Without a word, Gabriel dropped the towel and took Joel by the hand, leading him back into the bedroom. Gabriel pulled the comforter back, revealing smooth, untouched sheets.
“Get in.”
Joel dropped his towel and climbed into the massive bed. Gabriel slid in behind him, wrapping an arm securely around Joel's waist.
“Do you work tomorrow?” Gabriel asked him, and Joel nodded.
“Not until three, though.” Joel's eyes were heavy and he let them close, breathing in the smell of Gabriel on the pillowcase.
“Good. I want to take you somewhere tomorrow. I think you’ll like it.” Gabriel pressed his forehead against the back of Joel's head. Joel nodded again; it was all he could muster before succumbing to sleep.
***
Joel woke slowly, his body waking minutes before he had the ability to open his eyes. He allowed himself those few moments to sink deeper into Gabriel's arms. Joel noted they were in the same position as when they had fallen asleep, and something about that consistency settled softly inside Joel's chest. He stretched, sticking his leg between Gabriel's and using it to leverage his body so he could turn onto his back.
“You’re awake,” Gabriel murmured into Joel's ear, pressing a kiss against the spot on his neck right below it.
“I am.”
Gabriel squeezed him. “I want to take you somewhere, so go get dressed. I want to leave in half an hour.”
Joel grumbled, and Gabriel unwrapped their legs, throwing the blankets back and getting up from the bed. Joel turned to look at him. Gabriel's cock stood proudly, like the rest of him. He bit his lip, thinking about how badly he wanted to swallow Gabriel’s cock down his throat, but Gabriel gave him a chiding stare and a slight shake of his head before heading to the bathroom.
“Go, Joel.”
“Yes, Mr. Hunter,” Joel grumbled and Gabriel turned to face him.
“I told you how I feel about you calling me that.”
“No, you told me not to do it, you never told me why.” Joel raised an eyebrow in defiance.
Gabriel eyed Joel's naked form before replying with dry certainty, “It makes me want to fucking tear you apart with my cock.”
Joel gulped and nodded. “Understood… Mr. Hunter.”
Gabriel's cock leapt and he pointed at the door until Joel smirked and headed back to his own bedroom.
Twenty-seven minutes later, Joel was sitting at the breakfast bar when Gabriel entered the living room, dressed more casually than Joel had expected, in dark jeans, a plain red t-shirt, and black boots. Joel looked down at his dirty chucks and the self-doubt crept back in. Gabriel was so handsome and put together, and Joel was lying his way through life while wearing the mask of someone who knew what he was doing.
Joel glanced up to see Gabriel smiling at him, looking… Grateful? Thoughtful? Joel couldn’t identify the meaning behind his eyes, but he could see it wasn’t disappointment, so he decided to allow himself to revel in the glow of it.
Gabriel walked past him and grabbed his keys off the counter. “Come on, Little Red, time to go.”
Joel followed Gabriel out of the condo and downstairs to the parking garage. They stopped in front of a new-looking black Range Rover. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Joel asked.
“Get in the car, Joel,” Gabriel said with a smirk, as he unlocked the doors.
Joel climbed inside, pulling the seat belt across his chest. Gabriel turned the engine over and started to drive across town. Joel watched the palm trees of Beverly Hills give way to the concrete of the 405 north as they headed toward the valley. Pulling off before they reached the 101, Joel read the signs and turned to Gabriel. “Are we going to The Getty?” he asked, trying to bounce in his seat. Gabriel nodded, the side of his lips quirking up into a smile.
“There’s an exhibit I think you might enjoy.”
Gabriel turned into the parking structure, paying the fee and sliding into a spot. Joel nearly exploded out of the car, making his way to the tram stop.
“I haven’t been here before. I’ve always wanted to come, though.”
“It’s beautiful. I come here sometimes to sit and have lunch. I always do it alone, though. I've never brought a date here.” Gabriel bumped his shoulder against Joel's as they boarded the tram.
“Everyone always says this is like, the perfect L.A. date. Why haven’t you ever brought anyone with you?” Joel teased Gabriel. He almost leaned his head down to rest on Gabriel's shoulder as the tram bounced up the hill, but stopped himself. Gabriel had said he’d never brought a date here, so this obviously wasn't a date and Joel was definitely reading into things too much again. He straightened his shoulders, trying to distance himself from the happiness curling up in his gut.
