Break My Shell Read online

  He would catch something, and it would turn out untreatable. That was just his luck.

  Max just watched him for a while. “No. I did hand-jobs with this one guy when I first got locked up, but then he left after a few months, and I didn’t want to risk catching anything. And then I got your letters…”

  Oh, God. The letters.

  Dayton was this close to burying his face in the pillow. “Uh... okay... but... you used a condom, or not? I know I never mentioned rubbers in my… letters, but it’s different when it happens just in your head,” he finished awkwardly.

  Max sighed, and despite his face looking more handsome every time Dayton glanced at him, his smile was gone. “Ever heard the term Southern gentleman? That’s me, babe. Yes, I used a condom.”

  Dayton relaxed into the mattress, barely keeping the thank God in. “Oh, okay. Um, did anyone see you come in here? How did you enter my room in the first place?” he asked, nervously thinking of Vanessa realizing he had a guy over. She would fire him on the spot, and he had nowhere else to go.

  “I mean… does it matter?” Max raised his eyebrows. “I’m here. With you. All the way from Texas.”

  Dayton scowled. “Of course it matters. I have like... fifty dollars on me, and I live here, and if my boss saw you, she would not want me to work here anymore. Please, tell me. Did anyone see you?”

  Max looked into the ceiling. “The lady at the reception desk gave me the key. Told her I was an old friend and wanted to surprise you.”

  Oh no. Vanessa knew. She knew.

  Dayton rolled to his back, pulling up the throw even higher. The ache in his muscles, which had felt so pleasant just five minutes ago, was now a reminder of yet another fatal misjudgment in his life. “All right. I should be able to convince her that you’re just that.” He took a deep breath and peeked at Max’s severe profile. “Didn’t you want to visit family first? I mean... I am happy to meet you”—not—”but this is all so sudden.”

  Max sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his beard. “I’m not on good terms with my family. Day… what’s up? Aren’t you happy to meet me? Didn’t I make you feel amazing? I spent all my money coming here. You said you loved me.” He spread his arms with a deepening frown, and no matter how distressing this whole situation was, Dayton’s eyes still trailed to Max’s pecs and stomach.

  Flushing with the shame of being put on the spot like that, Dayton looked away. He had written that. It was easy to fall in love with a man so strong, so ready to stand up for himself. It had been easy to love Max when he was far away, their sexual connection narrowed down to heated letters and rare, filthy conversations on the phone. But this? This hadn’t been supposed to happen. Ever. Fulfilling his crush had never been in Dayton’s plans, especially since all his previous real-life relationships had ended on a sour note.

  “I-I do, but I was not prepared to see you.”

  Max got up, reminding Dayton of how much taller he was. “And do you like what you see?”

  Dayton’s gaze trailed between Max’s abs and the corkboard behind him, and he nodded slowly, eyes transfixed on the kind of masculine beauty he never thought he’d get to touch. Somehow, Max was even more attractive in real life, despite the light slowly dimming in his eyes. It made Dayton ache to be such a disappointment, but he could not just go with this ridiculous situation either. No matter how Max saw it, he’d imposed on Dayton. He’d broken into Dayton’s tiny home, scared his cat, and fucked him without asking if he was allowed to.

  He still nodded.

  Max’s lips twisted into a sexy half-smile. “Then we can work out the details.” He approached Dayton and leaned down, but when his lips came dangerously close, the timid animal inside Dayton made him turn his head away.

  “I—uh... I think we should take this slow.”

  Max backed off a step with his lips pursed. “So, that’s how it is?”

  Dayton swallowed, watching the huge fists for any signs of violence coming his way. “This is a lot to take in. I thought... that we would always be apart. And then you’re suddenly here, without even giving me a heads-up?”

  Max spread his arms with a frown. “Were you just messing with my head? Do you want me to go? ‘Cause I can go if I’m not wanted here!”

  That was exactly what Dayton wanted. Well, sort of. If Max actually left, the guilt and disappointment of it would drive Dayton insane. And on top of that, Max had told him he’d used all his money to get here. No, that would not be right.

