“I don’t need the label, but who are we to each other? Are we together? Are we exclusive?”
“There’s no one else I want. I’ve been fighting this attraction to you for a while, unsure what to do about it, if anything. And here we are, finally… something.”
I smiled, my arms going around his waist to pull him closer. He didn’t feel wrong against me, not at all. Sheldon was warm and hard with muscles. He was nothing like those I’d been with before. That made him more desirable. This was Sheldon. My feelings, my attraction, were entirely about him.
“I want you to be mine,” I told him. “Apparently, I can be possessive. Who knew?” It certainly wasn’t me. The moment the words were out of my mouth, I felt the truth of them.
“Only if you’ll be mine too. I have many poisons that will kill anyone who tries to take you from me. If there’s no time for a little stab with a needle, I have guns, many of them, not to mention the arsenal Jordan keeps.”
“You’re not worried about me telling people what Jordan has in his building?” I wouldn’t, but it was fun to tease Sheldon.
“If any of us were concerned about that, you wouldn’t live as close as you do or be granted the access you have to Jordan’s home.” Okay, Sheldon wasn’t joking.
“I’d never breathe a word of what you tell me. What’s said between us stays there.” Besides, who would I tell? Vail and Hartley knew way more than I did.
“I know.”
A knock on the door pulled us apart, Sheldon striding toward it before I could do more than take a step. He looked through the peephole, then opened the door and blocked that sliver with his body. I got it, I really did. He was cautious, but this was a bit much.
When he closed and locked the door and turned toward me, he asked, “What?”
“It was just the delivery person. You didn’t need to block the door like he had a gun. I’ve gotten food delivered many times.”
“You don’t know who’s out there. People are well aware you’re Hartley’s brother. That puts a target on you.”
“Sheldon, I can’t and won’t live in fear waiting for something to happen. You’ll have to trust that I’ve made it this far in life, and I can keep doing so.”
“Is this where you tell me you’re older than me and know better?”
“I have more than a decade on you, so it would be valid.”
He placed the food on the kitchen counter and walked toward me. “An older man… that’s kind of hot. You can still get it up, right? If not, it’s okay. There’s medication for it. Hell, I might beable to whip something up. Or we don’t have to do anything. I’m not just in this for sex.” How he said all that with a straight face was beyond me.
I laughed. “Shut up. For the record, I can get it up just fine.” With a wink, I turned and went to retrieve my dinner. I really was hungry.
15
SHELDON
I wasn’t the man people took home to meet their parents. Not only did I not hide who I worked for, but I didn’t set out to impress anyone. With Forest, the only people I needed to like me were Vail and Hartley. They already did, so I was good there. Although, I didn’t doubt they would side with Forest any day over me, and rightfully so. I hoped never to need anyone to choose sides.
This was a different kind of feeling tonight. I was taking Forest to meet Oleander’s parents. With my mom gone and my father rotting away in jail, I wanted Forest to meet the people who meant the most to me. Oleander offered to join us, but I didn’t want Forest to feel even more nervous. If it were the other way around and I were meeting the parents with my best friend there, that would make it worse. It was better this way.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door to Forest’s apartment. It was mere seconds before he opened it and, my god, was he beautiful. Dark jeans and a black short-sleeved shirt paired with black loafers, he was casual but also not. The right blend of how I tried to convey that dinner wasn’t fancy; however, it wasn’t shorts and a comfortable tee either.
“You look amazing,” I told him.
He blushed and dropped his gaze to his hands, where they smoothed over his shirt. “Thanks. I want to make a good impression.”
I placed my finger beneath his chin to lift his eyes to mine. “You have nothing to worry about. They’re going to adore you. I brought you something.” I reached into my back pocket and took out a long, deep blue velvet box. “I’m not a flowers and candy kind of guy.”
Forest took the offered gift and opened it, his eyes going wide when he saw what was inside. “Sheldon, this is too much. It’s only our first date. I can’t accept this.” He tried to give it back, but I clasped my hands behind me and refused to take it.
“I’ve worked for Jordan for years and hardly spend the money I earn. Let me spoil you. I’d promise I won’t make a habit of it, but there’s no point in lying to you.”
“I didn’t get you anything.”
“Nor do you have to. It’s a gift. I noticed you didn’t have a watch and wanted to get you one.”
