No Tears with Him Read online

  “Thank you,” I tell him, pulling away slightly. “I’ll always make the payments on time and without fail. Even if…” I don’t want to think about breakups, but it needs to be said.

  “I know,” Scott assures me, stealing another kiss. “I have no doubt. But don’t worry, I’m not letting you go anytime soon. Especially not in the next five years.”

  As I stare at his handsome face, I realize this was the perfect way to celebrate one month of being together. Scott being Scott and me adoring every single bit of him. My heart squeezes in my chest as I’m overcome with affection for this man. Like if he did leave me, a part of me would go with him. The part left over would be brittle and empty and fucking sad. I shiver, hating the idea of not having him in my life.

  “Sit tight. I have something in your car I want to give you.”

  His brows lift in surprise. “You do?”

  “It’s corny, but I thought you’d like it.” Before I can embarrass myself any further, I climb out of Divina and rush over to the Land Cruiser. I grab my messenger bag and then hop back inside my warm car.

  Scott’s brows are furrowed as he watches me fumble to open my bag. I pull out a white plastic gift shop bag and hand it to him.

  “If you don’t like it…I didn’t know if you already had this one…” I trail off, my stomach turning itself into knots. “It’s probably stupid.”

  “Mal,” Scott warns, his voice dripping with authority. “Nothing you could ever do for me would be stupid. I lo…” He trails off and his nostrils flare as he presses his lips together.

  “You what?”

  His smile is sad almost and it makes my heart hurt. “Let’s see what you got me.”

  When he opens it, he whistles in appreciation. I feel the mountain of stress slide off me as relief floods through me. Like a kid in a toy shop, he eagerly opens the box to marvel at his new toy.

  “It’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Mal.”

  And he does love it. I can tell by his genuine smile and interest in my gift.

  “We’ve been…it’s been a month.” I bite on the inside of my lip.

  He turns his head, regarding me with a brilliant smile that lights up the mostly dark car. “It’s been the best month of my life.”

  Our lips crash together and I kiss him hard and deep enough that he understands I feel exactly the same way.

  Scott

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, willing the migraine to go away. Nothing makes sense. We’ve been profiting since the inception of Hawkins Group, so why does everything feel so tight?

  “You don’t see the big picture, Scott. You’re thinking about the now and not the future.”

  Wade’s words from our all-day meeting yesterday echo in my head. I know I’m pretty spur of the moment, but sometimes he thinks too far ahead. I understand we need to invest to grow our assets, but at what expense? Do we sink on the day-to-day in the meantime? We spent hours with me sitting right next to him as he tried to explain everything in a way I could understand. Bottom line is, he’s right. I don’t see the big picture. I don’t see his picture at all.

  “You’re not supposed to work on a Saturday,” Malcolm says, knocking on my office door with one hand and holding a coffee from next door in the other. “Thought you might need this.”

  I gratefully accept his gift. More than the coffee, I need his kiss. Thankfully, he presses his lips to mine. It’s been a few days since he bought his car and it’s been a little freeing knowing that I don’t trap him when I lose track of time. He’s obsessed with his new car, so it’s worked out so far, though I’ve missed him on my morning commute. Luckily we work together, so I don’t have to wait long to see him.

  “What are you working on?” Mal asks, waving a hand at all the spreadsheets and bank statements littered everywhere.

  “Just trying to make sense of this madness,” I grumble. “Don’t tell Wade. He already thinks I got it yesterday.”

  Malcolm makes a face. “He’s not exactly good at explaining himself. When I asked him where we order our office supplies from, he talked in a circle for ten minutes before I understood that he has no idea, but that Sorro would know. Maybe it’s him not doing a good job, not you.”

  Sweet Mal.

  I smile at him and pat my lap. “Come here. I missed you.”

  After shedding his coat, he plops down on my thighs and then leans against me, his lips brushing against my neck. I rub my palm up his thigh and then give it a squeeze. Everything calms when he’s in my presence. All the stress I’m going through evaporates.

  “Your mom still pissed?” I ask, drawing lazy circles over his khakis with my fingertip. Mal hardly ever wears jeans. Always Polos and khakis. I find it adorably endearing.

