Page 80 of Sweet Shots

Ahead of us is a railing. I walk to it, making sure I don’t crash into anyone, since this place is packed. With my hands on the cool metal, I look down.

“Whoa,” I breathe out. “We’re, what? Five stories up?”

“Yeah,” Dominic says from behind me. I look at him over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes. He’s a good five feet away—maybe more.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights.”

“Fine. I won’t,” he says nonchalantly.

“You’re afraid of heights,” I comment, turning around and resting my butt against the railing.

He lunges toward me, stopping short. “You really shouldn’t lean on that like that. What if it breaks?”

I look over my shoulder, down to the bottom floor, then back at him.

“I’d die for sure.”

He grits his teeth, snatching my arm and pulling me away. We nearly bump into a group of teenagers, but they don’t evennotice. They’re too busy looking at their phones and laughing with each other.

“Don’t fuck around like that,” Dominic growls under his breath, his hand sweaty as he grips my arm tighter.

“It’s cute that you care,” I say, sliding my hand free of his grip so we can link our fingers.

“What’s going to be cute is you begging me to let you come later—and me telling you no.”

My stomach does a flip and my lips part. The look on his face tells me he isn’t joking, and I’m really in for it later. After getting myself all worked up in the car, even he won’t be able to stop me from coming quickly. I came hands free just from him massaging my prostate that first time. Wouldn’t doubt it to happen again today after all this.

We walk through the mall, dodging running children and teenagers paying attention to their phones instead of where they’re going.

The mall is way too busy for my liking, not a single area free of people. The stores are as swamped, as are the walkways. The noise level is outrageous with screaming, laughing, chattering, phones ringing, and mixes of music that don’t go together. Don’t get me started on the scents—some of the stores overdo it to the point my eyes water when I pass by.

“God, that’s awful,” I say as we walk by a candle store.

“So glad you’re not one of those people,” Dominic says.

“Same.”

When we get to the end of the building, Dominic turns into a small store that is not as busy as the others. It doesn’t smell awful, and the soft instrumental music playing is nice on my ears.

“Dominic Blake, is that you?” A short, pudgy man with grey hair and a mustache waddles over, holding his arms out. Dominic slips his hand free of mine to go to the man and hug him. “E’ passato troppo tempo.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” The man pulls away from the hug, but keeps his hands on Dominic’s arms, smiling up at him. “Edward, this is Mikah, my boyfriend.”

He turns to face me, so I walk to him and offer my hand. Edward brings his gaze to me, his smile not faltering even a little.

“Boyfriend, huh?” He chuckles, pushing my hand aside and pulling me in for a hug. My eyes widen, finding Dominic. He gives me a shrug and an apologetic look. “What can I do for you boys? You’re looking for a suit? You getting married?”

I bark out a disbelieving sound, causing Dominic to frown.

“No, not getting married,” he says flatly, keeping his eyes on me. He blinks, then looks at Edward. “We do need suits for a special occasion, though. I’m up for an award.”

“Veramente? È vero? Che emozione!”

Dominic chuckles at Edward’s excitement. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s get to work.”

Edward stares at Dominic the way a proud father would look at his child.

Who is this guy?

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