Page 14 of Convenient Rivals

“Theodore!”

“Apologies. Theodore.”

“My mother wants to me to settle down, or get a job.”

“I see. Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive, you know. What do you want in a partner?”

“Someone rich, who rails me every night.”

Oscar almost choked on his drink. At least he was honest.

“And you think that’s me?”

“Well, I know you’re rich, and you’re about eight feet tall. I reckon...”

Theodore leaned forward and ran his hand up Oscar’s thigh, cupping his cock, which hardened. He was only human, and someone was touching his dick. Nobody and nothing but his own hand had been near him since Gregory... and now he was getting harder thinking of Gregory railing him again. This only seemed to encourage Theodore further.

Oscar wasn’t averse to topping. Given the way he looked, people made a lot of assumptions, and he could get off by fucking a guy, but it didn’t set his body on fire. Being completely owned by someone else, and all that filthy talk which came out of Gregory’s mouth... Thinking about it was enough to make him come in his pants. Theodore was applying more pressure to his rigid cock. Oscar moved his hand away. Nothing too abrupt, but he shook his head, making it clear nothing was going to happen.

Theodore got the message but didn’t look too happy about it, and before Oscar could say anything, the boy downed his drink and sashayed out of the bar. There was no doubt word would get back to his mother that he’d blown another of her dates, but she needed to stop. Or... he needed to find another solution which would convince her to back off.

Barty Balfour’s twenty-fifth birthday was in a full swing at the family home, and it was pure Barty, in that it was extravagant and tacky. It had to be costing a lot of money. The theme was a masquerade ball, yet it had a seedy edge to it. The home was immaculately decorated – Lavinia Balfour liked to go all out at a party when she was hosting. She was working the room, with her husband Rupert on her arm. Oscar knew they’d lost their wealth, as did many people, but you wouldn’t think it. The woman was dripping with jewels and looked on top of the world as she celebrated her favourite child hitting what was deemed to be an important milestone.

Typically, at twenty-five, someone from good breeding would have a bachelor’s and master’s degree, having also done a gap year doing something which appeared altruistic, such as building a school in the developing world. This would be the moment they entered the workforce, in a job which Daddy had secured for them, and truly become a man. What a load of bollocks it was. Barty may have gone to Oxford, but he’d only scraped a third-class pass for his degree in economics.

The whole thing was a farce, and it was clear Oscar wasn’t welcome here. Based on the look of disgust Rupert Balfour kept shooting his way, Oscar was obviously the villain in the latest instalment ofThe Barty Show. If it had been anyone else, Barty would be facing a criminal investigation, but Oscar had just sacked him. No appreciation for taking that approach.

Oscar had only come to this party for two reasons. The first being that his mother had asked him to accompany her, given his father was away on one of his frequent business trips. Second, and most importantly, there was a certain buttoned-up geek who Oscar wanted to talk to. Gregory had ignored all attempts from Oscar to contact him over the last few weeks. He’d even resorted to flirting with one of Gregory’s best friends, Paolo. The guy was a masseuse, a very good one, and hot as fuck, but he didn’t push Oscar’s buttons like Gregory did. He’d been hoping his flirtations would get back to Gregory, so he’d storm round to his office and give him an angry dicking again. He could dream! The way Gregory had taken complete control when they’d fucked had given Oscar enough wanking material for a lifetime.

There’d been no sign of Gregory yet, but Oscar knew he would be here. The guy did not like conflict or drama, especially from his family, which is why he let them walk all over him. Oscar had also heard on the grapevine that Barty was still racking up gambling debts. Oscar didn’t mix with the likes of Grant Kincaid, but he knew enough to know he was a man you didn’t cross if you wanted to continue breathing.

“Honey, why are you standing all the way over here?” his mother asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Just people watching, you know me.”

“You mean you’re keeping out of Barty’s way?”

“I don’t think he wants me to be here.”

“Nonsense. I checked with Lavinia, and she said you were most welcome.”

Oscar chuckled, imagining she said exactly that, but it would have been delivered with a sarcastic tone. Something his mother was oblivious to, or ignored.

Victoria Montgomery would be sixty next year, yet she looked ten years younger. That wasn’t Oscar being biased because she was his mother, but because she’d aged gracefully and wasn’t pumped full of filler like Lavinia was. She wore an elegant dress, which wasn’t showing off flesh, and her jewellery complemented her outfit rather than dominating it. There was a subtlety about the way she presented herself. It was just a shame she didn’t apply the same subtlety to her matchmaking skills.

“Oh look, it’s Gregory.”

Oscar’s heart sped up as Gregory came into view, looking fucking edible in a tuxedo. He was scanning the room, an uncomfortable look on his face. When he looked towards Oscar, their eyes met, and there was an immediate flash of heat. There was no mistaking it. But within a second the mask was back on – the unreadable, stoic expression, which Gregory did so well.

His mother waved Gregory over, and being the polite boy he was, he approached with a smile. He kissed her on both cheeks and held his hand out for Oscar to shake, which he did. There was no mistaking the message when Gregory gripped his hand hard; Oscar needed to keep his mouth shut. He couldn’t help but keep his gaze on Gregory as he talked to his mother about the business. She’d always liked Gregory, ever since he was a child.

“I better speak to Barty,” said Gregory.

“Of course,” said Victoria. “And before I forget, happy birthday,” she said in barely a whisper.

What the fuck!

Gregory flushed, but gave a slight smile and a nod to Victoria. He looked at Oscar and his eyes narrowed, but he gave a more formal nod before walking away quickly.

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