by E. Davies
That, and Logan's expression. His gaze was fixed on that perfect, pleased, contented expression on the man's face.
He loved it. He loved him.
It was insane. Hunter had only known him a few weeks. He'd started off bribing his way into Logan's life in exchange for a date, spontaneously following his heart when it told him this man was the most interesting and passionate man he'd met in months, if not years...
He'd wanted a touch of romance, enough intimacy to explore some rougher sex, the passion of more than just one tumble into bed for one night.
He hadn't expected to fall for Logan altogether.
“Oh, fuck,” he breathed out, closing his eyes as he thrust a few last slow times, letting Logan's legs slide off his shoulders to spread on the bed instead. “Jesus.”
Logan grabbed his sides and pulled him down against him, his cock slipping free as he was pulled into a hug.
He brought his arms to brace on either side of Logan's head, leaning down to kiss him hard.
They kissed for a minute, maybe two. Their lips slid hard against each other's as if they wanted to share every bit of their pleasure and gratitude to each other.
Maybe... just maybe... Logan felt the same about him.
The rich boy had fallen for the poor boy; in all the stories, it was the other way around. In his past, it had always been the other way around, and Hunter had accepted their attention. But Logan was different. Logan didn't care that he was worth at least seven figures. The only digit he'd wanted was the one in Hunter's pants. He'd said “no romance” the first time they'd had sex.
Could he get Logan to change his mind? He was going to do his goddamn best to find out.
He held Logan close, their breathing gradually slowing together. He didn't care that they were going to be late to the event. He needed to be clear on where he stood with this man.
“When Charlie tells everyone we're boyfriends, will we be?”
Chapter 16
Logan
“We're going to be partners.”
The words echoing through the glitzy room, draped in elegant crystal decorations and filled with the city's sparkliest and most rich-looking people, made Logan's heart sink in his stomach. He just about reached out for Hunter's hand before catching himself.
Hunter was going to be devastated.
Charlie was standing in the middle of the room beside Hunter's father, Roy, and the grin on his face was a mile wide as Roy glanced around for the reaction to his words.
The party had stopped still when Charlie had said they had something to announce and Logan had known it couldn't be anything good, but... this was much worse than he'd thought.
“No,” Hunter whispered so softly Logan was positive only he heard it. When Logan looked at him, his expression wasn't pained or hurt. It was calmly blank, like he'd been trained out of showing his true reactions in such a public venue, but his eyes were fierce and fixed only on Charlie.
Oh my God, he's going to fight him.
Logan shifted slightly to ready himself in case he had to stop Hunter from doing something stupid, but he reminded himself as Hunter stood perfectly still instead that should have known better. Rich people didn't trade punches in the middle of a ballroom; they traded stocks in backrooms to fuck each other over.
Despite Logan's pledge of nonviolence, he would have much preferred to throw a punch instead that second.
He drew a deep breath and let it out, watching as people applauded.
The tense first second after the announcement had passed as everyone processed the good news. As they clapped, Logan was intensely aware of people looking over at Hunter to see how Roy's son would react.
Hunter brought his hands together in applause, his expression smoothing into a polite smile, but Logan felt the tension under his body. He ached to smooth it out however he could. He didn't know what could be done now, but whatever it was, he wanted to help. He quickly mimicked Hunter and applauded.
Amidst the applause and cheers now coming from the rest of the room, Hunter leaned over to whisper to Logan, “He's going after my inheritance.”
Logan took an awful second to realize what Hunter meant. He knew he must have gone pale, but he hadn't had emotions bred and trained out of him since an early age.
Charlie wanted to get the favor of his father, then drop the bombshell sometime later that Hunter was seeing Logan in the hopes that his father would choose to reward his business partner with his assets instead of his own son.
All this, and Logan hadn't even met Roy yet.
The party had been in full swing by the time they'd arrived, and though he'd caught glimpses of Roy circulating around the room, they hadn't yet worked their way around to Hunter's father before Charlie had chosen to make the announcement.
Logan swallowed hard as the applause died down, then whispered, “What do we do?”
Hunter spoke quietly but with the weight of a decision already carefully calculated and made in these brief seconds behind his words. “There's only one thing we can do.”
As Hunter walked towards his ex and his father, Logan kept pace with him, his back straight. He was thankful Hunter had brought one of his nice suits with him for Logan to wear; it at least gave him the boldness to feel like he deserved to stand at Hunter's side in this moment.
He wasn't sure what Hunter was planning, but he trusted the man to do what was best for both of them.
Charlie's expression of smugness had faded now as he reached into his jacket to pull some papers out of his pocket along with a pen. He turned his body, stepping between Roy and his son in an attempt to block the way.
“Shall we do the ceremonial--” Charlie began, his voice a little too loud and panicky as he gestured to a table in the opposite direction.
Hunter rested a hand on Charlie's shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt your moment, but this seems a fitting time to announce something of my own.” He dropped his hand when Charlie met his gaze.
Even Logan saw the panic in Charlie's eyes. The contract – probably for the business partnership – wasn't signed yet. His plan to get the money must be relying on Roy's good will but also his legal signature.
