Pucking Wild (Thin Ice #11)

Chapter Four

Thanks to an amazing navigation system, Hugo easily found his way back to Grandpa Tony’s Pizza. The GT-R was a nice car, but incredibly tiny for Hugo’s large frame. Tavey wasn’t a shortcake either, so it seemed an odd choice for him as well. It was whatever. Hugo was just glad to have access to a vehicle. He hated hiring cars, especially for such a long drive. It was uncomfortable. As Hugo found a parking spot, he wondered if he would even recognize Lennox. It had been years since they had seen each other. As he stepped from the car, the door of a nearby F150 opened. Lennox stepped out. He was bigger. More solid, but Hugo recognized him immediately. They met halfway and hugged. Lennox lifted him from his feet, proving his strength while patting Hugo on the back.

“Damn, Hugo. It’s been forever.” He stepped back and eyed him. “You look exactly the same.”

“You too.” He wouldn’t fluff Lennox’s ego. If he remembered correctly, the guy had a huge one, which was fair. His dark hair and light eyes caught a lot of attention. “Didn’t I hear you have a fiancé or something? I didn’t expect you to be alone.”

Lennox made a dismissive gesture. “Meh. That’s over. She couldn’t handle me being on the road. It was best we learned that before it turned into an ugly divorce.” That was true. “What about you?”

Hugo didn’t know how to respond.

At his open discomfort, Lennox laughed. “I see. Same ole Hugo, breaking everyone’s heart. Come on. You have to try this place.”

“Actually, I’ve been here. It’s amazing.”

Lennox shot him a laughing look. “Damn. I hoped to get to introduce you to a local legend.”

Hugo shrugged. “Sorry. I’m here visiting a friend. He beat you to it.”

Lennox opened the door for him. “You’re here visiting a friend and didn’t bring him along?”

“He had to work today.”

Lennox nodded. “I get it. Sometimes I forget not everyone has their summers free.”

A server spotted him and rushed to seat him. “Please. Take your table. We had no idea you were coming.” He eyed Lennox with a hint of distaste. A seed of something uncomfortable planted in his gut and grew, especially when Lennox looked at him in open confusion.

Hugo shrugged and accepted the same table he had enjoyed last night. The server left two menus, then practically ran for the kitchen.

“What the hell was that?” Lennox asked the second they were alone.

“I have no idea.” He didn’t know how to explain the way Tavey had been treated last night. There was something very off about the entire situation.

“So, how are things going in New Orleans? The team has been extra hot the last few seasons.”

Grandpa Tony appeared before Hugo responded. “Hugo! We had no idea you were coming today.” He squeezed Hugo’s shoulders like they were old friends. “I could have prepared something special.”

Hugo didn’t know how to react, so he just rolled with it. “I didn’t know I was coming either until this morning. Lennox called and invited us to lunch, but—”

“Your man had to work, I know,” Tony supplied before Hugo could. “We just spoke on the phone. I wish he had called me ahead of time, saving me some worry over your lunch companion.”

Things were definitely veering into the beyond strange territory. Did they think he was cheating on Tavey? They weren’t even a couple, yet everyone talked as if they were. It was obvious Tony cared about Tavey, though. Hugo decided to dig .

“He planned to come with me before getting called away. You seem close with the family.”

Tony touched his chest. “The boys are like my sons. They grew up running around here. Their father gave me the money to start this restaurant and never asked for a dime in return. Despite what people think, he’s a good man.”

Hugo for sure didn’t know where to go with that one, so he steered clear. He laughed. “I have a feeling they’ve eaten enough free pizza to recoup that money. They rave about this place.”

Tony touched his chest again, as if moved. “I owe everything to the Cattaneo. Oddly, Tavey is the one who comes around the least. You must be very special to him. He doesn’t introduce anyone to the family. You come here anytime. Grandpa Tony will make sure you are fed.”

“Thank you.”

Tony dipped his chin and bustled back to the kitchen.

