"I'll drop your suitcase at the house," Nevil said coolly, looking straight ahead through the windshield.
Shelton put a tentative hand on Nevil's knee, longing for his morning kiss. "I'm sorry. How many more times can I say it? We need to talk about this…"
Nevil glanced pointedly at his watch. "You're going to be late."
Shelton blinked at the snub, pain settling around his heart. "Goodbye," he mumbled and flung open his door. He'd barely closed it behind him before Nevil left with a squeal of tires. Shelton watched until his taillights disappeared into traffic and then entered the bank, making his way to the conference room and taking the seat closest to the door. Hopefully it would be a short meeting and he could go home.
No such luck. Shelton rubbed his tired eyes as the meeting droned on into the afternoon, and glanced at his watch when the other members of his team finally gathered their papers and left. Two o'clock, with only a few nibbles of a dry sandwich for lunch.
He carelessly stuffed paperwork into his briefcase. Plans were moving quickly in Denver. So what? What did he care when his life was in shambles? Maybe he shouldn't go to Colorado… But he deserved this promotion, dammit. His throat tightened, and he cleared it impatiently. He had to get a hold of himself.
"Everything all right?"
He glanced up on hearing the voice and nodded to the speaker. "Andrew."
"Ted said your boyfriend looked furious when he dropped you off this morning. Do you want me to talk to him? I can explain the situation. See if I can get him to understand your position."
Shelton looked at him closely. Andrew Blake was remarkably attractive with dark hair and eyes, wide shoulders, a slim waist, and deliciously full lips. Supremely confident. No. He wasn't going anywhere near Nevil.
"Don't worry about it," he said and picked up his briefcase. He started to walk away but stopped in surprise when Andrew put a hand on his shoulder. He met the dark glance and unexpected heat flushed through him at the gleam in his rich brown eyes.
Andrew leaned close, and the hint of expensive cologne teased Shelton's senses. His breath was warm on Shelton's cheek. "Lovers can be so difficult. If you need someone to talk to, we could meet somewhere..."
Shelton blinked, slightly shocked as Andrew's words trailed off and the lush lips curved into a provocative smile. Is this what he had to look forward to if Nevil broke up with him? Men wanting nothing but a hookup? Damn.
"Thanks," he muttered and fled the room. He crossed the foyer to the front doors and stepped into the afternoon sunshine. Recovering his breath, he made his way to the train depot at the end of the block and caught the light rail home.
His mood plummeted further when he approached the brownstone and saw the empty driveway. Letting himself in, he sighed at the depressive silence as he closed the door behind him.
Shelton pushed off the smothering weight of loneliness. Nevil wasn't having everything his way. There was nothing to stop Shelton from catching a taxi and confronting him at the lake house. So what if he was going to Denver? There wasn't anything to keep him from coming home to Portland on weekends. Oregon was only a few hours away from Colorado by plane.
He pulled his cell phone from a pocket on the way to the kitchen for something to appease his rumbling stomach. He'd already pressed the number for the taxi service he frequented when something glittering on the countertop caught his attention. He ended the call and set the phone on the table and his briefcase on the ground, his movements slow and careful as he took in what he saw.
The ring he'd given Nevil with such love six months ago sat on a slip of paper by the coffeepot. Nevil wasn't playing fair. Shelton knew he was hurt and disappointed, but did Nevil have to torture him like this? He went to the counter and swore, frustrated. The note claimed Nevil was too angry to talk with him. That he'd call later in the week. But that Shelton should have the ring back, if he was determined to leave.
Shelton picked up the ring, his heart sore. "I'm sorry, Nevil." He mourned and kissed the cool trinket, wishing with all his heart it was Nevil's lips he was kissing.
His heart jumped at a light rap on the door. Sometimes Nevil forgot his key. Shelton hurried to the foyer and took a habitual glance through the peephole. He frowned.
"Andrew?" he asked as he opened the door. "Do you need something?" Shelton felt the heat rise in his face when Andrew lifted a brow.
"May I come in? Just for a moment." Andrew clarified when Shelton hesitated.
