Page 4 of Simply Perfection
Two days later, Matt sat at his office desk and stared at Niall’s card. The black lettering blurred, and Matt rubbed his eyes with the base of his palm. He knew his nerves had gotten the better of him over the last couple of days. Since the health fair, Matt had talked himself in and out of calling Niall so many times, he didn’t know up from down or left from right anymore. His behavior that day still mortified him. Matt had always thought of himself as a rational person, able to see both sides of any picture. Look at what he did for a living, for cripe’s sake, but one look into the inky pools of Niall’s eyes and all Matt’s common sense went out the window.
Niall’s last words rang in Matt’s head. He picked up the receiver to his desk phone and punched in the numbers listed on Niall’s card. Three rings later, he got a voicemail, and regardless of how cowardly it seemed, he breathed a sigh of relief. When the tone sounded, Matt kept the message short and sweet, during which his phone line beeped to signal another call. He left his phone number quickly, then switched over to the caller. “Dr. Lincoln speaking.”
“Matt?”
“Niall?”
Matt heard a soft but clear expletive beneath Niall’s breath.
“Sorry to have bothered you.” Matt guessed he had his answer about Niall’s desire to see him again. He stabbed the disconnect icon. However, not a few seconds later, the phone rang and the number that showed on the screen was Niall's. "Fuck," he considered ignoring the call, but sending it to voicemail was passively aggressive and rude, and Matt couldn't bring himself to do it.
“Dr. Lincoln.”
“Why’d you hang up?”
Niall’s voice sounds hurt, but that doesn’t make sense.
“I heard you curse when you found out the caller was me.”
“No! I mean yes. I did, but not because —” Niall took a deep breath and let it out. “Can we start this over?”
Matt smiled. “I think sounds like an excellent idea.”
“Good. I didn't aim the curse at you. I’ve been expecting a call from a client about a huge potential job. It would mean a significant increase in international exposure for my studio.”
“That’s fantastic!”
“Yeah, well, I have to get the job first. Sotheby’s is looking for a photographer to shoot a collection of massive sculptures. I’ve submitted pieces from my portfolio, and word is I should expect to hear the decision any day now. It just so happens, your phone number and the person who’s supposed to contact all the bidders are almost identical. When I saw the number pop up on the screen of my phone, I jumped the gun a bit. I apologize.”
“It’s fine. I would’ve probably done the same thing.” Matt took a deep breath and let it out. “I was calling to see if you’d like to get together sometime. Have coffee, or get a drink? I’d still like to see your photographs.”
“I was hoping you would call. I’ve been kicking myself black and blue for not getting your number. Would you like to see the gallery or … don’t take this wrong way … my private collection?”
Matt knew his preference. He didn’t intend to jump right into bed with Niall, but having an intimate atmosphere where they could become more familiar with each other sounded just fine to him.
“What if I told you I like how that sounds?”
Niall sucked in his breath, and his voice deepened. “Then I would give you directions to my condo.”
“I have an excellent sense of direction. I’m quite sure I can find you.”
Niall gave his place one last inspection. Floors clear of clothes? Check. Dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher? Check. Trash thrown down the garbage chute? Check. Bed made? He debated on whether that mattered. Niall would love to see Matt spread out for him on the enormous bed in front of him. The wide expanse waiting looked empty right now, but Niall envisioned how he, Matt and the man he’d seen in his dream would appearas they twisted and writhed and thrust against each other. The thick mattress was firm enough not to sag beneath the weight of three men, but the pillow top provided a cushion to cradle his lovers’ bodies. Niall prayed he and Matt would find the other man to complete their triangle soon. Until that time came, he had every intention of learning everything he could about Dr. Matthew Lincoln.
Niall longed to taste Matt’s lips and find out how Matt’s powerful body would feel pressed against him. Matt had a few inches on him, height-wise, and Niall thought his lips would rest perfectly on the upper curve of Matt’s neck. He wanted to taste Matt’s skin and discover what flavors lay hidden beneath the surface. He wanted to feel Matt’s pulse pound against his tongue.
Niall stopped his mind from going too far down that track. It would be unseemly to open the door with a hard-on for a first date. He grabbed the edge of his comforter and fluffed the down-filled spread.There—bed made. Niall left the master suite and walked down the hall. The bare brick walls complemented the light wood floors. The beamed ceiling glowed with small canned lights tucked between the rafters. He’d painted the interior walls natural shades of moss green and lemon crème. Plush runners in jeweled red and gold lined the hall. Hie'd displayed his work in collections scattered around the eight-room penthouse. It was inviting, but had yet to become a home.Soon,he reassured himself. Soon his house would become a home.
The five tone chime announced the security desk was trying to get a hold of him. He hit the touch screen pad on the wall in the living room and a video of the lobby security desk came alive.
“Yes?”
“A Mr. Lincoln to see you, Mr. Roberge.”
“Thank you, Adam. You can send him up.”
“Right away, sir.”
Niall took one last glance down at his clothes. He noticed a small splotch of chemical on his sleeve from when he’d been working in the darkroom earlier. He still loved shooting in 35mm and medium format sometimes, even though most of his commercial business was now digital. Oh well, it was too late to do anything about it now. Niall headed toward the front door and opened it moments before the ding from the elevator rang in the hallway. He smiled as Matt exited the sliding doors, and Niall held the door open in welcome.