  “Yep,” he says with a sigh. “Calls it my drug dealer car.”

  “Madden?”

  “Madden likes it. He stood up for me and told Mom she should come visit me at my job one day. That it’s legitimate and not some cover.”

  “And she said?”

  “She’s too busy putting a roof over our heads and putting food in our mouths to be playing undercover detective with her own damn kids. Verbatim.”

  “The girls?”

  “Suddenly Melody thinks I’m an amazing big brother. She’s conned me into taking her and Mina to school every day this week since I got Divina.” He snorts. “They argue over who sits up front. It’s funny.”

  My heart warms knowing that at least his siblings are treating him well.

  “I guess we should pack up soon and head over to Momma’s,” I say with a groan. “I’ll never hear the end of it if we’re late.”

  Malcolm squirms and pulls away so he can look at me, worry shining in his brown eyes behind his glasses. “What if she doesn’t like me? Or us?”

  “Momma knows of my bisexuality. She’s happy I’ve found someone I want to bring home to dinner. And my mother will eat you up, Mal. You’re adorable and sweet and polite. Those are all wins in her book.” I grip his jaw gently and pull him close for a kiss. “Not all mothers are borderline cruel to their sons.”

  We kiss until my dick is hard and aching in my jeans. His palm rubs over it, making me groan into his mouth. Just when I think he’ll get up so we can go, he slides off my lap and into the floor between my spread thighs.

  I gape at him, surprised he’s being so forward, especially here. No one is at the office today, but it’s still out of character for Mal. His eyes glint with determination as he unbuckles my belt and then unzips my jeans.

  “Someone wants a raise,” I tease, cupping his cheek and drinking in the sight of him.

  He laughs as he pulls my boxers down enough to allow my erection to spring free. “Oh, I already got one.”

  “Smartass.”

  “The smartest,” he sasses.

  My retort is swallowed back down when he takes no preamble and slides his hot, wet mouth down over my cock. I arch my back and flex my hips up, eager for him to suck me off. His fist pumps the base of my cock as his lips work their magic. Each time his tongue swirls around the crown, my eyes roll back in bliss.

  Fuck.

  Mal undoes me. So easily. Every day.

  I fucking love him.

  I’m shocked by my feelings, but not scared by them. It’s slightly terrifying that he made me fall for him so fast, but it’s a good kind of feeling. All it does is make me crave him more. Watching him as he eagerly devours me, I realize, without a shadow of a doubt, I’ll never let him go. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him as mine forever. I’ve never felt that way about anyone before.

  When his fingers massage my balls, I lose it. There’s no warning, aside from my choked sounds of pleasure, that I’m about to come. But Mal’s used to my signals and chooses that moment to take me deep in his throat. Cum jets out of me, hot and furious, while my hot-ass boyfriend swallows it down like a champ.

  Fuck, he’s perfect.

  After licking away any lingering remnant of my release, he pulls away t
o give me a smug, satisfied grin.

  “Your turn?” I ask, breathing heavily.

  He shakes his head. “Nope. We’ll be late. I have to make a good impression on your mother.”

  “I’ll just have to return the favor later tonight,” I tease as I put myself back together, tucking my cock away.

  Mal stands and gives me a shy smile. “I told Madden I had a date tonight. He’s going to cover for me—tell Mom I got in late and then left early for a work thing. So, if it’s okay with you, I thought I could spend the night again.”

  I rise and grab his hips, pulling him flush against me. “You never have to ask if it’s okay with me. You, being in my bed, is always okay with me.” I nip at his nose, making him squeal, and try to pull away, but I hold him by his juicy ass so he can’t escape. “This shitty day got a whole helluva lot better.”

  Snow flutters around us as we walk up to Momma’s. Her yellow ranch style home is hidden behind several large oaks. At one time, I was sure we had the biggest house in Boulder, but now that I’m older, Momma’s house seems so much smaller. Sure, it’s nicer than any of the others on Aberdeen Place, but it just looks different.