"This really isn't a good time." Shelton widened his eyes in surprise when Andrew shouldered past him through the door he'd started to close. He still held Nevil's ring and slipped it into his pocket. Andrew glanced into the empty rooms and then turned to Shelton.
"You seem to be alone," he said, and his gaze raked Shelton from head to toe.
Shelton grimaced, feeling like he'd just been undressed. "For the moment. What do you want that you couldn't tell me at the office?"
Andrew moved closer to him, and Shelton drew a sharp breath at the naked desire in his dark eyes. Andrew stood several inches taller than him, and Shelton had to fight the urge to step back.
"You should leave," he managed to say before Andrew's full lips descended on his. He wrenched his mouth free and fumbled for the door handle behind him.
Andrew put an arm on either side of him, holding the door closed. "Come on. What's the problem? You know I've wanted you. And since you're leaving anyway, where's the harm in a little fun?"
Before Shelton could answer, Andrew dropped his hand to the small of Shelton's back and pulled him closer. This is ridiculous! He wasn't the fainting heroine of some romance novel. A well-placed knee would put an end to his obvious interest, but what then? Shelton had never been in a fight in his life. How embarrassing to have to explain to Nevil if something got broken. Especially if it was him.
The thought made Shelton angry. "Andrew, you have one minute to leave before I call the police."
Andrew looked down at him, his smile mocking. "And tell them what? You let me in, remember? Besides, do you really want to explain to them what I'm doing here? I don't suppose they'd be sympathetic." He ground a fascinatingly large erection against Shelton's hip as he whispered in Shelton's ear, "You got the job in Denver over me. The least you could do is let me suck on you. Your cock has to be as beautiful as the rest of you."
Shelton's temper snapped. "Don't be a fool. Just because Nevil and I are having a fight doesn't mean I'll play around with you. Now get the hell out."
"And if I don't?"
"Then I tell the police you raped me. They'll listen to that."
Anger swept over the handsome face. Andrew grabbed the back of Shelton's head and gave him a bruising kiss, his tongue plunging deep, choking him. He then let him go with a sneer. "Your loss, babe. Have a nice life."
Shelton stared at the door after Andrew left. Did he really just say that? What an ass. He ran a hand over his curls, suddenly exhausted from a sleepless night and a roller coaster of emotions. Sighing, he went into the living room and lay prone on the couch, feeling inordinately lonely. His estranged parents lived on the east coast with his younger brother who never answered his calls, and now he was losing Nevil. What was he to do? He settled into the cushions, closing his tired eyes. As he drifted off, he heard the poignant tones of a favorite song playing in the distance.
He jerked awake and scrambled from the couch, rushing to get his phone. It fell silent and then played the wonderful notes of a message received. Nevil! His hand shook as he pressed the Playback button. A slow grin spread across his face as he listened.
"Sorry you didn't pick up. I miss your voice. Um... Sorry for leaving my ring like that. What a flaming drama queen. I was angry. Anyway, as you know, Barker has a cousin who's also in construction. Something's come up with his company and I'm flying out to see if I can help. I'll try to be back before you leave. If not, be safe. But I'll try to be there. Anyway, wanted to let you know I'm sorry. Love you. Call you soon."
Shel
ton laughed, sleepily happy. He and Nevil still needed to talk, but the world was right again. He went to the bedroom, his heart light, and stripped before climbing under the covers to finish his nap. He fell asleep on Nevil's pillow with the phone pressed to his ear, listening to Nevil's voice repeat its loving message.
*~*~*
Shelton woke a few hours later, still drowsy. He tried to catch the tendril of the erotic dream he'd been enjoying, but it faded much too quickly, as did the sensation of Nevil's lips sliding over his dick. Still painfully aroused, Shelton rolled to his side and opened the drawer on the nightstand. He smiled in delighted anticipation. Nevil had returned the silk scarves and toy he'd used on Shelton at the lake, squeaky clean.
Nevil's own vibrator had been pushed to the back of the drawer, and Shelton ran his fingers over it, remembering Nevil's shuddering pleasure the few times Shelton had slid it slowly into his ass. It was larger than the one Nevil had bought for him, and he frowned slightly, wondering if there really were men that big. He remembered being held against Andrew Blake's body. His pole had pushed hard into his hip. It might have been that large...
