“I think the ocean agrees with you. You’re incredible. Or maybe it’s that I’ve been away too long. I’m going to need a lot more make-up sessions.”
Laughing, Chess snuggled into André’s chest and kissed the jut of his collarbone. “That’s what I’ve been telling you. I love it. Maybe we should get married out here. When were you thinking of having the ceremony?”
André propped himself up on his elbow, eyes soft and glowing, hair mussed, color high in his cheeks. Almost unrecognizable from the man in the sharply tailored handmade suits and sleek hair, who could set corporate CEOs quaking in their shoes. He loved André in his faded jeans and T-shirt, the sun on his face and the smile he’d rarely seen the past year crinkling his eyes. That was the way Chess wanted to see him.
“I’ll marry you tomorrow if you want. Anytime, anyplace.”
“Your mother might have something to say about that, don’t you think?”
With a groan, André flopped on the pillow. “Ugh. Yeah. She’ll want to make it an ‘event.’” He made air quotes with his fingers. Then a wicked smile ticked up his lips. “Why don’t we elope? We could be on a plane to Vegas tomorrow.” Dismay silenced Chess, and André brushed his cheek. “No? What’s wrong, love? Tell me.”
“I know it sounds weird, but I want the wedding. Maybe not to the extent your mother does, but I’m so damn proud to become your husband…” He ducked his head. “Don’t you feel the same?”
Before he could blink, André had rolled on top of him and pressed his lips to the pulse beating at his throat. “I am. Don’t ever doubt it. And if I’ve given you reason to, tell me and we’ll work it out. You’re not still upset about those pictures, are you?”
“N-no.” Those pictures seemed so insignificant compared to the ones he’d seen today. But Chess couldn’t bring himself to talk about it. Part of him was still that teenaged boy who didn’t think he was good enough for anything but sex, and that was the part in control of his brain whenever the doubts crept in that he wasn’t worthy to have the love of a man like André.
“I’m happy to wait to give you the wedding you’ve always wanted. Because no matter what, I win. In the end I get you as my husband.”
“I’m being stupid. But I’m thinking in the fall. That’s such a beautiful time of the year with the leaves changing color.”
“You’re beautiful. And sexy. And delicious.” André licked and sucked at his neck. “How about we nap, and then I’ll take you out for a special engagement lunch.”
“Mmm, sounds like a perfect day. But don’t you have to get back to Kyle?” His cheeks burned. “I hate that he thinks he knows what happened when I dragged you away, but I couldn’t help myself.”
André waggled his brows. “Overcome with lust for me, eh? I like it.”
Chess reached for a pillow and smacked him over the head. “Ego, thy name is André.”
Laughing, André held him tight. “Love, thy name is Chess.”
***
André drove the Ferrari to a stop in front of the house and cut the engine. “Nice ride, huh?”
Chess ran his hand over the dashboard. “It is. I’d forgotten what a speed demon you are. I remember leaving half my stomach behind on the Autobahn when we went to Germany.”
At the sound of André’s laughter, the sick feeling he’d carried in his stomach since the pool-house discovery faded, and he exited the sports car.
The front door of the house opened, and a familiar voice called out, “Well, look at you all tan and sporty.” Spencer bounded down the stairs and hugged Chess first, then André. “Am I going to find tan lines if I check, or have you been sunningau naturel?”
His arm around Spencer’s shoulders, André burst out laughing. “Every time I think I’ve heard you at your most outrageous, you manage to surpass yourself.”
“I never want to disappoint. I’m still waiting for you to fix me up with one of your millionaire friends so Chess and I can lie around like sloths and eat chocolate all day, waiting for our men to come home so we can have hours of raunchy sex.”
When they’d first met, Chess had been hesitant to introduce his friends to André, unsure how they’d take to someone older, not to mention richer, than any of them. André might be easygoing, sweet, and loving to him, but thinking of him meeting the three men all at once had given him cramps.
Still, they’d made plans to meet at Tribeca Grill, and earlier that day, Spencer had waved his fears off in their group FaceTime chat.
“Stop worrying. He’ll either love us or hate us, but of course he’ll love us—well, he’ll love Elliot and me. Wolfie is another story.”
“That shows how much you know me. I can be charming if called for.” Wolf’s eyes danced, and Chess once again wondered why a man as handsome and successful as Wolf chose such a solitary life. “I’ve just rarely found the need or the person who’d deserve it.”
And when they met at the restaurant, Chess started to make the introductions at the bar, but André waved him off.
“I feel as if I know you all. Chess talks about you as if you’re brothers. Elliot, your article on the reemergence of wildlife in the city’s parks and where to spot unusual birds and other creatures was fascinating. My family donates a substantial amount to the various conservatories, and I’m going to see what we can do to protect the wildlife, plants, and trees even more.”
Elliot blushed. “Thank you. That’s wonderful.”
