Page 64 of Finding Michael

Chapter Fourteen

Michael stood on the balcony and stared out at the New York skyline. The lights twinkled and the breeze wrapped around him. He noticed the roar of planes overhead and the hum of traffic below. He wondered how many people were in the surrounding buildings. Probably hundreds or thousands. More than he could count.

Could he live amid such commotion? He’d meet a lot of people if he nabbed a job at one of the branch libraries. But could he live here? His chest constricted and he couldn’t breathe. He clenched his hands and fear overwhelmed him. The thought of so many people and so much action sent panic to his core. He panted, trying to catch his breath. If he and Tristan were going to make a go of their relationship, he’d have to compromise on a few things. But living arrangements? He wasn’t so sure. New York from the vantage of Tristan’s penthouse was too much for him.

The door creaked behind him. He didn’t bother to look back. The only people left in the penthouse were him and Tristan.

Tristan stopped beside him at the railing. He crinkled his nose. “Would you believe I rarely came out here? I never saw the point. I hate heights and the smell of exhaust churns my stomach.”

“Really?” Michael blurted. “The view is phenomenal. I bet the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful.” He gripped the railing, then blew out a ragged breath. He needed to move away from the edge. “I’m not wild about heights, either.”

Tristan said nothing. The breeze caught his hair, moving some of the strands off his face. He rested his elbows on the concrete wall.

Michael inched backwards to the doors and willed himself to calm down. The danger was gone. No one would rush in and threaten them. Besides, he had to say something. “Are they all gone?”

“Yeah.” Tristan didn’t move.

“Cool.” Michael flattened himself against the inner wall of the balcony. “I was told I’d get my phone back tomorrow. Good thing we didn’t take any nude selfies.” But bad if the library had to contact him.Fuck.If anyone from Sullavan wanted him, he was unreachable. He’d better have Tristan contact Dicey at least so someone knew he was still alive.

“Probably just as well we didn’t make any sex tapes, either.” Tristan’s half-hearted chuckle faded. He stared at Michael for a long moment. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Michael shrugged to hide his residual fear. “Life didn’t end. I got to ride on a plane and see your place.” He’d left out the scarier parts, but oh the fuck well.

“I’m sorry for everything. I thought I’d talk to him and get this settled…not what happened.” Tristan left his post at the balcony wall and crossed over to Michael. “I wanted to show you my life here and treat you to something special. We’re supposed to go to my cousin’s engagement party tomorrow. I thought maybe you’d wear something from my closet and we’d be handsome bastards together. I’d blow my auntie’s mind and convince her to leave me alone. Then this happened.”

“Hey.” He stuffed his fingers into Tristan’s front pockets. He tugged his lover close. “First, you couldn’t know your butler was writing those stalker notes.” He nodded. “Yeah, I heard his confession and put the pieces together.”

“Faster than I did.” Tristan blushed. “Yet another thing I’m sorry for.”

“Don’t be. Your heart was in the right place. I’ve never been to a penthouse before or on a jet.” He brushed his nose along Tristan’s. He wasn’t sure what to say, but he had to reassure Tristan. “I don’t want your money or your status. I like you.”

“You do?” Tristan’s voice cracked. “Michael?”

“Yeah, I do. It’s more like love.” He laughed and the sound vibrated in his throat. “Jesus. I never thought I’d say that ever again, but it’s true and what scared me the most was the possibility I’d lose you before I could tell you the truth.” He’d have stepped in front of the bullet in order to save Tristan. He loved Tristan too much to let him go.

“I love you so much,” Tristan said. “That’s not me being flip. It’s the God’s honest truth. I can’t see my life without you.”

Michael sighed. He’d longed to hear those words from Tristan. “Then we’ll figure this out and do the long-distance thing for a while.”

“Long distance?” Tristan laughed this time and threw his arms around Michael. “I’m nowhere near done going through my uncle’s house and the shelter isn’t even started. I have so much left to do in Sullavan. I’m not leaving. My time in the Big Apple is done, yeah, but not with you.”

“Tristan.” He had no other words. Excitement and desire wound through him. He wanted to show his lover just how much he cared.

“The police released the penthouse, so we can stay here tonight. We’ll order takeout tomorrow and be lazy until the party. Yes?” Tristan cupped Michael’s jaw in both hands.

“I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.” Michael kissed Tristan. His life had gone from boring to colorful to dangerous, then had settled down. He’d probably never be bored with Tristan, but that was fine. He loved the writer and every plot twist Tristan could toss at him.

Tristan kissed Michael, then wound his arms around him. He tucked his hands into Michael’s back pockets. “I wanted to show you New York and a piece of my world.”

“I’m seeing all I want.” He returned the kiss. Heat shimmered in his veins. He feathered his mouth over Tristan’s. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for the city or this world. It’s too…much.” He paused. His big admission could push Tristan away.

“I’m not sure I blame you.” He withdrew from Michael, then tugged him into the penthouse. “This place isn’t my preference anymore. I like the view and I love everything being within walking distance, but you’re not. I want to be where you are. To be where I feel free and with you.” He walked backward through the living room to the hallway, then the bedroom. He held onto Michael. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t let you fuck me senseless right here.”

“Oh?” Blood rushed below Michael’s belt as Tristan nudged him onto the bed. “So you’d stay…even if I go?”

“Nope. I’m following you.” Tristan straddled Michael’s thighs. He removed his shirt. His hair stood on end and the shadows deepened around his eyes. Still, he grinned. He slid his hands over Michael’s chest and the move sent shivers down Michael’s spine.

“Tristan.” He loved the delicious pressure on his dick. He memorized the taste of Tristan’s kiss.

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