  Dayton shook his head and rubbed his face with both palms. “I’m not good with surprises. I’m sorry.”

  Max crossed his arms on his chest, and it only made him look bigger with the thick forearms bulging with muscle. “Did you at least like the fuck?”

  Dayton so did not want to answer that question. “I mean... you surprised me.”

  Max watched Dayton in silence and licked his lips. “So, you don’t like surprises, you don’t like me being here, and you didn’t even mean all the things you wrote to me? Am I getting this right?”

  Dayton opened and closed his mouth, hating to be put on the spot like this. “No... I meant them,” he said, settling on simply ignoring the other two things Max asked about.

  Max took another step back, the long-horned bull on his chest staring at Dayton in accusation. “I guess I… don’t always think things through. I assumed you’d be… I don’t really have anywhere to go until I get back on my feet.”

  Dayton took a deep breath and pulled the throw closer to his chest, feeling guilty even though it was Max whose actions were wrong. How could he just come here, rearranging Dayton’s life like a wrecking ball?

  “I mean... I will help you out. Maybe Vanessa will be fine with you staying with me.”

  Max put his hands in his jean pockets. “You sure you don’t like surprises though? You seemed to like it a lot. Like a real lot…”

  Dayton clenched his teeth and looked away. “You know, we could go speak to Vanessa as soon as I shower. Is that okay?”

  Max nodded, looking like a storm cloud about to hail all over Dayton. He put on his T-shirt without a word and buckled up his jeans, only serving to remind Dayton of what they’d done.

  His first instinct was to slip out of bed and dash for the bathroom, but how could he with Max watching? On the other hand, if he wrapped himself in the throw, only to get through those few steps, that would be even more awkward. Why was everything so complicated all of a sudden? He had not asked for this. He’d been fine living here, with not even a dollar to spare and with no one to cuddle with. Well, that was why he’d gotten Cinnamon in the first place.

  Max groaned, staring him down. “It’s fine, I’ll go talk to her myself as long as you’re okay with me staying here. The one with the crazy hair, right?”

  Dayton’s mouth crooked up, and he hardly kept himself from laughing out loud. He’d never dare to voice his opinion of Vanessa to his co-workers, just in case someone actually liked her, but her short blonde hair, with one longish piece of the fringe left to lie against her cheek like a sad pink leaf was one of the few things that amused him in life. “That’s her.”

  Max took his time watching Dayton with a gaze that seemed to strip meat off his bones. “See you later.”

  Dayton licked his lips. “Uh, sure. See you soon. I should be ready in ten minutes. And then you can shower, if you need to.”

  Max bit his lip, never taking his eyes off Dayton. “Do I get to stay in your bed?”

  Dayton played with his fingers, watching Max with his throat constricted by nerves. “If we take things slow,” he said faintly, even though thinking of Max’s athletic body spooning his brought more of the fantasies that he could not allow himself.

  Max winked at him as he opened the door. “Nice and slow.”

  Heat spread over Dayton’s cheeks, and he offered Max a small smile, unable to help himself. Hidden under the throw, he dreamed of being the kind of sensuous man who’d just throw it aside and invite Max in for another ro
und. Was that what Max had wished for when he came all the way here, likely spending over two days on the bus?

  Dayton was not that kind of man, but still, just being able to talk to Max offered a bit of consolation to his bruised pride.

  Chapter 3

  Dayton didn’t open his eyes, enjoying Max’s embrace too much to get up just yet. Soon enough, Cinnamon would probably spoil the mood by sitting on Dayton’s face, but since the cat wasn’t at it yet, Dayton cuddled up his back to Max’s strong chest. The arm around him was thick, and Dayton opened one eye halfway in the end to have a peek at the dark hairs covering Max’s forearm.

  He’d never been with a man like Max, always choosing safer, ‘nice guy’ option instead. Not that he’d had that many boyfriends anyway. In the last two years, work had become far too hectic to think about his love life. At 24, he still had time for it. But actually being in a relationship with Max was terrifying no matter how sexy the man was. He was so imposing with his stature, and the tattoos, and the thick cock that had felt so good inside him...

