Page 10 of Tough Guy
But he did say it was a fundraiser. Maybe Ryan should go. As a good and charitable citizen. That wouldn’t be weird. Right?
Good god. Ryan was losing his mind. And that certainly wasn’t something he could afford to do. Not again.
Chapter Four
Fabian blinked awake and had to stifle a groan when he saw who he was snuggled up against.
All of the events of the previous evening came flooding back. Fabian having a wonderful time at Ian’s Halloween party. Fabian running intoClaudeat the party. Claude looking so fucking good in a slim-cut dark denim shirt and tight black jeans, because Claude was too cool for costumes. Claude’s breath tickling Fabian’s ear when he leaned in to tell him how much he missed him, his Québécois accent sounding a whole lot less ridiculous than when Tarek did his impression of it. Fabian’s hand slipping into Claude’s, as if he had no control over it.
And then Claude coming home with him, back to the apartment that, while shitty, Fabian didn’t have to share with anyone. He often felt that Claude mostly liked him because he had a place to himself. They’d made out forever on Fabian’s bed, and Claude had told him that he missed him. In the moment, that had sounded great. It had sounded great again later when Claude had been fucking him.
But now...
Fabian shifted carefully away from Claude, not wanting to wake him. Or maybe heshouldwake him so Claude wouldleave.
Fabian studied Claude’s face. When he was sleeping instead of talking, Claude was...
Oh god, he was pretty. His silky brown hair was covering the eye that wasn’t hidden by the pillow, and his full lips were parted. Claude’s lips were...well, they were distracting.
He had an artist’s body, slim to the point of almost appearing malnourished. His skin was pale, like a young, sexy vampire. And he may as well have been one because Fabian certainly seemed to be ensnared by him.
Fabian grabbed his phone from the nightstand. The screen was full of missed texts from Vanessa.
I saw you leave the party with Claude.
Did you go home with Claude???
DID YOU SLEEP WITH CLAUDE???
FABIAN! ARE YOU HAVING SEX WITH CLAUDE RIGHT NOW???
Stop having sex with Claude, Fabian. Right now.
Goddammit.
We are TALKING ABOUT THIS at Bargain Brunch. Don’t bring Claude.
Fine. You can bring him. But he’s not allowed to talk. Make this CLEAR.
Fabian snorted at that last one, which caused Claude to stir awake.
“Fuck,” Claude croaked. “What time is it?”
“Nine thirty,” Fabian said.
Claude made a face like the hour of nine o’clock was the grossest thing in the world. Fabian wanted him gone. He wanted to erase this entire bad decision.
“It’s Bargain Brunch day,” Fabian said. “You can come if you want.”
“Godno.”
“Well, I’m leaving soon, so...”
“Fine.” Claude made a whole production of hauling himself out of bed and into the bathroom. When he came back, he started aggressively searching for his clothes. “Fuck, where are my smokes?”
“I don’t know, but you’re not smoking them in here.”
Claude snatched his jeans off the floor. “Iknow.” He glanced around. “I had a jacket.”
