Page 10 of The Gift of the Maltipoo
She moved away into the room, and servers began bringing the entrees. Salads, bread, and wine were already on the tables. “This is really something,” Brenda commented.
“Yes. Everyone works hard, and this is the firm’s way of saying that it’s appreciated.”
Harry sat in the last open chair, and Anthony tensed, but he refused to let it show. “I understand you landed Connor Jacobs. Good luck with that. You know everyone is going to be watching, especially Richard.” He slipped his napkin into his lap as Anthony met the gaze of everyone at the table in an effort to make sure they stayed quiet.
“I know what I’m doing. Some people talk a good game, but I play one.” He took a bite of the steak with béarnaise and stifled a groan of ecstasy, because damn.
“Is yours good?” he asked Tyler, who had the same dish, and he got a nod. Brenda was vegetarian, so hers was different, and Harry had some sort of chicken, which looked amazing. Tyler got out a small baggie of kibble from his jacket pocket, took hissaucer, and put the kibble on it before placing it on the floor for Daisy, who ate from where she sat between their chairs. He also set down a small dish of water for her, but picked it up again so it didn’t spill once Daisy was done.
“I didn’t know they let dogs in here,” Harry said. The man clearly didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. “Aren’t there rules with the health department?” he added as he chewed like a cow.
“Therapy dogs and service dogs are allowed almost everywhere,” Jasper told him. “And there is nothing inherently dirty or unsanitary about a well-trained dog.”
“Yeah, and her table manners are better than some people I know,” Brenda added. She and Tyler shared a grin. It was clearly open season on Harry, and he was completely oblivious.
“Is everyone enjoying dinner?” Richard asked as he stopped at their table while making the rounds.
“It’s excellent,” Tyler told him. “I appreciate being included.”
“Yes, it’s great.” Anthony said. “Oh, before I forget. I got a call an hour ago. The DA dropped the charges against Hansen Jacobs. Their case fell apart after we found evidence of his innocence. Brenda and Jasper did a great job.” He was determined to recognize them. “And Connor asked me to call him after the New Year. He wants me to head his legal team.” Harry just about choked on his chicken, and Brenda patted his back as he coughed. “We can talk more about it on Monday.” He grinned and refused to look at Harry through the rest of the meal because he knew he was not going to be able to resist the urge to gloat.
ONCE THEfood was done, the music began. Tables had been removed from one section of the floor, so Anthony asked Tyler to dance.
“I’ll watch Daisy,” Brenda volunteered, and Anthony led Tyler to the floor and took him in his arms as other couples joined them.
“I wasn’t sure you’d do this here,” Tyler said softly.
Anthony shrugged. “They all know I’m gay, and I’m here with you. So yes, we’re going to dance.” He spun Tyler on the floor, and he chuckled. “So let’s show the straight couples how it’s done.” It seemed Tyler could dance as well, and they had a marvelous time. Where he led, Tyler followed, and they seamlessly glided over the small dance area. Anthony looked deep into Tyler’s eyes, and the world narrowed to just the two of them. He forgot about senior partners, lawsuits, and even one-upping his nemesis. All that mattered was Tyler as they slowly moved across the floor.
As soon as the music stopped, Anthony stood still, but he didn’t move away. He liked holding Tyler in his arms and didn’t want the moment to end. He could sense others moving around his periphery, though, so he stepped away and let the rest of the world come crashing back for only a few moments until a song began again and they started to move once more.
Anthony honestly lost track of how long they danced. But it was wonderful, and maybe that was the point. He was happy. If his Christmas present this year was a few minutes on the dance floor with Tyler, then it was an amazing gift. But finally the music ended and they stepped back. Anthony blinked and led Tyler back to the table. Daisy was waiting for him, and he lifted her and held her as Anita took over the mic, encouraging a little holiday giving. “And if we raise a thousand dollars, then my dear husband will not request the Chicken Dance.”
Everyone laughed, but twenties and fifties made an appearance as the hat went around the room. Richard then got up and gave a version of his usual Christmas talk before thanking everyone and wishing them an amazing holiday seasonand announcing that the office would be closed the day after Christmas as well so that everyone could enjoy some extra time with their families. That got a happy round of applause. Then the dancing began again. This time Brenda and Jasper headed to the floor.
“Do you think those two…?” Tyler started.
Anthony scoffed. “No way. They’re friends, but nothing more. Besides, while Jasper is very much into women, so is Brenda. I think that’s part of what they have in common. They go out sometimes and they’re each other’s wing person. It’s really funny.” He looked down at Daisy, who had sprawled out as much as she could on Tyler’s lap and had closed her eyes. “Are you ready to go?”
“If you are.”
The way he said those simple words lit a fire in Anthony’s belly. He stood and waited as Tyler gently lifted Daisy before setting her on the floor. Then he attached her leash, and Anthony made the rounds saying good night before pulling on his coat.
They had come in separate vehicles, so Anthony kissed Tyler and patted Daisy and then saw them off before going to his car and heading home through the cold, clear night.
He pulled into his drive, and Tyler met him with Daisy still on her leash. Tyler took his hand and led him across the drives to his front door and unlocked it. Daisy went inside, and Tyler held Anthony’s gaze before leading him into his house. He closed the door, and Tyler kissed him, hard and with enough passion to turn winter into spring, at least for a little while. Anthony responded, cupping Tyler’s cheeks in his hands and taking possession of lips that tasted like passion personified.
“Do you want another drink or something?” Tyler whispered.
Anthony shook his head. “Right now, all I want is you.” His breathing was difficult, in the best way possible, and Anthony was warm. He took off his coat as Tyler did the same, and then Tyler led the way upstairs.
Daisy followed, and Anthony wondered how this was going to work. Tyler settled Daisy in her bed in the corner of the room and then took Anthony’s hand and led him to the bed. “Is this what you had in mind?” Tyler asked.
“Yes, and so much more,” Anthony said before kissing away any more words that Tyler might have had. Anthony made his living with words, but he knew there were times when they weren’t necessary. It was best if he let his hands and lips do the talking—and it was sweet, passionate, and as intense as anything Anthony could ever remember, certainly more so than even the liveliest day in court. Tyler was warm and as responsive as anyone he had ever met. He seemed to feel each touch as special, and that only built the fire between them. The taste of Tyler’s lips, the way he quivered when Anthony worried the spot at the base of his neck, or how his hands shook when Anthony plucked one of his pert nipples—all of it only drove Anthony to give him more. And the more he gave, the more he got, a perfect circle of desire that never seemed to end, and one that Anthony hoped would go on until the sun came up the next morning.
“Don’t stop,” Tyler whispered when Anthony pulled back for a second.
“What was that?”
