried dipping out of class a few seconds early, avoiding his usual lunchtime run in with the date he kept cancelling. It didn't help. Knight lingered in the hallway, as if expecting exactly what Pink tried.

Knight looked like the art teacher he was. Goatee. Straight, chin-length, jet-black hair. His eyes were the kindest brown, and he had a body to die for, which Pink only knew because Knight posed for sculptures for his class. A class he wasn't in and didn't need. Yet Pink hadn't missed seeing Knight's flawless body on display. Pink was only here for a three-month program. He didn't need all the extra classes other students did. In fact, he only had a couple of weeks left. Pink had hoped he could avoid the sexy professor for the rest of the program. It was a fruitless dream.

A gorgeous smile spread across Knight's lips when he spotted Pink. "Hey."

Pink fought the urge to blush and run. "Hey." In his nervousness, he chuckled. God, he hated when he did that.

Knight's smile grew. "I hoped I'd run into you."

It looked like he had planned to do just that. "Really?"

"Of course. This is the only way it happens. Otherwise, you have an uncanny way of dodging me. If I was a tad less conceited, I might think you weren't interested."

Pink laughed for real. "But you're not and therefore you know I am."

A sexy laugh burst from Knight. "Come on. Let's walk next door and have lunch. Maybe if you see—in the daylight and safely trapped by my work schedule—that I don't intend to molest you, you'll give me a chance."

The open challenge steeled Pink's spine. Despite that being exactly what he feared, Pink would be damned if anyone knew it. "Sure."

The way Knight's expression shifted, as if truly happy Pink accepted, relaxed Pink's shoulders. This was how Knight kept convincing him to agree to dates. Knight seemed genuinely nice and interested. Honestly, he was the greatest of guys. Pink saw that when they were together. It was once Pink got alone with his thoughts that Pink undermined himself.

Together, they headed out. Knight held open the door for him—like the Southern gentleman he was. Side by side, they walked down the sidewalk to the sub shop next door.

"What did you end up doing last night?" Pink knew he opened himself to being asked the same question. He just didn't know what else to talk about.

"I grabbed a pizza and watched a movie. Is everything okay with your dad?"

Pink fought a wince. He hated himself a little for claiming fear of his father's health as his reason for canceling. It had been nearly two years since Quentin fully recovered from a battle with leukemia. He shouldn't use him as an excuse. Under the circumstances, though, he knew Quentin would understand. "Yeah. Thanks for asking. He recently had a really tough battle with cancer. We almost lost him. In fact, he was technically dead for a few minutes. It's taking me longer than expected not to panic over every possible twinge."

Knight opened the door to the sub shop for him. "That's understandable." They stepped inside. "I lost my mom to cancer about three years ago. It's scarring. I've always meant to ask you, where are you from? Your accent isn't one I can place."

Pink's stomach knotted. This was where he always failed. Talking about such things was typical get to know each other questions for everyone else on the planet. There were so few of these questions he could casually answer.

He tried to keep it vague. "Greece."

"Wow. In another life, I went through there briefly. It's beautiful."

Thankfully, they got sidetracked by ordering food. Unfortunately, the moment they found a table, Knight picked up where they left off.

"How did you end up here?"

Pink kept it simple. "Adoption."

"Oh." Knight didn't look any less fascinated. "So you were probably too young to remember much about Greece."

God, he wished that was true. "Actually, I wasn't adopted until I was a teenager. Hence the accent I can't shake." He faked a laugh and then took a bite of his sandwich before he said anything else.

Knight looked oddly sympathetic. "You were very lucky, then. Most people only want babies."

Pink's throat unexpectedly swelled, making it hard for him to swallow. Knight was right. Before finding himself in hell, Pink had been in an orphanage. He had been very young back then. But Pink clearly recalled being unwanted… until he wasn't. He fought the urge to hyperventilate.

Knight touched his arm, grounding him, and making Pink wonder what he saw in Pink's expression. "It's okay. We don't have to talk about the past."

