Page 37

Chapter 37

PENTHOUSE

Parker

“This is our first date”, Brandon bites his lip, a move so deadly it should come with a safety warning. “I didn’t come tonight with any expectations. I don’t want you to feel pressured”.

“I don’t. In the slightest”. Every word is carefully punctuated so there’s no misunderstanding. “I want to be closer to you. I’ve waited my whole life to do something that matters, Carter. I won’t wait anymore”.

His whole body shivers. “I want that too. More than you know”.

The first time I lost my virginity, it was with an older woman I’d met whilst bussing tables at a hometown restaurant. She thought I was a little older, I thought she was a little younger. The sex was quick, passionate, and I never saw her again.

When it was over, I felt a strange sense of disconnection, like I’d hit the finish line without actually running the race. It wasn’t bad, but, it wasn’t good either. After the buzz of telling people wore off, there was a part of me that wished it had been more special. It’s a story for the locker room. But that’s all it is.

With Brandon, I want it to be more than that.

“Where shall we go?” The boys are at home tonight, and I don’t want to risk Deano spotting us. Tonight is only about me and Brandon.

“I know a place”. His voice hums like a race car engine. “Somewhere worthy of a special contribution”.

When he says it like that, I would follow him to the ends of the goddamn earth.

* * * *

The walk through town does nothing to dampen my libido. Brandon deftly leads me through small pockets of people gathered outside bars or restaurants. My heartbeat quickens with every step.

We’re walking together so closely that we keep bumping into each other. We take a familiar left turn but to my surprise, we keep going. “Summit is that way”.

He shoots me an amused look. “Yeah. We’re not going home”.

“If you’re thinking al fresco don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the creativeness, but…”. I trail off. We’re standing outside The Garrison. Holy fuck. “Carter”. A cluster of shameful memories implode in my brain. “I can’t go in there”.

“Yes, you fucking can”. Brandon holds the door open for me. “You’re with me”.

The Garrison is even fancier than I remember. Brandon orders us a room, tossing down his credit card so casually you’d think he was springing for milkshakes, not dropping four figures on the penthouse suite.

“That’s…expensive”, I inhale.

“It’s really not”, he murmurs back, turning slightly so that his breath catches my ear. “And you’re more than worth it”.

“ Brandon Carter , is that you?” I freeze. I recognise that voice. It’s her. The manageress swoops in with a huge welcoming smile. “I’m Agatha Knight. We met at the Houston Gala last year”.

“Did we?” Brandon shakes her hand, “I’m sorry. I meet so many people in hospitality, it’s hard to keep track. How are you, Maggie?”

“Aggie. Agatha”. She doesn’t even look at me. “And I’m wonderful, thank-you. Now, did I hear that your parents were on the lookout for some investment opportunities in our little world? I assume that’s why you’re in town. To give us a once-over?”

“Got it in one”, Brandon replies, to my surprise. “I’ve been spending a lot of time at a world-renowned facility already, which certainly makes the city more appealing. Especially for my parents”.

“Oh really? Do tell!”

“I’m at Summit” The smile slips briefly from Agatha’s face. Only for a microsecond. “I assume you’ve heard of it?”

“Yes, I’m…certainly familiar”. Her gaze drops down to the check-in screen. “Well, we’re delighted to be hosting you. For just tonight?”

“We’re booked into the Marriot for the rest of my stay”. My eyes widen as Brandon namedrops the Garrison’s biggest rival. “They offer a very competitive rate for professional athletes. I’m surprised you’re not offering something similar. My dad was disappointed when I told him we weren’t able to make a longer-term booking with you”.

“Your father ?”

“He visits, of course. His whole team. Thirty premium rooms. We did love it here, but”, Brandon sighs wistfully, “C’est la vie”.

That would be literally fuck-you-thousands of dollars. I can practically see the dollar signs flashing through Agatha’s eyes.

“We’re actually in talks with Summit over a similar venture”, Agatha says hurriedly, “We’re hoping to have something set up very soon”.

