Training Strong [Hard Hits 17] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Read online

  When he looked up, Maksim was still in that doorway. “Take off your shirt.”

  Those blue eyes widened for a brief second before he reached over his head, yanking his shirt off in one swift move. He tossed it in the hamper in the corner. Kace’s gaze danced over his chest, catching sight of some bruises running down his side.

  Dark chest hair covered his pecs and skipped down his abdomen. As he came closer, Kace noticed an intricate tattoo of a dragon covering his back.

  This man was gorgeous. Kace wanted him as his submissive. The truth of how Kace felt left him suddenly stunned.

  Concern chased his lustful thoughts away as he came in close. Kace ran his fingertips down his side, feeling the smooth ripple of muscle beneath. “Does this hurt?”

  “Not too bad.”

  Maksim leaned back on the edge of the counter as Kace wet a washcloth, using it to clean the cut on the back of his hand. When he was finished, he rinsed the cloth, moving on to the cuts on Maksim’s beautiful face.

  As Kace cleaned the blood from his face, he slid his left hand up, tilting up Maksim’s jaw. Hunger lingered within Maksim’s eyes as he looked at him. “I thought you didn’t need a daddy to take care of you.”

  “Maybe I was wrong.”

  Without warning, Maksim closed the distance, kissing him possessively as he wrapped his arms around his waist. Shock and confusion moved through Kace’s system as Maksim’s hot tongue invaded his mouth. Kace melted into the kiss, taking control of it.

  Their tongues flicked together. Kace always made the first move. Always. Strong’s hands smoothed down over his ass, squeezing it hard to bring their hips together. The feel of Maksim’s hard cock pressing against his abdomen was too much to handle.

  He needed to take control of this situation before it blew up in his face. He threaded his right hand into Maksim’s hair, pulling him away.

  “Easy now.” Kace pinned him up against the sink as Maksim tried to push away with those strong hands that were just gripping his ass. “Whoa. Why you pushing away from me now?”

  “Fuck. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

  Kace reluctantly backed away. Unsure of how to play it, he crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall—very aware of his raging hard dick now trapped in his pants. He watched Maksim squirm under his heated gaze. Maksim ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

  “Oh, fuck. You’re not even gay. Look, man, I’m sorry. It’s been a really hellish night.”

  “And you made it very clear you don’t need a daddy.”

  Again, their eyes locked. Everything around Kace faded away as he stared at this man who had been through hell and back again tonight. That jet-black hair was still damp. Those blue eyes were heavy with need.

  Beneath his black tactical pants, Kace could see the heavy outline of his cock thrumming for release. Those bruises on his chiseled chest were concerning.

  “I am,” Kace said.

  “You are what?”

  “Gay.”

  “I was hoping you were.”

  “It doesn’t mean I can be your daddy.”

  All his breath left him in a sigh as Maksim slumped back against the sink. “I don’t need a daddy.”

  “You keep saying that. You sure you don’t have a concussion?”

  “Funny.”

  Kace closed the distance between them. “Let me finish cleaning out those cuts.”

  “Not necessary. I’ll just hop in the shower.”

  As Maksim moved toward the shower, he turned the hot water on and dropped his tactical pants before Kace could order him not to. With his boxers riding low on his hips, Kace could see the top of his ass crack.

  His mouth watered. He loved to play with a sub’s rim until they were weeping with need. He possessed skills he hadn’t used in a really long time. Why wasn’t he having sex? Work had gotten in the way.

  Now, here was the perfect opportunity to scratch the itch he so desperately needed to relieve but he couldn’t bring himself to cross the line again.

  “You can leave. I’ll be fine.”

  “No.”

  That single word had Maksim’s head whipping around. His right hand had been checking the water’s temperature. Before Kace could process that he’d moved, he was across the bathroom, grabbing hold of Maksim, kissing him possessively.

