Page 42 of Takeover-
Michael gestured toward the conference area. Other suited men and women headed that way. “Shall we?”
William took the lead, with Sam and Michael falling into step behind. They entered the main conference area, where the opening keynote would be given. William surged forward to clasp hands with Vijay Malik, the CEO of Sundra Networks, but Sam lingered behind. Off-kilter and more than a little aroused by the man standing next to him, he needed some space to get his head on straight. He had to give his speech after the keynote, and Michael—wanted him. He was certain.
The hotel brew did nothing but cause Sam’s taste buds to shrivel, especially after the smell of Louisiana coffee wafting from Michael’s cup. He dropped his coffee into the nearest trash can. “Awful doesn’t begin to describe that.”
Without a word, Michael handed his cup to Sam. It was full, practically untouched.
He shouldn’t have, but he gave in and took a sip, then allowed himself a sigh at the rich flavor and sharp taste. He looked at the coffee. “Damn. If I had known this was close by, I’d have asked you to wake me.”
“You’ll be awake tomorrow.”
Sam nearly coughed out his next sip at the assuredness of that statement. “You know what they say about assumptions.”
A flash of teeth before Michael’s expression settled into a very professional mask. “I’m not assuming.”
A bolt of lust flew straight to Sam’s cock. That they were playing this game here, of all places, minutes before Sam had to climb on a stage and give his talk made the whole experience surreal, tantalizing, and terrifying. Especially when they’d pretty much told each other they wouldn’t do this anymore.
Except, of course, he’d started this round by brandishing the cuff link, because he couldn’t keep away from Michael. He’d known what Michael would do, how he’d respond.You’re playing with fire.
He took another draw of Michael’s coffee. “Do you mind if I finish this?”
“Not at all. I bought it for you.”
For him? Warmth, but not from lust, settled into Sam’s center. He didn’t say anything because he couldn’t, for the second time that morning.This man will undo me.Hell, he already had. Repeatedly. It’s why he kept sticking his foot outside the security and safety of being the straight, but prudish, CEO.
The closet was suffocating him. Slowly. Michael was a lifeline. And maybe Sam’s doom.
“We should sit. They’ll start soon,” Michael said.
Sam could only nod. He followed Michael to the front of the room and they took seats near the steps up to the right side of the stage.
Michael spoke again. “Every morning, you walk seventeen blocks to 21st Street Coffee, past several corporate coffee houses. I knew you’d appreciate a fine cup.” He stretched out his legs.
Michael knew him. The revelation spread like a flush all over his body. These past weeks, the scant months they’d spent working together, even when they weren’t speaking to each other, even though the past—and the present—came between them, Michael had paid attention. Boston seemed entirely too far from Pittsburgh, all of a sudden. Just as sitting inches away from Michael seemed too great a distance to span.
He was leaving because staying meant surrender to the strictures of corporate culture that looked down on gay as weak. Again, one word echoed in his head.Coward.
“Thank you.” Sam spoke low. “I—” He swallowed words that were entirely too personal. “That was kind.”
If Michael said anything, it was lost in the sudden stirring of the room as Vijay Malik walked onto the stage. Lights dimmed.
Sam pushed the mix of thoughts and emotions aside, focusing on the taste of coffee in his mouth, the affection of the man next to him, and the Sundra CEO.
Showtime.
* * *
Michael knewhe’d unsettled Sam, but he doubted anyone else noticed. Payback for the cuff link in the office and for expecting him to drop everything and be at Forum. Never mind that it stiffened Michael’s cock to see Sam off-kilter. When Vijay Malik launched into his keynote, Michael shifted in his seat so that his thigh pressed against Sam’s in the darkened room. Sam’s hitched breath was music to Michael’s ears. Every so often, Michael shifted, to remind Sam he was there, next to him.
Sam sipped his coffee and focused intently on the Sundra CEO. After a few minutes he smiled and pressed back against Michael.
When Malik wrapped up his keynote touting the best year for Sundra yet, Michael moved his body away from Sam’s. Best to let Sam catch his breath and compose himself. A few minutes later, strong applause signaled the end of Malik’s speech. When it died back, Malik introduced the next speaker—S. Randell Anderson.
Sam rose and strode onstage with an air of confidence that had most of the room leaning forward. He launched right into his introduction to Four Rivers’ latest release and his experience as CEO.
Michael relaxed his shoulders a bit. Everything he’d done today, he’d done with this result in mind—get Sam onto that stage with as much energy and power as he could. The future of Four Rivers depended on that, whether or not his secondary plan of coaxing the man into his bed came to fruition. He could be a manipulative bastard when he wanted. The suit helped—which is why he didn’t wear one often. That dominant role he liked a little too much, but it wasn’t one he desired full-time.
Which was why, in so many ways, Sam was perfect. Submissive at times, but not always. They fit. Except for the boss and not-out part.