  Dayton bit his lip. Max’s thick cock was now nestled in the crevice between his buttocks, even if separated by two layers of cotton. What if Max only pretended to be okay with going slow but got annoyed that Dayton wasn’t ready to jump into sex?

  “Mornin’.” The thick Southern accent and a kiss to his nape gave Dayton goose bumps.

  Dayton shuddered, melting back against Max’s warmth without even thinking. The embrace felt secure, and even though he technically expected it to untangle from around him were he to decide he didn’t want it anymore, worry was still at the back of his head. What has first drawn him to Max was the man’s unyielding character, not whether he was real-life boyfriend material.

  “Good morning. Uh... you slept well, I hope?” he asked, squealing briefly when Max rolled him over so that they faced one another.

  Looking at an imprint of the folds from the pillow on Max’s cheek and into his eyes, which were still hazy from sleep, was a level of intimacy Dayton was not ready for.

  “Much better than yesterday on a bus, smelling someone’s egg sandwich.” Max pulled Dayton closer and nuzzled him under his jaw. The soft beard rubbed along Dayton’s throat, making his toes curl from the pleasure of it.

  It was weird how the stranger in his bed seemed so comfortable, as if they’d known each other for much longer. Then again, they kind of did. And they didn’t.

  “Um, I’m honored,” he said but still chuckled at the comparison, closing his eyes when the caress made him swell with warmth, although it was a different kind of warmth from the one he’d experienced during their furious sexual encounter last night. “With you around, I don’t need to switch on the heating at night.”

  “I’m happy to be your radiator every night.” Max kissed Dayton’s jaw, and then his cheek, as his wonderful hot fingers slid down Dayton’s side and under the waistband of his pajama pants.

  Dayton froze, torn by how good it felt. Max casually broke the barriers they’d set last night, but Dayton still flushed as if someone had thrown him into a tub of boiling water. He grabbed the thick forearm as soon as he could bring himself to move. “W-we agreed to go slow,” he whispered in a voice so tiny he wondered whether Max would even hear him.

  But Max’s attention was on him and him only, and that in itself was slightly overwhelming. He sometimes joked to himself that he was a Max’s fanboy, but now that Max was in his bed, he had no idea where to go from here.

  “Yeah, we’re just cuddlin’,” Max said, and his fingers didn’t go any farther, but they didn’t pull away either, casually resting just below Dayton’s navel.

  Dayton inhaled slowly, watching Max for any cues he should worry about, but the man seemed content after a good night’s sleep. A high-pitched meow turned both their heads to Cinnamon, who stood up from where he must have been sleeping on the edge of the bed, and stretched his long back. It was rescue coming in just the right moment to end this awkward situation.

  “Are you hungry, baby?” he asked Cin.

  “I am.” Max grinned and gave Dayton another kiss on the cheek. “How about I blow you, huh? Is that okay, or not?”

  Dayton’s head rang from being presented with such an impossible choice, and despite his mind freaking out, his cock gave a twitch of yes, please. “Um… slow? You remember, right?” he asked.

  Max sighed deeply and nodded. “After yesterday, everything feels slow.” He pulled his hand out of Dayton’s pajama pants though and trailed it up Dayton’s back.

  Dayton closed his eyes and purred before he could catch himself. He rolled away and picked up Cin, his shield against untimely advances. “So, hungry baby... What do you want today? Turkey? Beef?” he chattered, walking about until he was close enough to the curtains to open them. With the window facing only distant woods, there was no worry someone could see him, even if he walked around naked.

  Or had a cock up his ass right on the windowsill, for that matter.

  Max sighed and got up as well, the hard-on prominent in his briefs. Only now Dayton realized he hadn’t gotten that much of a look at it as he had gotten a feel of it.

  “Wanna shower together? Or is that too fast?” Max asked and walked up to Dayton, casually petting Cinnamon’s head. The little traitor was enjoying the touch so much he actually purred.

  Dayton cleared his throat, uncomfortable with yet another question circling to the same topic. “If you’re staying, maybe you should be the one to feed him today? So that he gets used to you quicker?”

