Chapter Nine

Charon fought anxiety all the way to sealing their marriage with a kiss. He hadn’t expected to be so scared, but then he realized Paine could regress from stress at any second. Charon would love Paine, no matter what. He just wanted this one thing to go right for them. Things had gone fine. From there, they had gone straight to Charon’s waiting plane. Charon watched Paine eye every inch.

Paine finally crawled onto Charon’s lap. “I’d like to go visit Reed again now, please?”

Charon blinked. “You want to see Reed?”

Paine nodded. “Please?”

“Again?”

Paine shrugged. “We talked on his wedding day. Why do you think I left you a note to go to his wedding?”

That had happened. Reed was Charon’s friend. While Paine had been stalking Charon, toying with him, and taunting Charon’s inability to catch him, he had threatened to kill Reed if Charon saw him again. They were truly just friends. That hadn’t seemed to matter to Paine. He had wanted them apart. Then, out of nowhere, on Reed’s wedding day, Charon had received a note from Paine, ordering him to attend the wedding. He had done so, but Charon hadn’t seen Reed since. Charon hadn’t wanted to risk Reed’s life. It had never occurred to him Paine had talked to Reed, and that was why he had been allowed to go.

Apparently, his shocked silence must have gone on too long for Paine. Paine’s shoulders fell. “I won’t visit if you don’t want. It’s just that he’s your friend, and he was very kind to me.”

That didn’t surprise Charon. Reed was a good person. “Of course we can go see him. I just thought you wanted to go home so I can wear my leather for you.”

Paine looked serious and completely clearheaded. “We’ll still be doing that, but later.”

“All right.”

Charon settled in, cuddling with Paine. They held hands and kissed. Charon’s throat kept swelling. His eyes kept unexpectedly burning. There was no way anyone could understand the mental torment he had endured. This was the only man for him, and Charon had thought he was dead. Not just that. Charon thought he had killed him. Too many times to name, he had thought to end it all. But Charon had known he would not go where Paine had gone. Charon would be punished for all eternity while Paine rested on the Isle of the Blessed. Dying wouldn’t have brought them back together. Charon deserved to stay alive, suffering without his other half. But now here they were, married in the eyes of the law after years of being married in their hearts. Paine was back in his arms. No one could make them hurt each other anymore. Charon expected to wake any moment and find this was a dream. That terrified him.

“I’ve had hallucinations just like this one before,” Paine said, sounding sad. “They were so real and vivid. You held me and told me you loved me. We were warm and safe. I felt the sanest I’d been in years. Then I’d blink and none of it was real. I’m so fucking scared this isn’t real.” Paine’s voice cracked.

Charon tilted Paine’s head back so he could look into his eyes. “This is real.” He dipped his head and bit Paine’s bottom lip.

Paine moaned.

A chuckle slipped from Charon’s lips. “See? It’s real.”

Paine snuggled back into Charon’s arms. “Good.”

A bright smile pulled at the corners of his lips. Charon’s grin didn’t fade all the way to New York. He likely looked like a crazy person. But Paine held his hand the entire drive to Reed’s house, and Charon felt amazing. Then he pulled into Reed’s driveway, and he wasn’t as sure how this would go. A hint of nervousness creeped in. More than anything, Charon wasn’t sure how Alastair would react to meeting Paine. He knew Alastair would never harm him. Charon was just uneasy for likely no reason at all. As they walked hand in hand to the door, it hit Charon. He wanted Alastair to like Paine. They were friends. He cared about Alastair’s opinion. When the fuck had that happened?

Charon rang the doorbell. He wanted to hope they weren’t home, but Alastair’s truck was in the driveway.

The door swung wide. Light poured out onto the dark porch. Alastair stood in the doorway with Reed safely at his back.

Reed squealed. “Paine!” He practically shoved Alastair out of the way and grabbed Paine’s arm, dragging him inside. He hugged Paine and then quickly backed away. “Sorry. I didn’t think to ask permission.”

Charon stepped inside. On the sly, he saw Paine bring the hand Reed had grabbed to his mouth and lick it. Charon threw on the charm to keep the focus on him until Paine had comforted himself. “Sorry to barge in on you so late. We just got into town.”

Alastair looked Paine’s way. “Who is we?” He held his hand out for Paine to shake. “I’m Alastair.”

Paine didn’t accept.

After a second, Alastair dropped his hand. “It’s okay. I know not everyone shakes hands.”

At Alastair’s statement, Paine stepped forward and stiffly held out his hand. “I’m Paine, Charon’s husband.”

Alastair’s eyebrows rose for a second, but he quickly recovered. A huge grin split his face. He shook Paine’s hand. “It’s great to meet you, Paine. I can take your coats. Choose any seat you’d like.”