“You must know my friend, then?” He nods towards me. Agatha’s eyes widen in recognition. “He’s leading on this for Summit”.

“One of the things I like most about Summit”, Brandon continues, “Is how their stakeholders treat everyone with respect. It’s a true sign of a really professional establishment. Don’t you agree, Agatha?”

“Absolutely”. Agatha smile is so tight her face is cracking. “Mr. Di Rossi. I’ll certainly be reaching out so we can resume our negotiations. First thing in the morning”.

“I look forward to it”, I say, when I find my voice. She nods and heads back to the office, her heels clacking quickly on the marble floor. “Holy fuck. That was a real Pretty Woman moment”, I say, amazed.

“Never saw it”.

“Never?” I’m no rom-com fan, but it’s a classic. “Are you sure you’re gay?”

“Are you sure that you’re not gay?”

“Not that sure, no”. He grins at that. “Seriously, Brandon. That was really… I mean, nobody’s ever stood up for me like that before”.

“Don’t tell me things like that Di Rossi. It makes me want to do something crazy”.

“Crazier than spending thousands of dollars on a penthouse for one night?”

“There’s no fucking limit on what I’d do for you”. He pulls me closer. “Because you deserve the world, Parker. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t”.

I can’t believe there was a time when the thought of this—Brandon and I together - made me want to bolt. Now, I want it forever.

Brandon thanks the concierge, enquires about breakfast and orders champagne. His voice is so goddamn sexy I can barely decipher what he’s saying. Is he doing it on purpose? Or does he just know that I’m so hard I can barely walk.

She gives us a knowing look that makes my neck feel warm, but Brandon pays no attention as he signals the elevator and strides purposefully towards it.

We stand side by side, our gaze firmly fixed forward. Beneath the waist, his hand casually rests against my groin. He controls my hardness with the tips of his fingers. I steal a glance sideways to see the tightness of his jaw, and the single droplet of sweat running from his temple down his neck.

Finally, the elevator pings.

And with not one second of hesitation, we step inside.

* * * *

The second the door closes, all pretence of decorum goes right out the window.

I slam him against the wall so hard that the elevator skips a beat on its ascent to the top floor, but I don’t care. Neither does he, apparently, because his retaliatory response is to cup my ass, pulling me towards him.

The lift rolls past Floor 3.

His hands roughly claw at my chest as he pulls me hungrily into a kiss.

We pass Floor 9.

I can’t wait. I literally cannot wait.I’ll die in his arms before we get to the room.

My lips find his neck, smooth, beautiful and soft. I kiss him, holding him firmly in place, as his hands roam across my back. “This feels amazing”, he gasps.“I need you now”.

Floor 13. One more.

Finally the lift doors open and we tumble out onto the landing. Brandon fumbles with the key card as we half kiss, half stumble inside. I barely have time to take in the fanciness of the room before Brandon slips himself out his shirt and manoeuvres us expertly up against the wall.

He presses his lips against mine as he fingers deftly unbuttons what’s left of my shirt and lets it drop to the floor. I gasp out a soft moan as he follows the grooves of my chest down to my waist. It lasts forever and a second.

I contract my stomach muscles, and he’s on his knees, looking up at me with pure hunger as I grip his shoulders tightly. He traces down the grooves of my stomach with his finger. “Is this okay?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

He unbuckles my belt, but then there’s a knock at the door. “Room Service”.

“It’s our drinks”, Brandon untangles himself, heading to the door without bothering to find his shirt. “Hold that thought”. I hear him exchange pleasantries and use the moment to kick off my shoes and socks.

I sink into the crisp white sheets, which feel insanely expensive. I hear him close the door and quickly cross to the bathroom. There’s a minibar and snacks on the dresser. I glance at the price list and almost drop it.

“Hi”, Brandon leans against the doorway. Champagne and flutes folded over in his left hand. “Before we pick up where we left off, I just gotta know…” His voice suddenly trails off. He laughs, covering it, “God, I’m so stupid”.

I close the distance immediately. “Know what, Bran?”

