Chapter Three

The dinner went much better than expected. Case actually teared up a little listening to Zander's impassioned speech about the charity he had started and ran with an obvious loving hand. His gaze kept sliding Maverick's way during the speech. While Case hadn't met Maverick's husband before tonight, he had known they were very much a love match. The pride on Maverick's face was heartwarming. Maverick was a big guy with several MMA championships under his belt. The last Case heard, he had retired. It looked like life had been good to him.

The dinner brought a few more surprises. He enjoyed Saul's warmth and kept inching closer until Saul's arm draped across the back of his chair. Several heads turned their way more than once, but one set of eyes never budged the entire night. Not through speeches or eating. Case was accustomed to being watched. This was still a new level of uncomfortable. He did his best to ignore it. Then people stood to mingle. They stayed seated since Maverick distracted him again, talking about the glory days.

"Saul." The overly sweet greeting had everyone turning toward the man hovering over their table. It was the guy who had stared all night. He had gorgeous green eyes. In fact, everything about him was stunning. Case felt the hatred rolling from Saul.

"Emory."

Maverick and Zander stood, abandoning them to the drama.

"Introduce your friend." The jealousy that dripped from that demand should have flayed Case alive.

Thankfully, Case wasn't that easily frightened. "I'm Case." He leaned Saul's way and stroked his leg beneath the table. "Do you mind if we step outside for a bit? It's getting a little stifling in here."

Saul flashed him a relieved smile. "Of course." He stood and took Case's hand. They walked away without a backward glance. Saul found a set of French doors, leading into a garden area near the pool.

The moment they were alone, Case turned to face Saul. "So, you have an ex here."

A bitter-looking smile touched Saul's lips. "I didn't know he would be here. In case you think that's why I asked you to come," Saul tacked on, unnecessarily.

Case shrugged. "It's okay if you did. I'm still having a good time." His gaze slid over Saul's shoulder. Emory stood in the doorway, as if waiting and watching for any moment alone with Saul he could snatch. Case focused on Saul and shuffled closer. "Plus, I can be very good at making people jealous."

Saul's expression turned heated. His hands landed on Case's hips. He gently lured Case even closer. "I'm sure that's true, but I don't care if he's jealous. We were done a long time ago. You have my attention now."

Case's hands slid up Saul's chest. He reveled in the knowledge Saul's ex watched. Saul obviously held a lot of animosity toward the guy. That usually meant a cheat. Case was a lot of things, but he believed firmly in loyalty.

"I could be a very good boy for you." Even though Case was a little horrified by the words, he wouldn't show it. He enjoyed his time with Saul. Case wanted to be called a good boy again. He wanted a taste of the darkness Saul emitted. There was a little fear and a lot of intrigue. Saul lived a lifestyle that tempted Case more than a little. The entire package of this man was irresistible. Case wouldn't play coy and let him get away.

Saul smirked. "What if I don't want you to be good?"

Damn. "I can work on it."

A laugh burst from Saul. The sound made Case smile. He realized he hadn't really stopped smiling since they met. Case didn't want the moment to end. He touched his lips to Saul's without a plan. It just happened. In an instant, he was no longer in control. Saul overwhelmed him. Their tongues fought. Saul bit his bottom lip and sucked. Case's knees weakened.

"Is it rude for us to disappear?"

Saul's mouth moved to Case's neck at the question. He sucked. "I don't care."

"Good." There was no missing the breathlessness in Case's voice. He wanted this. Even if this turned out to be a weekend fling, Case needed it. He had been too stressed out for too long. Maybe he would wake up tomorrow and feel like a whore. On paper, it looked as if he traded sex for five grand. He knew better, though. Case wanted this man.

"You have no right. Saul will always be mine. He doesn't even like bulky boys."

Case blinked at the sudden pouty-sounding verbal assault. It took him a second to rally. He had gotten too carried away with Saul.

Saul spun. "Goddamn it, Emory. We've been over for months. You cheated, remember? You have no right to interrupt us."

Emory ignored Saul. All his fury was focused on Case. "Look at you. You're as big as he is. No way he's attracted to all that muscle."

A laugh burst from Case. He couldn't stop. Emory was tiny and perfect. In no world did he intimidate Case. He swiped at his eyes. "Oh, my God. Stop. You're really embarrassing yourself here."

"Emory? What are you doing out here?"

Guilt crossed Emory's features as a portly and somewhat elderly man waddled outside. "Harold. I was just looking for you."

"Oh." The word popped from Case without his brain. "A gold digger. That makes sense."

Case took Saul's arm and headed for the door, leaving Emory to his poor choices.

