Love's Confinement Page 8

  We had some more fun in the health and beauty section when he plucked a massive box of condoms off the shelf and put it in the cart.

  “Since when do vampires need condoms? We don’t transmit diseases,” I hedged, turned on that his mind was thinking sex though.

  “I know. I just like messing with the cashiers,” he chuckled. “I plan on giving you heated looks while they’re ringing them up so they know exactly how they’re going to be used.”

  “You’re evil.”

  “I am. I need the laughs.” I saw the sadness in his eyes when he said it, so again, I gave it to him.

  When we were finally done, six overstuffed carts headed to the checkout.

  “Everyone put their stuff on my order or they can’t use my card,” Theo announced. Everyone’s jaw fell open. He was going to pay for all our purchases. We tried to argue, but he wouldn’t budge, reminding us we were holding up the line.

  So he won again.

  I fell a little bit more in love with him right then. Not because he had the means to buy stuff for everyone, because he had a generous enough heart that he wanted to.

  And I even managed not to blush when he was shooting me lustful looks as the poor guy rang up the condoms, intentionally trying not to look at us. Hello, awkward.

  Yeah, we laughed about that the whole way home.

  That and the amount of pizzas we’d ordered. Some of the guys took the carts to start loading up while Zibon helped us get all the pizzas. They were even better than Theo had told us. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders as I got word from Helios as we hopped into the vehicles that Meggan had been taken back into custody and the house was clear to come back to.

  Good. Theo deserved some peace. He’d had enough chaos after all.

  6

  When we got back, the sadness in Theo’s eyes hadn’t left even with all the joking. I didn’t miss when he snagged one of the cheese pizzas and headed off to his room. I let him, thinking he deserved a few quiet minutes if he wanted them.

  But only a few. Besides, I wanted to talk to Helios. I knew Rune’s abuse and the doctor he’d spoken with was a sensitive topic for Helios, but if there was anyone who needed help with long term and violent abuse from their family—it was Theo. Helios had just agreed to make the call when my heart skipped a beat at the sound of breaking glass and Theo’s screams.

  I took off, dropping my can of soda and pizza without a thought in my head besides getting to him.

  I shouldn’t have left him alone. You idiot. Now isn’t the time to give him space!

  More shattering led me up the stairs and to the family bedrooms’ hall. I saw the box of pizza sitting in the middle of the floor outside Theo’s room and jumped over it when I heard something else break coming from the master suite. The door was hanging off the hinges, and I didn’t stop to think why as I bolted through the entryway. I had just enough time to close my eyes and throw up my arms as glass came flying in my direction.

  “Theo, stop!” Sam called out from behind me. “You’re hurting Evan.”

  “I’m sorry,” Theo sobbed as all the breaking ceased. I lowered my arms, ignoring the cuts from the glass, and opened my eyes to watch him sink to the floor as he dropped the golf club he’d been holding. I dove to catch him, cradling him against me as he let out whatever was going on. “I was just wishing I had family to help with this mess. Then I realized that was his fault too.”

  “What do you mean, sweetie?” I whispered as I rocked him, pushing his hair off his forehead.

  “My mother had a miscarriage when I was like twenty,” he explained quietly as he picked the glass off my sweater. “I helped paint the nursery and everything, so excited for a baby brother or sister. But then she lost the pregnancy and was devastated, she shut down. My father decided grief was for the weak and turned the room into his man cave so we didn’t dwell on it. I think my mother went a little nuts after being dismissed like that. He decided no more children and one heir was enough.”

  “Jesus,” someone hissed. I agreed. What a head trip for Theo and his mom.

  “I went to eat and think a bit, and the next thing I knew, I was destroying his private sanctuary and their room. I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

  I glanced around the room as I stood with him in my arms. Destroyed was pretty accurate. Every mirror, lamp, window was decimated. He’d cracked the headboard, the dresser—which was oak and kind of impressive given how worn out he was, and the whole room was basically toast.

