Page 78 of Beck

“True that,” Joey agreed. “Come on. Let’s get the stations cleaned. Our tomorrow selves will be grateful for it.”

They all groaned and moaned but did as they were told, and when one of them faltered, the others helped to finish. Silence reigned as they stumbled back to the hotel, each going their separate ways with barely a wave to the others, and when the door closed behind him and Kole, he stripped off his coat and fell headfirst onto the bed.

“Do you want something to eat?” Kole asked, his voice as tired as everyone else’s was.

“Nooo,” Beck moaned. “Get into bed, Kole. We can eat at whatever time we wake up.”

“Yes, boss.”

Beck wrapped himself around Kole, both fully clothed, and fell asleep while inhaling the scent of his lover.

****

At close of business the following day, once they were all packed up and ready to leave, Beck pulled Kole to one side.

“Don’t tell anyone, but you and I have another night in the hotel.” He winked. “I thought we could celebrate a year of chaos and a year of us.”

Kole beamed. “We didn’t exactly start our relationship a year ago.”

“Close enough. I remember inking clients last year and my eyes kept straying to you. You were far too beautiful for your own good.”

“Sweet talker.” Kole kissed him. “It’ll be nice not to have to drive back tonight. You know I’m not a fan of riding the bike in the dark. We can be anonymous in a random hotel for a night.”

“Yeah. You and me, room service and a bed. What more could we want?” He placed his finger over Kole’s mouth. “And don’t say sleep.”

“I still can’t believe we nearly missed the start of the event.”

Beck shook his head. “I should’ve set my alarm. If it hadn’t been for Ani…”

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump. Something that, a year ago, would’ve made him freak out. But after working with his counsellor for so long, he was learning new techniques.

“I’m staying another night here. I’m going out tonight and making up for what I missed last night,” Dallas said with a grin.

Beck and Kole looked at each other and shared a smile. He knew it was too good to be true to be completely alone, but never mind. Dallas would be out and about most of the night, and if he found someone, it was unlikely he would bring him back to the hotel. He liked to be as anonymous as possible. Though how he believed that would work, Beck had no idea. They were all famous in certain circles, and more of the public knew them than any of them realised. Beck maybe more so than the others due to his newfound newspaper-worthy past and the fact one of his clients was a prince.

“Don’t have too much fun,” Kole said.

“There is no such thing.” Dallas grinned. He twirled with surprising grace, considering his six foot six inches of pure muscle, and headed back over to the crew.

“Hey, Dallas!” Beck called and waited for him to turn. “Wishing you all the luck in your endeavours. Not that you need them.”

Dallas lifted his thumbs in the air and continued on his way.

“I wish he would find someone,” Kole said. “He’s so lonely.”

“How do you know?”

Kole glanced at him. “Can you not see it in his eyes?”

Beck glanced back at Dallas’s retreat and realised it was something he’d never acknowledged. He’d figured out that Dallas liked his privacy when it came to his private life and had believed he was looking for something, but it had never occurred to him to look past Dallas’s jokes and size.

“Hey, it’s all right. He’ll find someone. It just needs to be the right someone at the right time,” Kole said, bringing his attention back to him.

“Have I ever told you that I love you?” Beck teased.

Kole scrunched his nose. “Now that you mention it…no, I don’t think so.”

Beck grinned as he took the kiss he so wanted. He couldn’t wait to have Kole in bed and let him do whatever he wanted with him. It was so freeing.

---