“As far as I’m concerned, I have no father.”
Without waiting to hear if there’d be a reply, he took Tyler’s hand and walked swiftly down the hallway back toward the elevator.
“Marcus?”
“I know, I know. You’re going to say I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”
Tyler grabbed him around the waist. “Nope. I wanted to tell you I think you were amazing.” He kissed him hard and pushed the button for the elevator. The doors rumbled open, and he followed Tyler inside. True strength often hid, coming out only in times of crisis. Perhaps he was stronger than he knew, but if so it was due to having Tyler by his side.
Tyler left him alone, content to sit next to him in the cab on the way home and hold his hand or massage the nape of his neck. He didn’t deserve a man as good as Tyler, but he was selfish and had no intention of ever letting go.
The cab pulled up in front of their building, and they walked inside, past the doorman and the concierge to the elevators, smiling faintly at people as he passed them in the hallway. It seemed impossible only a mere hour ago he’d been surrounded by death and sorrow, yet here everything remained untouched.
I’m sorry we never talked or made time for each other, Mother. I’m only now beginning to figure it out and know we were both wrong. Better late than never, right?
He stood silent, thinking of all that had happened in the past months. How did the world stay the same, yet his whole life upend itself so completely he wouldn’t recognize the person he was a year ago?
The answer, of course, was Tyler.
The elevator door opened, and he pulled Tyler inside and pressed him up against the wall. There were no other occupants, which fit perfectly with his plan. The doors closed, and he smiled.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” He kissed Tyler, then pushed the emergency stop button and sank to his knees.
“Marcus, what are you doing?”
Ignoring Tyler’s halfhearted protest, Marcus pulled down the loose sweats he wore, leaving them to puddle around his ankles.
“If you don’t know by now, I’ve been horribly neglectful.” He nudged Tyler’s erection through his boxers, inhaling his wonderfully familiar smell; it was the scent wrapped up in his sheets, all over his skin, and embedded in the scars on his heart. “I’m showing you how much you mean to me.”
“You don’t need to do that here. We don’t need to risk getting caught.”
“I’m willing to take the risk, as long as it’s with you.”
A sparkle entered Tyler’s eyes. “Well, if you put it that way, I’d be stupid to refuse.” He leaned back and sighed, waving his hand. “Carry on, then.”
Life was one big risk as far as Marcus was concerned, and they were all holding on for the ride.
Epilogue
‡
June
Late spring wasthe perfect season in New York City; not too warm but with the cold of the winter long forgotten. It was the final day of his ballet class, and Tyler’s students had completed their recital, performing in front of their parents, grandparents, and babysitters.
He handed out the cupcakes Marcus had thoughtfully sent over from Sprinkles and began saying goodbye, as most of these children would be away for the summer. Through his work with the public schools, Tyler would offer low or no-cost dance lessons throughout the summer to children who didn’t leave the city.
The kids looked so cute in their costumes, and he was gratified to see almost as many boys in the class as girls. Since the studio opened, Tyler had been busier than he’d ever imagined; setting up classes and choreographing routines took up so much time, but rather than coming home exhausted every night, he felt exhilarated with his accomplishments. He’d even managed to hire a young instructor who’d been able to help with some of the beginning students when he needed to leave and give his classes in the public schools.
He’d handed out a cupcake and said goodbye to the last little girl when he noticed one of the mothers striding toward him with a determined look in her eye.
Uh-oh. Tyler had been lucky so far in dealing with the parents, but there was always one mother or father who thought their little darling didn’t get enough time doing a solo or should be the main attraction. He bit the inside of his cheek and gave the woman a smile.
“Mrs. Graff, how nice to see you. Wyatt does so well in the class; I’m thrilled you signed him up again in September.”
With her impeccably tailored black suit, hair beautifully styled, and fresh skin so poreless Tyler wondered if she owned her own personal airbrush machine, Liz Graff looked the epitome of a New York City power woman. Scary as hell.
“Tyler, I can call you Tyler, correct?” Without waiting for a reply, most likely because no one dared get in her path, she continued, “I want to talk to you.”
