I sighed inwardly. Michael was dubious at best about working with Salvatore. But Sal had helped us big-time with the gang that had targeted Nico. We hadn’t heard a peep out of Bobby Kendrick or his goons since. “I’ll give him a call this afternoon. He got in late last night, so he’s probably still sleeping.”
“Thanks, Tony. I’ll talk to you later.”
As always, he ended the call before we could exchange any more niceties. I wasn’t sure if I loved or hated that he did that. It occurred to me that I was doing more and more business with Sal. All of it was still legit. He knew better than to ask me to do something illegal. But even so, I worried about getting more deeply involved with his organization.
As I’d predicted, Michael was less than pleased about working with Sal’s hacker. “I thought we were supposed to stay away from Salvatore and his mobsters. Isn’t that what Pops said?”
I sighed. “Sal helped us get Bobby Kendrick off Nico’s ass. He’s not asking you to do anything you don’t already do.”
I heard him let out a soft growl. “Fine. Get me their contact information, and I’ll set something up.”
“Thanks, Michael. Oh, I also sent you five résumés to run background checks on. I’m looking at them for long-term personal security.”
“Okay. I’ll get that going today.” After a pause, he asked, “How are things going with Greg?”
“Fine, I guess.” I frowned. “Hey, how did you know that’s where I was last night?”
“Are you asking me that question seriously? Why do you think I waited to call you until you were in the taxi?”
I rolled my eyes. “Jesus Christ, Michael.”
“Get used to it, big brother. I’m always going to keep eyes on you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” A thought hit me. “What do you know about flowers?”
“They’re colorful and tend to make me sneeze. Why do you ask?”
I suddenly felt ridiculous. “Never mind. I’ll get you the other hacker’s information and get back to you.”
After I ended the call, I sat staring out the window of the café. Across the street was a small park with bright yellow daffodils blooming around the bushes. I saw a little kid pick one and run over to give it to his mother. I shook my head. I was making a mountain out of a molehill.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
GREG
Saturday morning, I woke earlier than I would have liked with the vague feeling that I was missing something. An image of Tony on his knees for me flashed through my mind. I shook off both the feeling and the image and went about getting ready for my day. After my shower, I decided to walk to the café up the street. From my window on the eighth floor, I could see the sun shining and the early-spring flowers beginning to bloom. I grabbed my bag with my tablet and picked up my jacket from the back of the sofa.
On my way out, I spotted the daffodil I’d picked up in the hallway. I’d forgotten to put it in water, so it had wilted overnight. With a small sigh, I threw the poor thing in the trash. Maybe I’d pick up some flowers after breakfast.
It was chilly outside, and I pulled up the collar of my jacket against the cold. The café was crowded, but I managed to find a free table near the back of the room.
After the server took my order, I pulled out my tablet to review the contract David Miles had sent me for the substitute pianist position. I read through the document twice to make sure I hadn’t missed anything before signing it with my stylus andemailing it back. I leaned back in my chair and let out a sigh of relief. My first real step toward working as a Broadway musician.
The server brought my coffee and breakfast sandwich at the same time. I put away my tablet, determined to enjoy the day for once. I took a bite of the sandwich, moaning quietly at how good it was. It was an effort not to gobble it down. I wanted to savor it and the delicious coffee since the rest of my day was going to be busy. I slowed myself down and tried to observe everything around me. Inevitably, though, my mind took me back to my night with Tony.
I had to admit, if only to myself, that I enjoyed my time with Tony way more than I thought I would. The truth was, even before I moved to the City, I hadn’t had many friends. I shied away from remembering exactly how long it had been since my ex had chased away the last of them. It wasn’t enough that he’d badgered me into quitting school. He also wouldn’t let me hang out with anyone at home. Even after I’d finally gotten away from him, I hadn’t had the heart to try to reconnect or make new friends.
Now here was Tony, a calm and steady man who liked hanging out with me. We had more in common than I’d thought we would, although I could tell he hadn’t been into the Avengers movie we’d watched last night.
Of course there was the added bonus of spectacular sex. I felt my lips curl up in a smile as I remembered the blowjob he’d given me in the kitchen the previous evening. Heat pooled in my groin, and my cock thickened.
Tony had an incredibly talented mouth. I’d found that out on the first night when he’d kissed me so thoroughly before fucking me into the mattress. He used it to bring me pleasure in so many ways. I felt a frown crease my brow. Except he hadn’t kissed me on the mouth again since that first night.
That thought brought me up short. I ran back through my memories to be sure I hadn’t missed anything. Nope. He’d kissed me on the cheek, on the back of my neck, and even down the middle of my back. Not once had he kissed my lips.
An ache formed in my chest, coupled with a feeling of disappointment. Tony was a great kisser. Why wasn’t he kissing me? The truth hit me like a bucket of ice water. I’d told him this was friends with benefits. No strings. No emotions. I had to conclude that, for Tony, kissing on the mouth was more intimate. And since he had agreed to keep things casual, this was his way of reminding himself—and me—that it was indeed casual.
My frown deepened, and my throat tightened. I tried to push the emotions away. This was what I’d wanted. What I’d demanded. I didn’t have the right to have hurt feelings over the way Tony handled our arrangement. Hell, I knew every time I’d refused to let him clean me up, I was hurting his feelings. Every time I walked out of his bedroom before the cum had cooled on the sheets, I’d felt his eyes following me.
