Page 46 of The Temptation (Executive Suite Secrets #4)

PIERCE SUTTON

The sun had set more than an hour ago, and downtown Cincinnati was awash in streetlights and glowing skyscrapers against a black sky.

Winter’s chill had finally backed off, and there was the tiniest hint of spring, though all the locals knew deep in their bones that this was only a cruel fake-out.

A second winter was waiting for them around the corner with more frigid temperatures and freezing rain.

If it weren’t for Simon’s busy schedule with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra over the next several weeks, I would have kidnapped my boyfriend and whisked him off to someplace warm and tropical.

Preferably a secluded place where we could lounge on the beach together and listen to the gentle waves crashing into the sand. But not right now.

Just as I was reaching for the shining glass doors of Courtland Enterprises, a familiar voice called out.

“Hey, Pierce! Wait up!”

I turned toward the voice to find Rome walking briskly up the sidewalk toward me. With a smirk, I pulled open one of the doors and partially bowed as I motioned for him to precede me.

“After you, milord.”

Rome snorted as he strolled past. “Smartass.”

I grinned silently at Rome’s back as I followed him inside. Most of the employees at Courtland Enterprises had already left for the day. Only the night security team and the cleaning crew appeared to be on hand.

“Evening, Mr. Sutton. Mr. Ashbridge,” the guard said as he waved us through.

With polite nods, we automatically headed to the bank of elevators that went straight to the upper floors.

“Do you have any clue why Sebastian asked us to meet him at his office?” I inquired as I carefully unwrapped the new scarf Simon had just bought for me.

It was deep blue, like his eyes, with hints of gray.

It didn’t match a damn thing I owned, but I loved it because Simon had picked it out for me, and I intended to wear it whenever it was the slightest bit cold.

“We’re supposed to be meeting up for dinner with our significant others in an hour. ”

Rome shook his head. “Not a clue. You know how Sebastian is. He’s got some crazy idea or scheme in his head. I don’t know how Byron manages him.”

“I suspect quite easily. He was Sebastian’s personal assistant for three years prior to dating him. He knew exactly what he was getting into.”

I leaned against the back of the car and lifted my eyes to watch the numbers steadily tick higher until we finally reached the top floor.

As we stepped out, I was a little surprised not to find Kaylan waiting to greet us.

However, it was after hours and since this wasn’t a business meeting, Sebastian had likely shooed him home to be with his own boyfriend.

When we reached Sebastian’s office, Declan was already seated on the sofa, a glass of scotch in one hand.

Sebastian was leaning against the front of his desk, his hands animatedly waving in the air as he told Declan a story that was likely half chaos and half insanity, and all completely true.

His tie was already missing, and the top button of his shirt was undone, giving him a more relaxed air.

“Great! You made it!” Sebastian greeted us as soon as we walked in the door.

“Well, you flashed the Bat-Signal in the sky. When have we not shown up?” Rome teased as he tossed his long wool coat over the back of a chair. He was wearing a soft sweater and slacks that somehow made him look like a very fashionable librarian.

Sebastian bobbed his head. “True, true.” He pushed off his desk and motioned toward the bar. “You want something to drink? The restaurant is within walking distance.”

“I’ve got it,” I volunteered as I tossed my coat on top of Rome’s. I looked at my elevator companion. “What do you want?”

“Vodka tonic is fine if he’s got any of the good stuff left.”

I snorted, and Sebastian looked affronted—as if he would ever not have his bar well stocked for his friends. I crossed the room to make drinks for myself and Rome before rejoining my friends. Rome had dropped into the far corner of the sofa with Declan, and I settled in one of the chairs.

“Okay, we’re here. What craziness do you have rattling around in your brain?” I asked, motioning toward Sebastian with my drink.

“First…” Sebastian paused and lifted his scotch so that the crystal glass caught the lighting of the office.

“I want to propose a toast. A year ago, we were all painfully single. I had what I was sure was an unrequited crush. Declan hated the idea of dating. Rome was stuck going on endless rounds of go-nowhere dates.”

“Hey! You’ve got to keep throwing your line out there if you want to catch anything,” Rome squawked.

“And Pierce…ah, Pierce. He was a traumatized, emotionally constipated, undatable mess.”

I glared at Sebastian. “Remind me again why we’re friends.”

Sebastian appeared completely unmoved by his dark words.

“But look at us now. We’re in stable, loving relationships with people we would move mountains for.

We’re happier, more fulfilled, and just all-around better people for it.

So, a toast to us and our significant others for helping us find joy in life we probably never imagined possible. ”

“And because we found the wisdom to snatch up our partners before someone else could steal them away,” Declan added.

Yes, I could definitely drink to that. I was beyond lucky that Simon had been so patient and willing to chase me for years. If I hadn’t gotten my act together, Simon could have wised up and found someone who would have appropriately appreciated him for all his wonderfulness.

Leaning in, I clicked my glass against the glasses my old friends held, an easy grin spreading across my lips.

Something inside my chest squeezed as my gaze skimmed over their faces.

So many of my free hours had been spent in their presence for nearly two decades.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone an entire day without talking to at least one of them.

Our group chat was always buzzing with some random nonsense, and they were always there for me in a crisis, even if I wasn’t ready to confess what I was feeling.

Sebastian, Declan, and Rome were as much brothers to me as my own flesh-and-blood brother. I’d do anything for these men, and I knew without a doubt that they would do anything for me.

I took a deep drink of my scotch and winced slightly at the burn, happy for the distraction that kept me from suddenly weeping into my drink.

“What else is on your mind?” Declan prodded, and I smirked. No one could read Sebastian like Declan. The toast had been the warm-up act. Declan was determined to slice straight to the heart of the matter.

