Page 103 of Counterpoint
Ray chuckled, then his smile slipped away. “You know, I’d invite you out to dinner with us.”
Ice blazed through Dom. “I’m not dressed—”
That was dismissed with a wave of a hand. “I know. But I’d like to get to know Adrian a little better.”
“But even if Dominic were dressed as Domino...” Adrian left the rest hang.
Because Domino didn’t have a boyfriend, and the press would be on Adrian like dogs on a fox if they saw him with the band. “I’m sorry,” Dom said.
Adrian rose, and everything about his posture was relaxed, yet powerful as he made his way toward Dom. “You have nothing to apologize for. You have a public life and a private one. I’m part of the private one.” He gripped Dom’s shoulders, and those gold-flecked eyes held his. “I understand.”
“You really did listen to all the songs and shit this weekend, didn’t you?” Dom stared back. This man was a fucking wonder.
Thumbs stroked his neck, and one side of Adrian’s mouth rose. “I did, yes. And read that magazine article and various things on the internet, too.”
“He has to be a scientist if he’s researching.” Zavier’s wry amusement sounded somewhere behind Dom.
He didn’t bother looking, not with Adrian closing the last of this distance between them and those lips brushing, then tasting his. Fuck, he wanted out of here. Wanted to be back in Adrian’s house and on his knees or in his bed or being fed dessert.
But Adrian smiled and stepped back, his gaze flicking away. Probably to Ray. “I do have to say, your website’s a little...out of date. Content-wise, and stylistically.”
Oh shit. Yeah, Dom knew about the content. He kept meaning to fix the links and add new shit, but he hated that. Hated the whole social media thing. Wasn’t sure how it had fallen to him, except he’d been the one to say they probably should have one.
“Ah.” Ray breathed the word out. “Yeah, I know. But—”
“It’s me.” Dom huffed a laugh. “I’m the one responsible for the social media, and I told you I only do templates and pre-built stuff.”
Adrian actually pinched the bridge of his nose. “Babe.” Strain there.
Zavier chuckled and Dom lobbed his water bottle at him, which he deftly caught. “I was actually laughing at your gentleman.”
“Don’t care,” Dom said. “Fuck off, Zav.”
“Guys...” Mish held up her hands.
“No, no, it’s my fault, too,” Ray said. “Marcella’s been after me to hire a web designer and a social media handler, but I hate handing that much power over to someone outside us.” He gestured at the band. “I don’t trust people that much anymore. And I’ve no fucking clue where to even begin.”
Adrian nodded. “I understand that, too.” He paused, brow furrowing. “I might be able to help with thewhere to beginpart of it, though. Give you a list of what you should look for.”
“Really? Do you have a business card or...” Ray drew Adrian away to exchange information.
Zavier tapped Dom on the shoulder with the water bottle he’d lobbed, then handed it back. The words he spoke were quiet and serious. “He’s good for you, Dom.” Which was pretty much like Zavier telling him he should up and marry Adrian, ’cause he rarely made such comments about anyone. Dom stared back, and Zavier shrugged. “If you want my opinion.”
“I—Thanks.” Dom glanced over at Adrian’s back as he and Ray exchanged numbers or emails or something in their phones. “He’s magnificent.”
“That’s what you should hold on to.” Zavier gripped his shoulder briefly, then slipped away to get his own water.
Adrian returned, somewhat chagrined. “I didn’t mean to put down your work on social media.”
“Well, it’s been kind of crappy. If it had been anyone else, you’d have said the same thing.”
“Probably. But that’s not the point.”
Dom took his hand. “Yeah, it is. And yeah, you’re right. I don’t know a damn thing about good design or managing social media. We didn’t have any cash, and then when we did, we had no trust for outsiders. Hell, Ray still keeps Marcella at arm’s length, and she’s doing some good things for us.”
Adrian’s shoulders softened, and his smile returned. “If it helps, Ray did give me her contact info.”
“Yeah, that’s good.” Dom looked around the studio at everyone getting their things to leave. “Hey, wanna get out of here? I can be the young office assistant the hot suit came here to find.”
