Page 36 of A Reindeer Wish for Love
Chapter 18
Clay
When Marty and I steppedout of the cab, there were a few snowflakes falling and threatening to prepare us for a white Christmas earlier than usual.We entered the office building and I knew I was anxious, and Marty felt it and reached for my hand holding it to calm me.
Although I appreciated the gesture, I didn’t want anyone to come to a firm conclusion.I just wanted anyone who cared, to think...well, to think whatever they wanted.“You can let go now, Marty,” I said, stepping into the elevator.
“I just want to make sure everyone got the picture that you weren’t alone,” Marty said.
“I don’t think anyone remembers me.”
“Oh, they remember.Trust me, they’re still talking about the young ambitious man in the Tom Ford suit who fucked Mason and turned him gay overnight.”I raised an eyebrow in Marty’s direction.
I had hoped they’d forgotten that night and it wasn’t like Marty had said.The moment we stepped off the elevator and strode into the large space, I was the only reindeer in the crowd.There were Grinches, Marty included, Cindy Lou’s and Who’s, but no reindeer.
There wasn’t a mask covering my face, just a red painted spot on my nose Tyler had added before we left the apartment when he couldn’t get me to wear the full-on reindeer costume.Minutes before entering the Halifax and Mason building, Marty had shoved the antlers in my hand, and then placed them on my head, and when I entered the party, I had been noticed.
“There he is, Marty,” I whispered.“There’s Mason dressed in a handsome Santa suit with a short dark beard no doubt his own.He looks so handsome,” I couldn’t help saying.
“Who is that dude dressed in a Mrs.Claus costume holding on to him and laughing?Do you see how Mason is looking at you.He remembers you, and you thought he wouldn’t.”I wanted him to remember me because I couldn’t forget his face and his body.“He’s coming over, Clay.Time for me to get lost.”
“Don’t leave me, Marty,” I whispered, and pulled his hand and Marty pulled away from me, probably thinking he’d held up his part of the bargain and eager to get home and drink eggnog and gaze at the beautiful fresh Christmas tree Tyler had found for them.
When Mason stepped out of his office with his boyfriend, I was turning the other way and he caught me.I turned to face him when he placed his palm on my shoulder, and said, “Don’t leave, Clay.”His voice smoldered with the sound of sex if sex made a sound.
“Why should I stay and talk to you?”I was hurt and maybe a little bitter too.It was in my voice, and even I could hear the tremble of uncertainty and pain, therefore, I knew Mason could hear it also.
“What is it that you want from me?”
“The chance to explain.A second chance with you to make up for what happened between us.”
“Just what did happen?”I said, thinking I knew the answer.
“You know.Think about it.There must have been something serious when I didn’t return.I thought Halifax would tell you.”
“He told me nothing,” I said, biting each word.
“Is that why you left the firm?”Mason questioned.
“That and everything else.I suppose Halifax didn’t tell you the reason I resigned, Mr.Mason.”I didn’t have enough time to tell him all that I wanted and what I’d been doing the year he left me.
“No, he didn’t,” Mason said.“Don’t talk to me as if I’m a stranger.”
“Then ask him why I resigned.I’m not talking to you as if you’re a stranger because you are.”Mason didn’t deserve this, but I needed to say it.
“Where are you living now?Not the same address I know.I tried getting in touch with you, but no one would tell me anything.”
“That’s because I didn’t tell anyone here.”My eyes wavered and wandered over his face while my heart raced and my body hungered for his touch.“I was hurt,” I said soft and low.
“I was hurt as well when I discovered you had gone before I could explain.I mean there were a lot of things I had to put in order if I wanted to be with you.”
“You haven’t told me anything, and if you wanted to be with me, then why are you with that young dude?”I gestured at the young man who walked to a crowd of men and women who had started the party early.
“I’m not with him.He’s an escort.Apaidescort.After tonight I won’t see him again.”
“What’s so special about tonight?”Then the so-called paid escort sauntered over and whispered in Mason’s ear and Mason’s face flushed the way I’d seen it do when he was gazing into my eyes when I claimed him.
“I’m leaving,” and I headed in a rush to the nearest familiar area, the bathroom to hide my embarrassment and pain.
