Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

TOMMY

I didn't want to leave my bed now that Nate was in it.

But the day was calling, so we took a shower together, got dressed, and made a late breakfast. Well, Nate cooked, and I assisted. I could fry an egg and make toast, but that was about the extent of my talent in the kitchen. I was used to takeout, catered meals on the road, or frozen pizza.

Luckily, I had a box of pancake mix in the cupboard and a couple of containers of blueberries in the fridge. Nate made pancakes (in half the time it would've taken me), and we enjoyed a couple of double espressos along with our breakfast.

After cleaning up, we headed off to meet with Nate's realtor, Lewis.

The first two places Lewis took us to were the newer condos located just north of my neighborhood. But as I'd mentioned to Nate yesterday, the area was way too noisy, even during the day. Nate said no to both. The third condo we looked at was in Green Hills. A great location, but too suburban for Nate. Too far from the studio, and downtown.

"Can we see the one on Hargrove next?" Nate asked Lewin.

"Sure. But I do have to warn you. It's not a brand new condo, so it doesn't have a lot of amenities like the previous ones."

"That's fine," Nate replied. "I'm not concerned so much about the extras as the feel of the place. It's gotta have some history, some character. I come from a city with a lot of color and personality. I can't do builder beige."

Lewis grimaced. "Well, the condo on Hargrove does have high ceilings and a larger square footage, but it's pretty sparse. As you saw in the pictures, it's got white walls and cabinets. And I have to tell you, the owners don't want anything changed."

Nate sighed, and I reached for his hand.

"Worth seeing anyway. You never know."

My boyfriend nodded, and we headed back to my truck.

"Ugh, this process is worse than editing a song," Nate groaned. "It's been two hours and I feel like I've accomplished nothing."

I leaned in close, pushing him up against the truck.

"Have patience, beautiful. You're going to find a place you love. It might take viewing five, ten, or even twenty places, but we'll get there."

"Twenty?" Nate's blue eyes widened. "This will be number four, and I'm already thinking it might be easier to just buy a camper van and park on the street."

I laughed and leaned over to kiss him. And I didn't stop. Not until I heard Lewis behind us.

"Sorry to interrupt." He cleared his throat. "But I forgot to tell you something."

I slowly pulled back and smiled at Nate's swollen lips. He licked them and then looked over at Lewis. "It's all right. What's up?"

"The price for this condo on Hargrove. They've upped it from twenty-three to twenty-five hundred."

"For a one bedroom?"

"Yes."

Nate sighed and ran a hand through his messy curls. "That's fine. Let's see what it's like."

Lewis nodded and headed to his car, and Nate and I got in my truck.

A short drive later, we pulled up to a fifteen-story building in the usual industrial style, tons of glass and metal, with tiny balconies that looked like they could seat two people, tops. Too minimalist for my taste, but the street seemed nice. Not much traffic, lots of trees, and a park a block away.

But as soon as we entered the building, I knew Nate would reject this one too. The place was clean but clinical. The condo was the same. It was way too boring for Nate.

Lewis' phone chimed several times as we toured the space, but he ignored it and gave us the rundown on all the apartment features.

As we wandered around, I noticed that the bedroom had a closet that was barely big enough for one person, the bathroom didn't have a window, and the only view in the condo was obscured by the building across the street.

"This is way too cold. All the white is giving me a headache. And if I can't paint it, forget it. Plus, I don't like the fact that the only decent window I have looks right across from that building," Nate announced. "For me, this isn't just a no. It's a hell no. What do you think, cher?"

"I agree. This place isn't you. And listen," I paused and pointed to the ceiling.

Every thirty seconds or so, you could hear someone on the floor above walking around.

"Not enough insulation between units. It's gonna be loud. And you have enough of that while touring."

Nate glanced knowingly at Lewis. "Sorry, Lewis. It's a no."

Lewis nodded and pulled out his tablet. "I had one more to show you, but I just got a notification that it's been pulled off the market. So, that's all we have on the calendar for today. I can research more listings and set up viewings in the next couple of days, if that works for you?"

"Sounds good," Nate replied. "And, thanks, Lewis. I know I'm not the easiest customer to deal with."

Lewis shook his head. "Please, compared to some of the real housewives—and husbands—of the greater Nashville area, you're a dream. I know there's a condo out there that's perfect for you; we just need more time to find it."

We left the building and said our goodbyes to Lewis.

"We're pretty close to the restaurant I booked for dinner," I commented. "You want to walk there? It's a nice night. We can ride-share to Foster's Way and back home. I can leave the truck here overnight."

"That's a great idea," Nate replied. "I can get a feel for the neighborhood."

Hand in hand, we strolled several blocks, passing art galleries, vintage stores, and several restaurants. This area was a mashup of old buildings, new storefronts, and lots of activity. Nate loved it, said it reminded him of home. I slipped my arm around his waist and listened to him talk about the place where he grew up, his family, his friends.

And the more he talked, the more I realized just how far gone I was for this man.