  “Let’s go eat,” I muttered.

  “We’ll board up the windows,” Sam assured us.

  “I’m so sorry,” Theo repeated over and over again as we left the room and walked down the hallway. I set him on his bed and went back for the pizza. Then I asked Zibon to bring us some sodas on his way back up and sat on Theo’s bed with him.

  “Stop, it’s fine,” I told him gently. “You’re allowed to melt down now and again, okay?”

  “I hurt you.”

  “I’m fine. We’re both going to be fine,” I promised him, trying my best to put conviction in my voice… But I had a hard time doing it because I wasn’t all that sure I believed it. That was a pretty big meltdown he’d just had, and while completely valid, it was also a clear indication he was coming apart at the seams.

  I didn’t know how to help or think something as simple as some duct tape would hold him together like most of us when we had everyday meltdowns.

  * * * *

  That night Theo had talked me into having sex. Basically he’d come out of the bathroom naked and ready and, well, that was enough to talk me into it. I kissed him with everything I had, praying he felt how much I needed him and was there for him. Already in such a short time he’d become so important to me. I needed him to understand that.

  But he was a million miles away as I moved his hips, his ass rubbing my thighs as he sat on my lap. Sure, he was enjoying it, moaning in my ear and asking for more as he tightened his arms around my neck as he plastered his chest against mine.

  I had a feeling I could have been anyone to him though. It wasn’t like before where we were in it together at all.

  Hell, it was difficult for me to stay hard knowing he was so distracted and simply wanting to be a million miles away instead of with me. Even as gorgeous and beautiful as he was. I needed more than that. Maybe that meant I needed to turn in my man card soon, but I did—whatever.

  I worked Theo to his peak and through his climax, pulling him down on me harder when he cried out and sprayed cum all over me… But the minute he was done, so was I. I didn’t even want to continue, not like this. He lifted his head, his chest heaving, and blinked at me as if registering I was there finally.

  And then his eyes, his features—everything filled with guilt.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think you knew I was here,” I rasped as I slowly lifted him off me.

  “You didn’t finish,” he whispered as his hands tightened on my shoulders.

  I nodded down to my cock. “Not even hard anymore.” I brushed his hands away, feeling cheap and used.

  “Evan, please, I’m sorry,” he choked out. “I wanted you. I wanted to get lost in you and just make it all stop for a while. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

  I sighed and nodded, still turning away from him as I unfolded my legs from under me and let them touch the carpet. “You spun out. It happens.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I know you are.” I could tell he was from the way the bed was shaking and not by me. It was him. I didn’t mean to add to his plate or guilt, but I couldn’t be used as an outlet either. It wasn’t fair to me. “Maybe it wasn’t smart to start something right after what you’ve been through, Theo. It was selfish of me to push you when you were obviously in shock and needed more time—”

  “Stop, please stop,” he begged as he hugged me from behind. “Please don’t say it. Don’t end it. You’re the only thing holding me together, Evan. Not being with someone. You
are. I need you. I’ll get better, okay? I won’t space out during sex again or treat you so horribly. You know I adore you.”

  He was shaking so badly I did the only thing I could because I did care about him so much already too. I turned in his arms and pulled him down to the bed, covering us with the bedding. “Okay, sweetie, okay. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered. “I need you.”

  But at what cost to me? Needless to say I slept like crap.

  * * * *

  I woke the next morning alone and quickly pulled on some clothes to go search for Theo and make sure he was okay. I found him in the dining room talking to Helios.

  “I’m sorry, and I don’t mean to pry, but I messed up really badly with Evan last night,” Theo muttered, poking his eggs around his plate. “I’m going to lose him. Sam suggested talking to you because you had a friend who specializes in long term mental, emotional, and physical abuse or something and he helped your mate?”

  “Evan shouldn’t be the only reason you want to get help though, Theo,” Helios hedged as he covered Theo’s hand with his own.