  “There’s Tom’s house,” I say, pointing to a smaller home with a well-kept lawn. “He’s obsessed with grass. Avoid the topic like the plague.”

  Malcolm laughs but nearly slips on the ice when his foot hits the first step of the porch. I grab his bicep, holding him up before he falls.

  “Careful, babe.” I lean in and nip at his ear. “I wouldn’t have to kiss all your bruises right here in front of my momma’s h—”

  “You’re late!” Momma cries out, as the door flings open, Nanner in her arms eagerly yapping.

  “It’s snowing, Mother.”

  Malcolm stiffens beside me. I’m guessing he’s not used to someone back talking their mother—even if it is just playfully. I sling my arm over his shoulders and kiss his temple.

  “Momma, meet Malcolm Shaw. He’s my boyfriend.”

  She beams at him and takes his hand, juggling Nanner as she does it. “Nice to meet you, sugar. I’m Candace. Get in the house before you catch your death.” She sets my brother down and tells him to run along before he gets puppy pneumonia.

  We follow her inside and are met with the scent of enchiladas. From the smell of it, green chilies enchiladas. Fuck. I forgot to mention Mal’s little eating issue.

  “Unkie Snot!” Britney rounds the corner, her blond pigtails bouncing as she leaps into my arms.

  Chuckling, I kiss her head and hug her tight. “There’s my naughty niece. Missed you, booger girl.”

  “I not have boogers,” she huffs. “I pwetty.”

  Pulling away, I look her over. God, she looks so much like Stacey it hurts sometimes. “Yeah, I guess.”

  She giggles and then squirms to get down. “Daddy! Daddy! Unkie Snot is here!”

  As soon as she disappears, Mal grins at me. “Unkie Snot?”

  “Tease me and you die,” I joke.

  Momma swats at me. “Don’t be mean to my precious guest. Come on, Malcolm, let me take your coat.”

  While Momma fusses over Mal, I shed my coat and peek around the corner. Lennon is trapped in a long-winded conversation with the birthday boy. Tom’s cheeks are ruddy and he barks out a laugh as he babbles about whatever it is Tom always babbles about. I can tell by the way Len seems to be edging out of the kitchen, he’s looking for an escape. When he darts his gaze my way, I smirk at him. His blue eyes flash. In one look I can read him. Fucking save me, man. I simply laugh and leave him with Tom the Talker.

  When I return to Momma and Mal, I cringe. She has her hands on her hips just grinning at him. Staring. Like a creeper.

  “You’re shameless,” I tell her, grabbing Mal’s hand and tugging him away from my mother’s grasp.

  “What? Because I want to get a good look at the man who stole my son’s heart? Give an old woman a break,” she huffs.

  Mal nervously chews on the inside corner of his bottom lip, clearly uncomfortable as hell being the center of her attention.

  “You can stare at him over dinner. Let’s eat. I’m starved.”

  Malcolm

  It’s strange being around a mother like Candace. She’s overbearing in the way a mother should be. Certainly doesn’t hit her son or bite out cruel remarks. I really like her, though. And when I panicked at what we were having for dinner, Scott nonchalantly explained that I couldn’t eat green things. His mother whipped up some cheese enchiladas instead, eager to fuss over me and make me happy. So weird, but good weird.

  Now, I’m stuck in a conversation with Tom.

  Man, he talks a lot.

  I’ve learned everything I could ever want to know about grass. So much that I can’t even retain it all. This guy could fill in all the pages on Ask Jeeves when it comes to grass. I nearly suggest it, but then I worry I’ll get locked into another longer discussion. Scott’s niece Britney is helping her grandma load the dishwasher while Lennon and Scott have a deep conversation on the couch. Even though Tom’s slightly annoying, it feels good to be here. Much better than being at home under Mom’s scrutinizing glare. At least here, I feel welcome.

  “…and that’s how I discovered Mr. Renshaw was horrible at bookkeeping. I saved the homeowner’s association forty-two hundred dollars this year. I have an eye for errors. That’s why my grass is so—”

  “Bookkeeping?” I ask, trying to rewind the talkative man.

