Page 51 of A Quick Buck

“Okay. I’m good.” Noah abruptly sat up, eager to be anywhere but in there. “Let me grab my swimsuit.”

“No.”

“What?” Noah slid off the bed and made a beeline for his discarded clothes. “It’s a party.”

“And I am not going to go anywhere with you dressed like that.” Alistair stood. “Wait there.” He walked toward the closet. “Allow me to find something more appropriate.”

“In there?” Noah made a face. “That’s all Uncle Patrick’s crap. It won’t fit me.”

“And once upon a time he had a much more svelte figure. Or at least he believed himself to.”

“I’m gonna look lame, aren’t I?”

“Have faith!” Alistair called back from inside the closet.

Noah couldn’t help but look over to the open window. The temptation to bolt was still there, but the window was right next to the closet door. If he tried to run now, Alistair would probably hear him.

Then again, the sounds of the party were drifting in now: laughter, cheering, a distant thrum of a good time being had by many.

Noah took a hesitant step closer.

Just then, Alistair came back out with a stack of clothes draped over his arm. He definitely saw Noah eyeing the window and clicked his tongue. “It wouldn’t be a terrible fall, but I still wouldn’t advise it.”

“Oh?”

“I’d hate to tie you up to prevent any further ideations of escape, but ah, that could also be enjoyable in its own way.” Alistair smirked.

“No thanks.” Noah’s cock flexed at that despite his denial. “What doofus ass stuff did you pick out for me?”

“Here.” Alistair handed him a pair of green khaki shorts, a subdued floral button-down shirt, and a brown belt.

“Oh my God.” Noah held the clothes away from himself as if they might bite. “These are hideous.”

“Put them on.”

“No fuckin’ way!” Noah snapped. “There are gonna be people at this party who actually know me, okay?”

Alistair was unmoved. “Either put them on or you can enjoy some quiet time up here with Junior while I go attend this little party of yours.”

“Jesus Christ!” Noah moaned. “Fine!”

Chuckling to himself, Alistair ducked back into the closet.

Cursing under his breath, Noah put the stupid outfit on. It fit better than he expected, but he felt ridiculous. He left most of the buttons on the shirt undone to show off his muscular chest and only tucked half of it in just to spite Alistair.

Asshole.

Yeah, but wow, he was an asshole who looked amazing. Noah couldn’t stop the way he stared when Alistair emerged, wearing tailored chinos, a sharp white dress shirt, and a cerulean vest. The vest made his eyes pop, and Noah was instantly drawn to the broad lines of his chest and belly.

Alistair didn’t have a rock-hard body like Noah or his typical parade of lovers, but Noah liked how Alistair looked—powerful, thick, strong. It was attractive and equally intimidating, and Noah suddenly didn’t care how stupid his flowery shirt looked.

“Just a moment, and I’ll be ready.” Alistair breezed by him, pausing to kiss his cheek. “You look very handsome.”

“Thanks.” Noah’s face flushed with a new wave of heat. “You too.”

Alistair smiled and headed to the bathroom. It was more lavish than Noah’s own with a full-sized jacuzzi and an oversized double vanity. Noah followed, not sure what else to do, and he noted Alistair had made himself right at home. The toiletries lining the sink were definitely not Uncle Patrick’s, nor was the crystal dish shaped like a leaf that held an assortment of jewelry.

Noah stood by the doorway, watching Alistair take off his rings and put different ones on, and that’s when he noticed the gun.