  It warmed my heart to know hurting me was enough to push him to seek help.

  “What a mess,” Wally sighed from in front of me, not knowing I was there. I grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, slamming him into the wall.

  “Fuck you, Wally. I would have thought you of all people would be more understanding to how easy it is to spiral out when a person’s hurt,” I snarled.

  His eyes went wide, and then he narrowed them, jerking away from me. “You know, I’ve been really patient with Theo’s jabs at me, his comments, and chastising of me because I did handle things with you badly and I screwed up. He’s been through the wringer so I let it go, but you should know me better to give me the benefit of the doubt, Evan. I didn’t mean Theo was a mess. I meant he’s going through such a mess I feel bad for him. I think asking for help is admirable. I wish I’d known when to ask.”

  “You’re right, I’m sorry,” I muttered, my anger slipping away.

  He shrugged. “It’s cool. I can understand how the comment could have gone either way and tensions are high. Just know I’m on his and your side, okay?” I nodded and he walked towards the kitchen to get grub.

  I looked over at Theo who immediately looked down at his food, guilt and sadness surrounding him so thick I didn’t need to be an aura reader like Matteo to see it. “Can you guys give us the room?” Everyone nodded and left, the silence almost deafening when it was just Theo and I.

  “Please don’t break up with me,” he whispered as he dropped his fork.

  “Not even close to what I was thinking,” I assured him as I walked over and took the seat next to him. I wrapped my arm over his shoulders and pulled him closer. “I’m not going to lie and say last night didn’t hurt, but you told me you came to bed wanting to get lost in me and things didn’t go according to plan. That happens. You turned to me for comfort, help even, Theo. That’s all I want, not to just be a warm body to be used.”

  “I could never do that to you, Evan.” He hugged me tightly and just about crawled all over me to get as close as possible. “I wouldn’t ever hurt you like that—not on purpose. I’m so sorry I even did it on accident. I just kept thinking that nothing hurt. Nothing bothered me and I felt so good finally. I don’t know. I forgot someone else was there as weird as that is.”

  “I’m just that good of a lay,” I teased, wanting the fight and his sadness over.

  “You are,” he agreed. Then he kissed my neck. “Can we try again and soon? I didn’t take care of you like I should and it’s eating at me. I want us to make love, not you please me. That’s not who you are to me.”

  “Maybe we should take a break from that—”

  “No!” he gasped as he leaned back and yanked off his sweater. “Sam cleared me for real live workouts and getting back into shape. He said I’m doing way better. You don’t even have to be gentle with me anymore or do all the work.” He undid his pants and wiggled them off without even standing somehow. I was so startled at his change of mood and desperation I simply sat there and watched.

  Even when he unzipped my fly and pushed down my jeans. Then he started lowering himself onto my cock, pushing me back against the table so I was half hanging off the seat. “Wait, are you even slicked up or stretched?”

  “Um, no,” he admitted. He glanced around and grabbed something before moving off. I busted out laughing when I saw it was pancake syrup. “Hey, it’s not like we keep lube on the breakfast table.”

  “Poor Dottie would have a heart attack.”

  “Poor Dottie is about to,” she called out from the kitchen. “She’s going out to the garage for something.”

  “Or how about the back deck with the rest of everyone?” I called out. “Theo’s smoking salmon for lunch and that thing needs to get started up.” I shrugged when Theo looked at me with a smirk. “We don’t need a bunch of eavesdroppers, and they’ll do anything for food.” Sure enough I heard the back door open and close.

  Then I moaned as Theo impaled himself on my cock. He hissed as his hands moved under my sweater, pain in his eyes.

  “Why are you doing this?” I whispered, stilling his hips when he tried to move. He sighed and let his head fall onto my chest.