"I'm so sorry about that."

Case tossed Saul a laughing look at the apology. "Don't be. Unless you meant the kiss, then I can make you sorry."

Saul's laughter made the threat worthwhile. He truly was enjoying himself. Now he wanted Saul alone.

Like the ride down the elevator, the ride back up was just as comfortable. Their heated kiss and subsequent confrontation with Emory hadn't seemed to damage them in any way. He couldn't recall being as relaxed in anyone's company. Damn. Despite Emory's unhinged interruption, Saul still burned from the way Case had initiated things. He had been direct, and that kiss… goddamn. He honestly didn't know what would happen when they were alone inside Saul's suite. That uncertainty was the only discomfort. He couldn't sleep with this erection.

Saul unlocked the door and let Case inside their room. When he pushed the door closed behind him, Case took off his coat and tossed it aside before promptly turning on Saul. He worked Saul's tie loose and then started unbuttoning his shirt. Saul stood still, incapable of looking away from his expression. Case wanted this. Unlike Emory, he wasn't here for the money. There was genuine desire in his eyes. Saul's ego purred. His confidence had needed this weekend.

"Thank you for what you did downstairs. I'm sorry you were put in an awkward position with Emory."

Case's gaze lifted from his task and focused on Saul, holding his stare. "In a way, I can't blame him. Maybe I would show out too if I saw you with someone else, and we just met."

Saul's mouth went dry. This conversation was much deeper than he expected. "I'm a one-man guy. Cheating is a hard boundary for me. I'm not the type of man who shares."

Case's mouth lifted in one corner. "That sounded like a threat, but that's okay." He snagged the two halves of the shirt he had just unbuttoned and hauled Saul closer. "I'm a little crazy and I don't share either."

Saul honestly hadn't expected this weekend to lead to an exclusive relationship, but he was pleased. Case was beautiful and fit with his circle. He was brave and more than capable of handling incidents like the one with Emory. There would be more. Not just exes. Saul had enemies.

While holding Case's stare, Saul untucked Case's shirt. The tailor-made material was thin and fine. He easily tore open the two halves, sending buttons flying. Case was the first to move. His mouth covered Saul's. Saul pushed at Case's clothes. He needed to savor the new toy he had just acquired. Saul had to know if his fantasies matched the man. He backed Case toward the bedroom. By the time they were on the bed, a trail of clothing marked their path, and they were nude.

He had already known Case's body was flawless. Saul had only underestimated how much he would enjoy exploring every inch. His fingertips wouldn't stop skimming the deep, cut lines of every muscle while their mouths clashed. He had to force himself to his knees to dive for the bedside table. When he came out with a condom and lube, Case laughed.

"This really is your suite."

Saul did not want Case to think about why there was already lube and condoms nearby. He kissed Case's stomach while he tore into the condom. Case made a sexy sound. Saul circled the man's navel with his tongue before moving lower. He sightlessly rolled the condom down his length as he traced Case's erection with his tongue, measuring him. In a way, Emory was right. Saul didn't date men like Case. He normally had tiny sprites with fire at his side. Case was so much better. His muscles got Saul hotter than he had ever been. It was unexpected and exquisite. New. The change he needed.

Without an ounce of hesitation or shame, Saul took Case down his throat. The way Case's back bowed was beautiful. Saul toyed with his asshole, lubing and stretching while he bobbed on Case's cock. When Case's breathing turned heavy, Saul shot to his knees and pressed his crown against Case's hole. Their gazes met as Saul pushed his way inside. Case clasped the sheets. Desire swam in his eyes. He wanted everything Saul did. That shit got him high as hell. Made him addicted.

Saul thrust.

A loud gasp tore from Case. It turned into a moan.

"Good boy."

Case's eyes closed. Lust etched his every line. "Oh, God. I want to be that."

Saul lost all control. He went wild, kissing and biting while he took Case. He stroked and sucked every place he could reach while slamming himself inside Case. Case's every reaction was like porn, except it was very obviously real. That was the biggest mind fuck. The night they had met, Saul had been at his lowest. He had lost hope of being happy again. Now there was this guy. He was everything Saul wanted—like a miracle given at the exact moment needed to save him. When Case blew, Saul saw heaven as his asshole tried sucking Saul deeper. Noises he had never made chanted from him as he exploded. He rode every wave, crying out against Case's skin. As the insanity ebbed, their fingers linked. They fought for air even as their lips searched for each other again. Maybe Saul would wake up from this dream tomorrow. The horror of that thought had Saul doing something he never did. He prayed for something real. Just once. He needed this to be real.