Chapter Seven

Cutler: It’s official. You’ve ruined dinner for me. Nothing tastes good when you’re gone.

Gable: When this job is finished and I get back to the hotel, we can FaceTime. You can give me a show and then we’ll eat.

Cutler: Deal.

Gable: Packages arriving at the CIA are thoroughly searched. Now everyone wants to know who sent the good coffee pods and if they can share. LOL!

Cutler: I know how much you hate the cheap shit they keep in the break room. It’s yours, so you can share if you like. Just not with Roger. That guy tried to stop me from seeing you the other day.

Gable: No Roger. Check. I can’t wait for this day to end. I miss you like crazy.

Cutler: Same.

Cutler: Dinner reservation is at seven.

Gable: I’ll be on time. Promise.

Cutler: Hmm. We’ll see.

Gable: I was late once.

Cutler: I’m only playing with you.

Gable: If you have to wait, I’ll fall at your feet and suck your toes.

Cutler: *dead* Please don’t.

Gable: Ahhh. We have a kink shamer.

Cutler: *hard eye roll*

Gable: I can make it fun.

Cutler: Oh my God. Please stop.

Gable: Admit it, you’re laughing.

Cutler: I’m smiling enthusiastically.

Gable: That’s good enough for me.

The restaurant Cutler chose seemed unusually quiet. Of course, that was why he had chosen the place. Its carefully spaced tables, perfect lighting, and general ambiance made it the perfect romantic spot. Cutler showed at five minutes to seven, anticipating a wait. Since Gable often didn’t get off work on time, Cutler never knew what time he would show.

“Reservations for Maine,” Cutler said as he approached the host.

The man dipped his chin. “This way. Your party has already arrived and is waiting. ”

Cutler bit back a smile as he followed the small guy through the restaurant to a table near the window. Gable sat, looking relaxed while sipping white wine. He was so fucking sexy. The restaurant had a dress code. Gable fit right in. Cutler loved the way Gable transformed, becoming whatever he needed to be to blend into any situation. Every side of him was gorgeous.

Gable turned his head at Cutler’s approach. The smile that lit his face couldn’t be faked. A light shone from the inside out. Gable was genuinely happy to see him. Cutler couldn’t resist stealing a quick kiss before claiming his seat.

“You beat me here.”

Gable laughed. “I had to make up for being late that one time.”

Cutler couldn’t stop smiling. “I survived it. ”

For a moment, they simply sat staring at each other while smiling like idiots. Through four months of dating, they had been like this: happy. They never fought. It was just a peaceful coexistence with incredible sex.

Gable set his wine aside and leaned forward. His expression turned serious. “I have something to say.”

That didn’t sound good. “Okay.”

Gable took a breath as if steeling himself. “The last four months with you have been the best of my life. I’m so fucking grateful we met.”

The tightness in Cutler’s chest got worse. This sounded like a speech gearing up to end them. “But?”

A hint of confusion crossed Gable’s features. “There’s no but. This has been the best four months of my life. ”

Relief poured through Cutler. “Same. I had given up on the idea of there being anyone out there for me. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Gable flashed him the sweetest of smiles. “All day, I thought about how best to express myself, because outside of playing the part at work, sometimes I’m not very sure of who I really am. That probably doesn’t make sense, but I used to do nothing but work and that became my identity. Then, of course, at work, my identity is whoever they say I am. Sorry, I know I’m rambling. It’s just that… damn. What I’m getting at is, I love you.”

Cutler blinked. He had gotten carried away trying to keep up with Gable’s rapid speech and trying to anticipate where he was headed. Cutler hadn’t seen that coming. Gable looked like he held his breath. He released it for half a second to say more. “I know that wasn’t very romantic.” He immediately went back to holding his breath.

Cutler laughed. He couldn’t help it. If he had fantasized about anyone confessing their love to him, that definitely wouldn’t have been the speech he pictured. This was better. It wasn’t the heat of the moment. This was a thought-out confession. It was perfect. Real. “I love you too.”

Gable’s chest caved as he released the breath he had apparently still been holding. “You don’t have to say it back. I just need you to know how I feel. It’s got to be hard dating me. I know I have this job and I’m not always around and—”

Cutler set his hand on Gable’s, stopping his nervous chatter. “There’s no way you think I’m the type to say I love someone, if I don’t mean it. I’m not that nice. ”

The adorable smile Cutler loved reappeared. “I think you’re nice, but no. You wouldn’t say it if you didn’t mean it.”