  Kace turned him up against the tiled wall, invading his mouth and his senses. It pissed Kace off to know that this man had made him melt. He wanted his submissive melting.

  Their tongues collided, sending fireworks erupting in his mind. When Maksim’s hands started to explore, Kace firmly held both wrists, muscling them up against the tile. Steam from the shower filled the bathroom, heating Kace’s body.

  Once he was pinned, Kace broke his lips away. His heart was pounding as he looked at Maksim. Eager, wet lips were swollen and silently begging Kace to kiss him again. The temptation was too much. He leaned his head down, brushing his lips across Maksim’s in a slow, seductive way. Maksim moaned, chasing the kiss deeper. Again, Kace pulled his lips away.

  “We can’t keep kissing like this.”

  Maksim moaned, biting his lower lip. “Then why are you kissing me?”

  “Because I’m breaking my rules.”

  Those blue eyes went heavy with want. “I like the idea of you breaking the rules with me.”

  “You have no idea who you’re playing with. I’m not the type of man who is into casual sex.”

  “What type are you?”

  “I’m a Dom who is looking for a sub.”

  “I can be your submissive.”

  Over the last few weeks, Kace had gotten to know Maksim very well through his file and Chief Rask’s recommendations for SWAT. The man was a brilliant profiler who he shouldn’t be messing around with.

  Drawn to kiss him again, Kace kissed his way down Maksim’s neck, inhaling the manly scent of his skin. He licked and tasted his skin, pressing gentle kisses back up Maksim’s neck that made him whimper and melt against the wall. Kace used his body to hold him up as he moved his mouth over Maksim’s ear.

  “Shower and go to bed. I’ll think about it.”

  As he pulled away, Kace could see that Maksim was off balance. He kept his hands on Strong until he was steady.

  Tears formed within Strong’s eyes. “Please leave.”

  Kace was shocked to see the sting of emotion playing within his gaze. Against his better judgment, he let go of Strong and headed for the door. He hovered a few seconds, watching him get into the shower. When he was certain he was okay, Kace went into the hallway. He stayed until he heard the water in the shower turn off.

  With the memory of that kiss still burning his lips, Kace heard the sound of his cell ringing. He removed it from his pocket. It was Chief Rask.

  “Hi, Chief.”

  “How is he?”

  “Strong is fine. Just a few impact lacerations. He didn’t want to go to the hospital.”

  “Sounds about right. I’ll make sure he takes tomorrow off. Do you mind checking on him in the afternoon?”

  “I can.”

  “Good. Have your report on my desk. I want to get to the bottom of this.”

  “Yes, Sir. Have a nice night, Chief.”

  “You, too.”

  Walking away was one of the hardest things Kace had to do, but he knew that Maksim needed some space. As he stepped outside, the rain had started up again. He walked to his car. It’d been a really long night. Kace stared up at Maksim’s apartment building for several beats before turning on the car and driving home.

  As he opened the front door, Kace leaned back against it. Fuck. He loved the way Maksim said daddy. This was going to be a problem—one big fucking problem if he didn’t stow his feelings for Maksim.

  * * * *

  Pain radiated over Maksim’s shoulder as he rolled over in bed. He reached for his cell that Kace had put on his nightstand. He had several e-mails, one from his chief telling him to take the day off. Taking his
advice, he went back to sleep.

  Late afternoon sunlight filtered through his curtains. He slept hard and was finally feeling better.

  After his shower last night, he’d collapsed naked into the comfort of his bed with the taste of Kace still on his tongue. He wanted that man again. Even now, his cock was filling with heat, forcing him to reach down to stroke it.

  Just as he started to get there, his cell rang. He reached for it, not recognizing the number. With his left hand still gripping his thrumming cock, he answered.

  “Hello?”

  “I’m outside. Open the door and let me in.”

  Maksim swallowed hard as he heard the unmistakable sound of Kace’s voice. “No.”

  “Chief Rask asked me to check on you.”

