Page 98 of Twisted Needs

“Okay,” he murmurs. When he gives me one last look, it’s full of relief. “I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

CHAPTER 27

THE WAY GOD INTENDED

PARKER

He’s waiting for me the moment I walk through the front door, curled up in my recliner with his nose buried in his latest read.

His eyes flicker to mine, and I feel it immediately.

My body aches for him. These past few days of trying to prove myself have felt like an eternity. I want to be the man he needs, and a selfish part of me still believes I’m the only man who can be that for him.

I drop my things and walk right to him without even needing to think about it.

“Hey.” Anders sets his book down and stands up. He runs a hand through his messy waves almost like he’s nervous.

I reach out and cup his cheek, exhaling deeply through my nose. “Hi.”

“You played really shitty tonight,” he tells me. “Vandy made you look elderly out on that ice.”

“I know,” I smile, welcoming his remarks. I’d rather him be honest than lie and say I’m the best player ever. I know I’m not. Maybe I used to be, but that’s just what happens in professional sports. You’re going to crash and burn at some point.

Sometimes priorities change. A few years ago, getting too old was my biggest fear because it meant less time doing what I love. Now, I fear aging because it means less time on Earth.

Time that belongs to Anders. I’m sure of it.

For a minute, we just stand and stare at each other. Anders wears a hardened expression that softens gradually, while my tender look becomes something a little more solemn.

“I’m tired of fighting,” I tell him. “I won’t fight this anymore.”

“Fight what?”

“You and me.”

He laughs once. “What makes you think you don’t have to fight for me?”

“Because there isn’t anyone else.”

His mouth twitches. “You don’t know that.” But then I feel him tug at the hem of my shirt at the same time he narrows his eyes. “You think you do…but⁠—”

I slide my hand around to the back of his head. He flutters his eyes a few times, looking up at me with an unreadable expression.

“We’re inevitable,” I whisper, leaning in. “We’re an implosion.” This isn’t something that’s sudden. The pressure has been building slowly within ourselves for years. But there comes a point when it gets too strong to contain. “It’s happening now, Anders. Neither of us can stop it.”

He doesn’t say anything for a minute. Instead, he slowly snakes his arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.

For a minute, I’m a little stunned. I thought desire would get us first. But this is so much better. I can’t remember the last time I was able to just…stand and hug him. Feeling him in my arms. I rest my cheek against the top of his head and let out the biggest sigh of relief in my entire life. My thumb brushes against his cheek. Anders squeezes me even tighter, even squeezing a grunt right out of me. I stumble backwards a little, pulling him with me.

“Hey,” I murmur softly, cupping his cheek and pressing a long kiss to his temple.

His breathing picks up as he slides his hands up and down my back and nuzzles his face against my chest. The warmth of his breath sticks to my skin like a hazy dew. A soft whimper escapes him.

My pulse quickens. I pull his head back and lean in until my lips hover right over his. He looks at me like he's finally letting himself believe me.

“Baby boy,” I whisper.

“If you hurt me again,” he warns, “I’ll fucking kill you.”