With a nod, they handed off their coats. Paine headed to the loveseat and gingerly sat. It was painfully obvious—to Charon, anyhow—that Paine pretended to be as normal as possible. Charon sat next to Paine, while Alastair and Reed sat on the couch.

Paine eyed the room. “I like your house.” He focused on Reed. “It smells good. It’s like one of those houses you see in commercials where snow is falling outside the window, and everyone has hot chocolate.” He made a wild motion with his hand. Charon assumed it was meant to simulate snow falling outside the window.

Reed smiled. “Thank you. Hot cocoa sounds amazing. We could make some together, if you’d like.”

Charon’s heart swelled at Reed’s kindness. He was incredibly sweet. His hazel eyes screamed he was a good person. Charon was glad Paine wanted to take this chance.

“I would like that.” Paine sounded unsure, but he stood and followed Reed to the kitchen.

Alastair made it until they were alone, but barely. “Reed knows him.”

Charon tore his gaze away from the kitchen door. It hadn’t been a question. Charon worried it had been more of an accusation. “Yes. He says he came to see Reed on your wedding day.” Charon shrugged. “Beyond saying Reed was very kind to him that day, I don’t know anything else.”

Alastair nodded. “Well, apparently, we’re both in the dark.”

They shared a smile, and then they both laughed. Charon made a helpless gesture. “The club of clueless husbands.”

They laughed harder.

Alastair turned serious. “He’s very beautiful.” He looked hesitant to say more.

Charon nodded. “I know. He’s still healing.”

A sweet smile touched Alastair’s lips. “Then it’s a good thing he has you, and Reed will be good for him.”

“That’s why I didn’t hesitate to come here with him. I know you two are exactly the friends he needs.”

Alastair’s smile grew. “Does that mean you intend to stay in New York?”

“For now. We have to head back to Mississippi next week for Christmas, but Paine wants to live here.”

“What’s in Mississippi?” Alastair looked confused.

Charon tilted his head toward the kitchen. “Paine’s found family. A man named Quentin Montgomery helped him escape Greece. He has a huge house in Mississippi where several people like us live. It’s almost like a rehabilitation center.”

Alastair nodded. “I know Quentin. I’ve taken boys to him in the past for help. He always finds a place for them. I’ve never seen Paine there, though. Not that I go in and search the place.”

Charon shrugged. He couldn’t say Paine lived in the ceiling and prowled around the country when he got bored. “I stayed there a few weeks and I’m not sure I even saw everyone who lives there.”

Reed and Paine returned. Both carried two cups. Paine had his bottom lip held between his teeth, as if scared shitless he might spill cocoa on Reed’s floor.

Charon stood and relieved him of one cup. “This looks amazing.”

Paine flashed him a proud smile. “Reed made it. I just watched. But now I know how to make it again, in case you want it at home.”

They reclaimed their seats.

Charon took a sip. “That’s amazing.”

“Reed sprinkled it with love.”

Charon chuckled. “Which part of it is the love?”

Alastair laughed. “That would be the Kahlúa.”

They all laughed. Charon couldn’t take his eyes off Paine. He couldn’t recall the last time he saw Paine laugh. His shoulders looked relaxed. He felt like he sat with his husband—no bad memories. Laughter-filled violet eyes flashed his way. Charon’s heart squeezed. They would have an amazing life. Paine would be just fine. Charon would ensure it.

It felt like the longest of days by the time Charon led him inside his high-rise apartment. A gorgeous view of the city from every corner of the place took Paine’s breath. He immediately dropped his coat and moved to stand as close as possible. There were so many lights. They were like stars.

“Beautiful.”

“Yes.”

The quietly spoken agreement had Paine turning. Charon’s gaze was locked on him.

Paine motioned behind him. “I meant the view.”

“I didn’t.”

He was the same boy Paine had fallen in love with all those years ago. Paine always saw peeks and glances of him. This was different. Paine stared at that boy. Unexpectedly, his eyes filled with tears.

“I’ve been trying so hard to find my way back to you. But I got lost.”

The distance between them vanished. Charon wrapped Paine in a tight hug, making him safe. “It’s my fault. I did that.”

He heard the tears in Charon’s voice. That made Paine cry harder. “We made it. Oh my God. I didn’t think we’d make it.”

Charon sniffed. “Fuck, Paine. I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was I couldn’t kill you. I spent every night plotting how to get us out of there, but they were watching me, expecting just that. You can’t know how it killed me. Then living without you and with the guilt. It’s like I died.”

