Page 69 of Takeover
“No,” Sam said. “No, I’m not.”
Malik’s smile was small, but warm. “Good man.”
* * *
Michael sat at the bar,stared at his glass of water, and contemplated the twists and turns that had brought him to this place. Starting Four Rivers with Rasheed and Susan, then having them walk away—so maybe they hadn’t screwed him over. All the years he’d thrown himself into the work—poured his heart into the company that wasn’t his anymore. And then a chance vacation.
Had he not stayed in that particular hotel in Curaçao, not spent his last night in the bar, he’d not have met Sam… not the way he had. They would have met at Four Rivers. Would there have been sparks then? Would they have fucked in the gym shower? Probably not.
Or maybe they would have. There was no denying the instant attraction he’d—they’d—felt. Certainly once he had gotten to known Sam, Michael’s desire had only increased—especially the way Sam loved the pain and release Michael gave him. They could have ended up in the same situation.
He’d kept his job and Four Rivers. Even held on to the promise of promotion that would put him back where he belonged. And he still had Sam. God, at least he hoped he still had him. He loved that intensity, the frenetic energy in Sam that Michael could tame with a touch and the promise of pain and pleasure, but it came with Sam’s ability to turn on a dime and rationalize away his own feelings. Michael loved Sam anyway. Every ounce of his body wanted to be with Sam, to share his life, to learn more and more about him. Maybe they would last, maybe they wouldn’t, but damn it, they needed to try.
“Hey.” Sam’s voice, soft in his ear, startled Michael out of his thoughts. Sam slid up to the bar, but didn’t sit.
There was that nervous energy again. “Don’t you have lunch with Dr. Malik and William?” He’d seen the latter in the lobby, looking smug. William had stared while Michael had crossed to the bar. William was also a large part of the reason Michael sat with his back to that area.
“Malik told me to spend my time with you.”
What? Michael swiveled in his seat to get a better look at Sam. “Are you serious?” Dr. Malik had seemed unaffected by the news of their relationship, but it was quite a different thing to actively support it.
“He didn’t use those words, but the meaning was clear.” Sam’s leg seemed to vibrate. “And there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” A flush crept up Sam’s neck and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
Sparks traced through Michael’s limbs at the sight of Sam’s anxiety. He couldn’t tell if this was good news or bad news. “Shall we go grab something to eat? Or find somewhere private… ?”
“Both. But privacy first.” A faint smile touched Sam’s face.
Not bad news, judging by that expression. The tingling surged down into Michael’s balls and his cock shifted. He stood, so close that he towered over Sam. “My room, then?”
Sam tilted his head back to meet Michael’s gaze. “Yes.” His response was breathy. Then he grinned.
Maybe they could skip lunch. There wasn’t a presentation Michael wanted to see until two. He gave Sam a nudge with his shoulder. “Elevator.”
Sadly, they shared most of the ride up with an older couple obviously in New Orleans for sightseeing or Michael would have done far more than stick his hands in Sam’s pockets and watch the flush on his neck grow. That changed, the instant the door to Michael’s room clicked shut behind him. He caught Sam and pulled him backward, pushing his erection into Sam’s crack. “What was it that you wanted to tell me?”
Sam groaned and pressed against Michael. His words came out as a gasp. “I’m in love with you.”
Those words set every inch of Michael’s skin aflame. He kissed the back of Sam’s neck and rocked his cock against Sam’s ass. “Say that again.” He needed to hear it once more, just to be sure.
“Oh fuck.” Sam twisted in Michael’s arms, increasing the friction between them. “I’m in love with you, Michael.”
He loosened his hold on Sam and turned him around.
Sam shook with need, the flush now coloring his cheeks. His lips were parted. “I love you.” There was no hesitation in his expression, only open honesty.
Michael brushed his thumb against Sam’s lips, his fingers trembling. “I love you, too.”
“Do you?” Sam’s smile was dazzling. “Well, good.”
“Why the hell do you think I want to be with you? See if we can make this work?” Michael tugged at the knot of Sam’s tie, loosening it. He kissed Sam’s neck. “It’s not just your sense of style, you know.”
Sam’s voice was deep and full of gravel. “Well, thank goodness for that.” Sam cupped the front of Michael’s pants, and massaged the length he found there. “I wouldn’t want to think you love me just for my taste in suits.”
It was Michael’s turn to moan. “If you keep that up, lunch won’t happen.” Nor much in the afternoon, either.
Sam opened a little space between them. “You’re right. And lunch would be normal. A date, even.”
Even though Michael’s dick ached, he nodded. Very normal. Something a couple would do. “I suppose we could turn in early instead.” If he had to wait all day for Sam, he was going to spend all night making Sam thrash and moan.
