A Worthy Man

by Jaime Reese

  He hummed as he turned the large sheet on the drawing table, sketched the sharp line, then quickly flipped the page back again. Each line he added to the page had purpose, and each new shadow added depth and life to his creation. Possessed with a need to finish the last few details, he’d lost his sense of time and how long ago he had munched on that cookie Drayton had brought him to keep him going.

  A hint of a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth each time he thought of him.

  Dray.

  He was the only reason Vann felt comfortable enough to disconnect from everything and focus on the drawing. His quiet presence always gave Vann strength, and his proximity always settled the million questions and doubts that battled within his spirit.

  His mind was in the zone. He was a vessel, sketching lines and giving birth to this creation. Nothing existed except the drawing in front of him that seemed to breathe more fully with each newly sketched line.

  He grabbed another pencil from the sorted row he had laid out and added a few finishing, sharp, darker lines. He straightened and stared at the drawing. His breath quickened and his heart punched against his chest. He was his own worst critic, but even he didn’t see a single line that needed to be altered.

  “When you take a break, I want to show you something,” Drayton said.

  Vann glanced over his shoulder. “I just finished.”

  “Can I see?”

  Vann nodded, fidgeting as Drayton approached the drawing table. He rubbed the sole of his bare foot against the bottom stretcher of the drawing chair, waiting for Drayton’s initial reaction when he saw the sketch—the first response that would let him know if he should take this chance.

  Drayton’s eyebrows twitched as he stared at Vann, probably trying to decipher the thoughts racing through Vann’s mind. He needed to know what Drayton thought about the sketch. Drayton had used one of his designs, but he hadn’t intended to create it to launch Drayton’s dream. The appeal and success of that first design was a happy coincidence and not a guarantee he could create something equally powerful. The cost of taking that risk and how it could affect the company’s future kept his daring nature in check.

  Dray had spent the last ten years nurturing and building an empire of wealth Vann still couldn’t wrap his brain around. He wanted to be a part of it. He itched to stand alongside Drayton to support him and prove wrong every son of a bitch who thought Vann would be a negative influence on him. But the thought of everything crumbling because Vann couldn’t do a drawing that could match the standard Drayton had established in the industry, shredded him. Art was subjective. And what one person loved, another hated with a passion. He’d already managed to tear Drayton away from a posh life once before, there was no way he could play a hand in doing that again.

  He closed his eyes as Drayton leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. He gripped the back of Drayton’s neck, holding him in place for a few seconds more, trying to settle the swarm of butterflies that had invaded his body and twisted his stomach.

  “Mmm,” Drayton moaned when they parted. His heavy-lidded gaze slid to the table and his eyes slowly rounded. He inhaled a sharp breath.

  Vann twisted the pencil in his hand and chewed his lower lip. His chest heaved as Drayton carefully picked up the sketch with one hand. Drayton didn’t utter a word, but his other hand shook slightly as he held the sketch in front of him with both hands. He stared, his eyes slowly shifting, as if traveling along each curve in the drawing. Vann needed to know what Dray thought, but he also knew this was part of his process. He observed, analyzed, and broke down a million details per second while the average person chewed over a single thought.

  Drayton set the sketch down on the table again, then turned to Vann. He reached out and cupped Vann’s face, slowly drawing him to rise from the chair. “Do you have any idea how incredibly talented you are?”

  Vann reached out and grabbed Drayton’s waist, tugging him closer and breathing a sigh of relief.

  Maybe he could do this.

  He leaned in close to Drayton’s ear. “You inspire me.” He closed his eyes when Drayton’s arms draped around his shoulders, enjoying the peace that always encircled him when Drayton was near. Vann ran his hand up Drayton’s back and pressed a kiss to the side of Drayton’s neck, reveling in the electricity sparking between them. “You said you wanted me to see something?”

  Drayton retreated, pulling away from the embrace but still holding Vann’s hand in his. “Yeah.”

