“Alexa Stephens.”
Mike nodded. “I haven’t worked with her since. Pity. I like her stuff.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” Pete said, looking up. “She’s going to be directing with TopMen too.”
Mike was pleased. It was yet another reason for considering working with the studio again in the future. Alexa’s films had a lovely feel to them, and her scenes were in keeping with TopMen’s aesthetic.
He glanced down at his sticky torso and now limp dick. “Okay, shower time.” There was the low buzz of a phone vibrating. Mike shook his head and laughed when he saw it was Pete’s. “Talk about good timing,” he joked. He’d lost count of how many scenes had been ruined when a ring tone cut through the quiet, or worse still, the moans and groans of the actors.
Pete smiled and mouthed to him to fuck off as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Hey, hi, Michelle. What can I—” The smile died on his face, and his eyes widened while he listened intently. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Christ, I’m sorry that—” Mike was alarmed to see Pete’s face whiten. “He didwhat?”
By now the living room had filled as everyone stood around, all eyes focused on Pete. The director’s face was contorted, his brows knitted, nostrils flaring. “Okay, Michelle. Thanks for the heads-up. I’m on it.” He disconnected the call and turned to facehis cast. “You are not going to fucking believe this! Not content with lambasting me on Twitter, Alex Travis called Michelle, the lovely lady who owns this house, to inform her that porn was being filmed on the premises.” Pete was shaking. “Fortunately she’s a family friend, and she knows exactly what we’re doing here, so no harm done. Except that little bastard went further. He told Michelle he’s contacted the local newspaper and the police to inform them of the same thing, but has also implied heavily that drugs are being used here.”
“That fucker!” Nico’s face was crimson. “You don’tdoshit like this to colleagues—andfriends, for fuck’s sake!”
Jack snarled. “That isit. I want nothing more to do with that diva. As far as I’m concerned, he’s just burned his bridges. I mean, what the fuck? Just because he was pissed about a bad experience, he goes and puts his friends in possible legal danger?”
“I think he’s already burned a few bridges with the attacks on Pete on Twitter.” Mike shook his head. “He wasn’t exactly tactful about the last shoot. If word’s gotten around, I wonder if it’s lost him work and he’s decided ifhedoesn’t work, neither do we.”
“Talk about selfish.” Jesse stared unhappily at them. “This sucks. Thisreallysucks.”
“Look, standing around here discussing Alex is going to solve nothing,” Pete growled out. “We have much more pressing concerns. For one thing, any minute now the police may be on our doorstep, wanting to search for drugs.” He stared at them, chest heaving. “There’s nothing for it, guys, but to shut this down, clean up, pack up, and get the fuck out of here. I for one want to be able to film here again.” He stared at them all. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving!”
That last command proved the catalyst. Everyone began hurrying about the place, packing up and cleaning. Mike hurried to the bathroom to grab a quick shower before going to his roomto pack his things and then get on with the general clear-up. As he bustled around the house, helping to pack away equipment, he worked hard to keep a lid on his anger. Alex’s temper tantrum had not only cut into his income, which wasn’t that great a worry, but it also meant that he had no idea where he would be that evening when he was supposed to be calling Tommy.
As far as he was concerned, Alex Travis was persona non grata. And God help him if Mike ever got his hands on him.
No onemessed with Mike Scott’s friends.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tommy’s phone pinged,announcing the arrival of a text, and he flew across the apartment to peer at the screen. When he read the words, he couldn’t help smiling.
Lock your door—now.Skype on &present within reach.Waiting for you….
He put the phone down and scooted across the apartment to check he’d actually locked the door. Ben was out for the night—where, Tommy had no idea—and the rest of the Wellington family were upstairs, watching a movie. They’d asked Tommy if he wanted to join them, but he’d declined graciously. All he wanted was to see Mike.
He sank down onto the couch and opened the laptop, his mouth dry, his breathing quickening. He’d been unable to stop thinking about Mike all day, his thoughts a whirling, confusing muddle. There’d been very few Saturdays when he hadn’t seen the sexy bartender, but unlike the previous occasion weeks ago, today had been the first time Tommy had been unhappy not to be seeing him. His hours with Mike had become important to him, and although he’d see him on the screen, it was definitely not the same thing.
The laptop was on his knee, Skype was loaded, and Tommy waited for the incoming call notes, his heart beating just that little bit faster. On the couch beside him sat the gift-wrapped box. The number of occasions that past week when he’d been dying of curiosity to know what was inside….
“There you are.”
Damn, just hearing that voice made Tommy feel good. He grinned at the screen, where Mike’s head, shoulders, and bare chest could be seen. “Hey. You in a hotel?”
Mike nodded, shoving a pillow behind his head and leaning against it. “And seeing you makes up for this crappy day.” He smiled. “You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to seeing you.”
Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure ’bout that.
Tommy couldn’t give voice to the thought, however. He still found it difficult to share how he felt, in spite of Mike telling him that was what he wanted. “Why was it a crappy day? D’you get a lot of business done?” Mike had told him he’d gone away to California to do some consultation work.
Mike groaned. “This has been one fucked up day. Nothing I’d planned came off.” His expression softened. “The thought of seeing you was the only thing keeping me going.”
“Oh.” Inside, Tommy kind of…meltedat Mike’s words. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was different about his lover. Maybe it was the unguarded way he was regarding Tommy. Whatever it was, it gave him a nudge to be bolder. “I… I missed you this week.” It was the plain, unvarnished truth.
Mike stared at him in silence. Then he smiled, and it lit up his face, reaching his eyes and making them shine. “I missed you too,” he said softly. “Listen, there’s something I want to talk to you about. How’d you like to come away with me for a few days during spring break?”
“Really?” Tommy gaped, openmouthed. “Like, where?” His heart was pounding at the thought. This was different. This was… adult. Not that what they were doing wasn’t adult. It just felt….Damn it, he messes with my head.