Paine buried his face against Charon’s throat and breathed. All the times Charon had given him peace and hope washed over Paine. “I would’ve made the same choice. God help me. I’d rather slit my own throat than yours.”

The moment of absolute clarity had Paine pulling Charon in for a kiss. He cupped Charon’s face and wiped his tears. “My husband,” he whispered between kisses. He remembered exactly how he felt when they made those vows for the first time. Paine couldn’t describe the overwhelming emotions. He had his old Aron back. This was his other half. There was no one else.

Charon swept him off his feet like he weighed nothing. He kept stealing kisses as he carried Paine through the apartment. Charon climbed onto the bed and gently set Paine on the mattress. He peeled off his shirt. Charon straddled his body and slowly slid down the zipper on Paine’s kitty pajamas.

“I’d rather you two didn’t do this in front of me.”

In a flash, Charon pulled a gun from beneath the pillow and pointed it toward the voice. Paine recognized the sound of Snow’s voice. He didn’t react.

Charon turned on the bedside lamp. “Snow? What in the fuck are you doing here?”

Snow looked relaxed in the corner chair. He shrugged. “I had to stay somewhere. Since I took care of your little problem in Greece, I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

Charon returned the gun to its hiding place. “I don’t, but you’ll have to stay in the guest room.” He paused. “Have you been sleeping in my bed?”

A sad smile touched Snow’s lips—like he found the question humorous, but life had kicked all the happiness from him. “No. I was coming down the hall to get something to drink when you two walked in. I dipped in here to get out of sight.” His gaze flickered to Paine. “Are you here willingly?”

Paine held up his hand, showing off his wedding ring. “Yes.”

Snow nodded and stood. “I’ll let you two get back to it, then.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.

Paine and Charon exchanged a glance. “Did that kill the mood?” Paine whispered, in case Snow could hear them.

Charon went back to hurriedly stripping Paine. “Not at all.”

Paine tried kissing Charon while still getting him out of his clothes. It didn’t matter they had made love earlier in the day. Paine missed Charon’s body against his skin. He wanted to feel the explosion of joy only Charon gave him. Everything felt so seamless—like they really were one person. They went from clothed to nude to Charon moving against him in no time. It was exactly the way Paine had never shaken. While he had loved having Charon inside him, this was better. He had needed Charon to prove earlier he wasn’t pity-fucking Paine. Paine’s head told him lies sometimes. He needed Charon to show him what was real.

He moaned. Too many nights to name, Paine had lain awake burning for Charon’s cock moving against his. Charon’s beautiful body moved in a sexy way that drove him wild. They didn’t have to be quiet anymore. They didn’t have to hide. Paine dug his fingertips into Charon’s skin, pulling him as close as possible. He writhed beneath Charon. Mewling sounds came from the back of his throat. Just when he thought he might blow, Charon slithered down his body and sucked his cock.

A gasp burst from Paine. He gripped the sheets and held on for life. Paine remembered this too. The night they were caught, for the first and last time, Charon had taken Paine to heaven with his mouth. Then Paine had gently stroked Charon’s dick until he blew cum on Paine’s skin. Charon had fought to stay quiet while Paine savored the feel of soft skin over hard cock. Touching Charon had always fascinated him. Paine wanted to do that again.

The way Charon’s tongue felt on his erection made Paine’s brain itch. He couldn’t keep his legs still. Paine needed this to last forever. He always wanted to feel that perfect pull that almost tickled, but the pressure made him wild. His hips lifted, trying to get to the edge faster. The pressure built. Paine couldn’t stop whimpering. His hips lifted over and over. Faster and faster. He pushed himself into Charon’s mouth like he fucked his ass. He wondered if Charon would ever let him do that. Just the fantasy sent him flying. A cry ripped through him. He gasped for air as Charon sucked him almost painfully as every twitch of his cock stole his breath.

Paine urged him higher so he could touch Charon the way he wanted. They kissed as Paine stroked Charon. Charon moaned like he couldn’t get enough—like Paine drove him every bit as wild. He urged Charon onto his back. Then he worked his way between Charon’s thighs. With the bedside lamp still on and showing him everything. He settled on his butt with Charon’s legs draped over his—like a kid settling in to play.

Charon’s eyes flashed with lust. “Why do you look like a kid in a candy shop right now?”

Paine laughed. “Because I want to play.” He toyed with Charon’s balls and teased his cock. His fingers found the spot between Charon’s balls and asshole. He rubbed. A low moan rumbled from Charon. That was enough encouragement from Paine. He licked his finger, wetting it. Then he circled Charon’s asshole with his fingertip. “Will you let me touch you like this?”

“I’m yours. You can do anything you want to me.”

