Win and Elliot were with Chess and André, who was still busy chatting with Rory and Spencer’s immediate boss, Christo, so he didn’t have to worry about his friends. The din of the crowd rose around him, making his head spin.
I need to get out of here.A blinding smile on his face, he hustled through the groups of people drinking and chatting, and pushed through the doors markedEMPLOYEES ONLY. With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes and leaned on the wall. Maybe if he hadn’t had that phone call from the prison about his father, it would’ve been better, but he knew that wasn’t the catalyst for his edginess.
It was Wolf.
Him showing up here with that perfect, gorgeous man…Spencer could already see him fitting in with the group, like Win and André had. Chess and Elliot would love him, and Spencer would be the third wheel at their get-togethers.
“Spencer? You okay?”
He opened his eyes to see Carson Mitchell standing in front of him, concern puckering his brow and deepening the bright green of his eyes.
“Yeah. I just needed a moment.” His smile came out weak and didn’t fool Carson, who arched a brow.
“You were fine until that friend of yours showed up with a date.”
Spencer blinked. “What the hell—are you spying on me?”
Carson reached out and cupped his cheek in his big palm. “No. Watching over you.” His thumb played over Spencer’s lips, and usually by this time Spencer would have had his tongue down the man’s throat. Carson was big and muscular and built like a fucking tank. Normally, he’d be eager to have a taste.
But Spencer had zero interest in taking Carson to bed and finding out just how amazing he would feel.
“Why do you think you need to do that? Or have the right to touch me?” He hadn’t stepped away from Carson’s grasp simply because, while uninterested in getting sexual with him, it did feel goddamn good to be held.
“Do you want me to let go?”
Spencer didn’t answer. He couldn’t, and he started trembling. What the hell was wrong with him? Tears burned in his eyes, and he closed them for a second. Carson pulled him close and held him.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but everything changed for you when that guy showed up with his date. Is he…are you in love with him?”
In love with Wolf?Wolf?“No.” Spencer shook his head, then shrugged, and an almost hysterical laugh slipped from his lips. “I don’t know anything. Not anymore.” Carson continued to hold him and stroke his back. “You’re being so nice, and I’m still not going to sleep with you.”
Carson shook against him. “I can be nice without wanting something from someone. I don’t expect payment for being a decent human being. You told me no.”
“And yet you still want to fuck me, right?” Why did he even ask? He had no intention of going to bed with Carson, but he needed to hear it. To know he was desired. Wanted. Loved.
“I’m not dead, Spencer. You’re gorgeous and sexy as fuck.” Carson’s eyes grew dark and stormy. “And I didn’t think you were a tease.”
“I’m not. I’m sorry. My head isn’t on straight. I have a lot of personal things going on, and I guess I’m not dealing well with them.” He touched Carson’s face. “We might not be lovers, but being friends is much more important to me. And I think I’d like to have you as a friend.”
Carson’s full mouth curved up. “Friends can still kiss, though, right?”
Carson’s hands on him left Spencer weak, and his silence must’ve been taken for acquiescence because he found himself crushed to Carson’s broad chest, with a very warm mouth covering his.
He froze for an instant before pushing Carson away, but it was a moment too late—the door opened, and Wolf appeared.
“What’re you doing here, Wolf? What do you want?”
“You disappeared, so I thought you might not be feeling well. One of the assistants said I could come back here. I guess I was wrong. Sorry to bother you.” He turned away, and Spencer slumped against the wall.
Carson had remained silent until then. “Aren’t you going to go after him and explain we’re just friends?”
“It wouldn’t matter. Wolf will believe what he wants. I’d best get out there anyway.” He put a hand on Carson’s arm and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for being my friend.”
Without giving Carson a chance to answer, Spencer rushed through the door and mingled in the crowd. He spoke to half a dozen journalists and editors, took pictures with them and the various models, and finally caught up with his friends, who were hanging out at the bar. As he’d suspected, Elliot and Chess were all cozy with Gary, while Wolf stood next to André, listening to him with a serious expression. When their eyes met, Wolf’s jaw tightened, and he set his glass on the bar.
“I’m afraid we have to go. I have an early day tomorrow.”
“Since I didn’t even expect you to come, I appreciate it.” He could be nice, so he gave Perfect Gary his most winning smile. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of you in the future. It was nice to meet you.”