  Biting his lip, Maksim couldn’t resist listening to the deep cadence of Kace’s voice as he flexed his cock over his hand. “You have. Now you can go.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  He struggled to contain the moan that threatened to spill from his lips. “Kace…”

  “I’m not going to leave until I know you’re okay.”

  “I’m…fine.”

  “You don’t sound okay. You sound like you’re out of breath. What’s wrong?”

  Maksim arched his hips as his painfully hard prick was leaking with pre-cum. He wanted Kace to be the one taking control of him and stroking his cock off.

  “Maksim. You better open this door.”

  “Or what? You’ve checked on me. I’m good. Tell Chief Rask I’m resting.”

  Against his better judgment, Maksim hung up the phone. He wanted to hear Kace’s voice as he beat off. The knocking at his door finally ended, allowing Maksim to have full concentration as he stroked his dick.

  Lost in the throes of passion, he never heard the front door open or the sound of footsteps in the hallway until it was too late. Kace was in his bedroom with a look of stunned surprise as he caught sight of Maksim masturbating naked on his bed.

  Maksim rolled over, covering himself but it was too late. Kace rushed across the room, covering him from behind and locking his hand down on his dick.

  Kace stroked his prick tightly as he pressed his lips against his ear. “Say my name when you come.”

  The order was given on a husky whisper. Maksim cried out as his dick jerked in Kace’s hand, sending his spunk flying into the sheets.

  “Oh, fuck! Kace! Kace!”

  When he was finished coming, Maksim tried to pull away but Kace held on tight. He kissed his way over his ear, jaw, and lips. When their lips connected, a hungry sigh escaped Maksim’s mouth. Before it could go deeper, Kace pulled away.

  “I better go. I’m late for a meeting at work,” Kace said.

  Maksim sat up on his elbow, trying to make sense of the jarring transition. As Kace headed for the door, he glanced back winking.

  “Glad you’re feeling better.”

  His heart hammered as he listened to Kace’s footsteps and the sound of the front door opening and closing.

  “Fuck. What the hell just happened?”

  Maksim collapsed back into his bed, all the while wondering how he was going to be able to face Kace again.

  After hanging around the house all day, Maksim was ready to get out for a little bit and forget all about how Kace broke in and stroked off his cock. He went to the mall, loving the fact that he could blend in easily and no one would notice him. Retail therapy was exactly what Maksim needed.

  The upscale mall wasn’t one the guys normally went to. As it was, he was having a hard time forgetting all about that kiss he shared with Kace. He didn’t want to think about it or how he would have done everything and anything to have Kace this afternoon had he not left.

  As he walked, he could tell he was a little sore from the accident, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from getting out on his day off. That had him going into one of the first shops he saw, picking out a couple of flannel shirts and a new pair of jeans.

  Mostly, he wanted to see what he looked like in the long mirror with those nasty bruises all over his chest. He went to the dressing room, shutting the door behind him. He stripped out of his clothes and stood in front of the mirror in his plaid boxers. They were tight and running low on his hips.

  He sighed heavily when he looked at those bruises. He was in rough shape. It was why Kace had pushed him away last night. He didn’t look strong when he looked like this. As he stood there, glaring at himself in the mirror, he couldn’t bring himself to try on the clothes.

  Maksim was trying to forget all about the way Kace had pushed him aside. Most guys didn’t turn him down, but it seemed like nowadays everyone was.

  With just a few thoughts focused on Kace, his cock kicked out hard and throbbing beneath his boxer shorts. Annoyed by his disobedient dick, he slipped his hand down over the fabric, loving the feel of his throbbing prick.

  He hated the fact that he had to stay away from Kace. He didn’t want him to know how affected he’d been by those kisses. He tried on the shirts quickly and the jeans. They looked perfect on him. He was going to buy all of it.

  As he took the clothes up to the counter, he sensed someone watching him. He glanced over his shoulder but only saw the crowded Friday night mall. He didn’t see anyone he recognized.

