Guns n' Boys Book 1 Part 2 (16 page)

“And that makes it okay?
And the first time? I was so fucking distressed I still don’t know
what to think about it! My mom’s funeral was the day before, and I
just had my finger cut off with a knife. I was
not
in the mood. I was scared and
told you to piss off! I was hot for you, but just… I don’t know.
It’s confusing…” He looked away and pushed Dom back without much
energy.

Domenico blinked and stumbled back to rest
against the door, his eyes still focused on Seth even as frost
spread all over his body. “I... but things changed. It’s all
different now. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that
night.”

“Maybe we wouldn’t, maybe we would.” Seth
rubbed his neck, standing there stiffly by the wall like a heap of
misfortune. “Things have changed, but it is what it is.” Yet he
didn’t say what ‘it’ was. Domenico was grateful for that.

Slowly, Dom reached out, careful not to move
away from the door, like it would change something. His fingers
skimmed over Seth’s hand.

“I think I’m not right in the head, you
know?” Seth’s voice got quieter, but he didn’t pull away. “You’re
my favorite extreme sport. I enjoy the adrenaline. Like mountain
climbing without a harness. I can take a fall every now and then,
I’m a big guy. Just don’t pretend you weren’t there to see it.”

Domenico took a deep breath, clenching his
hands around Seth’s thick fingers. “But you don’t hate me, do you?”
he whispered as the truth dawned on him like liquid lead.

Seth kept his head down. “No. I try not to
dwell on things and look to the future instead.”

Domenico swallowed, pulling on Seth’s hand,
desperate to fill the void in his chest. “I wish I was more like
you.”

That made Seth let out a short laugh. “No,
you don’t. You wouldn’t be in this position. Domenico Acerbi
doesn’t take people’s shit. You’d be off to Kyrgyzstan, raising a
herd of goats or whatever. Not getting married.”

“Goats go well with Armani suits.”

“Maybe you would start a new trend.” Seth
took a deep breath, and his hands finally unclenched. Domenico took
that as a sign and pulled closer, sliding his arms around Seth.

“I prefer you to a whole herd of goats.”

Seth took a few more deep
breaths. “That is
so
unimpressive.”

Domenico chuckled and sank even farther into
that bulky, warm body. His breath was slowly evening out as he
inhaled the familiar scent. “I know. Sorry.”

Seth nudged his ear with his nose. “That’s
not good enough. You could at least say I’m better than coffee or
something.”

Domenico smiled and placed a soft kiss on
Seth’s stubbly chin. “You are.”

“And you can’t even make a tiramisu with me.”
Seth put his arms around Dom.

Domenico’s mind made a backflip when he
thought that Seth could indeed incorporate something of his own
into a tiramisu. “Are you sure?”

“I suppose I could smother myself in cake and
pour coffee all over my abs.”

“I would lick that.”

“Of course you would.” Seth leaned closer and
kissed his lips. It was all that kept Dom from going crazy with
worry. “We can do that in New York, yeah? Don’t go to Minsk.”

“I don’t want to. I want my honeymoon.”
Domenico grinned, nestling his face in the crook between Seth’s
neck and shoulder.

“We’ll just have to take things day by day.”
Seth stroked his hair. “When I become the Don, I’ll keep you close
as my bodyguard.”

Domenico smiled, absorbing the warmth around
him. “I would like that.”

“And I’d keep you as eye-candy, ‘cause you’re
such a handsome fucker.” Relief rushed through Dom’s body when he
saw Seth’s widening smile again.

“And a bed warmer, I assume.” It was so easy
to lose himself in Seth.

“Precisely.”

After a tiring flight from Italy, they were
finally taking a Yellow Cab down the streets of New York.
Travelling with Dom was pleasant. They went to a restaurant, joked
around, not once mentioning Seth’s wedding. Flight attendants
always made sure they had everything, and waitresses seemed to draw
straws over who would serve them. Dom was good at creating an
illusion of not being a dick, in public places. And they did have
sex on the plane. It was comfortable to fly first class.

But as the cab dove deeper into the city,
Seth realized they were going through a familiar neighborhood.
Domenico had told him he used to stay in a safehouse with a view of
the flat where Seth used to live with Peter.

