Page 21 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Miles watched as the guys hugged each other before accepting their handshakes as they left. He heard them discussing plans to go for dinner, and he was curious to see what Liam would do. Liam looked back at Miles over his shoulder before he responded to the suggestion that had been made.

Knowing it was not the most professional thing he could do, Miles called out.

“Liam. Do you have a few minutes?”

Beside him, Jax gave a fake cough as she gathered up her things. “I’ll… um… catch up with you later, Miles.”

“Thanks, Jax. Let me know if there’s any fallout from the press release about Seth and Cal, otherwise, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Sure. Bye, Liam,” she said as she brushed past him. Miles could see she was biting her lip to prevent a grin as she did so.

“Bye, Jax,” Liam said, before turning to Miles. They stared at each other in silence, tension crackling between them.

“Come on, let’s go to my office,” Miles said.

Liam gave him a nod and fell into step next to him. They didn’t speak as they crossed the office. Miles paused at Isla’s desk to check for messages.

“Can you hold calls for ten minutes, please, Isla,” he requested before moving into his office. Liam followed, closing the door softly behind him.

Miles put his laptop onto his desk and then glanced up at Liam, who was motionless, leaning against the pale wood of the door.

“You look tired,” Liam said, breaking the silence.

“I am,” Miles admitted. “It was a productive week away, but tiring. I’m sorry we didn’t get to chat more.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Miles moved to the front of his desk, resting against it. “I missed you,” he said softly.

“I missed you too,” Liam replied, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets.

“Come here, baby boy.”

Liam’s breath hitched as he straightened. Miles widened his stance, allowing Liam to step between his thighs. He cupped Liam’s jaw, stroking against the short stubble. The scent of Liam’s cologne surrounded him, and he inhaled deeply. Tentative hands rested on his waist, and Miles could feel a slight tremor in them.

“What’s wrong, Liam?” he asked, brushing his lips against Liam’s cheek.

“Noth… nothing,” Liam replied. He turned his face, his lips millimeters from Miles’s. “Kiss me? Please.”

Miles smiled before taking Liam’s mouth in a slow kiss. As Liam melted into him, Miles slid his hand into his curls, holding him in place. He wanted to do this all day but knew if he gave into the temptation to pull Liam closer, to feel his taut body hard against his own, he’d have him face down and be fucking him over his desk in a heartbeat.

With great reluctance, he broke the kiss, taking in Liam’s flushed face and dilated pupils.

“So beautiful,” he crooned, smoothing an errant curl from Liam’s forehead. He eased Liam away and moved back behind his desk. Liam looked crestfallen as he slumped into the seat opposite, adjusting himself as he did.

“Where are you guys going for dinner tonight?” he asked.

“I don’t have to go out with them. I can let them know I can’t make it,” Liam said, hope shining in his eyes. They dimmed as Miles shook his head.

“No. You have dinner with the guys, and I have a mountain of work to catch up on.”

“But—” Liam broke off with a sigh as he pushed to his feet. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll… I’ll talk to you sometime then.”

Miles stood. “Liam. Wait. I have some things I want to discuss with you, but just not tonight. Are you free for dinner tomorrow?”

“What kind of things?”

“I have an idea about Eclipse I want your input on.”

“Oh.” Liam dropped his gaze briefly. With a shrug, he lifted his head and nodded. “Yeah. Sure. Happy to help. Get Isla to call me with the time, and I can come in.”

“My calendar is full tomorrow. That’s why I suggested dinner.” Miles studied Liam, seeing the almost visible barrier he was wrapping around him.

“Yeah. Sure. Okay. Message me when and where, and I’ll meet you there.” Without another word, Liam left his office.

Miles slumped into his seat. Damn! That could have gone a lot better. He was always telling Liam to use his words, and he’d completely failed in communicating to Liam that he wanted to be with him now but couldn’t be. He was going to have to do some explaining tomorrow.

***

Liam thanked the cab driver as he stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the popular restaurant Miles had chosen. Keeping his eyes forward, he ignored the few people who spotted him and nudged one another in recognition. Slipping into the muted ambience of the restaurant lobby, he was greeted by the hostess, who gave him a bright, professional smile.

“Good evening. Welcome to The Orchard.”

“Hi. I’m meeting Miles Cartwright.”

“Of course, Mr. Jones. Mr. Cartwright called to say he is running a few minutes late and to expect you. If you’ll come this way, please.”

