Page 13 of Half Notes and Highlights
Tyler, for all his jovial and lighthearted antics and softness, didn’t take an ounce of shit, and Ethan liked him all the more for it.
“Furthermore,” Tyler swooped his index finger in the air. “I’m not gonna be your dirty little secret. I don’t hide in the shadows for anyone.”
“You couldn’t if you tried.” A smile spread across Ethan’s lips. “You’re personality shines brighter than the sun. You’re electric.”
“You better believe it.”
The way Tyler jutted his slender hip out to the side always drove Ethan crazy. It was adorable and sexy and full of attitude. He took two steps forward and reached out and cupped Tyler’s waist. Resting his hands on those perfect pelvic bones, he tugged Tyler closer so their bodies collided. “Get over here and kiss me.”
“Excuse me.” Tyler braced his fingertips against Ethan’s chest. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just jet set into town and think you’re gonna sweep me off my feet. I’m notthateasy.”
“OK. I get it. But you’re not just a piece of ass. I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to keep seeing you. Not just for sex. Because I really like you, and I want to get to know you better.”
Tyler’s gaze turned soft, and a look of vulnerability passed over his face. His rigid posture relaxed, and the hand on Ethan’s chest rescinded. “You do?”
“Yeah. I love your boldness and inhibition. Your wit and constant good mood make all the tension and pressure of touring and performing fly out the window. Even when you were angry and yelling at me, you did it with so much flare it was hard not to smile.”
Tyler lowered his eyes for a second, then looked up at Ethan and spoke softly. “That was a lovely thing to say. So, I think I can forgive you. I really want to get to know you better too. I like you. I feel a connection that I haven’t felt in a long time.” He smiled coyly. “And just so you know, flattery will get youeverywhere.”
A broad grin spread across Ethan’s face. “Good to know. But seriously, I wasn’t just flattering you. I meant it. Now, can I have that kiss?”
Tyler scrunched up his face as if he were contemplating it, then he grabbed Ethan’s face between his palms and kissed him. It wasn’t just a deep, lust-filled kiss. The kiss felt as if it contained everything in Tyler’s soul.
“Do you have to leave right away, or do you have time to . . . stay awhile?” Tyler asked, innuendo heavy in his honey-colored eyes.
“I got plenty of time,” Ethan replied, his heart racing.
Without another word, Tyler dropped his robe, revealing his perfectly toned and trim body and exposing something proportionately larger than the rest of him. He took Ethan by the hand and led him to the bedroom, still wearing the bright red fuzzy slippers and giving Ethan a delicious view of the cutest little butt in the world. They made love, and then Ethan fell into a deep satiated sleep.
The repetitive dinging of his phone, and sunlight streaming in from the window, reminded him that he was supposed to be in Sacramento. He groaned and rolled over, and a glorious tuft of long brown hair hit him in the face. He brushed it down with his hand and kissed the back of Tyler’s head. “Morning, beautiful.”
Tyler stretched and turned to face Ethan. “Morning, rock star.”
They shared a kiss, but the phone buzzed again with another incoming text and interrupted it from going further.
“Who’s blowing up your phone?” Tyler asked.
“I’m sure it’s one of the guys. I took off as soon as we stopped in Sacramento last night, and our tour manager doesn’t know.”
Tyler sat up with his back against the headboard. “You just left? Aren’t you gonna get in trouble?”
“Only if I miss soundcheck. I have plenty of time.”
The phone buzzed again, and reluctantly, Ethan picked it up. There were about a half dozen messages from Wolf, one from Harris, and two from Marshall. He knew he’d be in deep shit for leaving and needed to get back ASAP.
ETHAN: Relax I’ll be back soon
WOLF: Paul is gonna shit his pants if he finds out
ETHAN: So don’t let him find out
WOLF: Where are you?
ETHAN: Don’t worry about it
Ethan shut his phone off and tossed it on the bed next to him. He’d deal with the shitstorm when he got back to Sacramento. Right now, he wanted his full attention on the hot-as-fuck guy sitting next to him. Snuggling closer, he wrapped his arms around Tyler.
“Everything OK?” Tyler asked.
