Page 15
R ichard’s waterproof mascara was holding up despite the number of happy tears he’d dabbed away with his handkerchief during the lovely ceremony which had officially united his brother and the love of his life in matrimony. The pictures would be incredible. Although Gabriel often concealed his emotions, the way he adored Eric had been plain for everyone to see.
And, of course, Eric’s gaze had never been dreamier as they made eternal promises to one another. The beauty of it was nearly enough to convince Richard that anyone could find the right person if they tried. His eyes slid toward the crowd of people heading out of the room to attend a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception.
Without any effort, he found Lucas amongst the many guests. Lucas was extra scrumptious in his dark suit, and Richard couldn’t believe he’d allowed himself to develop a crush on someone. Was crush the right word? Did thirty-year-olds get those?
“Richard,” Maribeth sang from his side.
Annoyed that he had to stop gawking at Lucas, his ire grew as a flash blinded him. “What the fuck?”
“I wanted to capture the look on your face,” Maribeth said. “Damn, you’re squinting.”
“Hello, you had the flash on.”
“Whoops.”
“You should be taking pictures of Eric and Gabriel, not me.”
“They already snuck out.”
“I know that. I organized this event, didn’t I?” Richard asked.
“Why are you so cranky?”
“I’m not. I wasn’t expecting you to blind me with your flash.”
“Sorry, I wanted to document the way you were mooning over—”
Richard narrowed his gaze. “I’m not mooning, and people can hear you.”
“Plus, our favorite inspirit already walked out,” Maribeth teased with a knowing smile.
“Hush, the room is nearly empty. We need to go join Gabriel and Eric for photos.”
“And change into our party outfits so we can dance the night away.”
Looping his arm through Maribeth’s, Richard led her to the door Eric and Gabriel had snuck out. He didn’t see their parents, so he assumed they’d also escaped. “I’m starving, I can’t wait until they serve dinner.”
“Too bad you can’t sit with your beau during our meal.”
“He’s not my beau,” Richard countered as they entered an atrium. He smiled at Eric and Gabriel posing for the photographer. Neither man appeared stressed, which was exactly what Richard wanted. They deserved to enjoy their day and walk away with only positive memories.
“Too bad. Someone will come by and scoop that gorgeous man up.”
“What gorgeous man is that?” Richard’s mother asked.
“Lucas,” Maribeth answered before Richard could warn her to keep her mouth shut.
His mother’s grin was gleeful. “Lucas is divine. Do we know if he’s single still? He’s been here awhile, he could’ve met someone. Maybe even his soulmate.”
“It’s been three months,” Richard grumbled as his mind conjured Lucas in the arms of some faceless stranger.
“It takes a single night to find a soulmate,” his mother replied.
“Soulmates aren’t discovered solely at night. That’s not how I remember it working for us,” his father added.
Richard crinkled his nose. “Please spare me the details.”
Thankfully, the photographer called for the family to join the happy couple, and Richard was saved from any further discussion about the way his parents had learned they were soulmates. Or the horrifying possibility that Lucas was no longer available. Why that mattered was a mystery to Richard. Or it should’ve been, but he knew better. He had it bad for the man.
Richard wasn’t supposed to be interested in men any longer. They were trouble, he reminded himself. No good had come out of his sexual experiences—few though they had been. Richard flashed his smile until his cheeks ached and posed as he was instructed.
Forty minutes later, he hustled everyone into rooms to get changed. He hadn’t expected Maribeth to follow him into the small space where his clothes were stashed, but he also wasn’t surprised when she hustled in with her garment bag.
“There’s another room next door,” Richard said.
“We’ve seen each other naked. Grow up, Richard. I’m changing in here so I can talk to you.”
With a roll of his eyes, Richard sat to take off his dressy shoes. “Is there something urgent we need to discuss before the reception?”
“Yes, because we can’t speak freely once it starts.”
“And it can’t wait until afterward?” Richard asked, slipping off his suit jacket.
“Absolutely not.”
Immediately concerned, Richard paused in unbuttoning his shirt to focus on his cousin. “Everything okay?”
“No, you’re being an idiot.”
“Excuse me?”
“You clearly have a thing for Lucas.”
“What?” Richard asked, though he knew exactly what she was talking about, and he couldn’t lie to her. His only defense was ignorance.
“Don’t try to lie to me. I know you. What are you going to do about it?”
Richard tugged the lace-up shirt he’d chosen for the reception over his head. “Nothing. We work together.”
“I think you should have sex with him.”
“I think you’ve lost your damn mind,” Richard retorted, wiggling out of his dress pants. His hormones applauded Maribeth’s solution immediately, but the rest of him was far too cautious to ponder the possibility. Or admit that he’d contemplated it.
