Page 14 of Duped

Tarek didn’t respond. He just picked at the material on Portland’s pants.

Portland broke. “I’m sorry. It’s not fair you got caught in the middle. I’ve should’ve seen this coming.”

Tarek flashed him a sweet but sad smile. “No. I should’ve considered how it would look for me to date a customer. The rules around there are pretty strict. Even though there’s no actual written rule about dating players, since I’m sure they don’t want to alienate smaller spenders, I should’ve considered they wouldn’t approve of me dating a high roller.”

Portland leaned his head against the couch and stared at Tarek. He was beautiful and saw the best in other people in a way Portland could never. Tarek was everything Portland wasn’t. He was exactly what Portland needed. “I don’t deserve you. We haven’t been together long, and you’ve already tolerated more than you should have to from me. Would you believe me if I promised things will get better?”

Tarek’s face transformed. He became his usual sweet and sassy self. Goddamn, he was resilient and obviously saw the best in everyone. “Tonight was bad, but I still can’t imagine what you consider better. This past week with you has been the best week of my life. I don’t know what I expected when I accepted that dinner offer. But what I found is so much better than anything I could’ve imagined. I honestly feel like we have something—like there’s something growing here. Do you want to find out what it is? Because I do. I’m pretty sure I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.” Tarek blushed and looked away. “God, I sound so needy.”

Portland ran his fingers across Tarek’s clavicle. He was formed so beautifully. Perfect. It was like he had been born for Portland. “Do you? Because every word you said matches exactly how I feel.”

Tarek met his gaze again. Hope lived in his eyes.

Portland skimmed his lips across Tarek’s. “Just stay,” he whispered between kisses. “Let me show you every day how serious I am.”

Tarek kissed him. “Okay.” His answer was barely a whisper, but it sounded like a shout to Portland’s ears. He hadn’t lied. Every word Tarek had said matched the way he felt, and Portland wasn’t one to deny himself. Tarek was precious to him. He would be damned if he lost him.

There was still a slight quiver in Tarek’s soul. The night had rocked him. The man Tarek had seen in Saul’s office scared him a little and turned him on, which was nuts. He hoped Portland didn’t turn out to be a crazed abuser. More likely, it took a lion to run an entire banking system. Either way, Saul had said he could come back at any time. Then there was the fact that Portland had dropped fifty grand in his lap like it meant nothing. The guy had been driving around with it in the trunk of his car. That was insane. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like to be him. Tarek wanted to crawl under Portland’s skin and find out. He couldn’t stop using his tongue to toy with Portland’s tongue. Damn. He was like some delicious treat Tarek couldn’t stop eating.

The doorbell rang.

Portland groaned. “That would be dinner.” He looked down at himself and laughed. An erection tented his expensive dress pants. That was the downside of fine materials. They showed too much.

Tarek stood and untucked his shirt. It was long enough to hide any sign of his erection. “I’ll grab it.”

“Thanks. I tipped the guy in the app, so you should be good.”

Tarek winked and made his way to the door. He opened it to find a lanky, red-haired man who looked familiar. There was no food. “Oh. Hi.”

A bright smile lit the guy’s face. “Hey. Is Portland around?”

“Um.” Tarek glanced over his shoulder, more than a little confused. He knew he had seen the guy before. Tarek remembered now. It had been playing cards with Portland. They were obviously close enough friends for the guy to know where he lived.

Before he could decide what to do, Portland stormed the door, looking thunderous. “Excuse me a minute, gorgeous.” He stepped around Tarek and headed outside, pulling the door closed behind him.

For a second, Tarek blinked at the wooden surface in confusion before padding back to the couch. He had thought a friend had visited without calling. Now his brain itched with suspicion and jealousy. He fought the urge to press his ear to the door to see what he could hear. It was ridiculous how Portland kept him twisted into knots. Tarek was like a pendulum, swinging from one emotion to the other.

The pair strolled inside.

Portland flashed him a smile. “We’ll just be a minute.”

Tarek managed his best unbothered expression. “Okay.” He watched the pair head down the hall and step inside Portland’s home office. He left the door cracked and Tarek lost the battle against his curiosity. As quietly as possible, he made his way down the hall. He already planned to claim he was headed for the bathroom if he got caught, but he didn’t want to get caught. Tarek quickly peeked through the crack, hoping they wouldn’t spot him. He didn’t have to worry. They had their backs to the door. Tarek watched as Portland slid away part of the wall, revealing a floor to ceiling safe. He scanned his fingerprint and retina. Then he punched in a code before the door popped open. Tarek couldn’t see what was inside, but it looked like a whole other room. Both men disappeared inside. Tarek returned to the couch, even more confused than before he followed. If Portland owned a safe like that, why drive around with fifty grand in his trunk? Then again, Portland ran an entire east coast banking branch. There was no telling what he had to bring home from work and keep safe. He probably had a lot of responsibility to everything he could access. There wasn’t a single reason other than work that would explain things.

The two reappeared.

Their late-night visitor held a leather duffle bag much like the one Portland had given Tarek. He nodded at Tarek and headed for the door without looking back. Had Portland given him money too? What the fuck was happening?

Portland followed the guy out and returned all smiles and carrying their food. “I guess the delivery guy just left it.”

Tarek tried for a smile. “That doesn’t surprise me. They don’t like interacting.” He looked past Portland. “Who was that?”

“An employee.”

“Oh.” Now Tarek felt stupid for being nosey. “I thought he looked familiar. That’s the only reason I asked.”

Portland carried the bags to the couch. He looked unbothered as he stole a quick kiss. “You’re allowed to ask questions.” He sat and dug food from the bag. “If we’re in this for the long haul, we should be free to talk about anything.”

Portland sounded so unconcerned and matter of fact, Tarek’s shoulders relaxed. He obviously wasn’t worried and wanted this to be real. Tarek let everything go and helped Portland unload the food. They were happy and wanted all the same things. Everything else would fall into place. He just knew it.

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