Everett sucked in a breath, but before he could say anything, Nash nodded. “I lied on the application. I was obligated to tell them so they could order the records unsealed if they wanted to, but I couldn’t risk it. It was all I had left.” Nash held Everett’s gaze as he whispered, “I used to watch you on television all the time. I knew I could never do what you did, but I thought maybe I could do something important, too. I thought maybe I could protect people like you so that you could keep helping others. I know that sounds stupid—”
“It doesn’t,” Everett interrupted, then he was lifting his palm to caress Nash’s cheek.
Nash began trying to blink away the tears that were forming in his eyes. “I did stuff,” he whispered. “I did stuff I shouldn’t have to get what I wanted.” His eyes shifted to me. “The family they put me with after I got out of juvie just wanted me for the monthly check. I knew Social Services would have to kick me out of the program when I turned eighteen. I’d heard stories about kids being dumped at the bus station with a couple hundred bucks. I… I wanted to go to college so I could meet the requirements for the Secret Service. I knew that even if I got a scholarship or financial aid, it probably wouldn’t be enough and I’d need money to live on… but I knew a legitimate after-school job wouldn’t pay much. This kid staying at the same house started telling me how he earned extra cash and showed me where to find the men who…”
Nash’s voice dropped off, but it didn’t matter. I knew what he was trying to tell us and even though I was raging inside that he’d been forced to sell himself like that, I managed not to outwardly react. I leaned in to kiss him. “It’s okay, baby. It doesn’t matter. You did what you needed to do to survive and live your dream.” I kissed him again and was glad when he kissed me back. When we were forced to come up for air, I held his face in my hands. It was all I could do to ignore the dampness on his cheeks. “Don’t go, Nash. We’ll figure this out, I promise.”
He held my gaze for the longest time before a small smile graced his lips. “Mister Fix-It,” he whispered.
I laughed and nodded. “And don’t you forget it.”
I kissed him again, then released him. I started to step back when he leaned in to kiss Everett, but Nash’s arm went around my back, holding me in place at first, then drawing me closer. I couldn’t get enough of watching them kiss.
Nash began alternating between kissing me and Everett, then somehow we were all kissing each other at the same time. It should have been awkward and unnatural, but it seemed like we’d been doing it our whole lives.
But soon kissing just wasn’t enough.
I drew back and maneuvered Everett between us so that he was facing Nash. I feasted on Everett’s neck as they kissed, then Nash was kissing me. I nudged Everett forward until he was completely flush against Nash’s body. With me at his back like I was, he was completely at our mercy and being bombarded with pleasure from all sides.
And he was definitely feeling it because he was doing his best to rub himself up against Nash, then back against me. His hands reached behind him to settle on my thighs. I loved the feel of his fingers pressing into me.
Within minutes, we were all panting for breath, but reluctant to slow down.
But I knew we needed to.
At least long enough to deal with the unspoken question.
“Everett,” I murmured against Everett’s skin as I slid my lips over his pulse point, which was beating frantically.
Everett’s eyes were closed and his head was thrown back to encourage Nash to continue kissing his throat and jaw.
“Everett, baby,” I repeated. He opened his gorgeous eyes and looked at me. His pupils were blown. He held my gaze for a moment, then his hand was settling on the back of my head so he could draw me into the kiss he wanted. I happily gave it to him, but managed not to lose sight of what needed to be done. I licked and nipped at his lips just enough to tease him, then pulled back. “Everett, do you want this?”
It took him a moment to catch up. I couldn’t help but smile as he kept trying to capture my mouth with his. I kept my kisses light before I repeated the question. As much as I wanted to just continue with what was happening between us, I knew Everett was the one with the most to lose.