The words barely finished falling from Charon’s lips before Paine pushed his finger inside Charon. Charon moaned again. Paine kept going. He tried various movements, looking for the best response. Finally, he found it. He hit that spot inside that felt so fucking good to rub. Paine did this to himself all the time, but he had never tried doing it to anyone else. He did now. With one finger massaging him internally, Paine softly stroked Charon’s dick with his other hand.

“Do you like that?”

“Yes.” It was a breathless and desperate-sounding reply.

He squeezed a second finger inside Charon to get a deeper massage. “What about this?”

Charon whimpered. “Yes.”

“Good. Take what you want, then. Ride my fingers and hand. Let me feel the way this tight, greedy asshole wants to be fucked.”

Charon grabbed the underside of the headboard and did as told. Paine watched Charon’s abs bunch and roll as he moved against Paine’s hands. A flush rode high on his cheeks and his lips were swollen from their kisses and biting them. He was the perfect picture of aroused male. Charon was so big and solid. He could kill without conscience. Yet Paine controlled him with two fingers and a palm. He made Paine feel invincible.

Charon’s lips parted as he fought for air. A sheen of sweat coated his skin. He visibly fought to milk out an orgasm on Paine’s fingers. Paine panted, watching him. He knew what those fingers felt like, rubbing the right spot, creating a desperation to feel the cum spitting. He was getting hard again just watching him. Paine heard himself moan—like it was him riding his own fingers.

“Fuck me.”

Paine blinked at Charon’s plea. He hadn’t realized how much he gotten into fucking Charon with his fingers. He was hard as a rock and leaking like he hadn’t just come.

“Where’s the lube?”

Charon rolled slightly and jerked open the bedside drawer. Paine spotted toys inside he wanted to try. Not now. Now, he needed to get inside Charon. In a flash, he grabbed the lube and soaked himself. Then he took his oiled fingers and made sure Charon’s hole was ready for him. Paine moved to his knees and positioned his dick against Charon’s asshole. He met Charon’s stare. Their gazes held as Paine pushed past the tight ring of muscles surrounding Charon’s asshole.

He gasped at the tight suction pulling him deeper. Paine had never done this. He hadn’t known it felt this good. With his brain lighting up like a Christmas tree, he quickly found the same spot he had been rubbing with fingers with his cock. Then he pounded it. He kept his head down so he could watch Charon’s dick. Paine didn’t want to miss the moment it twitched with the explosion of cum.

Paine grunted as he took Charon’s ass. The heat and moisture mixed with the tight friction, making him crazy. Then Charon’s cock lifted a hair on its own and a stream of milky white juice shot out. It kept twitching, pumping more on to Charon’s stomach. A loud gasp tore from Paine as Charon’s asshole convulsed, pulling him deeper. He quit moving while the suction milked an orgasm from him. Paine moaned and gasped his way through another wave of pleasure. He filled Charon’s asshole with cum. Paine loved knowing his semen would soon drip from Charon’s ass.

“Fuck, Paine. You should see your face. I think you’ve unlocked a new favorite position.”

A tired-sounding laugh burst from Paine. “Would that bother you?”

“Are you joking? I’m ready for you to do it again.”

Paine pulled out, groaning as he did. He collapsed on his side next to Charon. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been drained dry.”

Charon pulled him into his arms. “Maybe tomorrow then.”

Paine heard the exhaustion in his laughter. “That was… wow.” As the words left Paine’s lips, something huge hit him. He felt normal—like himself. His gaze moved to hold Charon’s stare. “We’ll really be okay, won’t we?” Even he heard the wonder in his voice.

Charon kissed him. “We really will.”

Their fingers linked. The wedding bands Charon had bought them on the way to get married slid against each other. Peace settled over Paine. He wasn’t a fool. Paine knew he wasn’t completely healed. Likely, he never would be. But he also realized now how much his oddness had become more of a habit than a reality over the last few years. Time had taken away some of the sting from the past. What he hadn’t been capable of recovering from was losing Charon. He had observed Charon from afar for a long time. It had been murdering his soul, watching Charon leave him behind. That was the thing that kept destroying his mental health over and over again. Now he realized Charon hadn’t left him behind. Not for a second had they been apart in their hearts.

“I love you.” The sweet whisper against his lips melted Paine.

“I love you too.” He deepened their kiss, savoring the taste of their proclamations. This was real. Paine wasn’t living inside his head, keeping himself alive with a fantasy. Charon really held him. The academy might have won a few battles, but they had won the war. They had proven they couldn’t be torn apart. The rest of eternity with Charon would be a beautiful breeze.

Keep an eye out for the next Damaged Devils, As White as Snow.