Page 11 of Bought by His Brother's Best Friend

The champagne buzzed pleasantly through my system, making me bolder than I might otherwise have been. “I’ve always found you intriguing too,” I admitted. “But you’re Tyler’s best friend, and so successful and intimidating. I figured you were just being polite when you talked to me.”

Damien laughed softly. “I’m rarely just polite. If I engage with someone, it’s because I want to.”

Snacks arrived then—an array of meats, cheeses, dried fruits, and bread—temporarily pausing our conversation. As we ate, we shared stories from the years we’d orbited each other’s lives. I told him about the disastrous first contract I’d negotiated, where I’d been so nervous I’d accidentally spilled coffee on the team owner. He shared how his first tech startup had nearly failed before a last-minute investment saved it.

By the time Michael cleared our plates, the champagne was gone and something had shifted between us. The initial awkwardness had dissolved, replaced by a warm familiarity that felt both new and somehow long-established.

“Would you like anything else?” Michael asked.

“We’re fine for now, thank you,” Damien replied. “We’ll call if we need anything.”

Michael nodded and disappeared toward the front of the plane, leaving us alone in the cabin.

“He seems very professional,” I observed.

“He is. Also, extremely discreet.” Something in Damien’s tone made me look up sharply. There was a heat in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. “He won’t disturb us unless called.”

My pulse quickened. “Good to know.”

Damien set his napkin aside and stood, extending his hand to me.

I took his hand, letting him lead me to a plush love seat toward the back of the cabin. Outside, there was nothing but blue sky and clouds beneath us, the world distant and dreamlike.

We sat close enough that our knees touched. Damien’s hand was still holding mine, his thumb tracing small circles on my palm.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time,” he whispered, and then he was leaning in, his free hand coming up to cup my jaw.

The first brush of his lips against mine was gentle, questioning. I answered by pressing forward, deepening the kiss. His mouth was warm and tasted of champagne, and something inside me that had been wound tight for years suddenly released. I sighed against his lips, and he ran his tongue along the seam of my mouth.

We kissed like that for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes—exploring, tasting, learning each other. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing heavily.

“That was worth waiting for,” Damien murmured, his hand still cradling my face.

“Definitely.” I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in years. “Though I wish we hadn’t waited so long.”

“We’re making up for lost time now.” He kissed me again, more deeply this time, his hand sliding from my face down to my chest.

His palm was warm through the fabric of my shirt, a delicious weight that made me lean into his touch. He traced the outline of my chest, his thumb brushing over my nipple, which hardened instantly at the contact.

“Is this okay?” he asked, his voice husky.

“More than okay,” I breathed.

His hand traveled lower, caressing my stomach, then lower still until his palm pressed against the growing bulge in my pants. Even through the layers of fabric, the heat of his hand was incredible. I couldn’t help the small groan that escaped me.

Damien’s eyes darkened at the sound. He slid gracefully off the love seat, positioning himself between my knees. Looking up at me with those intense blue eyes, he said, “I want to make you feel good, Shane. Will you let me?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. This was moving faster than I’d expected, but I didn’t want to stop. God, I’d wanted this—wanted him—for longer than I’d been willing to admit to myself.

He unbuttoned my pants with confident fingers, then slowly lowered the zipper. The sound seemed impossibly loud despite the constant hum of the jet engines. My heart hammered in my chest as he palmed me through my boxer briefs, his touch hot and possessive.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, leaning forward to press a kiss against the cotton-covered outline of my erection.

I shuddered at the sensation.

Damien smiled at my response, then hooked his fingers in the waistband of my underwear, looking up at me for permission. I lifted my hips to help him slide both my pants and underwear down enough to free me.

The cool air of the cabin was a stark contrast to the heat of his gaze as he looked at me, fully exposed now. He wrapped his hand around my shaft, giving it a slow, experimental stroke.

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