Hugo felt Lennox’s gaze like a physical touch before he even turned his head. He didn’t expect the intense way Lennox watched him, as if he was angry. “You’re dating Tavey Cattaneo.” It wasn’t a question. Honestly, it sounded more like an accusation.

Hugo swiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his jeans. Everyone kept talking like they were a couple. He was starting to think it was true. “In a manner of speaking, I guess.”

Unexpected rage flashed in Lennox’s eyes. “You should warn a guy before you bring them into something like that. What if he had called and couldn’t reach Tavey? You could’ve gotten me killed. ”

Hugo felt like a deer trapped in a spotlight or a fish pulled from the safety of his watery home. Nothing made sense. “You invited me here. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Lennox pinched the spot between his eyes. “I never would have suggested this place if I knew about Tavey. We’re in Cattaneo territory. You’re Tavey’s property. Anyone seeing me with you will suspect the worst. I hope like hell Tony’s big mouth spreads the word before I walk out of here and get gunned down in the street.”

The dramatics were over the top. “Seriously, Lennox. What in the fuck are you talking about?”

Lennox sat, blinking at him like he couldn’t decide if Hugo was dumb or simply deathly uninformed. Finally, he looked around, as if checking to see if anyone watched them. He dug out his phone and typed. Hugo watched him, feeling like someone would jump out with a hidden camera at any moment. The entire situation felt insane. Why would he get shot in the street? Why had he called Hugo Tavey’s property? What in the fuck was happening?

After a moment, Lennox passed his phone to Hugo. There was a Wiki page pulled up for his inspection. There it was, in black and white. Len Cattaneo. Head of the Italian mafia, currently living in Eastern Canada. Husband and father of three boys. There was more. His gaze slid across the article, catching tidbits naming his sons while words like “iron grip on Toronto” jumped from the page. All he could hear was his pulse. It was as if he stared at the phone through a tunnel. Only one thought ruled his brain. Who knew the mafia had a Wikipedia page?

Thankfully, Tavey beat Hugo home. There had been a bit of devisal on his end for that outcome. He had asked Tony to stall Hugo at the restaurant. The last thing he wanted was for Hugo to see him covered in blood. Travis also showered in his old childhood bedroom and borrowed some of Tavey’s clothes. He couldn’t scare his kids. With the mess gone and clothes incinerated, Tavey coated his knuckles in healing ointment while he tried to think of a lie. Hugo was observant as hell. There was no way he would miss seeing Tavey’s split knuckles. He had just put away the first aid kit when Hugo came through the bedroom door.

Tavey quickly shut the bathroom cabinet and straightened. “Hey, sexy. How was lunch?”

He set Tavey’s keys on the dresser. “It was good. It would’ve been better if you had been there. Tony says he called you just in case you didn’t know I was with someone else.”

The question in Hugo’s voice had Tavey wincing. Tony had a big mouth. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I should’ve called ahead so he would know you were coming. He’s very protective of us boys. We grew up terrorizing his restaurant and eating all his food.”

Hugo nodded. “How was work?”

“Blessedly short.”

“You changed.”

“It was dirty work.”

They stared at each other. Tavey got a bad feeling Hugo knew everything. Hugo moved to the bed and sat. His gaze never wavered from Tavey. “I think we should talk. ”

Fuck. “That doesn’t sound good. Did your friend turn out to be more than a friend, after all?”

Hugo didn’t smile. “Where is this headed?” Tavey’s knees nearly weakened in his relief. It was crazy to think talking about a potential relationship was less terrifying than talking about his job and family. Hugo kept going. “I hate to be that guy. Obviously, I just came here to have fun, but everyone keeps calling me your man and acting like this is a serious relationship.”

“If you want me to call Tony and make sure he understands his behavior today was unacceptable—”

“I want you to answer me,” Hugo said, cutting him off. “What’s going on here?”

