Page 103 of A Hard Sell

Thomas’ smile softened. His gaze lingered on the open neck of Luka’s shirt before he looked up at the number above the door. “Yeah…” He cleared his throat. “We should go over the presentation before bed.”

Luka sighed and nodded.You’re here for work,he reminded himself.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Neither spoke until Luka stepped into their room. “As I suspected. Turndown service. Chocolate-covered strawberries. Why fight it?” He threw his hands in the air. “May I pour you some champagne?”

Thomas undid his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. “Yes, please.”

Luka retrieved the bottle from the ice bucket and got an idea. “Come here. Let’s see how far we can launch the cork. Grab the glasses.” He beckoned Thomas to follow him out on the balcony. It was a warm night and they were high above a garden, higher than even the tallest trees. He pulled the foil off the top and unwound the metal bracket from around the cork as Thomas joined him.

“It’s so beautiful,” Luka said, pausing to look around as Thomas leaned up against the railing next to him. The trees and shrubs, dark green and lush in the thickening night, gave way to the rolling foothills before the mountains shot up to touch the inky black sky.

The breeze ruffled Thomas’ hair as he looked over at Luka. “It is.” His voice was slow and heavy. The stars dotted the night. Luka swore they were reflected in Thomas’ eyes.

Luka turned his attention back to the stubborn cork, which didn’t seem to be moving. He braced the bottle against his stomach and pressed his thumb under the ridge trying to push it out. Nothing.

“Be careful…” Thomas said, reaching over to ensure the bottle was tilted away from Luka’s face.

“Can you help?” Luka asked. “I’ll hold it steady, you try to get the cork out.”

Thomas moved closer and wrapped his hands around the neck of the bottle. Luka pictured Thomas wrapping those strong, sure hands around something else. A surge of heat flooded his face. He tried not to look at Thomas. Except he did. They could kiss right now if he just leaned forward an inch or two…

He jumped when the cork erupted with satisfying pop, launching itself out into the night, disappearing amidst the foliage. He laughed, relieved he hadn’t just made a horrendously awkward move. “That was a stubborn one. This bubbly better be worth it.” They were still standing together, both holding the bottle.

Then Thomas stepped back to pick up the glasses he had brought out. “Let’s find out.”

The bubbles felt like heaven rolling across Luka’s tongue, fizzing up into his brain. The champagne was light and crisp, with just a hint of sweetness. Luka wanted to stay there the entire night, watching Thomas in the moonlight, but… “I suppose we’d better get to work,” he said reluctantly.

Tilting his head back, Thomas swallowed the rest of his glass. He licked his lips. “I suppose.” He didn’t sound that happy about it either. They went back inside, Luka taking one last lingering look at Thomas’ profile against the dark night.

Thomas powered up his laptop and spread out some papers on the coffee table while Luka slipped into the bathroom to change into his robe. Thomas stared at him when he came out.

“What?” Luka asked, a little self-conscious—and a little buzzed—from downing his first glass so quickly.

“Nothing,” Thomas smiled. “You’re just…you’re adorable in that robe.”

Luka ducked his head as he poured them each another glass. “Agreed. Here, eat some strawberries,” he said to get Thomas to stop looking at him like that.

Thomas’ eyes glinted at him as he took one off the plate and brought it to his mouth. Something snapped in Luka’s brain and he started giggling. He couldn’t say why, just that the whole situation was completely and objectively hilarious. The strawberries, the champagne, the roses, the motherfucking stars twinkling. The most gorgeous fucking man in the whole world looking at him like that. The universe was such a bitch. He laughed harder.

Thomas smiled at him. “What’s so funny?” But he was already giggling too.

Luka flopped onto the couch, gasping for air, stomach aching. “This,” he managed to wheeze, waving his arm around the room. “Our honeymoon!”

Thomas laughed harder too, although he was mostly watching Luka fall apart. It took Luka a long time to calm down, wiping the tears from his eyes and taking deep ragged breaths. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry.” He took another breath. “I’m okay. I’ve got this.” He picked up a strawberry. “All right. These bad boys aren’t going to eat themselves. Let’s get to work.”

By the time the bottle was empty, their presentation was finalized, and it was time for bed. Thomas came out of the bathroom shirtless, pajama bottoms slung low around his hips. Luka let his gaze linger for longer than was appropriate, but when he flicked his eyes up to Thomas, Thomas was smiling at him.

Luka cast about for words. “Hi,” was all that came to him.

“Hi.” Thomas pulled the tie out of his hair and tousled his waves, biceps flexing.

“You’re really fucking impossibly gorgeous, you know that, right?”Oops. That’s the champagne talking.

Thomas looked down at his toes. “Thanks.”

“No, I mean…” Luka shook his head. “It’s not fair.”

“Hmm.” Thomas padded over to the couch, cheeks pink. “You are too,” he mumbled as he pulled the cushions off and dropped them to the side.

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