“One hundred percent worth it, though. Plus, I have a big investor.” He grinned; he’d been saving this news. “Finn Callaghan’s going to back us.”
Luca stared. “You’re kidding me.”
“Nope. He signed the paperwork last week.” Theo dropped his head onto Luca’s shoulder. “I’m so bloody excited about this project, Luca. It’s going to be amazing.”
“It is. But... Did it fuck up your relationship with your dad?”
“No.” He sat up, studying Luca’s face. Was he concerned about that? “I can’t deny Dad was surprised, but to be honest I think he was more impressed. Not that a gay-friendly boutique hotel specializing in same-sex weddings is his scene, but he was impressed I wanted to go it alone rather than stay with Lux. Dad started out selling knock-off Rolex watches in Brixton market. He admires the entrepreneurial spirit.” He settled back against Luca, his eyes getting heavy now. “Besides, he wouldn’t have sold me the Majestic if he’d been pissed off. He doesn’t do favors.”
Luca’s head came to rest gently against his own. “That’s cool, then.”
“It is.” He breathed deep and it turned into a yawn.
Luca laughed. “We should get some sleep.”
“In a while. I want to watch the sun rise first.”
“Yeah.” Luca lifted their entwined hands to his lips, kissing Theo’s fingers. And they watched, the Majestic standing empty behind them and the sun rising through low clouds ahead, as the first day of the rest of their lives dawned.
Epilogue
Luca remembered that morning some ten months later, as he lay in bed watching the day’s first light stream in through their bedroom window. As usual, he’d woken early, Theo sprawled on his stomach next to him. Now summer had arrived, they slept with the windows wide, and Luca smiled happily as he watched the sky brighten on what promised to be a beautiful June morning. And another first for them.
He could barely contain his excitement and nerves, but made himself lie still and watch the sun rise. Theo would appreciate a few extra minutes’ sleep—he’d been up late last night, and Luca had been asleep when he came to bed, stirring only enough to register a warm presence at his back and the soft pressure of a kiss against his shoulder. They’d both been working so hard toward today, and although the hard work would continue afterward, today was a landmark: the Majestic’s grand reopening.
His heart filled with pride, and with love when he looked at the man sleeping next to him. He owed Theo so much. Turning away from the window, he shifted onto his side and let his gaze linger on Theo’s face. His dark hair had grown out over the winter and he’d given up trying to tame it, so it now framed his face with thick, dark curls Luca adored and Theo ignored. His lips, still a little chapped from the cold he’d picked up a couple weeks ago, were parted in sleep and his dark lashes fanned out over his winter-pale face. Luca intended to get him out into the sun now that summer was finally here, get him more confident on a bodyboard—they’d tried a couple more times before it got too cold, and he’d been getting the hang of it. Kinda sorta.
Overwhelmed by a sudden pang of affection, he leaned in and kissed those lips. Theo made a soft sound of protest and Luca kissed his forehead, his cheek. “It’s morning,” he whispered. “It’s today.”
Theo’s eyes blinked open, lips curling into his killer smile. “So it is.”
Reaching for him, Luca pulled him close so Theo’s head came to rest on his shoulder and Luca could get both arms around him. He loved holding him close, and Theo was so compliant in the mornings, heavy and sleepy. Luca kissed his tangled curls, just because he could.
“We should get up,” Theo said, snuggling closer. “What time is it?”
“Not six yet, we’ve got time.”
“Mmm,” Theo said, and for a moment Luca thought he was drifting back to sleep. But then his hand skimmed over Luca’s stomach, up to his chest with very deliberate intent. Smiling, Luca let his own hand slide down Theo’s back, dip under the hem of his t-shirt and onto the soft skin at the small of his back. Theo sighed in appreciation and reached up to nuzzle under Luca’s jaw. He loved sex in the morning, the warm lazy slide into heat, the way Theo turned from sleepy to urgent, compliant to demanding. When Theo’s hand slipped beneath the waistband of Luca’s briefs, humming his pleasure as he found his cock already hard, Luca hauled him on top and they kicked off clothes until they were both naked, sliding together, touching, kissing, loving.
Theo came first, like he usually did, shuddering and emotional, and Luca followed, spilling hot between them with Theo’s fingers biting into his shoulder, his warm breath against his neck. “I love you,” Theo whispered. “I love you so much.”
Luca kissed him, like he could taste the words on his lips. “Only you, baby. Only you.”
After they’d gathered their breath, they showered together. During the refurbishment, they’d gutted the family quarters and installed a bathroom with a large, walk-in shower with two showerheads. They often showered together. Theo had a habit of losing track of time in the shower, but if Luca was with him he could nudge him along if necessary. And, frankly, even after ten months, Luca was keen for any opportunity to see Theo naked, to touch him and kiss him.
Today, though, they were all business.
Their first guests arrived in a couple days, but today was the official opening and Theo had pulled out all the stops. The event was getting unprecedented levels of publicity, all because of Theo’s genius plan to persuade Finn Callaghan to invest in the Majestic and open the hotel in person. Maybe Luca had grumbled, initially, at the idea of “Finn Callaghan’s Majestic Hotel,” but when he’d seen the bookings start rolling in through their new website he’d shut the fuck up.
“How do I look?” Theo said, tugging at the sleeves of his dress shirt. “Ready for the press?”
He looked gorgeous, as always. Sharp in his city clothes, and because Luca so rarely saw him dressed that way anymore, he appreciated it all the more. Especially when the look was softened by his longer, curling hair.
“You look great,” Luca said, smoothing his hands over Theo’s shoulders. “You’ll knock ’em dead.”
“That’s your job,” Theo said. “And Finn’s. I plan to hang around in the background with Josh.”
“It’s your hotel,” Luca pointed out reasonably. “Your vision. No hiding in the background, Mister.”