Shelton scowled and tossed the unwanted vibrator to the back of the drawer, then grabbed the lubricant and his own toy. After wiggling under the covers, he lay on his side and squeezed the jelly onto the end of the vibrator. He stroked himself, wishing Nevil was there to play with him.
He thought of Nevil's hot mouth on the tip of his cock, sucking him, the skillful tongue sliding over the slit and driving him crazy with pleasure. He pressed the vibrator against his hole and nudged it inside, grunting into the pillow before it slipped past the initial resistance and went in deliciously deep. He slid it in and out of his trembling body with slow strokes, imagining it was Nevil's glorious dick inside him.
When his arm tired, Shelton found the right spot with the vibrator's bent tip and turned it on. He moaned as tingling pleasure spread through his body. Settling into the mattress, he stroked his erection, the slippery lubricant on his hand heating with the friction.
He kept the vibrator on its lowest setting, letting the orgasm build slowly. In his mind, he kissed Nevil and slid his tongue down his silky skin, pausing a moment to lick the hard buds on his sculpted chest before continuing lower. His orgasm came in a shattering surge of pleasure as he imagined taking Nevil's hard length into his mouth.
Chapter Four
Shelton sighed and rubbed his tired face. The weekend had seemed endless, and Monday and Tuesday had been spent in long meetings and even longer evenings at home. At least the usual Wednesday staff meeting had been brief. It gave him time after lunch to phone his clients and set up an initial interview for them with Andrew Blake, who was taking over his portfolio when he left.
There was a knock on the open door of his office and he glanced up, but his smile turned sour. Speak of the devil.
"Do you have that list yet?" Andrew asked as he came into the room. Instead of walking up to the desk as expected, he turned and closed the door. Shelton put his pen down and sat up straighter. What was he up to?
Andrew sauntered over and sat on the edge of Shelton's desk. "Now we won't be disturbed."
"Here are the names of my clients and the times they can see you." Shelton hastily slid the notepaper across the desk. Andrew picked it up and read through it.
"Who's this?"
Shelton leaned toward him to read the name and Andrew abruptly stood and rounded the desk. He leaned over Shelton's shoulder and underscored a name with a thick finger. "I can't make out these initials."
Shelton cleared his throat before answering, shifting in his chair. Andrew's subtle cologne teased his senses while the heat from where their bodies touched caused warmth to spread through him. Damn, the man was large. He shrugged his shoulder, trying to give Andrew the hint to back off. In answer, Andrew pushed his cock harder into Shelton's side.
"Well?"
Shelton looked up at him, and Andrew seized his lips in a brutal kiss, grabbing the back of his head so he couldn't pull away. Shelton felt blindly for the edge of the desk and pushed his chair out then scrambled to his feet.
"Are you out of your mind?" he asked raggedly and wiped his mouth with the back of a shaking hand.
"Come on. Don't play coy." Andrew took a step toward him.
Shelton held his ground as Andrew came right up to him and stopped just shy of touching him.
"I gave you my answer the other night, Andrew."
"But there's been several lonely nights in between, haven't there?"
Shelton stared at him, and Andrew explained. "I've heard the rumors. Nevil doesn't come home anymore. Is he sleeping with someone else?" He put a hand on Shelton's chest, over his wildly beating heart. "Does that hurt? I can help you with it."
Jesus Christ. Why had he ever told Ted Pringle that Nevil was gone a few days? Should have known the guy would dramatize it. "Andrew, just get the hell out of my office. Try this again and I'll make a complaint of sexual harassment."
Andrew drew himself to his full height, but Shelton didn't budge at the implied threat. He wouldn't be bullied. He felt uneasy, though, at Andrew's next words. "You're not uptight. There's too much passion in your eyes. You must still be horning after that prick of a boyfriend." He tapped his lips with a finger. "But if he were out of the picture…"
Andrew swiveled suddenly and strode across the room, leaving the door open as he left. Shelton watched him go, feeling numb. What had Andrew meant? Scarier still, what was the fucker going to do? He raced after Andrew and collided with Ted Pringle, who hovered in the doorway.
