Page 67 of Sapphire Storm

“Don’t you sex shame me, old man. You wereliterallyaprostitute.”

“Well, I do appreciate you sharing your naming preference.As Donnie made clear, the lingo can be quite confusing to those of us whoaren’t in our twenties.”

“Also, just to get the awkward stuff out of the way, I’mnegative and on PREP, so if you want to raw dog me dirty, I’ll be happy to begfor it on all fours.”

“Lands!” Ethan said, then mimed adjusting a fake tie. “Whilethat description applies to me as well, I’m a bit old school, which means Ialways travel with protection, so perhaps a progression in that regard.”

He rested his head against Ethan’s shoulder. “Whateverworks, Gramps.”

“Let’s not. Gramps is not going to be a thing.”

“Sure. Hey, but you do want it like that, though, right?”Roman sat up suddenly and looked into his eyes. “Not Gramps. I mean, youarea top, right? I figure any man as grumpy and difficult and controlling as youhas to be a top.”

“Oh, well. Not sure if I’ve ever heard it put quite likethat before.”

“Sorry. I’m not trying to stereotype. I mean, I get a lot ofit myself. I’m six four and covered in muscles so a lot of guys want me topound them into the carpet, and it’s just really not my thing.”

Ethan waggled his eyebrows. “I’m sure your gargantuan memberplays no role in their requests.”

“You really think it’s that big?”

“Come, now. Don’t be coy. You weren’t flashing it at thestudio today because you thought we’d have trouble finding it.”

“Okay, let’s not relive that mess. It was totally cringe,”Roman said quietly. “Just please confirm. And don’t use big words and talk likeyou’re onBridgerton.We’re sexually compatible, right? My heart andmy bussy are on the line here.”

Ethan brought the tips of their noses together. “I am goingto fuck you until you forget your name. Sound good?”

Roman’s lips parted, and their kiss was shallow butdetermined this time. “You still want to wait?” Roman whispered.

“Good things come in boys who wait.”

Sputtering with laughter, he caressed the sides of Ethan’sface, then gave him a light kiss on the lips. “All right, go back to yourBridgertonroutine. It’s clearly your thing. I’ll handle the cheap porn talk.”

Another kiss, and then Ethan gently slid away toward hisside of the bed. In a British accent made convincing by the years he’d spentworking in the UK, he said, “I shall get you a rag to clean yourself with andthen I shall promenade down the hall and fetch us some ice so as to makelibations. I brought a bottle of my favorite scotch. Would you care for a spot,my dear Duke of Bicepia?”

Roman’s smile looked forced. “Sure.”

Another kiss, and then they parted.

Ethan headed down the subtly curving hallway with the icebucket in hand. When he returned, canned laughter filled the room. Roman was inbed watching television, temptingly shirtless, the pillowy white covers pulledup to just below those nipples they’d made a meal out of in the elevator.

After pouring them both a glass, Ethan moved to the slidingdeck door and opened it. Cool ocean air filled the room like a caress. He couldsmell something familiar in it, something that reminded him of his youth in theSouth—the damp threat of rain. Below, the harbor and bay twinkled, but far outto sea, two little flashes of lightning lit up the deeper dark beyond PointLoma. That he and Roman were safe and cozy in this room, floating above it all,put a skip in his step as he ducked into the bathroom.

He showered in a rush so he could slide into bed with Romanas quickly as possible without smelling like the sea. Once they were togetherunder the covers, they toasted.

Roman swallowed, then made a concerted effort to stare deadahead atThe Golden Girlsrerun. When he barked with laughter at oneof Betty White’s lines, he ended up coughing several times. Once he’d caughthis breath, he met Ethan’s stare, eyes watering.

“How’s the scotch, young man?”

“Killer,” he croaked, reaching for the glass on thenightstand without looking back at it. When he sipped it this time, his browfurrowed. He tried to swallow again. It looked like his Adam’s apple had gaineda few pounds.

“You’re a connoisseur, I take it?” Ethan asked.

“Never had it before.” He cleared his throat. His nostrilsflared twice in a row.

“Your thoughts?”

“Well, one time when I was four I put a tree branch in mymouth for a few seconds before my mom caught me. It’s kind of like that, onlywith Tabasco sauce. And I guess you get drunk eventually, so that’s cool.”

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