Pink flashed him a grateful smile. "Thanks. I don't mind talking about being adopted, but anything before that is still hard for me. My dads are great, though. I think they were already at an age where a teen was more their speed. I know I'm lucky to have them."

"Dads? That's awesome. We don't get to see enough same sex adoptions around here."

Pink believed that. The deep south wasn't always welcoming. "Believe me, I know. I'm gay and a foreigner."

Knight laughed. It was a sexy sound. He looked twice as gorgeous when happy. Pink relaxed. Knight made it easier by the second to move past his fears.

"Maybe we should try dinner again?" Pink heard himself. He didn't know why he said that.

Knight's expression changed. He didn't look quite as safe any longer, but Pink still wasn't afraid. "Maybe I could pick you up this time?"

Did he want that? It would make it harder for him to panic cancel, especially since he got a little closer to going through with it every time. "Okay. Let me give you my address."

Knight pulled out his phone.

Pink rattled off his address.

Once Knight had the info he needed, they shared a smile and went back to enjoying their lunch. It was a lot nicer than Pink expected. Maybe he could move on from his obsession with Adam to someone who actually wanted him. That was a big maybe, but Pink had to start somewhere.

He was getting ready to go out again. Adam couldn't stop obsessing about it. Pink looked amazing and nowhere near as nervous as last night. Adam didn't know what had changed, but something had. The doorbell rang. Adam's eye twitched. Surely Pink hadn't given someone his address. The way Pink perked up told him everything he needed to know. Before Pink rushed to the door, Adam headed that way. This was his job. He unbuttoned his suit jacket on the way, ensuring whoever stood on the other side of the door saw he was armed. Adam was the first line of defense on this house… and he wanted this guy to be as scared as he should be.

He opened the door. Adam didn't know what he expected. A man maybe two years younger than him wasn't it. Adam bit back a growl. Pink was a predator magnet.

The guy smiled, as if he wasn't inches from death. "Hey, I'm Knight. I'm here to pick up Pink. Is he ready?"

"No." Adam didn't bother with a congenial tone.

Knight's smile faltered. Adam saw the moment he realized Adam was armed. Still, Knight didn't run, proving how badly he wanted Pink, or he was dumb. "Are you one of Pink's dads?"

"No."

Confusion filled Knight's features. He opened his mouth as if to ask something else. Pink pushed his way past Adam.

"Knight. Hey."

The happiness in Pink's voice caught Adam by surprise. The way Knight lit at the sight of Pink sent a shiver down his spine. They seemed to genuinely like each other. Fuck.

"Hey. Are you ready?"

Pink sounded breathless when he answered. "Yes."

Knight's gaze moved Adam's way for a second. "Do you need to say goodbye or anything?"

Pink shot Adam a smile. "See you later, Adam."

Adam dipped his chin when he wanted to yank Pink back inside. He shouldn't leave with this guy. Instead, Adam watched as they walked together down the front steps.

"This is a really nice house."

Pink shrugged. His wide-neck sweater slid down his shoulder. "I didn't have anything to do with it."

Knight's laugh faded as they moved farther away.

"Was that Pink's date?"

Adam startled at Snow's question, realizing he still held the door open. He closed the door, giving himself time to hide his feelings before he turned Snow's way.

"It would seem so."

Snow eyed him. The guy had an uncanny way of seeing too much. Snow had always made him slightly uncomfortable. Of course, it didn't help Snow had once been an instructor at the same sort of establishment that had once tortured him. Adam knew how deadly he was.

After a moment, a hint of sympathy touched Snow's features. "Don't worry. I have his phone tracked."

A surprised laugh burst from Adam. He should have known Snow wouldn't leave Pink completely unprotected. Now, Adam just had to stop himself from begging Snow to let him stalk Pink. Unfortunately, every second that passed, and hour when Pink didn't come home, he wished he hadn't been so prideful. He didn't know if his sanity would make it through the night.