Again, they held each other’s stare in silence. A server appeared, breaking the spell. He set a glass of red wine in front of Cutler.

Cutler’s eyebrows snapped together. “I didn’t order that.”

The waiter smiled. “It’s from the gentleman at the bar. He says you’re very beautiful.”

Gable twisted in his seat. “What the fuck? Am I not sitting right here?”

An older gentleman raised his glass with a smile when Cutler looked his way. “He probably thinks you’re my son.” Defeat washed over Cutler as the words left his lips. It was likely how everyone saw them.

Gable stood.

Panic soared inside Cutler. Gable had a government job in law enforcement. He couldn’t get into a fight.

Gable dug some money from his wallet and tossed it on the table. “Your son, my ass.” The grumbled words might have made Cutler smile if he wasn’t worried about what Gable might do. Instead of heading the man’s way, Gable moved to him. “This just gives me the excuse I need to have you alone. No way in hell will I let anyone think you’re anything less than mine.” In an obvious show of possessiveness, Gable snagged Cutler’s tie, hauled him forward, and kissed him like he would fuck him there if they wouldn’t be arrested.

Cutler forgot where they were. A moan rose in his throat.

Gable pulled away. “Let’s go. I came by cab so I could leave with you.” He looked furious.

Cutler scrambled to his feet.

“Give me your keys.”

Cutler handed over his keys while trying to decide if Gable was pissed off at him. He looked angry as hell. Cutler didn’t look toward the bar again as he let Gable escort him from the restaurant. He waited until they were safely sequestered inside the car before making a sound.

“Are you—”

Gable was across the car in an instant. His tongue cut off any words Cutler thought he had. Cutler stroked his face. The rough kiss gentled. Pressure and love built in Cutler’s chest. He genuinely had never expected to be this happy.

Gable pulled away. He brushed noses with Cutler before swiping another sweet kiss across his lips. “I overreacted. I’m sorry. ”

“It’s okay. I might’ve done the same.”

Gable moved back to his seat. Turned sideways, he held Cutler’s stare. “I’m fully aware you’re out of my league. That just solidified things. Everyone knows you can do better to the point of me being invisible.”

Cutler couldn’t have been more shocked if Gable punched him. Of all the things he expected, that wasn’t it. “Are you joking? There’s no way you actually believe that.” Except the hurt in Gable’s expression proved it was true.

“You have looks, money, and connections. I’m just some guy with an inconvenient job, so-so credit, and nothing real to offer. The only thing I own free and clear is my bike. You could have anyone. Why would you settle for me?”

“What in the fuck does money have to do with anything? ”

“Only someone rich would think money has nothing to do with anything. I literally have nothing to offer someone like you.”

A sigh escaped Cutler before he could stop it. “You have love. No one else gives me that. I kill people, Gable. That’s who I am. That’s where that money comes from. How many people do you think are lining up to love someone like me?” Cutler’s throat swelled. Gable had no idea how much hell Cutler had survived. “You’re priceless to me.” There was no missing the way his voice shook, as if he was on the edge of tears. He might have been humiliated if it was anyone other than Gable sitting across from him. But he needed Gable to understand how much this relationship meant to him. He wasn’t ashamed.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other until Gable swiped a shaky hand over his eyes. When it dropped to his lap, he looked defeated. “I’m so fucking sorry. You deserved to know before we started dating that I’m a jealous bastard.”

A smile exploded across Cutler’s face. “I don’t know. That sexy show of dominance was pretty hot.”

Gable smiled. It looked guilty. “I feel like a dumbass. I’m not used to having someone matter to me as much as you do.”

Gable needed more reassurance than Cutler was managing. “Do you have any idea what I would’ve done if that drink had been for you?” The accent slipped away as the image of anyone hitting on Gable overcame him. He remembered the way Warren had looked at Gable on that cruise. “No one would see that man again. All because he thought he might have a shot with what’s mine. Don’t feel dumb. I’m fucking crazy. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean I’m stable in any way. I’ve seen and done things you should hate me for. If anyone tried to take you, you’d be terrified of me.” By the time he finished, Cutler shook inside with rage.

Gable’s mouth lifted in one corner. “I love you.”

