14. Nikos

14

NIKOS

I force us to stop in a park on the way back to Oli's house. We sit down on the grassy lawn, staring out at a small pond with mallards and a swan - majestic as fuck, but as deadly as I feel inside.

We're shaking for different reasons.

Oli hasn't said a word since we left the supermarket. It's like he's been floating in a stasis state, unable to form words or even stop himself from shaking. I hate seeing him like this. If we weren't in public, I would've punched the man - who was clearly an ex-boyfriend - for making Oli feel like this.

The man had looked like shit warmed up. Dark circles, the scent of alcohol tainting his breath. And whether Oli noticed it or not, there was the remnants of a faint white powder dusting his jacket.

Drugs. His dilated pupils as he was glaring at Oli proved my theory right.

I dig my hand into the bag and pull out the bottle of white wine. Luckily it's a screw-top, so it's easy to open. I take a quick drink to still the fury that's etched itself into my bones, then offer the bottle to Oli.

‘Drink this,' I say. ‘It will help.'

Without taking his eyes off the swan, he grabs the bottle and downs a quarter of it without breathing. A dribble of wine slips down his chin. I catch it with my thumb, sticking it into my mouth to suck clean.

‘Are you ready to talk about it?' I ask.

‘There's nothing to say.'

I shuffle closer, but not without pulling my baseball hat down and searching the area around us for any onlookers. Luckily, we're alone. ‘That's the biggest lie that I've ever heard, Oli. Clearly that man means something to you, to cause such a reaction.'

‘Geoff means nothing to me.'

‘Not anymore, maybe.' I lay a hand on his knee and squeeze. If he looked down, he'd see my fingers trembling. ‘Come on, Honey. Talk to me. Off-load your worries on me. Let me help.'

Slowly, he turns and looks at me, dead in the eye. The severity of the emotion in his face knocks the breath from my lungs. The whites around his pupil are red, not from crying, but from stopping himself.

‘I was in a relationship with him for too many years.' Oli admits what I'd already worked out, based on what the man had said and Oli's Instagram. My first instinct is to walk back, find him, and pummel the man for ever hurting my Honey.

Then reality sets in and I know that this Geoff likely recognised me and was now walking around London with the story of how Nikos Ridge said Oliver Cane treats his cock and heart well.

Shit. I wasn't thinking. I just saw Oli hurting and acted on instinct. But I can't bring myself to regret it, not with how scared Oli had looked when the man started yelling.

Burying that worry down, I focus on what matters and that's Honey. He needs consoling, and I'm not prepared to leave this park until he's smiling that brilliant smile again.

‘And let me guess, you were too good for him, so it broke off and clearly he is suffering for it.'

Oli buries his face in his hand, the bottle of wine almost tipping over in the grass. ‘Actually, I came back from work early and found him fucking someone else in our bed. It… it broke my heart.'

Geoff had set the timeline when he mentioned Oli moving on in two months. So this breakup was fresh. Which meant the pain would be as furious as it had been the day Oli found his boyfriend in bed with another person.

‘He never deserved your heart,' I say, the anger seeping into my tone. ‘It's men like that who deserve to have their balls removed. Love should be coveted, protected. Geoff was never worthy of it. He wasn't worthy of you either, Honey.'

‘How can you say that?' The tears fall freely now. I want nothing more than to pull him into a hug and let the tears soak into my hoodie. But before I move, a couple walking a well-behaved Labrador stroll past. ‘You don't even know me. We're strangers. And in a matter of days you'll leave me and my life will go back to the misery it was before you entered my orbit, whereas you get to go back to your big home, in your big city, with your big ambitions and big future - '

Fuck if people see me.

I drag him into my side and wrap my arms around him. ‘You're right. We're strangers. So let me be the one to tell you that I'm well versed in love and its parameters. In fact, Selina - my manager - once sent me on a two-week intensive course of therapy. And I'll never forget the first thing my therapist said to me, after I off-loaded my trauma onto her.'

I talk his face in my hands and make sure he's looking at me and no one else. ‘We take out our hurt on those we care about the most.'