Dinner was so much nicer than Pink expected. The conversation had never been stilted. Knight was a wonderful guy. Unfortunately, there was zero spark. Pink wanted to be friends, though. It was nice to have a new person in his life, especially one who didn't know about Pink's past. No one looked at him with pity. Honestly, Pink didn't know if anyone in the house thought that way, but Pink felt how he felt. He wanted to be normal. That was hard while surrounded by people who knew what had been done to him.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to come in? Your… Adam didn't look thrilled to see me on the doorstep."

Pink laughed. "My dad, Quentin, comes from a long line of old money. He's had to surround himself with loyal, protective people. It's not personal. It's literally Adam's job to vet people at the door."

Thankfully, Knight didn't ask any more questions. He nodded. "It must be hard not knowing who to trust and having to guess at everyone's true intentions."

Pink nodded. "Add in two battles with leukemia and losing his ability to walk for many years. I can't imagine the number of people who've tried to take advantage of him when they thought he was too weak to do anything about it. Thankfully, he's had Adam and my other dad, Snow. They've been his family. They've kept him safe."

"Now he has you too."

Pink flashed Knight a bright smile. "Absolutely." He led Knight inside and headed for the kitchen. "If you don't mind waiting for a minute, I'll change and then get started on making our dessert. I'm a mess. If I try to cook in this sweater, I'll ruin it."

"Do what you need to do. I'm good. As long as I get to try these Greek chocolate things you were telling me about, I'm fine."

Despite his reassurances, Pink rushed to his room while keeping an eye out for Adam on the sly. They didn't cross paths, but Adam's bedroom door was closed. That usually meant he was inside. Pink hated the idea of him being alone. For a moment, Pink considered inviting him to dessert. He abandoned the idea. Knight might be uncomfortable if Adam gave him the evil eye for the rest of the night.

Pink found a t-shirt he didn't mind ruining. He was a messy cook. Chef John didn't let Pink near the stove often. Pink didn't know how to make many things, but he had a strangely fond memory of making chocolate salami. When Pink had been a pet—a sexual slave—he hadn't necessarily been mistreated all the time. Obviously, his life had still been horrible. But one leader from the academy had been more attentive than the rest. He let Pink dye his hair, pick his name, and gave him gifts—such as chocolate. Pink knew people who hadn't lived in his shoes couldn't possibly understand how he could still find happiness in the small things, even in hell. But Pink had to survive somehow and the will to live was unhealthily strong.

As Pink neared the kitchen, he heard muted voices. His steps slowed. Pink didn't know why his first instinct was to eavesdrop. But that was exactly what he did with zero guilt. He recognized Royal's voice. Royal was one of the many men Quentin had rescued from the academy by buying him and setting him free. He was also the closest to Pink in age. Royal also seemed to tolerate him the least. Maybe that was what caught Pink's attention and stopped him from interrupting. He was curious what Royal would do or say the moment Pink wasn't around to hear. Royal might tell Knight everything. Pink waited to see what would happen.

"You're wasting your time on Pink."

Pink's eyebrows rose. He considered showing himself.

Knight laughed as if he found Royal ridiculous. "Even though I know you'll give me your opinion whether or not I ask, I'll still bite. Why is that?"

Royal didn't mince words or miss a beat. "He's in love with Adam. Everyone knows it. He's not very subtle." Pink's pulse started pounding loudly in his ears. He couldn't breathe. Pink almost wished Royal would've told Knight he had been a pet. That felt less damning in the moment.

Surprisingly, Knight sounded unconcerned when he responded. "Yet he's still with me tonight. It doesn't sound like I should be bothered."

Royal didn't back down. "That's only because Pink is ridiculously blind to the fact that Adam loves him too." Pink didn't hear a thing past that. It couldn't be true. His heart pounded. Royal was only being an asshole. Adam did not have feelings for him. Pink's feet carried him away from the kitchen and back toward his bedroom. Adam's door came into view. He didn't believe it.

