“Hardly, and well you know it, I’d guess,” Gerard taunted back. A few days with this man wasn’t going to be boring, that was for sure. “So where exactly is ‘home’?” he asked, reaching for the cream and sugar.
“Manhattan,” Marcus replied easily. “So we’re staying in the city?” Gerard pursed his lips. The answered surprised him. “I had you pegged for the ‘sprawling estate on the Cape’ type.”
Marcus chuckled, his red-blond hair catching the light. “Aren’t you perceptive? I have a home at Hyannis Port as well. But no, this party is here in the city.”
Gerard blew over the cup of heavily altered coffee, running his tongue along the edge to capture a sweet dollop of foam. “Glad to know I haven’t completely lost my touch. I threw a few basics in a bag, but if we need formal, it’ll have to be part of my compensation.”
“Shopping isn’t a problem,” Marcus said smoothly. “I can have a car take you wherever you wish.” “Oh no… Shopping is much more fun with a partner.” Gerard’s eyes darkened seductively. “Even better with a lover. If I need formal or anything of a special nature, you’re coming with me.”
The older man’s eyes sparkled. “If that’s what you want. Your company will be worth it.” His eyes glinted when he was amused.
Gerard leaned close, brushing nonexistent wrinkles from Marcus’s silk sweater, feeling the hard muscles beneath the smooth knit. “I promise.” He paused meaningfully. “You’ll have fun.”
Marcus’s lips twitched. He inhaled, catching a snatch of the darkhaired man’s scent: warm, clean flesh, creamy-smelling soap, a whiff of spice… He let his eyes rove over Gerard again. Marcus hoped the other man meant that fun literally. “So you accept my proposition?”
“We’re staying in the city? I can keep my cell phone?” Gerard paused after each question for Marcus’s answering nod. “Then I accept.”
THE limo came to a stop outside Bergdorf Goodman, and Marcus good-naturedly laid his cell phone aside as he watched Gerard’s reaction to his choice of stores.
Gerard smiled brightly at Marcus’s decision, but didn’t react further than that. If the man had been hoping to impress him, he was going to have to do better than Bergdorf’s. Gerard had cut his teeth of Bergdorf’s, Saks and Tiffany’s. When he wasn’t with his mother, he didn’t get greeted at the door by a manager with a glass of champagne, but he knew his way around. He got out of the car, sliding easily across the black leather seat, turning back to offer his hand to Marcus. “Shall we?”
Chuckling, Marcus saw that he had better stop anticipating reactions from the handsome, intriguing man. He scooted across the seat and climbed out at his side, ready to face the store. Something in Gerard’s confidence told him the other man would have no problems finding what he wanted.
“So what do I need to prepare for?” Gerard asked, sweeping through the rotating door. Marcus glanced around, one hand slung casually in his trouser pocket. “Friday night will be a small cocktail party. Saturday a late breakfast, business in the conference room with a light lunch. I would like you to join us to eat,” he added. “Then that night, a formal dinner, followed by entertainment. Sunday will be quieter, and brunch will be served.”
“So Friday night – casual elegant. I’m guessing you’d prefer me in slacks and shirts on Saturday even during the day. Will Saturday night be black tie or can I get away with a suit?” Gerard flipped through a rack of linen slacks as he questioned Marcus.
“Black tie,” Marcus answered, watching the other man rifle confidently through the designer clothing. A small smile took his face. He knew he had chosen well.
“Hmmm… I’ll send your driver to my studio for my tux then. There isn’t enough time to have anything tailored, and I can’t stand off-the-rack tuxedos.” Gerard stepped back, looking Marcus up and down, lingering suggestively over certain areas of his anatomy. “You strike me as the elegant cut in classic neutrals type. Am I right? I wouldn’t want to pick out anything that would make us clash when standing together.”
The older man’s smile grew as he nodded. “Very astute,” he complimented. Gerard leaned close, letting his arms slip casually around Marcus’s waist and nuzzling slightly behind his ear. “It’s important because I intend to stand very close.”