  Vann let himself be led out of the room and down the hallway, unable to resist staring at the curve of Drayton’s ass or the way the muscles in his legs flexed with each step. “I can think of a few things you can show me.”

  Drayton chuckled and turned, stopping before entering the living room. “Here, wear this.” He withdrew a thin slip of material from the pocket of his shorts and folded it, tying it around Vann’s eyes.

  “Do you have a kink we need to explore a little more?”

  Drayton chuckled. “You asked me something last weekend, and I couldn’t answer the question. I can show you the answer now. C’mon.”

  “What question was that?” he asked, letting Drayton lead him into the living room, hoping and praying he didn’t stub his toe on any furniture along the way. Strong, large hands braced his shoulders, positioning him and holding him in place.

  He felt the heat of Drayton near, and the warm puff of his breath by his ear as he spoke. “You asked me why I bought this building and why I chose the top floor. I couldn’t really describe it. Seeing it makes perfect sense.”

  Drayton slid his arm around Vann’s waist and pressed his chest against Vann’s back. “It reminds me of you.”

  The blindfold slid away and Vann opened his eyes. The playfulness from just a few seconds ago evaporated. His lips parted as he slowly inhaled, staring at the sight before him. The night sky was completely devoid of any clouds, leaving only the hint of a twinkle from the stars and the huge full moon taking center stage. The moon shone bright, with a glowing aura around it and a mirror image slightly rippling in the almost-still, dark, deep blue ocean below. The view filled every inch of his line of sight. The glow surrounding the moon almost seemed to pulsate, as if commanding his attention and sending a message via Morse code straight to Vann’s heart.

  His breath came at a clipped pace. His eyes scanned every detail of the panoramic scene, memorizing every line, every shade of color, and every twinkle of light. His lips remained parted, taking in slow deep breaths as he absorbed the beauty of the scene and what it meant to him.

  Drayton’s hand slid over his arm and down his chest, splaying possessively above Vann’s heart as he held him close, flush against his body. “I love you. Always. Forever.”

  Vann closed his eyes and leaned back into the embrace, letting the love around him bleed into every inch of his soul. He felt it in the warmth wrapped around him, and heard it in the whispered words in his ear. He knew he was loved by the man holding him. And any inkling of doubt or hesitation that had managed to burrow and linger in his mind from a decade apart vanished in that moment. The love surrounding his senses fused the broken edges of his soul and strengthened his spirit.

  He reached back and dug his fingers in Drayton’s hair. “I need to feel you.”

  Drayton pressed a kiss to the column of Vann’s neck before stepping away, leaving Vann gasping as the cool rush of air skated across his back. He planted his hand against the glass before him to steady himself and stared at the moon. The emotions fighting for attention inside him threatened to weaken him—anger at having missed so many years, happiness to finally be reunited with the one man who spoke to his soul, and love—an overwhelming amount of love—filling every inch of his broken spirit and recharging him. He’d never felt this vulnerable and strong at the same time. He screwed his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths, defenseless against the warring emotions battling for attention and the irrefutable realization that he was, very much, a man with feelings and humanity hi
s time away hadn’t completely destroyed.

  Seconds later, Drayton was at his side again, tugging at the waistband of Vann’s shorts and pulling them off. He pressed himself against Vann’s back, the warmth of his skin a welcome comfort. “I love you,” he whispered, placing a kiss on Vann’s temple.

  Vann closed his eyes and turned his face toward Drayton, enjoying the intimacy of the subtle caress. His toes curled as Drayton prepared his body, holding Vann firmly in place as his fingers stretched him and kisses covered every inch of reachable skin. He turned his head slightly, granting Drayton extra inches of skin where he could pepper more kisses, welcoming each warm press of lips. A strangled moan escaped and goose pimples rippled across his skin as tentative fingertips traced each curve and dip of muscle along his body.