Pink turned Adam's doorknob with no permission from his brain. He had to see Adam. Pink had to know for himself. Adam's head lifted as the door opened. He was seated in his favorite cushy chair in the sitting room. His suit jacket was missing. Adam took great pride in his appearance. Being Quentin's butler meant everything to him. His shirt was open, showing off his hard body. He looked rough—like he had been tearing at his hair and he'd had a few drinks. For once, his eyes didn't look hard. He looked wrecked.

Neither of them said a word. There was nothing to say. Pink held Adam's stare as he crossed the room. He didn't think or ask for permission. Pink straddled Adam's lap and touched his lips to Adam's.

Adam's arms encircled him. His lips parted without argument. Their tongues met and heat exploded between them. There was no fear or panic. He wanted Adam's touch. Pink's hands never left Adam's face. He cupped his jaw and explored Adam's mouth. Pink didn't want to come up for air. He didn't want reality intruding.

Adam stood. Their kiss never broke as Adam took him to the floor. If Pink had ever thought about being beneath someone again, especially someone as large as Adam, he would have expected to panic. That was not what happened, because it was Adam. Pink's hips lifted, trying to find relief for his aching cock. Adam tasted like bourbon, which Pink hated, but it tasted amazing on Adam's tongue.

Pink pushed at the two halves of Adam's shirt. He wanted all that huge chest bare and against his skin. Adam shifted his weight from arm to arm until Pink stole his shirt. Pink ran his hands over every delicious inch of newly bared skin.

Adam moved against him, fucking him in his clothes. His erection rubbed against Pink's with their pants still between them. The desperation never ebbed. Not a single thought invaded. Pure need ruled.

He was going to come. In his clothes. Pink didn't care. His body had wanted Adam's body for too long. Everything felt too good. Then Adam made a sound like he blew. The sound sent Pink over the edge. It was oddly the sexiest moment of his life.

Everything went still. Only the sound of their heavy breathing filled the air.

"Tell me that didn't just happen."

Pink laughed. He didn't want Adam to be embarrassed.

Adam pulled away and stared down at him in horror. It hit Pink. Humiliation wasn't what Adam felt. "No. For real. Tell me that didn't just happen. I don't want this."

The blow landed, crushing him. Pink couldn't breathe. He shoved at Adam's chest. Thankfully, Adam immediately rolled away, setting him free. Pink shot to his feet. Pain ruled everything. He couldn't think straight.

"We need to talk about this, Pink."

Pink didn't slow. He headed for his room. Panic and pain had him rushing to do what he needed to do to run. He tore off his clothes, cleaned up, and found fresh clothes in record time. He headed for the kitchen. Pink was more than a little grateful Knight still waited at the table and he was alone.

He eyed Pink, looking concerned.

Pink grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Change of plans. I'm taking you for Nutella cheesecake at a place I know."

"Okay." Knight looked confused and more than a little concerned. They made it inside Knight's truck before Knight brought the running for his life to a halt.

Knight didn't start the truck. "Tell me what's wrong."

Pink tried to fall back on the acting that had saved him his entire childhood. "Nothing. Sorry I took so long."

Knight took his hand, forcing Pink back to reality. "Take a breath. It's okay. I know you're not romantically interested in me. It's all right, but I'm still your friend. You can talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

Despite his best efforts, Pink's voice broke when he responded. "You don't want to know me. You don't want to know the people under this roof. Trust me. You really don't."

Knight didn't back down. "I don't care about anyone else right now. You're my only concern and I absolutely do want to know you. You have such a spark. I can't resist being near you." His hand encircled Pink's wrist. His fingertips traced the deep scar where Pink had sliced his wrist. "But I'm not dumb, Pink. I know there's something awful you keep to yourself. You don't have to do that with me. I want to help."

"Okay." Even Pink heard the vulnerability in his voice. "Just not here, okay?" Pink would tell Knight everything and hope for the best. He was tired of feeling alone. Pink was exhausted with the secrets. He wanted to be a normal twenty-year-old. Pink had to start somewhere.