ALEX
“Baby, I’m home!”
I turn at the sound of Elijah’s voice as he steps off the elevator and into the penthouse.
“In here!” I call out from the doorway of our bedroom.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been six weeks since we officially came out as a couple. Thankfully, the media storm has finally quieted down. What a circus that had been. Not that coming out as gay bothered me—I was fine with it. The real spark that lit everything on fire was the assumption that I’d somehow been the reason New York City’s power couple split. But the truth is, Elijah and Gabriel’s marriage had ended long before I came into the picture—it just hadn’t been made public yet.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time at Elijah’s dreamy penthouse than my own place. Waking up each morning to his sexy Spanish whispers against my lips has quickly become the best part of my day.
I turn as Elijah walks into the bedroom, handsome as ever, loosening his tie. Leaning in, he presses a firm kiss to my lips before handing me a decorative envelope.
A grin spreads across my face as I tear it open like a kid on Christmas morning. “What’s the occasion?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Do I need an occasion to give you a gift?” He whips his necktie over his head and tosses it across the back of the armchair. “It’s a gift for no reason.”
Anticipation sparks beneath my skin as I pull out the contents. “Ballet tickets?” I blink at him, confused. It’s not like I’m into Broadway or anything, so this feels… odd. Come to think of it, I’ve never shown any interest in the performing arts, especially not ballet.
“Not quite.” He laughs, toeing off his hand-burnished leather loafers. “Take another look.”
I glance back down at the tickets.An Evening of Danceis artfully scrawled across the center of both. In the background is a faint, camouflaged image—three men and three women, each dressed in form-fitting, flesh-toned leotards.
“Still looks like ballet to me,” I mutter.
Behind me, fabric rustles. Elijah continues undressing, unbuttoning his shirt with one hand and unzipping his pants with the other. The casual confidence of his multitasking hands arouses me.
“And what object is standing in the center of the performers, Alex?”
For a third time, I study the tickets. “A pole?” I ask, cocking my head.
“You got it!” he happily declares, naked now, stepping into the shower. Water runs in a smooth, steady rhythm as his hand trails lower, slipping underneath his balls. He gives them a gentle tug, unhurried, confident in the privacy between us.
I scratch my head, still trying to make sense of this whole agenda of his. “You’re taking me to astrip joint?”
He chuckles through the sound of the spray. “No. I’m taking you to a pole dancing show.”
“At a strip club?”
“It’s not a strip club, Alex. These are talented dancers showcasing the art of pole dancing.”
Ah… now,that’sinteresting. I’ve never thought of pole dancing as an art—but maybe that’s the point. “Have you ever been to one of these shows before?”
“Never,” he answers, already turning off the water. “A client gave me the tickets. I thought we’d enjoy a night out.”
“Is Gabriel going?” I ask, tossing him a towel. It’s no secret I’m not a fan of his ex-husband. Good guy, sure, but he still manages to annoy the hell out of me—and I doubt that’ll ever change. He enjoys my irritation too much.
Elijah gives me a look like I’ve lost my damn mind. “Why the hell would I take Gabriel to a pole dancing show?”
I shrug. “I’m still trying to figure out why the hell you’re takingmeto one.”
“Alex, love…” He blows out a breath, running the towel through his hair. “Would you please just let me take you on a date? Besides, I think you’ll enjoy the performance. It’s… something different.”
He winks. I sigh. Something differentis a massive understatement.
“Alright,” I say, letting him off the hook.
“Wonderful.” He pulls on a pair of thick navy sweatpants, shoves his wallet into a pocket, and presses a quick kiss to my cheek. His skin smells faintly of soap and shampoo. “Now, let’s order some takeout. I told the girls we’d swing by the school for a quick visit. I’m sure they’re starving. I know I am.”