  He paid for the clothes and left the mall. He needed to hit the grocery store on his way home. When he got to the grocery, Maksim didn’t bother getting a cart but just chose a basket as he went in.

  As he strolled toward the produce aisle, the sensation of someone watching him crept up the back of his neck again. He looked over her shoulder but didn’t see anyone there. He was starting to get paranoid.

  Was someone following him? That thought sent a chill racing down his spine.

  As he went down the produce aisle, he picked up several apples. He bagged them and put them in the basket he was carrying.

  When Maksim looked up, he froze. He couldn’t believe Kace was at the grocery store. Maksim watched as he picked up an apple, rubbing it between his palms. “What are you doing here?”

  “I just happened to stop in on my way home from work.”

  “You live around here?” Maksim asked.

  Kace circled, coming in close. “A few blocks from you.”

  That dark gaze flicked over his face, seeing everything that he was so desperately trying to hide. Maksim loved the feel of Kace’s hot breath fanning his ear.

  “What are you doing for dinner?”

  “I’m not doing anything.”

  “You have plans.”

  Maksim’s heart started to beat wildly. “I do?”

  “Yes, you do. You have them with me.” Kace gave him an easy smile. “I want to make sure you eat.”

  He looked as though he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “We probably shouldn’t be having dinner together.”

  Kace smoothed his hand over the bruise on his arm. “We can go out as friends.”

  “Just because I was in an accident yesterday doesn’t mean you have to be my babysitter and take care of me.”

  “That’s right. You don’t need a daddy to take care of you.”

  Maksim swallowed hard when he thought about it. He actually wanted a daddy Dom to take care of him. And this man seemed to know exactly what he wanted. Why else would he be propositioning him in the produce aisle of the grocery store?

  “Where we going?”

  “Back to my place.”

  Maksim laughed, and he quickly stepped away. “I don’t think so. Have a nice evening.”

  As Maksim moved away, he thought about the man he was leaving back there but he couldn’t face him right now or the fact that he wanted him so much. He just couldn’t deal with getting rejected again.

  A gut-wrenching sadness and ache filled Maksim’s mind and body as he walked away from Kace.

  He couldn’t believe he survived the crash or the car that had flipped so freaking drastically. He was still inwardly shaking from the trauma of it. He fel
t sick inside—in fact, he had stumbled out of his car and made it to the tree line before getting sick.

  As he left the grocery store, Maksim felt as though he was running away. There was something about the way Kace promised him everything that scared him to death. As he got to his car, he froze in fear. His driver’s side window was smashed in.

  As he approached this car, he looked around trying to see if the person who did it was still there but they weren’t. A chill skipped down his spine when he saw that all his things were still inside there. The bags from the mall were in the backseat. Behind him, he saw Kace leaving the grocery store and strolling toward him.

  Whoever did this was trying to make a point. “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah, it’s fine.”

  He didn’t want to look back at Kace, knowing that he would see his smashed in window if he moved. As long as he blocked it, Kace wouldn’t be able to see.

  “What’s going on?” Kace came in close, glancing over Maksim’s shoulder. “Who did this?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with the guy who ran you off the road yesterday?”

  “Probably not.”

  “You need to call the police.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “You need to have documentation that this happened.”

  Maksim didn’t want to beg but he would. “Could you document it?”

  “Sure.”

  Kace went to his unmarked and came back a few minutes later, taking down the report and taking pictures. Maksim knew he was asking for a lot, but he didn’t care.

  “Will your insurance cover this?”

  “Probably. I’ll get it fixed in the morning. I’m going on home.”

  Kace blocked him from sitting inside. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I think it’s an excellent idea.”

  “I’m worried about you.”

  “You don’t need to be.”

  “Well, I am.”

  Maksim knew he wasn’t going to get out of this with Kace. “What do you suggest?”