“What do you have to lose?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Mari…my dignity. Or any sense of professionalism. Have you ever considered that he might reject me? Just because I’d jump him doesn’t mean he’d do the same to me.”
“At least you’re finally admitting that you want to jump him.”
“Frankly, I’d make a conservative estimate that at least half the world’s adult population would easily jump the man given the chance. He’s gorgeous.”
“But he’s more than that or you wouldn’t still be crushing on him three months later. The other guys you slept with happened because you rushed into it without having a conversation with any of their vapid asses. Like I’ve told you a million times, if you’d taken a second to consider things, you would’ve made better choices. They were assholes. You deserve better.”
Richard tugged on a pair of black slacks over his thong and fastened them. “Mari, you don’t know that. I was attracted to them. Beautiful is my type. It wasn’t a one-off thing that didn’t work out. I had three awkward, uncomfortable sexual encounters. Maybe it’s me. Perhaps it had nothing to do with them being assholes. It’s just as likely that it’s my fault. I’m not cut out for sex. Romance. Any of that.”
“Bullshit. You’re almost a virgin, and it’s easy to pick the wrong one. Lucas could be the right one.”
The same deep part of Richard that was drawn to Lucas whispered that Maribeth had a point. But Richard was frightened of that part of him. Or of making himself vulnerable again.
“Mari, think about the consequences,” Richard demanded, trying to stay on track and not be swayed into ignoring every rational thought in his head and throwing caution to the wind. “What about tomorrow? Or Monday morning when we have to work together?”
“Look, if it’s terrible or awkward, you transfer. We have several casinos on the Strip. Go work at one of them. Run the conference services there. Transfer the director to your spot, it’d be a promotion for them and Douglas can walk them through training.”
“Give up my job?” Richard asked, wondering why the thought didn’t immediately appall him. Perhaps it was because he knew he could excel at any of the resorts and the work would invigorate him no matter which Marwood property he managed.
“Tell you what. If you need to transfer, I’ll consider moving back. If I do, you can train me to run it with you.”
Richard’s gaze widened. “What?”
“Take a chance, Richard. That’s all I’m asking.”
“I don’t know if I can,” Richard whispered. Maribeth rushed over and pulled him into her arms. He clung to his cousin. Was he truly considering spending a night with Lucas?
“Immortality isn’t necessarily forever, babe. That’s a lie we tell ourselves, but death finds many of us. I don’t want you to live trapped in this box you’ve built for yourself. Consequences hurt sometimes, but they don’t have to. Or maybe we need those painful moments to appreciate the good ones. I don’t know, but I can’t stand the thought of you spending eternity alone and scared. One night, Richard. For a single night, let your reservations go and risk something. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall, I promise.”
Richard wanted to remind her she’d moved to New York and he couldn’t run to her to cry out his hurts anymore, but he refused to make her feel guilty for doing the things he was far too scared to attempt. She was right. He’d made rigid rules for himself to avoid complications because it was a far easier path than the alternative.
But could he step out of his box and risk his job for a romp in the sheets with Lucas? Richard wasn’t sure yet, but he couldn’t deny that the idea was tempting. Far too alluring for Richard not to give it considerable thought.
???
Hours had passed, and while Richard had eaten his meal with gusto, he’d kept his alcohol consumption to a minimum. He needed a clear head. Maribeth had given him far too much to think about, and he didn’t want his judgement clouded by anything.
To be fair, he had to decide if he wanted to set aside professionalism to act on his feelings without bringing his past into the equation. Those men weren’t Lucas, and it wasn’t his fault Richard had acted impulsively.
But was jumping into bed with a coworker impetuous too? As the time raced by and Richard danced the evening away, he’d come to a single conclusion—he knew very little about anything. Because despite the many reasons he should’ve outright dismissed Maribeth’s preposterous idea, he wanted to jump at the opportunity.
Once the thought of getting his mouth and hands on Lucas had been planted earlier, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. How would he taste? Where did he like to be touched? Would his eyes stay the same unclouded gray as he came?
“Richard,” Douglas called out.
Like Richard, the inspirit had spent much of his night on the dance floor. It pleased Richard. He’d feared Douglas wouldn’t relax, but he’d been wearing a smile for hours.
Happy that Douglas was in a good mood, Richard pulled the inspirit into a tight hug. “Thanks for everything you did for the wedding. It was wonderful thanks to you,” Richard told him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“It was a team effort,” Douglas replied, color blooming on his face.
“Don’t be so modest, you worked hard, and it showed tonight. I’m grateful to you. All of us are.”
Douglas ducked his head. “Stop complimenting me, please. I didn’t do it alone. I came over here to tell you I was heading out…unless you wanted me to stay for any reason.”