Marcus indulgently allowed Gerard to tease him. He chuckled. “It will do wonderful things for my image,” he replied. “That’s the point, yeah,” Gerard said, starting to load Marcus’s arms with garments. The pile grew as they meandered their way through racks and stacks of trousers, shirts and sweaters. When Gerard felt he had enough to choose from, he grabbed Marcus’s shoulders and maneuvered him towards the dressing room. Truthfully, Gerard knew exactly what sizes and designers looked best on him, but he was anxious to put himself on ‘display’ for Marcus.
The older man followed Gerard around, content, for now, to serve as pack mule. Although he hoped to be rewarded by seeing some of these clothes on that gorgeous body. When Gerard wasn’t looking, Marcus ran his eyes over the long legs and seriously sweet ass.
Seating Marcus in a comfortable chair next to the raised platform and three-way mirror, Gerard disappeared into an adjacent dressing room. Quickly donning a pair of black linen trousers and a cream silk shirt, he strolled out side, spinning in front of Marcus, hands slid casually in well-tailored pockets. “Well?” he asked, turning to give the other man a good view of his ass. The shirt was so fine that it was almost translucent. His dark nipples were clearly visible through the ecru fabric.
Raising a brow as he enjoyed the show, Marcus lit a cigarette and breathed in deeply before replying. “Very flattering,” he said, meaning both toward himself and Gerard.
“Dressy enough for Friday night?” Gerard noted with satisfaction that Marcus’s eyes followed his fingers as they slipped in and out between the buttons on his shirt.
“Quite appropriate, as well you know,” Marcus answered, rolling the cigarette between his fingers before holding it between his lips. A shop girl appeared silently with an ashtray and disappeared just as quickly.
“With the right shoes and belt, it’ll do,” Gerard announced, beginning to unfasten the pants as he walked past Marcus to the dressing room. He appeared next with the values reversed. A light pair of slacks in a heavier material and an Egyptian cotton shirt the color of Swiss chocolate. “Saturday?”
Marcus eyed the shirt critically. “I like the color, it matches your eyes. But the cut doesn’t hang well. It looks heavy.” Gerard raised an eyebrow. Marcus obviously wanted him ‘on display’ for his guests, which he supposed was partially the role of the partner, to distract the guests with their physical and mental charms. “I’ve got a similar color in silk. Will that work better?”
Nodding, Marcus tapped ashes into the crystal tray at his elbow. “You know you’re beautiful,” he said mildly. “So show yourself off to your best advantage.”
“And yours, too, I imagine. Exactly how distracting would you like me to be?” Gerard asked, leaning up against the wall within easy touching distance of Marcus.
The older man’s lips pulled slowly into a full-blown, sexy smirk. Gerard’s fingers danced around the buttons of the shirt. “Wouldn’t want me to appear too uptight.” A quick tug popped the top button. “Is this low enough? No,” the younger man answered his own question, slipping the next button free. Marcus’s eyes glittered in appreciation as the shirt revealed the handsome man’s chest, even a hint of brown nipple if he shifted one way or the other. Freeing all of the buttons, Gerard pulled the tails free from his pants. He’d have to remove the shirt to change anyway, and it was more fun to do it where he could watch the expression on Marcus’s face. Smoothing a hand over his chest, he asked, “Do you like my chest?”
The smirk yanked into a smile. “Very handsome,” Marcus commented before placing the cigarette back between his lips. Gerard’s eyebrow rose out of habit. So Marcus wasn’t going to be bated that easily. He smiled mysteriously, spinning and disappearing back into the cubicle. When he
returned he was redressed in his own clothes and had three outfits over his arm. He headed towards the register, confident that Marcus would follow. “Greta, I thought you didn’t like working days,” he greeted the saleswoman. “Pick out the accessories I need for these and have them sent to…” Gerard paused for Marcus to fill in the address. “Thanks, love,” he leaned over the counter, pressing a kiss to the young woman’s cheek, making her blush. He waited patiently while Marcus gave Greta his gold card and slipped his arm through the other man’s as they walked away. “Now back in the car, I think it’s time you took me home.”
Content to let Gerard have his way, Marcus gave directions to the driver. Stealing another look at him, Marcus decided he had made the perfect choice for the weekend… and perhaps even beyond. Perhaps. He picked up his PDA and started checking his messages.
GERARD ran his fingers through his glistening locks, glancing in the gilded mirror one last time before knocking on the connecting door between his room and Marcus’s.
