Page 87 of Soar

When the curtain fell for the final time and the house lights came up, Gregori wanted to remain in these plush seats, not wanting the experience to end. But Salem pulled him up with a devilish grin.

They escaped the crowd leaving the theater and slipped into the black town car once again.

“Sir? Where to?” the driver inquired as they pulled away from the curb.

“Um…” Salem glanced at his phone for a second. “Can you just drive around for a few minutes while we decide?”

“Of course, sir.”

Gregori arched one brow at Salem. “You have more things planned?”

Salem’s wicked grin returned. “A few actually. It depends on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re up for it, Ilya told me about a late-night samba performance we can still make.”

“Hmmm. I think I’m done with big crowds for now.”

“Okay. Then Ha Na mentioned this little dessert shop that offers sweets from around the world. We could go grab something sweet. Or if you’re more in the mood for a nightcap, there’s this quaint bar I discovered that has this retro feel and specializes in whiskey drinks and live music.”

Gregori turned in his seat so he was facing Salem and brushed a lock of hair back from his forehead. “Smaller crowds than that.”

“Got it. Then, Luka told me about this little stretch of beach where we can take a late-night stroll. At this time of year, we should be able to see the bioluminescence.”

A low chuckle escaped Gregori as he leaned in and captured Salem’s lips in a sweet but brief kiss. “Take it easy. You’re trying so damn hard to make this date perfect. You don’t have to try to impress me. Just be you.”

Salem took a deep breath, his eyes full of questions for a moment, and then he released it, slumping a little in his seat. “I…I’ve never tried so hard to get a date perfect. Of course, I’ve never tried to win someone over after I’d fucked up so badly. I need to show you I’m worth all the trouble you’ve gone to. That I can be just as thoughtful and amazing as you. I?—”

Gregori stopped him with another kiss. This one lasted longer as he slowly licked his way into Salem’s mouth, soaking in the tenderness. “Stop. You’ve got nothing to prove to me. I already know how thoughtful and amazing you are.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Why don’t we go back to the compound and spend some very private time together? We can do a stroll on the beach tomorrow night.”

A happy little hum escaped Salem, and he laid his head on Gregori’s shoulder. “That sounds perfect to me.”

Yes, Gregori was very anxious to get his mate home so he could show him exactly how much he appreciated their date together.

He sat back in his seat, careful not to dislodge Salem’s head, and told the driver to return to the Valerii compound.

“Oh shit!” Salem sat up and started frantically typing on his phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to cancel the violinist.”

“The what?”

Salem flashed him a quick smile and resumed his typing. “I hired a violinist to serenade us on the beach as we walked.”

A great bark of laughter jumped from Gregori as he threw back his head. Being with Salem would never be boring.

Salem felt the handle of the door behind him, pushed it blindly open, and pulled Gregori inside, luring him with soft kisses and two fingers hooked inside the waistband of his pants. Tonight, he was going to show this man just how loved he was. Normally, they came at each other like two cats in an alley, but tonight he wanted it sweet and slow.

The interior of the apartment felt cooler, but he knew the sensation wouldn’t linger for long. Not with the heat they were building between them. Their kisses became deeper, hotter, hungrier. His tongue tangled with Gregori’s, savoring the man’s moan. Gregori’s dragon was clearly getting on board because there had been a distinct rumble in that moan.

Don’t smirk, don’t smirk, there will be plenty of time to smirk later.

Gregori tugged at Salem’s shirt, and he returned the favor. They shuffled a little as they got clothes off, heading slowly for the bedroom, but right now getting to skin was the priority. With every piece of clothing he undid, he pressed a kiss against Gregori’s fair skin, feeling the heat radiating against his lips. Grazing a nipple with a lick of the tongue had Gregori shivering, but Salem deliberately didn’t give the other nipple any attention. Later.

He pinned Gregori to the bedroom door, keeping him there with one hand while he used the flat of his tongue to trail down over strong abs, prying open Gregori’s pants as he did so, tugging them down until they pooled on the floor around his ankles. Gregori’s hand stole into his hair, gripping it without pressure, but those blunt fingernails felt good carding against his scalp.

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