Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 71912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
What is that like?
Without meaning to, Marc thought about the feeling he got when Darius kissed him, that moment of shock, how visceral it was, how utterly real. He’d learned how to hold something of himself back when he fucked. Even under the best circumstances, that was necessary for an escort, but Darius broke right through that barrier until Marc felt every touch, heard every sigh, groan, and shout as if they were echoing around him. It was like the world was brighter, louder, more real than it had ever been.
Wow, that was… Absurd. Ridiculous.
He willed the thoughts away. Right now he needed to stop worrying about something that would never happen and make sure his friend didn’t throw away the best thing in his life.
***
Marc didn’t have to knock. Thorne had apparently rushed out in such a hurry, he hadn’t locked the door. Riley sat on the couch, wrapped in a plush blanket, a bottle of Jose Cuervo in front of him. He cradled a glass in his hand. It was empty for now, but the bottle was only half full. He hoped it hadn’t been new when Riley’d started drinking.
“Tequila’s for breakups,” Marc said. “Please tell me it’s not that dire.”
“I don’t know what it is.”
Marc frowned. “What did you do?”
Riley’s eyes widened. “He’s not blameless, you know.” Riley set the glass down with a clunk.
“If you didn’t blame yourself, you’d be ranting about Thorne and swigging from the bottle. You look more sad than angry, and you have a glass.”
Riley tilted his head and studied Marc. “How the fuck do you know things like that?”
He’d seen Riley through a lot of ups and downs, some related to relationships, some not. Many had involved tequila, and Riley had a pattern. “We’ve been through a lot together.”
Riley offered the bottle to Marc. “Want some?”
Marc’s stomach roiled at the thought. He’d been jumpy with anxiety all night. If he added tequila to the mix of emotions bouncing around inside him right now, he wasn’t sure what would happen. “I’d better concentrate on taking care of you.”
Riley poured more for himself and tossed it back. Marc winced when he thought how sick his friend would be in a few hours.
“Thorne bought the building,” Riley announced.
“What building?”
“The one by Darius’s shop. The one I wanted to rent a space in.”
Marc wasn’t surprised. Thorne would do anything for Riley. “He did?”
“Said it was a birthday present. A fucking building.”
“And you’re pissed off?” Marc asked.
“He didn’t even ask me,” Riley said. “And then he had the nerve to tell me he wanted to make a business plan for me. Why does he have to control everything?”
Marc understood why Riley was angry, at least he sort of did, but he wished he had someone who’d buy him a building, not just because there would be a hell of a lot of perks to having a rich boyfriend. Having someone care that much had to be a wonderful feeling. Riley was so fucking lucky, and he couldn’t even see it. Thorne did love to take control, which could be irritating as fuck, but maybe Riley needed to just relax.
“Thorne is one of the most sought-after business consultants in the country.”
Riley took a long drink straight from the bottle, which set off a coughing fit. “I can’t just let him support me. If I do, I’m nothing but his escort like I used to be.”
Marc knew Riley didn’t ever want to go back to the professional relationship he and Thorne had initially, but surely he could see that Thorne wanted to help him because he loved Riley. “Do you honestly think he made an offer on a building because he wants to make sure you keep fucking him?”
“No, not really.”
Riley grabbed his glass and threw it. It shattered against the wall, and the pieces tinkled as they hit the floor.
Marc sighed. It was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER TEN
Marc slapped at his phone, hoping to hit Snooze as it flashed on the screen. Was it really time to get up? Did Darius really need him to come in on a Saturday?
Nah. It couldn’t be. Maybe he was dreaming.
He let himself drift back to sleep. The phone sang out again a while later.
How many times had he hit Snooze?
He glanced at the clock. Shit! He’d told Darius he was never late. He was going to have to hurry to keep that promise.
When he tried to stand, his legs almost gave way, but he managed to stumble to the bathroom.
After he’d gotten Riley tucked in bed the night before, he’d called Thorne and told him to go home. Hopefully they’d settled their issues. They were both so fucking stubborn.
It would be fantastic to have Riley working in the next building. They could have lunch together, and Marc could sweeten Darius up with one of Riley’s pastries. Marc shivered at the thought of what Darius might do to him under the influence of Riley’s chocolate icing.