That's when it hit me. Right then and there, on a busy Nashville street.

"You've already found the perfect place," I blurted out. "Move in with me. Let's make my condo our home."

"Tommy," Nate whispered. "Holy shit."

"Is that a yes?"

Nate nodded. "Yes."

No hesitation.

Then he launched himself at me, and I nearly toppled over. Thankfully, I found my footing and squeezed him tightly in return.

"Let's find that restaurant," I said after I kissed him soundly. "We need to celebrate."

We made our way to Stellina, my favorite Italian restaurant in the city, and shared a bottle of prosecco, along with the most authentic carbonara I'd eaten outside of Rome. Lennie had recommended this place, and it never disappointed.

After stuffing our faces with all the pasta, we took a rideshare to Foster's and lined up along with the other patrons vying to get in.

A couple of guys recognized Nate, asking him for his autograph and a selfie. They were polite and respectful about it, but I still kept my arm wrapped protectively around his waist.

"And so it begins," I said to him after the fans wandered back to join their friends.

Nate waved me off.

"Don't be modest, baby," I insisted. "Your voice is incredible, and your band is top tier. You deserve all the attention."

And they weren't the only fans. One of the bouncers recognized Nate, too, and ushered us inside.

The dance hall was as rustic inside as it was out, with barnboard walls and a bar that lined one entire wall. Most people were dressed casually, like us, in jeans and cowboy boots. There was a band onstage, getting the crowd pumped up with a fast-paced set. I loved going to clubs, but nothing could replace live music. Not just a DJ, but a band.

The place was already packed, almost every barstool taken. And the dance floor was just as busy. I glanced around and spotted one empty table in the far corner of the room.

As we made our way over, Nate's phone rang.

"It's Brodie," Nate announced, then tapped his phone. "Hey, Dee, what's up?"

We snagged the table and sat down.

"Me and the guys just finished working at the studio and we're gonna hit a club," Brodie replied. "You wanna meet up?"

Nate glanced at me, and I nodded. Nate only had a week here, so he might as well enjoy time with his friends while he could.

"Tommy and I are at Foster's Way. Come join us."

"That'd be cool."

Then there was a pause on the other end of the line. Brodie had to have figured it out by now.

"You sure we're not interrupting anything?" Brodie asked.

I shook my head.

"Nope," Nate replied. "Let me contact Otis, Heath, and Xander too."

"I'll text Ace," I mouthed.

I sent a message to Ace, while Nate said goodbye to Brodie and then texted his bandmates.

"Are you sure you're okay with everyone joining us?"

I put my phone back in my pocket and silenced my boyfriend's concerns with a kiss. When I finally leaned back, Nate's smile was all I could see.

"You sure know how to make a point."

"Just putting your worries to rest. It's one night," I pointed between us. "You and me, this is long term. We have many, many more nights to share."

Nate pulled at his T-shirt, his face flushed. "Fuck, I'm so turned on right now."

"We have time before our friends arrive," I suggested.

Nate grabbed hold of my belt buckle and tugged, pulling me off the stool. Laughing, we moved through the crowd, down the hallway to the bathroom, stopping once, twice, to make out and grind up against each other.

"This is déjà vu, cher. Just like your hotel," Nate moaned, and gently bit my lower lip. "Do you want me to suck you off, right here, right now?"

"Bathroom," I managed to reply. "No one else gets to see what's mine."

Somehow, someway, we managed to stumble into the bathroom, and with an empty stall in sight, wasted no more time.

Nate's wicked tongue licked that sweet spot under my ear, the spot that drove me wild, and my hands began to shake. He was just as far gone as I was, wrestling my belt buckle open and unzipping my jeans with unsteady hands. I never knew I could want with this kind of intensity. Like, if I didn't touch him right fucking now, I would go out of my goddamn mind.

I delved my hands inside his pants. No lacy jockstrap this time. No jock at all.

"Oh, fuck," I moaned, spitting in my hand and wrapping it around his heavy cock. Nate shuddered and leaned back against the door, his eyes never leaving mine.

"But I wanted to?—"

"Later," I bit out, my climax already building. "Jerk me off."

He took me in hand and stroked my hard cock with those talented fucking hands of his. I spat again and slid my slick hand up and down his dick, over and over, then teased his cockhead with the palm of my hand on the upstroke. Both of us were panting hard, stealing fevered kisses, and moaning so loud I was sure everyone in this bathroom, hell, this entire bar, could hear us.

"Tommy."

Nate's husky voice calling out my name was the sweetest fucking sound.

"Nate, baby, don't stop."

A few more strokes and I was flying, jerking hard and spilling my load all over Nate's hand. I was so caught up in my release that my grip on his dick faltered for a second. Until Nate shuddered and came undone.

Watching the pleasure wash over his face, his eyes never leaving mine, I was mesmerized by Nate's beauty. Not just the way he looked. But the way he made me feel. His kindness. His laughter. And yes, his love. I was head over heels in love with this man.

I called him beautiful, and that was no line. Inside and out, it was the goddamn truth.