Sebastian clasped his drink in front of him with both hands, his eyes locked on the amber liquid that remained in it.

For a moment, I could have sworn that his expression looked a little sheepish and embarrassed, which was surprising.

At this point, I didn’t think Sebastian could feel embarrassed. The man was shameless.

“Earlier today, I was talking to Byron, and he mentioned something about planning a trip for early summer. It dawned on me that we haven’t gone anywhere as a group in a while.”

Rome huffed out a laugh. “What are you talking about? We just went to Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. Had our little reunion with Sawyer.”

I threw Rome a look, and Sebastian’s face wrinkled up as if he was wondering whether Rome had lost his mind. Even Declan seemed like he wanted to punch Rome in the shoulder.

“That wasn’t exactly a happy trip,” Declan pointed out.

“And not what Sebastian had in mind,” I added.

Sebastian nodded. “A couple of years ago, we all went to Bangkok for two weeks. Before that, we tried surfing in Australia. Recently, it’s been getting harder to plan our dinners and hangouts, because we’re also trying to coordinate with work and the needs of our partners.

I guess…I’ve been getting worried that we might drift apart as we get more wrapped up in our lives with our boyfriends.

Think about it—Declan already has a baby.

Once she starts school, he’s going to be locked into a strict schedule.

What if we all start getting married and popping out babies? ”

Rome giggled. “I think you’re going to have bigger problems than hanging out with us if you or Byron suddenly pop out a baby.”

“I get what you’re saying.” I cut in before Sebastian could commit murder.

“The thought crossed my mind when Rome hooked up with Liam and I was the last man standing. I don’t want our friendship to fade.

Yet, I suspect it won’t happen, regardless.

Not only do we talk every fucking day, but haven’t you noticed that our partners have become good friends? Liam and Simon chat constantly.”

“Parker talks to Byron every day,” Declan announced.

Sebastian’s smile returned, and the lines of worry that had crept across his face receded. His stiff shoulders slumped, and he released a heavy breath of relief. “I was sure you’d think I was being an idiot.”

“I don’t fault your worry,” Rome admitted.

“I don’t want to lose our friendship either, but Pierce is right.

We’re in contact constantly. It might get harder for us to meet up like we used to, but we’ll always find a way.

Plus, if we do start popping out babies, I’m sure our kids are going to hang out too. ”

“We’re not going anywhere, Cor,” Declan murmured.

“However, if you’re thinking we need to do another big group vacation, I’m sure we can arrange something.

” I set my glass on the edge of the coffee table and rested my forearms on my knees.

“Simon’s year-long contract with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will be up this summer, and I’d like to take him for a nice, long break.

I think he’d love a big group trip somewhere. ”

Rome nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure Liam would love the idea of a big trip this summer.”

“Would you be okay if Parker and I brought Joy?” Declan inquired.

“Of course! There’s no way you can travel without her,” Sebastian cried out.

“We’d be happy to have Joy with us. We can even take turns babysitting so you and Parker can have some adult time.” I offered.

“Speaking of adult time…” Rome held up his phone, displaying the hour. We needed to get moving to the restaurant if we didn’t want to be late meeting our partners.

Rome, Declan, and I pushed to our feet at the same time and moved to grab our coats. Plans were coming together as we batted around suggestions while strolling toward the bank of elevators.

“You know, I did have another idea,” Sebastian stated. “Since we were all so successful with our dating efforts, maybe we should start a matchmaking service.”

“What?” Rome screeched.

“You’ve lost your mind,” I muttered, punching the call button a little harder than necessary.

“I’m serious!” Sebastian’s voice grew more animated, and when I looked over my shoulder at him, I found that same manic light in his eyes that happened when he had one of his “brilliant” ideas.

“We’re great at this dating thing, plus we offered each other some great advice.

We could help single people looking for a forever love not only land that perfect partner, but understand how to turn it into a lasting relationship. ”

“What the hell do you know about matchmaking?”

“I got Kaylan and Arden set up. They’ve been together for more than a year. I have no doubt one of them is going to propose any day now.”

“Didn’t you get help from an app with that?” Declan asked.

Sebastian waved a dismissive hand. “Yes, but that’s just a minor detail. We’d have an app, but there would be an extra screening process to keep out the people who are just looking for a hookup. This would be incredible.”

The door opened, and we stepped inside the elevator, but Declan caught Sebastian as he was about to step into the car, his hand pressed to his best friend’s chest. “No,” he said firmly.

“What?” Sebastian laughed. “It would be amazing! We’d be great at it.”

Declan held him outside the car until the doors were shutting. He pulled his hand back at the last second, leaving Sebastian outside the elevator.

“Assholes!” Sebastian howled on the other side of the doors.

I snickered and punched the button to open the doors again. Rome was laughing so hard in the far corner, he had to lean against the walls to remain standing.

When the doors opened, Sebastian’s grin hadn’t faded even one little bit. “You know I’m right,” he continued, not missing a beat. “We could make so many people happy.” Sebastian jumped onto the elevator before we could kick him out a second time, and I pushed the button for the lobby.

“Have you told Byron about this idea?” Declan inquired as soon as we started to descend.

Sebastian’s smile disappeared, and his eyes widened. “No, not yet.”

“Uh-huh. Talk to Byron first. See what he says,” I remarked. Maybe Byron could talk him out of this insanity.

“In the meantime, we’ll figure out a vacation,” Rome chimed in.

Yes, a vacation with the man I loved and the friends I adored sounded perfect to me. Our friendship wasn’t going to fade. It was only going to become stronger as the years passed. We were family, and it would always be that way.