  He barks out a loud laugh. “Of course, son. I told you I was a CPA. And I told Mr. Renshaw I’d do the bookkeeping for free. But he’s stubborn and insisted on doing it himself.”

  “Are you good at it? Being a CPA?”

  His red, splotchy cheeks jiggle when he nods furiously. “Best in Boulder.”

  “What’s the best in Boulder?” Candace asks him.

  “Me,” he says smugly.

  She cackles. “Are we talking about grass or—”

  “Momma,” Scott calls out from the living room. “There are children present.”

  Tom laughs loudly, slapping the surface of the table.

  “Do you, uh, audit?” I ask, trying to keep my voice low.

  Tom’s smile fades and he leans in like we’re coconspirators. “What’re you getting at, son?”

  I dart my gaze into the living room. Scott is stressed over the books and Wade keeps running him in circles. It gives me an uneasy feeling. It’s not my place to get involved, but he is my boyfriend, and I am looking out for him.

  “Scott might need a hand looking over some spreadsheets to see if maybe you can make sense of what’s going on. His finance guy hasn’t explained it well and he seems worried. Wasn’t sure if that was something your company does.”

  Tom glances at Scott. “Does he want my help? He barely acknowledges me.”

  We’re both speaking lowly now. Tom appears to not want Candace to overhear and I’m not keen on Scott listening in on this.

  “We can try,” I say, already sounding defeated.

  “Try what?” Candace places her hands on my shoulders.

  Tom barks out a nervous laugh, his cheeks turning redder. And then his mouth starts running. “I was just telling Malcolm here about what a help I was to the homeowner’s association and he mentioned maybe Scott’s company needing a second set of eyes.”

  Scott appears out of nowhere, an unreadable expression on his face. Crap. What was I thinking? Shame burns through me, heating my flesh.

  “Oh, Scott honey, that’s a great idea. Tom has a great eye for these things.”

  “I have Wade.” Scott’s jaw clenches, his green eyes flashing with anger.

  “I’m…I…uh…I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I was j-just trying t-to help.”

  Scott’s features soften when he finally looks at me. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

  Tears prick at my eyes as I swallow down my emotion. I stand and the chair scrapes loudly across the tile. My hands tremble as I walk toward him. He doesn’t take my hand or
offer me one of his usual smiles. Simply turns on his heel and walks out of the living room. I follow him to the foyer, nerves making my stomach clench and roil.

  “What was that about?” Scott hisses, his voice hot with anger.

  I hang my head in shame, hating that I’ve ruined everything. I don’t understand why I opened my big mouth. He was so stressed and I wanted to help. A hot tear escapes and rolls down my cheek before dripping from my jaw.

  “Hey,” Scott says softly, taking both my cheeks in his hands. He tilts my head up to look at him. His thumb brushes through the wet streak on my skin. “Don’t cry, babe. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  When another tear snakes out, he pulls me into his arms. I fight a stupid sob as I cling to him. My tears soak his collar as I breathe in his scent on his neck. I’m disappointed for sticking my nose in his business.

  “I…I didn’t think,” I whisper. “I just w-wanted to help. You’ve b-been so stressed out. I’m sorry, Scott.”

  He squeezes me tight and kisses my head. “Listen, Mal. I’m not mad. I was just taken by surprise, is all. I didn’t realize I was letting my worries bleed so heavily onto you.”

  I pull away slightly to look at his hard green eyes. “You’ve had doubts, and frankly, the spreadsheets don’t make sense. Maybe it’d do some good to have a second set of eyes on it all. Tom’s moving in with your mom. I think you can trust him.”

  A heavy sigh escapes him. “You’re right. I can trust him. I’d like to get a second opinion.”

  “So you’re not mad at me?”

  His lips curl into a beautiful smile that warms my stomach. “It’s impossible to be mad at you, babe. You’re too damn cute for your own good.” He leans his forehead to mine. “I’m going to run out there and grab my bag, but I swear to God, Mal, if that man ropes me into a long-ass conversation about grass, your ass better be groveling later.”

  I grin at him. “My ass is all yours.”