“I’d like to end this conversation.”
“But—”
“Please. Leave it alone.” The evident strain on Marcus’s face shocked Tyler into silence. Marcus didn’t beg; he rarely became emotional about things. He was one of the most practical men Tyler had ever met, which was why he was so successful. Living with Marcus, Tyler had seen a dark side to his personality, one Marcus thought he kept well-hidden from everyone else. And he did; Tyler was certain even Marcus’s closest friends had no idea what lived inside his mind.
When you live with someone and love them, they creep into your blood and soul, leaving irrevocable imprints on your heart. Living with a man like Marcus also meant Tyler knew when to back off. This was not a battle he chose to fight now, not when his and Lillie’s future hung in the balance.
“Okay. I didn’t mean to pry. I’ll call Josh when we get home to go over everything.”
Visibly relieved, Marcus kissed him. “Thank you.”
Now Tyler knew the key to Marcus rested with his parents.
Chapter Twenty-Five
‡
“Ithink thisspace is fantastic, Ty. It has everything you need, and it’s close to the club, which is an extra perk for me.”
Standing next to Tyler in the new studio he’d only moments ago signed a lease for, Marcus surveyed the room with satisfaction and a business eye.
“You could also take this corner in the front and set up a juice bar or café to keep the parents or babysitters here when you’re teaching their little darlings.” He grinned. “Why lose the money when they’re only going to go sit for an hour in an overpriced coffee shop anyway?”
Still nervous despite all of Marcus’s accolades for the space, Tyler gave him a brief, shaky smile and ran a hand through his hair, mussing it up, which made him even more attractive than Marcus thought possible. He paced the length of the storefront, talking to the real estate agent, while Marcus remained up front.
And though they’d only rolled out of bed less than two hours ago, a sharp pang of desire rose within Marcus, and he wanted Tyler again. There was something to be said for hot and heavy sex early in the morning. Or late at night.
Knowing Tyler was his had quashed his desire for any other man. He’d hired a replacement dancer for Tyler; a tall, sinuously striking man with art-worthy tattoos across his back. In the pre-Tyler days, Marcus would’ve had no qualms about sleeping with him, and the dancer had made more than one offer about being available for a “private show,” if Marcus was interested in seeing all the dance moves he reserved for special customers.
It never occurred to him to say yes.
To his surprise, in the months he and Tyler had been living together, Marcus hadn’t once thought of another man, nor did he miss the insanity of the nightlife he’d once immersed himself in so completely. Where variety had once been his mainstay, the only spice in his life now came from Tyler, and Marcus found that infinitely more appealing. He sometimes wondered how he’d kept up the pace he had. Spending less of his time at Sparks, he’d delegated more and more of the day-to-day responsibility of the club to trusted employees and promoted Darius to overall manager. All so that he could spend more time at home with Tyler and Lillie.
“So you think it’s good, right? You think I’m doing the right thing?”
Tyler stood before him, biting the swell of his full bottom lip, his expression both nervous and hopeful. Starting one’s own business was never easy, and a business based only on referrals could be doomed to fail almost before it started. But Tyler hadn’t done this on a whim, and when he presented Marcus with his business plan, it was obvious he’d done his homework.
“I know you are. You’ve got this, babe.” He kissed him, knowing how much Tyler needed the reassurance. Cupping Tyler’s face in his hands, Marcus studied his face. “I’m so proud of you. And I’m thrilled you let me invest in it with you.”
Tyler chewed his bottom lip, a sure sign, Marcus had come to learn, that he was worried.
“Stop damaging the merchandise.” Marcus kissed him again. “I need that lip for later tonight.”
“Are you guys all set, then?” Their real estate agent, Barbara, had gathered all the necessary paperwork and stood before them with a fond smile on her face. “I can’t wait to see the studio open, Tyler. With all the cuts in arts education in the schools, I think you’re going to do great.”
“That’s what I told him, Barb.” Marcus squeezed Tyler’s shoulder. “See? Have faith. I’m going to take him to get liquored up now in celebration.”
“Good idea.” She gave them each a hug. “Have one for me too. I’ll be in touch when all the paperwork is filed and you can take possession, but I’m thinking within the month.”
“Thanks for everything. I know I was a nervous wreck.” Tyler bent to kiss her cheek. “I appreciate all your hard work in finding this. It’s perfect.”
After she left, Tyler stood in the center of the studio and spun in dizzying circles, a smile on his face, arms spread wide. Bemused, Marcus watched him, understanding the need to express joy often couldn’t be spoken.
Finally Tyler stopped spinning and came to rest with the smile still on his face. “I can’t believe it. After all these years I finally have something concrete to call my own. And all because of you.” He jogged across the space to wrap his arms around Marcus and hug him close. “Thank you for believing in me more than I ever did myself.”
Hugging him back, Marcus felt the pounding of Tyler’s heart against his chest. “I’ve always known what you could accomplish. You’re a fighter. And just like you fought to get to this point and own your own business, you’ll fight before the judge next week and get to keep Lillie.”
“I couldn’t have done any of this without you, though.”