Shaking his head, Richard embraced him again. “No, you deserve to put your feet up and relax. Have a glass of wine. Maybe a hot bath. Don’t think about anyone but you.”
“I may take your advice.”
“Good, pamper yourself. And hey, drive safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I can’t imagine my life without you, okay?”
“You be safe too, Richard.”
The inspirit scurried out, and Richard watched Douglas race for the door.
“He’s still here,” Maribeth said. She’d crept up to Richard, and her voice made him jump.
“What?”
She lifted an elegant hand and pointed to where Lucas was standing with a glass of something in his hand. “Lucas hasn’t left.”
“Quit pointing, what is wrong with you?”
Maribeth dug something out of her tiny purse. “Give him this.”
“Your room key?” Richard asked as he studied the card in her fingers.
“My extra key to your room, you dope.”
“Mari—”
“Give it to him, Richard, or I will, and he’ll be waiting for you either way when you go upstairs.”
“You’re diabolical,” Richard said, wishing he could be upset. But all he could feel was a mixture of excitement and glee. Despite the reasons he shouldn’t consider going to bed with Lucas, he desperately wanted to. But could he?
“Weird way of saying thank you, but you’re welcome anyway.”
Richard plucked the card from her grasp, and his mouth twisted. “Should I really do this?”
“Yes. Hurry before he leaves.”
Richard was eager, but he was also scared. His heart was thumping wildly, and his feet were glued to the floor. “I’m terrified.”
His best friend lacked redeeming qualities. Instead of comforting him or giving him a pep talk, she put her palms on his back and gave him such a hard shove that he nearly landed on his face.
“ Go ,” Maribeth ordered.
Glaring, Richard straightened, and with his pulse pounding in his ears, he headed for Lucas.
Am I really doing this?
Richard swallowed thickly as Lucas turned and smiled at him. How embarrassing would it be if Lucas told him no?
“Hey,” Richard said in an attempt at casualness when he was a few feet from Lucas.
“Hey, are you okay?” Lucas asked, his eyebrows furrowing with concern.
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know, your eyes look a little wild and your face is flushed.”
“Oh, how weird,” Richard managed and tried not to wince at how his voice cracked on the words. “So, I…um, well, I had a question.”
Richard had never propositioned anyone, and he was apparently abysmal at it. Lucas’s expression was a mixture of concern and bemusement. The stupid card was still in Richard’s hand, and he wasn’t sure if he should give it to Lucas or run for his life.
“What do you need help with?”
“I don’t need help. Okay, maybe that’s not correct. It’s sort of helping, but more like a team thing. I don’t know how to explain it without making it creepy, really. At least not without everyone around us figuring it out, and I’d like to keep things private.”
“Okay,” Lucas replied slowly.
Richard’s face was on fire, but he’d made it this far. He wasn’t being smooth, and it was definitely awkward. Score two points for my lack of game , he mused distractedly.
“I have a card. Um . It’s to my room. Here at the hotel. I was thinking maybe you could use it. I can’t leave yet, but I could meet you up there later.”
“Meet you later? I don’t understand.”
Humiliation filled Richard, and he shook his head. “Sorry, I should go.”
He turned on his heel, and his jaw flexed. But before he could take a step, Lucas said his name.
“Richard, please don’t leave.”
Forcing himself to face Lucas, Richard looked up at the inspirit. “It’s okay, I was asking you to do something highly inappropriate for two coworkers anyway.”
Lucas’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened painfully. To Richard’s shock, he tugged the key from the necromancer’s fingers and quickly pocketed it. “No, I’m a fucking idiot. How the hell didn’t I figure out what you were…anyway, yeah. I’d love to meet you later.”
Richard grinned like a fool, and Lucas returned his smile. His dimple deepened, and Richard nearly swooned. It was either because of Lucas’s attractiveness—which was growing with every second—or the adrenalize zipping through Richard at lightning speed.
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you then.”
“Yeah, I can leave like whenever, right?”
“Sure. I have to do some family stuff or whatever, but um, yeah, whatever. It shouldn’t be too messy. You could watch TV. Maybe play on your phone. There’s a bathroom. Well, of course there’s a fucking bathroom. I’m babbling, so I’m gonna go.”
Lucas winked. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Richard replied. He raced away from the inspirit as if his ass were on fire. Now he had to figure out how to calm down enough to have a normal conversation so no one was clued in to the fact that he’d invited a sexy inspirit to his hotel room. And survive whatever awaited him with Lucas upstairs later. Richard didn’t know if he’d made a smart decision, but it was far from his normal controlled evenings at home.
Would he survive his recklessness with his heart and dignity intact?