"Sorry," he muttered, grabbing Ted's arm to steady him.
Ted gave him a wide smile. "Don't worry about it. You can bump into me anytime." His expression turned shrewd. "Was that Andrew coming out of your office? Seemed in a hurry. What's going on with you two?"
Shelton Ted's guileless blue eyes. Ted was a ferocious gossip, but maybe that was what he needed. If Andrew's play at intimidating him spread through the office, he might back off. He pulled Ted against the wall and whispered, "Can you keep a secret?"
*~*~*
Shelton took his time walking home from the light rail train stop. The sun felt good on his face and warmed his chilled bones. He hadn't seen Andrew again the rest of the afternoon, for which he was thoroughly glad. Andrew's hint of somehow getting rid of Nevil had unnerved him. He needed to plan what he should do about it, if anything. Shelton didn't believe Andrew would hurt Nevil physically but lies could sometimes be more damaging.
He snorted in disgust. It wasn't as if Andrew loved him. He was one of those guys who wanted something because it was out of their reach. Andrew seemed driven to succeed at work. Shelton hoped he didn't apply that same single-mindedness to pursuing him. Shit.
Concentrating on his problems, Shelton jumped when his phone buzzed. He smiled when he read who was calling. "Hi, Tera."
"Can you come to the studio tonight?"
"Um... sure." Shelton laughed fondly at Tera's rushed words.
"Sorry to be so abrupt. I need to retake several of the pictures we did last week, and I'm really pressed for time."
"It's no problem. Nevil's out of town anyway."
"What's my brother up to this time?"
Shelton gave a slight shrug, recalling Nevil's cryptic message. "He said something about helping out his boss's cousin, but you know how he is about calling. I haven't heard from him since he left on Friday."
"Typical. How do you put up with him?"
A pang of regret stole Shelton's breath for a second. Nothing had been settled between them. He would put up with Nevil forever if he gave Shelton the chance. There had to be a way to make it work out.
"Shelton, everything okay?"
"We'll talk tonight. I'm walking home at the moment."
"Sure. And Shelton, you know Nevil loves you no matter how much of an ass he might be at times."
"I know that, dear. See you tonight."
Shelton slipped the phone b
ack into his pocket, wondering how many pictures he'd need to redo for Nevil's twin. He was glad it was the charcoal gray suit. Nevil had admired him in it and Shelton enjoyed trying on the exclusive suits and jackets Tera designed.
He glanced up from the sidewalk as he turned the corner of his street. Nevil! The Prius sat in the driveway of the brownstone. Heart hammering, he hurried to the front door and hesitated, chewing his lip as he carefully removed the chain holding Nevil's ring from around his neck.
He was still looking at it doubtfully when the door flung open. Strong hands reached for him, and he was pulled into Nevil's crushing embrace.
"Nevil—"
He gave up trying to speak as Nevil kissed him over and over, making little sounds of delight. Shelton had the presence of mind to nudge the door closed with a foot, and then he slipped his tongue into the sweet heat of Nevil's mouth, savoring the taste of him. His body caught fire under Nevil's wandering hands.
"I've missed you," Nevil confessed and ground his hips against Shelton's to show him just how much. Shelton's body was just as hard and yearning, and he pushed against Nevil, urging him toward the living room. Nevil drew him along and then paused at a soft clink on the floor.
He bent down and picked up the chain. "What's this?" he said, sounding puzzled.
Shelton's heart dropped to his feet. He didn't want to talk about it right then. He wanted to take Nevil to the couch, strip, and climb onto his lap. He took a steadying breath. It was probably better to get it over with.
"I was hoping you'd take it back. It doesn't mean..." Damn, it was hard to say with Nevil looking so eager. He tore his gaze away from his face and stared at the tiles under his feet. "I don't expect you to spend your nights alone when I'm gone, but I was hoping you'd want to see me on weekends."
Nevil touched his chin, raising his face. Shelton blinked in surprise. Nevil's lovely turquoise eyes were filled with unexpected laughter. A fond smile played on the corners of his lips. "My sweet Shelton. No wonder I'm so crazy in love with you."
Shelton in Love Page 8