Jay couldn’t stop smiling as he headed for the closet. Logically, he knew they might start some shit. He paused. His gaze slid Crisp’s way. “I don’t want to ruin Atticus’ wedding.”
Crisp leaned against the doorframe. The way he looked at Jay was like a loving caress. “So we won’t. Pack an overnight bag.I’d really love a nice night out with you before the shit hits the fan. Let’s cut through the passages to the garage. We can come through the front door in the morning. Well, the side door leading in from the garage.”
Jay’s cheeks hurt. He swore he couldn’t smile any harder if he tried. “I really fucking love you.”
Crisp beamed back at him. “I really fucking love you too. You know it’s us against the world, right?”
“Always.” Jay already knew no matter what happened, they would deal with it together. He had no plans on letting anyone kill him. Jay also highly doubted Crisp’s brothers were willing to hurt Crisp like that. There might be drama, but likely no bloodshed. The sooner they could stop hiding, the better. He was ready for them to get on with the rest of their lives.
They went dancing. There was a gay club not far from where they lived. While they had eaten dinner at a ridiculously priced restaurant, and fit right in with their matching tuxes, the nightclub was different. Funnily enough, no one batted an eye attheir outfits. Of course, there were also winged men and leather-clad daddies. Half-nude men in harnesses and women dressed to impress. They didn’t stand out.
Jay dragged him straight onto the dance floor. He wasted no time moving to the beat of the music and grinding on Crisp. Crisp was right there with him. Jay looked in his element, and that fucked with Crisp’s head a little.
They had ditched their jackets in the car. Jay’s sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He had his scars on full display tonight. Crisp couldn’t let him stop there. While they moved together seamlessly—like they danced every night—Crisp held Jay’s stare while he slid each button on Jay’s shirt loose. He had never been more thankful Jay was one of those people who refused to wear an undershirt.
Crisp dragged his fingertips down Jay’s bare torso. “You look so at home here.”
A smile exploded across Jay’s face at Crisp’s observation. “It was my job to be in places such as this. I’m very good and comfortable with a lot of things.”
Crisp lifted one eyebrow at the boast. “Have you been holding out on me?”
Jay’s laughter ended up muffled by the shouts going up around the club as some guy moved to dance on top of the speaker and lost a few articles of clothing in the process. No doubt, in an effort to cool the guy’s fervor, the music changed to a slowsong in an instant. Crisp found himself clinging to Jay’s wide chest. He kept his chin tilted, holding Jay’s gaze. They never felt less. Crisp didn’t know how to explain that. They were always together—almost every second of the day. Yet the heat and love between them seemed to only grow bigger. He had watched Jay transform into a whole new person. That person never stopped looking at Crisp as if Crisp was the only man in existence. There hadn’t been a single chance for anyone else the second Jay caught his eye. Crisp just couldn’t see anyone else.
“You stun me speechless.”
The seriousness in Jay’s tone made Crisp take a slow breath to calm himself. Jay didn’t stop there.
“If you hadn’t found me, I would’ve found you. I don’t know how to explain that. I just know that it’s true.”
Crisp drew a shaky breath. “You don’t have to expound. I know. We would’ve found each other somehow. Of that I have no doubt.”
Jay kissed the tip of Crisp’s nose and then swiped a sweet kiss across his lips. The slow song ended, and Jay herded Crisp toward the bar. “You need a drink before I dehydrate you.”
Crisp laughed. “I doubt we’ll dance enough for that since I need to conserve energy.”
Jay kissed the shell of his ear as they waited for their turn with the bartender. “You’ll need all the liquids you can get. When we get to the hotel, I fully intend to—”
“Hey, gorgeous. What’s your name?”
Crisp turned his head, ready to rip into whoever had the audacity to flirt with Jay when Crisp stood right there. The guy was looking at him as if waiting for an answer. Crisp’s brain glitched.
Jay stiffened behind him.
Crisp rallied. “I’m no one. Plus, I’m with this guy.” He motioned over his shoulder.
The stranger’s gaze slid to Jay. He visibly hesitated. Something flashed across his features before he focused on Crisp again. A slimy smile made him look slightly sinister. “I just asked your name. No harm intended.”
“His name is mine,” Jay growled behind him.
The guy’s gaze flicked Jay’s way for a split second again. “Odd name, but hey. I don’t judge. I’m Mike. You’re really beautiful. We’d look extremely hot together. That’s what you deserve.”
Oh boy, Crisp was pissed off now. But he also felt the way Jay seethed with barely contained rage. His every muscle was flexed and ready to pounce. Mike didn’t stand a chance if Jay exploded.
“Your mouth is very bold for your size. If you want to keep your spine, you should walk away.”
Fuck, Crisp had to do something before Jay literally killed the idiot.
Crisp turned, openly dismissing the persistent bastard. “How about we grab a bottle of champagne on our way to the hotel instead? I think I’m danced out.”
