Page 31 of This or That
Her question knocks the wind out of me. Yes, I am totally, gleefully, and insanely on board with these feelings that I’ve never experienced before. As I am with all of the sensations that Troy ignites in me. As I am with sharing the most mundane things with him, like cooking our veggie omelets in the morning. As I am with waking up next to him, although I hadn’t envisioned a future with a man. Especially one who claims he doesn’t do relationships and lives for the nightlife that I don’t care for. I don’t want this to end. I don’t want him to get bored with me. I don’t want him to think that he’s a phase.
Oh, fuck!
I make a point to maintain eye contact. “You just made me realize that I am.”
“I’m so happy for you, Michael.” My heart soars as she awkwardly reaches over the table to hug me. “Now, I know why I felt something was different about you,” she murmurs into my ear. “There’s no reason to be nervous, though.” Oh, she felt that, too! She resumes her position. “Love should rule the world, Michael.” I chuckle at that; if only it were so simple. “So, what’s his name?”
I gawk, although it takes my brain a moment to realize that sheknows. How? I’m not embarrassed. I’m not ashamed. I’m in love. Damn! Matteo was right.
“Troy Hunter.”
Chapter 20
Here Tonight
Troy
My face softens as I gaze at the breathtaking man waiting for the elevator next to me. “You blew this completely out of proportion, you know.”
Mike’s hand covers mine; then he laces his fingers with mine. I tighten my hold. He whispers into my ear, “Not blowing anything except you as soon as we get back to our room.” A heated expression flashes across his face, followed by a mix of amazement and… awe? I’m doing a piss-poor job of reading him, especially when he baffles me by lifting our joined hands and kissing my knuckles without checking whether someone’s watching. Scratching his neck with his free hand, he sighs, contentment now written all over his face.
His carefree attitude warms my heart. I can’t believe how eagerly he’s embraced what he keeps calling ourrelationship. I’m not sure exactly what defines a relationship. Time together? Nah, I’ve been with people longer than Mike. Good sex? Nah, I’ve had meaningless sex with people more than once. Overlapping interests? Nah, I’ve made a list and they couldn’t be more opposite. Whatever it is, it works. It’s not forced, it’s meaningful, and I think we’re both pushing boundaries while having fun together. His surprise birthday present is yet another example, as was the fact that he managed to talk to my manager and arrange a day off from work to make it happen. How cool is that?
“You mean the place that’s three times bigger than my apartment? Honestly, Mike, this is too much.” I sigh at the crowd around us, wishing that I could hold him hostage in the elevator like after Matteo’s party. My body hums at the memory, and I make a mental note to attempt a repeat as we step into the cabin that’ll take us to the Palazzo Tower chairman suite and its three bedrooms. A must-have, according to him, and a dent in his trust fund to benefit from the private pool, sauna, and spa, as well as the terrace. “Way too much!” When we stumbled into the suite last night, following a first-class flight, a frisky Mike insisted that we christen each room. He claims that it’s simply an excuse to get me naked for the entire three-day weekend. Unsurprisingly, we’ve opted for room service, apart from tonight’s early dinner prior to the concert, that is.
So far, we’ve stuck to his plan and haven’t seen much of Vegas. The view that I most appreciate occurs whenever we—almost—have sex. One step at a time, right? I remember what he said about anal being the real test; we’re not there yet. Don’t get me wrong, I adore what we have, but that’ll prove whether we’re truly compatible. All in due time.
“I wish I could’ve been there for your first time in Vegas.” Between the first-class flight, gigantic suite, and prime tickets to the concert, it may as well be the first time… See what I was saying about blowing things out of proportion? “When I saw that Rascal Flatts were playing at the Venetian, I couldn’t resist.”
An older couple from Houston joins the conversation, saying how much they enjoyed the concert as well. Mike’s body freezes for a split second, registering that they have been listening to us. He glances my way, his brows furrowing. Flashing him my sweetest smile, I make small talk with them while he remains guarded. Soon, we wish them a good night when the elevator stops at their floor.
The second the suite door closes behind me, Mike stops in the middle of the entryway, shrugs, and explains his earlier reaction. “I expected them to look at us the wrong way. Maybe they didn’t pay attention to how much my eyes were undressing you!”
“Oh, trust me, nobody missed that.” My hips push him into the corner next to the bathroom door. Before he protests, I clasp his wrists and scatter kisses on his exposed collarbone. Damn, this man is addictive! And he’s all mine. “Some people will care. Some people will hate. Some people won’t. And for the record, judgmental people come in all shapes and sizes. Why should they be less open-minded because they’re old enough to be our grandparents?”
“I guess.” He writhes under my wicked mouth. “Looks like I’m the judgmental one today.” Incapable of breaking free, he whimpers, speaking straight to my starved stiffy.
Pace yourself, big boy. You have more in store for him, remember?
I make an effort to concentrate on the conversation for now.
“I’m being ridiculous, aren’t I?”
Before my need to fuck him overwhelms my last shred of common sense, I release him.Making a face, I raise my thumb and index finger, barely any space between them, in front of his face. “Just a tad bit.” I wink. At least, he caught himself this time.
He’s so ready.
Holding his hand, I lead him to the second bedroom, where a king-size bed is waiting for us.
“That’s not where—”
My hand twirls him to face me and pulls his body flush with mine with a growl. My mouth crashes into his for an urgent kiss, his hand caressing my scalp. My groin gets the message and rubs against his, our pulses thundering in unison.
Reluctantly, I wrench my lips from his and cup his rosy cheeks as we cross the threshold. “You have no idea how much I’m enjoying my twenty-fifth birthday gift. And I’m sorry that you had to endure the concert. I loved it, but I know you hate country music!”
“But I don’t hate you, Troy Hunter… Not anymore!” We snort at that, and he swats my ass, making me jump in surprise. He’s right. So much has changed between us. In so little time. In so many ways. “And honestly, the concert was good. Best part was watching you have a great time, though. Now, I wanna return the favor… if you’ll let me.”
At first, his body shivers and his plump lips form a perfect O. Of course, my mind drifts to the gutter, imagining my dick sliding in and out of them. Warmth flares along the back of my neck, and I heave a pained sigh, controlling my need for him. I lean in and kiss the spot next to his earlobe, then look into his beautiful green eyes that are loaded with desire, expectation, and nervousness.