Tavey moved to the bed and sat. He needed to sit down for this. After turning sideways, he gave his full focus to Hugo. “I don’t know. You tell me. I keep making the trip to New Orleans for some reason. There had to be some motivation behind making these plans for you to stay with me. Do you think this is just amazing sex? I mean, I’m not the type to go back for seconds, but I did, and I keep doing it.” Tavey didn’t like the way he sounded. He didn’t know if he had what it took for an actual relationship. Hugo probably didn’t want that anyhow. “Tell me your thoughts. I’m cool with whatever. If we’re just having a good time with no strings, then all right. That’s exactly what I walked into things expecting from this. You’re by no means obligated for this to be more.”

Hugo’s gaze never wavered. He nodded along, as if he took every word Tavey said to heart. “What would happen to me if I walked away right now and never looked back? ”

That was an odd question. He didn’t understand what Hugo meant. “I guess you’d go on with your life the way you always have.”

For a moment, Hugo watched him in silence. Tavey let him work through his thoughts. They were equally a pair of players who didn’t date. This was an uncomfortable conversation that needed to be had, so feelings weren’t hurt.

“I haven’t slept with anyone else since our first night together.”

Tavey’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “Um. I call bullshit. You were a good ten seconds away from fucking someone else when I showed up this last time.”

Hugo shrugged. “And maybe I would have, but I doubt it. I knew you were there. I saw you hovering in the doorway of the bar:”

Tavey had never been more confused. “Every time I go to you, you’re working on a hookup.”

“But I leave with you.”

Fuck. He did. “There’re plenty of days I’m not there.”

Hugo nodded. “I’m acutely aware of every single one.”

Tavey couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but he did because Hugo was always honest to a fault. He licked his lips. Nervousness set in. Tavey wasn’t the type to be vulnerable with anyone. “If it isn’t obvious, I can’t stay away.”

Hugo nodded. He leaned Tavey’s way. “I don’t want you to. Stay away, that is.” He kissed Tavey’s shoulder. “When people call me your man, I want it to be true. ”

Tavey’s eyes closed as Hugo’s mouth moved to his neck. “It is true.” Even Tavey heard how breathless he sounded. “You never stood a chance of getting away from me.”

A toe-curling chuckle rumbled against his skin as Hugo toppled him onto his back. Hugo’s huge body covered him. Tavey’s fingers dug into Hugo’s skin as Hugo sucked his neck. His entire body screamed for more. “God, I’ve never wanted anything as bad as this.”

Hugo pushed his shirt up as he moved lower. Tavey closed his eyes and just felt. He let every sensation wash over him. Hugo’s tongue felt amazing against his skin. By the time Hugo had Tavey’s dick in his mouth, his mind was a crazy mess. Insane thoughts ran through his head. All the times he had chased Hugo came to a head. Hugo was his.

Tavey exploded into action, tearing at Hugo’s clothes. Grunting and heavy breathing were the only sounds that filled the air. Tavey’s head didn’t clear in the slightest until he held Hugo’s hair in a tight grip and bounced on his dick. With his head thrown back, Tavey sucked air while he took what he wanted from Hugo’s body. Hugo’s enormous cock stretched him wide while Tavey slammed himself down on it repeatedly. The sex was violent. It was soul searing. No one else would do. Hugo’s fingers dug so hard into his skin, Tavey knew he would leave bruises. He wanted it.

Hugo bit his neck.

A loud moan vibrated from his throat. His back hit the mattress with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. Then Hugo fucked him. It was hard and almost painful. Tavey begged for more. When he came, he saw stars and couldn’t draw a single breath. It was like the world stopped. Like he died for a moment. Sight and sound returned. His body shook from the ecstasy as Hugo released a rhythmic moaning whine against Tavey’s throat as he pumped inside him. Hugo came with a roar. Tavey’s throat swelled. There was something real between them, and—one day soon—Hugo would learn the truth about Tavey’s family. Then he would hate him.