  His jaw slackened when Drayton’s heat slowly breached him, inch by inch. He reached back and gripped Drayton’s lean, strong thigh, holding him close as Drayton set a steady rhythm, thrusting slow and deep. Vann dipped his head, pressing his forehead against the glass. He peeked up at the moon through his heavy-lidded stare just as Drayton’s arms tightened around him, pulling him closer.

  “I love you,” Drayton whispered in a voice thick with desire and full of emotion as he deepened his thrusts.

  Vann didn’t need to hear the words. He’d always felt it in every hint of contact, brush of lips, and teasing smile. Everything Drayton said and did had one purpose—to always let Vann know he was loved.

  Unconditionally and without reproach.

  He arched his backside in offering, craving each push into his body. He gritted his teeth, fighting off the orgasm that threatened to bring this emotional euphoria to an end. He dug his fingers into Drayton’s thigh, tugging him near, demanding the closeness he had been deprived of for a third of his life. Drayton’s pace quickened as he drove deeper into Vann, pushing his body in an up-sweep, pressing Vann against the now fogged glass.

  Vann gasped when Drayton sucked his sweat-slicked skin until a hint of pain triggered a hiss.

  “You’re mine.”

  “Always,” Vann responded, barely able to voice the word as his throat tightened and his spine tingled with the climax he could no longer fight off.

  Drayton dug his fingers deep into Vann’s hips as he pounded into his body, groaning and grunting, reaching depths no one else would ever discover. “Forever,” he said with a possessive growl, powering his body into Vann’s so hard Vann could barely stand on his tiptoes for balance with each upward grind.

  Vann curved his body, resting his head back on Drayton’s shoulder as he finally gave in, letting his soul shatter into a million pieces, knowing the one man holding him could put him back together, stronger and more completely than before. He desperately gripped the back of Drayton’s head while his spirit free-fell, bringing their mouths together as they swallowed each other’s yell and spilled their release.

  A few moments later, they still remained in place, their exhales harsh and in unison, their souls still connected with their joined bodies. Vann rested his forehead against the glass, trying to catch his breath as Drayton pressed against his back, holding him with one hand splayed across his chest and an arm wrapped possessively around his waist. He gripped Drayton’s strong thigh behind him, holding him in place, refusing to be the first to break their physical connection.

  He turned his face toward Drayton. “I dirtied your window.”

  A sated smile spread across Drayton’s lips. He pushed his nose up along the side of Vann’s face, brushing his lips along Vann’s hypersensitive flesh. “Feel free to dirty our window like this anytime you want.”

  Vann placed a kiss on the tip of Drayton’s nose, unable to voice any words through the emotions tightening his throat. He gently stroked Drayton’s thigh, reveling in the closeness and comfort he could finally cherish that was far better than any memory he could recall. He took a deep breath and turned to stare at the full moon again, smiling as the love shone down on him and filled his soul.

  ∞ ♥ ∞

  Drayton sighed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this rested and relaxed. He didn’t have that usual tightness in his muscles or pinch in his neck. He took a few deep breaths and finally stretched, reaching for Vann at his side.

  He quickly sat up when his hand landed on a cool pillow, swaying a little with the sudden head rush. His jaw cracked with a yawn as he glanced over at the clock on the nightstand.

  Three o’clock. In. The. Fricken. Morning.

  He grabbed his sleep pants and stumbled on his way to the bathroom to take care of business before starting his hunt for Vann. He emerged from the room a few moments later, yawning again and trying to scrub the sleep out of his eyes. He stretched his arms above his head, a small smile tugging at his lips at the ache in his muscles. He walked down the hallway, poking his head in his office and glancing into the neighboring exercise room.

  Empty.

  He lowered his brow and stood in the hallway, listening for a sound and sniffing the air. He’s not cooking.

  His eyelids were heavy. Shit. Vann had obviously worn him out. Note to self, start working out again to build up my endurance.

  He glanced out to the balcony, hoping to spot Vann lounging outside to enjoy the night sky. Nothing.

