“Vintage concert tee and jeans,” he finishes for me. “Why collect old concert tees if you’re not going to wear them?”
We stay standing in the middle of the room, neither of us moving to sit. After a moment, he leans on the counter.
“I’ve never been to a show like this,” I say. “Tell me what to expect.”
“You can watch from my dressing room. Avoid the cameras, but you’ll still be able to hear the music live, if you care. For you and me it’s really all about the afterparty.”
“I care,” I say quickly. A soft smile lights on his face, and I suddenly feel embarrassed, so I quickly move on. “The afterparty?”
“Star-studded glamour,” he says apologetically and clasps my shoulder, his grip strong. “It’s a special reunion cast in town, so the party will be very A-list. But don’t worry. I have a reputation for running off early. Just a brief appearance should do it.”
Heat rushes from his hand through my body. My mind flashes back to the night in his hotel room. I can see Gabriel hovering above me, muscles taut as he sinks his fingers into my hole, filling me.
When he removes his hand from my shoulder, the image disappears. I take a big gulp from my fizzy water, followed by another.
“Damn,” he coos, nodding as he looks at me. “Looks like you’re nervous about the show. Noted.”
“I’m really not,” I say. “I’ve racked up plenty of experiences attending parties. With Alyssa, the charities I support, my father’s career…” I trail off. Gabriel’s expression softens with sympathy at the mention of my father, and I swallow.
Definitely not trying to go there right now.
“I’ve gone to plenty of high-profile events,” I finish. “Just never as a gay man. Never with a boyfriend.”
“Husband,” Gabriel points out, and I feel heat rush to my cheeks.
“Of course. Husband.”
I don’t know why accidentally sayingboyfriendfeels so revealing, but it does. The fizzy water must be going straight to my head.
Gabriel steps forward, that easy smile on his face. “Just behave however comes naturally. Try not to overthink it.” He rests his hand on my elbow and guides me, walking me toward the windows.
“What’s this?” I ask, thrown but walking along.
“Practice,” he says, and his hand goes to my lower back.
Pleasure rumbles through me. His touch is firm and soft at the same time, and it feels so good, it takes me a minute before I react.
“Hey,” I say, spinning to face him directly. No way I’m letting him unravel me that easily. “How come you’re the one guiding me around the party?”
He chuckles. “Are you the party top?”
“Maybe.” I take his elbow and lock his eyes. “Amazing set, babe,” I say, letting my voice roll into its depths. “I knew you were going to kill it.” I press my hand to his chest. “Let me get you a drink.”
Gabriel laughs. “Babe. Good touch.” He surprises me by grabbing my hand and throwing his other arm around my shoulder. I nearly gasp as he swings me, pulling me into a dance. Instead of stepping back, I meet his force with an arm around his side. I slow him down, stepping across the spacious hotel room.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling at him, just as cocky as he’s smiling at me.
My heart is in my throat. I know how to dance because my coaches made me learn to help with my footwork, to make me more agile on the court, but I’ve never danced with another man. Gabriel’s just as tall as I am, and our eyes are locked as we move, rubbing shoulders and thighs. The energy and weight shifts back and forth, every tiniest movement reverberating through us.
Gabriel starts humming under his breath, a gentle and steady music.
“You’re surprisingly good at this,” he says, and I find myself with my back to the wall.
We both stop. “Thank you,” I manage and pull myself away, my breath heavy. “I don’t imagine we actually have to dance at this party, though.” I turn and raise an eyebrow. “Do we?”
He grins. “No, but I’m starting to think it’s a shame.” He kicks back against the wall where I just was. “The compliments and offer to get a drink were spot on, by the way. Excellent husbandry.”
I compose myself. “You’re right. There’s no reasons things have to be different than when I was dating Alyssa. It’s all the same. Make eye contact, smile, laugh at each other’s jokes.”
