Page 14 of Masked Love

“Exciting! Henri as an uncle. Hard to believe.”

“I know, right?”

Xander placed his hand on the small of my back like a possessive man, which I thoroughly approved of. “This here is my… friend Greyson. We’re together.”

The man grinned again. “Together,together?”

Xander looked at me with heated blue eyes. “I hope so.”

“Greyson, this is Ty. He looks like he could crush your skull with his fist, but he’s really just a big teddy bear.”

We shook, and his meaty paw just consumed my hand. “Nice to meet you, Ty.”

“Likewise.”

“Good thing he’s on our side,” I mumbled as we walked in.

Xander laughed and wrapped his arm around me. “Indeed.”

The inside felt so good, with the air conditioning running on high. The old bar was packed with people, and an amazing jazz band was playing. The lead trumpet blared a solo while the drums beat out a rhythmic tempo. I loved that they all wore spooky costumes from old horror movies. There was another mummy,Dracula, a werewolf,Frankenstein, and theSwamp Thing.

“Good, right?”

I smiled and nodded. New Orleans sure did produce some of the best jazz and blues in the world. It was full of rich history, food, and amazing music.

Xander led us to a private VIP section, where a small table was reserved just for us close to the stage.

“Did you set all this up?”

“I sure did. I’d called earlier tonight before we left. I figured I’d show you a place I love to hang out regularly as a thank you for doing this for me. This is where I come to chill on the weekends. They have some of the best jazz and whiskey this side of Louisiana.” Xander leaned in close to me as I stared into his darkened blues. “It’s even better now with you here.”

I may have melted a little.

No, I wasdefinitelya puddle of happy goo.

Now I was athome. Good drinks, good music, and a gorgeous man next to me tapping his fingers on my knee to the beat of the music, making my stomach twist and turn—a feeling I hadn’t felt in years. And while the band was fantastic, I couldn’t take my eyes off Greyson.

He had peeled off his mustache at some point, and his jacket was slung over the chair with his shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing surprisingly strong forearms. I’d always been a sucker for forearms, along with my obvious love of asses, and Greyson had a fantastic ass, at least from what I’d observed when he wasn’t looking.

How had things developed so quickly between us? One minute, he was my assistant, and the next, I wanted to take him home and turn him into a blissed-out wreck. Then, have him wake up curled around me the following day.

He must have noticed me staring at him like a creep because he turned to face me and smiled. “What?”

I leaned in close as my stomach knotted. I was a confident man, and I knew what I wanted, but this was a touchy part. Regardless, I wanted to be upfront, so I leaned in close to hear me over the music. “I want to take you home.”

His face deflated, but he quickly smiled at me and nodded. What did that mean? Did he not want to? Shit. Was I being too forward or presumptuous? We didn’t have to have sex, but god, did I want to. Regardless, I could wait.

“I mean… you don’t have to. I just thought the night was going great, and I wasn’t ready to take you home yet.”

His eyes widened. “Oh…Oh!I thought you wanted to take mehome, home, and I wasn’t ready to do that yet.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I should’ve been clearer. No, Greyson, I want you to come back to my place.”

“Yes, please.”

My smile was crooked as I tugged him up by his hand and threaded our fingers together. He quickly gathered his things, and we rushed out of there with a quick wave goodbye to Ty.

“I only live a few blocks away.”

---