Chapter 10

Malachi

Some of the tension Malachi had been holding released, and he slumped into the chair. He was relieved that Nick knew. Keeping secrets was hard work, and he hated it, especially when Kai was more Malachi than Malachi Sanders was, which could be extremely confusing some days.

"What benefits? Surely you can get them elsewhere?"

Malachi's stomach twisted. "Four years ago, Mum got breast cancer. She went through all the chemotherapy and everything else they told her to do, and she beat it. Because I had additional health care benefits with the job, it made it easier, and she was able to get additional care."

Nick shifted to face him. "If she beat it, why are you still there? I'm not being mean, Malachi. I just want to understand."

That was the answer he never wanted to give his grandmother, but for Nick… He closed his eyes. "I'm scared she'll relapse and I won't have the benefits she needs to recover again. I can't lose her." It was his worst fear.

The sofa dipped, but Malachi refused to open his eyes in case tears fell, but the moment arms came around him and he was tucked against Nick's chest, they broke free anyway.

"Jesus, Malachi. You've been keeping this bottled up inside?"

He didn't answer. He couldn't. His throat had closed up, and he was at the very edge of his control. The arms surrounding him tightened, and Nick's heartbeat pounded against his cheek, soothing him. No one had ever held him like that before. Like he was precious. Like he had someone who cared—excluding his family. But then he brushed that thought aside. Nick didn't like him like that. He was just being kind. It was that thought that had him pulling away, but Nick seemed reluctant to let him go.

When they separated, Nick took his hand. "You don't have to carry this all on yourself, Mala…Kai."

Nick's eyes bore into him, and Malachi finally relented and wished the bodyguard would kiss him. He'd been attracted to Nick from the moment he'd started working for the royal family years ago, and he'd enjoyed reading about the comments people had overheard him making—funny anecdotes or jokes to break the seriousness of any situation. Few companies or businesses would let a guard do that, but the Sutcliffes appeared to appreciate the levity.

When his mind stopped wandering and refocused on Nick, he found them closer than they had been. All Malachi could see was Nick. The sharpness of his jawline, his full lips and the depth of those eyes. He wanted to rub his cheek against his stubble to see if it was rough or soft.

"Kai…?" Nick whispered.

Malachi didn't want to believe what he saw in Nick's eyes. Want. But the man raised his hand, cupped his jaw and brushed his thumb across Malachi's cheek. His heart raced, his breath choppy and unbelieving. Did Nick want him as much as he wanted Nick?

"Do you want this, Kai?" Nick asked, his breath fanning across Malachi's lips.

Malachi's eyelids fluttered as his deep voice rumbled through his body. "Yes," he breathed, his eyes closing fully.

The first brush of lips against lips was tentative, but Nick rubbed their skin together again and again before tugging at Malachi's bottom lip with his own. Malachi groaned and opened to him without prompting. Nick's hand slipped to the back of his head and pulled him closer—if that was possible—fusing their mouths.

As if a match had been lit, Nick held his head in both hands, as carefully as if he was made of glass, and devoured him. His tongue slipped inside, sliding against his own, duelling for the supremacy that Malachi happily rescinded to him. He wanted to feel Nick all around him, taking his scent into his lungs so he was deep inside him, too.

One of Nick's hands left his head and wrapped around his waist, tugging him closer until he had no choice but to straddle Nick's lap. No denying what they both felt when their groins met in the middle. Malachi threaded his fingers through the strands of Nick's hair, his other hand gripping his shoulder for balance. All the while, their lips sipped, took and gave, leaving him breathless and lightheaded.

He couldn't help the need to move against him, reaching for more, even though he knew it was too fast. Nick's hand slid down his back to his ass, squeezing his cheek, even as he gentled the kiss. Malachi didn't want to stop. He tightened his hold on Nick's neck, pressing their mouths harder and needing to get as close as possible.

Nick, however, had other plans and tore their mouths apart with a groan. "Fuck, Kai." He didn't stop Malachi from rubbing against him, though. "Shit. We need to stop. There's… We're… Fuck." He dropped his head back while Malachi nipped and sucked at the skin of his neck.

Feeling mischievous, Malachi dragged his teeth down the column of his neck and latched onto his collarbone. Nick grabbed his hair and tugged, pulling him free.

"Bad boy, Kai," he grated, just as breathless as Malachi was. "We need to talk properly before this goes any further."

Malachi tried not to pout. "About what?"

"Everything." He sighed, gentling his hold on his hair and brushing his hand down his cheek. "I don't want you to think that I only wanted you after I found out you were Kai. I suppose it's kind of true, but I always wanted you. Right from when you first became a pain in our asses. I just tried to deny it when I thought you were a mean person."

Malachi smiled and cupped Nick's jaw, loving that he could touch him however he wanted. "It's okay. I would've done the same. I suppose it's inevitable that people will find out. I hadn't wanted anyone to while I was still working at the Chronicle, but if you found it, then maybe it's already happened."

