Chapter Three

If Lev had ever considered what Murphy's place might look like, he would have pictured exactly this. It was a small two-bedroom house. One room was a bedroom. The other was a home gym with awards hanging on the wall and filling shelves. It was a guy's house. There was nothing home-like about it. It was like a catchall for Murphy's stuff. In Murphy's defense, they spent a majority of the year on the road. To Murphy, the place likely was just a spot to keep his things. Lev wanted more for him, though. He wanted Murphy to enjoy the same downtime as Lev did.

But Lev wasn't here to inspect Murphy's baseboards for dust. He wanted to unwrap Murphy like a kid on Christmas morning. He stalked Murphy inside. Charlie left, leaving Murphy with no choice but to keep him. Murphy untied his bow tie and looked everywhere but at Lev.

"Can I get you anything?"

He was so adorably nervous. "Do you have glasses for this drink?" He held up the bottle from the restaurant.

Murphy looked visibly relieved. "Uh. Yeah. Somewhere. Let me look." He peeled off his jacket and headed for the kitchen.

Lev followed. His gaze never wavered from Murphy. When Murphy reached the counter, Lev struck. He molded against Murphy's back and set aside the bottle. His fingers found the buttons on Murphy's shirt. He tugged, sending buttons flying as he tore open the two halves.

"This is a rental."

Lev's mouth found Murphy's neck. "I'll pay for it." He felt the way Murphy struggled for breath. There was no missing the way he white-knuckled the counter. That kiss in the car had been undeniably two-sided. Murphy wanted him too.

"I can't do this."

Lev didn't stop touching him. "Do what?"

"Whatever this is," Murphy said, barely hiding the moan behind his words.

Lev fought a smile. "We're not doing anything. I'm kissing you. Don't you want to kiss Lev too?"

"No. Yes. Fuck. I don't know."

Lev wrapped his fingers around Murphy's throat and hauled him backward into his hold. He controlled Murphy's jaw, forcing his mouth to his. Their tongues fought. It was carnal and hot, even at the awkward angle. Lev ground his erection against Murphy's ass. He cupped Murphy through his pants and rubbed his hard cock. Murphy whimpered.

Murphy turned his head, panting. "No. I can't do this. I don't bottom for anyone."

"That's good. I'm not a top." He spun Murphy in his arms and claimed his mouth again. Murphy had said no enough times, Lev believed him. But he wouldn't leave here without searing a memory of himself on Murphy's brain. The way Murphy had done him all those years ago. Lev hadn't given up the dream of him. He wouldn't let Murphy forget him either. Lev nipped at Murphy's bottom lip and then sucked. Murphy moaned. He held Lev's shirt in a death grip. Only when Lev was certain Murphy would suffer as he had did Lev take a step back. He dug two bills from his pocket and a card with his cellphone number and tossed them on the counter.

"For the tux. Maybe text sometime." He walked away with Murphy clinging to the counter and panting. He was the picture of turned-on male. Leaving him behind was the hardest thing Lev had ever done. But he wanted Murphy to come to him willingly. That part was important. He needed more than sex from Murphy. Lev wanted his soul.

With shaky hands, Murphy picked up Lev's card and read it. It was no more than a number. He thought his knees might give out. There was zero doubt Lev was a man now. Murphy had never been handled the way Lev had controlled him. His lips tingled. His body burned. He reached down to readjust his hard cock. A whimper escaped him.

Murphy headed down the hall and fell across the bed. He stared at the ceiling. Those light green eyes. Fuck. Every reason he had said no eluded him now. Lev was twenty-five. The past was dead. Murphy was a dumbass. He eyed the card he still held. Murphy could text him. Likely, he hadn't gotten far yet without a ride. Murphy couldn't do it. That was too much like begging.

Murphy touched his lips. In his thirty-five years, he had known a few men who genuinely wanted him. He had never felt this. Lev would consume him. Murphy wanted it. His gaze moved back to the card. The guy carried a card around with his fucking number on it, just anticipating a booty call. Murphy wouldn't join the desperate ranks that panted to have Lev in his bed.

He reached down and set his erection free. Murphy could take care of himself. He would lose interest the moment he rubbed one out. Being horny fucked with his head. That was all. Murphy stroked. His eyes closed. An image of Lev waited for him. The hungry way Lev watched him lived behind Murphy's closed lids. He stroked faster. In his head, Lev dropped to his knees with that starved expression staring up at him. A gasp tore from Murphy as he immediately blew. He wasn't satisfied. Even as he pumped the last drop of cum from his dick, Murphy didn't stop sawing at his cock until it went soft in his hand. Still, he wasn't satiated. A growl rose in his throat. He stood and ripped away his clothes. Murphy stamped his way to the bathroom and viciously turned the shower on cold. He stepped beneath the water, tormenting himself. His thoughts turned black. He didn't need some young, too full of himself hockey player fucking with his head. Murphy did not want him. Except he did.

Murphy's shoulders fell. He adjusted the water and took his normal shower. What would it hurt to text him? Lev lived in Phoenix. Murphy lived in New Orleans. They would never have any sort of relationship. Lev would be out of temptation range soon enough. A text meant nothing.

As he dried himself, Murphy gave himself all the lectures and pep talks. Lev had paid a hundred thousand to spend time with Murphy. He had bought him champagne and left way too much money for a ruined cheap tux. Murphy shouldn't be such an asshole. Lev had left when he said no. That obviously showed he was a standup guy.

He found the card he had abandoned on the bed. Murphy grabbed his phone before he changed his mind. He programmed the number into his phone before sending a quick text.

Murphy: It's Murphy. Save my number. Thanks for everything.

The phone almost immediately buzzed in his hand.

Lev: Finished jacking off to the fantasy of me already, huh? Number saved.

Murphy covered his face and fell onto the bed. How had this boy gotten so far under his skin? His phone buzzed again.

Lev: See me one more time before I leave town. Just lunch. We meet. I pay. You can safely drive yourself home afterward.

For a moment, Murphy's fingers hovered over the device. His pride screamed for him to say no.

Murphy: Okay.

Goddamn it. His fingers typed the response before his brain could save him. Fine. They would have lunch. That was it. They would go their separate ways and never speak again. That was that.