“I’d rather order in. Then we can get stuff done and spend time together.” Tristan tweaked Michael’s nipple. “Or have sex on the couch again…”
Michael shrugged. “Okay by me on all accounts. I’ve got the menus on my phone. Let me get it.” He stepped into his boxer briefs, then strode past Tristan.
He grasped Michael’s hand, stopping him. “If you weren’t so irresistible, I’d be able to let you go.”
“You just like sex.” Michael’s eyes sparkled.
“With you.”
“Horny toad.”
“Duh,” Tristan said. “But you made me this way.” He kissed Michael, then let him go.
Michael glanced back at him and laughed, then left the room.
Tristan shook his head. Michael was such a good distraction. So sexy and handsome. But he needed to get some writing done. He turned his phone over and the screen lit up with an incoming call. Jamie. He tapped the connect button. “Hello? Jamie.”
“Hey, you. What’s your Sunday look like?” Jamie asked.
“I’m writing.” Not a total lie. He’d be writing eventually.
“Oh. Want company?”
“I already have it. Michael’s here.” He didn’t want to be on the phone with Jamie. Yes, the man was his lawyer, but he still grated on Tristan’s nerves.
“Oh. When is he leaving?”
“I don’t know.” The more Jamie spoke, the more he irritated Tristan.
“How are you writing if he’s there?” Jamie asked.
“Because I’m on a break.”
“Ah. Well, I need to see you.”
“Why?” He hoped Michael wasn’t on his way back upstairs yet. He didn’t want Michael to think he’d replaced him or was in the process of doing so. He’d seen the fragility in Michael’s eyes and remembered what his uncle had written about Michael. No wonder the man was wounded and didn’t trust. Sure, Michael had a few issues, but so what? Who didn’t have a few quirks? Besides, Tristan still liked him. Still wanted him.
“I need to see you about the foundation,” Jamie said.
“The shelter situation, right. You looked into the community center?”
“I did.”
“And?” Tristan massaged his temples. “What did you find out?” Did he sound as irked as he was? He hoped so.
“It’ll be tight, but with your writing income and your notoriety, we should be fine. I’ve talked to the corporation who owns the building and they’d like to work with you—as long as you’re willing to work with them. We should be great.”
We?He suppressed a groan. “How about you see what can be done with the hundred grand first? Yes? I’d rather work with guaranteed money, not projected. I can’t be sure the next book will hit.” And he wasn’t ready to dip into his trust fund cash. Actually, he would for the shelter, but he didn’t want Jamie to know that yet.
“Uh-huh.”
He tipped his head.Is that footsteps? Fuck it.“I have to go.”
“To see Michael?”
“Yeah.” He disconnected the call and tossed the phone onto the dresser. He wasn’t in the mood to argue with Jamie or defend his blossoming relationship with Michael.
Michael strode into the room and stopped. “We can get— What’s wrong?”