Hearing the knock from where he stood in the bathroom shaving, Marcus called out for the person to enter. It would either be Gerard or his housekeeper, who was arranging the party plans.
Gerard opened the door, surprised to see the sumptuous bedroom empty. He looked around for Marcus. The room was the mirror image of his, decorated along elegant Scandinavian lines. Walking past the focal point of the room, he stroked a hand across the black silk bedding, catching a glimpse of his host in the mirrored wall of the bathroom. Marcus was only partially dressed. Custom-tailored pants hung from slender hips, the muscles of his back and shoulders flexing as he shaved. “I figured you’d be the one waiting for me to get ready,” he teased, sitting on the corner of the bed.
Marcus smiled as he pulled the razor over his cheek, glancing to the other man as he tapped the razor in the sink and stuck it under the running water. “Probably true, if I hadn’t kept answering my phone,” he admitted, pausing and taking a moment to look out at Gerard, eyes skimming up and down the lithe figure.
Getting to his feet, Gerard walked over to stand directly behind the blond. “So am I going to have to seize your phone to have your undivided attention?” His hands slipped into the deep pockets of Marcus’s pants, not surprised or disappointed when he found them empty. Curling his hands, he stroked the hard muscle of Marcus’s thighs, brushing dangerously near the older man’s cock without actually touching it.
Pausing in mid-stroke, Marcus looked dryly at Gerard, then down at his trousers. “I can truthfully say you have my undivided attention,” he replied as he reacted physically to Gerard’s proximity.
Gerard propped his chin on Marcus’s shoulder. “Just as it should be.” His hand slid sideways, using the silk lining of Marcus pocket to stroke the hardening length. “Want me to do something about this before we go downstairs? A hard-on this big really ruins the lines of a good pair of trousers.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow as he finished his shave and washed off the razor under the running water. “Is that a rhetorical question? Or just a compliment?” he asked as he wet a washcloth to wipe away the remaining foam.
Throwing a towel down on the tile floor, Gerard slid to his knees, using his hands to turn Marcus to face him. Nuzzling the hard shaft through Marcus’s pants, he grazed the head with his teeth, careful not to wet the fabric too much. “Both,” he answered, looking up through a dark fringe of lashes, desire pooling in his eyes.
Tossing down the washcloth, Marcus leaned back against the sink. “Far be it for me to flaunt the rules of fashion,” he said, the look on his face one of pure want.
“Just give up talking now, lover. I wouldn’t want you to bite your tongue,” Gerard teased as he opened Marcus’s pants. Damn, but the man was hung. “This is going to feel fuckin’ awesome buried in my ass,” he mused out loud, stroking the hard length. “You do top, don’t you?”
The older man chuckled. “I think I’m up for it,” he answered, sliding his fingers of one hand into Gerard’s hair. “You said something about giving up talking?” he questioned pointedly as his fully erect cock bounced against the other man’s cheek.
Gerard licked his lips for effect, swirling his tongue around the rim of Marcus’s cock. “You taste good,” he murmured, pursing his lips and swallowing around the hard length. He knew they didn’t have much time, so he pulled out every trick he knew, alternating between deep throating the long shaft and teasing the head with his fluttering tongue.
Shuddering, Marcus let his head fall back as he pushed slightly into that sinful mouth, his hand gripping the back of Gerard’s head. As enthusiastic as the younger man was, it didn’t take long. “Coming…” Marcus groaned as he felt his balls draw up tight.
Gerard relaxed, allowing the older man to fuck his mouth to get just the right pace to find his climax. With gentle suction, he suckled the sensitive shaft clean, only teasing the spots that made Marcus hiss once… or twice. He glanced up impishly as his teeth barely grazed the soft head, tucking Marcus in carefully and rezipping the expensive trousers. Patting the sated cock, he stepped back to examine Marcus’s crotch. “There. Much better,” he pronounced, pleased.
Marcus rolled his eyes and sighed deeply, shaking his head and smiling at Gerard’s teasing. “Anything in the name of fashion,” he murmured.