“That you’re still gonna be here in the morning. I’m not looking for more than you can give”, he adds hastily, “Or asking you to define who you are, or who we are together. But I don’t want to just be something you try on, either”.

“You’re my boyfriend, remember? I’d never do that” . I search his face, “Did… have other people done that?”

The slightest nod of his head slashes my heart into a million pieces. No wonder he has so many walls up. “I fell into the same persona in college, just like high school. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes by…”

“Falling in love with your best friend?” We’re not playing on an even playing field, I realise. He already put himself out there with me. I never told him how I feel about him.

“I kept people at a distance. That meant hooking up with people on the DL. It was usually quick. Secretive. And it never lasted until morning”. He reaches out, touching my shoulder. “I just gotta know that you see this lasting longer than tonight”.

I answer him with a kiss, and after a second, he kisses me back. Our tongues jostle for space in each other’s mouths until the room starts to spin.

My hands eagerly explore the tightness of his muscles. I can’t stop touching him. His body is warm and firm. I quickly strip off my trousers and push him roughly onto the mattress. His eyes feast on me greedily as he slides himself out of his boxers.

Holy fuck. He’s sensational. I’m faint with desire as he reaches up to kiss me again, pulling me down on top of him.

I fumble in my wallet for a condom, but he catches my hand. “Let me”.

“Brandon, are you sure?” He told me once that he was the one who did the fucking. And as curious as I am, I’m not sure I’m ready to take him. Particularly when Brandon is so, uh, blessed in that department.

He slips it on me in one swift motion.I exhale sharply. There is nothing, and I repeat nothing, hotter than the sight of Brandon snapping a condom over my rock-hard dick.

Brandon kisses me one last time, then slides onto his back, spreading his legs widely. I breathe him in as he lubricates himself, slowly, eyes fixed on me the whole time.

Suddenly I’m faced with the sight of both of us—him and me—staring back at ourselves hungrily from the mirror. “Is there anything else we need to…prepare?” I ask, wincing at my lack of experience.

“I just did, in the bathroom”. Brandon nods to a small, indistinctive black wallet on the bedside table. “We’re prepared. And we’ve already had the conversation about our sexual histories”.

An unfamiliar wave of anxiety hovers over me. “I don’t want to disappoint you”.

“You never could. Not in a million years. Just do what feels natural”. His voice is soft but commanding. “Whatever you want. But please. Do it quickly. Because I can’t wait anymore either”.

I grab his hips. Swallow. I manoeuvre myself and grab a handful of lubricant. He spreads for me, teasing himself open. Guiding me. I enter him slowly, as Brandon groans with a shudder that vibrates from his spine to mine.

“Is this okay?” I gasp.

He chokes out a nod.

I keep going, slowly, building my rhythm. I’ve been with so many women that it’s like second nature, but this is completely different. I’m watching what I’m doing.I want it to be good. More than good. I want to blow his fucking mind.

I grip his waist tightly. Brandon’s head is bowed, eyes screwed up as he groans out gasps of pleasure. “Harder”. I pull out, flipping him on his back, and slam into him harder this time. He pulls my head forward and I greedily kiss his chest. We keep going just like that until time loses all meaning.

“I’m going to come”. Brandon murmurs finally.I speed up, slamming myself into him so hard that he gasps and with an unearthly groan, he explodes.

Normally I’d let him go, but I’m not done yet. I keep thrusting, as his eyes widen in disbelief. I growl, then unload myself, straight across us both.I wait for him to finish convulsing before I let him go, and we collapse together onto the bed in a breathless flurry of sweating limbs and heaving bodies.

“That…”, he breathes, “Was amazing”.

“Yeah”, I manage, after a moment. I pointedly glance at my watch. “Well. Guess I better get going”.

We meet each other’s eyes, before he bursts out laughing. “You’re such a dick”. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard in my life. I pull him closer. So tight that it feels impossible to let go. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

He shakes his head. “Not in a bad way. Not in a way I wouldn’t want to do it again”.

“It was good?”

“World-changing”. I pull him in closer, as his eyes widen at my meaning, “And I want you to change it again. And again. And again”.