Nick shook his head. "Felix sent me this. There's not much Felix can't find, but the average person wouldn't figure it out. I don't think you have to worry for now."

Malachi couldn't resist. He rested his head in the crook of Nick's neck and closed his eyes when Nick wrapped his arms around him. "I can't seem to find the energy to care if anyone knew at the minute. I'm so tired of it all, but I can't give it up yet. Soon, though." Something niggled at him, something he should remember, but he couldn't figure out what, so he pushed it aside to think of at a different time. Instead, he luxuriated in being able to touch and hold Nick. Someone he had thought unattainable—to him, anyway.

"What do you want from this, Kai?"

Malachi loved being called Kai, but it was such a fuss to teach people to use a different name when he'd been using Malachi for so long. Maybe it would catch on, eventually. He lifted his head.

"I've been attracted to you for a long time, but I never, ever believed you would feel the same. It's kind of like a dream that I don't want to wake up from."

Nick pulled him down and kissed him again. Unfortunately, it lasted all of a second, but he was grateful for every one he received.

"I'm not one for going fast in a relationship—not that this is a relationship…unless you want it to be." A fumbling Nick was a cute Nick. "What I mean is that I want to take my time with you, Kai. I want to get to know the real you, not the one I thought you were."

"Does that mean you want to wait for sex?" Malachi blurted out, his cheeks heating the second the words left his mouth.

Nick laughed, long and loud, and Malachi stared at him, grateful to have received one of the famous Nick Tennant laughs. He hadn't thought he would ever be the cause of one of those. Locking away the sound for a time when he believed Nick would tire of him, he grazed his lip with his teeth.

"I'm happy to have sex whenever. There's no timetable. But we don't need to rush anything. If you're not ready, that's fine."

"I'm so ready," Malachi breathed. And it was true. He had a physical need to feel Nick's hands on his body. Everywhere. Truthfully, he couldn't remember a time when he had felt such a visceral need for someone. Even with his one-nighters and casual relationships, he never felt as important as that did. He wasn't sure why it was Nick, but he also didn't care. Now that Nick knew his secret, he wasn't going to push him away when he could grab him with both hands. No one else knew everything about him, and there was always something missing. It was nice to relax about keeping things to himself.

"Then let's see how the evening goes, yeah?"

Malachi nodded. "What's the plan tonight? I can't remember what you told me."

"Dinner with the royal family, of course."

Malachi stared at him, his mind flickering offline. "What?"

Grinning, Nick said, "Now before, I would've hated giving you this opportunity, but now I love leaving you speechless. I might have to think of other ways to do it." He tugged Malachi towards him and kissed him, sending more blood away from his brain and making it even more difficult for him to comprehend.

He pulled back. "Dinner with the royal family?"

Nick nodded and pulled him into another kiss. Malachi lost himself before he lifted his head again. "But it's Prince Consort Kean's birthday!" Nick nodded again and threaded his fingers into Malachi's hair, but before he got distracted again, Malachi slapped his hand over Nick's mouth. "I shouldn't be there for that! It's private!"

Nick raised his eyebrows but said nothing until Malachi realised he still had his hand over his mouth. Nick licked his lips once he was free. "They would love for you to join them, and as you're such a huge fan, it'll be perfect for you."

"But what will I wear!" Malachi tried to rise, but Nick gripped him.

"Kai, shush. Breathe. You don't need to worry about this. Everyone is glad for you to be there."

"But they hate me!"

Nick smiled and brushed his thumb over Malachi's cheek. "I think more than one knows who you are. I was one of the last ones to figure it out. Too blinded by my frustration." He winked. "And attraction."

Malachi swallowed. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"Absolutely." Nick slid his arms around him again. "Now, can we kiss some more before we have to get ready?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he slammed their lips together, closing his eyes as the taste of him hit his taste buds. Their tongues tangled, and Malachi lost himself in him again, still unable to believe the difference from that afternoon to right then. He'd dreamt of it but had never believed it would happen. Malachi with a royal bodyguard. He chuckled into Nick's mouth, and Nick cupped his face.

"Most of the time, I would be upset that someone laughed while kissing me, but your little giggle intrigued me. What are you thinking about, Kai?"

He sighed. "Fairy tales."

"I'm assuming that makes sense to you." Nick pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. "Let's get ready. Is it too soon for a shared shower?"

Malachi thought he might've squeaked at the idea, but Nick's expression didn't change, so he might've been quieter than he seemed. "Not for me."

Nick's mouth twitched. "You might need to get off me."

Malachi's eyes widened. "I…can do that."

Nick stared at him, eyebrows slowly rising the longer they looked at each other. "Well, are you going to?"

Malachi glanced down between them, seeing the bulge in Nick's trousers. He reached for the button, pausing when Nick's hands covered his. "What are you doing?"

"You asked me to get you off."

Nick pursed his lips, but a smile broke through. "Thank you, but what I actually said was that you might need to get off me. As in, climb off my lap so we can shower." He squeezed his hands. "I'm not saying no, just not yet."