“Dom, are we going where I think we’re
going? Is New York City, or even Brooklyn, really so small?” he
moaned, looking out of the window.

Domenico slid his hand over Seth’s shoulders,
ignoring the fact they weren’t alone. He must have not considered
the taxi driver a threat. “It’s a nice place to live, with a big
kitchen. You’ll like it.”

“What if Peter sees me?” Seth rested his head
on Dom’s shoulder. If Dom wasn’t hiding, he wouldn’t either.

“Does that matter?” Domenico leaned forward,
making their lips meet for the briefest moment, but the short time
didn’t make it any less explosive. It really was like having a
boyfriend.

“Yeah, it would be weird. I don’t want him to
feel awkward.”

“I lived here for four months, and you never
recognized me, so don’t worry,” said Domenico.

“I didn’t know you back then. I mean, I
didn’t know how grownup-Domenico looked like. Otherwise I’d have
recognized you.”

Domenico’s mouth spread in a toothy grin.
“Yeah, but you would have ogled me if you met me.”

Seth’s smile widened, even though the cab
parked right behind the building he used to live in with Peter. “I
would. I’d be like, ‘I’d do him’.”

“You
are
doing me all the time,” said
Domenico, handing a note to the driver. He left the car without
waiting for change and went straight for the trunk.

Seth followed, feeling light as a feather.
“That’s why I’m such a lucky guy.” He only had a small suitcase,
which was kind of depressing. His life fit into such a small
space.

The dark, heavy clouds above suggested it
might snow later, but Seth preferred to be cold in New York with
Dom than warm in Italy with his wife.

He looked up and realized Dom must have
lived in the newly built apartment building across the street from
Peter’s apartment. He was already excited about sharing a home with
him, one with lots of space, a bathroom with a door that actually
closed, and without a holding cell. He really hoped this one didn’t
have a holding cell.

“We’re gonna have so much fun,” Seth followed
Dom into the modern building and to the elevator. “I bet you were
feeling lonely stalking me for so long.”

“I became a keen masturbator,” confessed
Domenico with a smug smile. He walked into the elevator and pressed
the button to the top floor.

“All that unresolved sexual tension,” Seth
mocked him, taking off his scarf. Dom looked mature and delicious
in the tailored coat that stressed his manly figure.

“I still can’t get over it. I think you need
to help me get some closure.” Domenico wiggled his eyebrows.

“I can’t. You’d get rid of me then. I’m never
giving you closure.” Seth grinned, stroking Dom’s back. Now that
they were alone, without anyone to monitor them, he could finally
relax, even with the tension stirring whenever they touched.

The elevator opened, and Dom put his hand on
Seth’s shoulder and pulled him out into the corridor. “The key’s in
my right pocket,” he teased.

Seth shook his head and put his hand into
the flap of wool, stealing a chance to kiss Dom’s cheek and grope
him through the coat. Being with him was like being on a constant
high. “I’ve got it.”

Seth couldn’t wait to have a locked door
behind them. There were only two entrances facing away from each
other in the small hall, which meant their apartment could be
massive.

“Don’t worry about the mess. I’ll get us a
cleaner to freshen things up,” said Dom as Seth entered a vast,
modern space which led his eyes straight to an endless,
floor-length window.

“Wow! This is amazing.” Seth dropped his
luggage to the floor and rushed up to the glass surface ahead. He
looked down at the seemingly endless stream of cars and streets.
Someone afraid of heights wouldn’t be impressed, but he was
ecstatic. He’d bungee jump from here if he could. And to the right,
he even saw a balcony. Not that they would have much use of it in
winter, but who knew, maybe they would return when it got
warmer.

There was so much space in the living room
that the modern, sleek furniture didn’t seem to clutter it at all.
It reminded Seth of one of those classy hotel lobbies, but with
more privacy and fewer children.

“You like it?” asked Domenico, following him
in just his elegant suit.

“It’s fantastic. So spacious.” Seth turned
back to look around the living room. It was massive. Four times the
size of his bedroom back at home. A grand flat-screen TV hung on
the wall in front of a black leather sofa and a set of armchairs.
When Seth pushed off his shoes, he realized the floor was heated.
The whole space was like out of a catalog. It did seem a bit bare,
more like a hotel than a home, but he could work with that. He
threw his jacket to the armchair. There, that was better
already.

