Page 60 of A Hard Sell

“So what did you end up getting Rory?” Luka asked, looking up from the mock-up magazine spread Finn had come to show them.

“Oh, yeah, I did get them a new wallet, a really nice leather one that they had pointed out while we were shopping. And, well…something else.” Finn wiggled his eyebrows.

“Stop, I do not need to know more.” Luka laughed, holding up a hand.

“I’ll let you know how it goes. I might have a suggestion for you.” Finn’s eyes danced back and forth between the two of them.

Warmth flared on Luka’s face and he stared hard at the layout on his desk. “Thanks,” he said through a clenched jaw.

Finn left, chortling.

The room was painfully silent for a minute until Thomas made a show of looking at his phone. “Well, I think I’m going to head home to change. I’ll see you at the restaurant?”

Luka nodded while visions of Finn’s sex toys danced in his head. “You bet.”

The party was at a swanky upscale restaurant where Aleandro knew the owner. Luka gave a low whistle when he arrived. His co-workers had stepped up their game a few notches, the room awash with dapper suits and shimmering fabrics. Luka was wearing a burgundy suit over a sleek black T-shirt, his hair combed back off his forehead in carefully tousled waves.

Then Thomas came in.

Luka saw Thomas in suits every day, of course, but somehow he was not prepared for this one. He looked like James fucking Bond in a slim-fitting black three-piece with a crisp white shirt and black tie. When he paused at the entrance and straightened his cuffs, Luka forgot how to breathe.

Thomas’ gaze swept across the room, and he came straight over to Luka when he saw him.

“You look…unbelievable,” Luka choked out.

Thomas lifted his heavy eyebrows. “Thank you.” He pointed at his tie. “Is it crooked, though, do you think?”

“Hmm.” Luka stepped closer. Freshly applied cologne wafted over him while he gave the knot a little tug. His gaze traveled up to Thomas’ lips, his knees quivering as he forced himself to step back again. “Looks perfect.”

“Thanks.” Thomas took in Luka’s long frame. “You look good, too.”

The lighting was low enough that he was sure Thomas couldn’t tell he was blushing. “Thank you. Shall we find a drink?” He waved Thomas ahead of him, taking a long look at his beautiful round ass in those tight pants. “Because I really fucking need one,” he muttered to himself as he followed.

After a delectable roast beef dinner, the whole group settled into a large circle, while Tawney, dressed like an elf, buzzed around the table of gifts. They sipped their drinks as she began calling names.

Thomas got a fancy insulated water bottle, and a black tank top withI flexed and the sleeves fell offwritten on it. Luka lost it when Thomas held it up, an expression of polite incredulity on his face.

“Who do you think got me this?” Thomas whispered to Luka when Tawney handed out the next present.

A fresh wave of giggles hit Luka. “I don’t know, but can you please wear it to work one day?”

“Shut up.” But Thomas was suppressing a laugh too.

Morgan peered suspiciously around the circle after he read the candle, while Luka maintained a neutral expression with a herculean effort. But Morgan seemed quite pleased with the wine, which Luka had selected by asking the shopkeeper for something a wine snob would like at an affordable price point.

Finally, it was Luka’s turn. Tawney handed him a large brown paper gift bag. Luka pulled out the tissue and gasped. The bathrobe. His head snapped up. Thomas was watching him with a smile.

“Thomas! You had me? I can’t believe you!” Luka lifted it out and buried his face in the soft material. It smelled like him. “Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome.”

Thomas had spent far too much, but Luka had visions of curling up in his new robe on lazy Sunday mornings, a mug of coffee in hand, Thomas next to him…Ah, fuck. Stop.He kept it on his lap as they finished up the remaining few gifts, running his hand over the plush fabric.

Once the gift exchange was complete, the music was turned up, and a line formed at the bar.

“Moreno!” Finn was on him in a second, dragging him out onto the dance floor with Rory and Tawney. It didn’t take long until Luka was sweaty and out of breath from trying to keep up with Finn’s ridiculous moves. Thomas watched as he chatted with Aleandro and Penelope, but made no move to join them.

“Wolf!” Finn called as the next song began. “Get out here!”

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