The morning light filtered through the half-open blinds of Ethan's bedroom, painting warm lines across the tangled sheets. Alex lay on his back, one arm tucked under his head, the other draped possessively over Ethan's waist. Ethan was curled against his side, head on Alex's chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. Neither had moved much since waking...content to stay wrapped up in each other a little longer.
Alex's phone buzzed on the nightstand for the third time. He groaned soft, reaching blindly to silence it.
"Practice?" Ethan asked, voice still sleepy.
"Yeah. Coach wants extra film study before tomorrow's game." Alex kissed the top of Ethan's blond hair. "I should go soon."
Ethan lifted his head, blue eyes soft. "Five more minutes."
Alex smiled and pulled him closer. "Ten."
They stole those minutes...lazy kisses, hands wandering slow, bodies pressing together under the covers. It turned heated fast. Ethan ended up on top, rocking slow against Alex, mouths fused in a deep kiss. Alex's hands gripped Ethan's hips, guiding the rhythm.
"Want you again," Alex murmured.
Ethan reached for the nightstand drawer...lube and protection always ready now. He prepped himself quick while Alex watched with dark eyes, stroking himself. When Ethan sank down slow, they both moaned. The angle was perfect...deep and full. Ethan set a steady pace, hands on Alex's chest for balance. Alex thrust up to meet him, hitting that spot that made Ethan gasp every time.
They moved together like they had been doing this forever. Sweat built, breaths mixed. Alex sat up suddenly, wrapping arms around Ethan, flipping them so he was on top without breaking the connection. Ethan laughed breathy into the kiss as Alex took over...deeper thrusts, faster now.
"Come for me," Alex whispered against his ear.
Ethan did...hard...body tightening around Alex as pleasure exploded. Alex followed right after, burying deep with a low groan.
They collapsed together, laughing and breathing hard, laughing soft at how they could never get enough.
Eventually, reality won. Alex showered quick while Ethan made coffee. They drank it standing in the kitchen, stealing kisses between sips.
"See you after practice?" Ethan asked at the door.
"Count on it." One last long kiss and Alex left.
Ethan leaned against the closed door, smiling huge. The past weeks had been a dream...nights together, mornings like this, texts all day. Love felt easy. Natural.
He headed to the clinic with a lightness in his step. Patients noticed his good mood. Cleanings went smooth, consultations flew by. Maria kept raising eyebrows but said nothing.
Across town, Alex walked into the practice facility with the same glow. Teammates slapped his back, joking about his extra energy on court.
"Whatever you're doing, keep it up," Marcus said in the locker room. "You're playing like a man in love."
Alex just grinned and laced up his sneakers.
Practice was sharp...drills crisp, shots falling. Coach ran them hard...defense sets, fast breaks, pick-and-roll plays over and over. Alex dominated every rep. His mind was clear, body strong.
After, in the training room getting ice on his knees, his phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: Saw you with the dentist. Cute. Tell him to watch his back. Old friends say hi.
Alex's blood went cold. He knew that tone. Knew the threat behind the words. Gangs from his old neighborhood...rivals who never forgot he made it out and left them behind. They stayed quiet most years, but sometimes poked...jealous, bitter.
He deleted the text fast, heart pounding. No way. Not now. Not when things were perfect.
He told himself it was nothing. Just talk. They couldn't touch him anymore...not with security, money, fame.
But worry sat heavy in his gut.
That night, he went to Ethan's like planned. They cooked together...simple steaks and veggies...laughing in the kitchen, stealing touches. Dinner on the couch, TV low in the background.
Ethan noticed the shift halfway through.
"You okay?" he asked soft. "You seem quiet."
Alex forced a smile. "Just tired. Long practice."
Ethan set his plate down, moving closer. "Talk to me."
Alex hesitated. He didn't want to bring darkness into this. But Ethan's eyes were patient...waiting.
"Got a weird text today," Alex said finally. "From someone back home. Old stuff. Threatening tone."
Ethan's face tightened. "About us?"
"Yeah. Saw us together somehow." Alex rubbed his jaw. "Probably nothing. They talk big."
Ethan took his hand. "We should tell someone. Police?"
Alex shook his head. "Not yet. It's just words. Happens sometimes."
Ethan didn't look convinced, but he nodded. "Promise you'll tell me if it gets worse?"
"Promise."
They left it there. Ethan pulled Alex to bed early...slow undressing, gentle touches. Ethan took his time...kissing every worry away. Mouth on Alex's neck, chest, lower. When he took Alex deep, slow and loving, Alex forgot everything else.
Later, Ethan rode him tender...hands linked, eyes locked. They came quiet and close, holding tight.
Sleep came easier after.
Days passed. The text stayed quiet. Alex played games...wins piling up. Ethan watched from his seat, cheering loud in his heart.
But the worry lingered.
One afternoon at the clinic, Ethan finished a tough root canal...patient relaxed under sedation, canal cleaned and filled perfect. He stepped out to update the chart and saw a man in the waiting room who didn't belong.
Rough clothes, tattoos peeking from sleeves, eyes scanning too sharp. He stood when Ethan appeared.
"You Dr. Hayes?" the man asked low.
Ethan's stomach dropped. "Yes. Do you have an appointment?"
The man smiled cold. "Message for you. Stay away from Alex Ramirez. He's got debts from the old days. You don't want to be part of that."
Ethan kept his voice steady. "I think you should leave."
The man stepped closer. "Just warning you, Doc. Pretty boys like you don't last in our world."
Security escorted him out fast after Maria called. Police came, took a report. Ethan downplayed it...said it was probably a prank.
But inside, fear bloomed.
He texted Alex right away.
Ethan: Someone came to the clinic. Warning about you. We need to talk.
Alex replied instant.
Alex: On my way.
He showed up twenty minutes later...face tight, eyes scanning the parking lot. Inside Ethan's office, door closed, he pulled Ethan into a hug.
"Tell me everything."
Ethan did. Word for word.
Alex's jaw clenched. "This is my fault. My past."
Ethan cupped his face. "Our present. We're in this together."
Alex nodded slow. "I'll handle it. Talk to some people. Increase security."
Ethan kissed him soft. "Just be safe. I just found you again. Not losing you."
That night at Ethan's place, worry turned to need. They held each other tight...clothes off slow, touches desperate. Alex laid Ethan back, kissed every inch like he was memorizing.
When he entered slow...deep and steady...Ethan wrapped around him completely. They moved like they could chase fear away with their bodies. Thrusts deep, kisses messy, hands gripping.
"I love you," Alex whispered first...voice breaking as he thrust harder.
Ethan's eyes filled. "I love you too."
They came together...hard and emotional...holding on like lifelines.
After, wrapped close, Alex promised.
"No one touches you. I'll fix this."
Ethan believed him.
But challenges were just starting.
Love was strong...but the past had sharp teeth.
And it wasn't done biting yet.