“There are hangers by the door,” Dom reminded
him, walking to the side where Seth was delighted to see a bit of
kitchen space. It was too laboratory-like for his taste, but he was
sure that fresh produce and nice dishes would warm it up. Some
dried herbs would make the space smell of home.

Seth ignored Dom’s comment and walked right
into the kitchen, which was a mix of black marble, steel, and
glass. He ran his fingers across the large island countertop. There
was so much space to work here. “How long can we stay here?”

All his nerves went alert when Domenico
approached him quietly. His warmth made Seth’s skin tingle even
before they touched, but he couldn’t help a sharp intake of breath
when the gentle movement of Dom’s lips yanked at his toes, making
them curl.

“I don’t know.”

Seth turned around and gave
him a kiss, but too excited to stay with Dom, he moved on to look
through the cupboards, only to find a bunch of DVDs in one of them
instead of food. “Has someone else lived here in the meanwhile?”
Seth asked, pulling out a DVD of
A
Streetcar Named Desire
.
He didn’t think it would be Dom’s first choice. He expected a
documentary on guns, or something, since he already knew Dom hated
modern action movies. He complained about them being not realistic
enough so loudly that it was impossible to watch any.

“I don’t think so.” Domenico put his hand on
Seth’s back and pulled the movie out of his hand with a smile. “We
could watch that.”

“What? Are you saying these
are yours?” Seth snorted, pointing to the
Godfather
box set. This was rich.
“Are you an old soul?”

Domenico frowned. “I’m not sure whether
that’s supposed to be an insult or praise.”

“I’m afraid it’s an insult, Mimmo,” Seth
patted his cheek.

Domenico groaned. “Don’t call me that. Sounds
like you’re expecting me to take my bucket and go play in the
sandbox.”

“What can I call you then?” Seth asked before
pulling out another Marlon Brando movie. “I’m sensing a theme
here.”

“Domenico. Or Dom.” It sounded as if the
latter option was an unwanted eventuality, but Seth knew he’d use
it anyway.

“Does Dom have a dead celebrity crush?” Seth
teased him, pointing to yet another Brando movie.

Domenico sighed, pulling Seth closer. His
nose brushed up and down Seth’s cheek, awakening a tingle that was
already familiar, and so Domenico-specific, Seth wouldn’t confuse
that feeling with anything else. “He was such an incredibly
talented actor.”

“So you like old movies?” Dom didn’t strike
Seth as such. It was a funny revelation to find out these simple
things about him, but after all, even someone whose job was to
stalk other people needed time off.

Dom shrugged. “They’re not made for idiots.
Except, maybe, for musicals. Those were shit. Brando only starred
in one.”

“Yeah, not like all those modern movies
right?” Seth mocked him, trying not to laugh out loud. “Disgusting
New World filth.”

Domenico grinned in acknowledgement and poked
his fist into Seth’s chest. “You’re going to love Marlon,” he said
as if he knew the actor personally.

“Oh, yeah? If you say so. Is he sexier than
you?”

The kitchen became silent, and Domenico’s
forehead wrinkled. “I come second,” he eventually said, completely
serious.

“Where am I then?” Seth cupped his cheeks,
feeling up the stubbly shadow on Domenico’s face as their eyes
met.

Dom bit his lip. “You’re... a bit less sexy
than me.”

Seth raised his eyebrows. “You’re such an
ass.” He let go of Dom and walked off back to the living room. He
wondered if it was Domenico who picked the furniture because the
clean modern lines and just a splash of color seemed exactly like
him.

“Are you hungry? We could order something or
go out.”

Seth stopped mid-stride, looking at a bin
full of sweets wrappers and cookie dough ice cream tubs. “Is this
what you’ve been eating here?” He couldn’t believe his eyes. Dom,
who always claimed that American food was the bane of his
existence, binging on junk food?

Before he could even think, Domenico ran,
yes, ran over to the bin and kicked it behind the sofa. “Fucking
cleaner. What does she think this is? A place to live through her
PMS?”

Seth blinked in shock. “Come on, chill out.
Maybe she forgot to take it out.”