Page 6 of Duped

Tarek flinched as if Portland’s words physically slapped him.

Portland had to fix it. “You matter to me.”

“You matter to me too.”

That was dumb. Portland would eat him alive.

Tarek suddenly looked uncomfortable. His gaze slid away. “No one’s touched me in a long time either.”

“What? Why?” Portland didn’t mean to sound so disbelieving, bordering on accusatory, but he didn’t understand.

Tarek met his stare again, looking defiant. “I don’t do one-night stands and that’s all anyone wants anymore. Either someone wants to be with me, or they don’t. I don’t play games.”

He couldn’t have been more perfect for Portland if Portland had created him from a spell. “Then I should probably go on the record and say I’m looking for more with you than one night or just sex. I just lost years of my life hopelessly trying to win someone I chose to be unexclusive with. I knew seeing me would ruin his career, and I knew how much his job meant to him. In the end, what really happened was he waited until he found someone else and then quit. I don’t want to waste more time on something fake. I need something real.”

Tarek held Portland’s head and scratched the spot at his hairline. Goosebumps rose and Portland’s skin. His desire skyrocketed. “It’s probably a good thing we’re searching for the same thing, since I’m not entirely sure we’re leaving this bed.”

Despite his erection and the painful need to seal this deal, Portland laughed. “Let me take you to breakfast first.” His smile slipped. Portland showed his hunger at full force. “Plus, there’s no one at my place to hear you scream.”

“I’ll hold you to that boast.”

Portland couldn’t resist the heat in Tarek’s eyes. He stole another kiss. This time, he lingered, letting Tarek know through his actions that he enjoyed using his tongue. Soon enough, he would have everything he wanted. Portland felt the springs of his trap tightening.

Chapter Three

IfPortlandhadsaidhe intended to take Tarek to breakfast at his country club, he likely would have panicked and stressed over what to wear. Since Portland wore a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans, Tarek matched his style. Thankfully, other than the staff, everyone was dressed in various states of casual. Tarek noticed the way eyes subtly moved Portland’s way, checking him out on the sly. He was an extremely attractive man who looked expensive even when dressed down. It was the way he carried himself and the combination of light blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. He looked untouchable—like a man out of everyone’s league. Tarek was ridiculously proud to be seen with him. He still couldn’t believe Portland wanted something serious. Tarek had fully expected to pull out all the stops to win him. It turned out that wasn’t the issue. The problem was how badly Tarek wanted this to be real. He didn’t think he was supposed to lose his heart in this exchange. Salem had never specified.

Tarek stared at the menu with barely ten items while Portland watched. He felt Portland’s eyes upon him like a physical touch. Tarek didn’t want to set the menu aside and hold a staring contest. He liked the idea of Portland studying him… letting his hunger grow. Tarek’s need grew right alongside him.

“I get the feeling you either don’t like breakfast foods or you’re avoiding me.”

With a chuckle, Tarek set the menu aside. “I’m definitely not avoiding you.”

Portland’s eyebrows rose. “It’s not too late to go somewhere else. We can get lunch instead.”

Tarek shook his head. “It’s fine. I don’t usually eat breakfast, but I’m good with something light, like the fruit and yogurt.”

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

A smile snapped to Tarek’s lips. “You sounded like such a dad right then. I never thought to ask if you have any children.”

The look of disgust that immediately followed his question had Tarek biting back laughter.

“No kids, then?”

Portland laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t do a very good job of hiding my face.” He pulled another face—this time one of child-like guilt—that had Tarek laughing. It was the most playful Tarek had ever seen him. He liked it.

“Happiness looks good on you.”

At Tarek’s observation, Portland’s expression shifted for a moment, becoming something Tarek didn’t understand before Portland immediately hid behind his usual smile. “I—”

“Portland. Hey.”

Portland turned his head at the interruption.

Tarek did too.

The most beautiful man Tarek had ever set eyes on headed their way. That said a lot, considering he lived with Salem. A face Tarek had seen several times at his tables trailed behind the beauty.

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