  He padded his way to the only other place he figured Vann would be, following the light spilling out into the hallway. He knocked then pushed open the door the rest of the way. He inhaled sharply, scanning the room littered with sketches all over the floor and taped to the walls, covering every inch of space.

  “Hey,” Vann said, stealing his attention. He sat at the drawing table with a ready pencil in one hand and his other fist filled with more. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  Drayton bent and picked up a few of the sketches on the floor, his eyes tracing every drawn line and detail.

  “Do you like them?”

  “This…” he said, almost at a loss for words, staring at the drawing in his hand. “The lines are amazing. And this one, the sharp angles are gorgeous.” Drayton stacked the drawings and reached for one taped to the wall, carefully removing it to avoid tearing the sheet. “The curves on this one are striking.”

  Vann rose from his seat and walked over to him.

  Drayton couldn’t tear his focus away from the sketches. Each one different, each one alluring for very different reasons, yet all sharing a similar quality, proving they had been birthed by the same creative mind.

  “You did all these? Tonight?” He finally glanced up at Vann, his pulse racing at the mix of emotions in Vann’s expression.

  “I was inspired. I like watching you sleep.” Vann reached out and traced his finger along Drayton’s jaw, letting his fingertips skate down his neck and over Drayton’s abs. “Your sharp angles are gorgeous. Your lines are amazing.”

  Drayton swallowed heavily when their eyes met—the heat in that amber gaze, an obvious promise for more endurance testing. His breathing sped when Vann’s hand slid behind his back and his palm flattened against Drayton’s ass.

  “And your curves are striking,” Vann whispered, leaning in and placing a kiss along the crook of Drayton’s neck.

  Drayton swayed, stopping only when Vann braced his arms.

  “You need to go back to sleep.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You’re not.” Vann walked over to the couch on the side wall, collecting the sketches covering the furniture. “C’mon. You sleep while I draw.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt you.”

  A lopsided grin softened Vann’s expression. “You won’t. You’ll probably inspire me more. But if I happen to sketch a racing dick, you can’t get mad.”

  Drayton chuckled, settling on the couch just as another yawn escaped. He rubbed his face and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  Vann chewed his lip. “You don’t take care of yourself.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You look tired.”

  “It’s three o’cloc
k in the fricken morning. Of course I’m tired.”

  Vann sighed. “Please. Just…get some sleep. I promise I’ll be quiet while I draw.”

  Drayton yawned again as he nestled into the comfortable, plush couch. “You don’t need to be quiet. I’ll be able to sleep knowing I’m with you.”

  He startled awake when Vann tucked a blanket over him.

  “Did I nod off?”

  Vann nodded. “The second you stopped talking.” He pressed a kiss to Drayton’s lips, then another to his forehead. “Go to sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

  A peace settled in Drayton’s chest, calming the always-thrumming current of stress in his body. Knowing Vann was nearby with a watchful eye reminded him of the nights when Vann would sneak into his room when they were younger.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Drayton barely mumbled when warm lips pressed against his forehead again and sleep finally came crashing in.

  Drayton sat at his desk Monday morning and rubbed his temples, hoping the headache would subside. Sean was grating on his last nerve, and the only solution in his mind at the moment was to fire him. But doing so would leave him with an insanely steep learning curve and a stalled department. Mia said Drayton was a control-freak who micromanaged things, but the situation in the design department—the one department he had completely delegated to another skilled professional—proved exactly why releasing control was a mistake and he needed to oversee every detail of the company himself, regardless of how exhausted he was.

  The company was the only thing in his life where he had control. And there was no way in hell he’d let it slip.

  He rested his elbows on his desk and brought his hands together, steepling his fingers. Maybe he should just cut his losses. Even though Sean was a leader in the automotive design field and had received global accolades for his creativity, he hadn’t produced a workable design during his twelve-month employment thus far. And one year of design time equated to at least three to five years of model release sales.