It was a ballsy move. Logan had never dreamed this might happen to him, but he had a good idea what Hunter was about to do and he folded his hands behind himself.
“What's that, my boy?” Roy asked with a smile, resting a hand on Hunter's shoulder and glancing for a moment at Logan.
The room was quiet again with anticipation as everyone watched the four of them.
“I'm dating someone.”
The grandfather clock standing against the far wall of the ballroom ticked, and some people's eyes strayed around as if to wait for a woman to step forward. Others had politely veiled expressions that indicated they knew exactly what was happening.
So many eyes on them.
Logan was used to entire rooms of people watching him, often in scorn, but this... this was different.
“Logan,” Hunter said simply, and Logan knew it was a request for his hand, and his permission to tell the world about the two of them.
Logan had never wanted anything more. He smiled as he offered his hand and a small nod.
Hunter took Logan's hand gently in his own, then held it firmly as he glanced around the room. “Logan Hudson.”
Logan took satisfaction in the quiet murmurs. At least a few people knew his name, probably just as “the green freak” or the guy who'd gotten in the way of their investment in Charlie's condos.
“An odd match, given what many of you know about each of us... but you can never predict life, or, indeed, love,” Hunter concluded, still holding Logan's hand.
Logan's face felt hot, but he squeezed Hunter's hand and looked around at Charlie and Roy first of all.
“Oh, goodness,” Charlie mock-gasped and took a step away from the two of them – subtle enough to be from surprise, but also blatant enough to be from disgust if the mood of the room swung that way.
Logan knew he was trying to incite a negative reaction in Roy and the others. Fuck, he hated him. He restrained his reaction and just watched Roy instead.
Roy's surprise had just about made him stagger, but he recovered himself in a few seconds and brought his hands together.
Logan saw that there was much more going on. Nobody would publicly shun their son in this kind of political climate. Too risky.
The room launched into applause just as loud as it had clapped for the first partnership announced a few minutes ago. A few people in particular were clapping harder and making a point of smiling at them, while others looked disinterested or surprised.
Logan had no idea who had motives and what they were, so he avoided looking at anyone in particular and just cast a shy smile around the room before focusing on Hunter.
“Well, with that,” Charlie said loudly before the applause had trailed off, “we'll let you get back to your drinks and food. Eat up, everyone!”
Conversation began in polite murmurs once more as Hunter faced Charlie, still holding Logan's hand.
God, it felt good to hold hands with Hunter in front of the whole room, just as some women here had their arms looped casually around their husbands. He'd never truly been Hunter's secret, but Logan's heart was light with joy that it had never been an option. The only way to beat Charlie's game was to play it.
“I believe we have some matters to discuss,” Roy spoke up from nearby, his gaze shifting between Logan and Hunter before he looked at Charlie.
“Ah, the papers. I'll come straight along to--”
“No,” Roy told Charlie firmly, yet politely. “Family comes first. Feel free to enjoy the party for a while. I'll call you when I'm available to sign those papers.”
Logan's heart rose.
They had hope.
“Our limos are waiting for us,” Roy told Hunter and Logan, his gaze focusing more on Logan than his son for a few moments.
Hunter answered for them both, his voice calm and strong. “Let's go.” Still holding Logan's hand, he led the two of them away from Charlie and the center of the room.
Roy led the way, striding out of the room after accepting a few one-on-one congratulations from people who spotted him passing.
Just before they left the room, someone touched Logan's arm: a woman clad in all-blue whose face he recognized. The charity dinner?
“Logan. I met you at the--”
“Valentine's Day event,” Logan finished, his eyes lighting up. “Yes, I remember you, Ms... Hudson.”
“Oh, you remember me,” Ms. Hudson answered, smiling back at Logan before glancing at Hunter. “Hello again, Hunter.”
“Congratulations to you both. You're a good match for Hunter – determined and perseverant. I know you fought hard to get that garden. Are you planning another event soon?”
Despite his confusion, Logan nodded to accept the compliment. “Er, well... there should be one late this summer. We're raising funds for a school education program.”
Ms. Hudson drew closer and murmured to Hunter, “Watch Charlie. I've heard things.” Then, she winked. “See you at the next dinner, Logan.”
“See you,” Logan answered, raising a hand to wave slightly as he let Hunter lead him out by the hand.
What was that about?
He could tell as he glanced to Hunter that his boyfriend had no idea, either.
My boyfriend. It was still strange to think those words since they'd only settled on it an hour ago while in a rush to get dressed and ready for this party, but it made Logan smile.
They stepped outside and reached the limo, sliding into the back and finally breaking their grip to buckle their seat belts for the short ride to Hunter's house. Only one limo waited, so Hunter's father must have already left.
“Ready?” Hunter murmured as the limo pulled away, and Logan knew he didn't mean for the car ride.
“For anything,” Logan promised. He saw Hunter smile even in the semi-darkness of the backseat.
Chapter 17
Hunter
Hunter had never taken Logan through the front door of his home. He'd led the beautiful young Renaissance man through the side gate to his property, next to the staircase and public pathway. Logan had left through the front door while going home for the night despite Hunter's offer of a place to stay.