He followed the willowy brunette through the tables to a small table for two close to the window. Thanking her, he took a seat and looked around the room. Many of the tables were occupied, each with a distance between them to encourage privacy, but close enough to add a warm vibe. There was a hum of conversation, interspersed with bouts of laughter from a group in the corner. Stylishly dressed waiters flitted between the kitchen and bar, collecting and delivering orders with quiet efficiency.

A young server appeared at his side, filling his water glass. “Good evening, sir. I’m Josiah, and I’ll be your server this evening. May I get you a drink while you wait for your dining companion?”

“Thank you. I’ll wait.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll be back shortly.”

Liam watched as Josiah bustled off before returning his attention to the door. He saw Miles enter the lobby, and Liam’s stomach swooped at the sight of him. He was in another impeccable suit, its cut emphasizing Miles’s body. Their eyes met as Miles followed the hostess across the room, and Miles gave him a warm smile.

Liam had struggled the night before at dinner with the guys. They were all loved up and tried so hard not to make him feel like a fifth wheel, and it hadn’t helped that he was stewing over Miles’s dismissal after their kiss. Returning home the night before, he’d struggled against the itch under his skin, trying not to fall back into bad habits. He wanted to be able to tell Miles he’d been a good boy but was unsure if Miles still was interested in continuing what they started, despite the kiss in his office.

Liam wasn’t sure how to greet Miles but acted like he normally would before they’d started sleeping together. He stood and grasped Miles in a bro-hug before settling back into his seat.

“Sorry I’m late,” Miles apologized as he sat down. “I couldn’t get Jerry off the phone.”

“It’s fine. I’ve only been here a few minutes,” Liam reassured him.

“Thank you for meeting me. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You were upset when you left my office yesterday. I want to apologize for that.”

Dread snaked through Liam at Miles’s words. He was sorry for the kiss. Had Liam read this all wrong?

“Good evening, Mr. Cartwright. Lovely to see you again.” Josiah’s bubbly voice broke into Liam’s thoughts.

“Good evening, Josiah. I didn’t think you worked Thursdays?” Miles commented, making Liam wonder just how often Miles ate here.

“I’m filling in for someone who’s sick,” Josiah replied. “I brought the wine list over for you. Inside the menu, you will find the specials listed. I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.”

Liam quirked an eyebrow at Miles. “Come here often?”

“A couple of times a month. It’s close to home, and it’s a good place for a relaxed dinner meeting.”

“Oh,” Liam murmured, opening the menu. “What do you recommend?”

A deep sigh had him glancing up, and he found Miles staring at him with concern.

“Liam. As I was saying, I want to apologize for upsetting you yesterday in my office.”

“That’s okay. I understand,” Liam told him.

“But I don’t think you do, baby boy.”

Liam’s head snapped up at the endearment. “Don’t call me that,” he hissed, glancing around to see if anyone had heard.

“Liam. Please. Hear me out.” Miles’s pleading tone had Liam’s ire dissipating, and he nodded in agreement. “What do you think I’m apologizing for?”

“For kissing me,” Liam said, keeping his voice low.

“No.” Miles shook his head. “Never that. I dreamed of kissing you every day while I was away. And yesterday, in my office, I wanted to kiss you until neither of us could breathe. I wanted to drape you across my desk and fuck you until you were screaming my name.”

Desire slammed through Liam at the words and the picture they created in his mind. He bit his lip to stop the whine of need and want that built in his chest. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Why didn’t you?”

“Because of where we were. Anyone could have walked in at any minute. We both have reputations to uphold, Liam. That’s why I stopped. But I’m apologizing now for not telling you that was why we stopped. I realized I’d fucked up the minute you closed down on me.”

“I didn’t close down,” Liam protested.

“You did. I promise to be clearer in the future.”

“So, there’s going to be a future?” Liam asked, not sure if he should dare to hope.

The looming appearance of Josiah stopped Miles’s reply, and Liam silently cursed the poor server. After taking their orders, Miles leaned forward, pitching his voice low.

“I would like there to be, but we have things we need to talk about first. This is not the place to do it. Will you come to my beach house this weekend? We’ll be alone, and we can have a proper discussion.”

“Just talking?” Liam asked, looking at Miles through his lashes.

“Oh no, baby boy. There’ll be more than talking. Pack light. You won’t need many clothes.”

Liam groaned, slumping in his seat. “You don’t play fair, Miles.”

“I never promised I would,” Miles replied with a wicked smirk that had Liam grinning back at him. Tension eased from his shoulders, and he settled in to enjoy spending time with his lover, knowing he’d have him all to himself over the weekend.