Old sniffles, the tip of his button nose red as a certain magical reindeer. ‘Is that supposed to make me feel like Geoff's actions are justified? That fucking someone in our bed, in our home, was all because he cared about me?'

‘No,' I say, brushing a strand of his blond hair out of his eye. ‘I was actually talking about how you just told me off and accused me of leaving you behind… as if that's ever a possibility.'

Oli is shocked into silence. I see his mouth part - lips wet with wine and tears - and I want nothing more than to kiss them dry. ‘I'm sorry.'

‘Don't you ever apologies to me, Honey. You don't owe me that.'

‘Then why are you doing this?'

‘Because I like you,' I reply. ‘I find you interesting, endearing, kind, thrilling, seductive. I could go on, but I fear if I make your head too big, you won't be able to stand up right, so I'll have to carry you back home.'

I almost choke on the last word, realising that it was the first time I've used it, not to speak of Greece, or New York… hell, even some luxurious hotel room I'm camped out in during press or filming.

Oli draws back and clears his wet eyes with the back of his sleeve. ‘I'm such a mess. One interaction with a toxic ex and I can barely function. I think pathetic is a word you missed out on when you listed my qualities.'

‘The only person I can call pathetic is Geoff. How could he hold the most precious thing in the world in his hands, and ruin it?'

Oli slips out a small gasp. The sound pierces through my gut and out the other end. He penetrates me - heart, soul and body.

‘You think too highly of me,' Oli says, again trying to dismantle the possibility that a person could actually respect him. Which, after meeting Geoff, is clearly pain and trauma left over from their time together.

‘Perhaps I do, but that's the beauty of it. Those are my opinions, and you can't sway them with your lack of self-esteem.'

‘Lack of self-esteem?' Oli repeats.

‘What would you call it?'

‘Heartbreak, pain, grief over a man I thought I'd end up marrying, who ruined my life instead.'

‘Ruined your life,' I try the words out with a soured expression, telling Oli how wrong they are. ‘From the way I see it, your life is pretty much put together and solid. Whereas Geoff is suffering. Did you hear him? Because of you, he lost his job, he looks like shit, smells even worse, and clearly has a nasty habit for drugs and booze.'

I can see from Oli's face that he's worried about Geoff, even after everything the man did to him - or didn't do, like actually treat him the way Oli deserves. ‘Geoff had everything. The high-paid banker job, the money, the looks. I've never seen him so…'

‘Pathetic,' I answer for him. ‘As I said before, it's certainly a word that works best for Geoff.'

Oli takes the bottle of wine and has another swig. ‘I don't want to think about him. Just when I was beginning to forget him, he stumbles back out of the fucking sewers and ruins everything.'

‘No, stop.' I stand up and offer Oli a hand. ‘Geoff can only ruin what you give him power over. Unless you're going to continue pitying him, worrying about him - '

‘I'm not worried about him!'

‘Say that to the line between your brows, Honey. Now, up you get.'

He takes my hand, and with some force, I heave him up to standing. ‘I know you had grand plans to cook for me tonight, but the thought of going back home isn't as pleasing as it was earlier. I'll walk in and just see Geoff everywhere.'

‘Little fucker's haunting you, is he?' I go for a joking tone. ‘Maybe I should call a priest to come and visit for an exorcism.'

Oli cracks a small smile. I return one, knowing I got him to do that, even as he's clearly still miserable.

‘It's going to take more than sage and a few prayers to cleanse the flat of Geoff's presence.'

A spark of an idea comes to mind. It's so enticing that I hope it catches into an inferno. ‘Then I have another suggestion.'

‘I see the devil in your eyes, Adonis.'

I narrow them, doing my best ‘evil mastermind' impression. ‘If I'm honest, I'm a shit cook and was only trying to impress you. How about we get back… home, and I'll order some Greek food instead?'

He wrinkles his nose. ‘But it's peak time in London, the food will take hours to arrive.'

‘Good.' I take his hand in mine. ‘Because something I can do, which sage can't, is fuck you in every corner, on every counter, in every room of your house, so that you'll never think of Geoff again.'

Oli's eyes light up from within, his cheeks flushing a rich crimson. ‘On every counter? I have so many.'