He glanced over as they approached his home to watch Logan's reactions.
The driveway curved around flowering shrubs, garden beds, and a grove of trees until suddenly the house came into view, framed by a water fountain in front, tall trees on each side, and the hedges and tall, stone walls that provided privacy on all sides.
At this time of the evening, the fountains were illuminated in front of the house, jets of water rising and falling in sync with the changing colors of the fountain. Exterior lights shone up along the walls of the home and down from the top, highlighting it perfectly in the dark.
The sight of glass and steel rising up into the evening air was always home to Hunter.
Logan was taking in every detail as they approached the curved driveway in front of the house, and when Hunter looked at him, he smiled. “It's beautiful,” Logan murmured.
“Not like your home,” Hunter chuckled, thinking about the beautiful, quaint little home taking shape on the hill below. “But it's mine. I like it.”
“To each his own,” Logan answered, and Hunter glanced at him. Would he take him up on his offer of making his home both of theirs? He wanted Logan waking up with him every morning.
We only just started dating. Give him time.
The limo pulled up outside the staircase to the front doors, so Hunter slid out of the limo and offered a hand to Logan, then took him on his arm to the front door.
The door opened seemingly on its own, a familiar face peering out. “Hunter, welcome home, sir.”
“Thank you, Paul. Hope you had a pleasant evening.”
“I did, sir,” Paul agreed. “We won.”
“Excellent.”
“I told you you should have placed a bet on us, sir.”
Hunter laughed at their private joke, then glanced at Logan as he realized he'd never made introductions. “Logan, this is my household manager, Paul. Paul, my boyfriend Logan.”
“A pleasure to meet you at last, sir,” Paul added with a polite nod. “I've seen you about.”
Logan looked alarmed and Hunter resisted the urge to laugh. Paul was too discreet to have seen Logan in any compromised state, but no doubt Logan was wondering.
“Your father is waiting in the sitting room, sir,” Paul added to Hunter.
“Excellent. Would you mind waiting up a little longer? We may be having company over – Charlie.”
Paul's eyes flickered, but he nodded. “Of course. I'll be around if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
Hunter led Logan down a hallway into a section of the home he hadn't taken him to yet. This wasn't his favorite part of the house, the open-plan, spacious, airy living room they now left behind in favor of an elegant wallpapered hallway with gold-burnished chandeliers. “Right this way.”
Hunter liked having Logan on his arm, to tell the truth. It made Logan seem a little less standoffish and nervous. He didn't think Logan necessarily wanted to be around the kind of comfortable life that surrounded Hunter, but at least while he was, he fit in.
The sitting room was a beautiful, cozy room that Hunter did like, at least – much better than the formal dining room down the hall. It looked like an old wood-paneled library, but the glass windows and steel accents had freshened up the older style so it fit with the rest of the house. There was fluffy carpet underfoot and a fireplace along one wall, with stuffed furniture arranged around it. Bookshelves with glass fronts and display cases were strategically positioned around.
“Ah, Hunter.” Roy was waiting for them by the fire, and he rose to his feet when the two entered.
Hunter looked over as his boyfriend dropped his hand from his arm as they approached to reach
out. “Mr. Kenning? I'm Logan. It's a pleasure to meet you.” He was every inch the respectable boyfriend, not the tree-hugging lunatic his father thought Logan was.
Good job, Hunter thought. He knows how to play my games.
“Since you're part of the family, you should call me Roy,” Roy answered but took his hand and shook it. He didn't look entirely happy for Logan to be there, but perhaps he was just gruff.
“Dad...” Hunter began, about to launch into his little speech.
Roy waved his hand. “Don't bother with all of it. Just tell me this: why didn't you tell me first?”
“I wanted to,” Hunter said quietly, meeting his father's gaze without shrinking away. “But some things you said...”
“If you'd told me, I would have been prepared for tonight. I could have saved you some of the hassles you're going to get now.”
Hunter frowned. “Well, you didn't tell me everything, either. Charlie?” Of all the people to do business with.
Roy sighed, then walked over to a corner cabinet to choose a bottle of whisky and pour three glasses.
The sight of the third glass made Logan's shoulders visibly sink with relief. He still gave away so many clues to his feelings, and Hunter liked it. It wasn't all pomp and show, fake smiles and attitudes with Logan. He saw why Logan was relieved, though; whatever problems Roy had with Hunter, they didn't include hating Logan's existence or the fact that he was a man.
For his part, Hunter was glad, too. He wouldn't have hesitated to stand up for Logan, even if it meant giving up several digits in his net worth.
It still made him marvel to think of, but it was true: Logan was worth it.
Roy handed over glasses to each of them and sank back into his armchair, so Hunter and Logan took seats on the couch next to it. “I gather we haven't been telling each other enough for a long time. Charlie's in a bit of a bad spot, but he's got a good head for business. He would have been a good match, you know, if he were...” he gestured with the glass.
Hunter considered telling him, but he decided against it. He wasn't that low. Besides, he had something else to address. “Would he?” Hunter frowned. “Now you're thinking of good matches for me, not worrying about me coming across as gay?”