Malachi closed his eyes in mortification, heat invading his cheeks until he was sure he was sunburnt. He climbed off Nick's lap as quickly as his legs would allow him, stumbling into the coffee table.

"Sorry."

Nick rose and slipped his arms around Malachi's waist. "Don't be. You're the first person I would ask to get me off, but when I get my hands on you—properly—I want to take my time." He tucked his finger under Malachi's chin, lifting his head to meet his gaze. "Don't ever be embarrassed with me. Although I'm enjoying finding out all your squeaky charms."

Malachi closed his eyes and dislodged Nick's finger, tucking his face against Nick's chest while groaning. "Kill me now."

"Nope. No time. We have to shower."

Nick grabbed his hand and dragged him to the en suite bathroom—Nick's en suite bathroom.

"I need my clothes!" Malachi spluttered as they entered.

"You can get them afterwards."

Nick turned on the large shower and began stripping. Malachi swallowed his tongue as bare skin came into view. Skin with amazingly detailed black swirls and designs. The man had muscles for miles and seeing it on display was more than his heart could stand. He wanted to see his hands on him, to see the difference in skin tone and temperature, and whether he was as smooth as he looked.

"Like what you see?"

Malachi blinked and refocused. Seeing the lightness in his eyes had him smiling. "Without a doubt in the world."

"Then let me see what you have. We have little time."

His hands shook as he stripped off his shirt and trousers, pausing when he was down to his briefs, a lot self-conscious. But when Nick stepped closer and slid his hands from his shoulders slowly down his arms and tangled their fingers, he found the courage. Because Nick wasn't pushing. He wasn't making him do anything, and it gave him the confidence that Nick did actually want him—even though Nick's cock was also talking. It might not have been the longest, but it was thick, and as the head peeked from the foreskin, red and ready, Malachi's confidence soared.

Keeping his fingers tangled with Nick's, he hooked his thumbs in his briefs—not as easy as he thought it would be, but he managed—and let them fall to the floor before kicking them away.

It took him a few seconds to comprehend that he was naked in a bathroom with a famous bodyguard, just about to shower with him.

"Ready?" Nick asked.

Malachi met his unwavering gaze and nodded. "Didn't think I'd be doing this today, but yes. I'm ready."

Nick tugged him into the shower cubicle, which was a tight fit with Nick being so broad and muscular, but they managed. Malachi felt small and cared for in his shadow, and he didn't care about what that might have said about him. Nick manoeuvred him into the spray, and Malachi closed his eyes, letting Nick wet his hair and body. When Nick moved him again, he didn't fight it, and though it was colder outside of the water, he didn't complain. Nick's scent washed over him, and Malachi opened his eyes, watching as Nick squeezed some shampoo into his hand. He rubbed it into Malachi's hair with slow but sure fingers, and Malachi groaned. He hadn't realised how sensual something like that could be.

"Let's wash it out," Nick murmured. He banded an arm around Malachi's waist, giving him the first feel of their bodies against each other, and he couldn't help rubbing his hips when Nick's cock pressed against him. "You keep doing that and this shower is going to turn into something else."

Malachi smiled as he tilted his head back to wash the shampoo free. When that was done, Nick glided soapy hands all over his body, washing away his sins. He opened heavy eyelids to meet Nick's gaze, and as the lust in his eyes hit him, he surged onto his toes and gripped the back of his neck, pulling his mouth down to meet his.

Malachi gasped as his back met the cold tiled wall, but Nick used that as his chance to slip his tongue inside. Malachi sucked on it, his fingers threading into Nick's hair and holding him in place while their bodies slipped and slid against each other. He didn't want it to end, but he also knew they didn't have time, so he pulled back with a gasp and smacked his head back against the wall, groaning.

"Fuck," he muttered. He dropped his hands, pressing them against the cool wall. "Wash. Quickly. I'm not sure how much willpower I have with you like this."

"You're not the only one."

Malachi watched as Nick flew through his routine, throwing suds all over, but he was mesmerised by the need to lick every inch of his body.

"Don't look at me like that, or we'll miss dinner completely," Nick growled.

Malachi swallowed and slipped from the shower before Nick could grab him. Someone needed the sense in that relationship, and it would rarely be him. It was difficult when he had someone like Nick in his life. Who wouldn't want to spend a stupid amount of time around someone intelligent, gorgeous, funny and talented?

Wet arms came around his waist, and a wet, fully erect cock pressed against his spine. "You're not the only one who can't believe this person wants to spend time with him," Nick mumbled in his ear. "You are exquisite, and I'm sorry for thinking badly of you."

Malachi spun in his arms. "You don't need to be. I just wish I'd explained sooner."

Nick swooped down and feasted on Malachi's lips. When his knees threatened to buckle in an embarrassingly short time, he tore his mouth free.

"The king."

Nick groaned and buried his face in his neck. "Tell me again why we agreed to this?"

Malachi laughed, lighthearted and happy.

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