I lean in, the thought of Oli's naked body already making me hard. ‘Every single one.'

The delivery driver rang the bell almost two hours ago, and the moussaka, stuffed peppers, and chicken gyro wraps have been left outside the front door, likely now cold and completely inedible. I have no desire to stop myself long enough to retrieve them. And from Oli's display of Olympic-level stamina, he's not going to take a break either.

I'm practically dying for food, but feel full to the brim after feasting on every inch of Oli's skin. His house, for all intents and purposes, is completely ruined. The kitchen is a mess, items strewn across the floor from where I'd brushed them off to make room to lay Oli on his back.

I made a mental note to buy him a new kettle, because the one he had is now in pieces on the floor, shattered and forgotten. But for now, my focus is on his body, making him smile and laugh, while giving him the best orgasms of his life.

‘Honey,' I exhale his nickname, breathless as I carry him from the kitchen towards the bathroom on the second floor. His legs are wrapped around my waist, clinging to me like a monkey to a tree. I'd only just withdrawn my cock from his tight arse. It now rests between my legs, cum seeping from my tip. ‘I could keep going all night and all day, but at some point, you'll need a break.'

Oli dips his head and kisses the words from my mouth. ‘I'll be the one to tap out when I'm ready, unless this is your way of telling me you're finished.'

Considering I'd finished twice already, I'd usually need a few bananas and high-sugar foods to create more cum. But it seemed Oli was some rare medicine that could continually fill my balls.

‘Believe me, Honey. I can go again, and fully intend to.'

‘But there are no rooms left,' he replies as I walk us into the bathroom. But then he pauses, looking around. ‘Oh, I stand corrected.'

I place him on the edge of the bathtub, reach over him, and turn on the shower. It's one of those bath-shower combinations, so this is going to be the most complicated place to fuck in his apartment.

‘I'm a man of my word,' I say, testing the water to make sure it's not scalding. ‘Now get in.'

Oli swings his legs over the tub's edge and gets in. I'm about to follow, like hypnotised mice trailing the pied piper, when Oli reminds me that I'm still wearing my watch.

‘It looks too expensive to break now,' Oli says, his brow twitching with genuine concern. I find it cute that he cares about my belongs, considering I just broke many of his during our hours of crazed sex.

‘Selina would kill me,' I say, flipping the catch and removing the watch. I wouldn't notice if it disappeared, frankly, not when Oli's in front of me. It's just a Patek Philippe. But I'm sure that losing it would mean some kind of insurance paperwork that my manager would roll her eyes at.

I plop it precariously on the edge of the toilet. Then before any more talk about my watch ruins the moment, I climb into the bath after Oli.

Water falls down over us, attempting to wash away our sins. The bath has filled to our ankles, the pleasantly warm water sending shivers across my skin.

‘Turn around,' I command, keeping my tone soft.

Oli doesn't need to be told twice. He turns so his back is to me. I love how soft his skin is. I brush my fingers over his shoulders, wanting nothing more than to count the freckles across his skin and memorise the number.

Not that I could ever forget this moment - or him.

Oli may be my secret sin, but it's a sin I'd happily have worn into my bones.

I lower my mouth to his shoulder and kiss it. Oli moans, leaning his head to the side in a wordless request. I move my lips up to his neck, dragging my tongue over the salty skin, nipping with teeth when I get to the base of his neck.

‘I wish I could pause time,' I say into his skin. ‘So that this lasts forever.'

It's a risk, talking about the fact our time together will soon come to an end. But I feel like I have to say it aloud, so Oli knows how I feel inside.

‘So do I, Adonis.'

Before I give into the sadness, I reach for the bottle of soap and drip some over my fingers. I kneel down, dragging fingers down Oli's spine until I come to the curve of his arse. I lather my hands up until they are frothy with suds, then I rub it across every inch of his arse until it looks like Father Christmas's beard.

I never realised I had a Christmas kink until now.

‘I could eat you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' I admit as I slip two fingers into his stretched hole, delighting in the breathy cry that exits Oli's mouth. ‘Not to mention the snacks and treats between meals.'

‘You'll… get bored - ' I slip a third finger in. ‘Fuck, Nikos.'