  “I’m messing this all up, but when Sam said I was much better and cleared to start being normal again, all I could think about was we could have a normal sex life, be normal together. I don’t want to put sex on hold, Evan. I want you to want me so bad again you jump me at breakfast or I jump you and not mess it all up. I do want you that badly. I’ve just never been allowed to show it to someone.”

  And it hit me like a ton of very heavy bricks. “You were in the closet.”

  He slowly lifted his head and nodded. “I thought you knew that.” I shook my head. “I didn’t want to be. My father threatened me if anyone ever found out I was gay and he couldn’t mate me off to a good match. I’ve had some affairs and hookups when he was away, but that’s it. I was never allowed anything real because he was always there, watching, trying to mate me off.”

  “Jesus, Theo,” I whispered, understanding so much better now how messed up his life had been. No wonder he didn’t communicate all that well or handled things like this. I felt his cock soften as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

  I didn’t want that after he’d opened up to me as he had. Instead, I did what any man should do for their man. I let him see how much I did want him even with his past baggage.

  Flipping us around so he was on the table, I spread his legs wide and let my fangs come out. “I like when you offer yourself to me, sweetie.”

  “Yeah?” he breathed, his cheeks flushed for a whole different reason now.

  I shoved up in him hard as an answer, Theo screaming out my name as his back arched from the invasion. But when he closed his eyes, it felt too much like last night and I snarled. “Look at me!”

  “I’m with you, Evan,” he swore as his eyes popped open. “I’m with you.”

  “That’s why you got the condoms,” I muttered as I moved slower, taking the time to open him up even if we jumped into it. “You wanted to see what it was like to do something out of the closet you were forced into.”

  “Yeah.” He ran his hands up and down my arms, waiting for my reaction.

  I thought about it as I yanked off my sweater and leaned over him. “What did you figure out?”

  “I like it with you,” he whispered as he leaned up and licked my fang, careful not to poke himself. “I wanted everyone there to know I was your man. I want everyone everywhere to know I’m your man. After hearing you tell Meggan I was yours, the way it made me feel, I wanted to see if it was just because it was her or what. But it wasn’t. I want everyone to know.”

  “You are mine,” I growled, slamming into him again. He nodded, his eyes locked on mine as I pounded into his sweet, tight body. This was what we needed, this connection and
to get lost together.

  I knew when he needed me to go faster even before he begged me to. I could feel when he was getting close and slowed down just to draw it out. When I saw it was too much for him, I took us over the edge, roaring out his name as I pumped my seed deep in him.

  After we were spent, I slumped over him and buried my face in his neck, smirking when his body spasmed with aftershocks.

  “Did you want to bite me?” he whispered.

  I saw no reason to deny it. “Yes.”

  “I wanted you to as well,” he admitted. “I hope you do someday.” My half-hard cock fully swelled still inside him and he moaned. “I do owe you another turn.”

  “I won’t ever say no to that,” I chuckled as I lifted him off the table.

  And then fucked him against the wall.

  We quickly cleaned up and let everyone know it was safe to come back inside, remembering it was freezing out there with the snow falling and all.

  “It smells like sex in here,” Sam bitched, shaking his head. “I need to get laid.” He grabbed a plate and walked into the kitchen.

  I don’t think I was the only one who saw Bowie’s head snap up and suddenly hurry off to the kitchen as well.

  “You’re tired of sleeping on the floor in our room, right, Mark?” Zibon muttered, elbowing his friend. “You should take the other bed. Bowie can bunk with Sam in that big bed.”

  “Yeah, totally,” Mark agreed, clearing his throat.

  “We have more guest rooms,” Theo teased, holding up his hands in surrender when everyone shot him a dirty look. “Just kidding, geez. Far be it from me to stop others enjoying the carnal pleasures I am. Evan’s occupied though, so yeah, find another partner.”

  “Yeah, we got that from the screaming we heard on the back porch,” Zibon snickered. “That and being screwed against the wall was a fantasy of yours.”

  Roarke cuffed him upside the head but Theo only laughed.