  Max seemed to finally get distracted and scooted by the tiny fridge. “Sure. I think it’s turkey for him today.” It was hard to believe how excited he seemed about such a mundane task. But maybe after three years without pets, it was a big deal for him.

  Dayton swallowed. As uncalled for as Max’s greeting last night had been, it was Dayton who’d made Max believe they could have a future together. He recognized this much, and as inconvenient as it was to have fantasy replaced by a real-life man in Dayton’s life, he needed to be responsible and help the man out. “Do you have spare clothes? Or... is there anything else you need?”

  Max looked up at him as he filled Cinnamon’s bowl with food, and the cat was so eager for it, he jumped out of Dayton’s arms. “I… Yeah, I guess I need some clothes. Only bought the most important things, you know. Gag, cuffs, lube, condoms, and a toothbrush. I figured you’d have soap and a towel.”

  Dayton was not entirely sure it was a joke, so he decided to ignore it. “So... you need essentials. I will ask around if someone has clothes your size to spare. Although... that might be difficult,” he said, swiping Max’s imposing presence with his gaze. The cleaner’s husband was a tall, buff guy. Maybe she could be of help.

  Max’s needs only made Dayton realize how desperately he wished he had some savings for emergency situations like this.

  “Yeah, cool…” The sudden drop in Max’s mood made Dayton pay more attention, but Max didn’t look at him, just petted Cinnamon’s back, looking like the most normal, if freakishly good looking, guy.

  Dayton licked his lips. “We will get there. I mean... I would offer you mine, but they’d make you look silly,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.

  That seemed to work, because Max got to his feet with a small smile, eying Dayton from head to toe. “Maybe I could staple two of your T-shirts together?”

  Dayton laughed and walked up to the microwave to heat water for coffee. “Are you gonna dress up as Two Face?”

  “Who?” Max followed, the hard-on in his briefs no less prominent than before. Dayton couldn’t help but steal a glance.

  “You know, that villain from Batman. He got his face burned on one side—” Dayton noticed the complete lack of understanding in Max’s face, so he stopped talking.

  “So, you’re into comics?”

  Dayton put two cups of water into the microwave and switched it on. “I’m not like a super fanboy, or anything. But when I could afford it, I used to bu
y a few titles. I’m investing that money into Cin’s food now,” he said, smiling at the cat, who was too interested in his food to notice his name being mentioned.

  “I know one guy you’re a super fanboy of…” Max smirked and tapped the corkboard. Dayton needed to get that thing down, because with Max actually living here, it was getting super-awkward. “What do you like so much about this Max Curtis?”

  Dayton squirmed on the inside and quickly busied himself with breakfast, so that he wouldn’t have to stand there, just looking into those inquisitive eyes. It was so odd to see another person act so starved for his attention. “Uh, you know... tall, dark, and handsome.”

  But the moment he took his eyes off Max, the man moved closer and hugged him from behind. “That why you started writing to me? ‘Cause you had the hots for me?”

  Dayton stiffened at first, but the innocence of the hug made him relax after a few seconds. It was so very soothing to have someone hold him. “I mean... there are many hot guys, but not that many who have the balls to defend themselves the way you did. It was as if you were the gay Punisher, just taking out the people who were after you as soon as they struck.” He took a deep breath, knowing that Max would have no idea whatsoever who Punisher was. “I guess, I didn’t want you to be lonely.”

  Max sighed against the back of Dayton’s head. “That’s sweet,” he whispered and hugged Dayton tighter, despite the hard cock pushing at the small of Dayton’s back. “You helped me get through some tough times, and not just because you contributed to my spank bank.”

  Dayton licked his lips, uncomfortable with the constant sexual suggestions yet wanting to hear more. “I did?”

  “Yeah, it made me think that somewhere out there, was a cute guy who cared for me, even after my own family turned their backs on me.” His hands slid up and down Dayton’s chest. “Gave me a sense that there was something out there for me out of lock-up.”

  Dayton shuddered and slowly brushed his hand over Max’s thick, hairy forearm. The beard was starting to become such a welcome presence at his nape too, even though none of his former boyfriends had worn facial hair. “I do care for you. Sorry if you expected something else,” he said in the end.