‘When we're together, you don't call me by that name. Do I make myself clear?'

I want to preserve the illusion that we're different people. That I don't have to leave. That I could stay here forever if I wanted.

‘Yes,' Oli practically screams. As I work my fingers in and out, Oli has to lean against the tiled wall just to keep himself upright. His back arches, his hands splaying out across the wall. I want nothing more than to stick my tongue between his cheeks and devour him, but my cock is hard again and I just can't wait.

‘Yes, what?' I ask as I stand up, position my cock, and rub the enlarged tip over his entrance.

‘Yes, Adonis.'

‘Good boy,' I growl.

Oli can't reply as I bury myself eight inches deep in him. The noise he makes is one of pure pleasure. I grip my balls as I begin to thrust. I wrap my spare hand around his chest, forcing him to lean onto me.

Water cascades down on us, blinding me and filling my mouth. Oli is reaching back, greedily grasping at my arse, begging me to move faster, harder.

‘My Honey,' I say, using his nickname as a means to claim him. ‘Next time you shower, you think of me. You cook a meal, and you think of me. You sit on your sofa, and you think of me.'

‘Yes,' he exhales, spluttering as water fills his mouth. ‘I will. I will. I will always think of you.'

Hearing the pure, undiluted honesty of his admission has me slowing my thrusts down. I want nothing more than to kiss him, but in this position I can only lay my mouth on his neck. But it's not good enough. I need him, his intimacy, his soft and gentle nature.

‘I want to see your face,' I say as I withdraw myself. Gently, I turn him around until his wide eyes land on mine. Droplets catch in his lashes, clumping them together. I'm jealous of the water that gets to coat him and touch every part of his body. I want nothing more than to have him, all of him, all at the same time.

‘You're looking at me, Adonis.'

‘Yes, yes I am.'

I lift Oli up, lay his back on the wet wall, and position his legs around my waist. He's so light I can move and manipulate him into any position I want. But I do it softly, with gentle hands.

‘You're so beautiful, Honey.'

I mean every word. I hope he hears it in my tone beneath the splattering water.

His hands are free, so he lays each palm over my cheek and kisses me. I melt into him, delighting in the sudden softness of the moment. I have no desire to fuck him anymore - but that doesn't mean I don't want to be inside of him.

As I enter him, I do it to reflect the moment. Soft. Languid. Calm.

This is different now. Something shifts between us, an intensity that's so high it can only come from two people who have nothing to hide. Even though I do, my secrets buried deep, for a second I exist as a man without a past or future.

With Oli, only the present matters. And that is a place I would like to be in forever.

As I take him, I do it slowly. We kiss, all lips, tongues, and hands. The passion of the moment is boiling over, and yet I take my time. I don't rush. I don't - fuck.

I make what could only be understood as love to Oli.

Lust, maybe. How could I love someone I hardly know, or who hardly knows me? And yet, that's how I would explain this moment. Two souls, two bodies, existing as one.

‘Don't look away from me,' I say in between kisses.

‘I'll never look away from you, Adonis.'

God, the way he uses that name, just as I asked. It's like I truly am the person he sees me as, not the mask I wear.

‘I think… think I'm about to come, Honey.'

I'm hardly moving inside of him, and yet the feeling comes thick and fast. It's the connection, the intensity of our silence, our touch. I can't control myself.

He pulls my head down to his mouth again, stopping just shy of a kiss, so when he speaks his lips tickle over mine. ‘Fill me up. I want it, I want you. All of you.'

‘I wish I could give it to you,' I reply.

‘Then do it,' Oli says - no, he demands.

‘What… if I'm not deserving… of you?'

Like Geoff. Like any man you'll ever meet. Like the man you will love when I go back to my life, and you stay in yours?

Oli kisses me as if it's enough of an answer. And it is, although I long to hear him speak it. When he draws back, he puts his mouth next to my ear and answers me. The moment the words come out of his mouth, I'm spilling the last dregs of my cum inside of him, completely emptying my balls and soul simultaneously.

‘I deserve you, and you deserve to exist as you, too. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Adonis and Honey. Fill me up, baby. Mark me as yours.'