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Do you believe in hate at first sight? Neither did I, until Niko fucking Adamos strides into Studio 1 like he owns the goddamn place.
something about that hard exterior of his makes me want to find his cracks and split them open wide.
“Grumpy,” I answer instead. “Seems like a bit of a dick.” Cass raises an eyebrow, looking at me knowingly. “So you’re attracted to him?” I groan. “Maybe a smidge.”
I don’t think I should have to change my personality for another person.
“You’re gonna be a pain in my ass, aren’t you?” I raise my brows. “I think you’re supposed to be the pain in my ass,” I note, “but I’m happy to switch if you want.”
Dixon gives me a look. “I don’t bottom.” “Right,” I say slowly, nodding my head. “Makes sense. No room up there with that stick firmly lodged in place.”
And his thighs. My God, those thighs look like they could crack me in half.
“If you can’t kiss me like you like me, kiss me like you hate me.”
I want to push this man to the brink, torture him with pleasure until he’s exposed. Until I can see just who he is. I want him in my mouth, in my bed, under me, coming undone because of me.
What in the ever-loving name of Baby Jesus is happening right now?
“I’m contemplating my life choices,” I tell my friend. “Why?” he asks. “Mat, kitten, my little marshmallow, that is too much information,” I say. He makes a “psh” sound. “This is what friends do, Dixon. They share information. And since I can’t see your beautiful face up close anymore, I need the deets over the phone.
“That burning in your gut is butterflies.” “I really don’t think that’s how that works, Mat.” “Shush,” he says, practically cutting me off. “You listen to me. I’m an expert in love now.”
“It’s scary giving someone your all. I get it. But, with the right person, what you get back is…” He huffs out a breath. “It’s everything.”
“Think about me when you come, won’t you, griniári mou?”
“Alex, angel, biscuit, the tiniest-ever pain in my ass, I am not precious. That is not an adjective anyone has ever used to describe me.”
“I will treasure our friendship forever,” he says softly yet vehemently. “You won’t regret this, Grumpy Bear.” “I already regret this,” I mutter. “Shhh,” he says, clamping his hand over my mouth and then stroking my head. “No more words. This day has already been perfect.”
“One of these days, you will admit you like me. And I won’t even gloat, I promise.”
the three most nostalgic days of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The lonely single’s sadness trifecta.
In these moments, under these cameras, it feels real. It feels like Niko is mine, and he wants me to be his, too.
“I think I’d like this Mateo I’ve heard so much about.” I groan. “You two can never meet. It would be a catastrophe.” “Why? Because we’d gang up on you?” I neither confirm nor deny it, and Niko laughs.
“What is this? Right here. Right now. Why are you here?” Niko turns his head again, his breath fanning across my cheek lightly. He stops the wheel, and our hands rest idly on the soft clay. “I’m wooing you, Dixon,”
I’ve never had anyone woo me. I’ve never had anyone try. I’m shocked and excited and terrified to realize how much I want that. I’m almost dizzy with it.
“Oh, griniári mou,” he says softly. Those words again, whatever they mean. “Don’t you see? I like you.”
“I like to think of this as our first date. Because when I go on a date with you, I want to know it. And I want you to know that I know it.”
It’s fire, and it’s Niko. And it’s hitting me, truly hitting me, that he’s mine.
I haven’t been serious about much in my life, but I’m serious about Dixon. I want him for keeps.
But when I look at the future, I see Dixon. All those other choices, I want them to include this man because he’s mine. And even if he doesn’t know it yet, I’m his.
It means ‘my grump.’”
“You are grumpy, but I like it. I like all the pieces of you, Dixon, and I call you ‘my grump’ because you are. It’s not an insult. It’s a compliment. And I want you to know I accept you. Just as you are.”
New Year’s, to me, has always felt special. There’s something about the promise of a fresh year that makes me feel hopeful. It’s like wishing on a star or making a bucket list. It’s looking forward and deciding what you want your future to be.
“I’m not going anywhere. Ever.” “Is that your way of telling me you’re my happy ending?” he asks, voice wistful and tender. I smile against his skin. “No, griniári mou. This is only our beginning.”
Do you believe in love at first sight? Neither did I. Shows what I know.
“Agápi mou,” I say. ‘My love.’