LOOKING across the room of people, Marcus studied his “companion” with amused eyes. Gerard was obviously comfortable in high society surrounds, and he mingled effortlessly with Marcus’s business contacts as well as other guests, some minor celebrities and more. As the younger man moved, Marcus shook his head slightly, unable to believe how much sensual appeal Gerard radiated. The other guests noticed as well. A curl of jealousy formed in Marcus’s gut, but he tried to ignore it. They were, after all, practically strangers, despite the blow job. Not that anyone here could tell that. He turned his attention back to his discussion.
Gerard worked the room. He’d been trained well at his mother’s skirts. He was surprised at the number of people in attendance. He’d expected a smaller, more intimate group, but it didn’t matter. Flatter, listen, keep eye contact. He could do it in his sleep. The only new part of the equation was the compulsion he felt to keep track of Marcus: where he was, who he was talking to, and how to plan a track around the room that would make their paths cross.
Marcus accepted another compliment upon the elegance of his high-rise condo and the entertainment provided in the form of a string quartet on the balcony. Nodding his agreement, he noted the caterer standing at the door, ready to ring for dinner. “If you’re ready,” he said in a raised voice, “I believe dinner is prepared.” He paused at the door, eyes sweeping the room for Gerard. Marcus wanted the man to sit next to him so he could subtly claim him in front of the assembled.
Hearing the subtle chimes indicating that it was time to be seated, Gerard moved gracefully to Marcus’s side. Appearing from behind, he felt the blond tense as he took his arm. Not sure if it was surprise or uneasiness with the intimate gesture, Gerard whispered, “Do you want me beside you or should I strategically place myself to help keep the dinner conversation going?”
Watching one of his business guests eye Gerard appraisingly, Marcus settled his free hand over Gerard’s as they walked in to the dining room. “Sit with me,” he stated, rather than inviting. Once again, he stamped down on the flare of jealousy. It simply wasn’t appropriate in this temporary liaison between strangers.
Gerard felt a warm glow spread up his arm from where Marcus’s hand covered his. Impulsively, he leaned his head over on his companion’s shoulder for a brief moment. It was easy to see himself standing by Marcus as a co-host of many more events like this, but knew he was jumping way out of line. Marcus had asked him to join him for a weekend, not his life. “So which of these people are key to your success this weekend, so I know where to concentrate my efforts?”
Marcus glanced about the table as they walked through the room to the head of the table. “The three older men on your right,
and the two women across from them. They’re the management of the company I’m dealing with,” he said, stopping to pull out Gerard’s chair gallantly with a smile for appearances.
Resisting the urge to look up at the handsome man and flutter his eyelashes, Gerard scanned the faces at the head table. Three of the people Marcus pointed out he’d already spoken with. Feeling the magnetic draw as the elegant man slid into the chair by his side, he couldn’t resist placing his hand on the strong thigh, safely hidden by the heavy linen tablecloth. Turning his chin to look at Gerard evenly, Marcus held the other man’s eyes for some time.
Dinner went smoothly. The woman to Gerard’s left had just returned from a trip to central Africa, and she kept them entertained with stories about the children she had met at the orphanage she was helping to rebuild. Well, her money was helping to rebuild, Gerard corrected mentally. Ashley CorbinNarcett wouldn’t know the business end of a hammer if it hit her in the head. The dinner plates were discreetly whisked away and a bowl of cherries jubilee was placed in front of Gerard. He licked his lips absently. Oh, the things he could do with a bowl of this and Marcus… He glanced to his side, dark brown eyes colliding with green.
Marcus caught himself watching Gerard several times during dinner, more than satisfied with how well the younger man was charming his guests. He wasn’t sure he could have chosen better. He’d gotten away with stealing looks several times, but this time he met rich chocolate-colored depths, and he was caught. Marcus could feel his pulse pick up.
Gerard raised one eyebrow and silently mouthed, “Cherries?”
Frowning slightly, Marcus nodded. “Want something different?” he asked quietly, ready to gesture to a server. Laughing, Gerard shook his head, leaning close and whispering for Marcus’s ears only. “Neither one of us qualifies as ‘cherry’, darling, but oh, the things I can think of to do with them.” The slow smirk that grew on Marcus’s face garnered a few comments from nearby guests, and the older man just raised an eyebrow at them, looking smug.
Mr. Right Now Page 14