The fury bled from Cutler. “I love you too.”

“We should get some food to go.”

Cutler laughed. “Probably.”

Again, they simply held each other’s stare. This was love. No one could take it from them.

Steam filled the air. Cutler’s mouth on his skin was fucking heaven. Gable hadn’t produced a clear thought in an hour. Water assaulted them from every direction. He panted for air while Cutler teased his body. His insides still shook with the fear of losing him. Cutler was here with him. God. He hadn’t known he could turn possessive like that. He honestly scared himself a little. When he had turned his head and saw that guy lifting his glass, as if Gable wasn’t sitting right there, fuck. He could have killed that guy. Cutler was his.

Gable pushed Cutler against the wall and dropped to his knees. Cutler needed to know no one would make him feel the way Gable did. Before he could suck his prize, Cutler cupped his chin, forcing Gable to meet his stare. His eyes looked haunted.

“I would never want you on your knees for anyone. Not even me.”

For the first time, Gable had a bad feeling he had found a PTSD chink in Cutler’s armor. The expression he wore nearly broke Gable. Gable had sucked Cutler dry before. He knew that wasn’t the issue. Being on his knees obviously was. Even the way Cutler breathed, as if struggling, showed how bothered he was.

Gable pushed to his feet and killed the water. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” He easily swept Cutler from his feet and headed for the bed. The air felt like ice on his wet skin after the heat of the shower. They left a trail of water from the bathroom to Cutler’s bed. Gable would worry about that later. For now, he had a man to please.

He crawled into bed and wrapped them in a cocoon of blankets before slithering his way down Cutler’s body. Gable wasn’t on his knees now. He would get the dick he wanted.

Gable took Cutler down his throat, savoring the sensation of the man’s cock sliding across his tongue. Cutler made a sound that had Gable fighting an evil laugh. He knew how to make Cutler fly. A phone chirped. Gable knew it wasn’t his. He had left his in the living room. Gable had also turned off his ringer. Cutler was his only priority. The phone chirped again. They ignored the sound. Gable worked double time, bobbing on Cutler’s dick. He needed to drink his cum.

The phone chirped a third time. Cutler’s muscles tensed. For a moment, Gable thought Cutler meant to check his phone. Irritation ran through him. Then cum filled his mouth, nearly choking him in his surprise. Delicious cries filled the air. Gable’s body burned with the need to join Cutler in his bliss.

Cutler pulled his hair, urging Gable higher. Their mouths clashed. His dick ended up in Cutler’s skilled hands. He tugged and massaged. Gable’s hips rocked, riding the masterful touch. Vaguely, he kept hearing the phone, but he was too far gone to care. He fucked Cutler’s palm. Their kiss was almost violent as Gable neared the edge. He needed what Cutler offered. His hips moved faster. Cutler’s strokes increased. Gable fought for air through tiny, gasping cries.

“Fuck. Don’t stop. Oh, God.” Gable made a desperate sound as he soared. The orgasm made his entire body jerk. He couldn’t stop crying out against Cutler’s lips as Cutler stole his soul. No matter how they made each other blow, it was always beautiful. Gable never wanted to be with anyone else. Their kiss turned sweet as his heart tried slowing to a normal beat. The phone chirped again.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Cutler snatched up the device. His expression screamed he was ready to tear into someone. His gaze moved across the screen and his expression changed. He looked almost terrifying. “Damn it. Two shipping containers just unexpectedly hit the docks. Thankfully, a worker who keeps an eye out for Zander heard crying coming from inside one. I have to go.”

Gable rolled to the side. He was exhausted. “Of course you do. This is important.”

Cutler eyed him for a moment, as if trying to decide if Gable was being sarcastic.

Gable tried reassuring him. “I’m serious. You should hurry.” He yawned. Fuck. The hot shower, long day, and orgasm had taken it out of him. Cutler stole a kiss and then climbed from the bed. He grabbed a towel and cleaned Gable’s skin before tucking him in.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. We’ll pick things up then. Until then, get some rest.” Gable didn’t need to be told. His eyes were already too heavy to keep open. “Okay. Love you.” Even to his ears, he sounded half asleep.

“I love you too.” Gable heard the happiness in Cutler’s voice. He kissed the tip of Gable’s nose. “You won’t even know I’m gone.”

That was probably true. The darkness already had him drifting.