Chapter Six

Lennox felt better than he had in a long time. He hated leaving his bed and Pierre behind, but he had a meeting. Since they started dating over a month ago, they had been in one or the other’s bed every night. It was nice. He didn’t feel pressured to be doing something. He simply came home to Pierre. Lennox loved it.

Grandpa Tony’s Pizza was busier than usual for a Tuesday at lunchtime. He parked farther than he normally had to and headed inside. His agent was already seated near the door with open files spread across the table. Rocky Zeal was one of the most sought-after sports agents around. It was because of him that Lennox had his Canadian citizenship. He was the one who had freed Lennox from his parents. Lennox owed him everything. That was why this meeting had him a little nervous. They didn’t meet in person often any longer.

“Hey.”

Rocky looked up from his files. “Hey.” He gathered paperwork and shoved it inside folders. “Sorry about all this. I was nearby and got here a little early, so I decided to get some work done while I waited.”

“It’s no problem.” He snagged the chair across from Rocky and sat. “How have you been?”

As always, Rocky looked impeccable. His blond hair didn’t have a strand out of place. His expensive suit showed no signs of Rocky already working for the day. Good humor flashed in his hazel eyes, luring people into a false sense of safety. The man was a shark. “I’m good. You’ve been looking fucking amazing on the ice. It’s making my job easy.”

Lennox never knew what to say when people said things like that to him. If he agreed, he looked arrogant. If he didn’t, he sounded fake. Instead, he simply nodded. “Thanks.”

“Your stats are exactly why we need to talk about your contract.”

Lennox wiped his sweating palms on his jeans. “What about it?” God fucking damn. Don’t let him be getting traded.

“It’s up at the end of this season. While your team has already made an offer to extend, I think you should consider holding out for more. You should hear what other teams have to offer.”

Lennox nodded. He didn’t necessarily feel better. “I’ve been with the Tornados for nearly a decade.”

Rocky shrugged. “Exactly. I think you’ve gone as far with them as you can. There’s more money elsewhere.”

Lennox kept wiping his hands on his jeans. He had just found Pierre. While—logically—he knew Pierre shouldn’t factor into such a huge decision, he did. PTSD from getting brutally dumped after his last move still choked him. He had already lost one fiancé when she couldn’t take the distance. Maybe he had only been with Pierre a month, but he didn’t want to lose him. They were building something. He wanted to tell Rocky just to take the contract extension, but he was torn. More money sounded amazing, and maybe Pierre wouldn’t keep him. He hadn’t been fully tested yet. A month of Lennox’s ruthless schedule was nothing. Maybe Pierre would get sick of him traveling. If he did, and Lennox didn’t see what else was out there, he might regret it for the rest of his life. He wished Pierre was there to help him choose.

Lennox nearly jumped out of his skin when his shoulders were suddenly squeezed.

“It’s Pierre’s man. How are you?”

At the booming question, Lennox fought a wince. He hadn’t known Grandpa Tony knew he dated Pierre. The guy definitely kept an eye out for the family. Lennox had to step lightly. “I’m good. How are you?”

“Good. Good.” His gaze slid Rocky’s way and back again. “My nephew got in a bit of a pinch yesterday, but Pierre fixed everything. He didn’t even ask for money. You eat for free today.”

Lennox spotted his chance. He laughed. “Don’t say that. This is my agent. He’s paying. Let me get my money’s worth out of him.”

Tony laughed. It was loud and turned heads. He patted Lennox's shoulder. “I’ll bring you drinks.” He walked away without asking what they wanted.

Rocky looked at him oddly. “You’re dating someone?”

Lennox nodded. “It’s sort of new still, so I guess not many people have caught wind yet.”

“Did that guy say Pierre?”

Lennox nodded again. He held his breath. While he had slept with several men, this was the first time he had dated one. Lennox wasn’t ashamed. Fuck, he was proud. Pierre was amazing. But this was new territory with his agent. Lennox didn’t know if Rocky felt comfortable representing him under these circumstances.

To his surprise, a smile exploded across Rocky’s face. “That’s great. He must be amazing to have finally caught you.”

Lennox couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. He’s a solicitor from Quebec.” Before he could stop himself, Lennox confessed the truth aloud. “I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. He’s pretty perfect.”

A humming sound came from the back of Rocky’s throat. “I suppose that’s something I need to take into account when negotiating your next contract.”

A weight lifted from Lennox’s shoulders. Sometimes he wasn’t great at making decisions. Having this one taken from him made it easier to breathe. Lennox wanted to stay with Pierre, even if it cost him millions. Pierre was worth more than that to Lennox. He just needed someone else to validate his decision. Lennox wanted to stay.

Pierre stared at the purple flowers Lennox had sent to his office. Ever since learning purple was Pierre’s favorite color, Lennox had sent several various types of flowers of different shades of purple. His office, quarters, and even Lennox’s place looked like a flower shop. Pierre couldn’t stop smiling. He just… Pierre had never met anyone like Lennox. He had never felt this special. Lennox was quickly stealing his heart.

His phone rang, pulling Pierre from his thoughts. He sighed. Real life called. He just wanted to daydream. Grandpa Tony’s Pizza showed on the caller ID. Before he even brought the phone to his ear, Pierre knew what to expect. “Pierre Fortin.”

“Your man is here.”

Pierre chuckled. “Sorry about that. I forgot to warn you. He has a meeting with his agent.”

“You know I had to check. Lennox mentioned this guy was his agent. I wanted to be sure. He does have a very professional look, I suppose. But he’s also pretty fucking handsome, objectively speaking, and I’m straight.”

Even though he didn’t want it, a hint of jealousy hit Pierre. “That’s unfortunate, but I guess I can’t control how the man looks.”

A loud laugh came through the phone. “I’ll make sure he’s fed well. You come see me soon.”

“I will. Thanks for always keeping an eye out.” Secretly, Pierre found it a little annoying. He hadn’t needed to know Lennox’s agent was handsome. Pierre didn’t need that thought put in his head. Sometimes, he felt inferior enough.

“Of course. We’ll talk later.” Tony disconnected the call. Pierre immediately opened his web browser and searched the agent’s name. He had instant regrets. A blond man around the same age as Pierre stared back at him. He had nice eyes, and a chiseled face.

Lennox: I miss you.

A smile exploded across Pierre’s face as the notification appeared at the top of his phone. Maybe Lennox was at lunch with Rocky, but his mind was with Pierre. He quickly closed out the browser tab and opened his texts.

Pierre: It’s only been a few hours, but I miss you too.

Lennox: When I’m done here, can I come hang out at the office with you?

Pierre: Absolutely .

Maybe Pierre wouldn’t get any work done, but Lennox was more important.

Lennox: See you soon.

Pierre set his phone aside and dove into work. He needed to get as much work done as possible before Lennox got there. It was mostly just reading contracts. He could breeze through that. Pierre flipped through pages, forcibly keeping his mind on task. He lost track of time. Pierre glanced up and Lennox sat across from him, relaxing on the loveseat against the wall.

Pierre blinked. “How long have you been sitting there?”

A huge smile exploded across Lennox’s face. “Not long. You looked so adorably focused. I didn’t want to bother you.”

Pierre shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear you come in.”

Wickedness flashed in Lennox’s eyes. “I’m not always a bull in a tea shop. I can be sneaky.”

Pierre ignored the way Lennox made fun of him getting that expression wrong. He pushed away from the desk and circled it. “How did your meeting go?”

As soon as Pierre was within reach, Lennox snagged him and hauled him forward to stand between his knees. “I’m not sure yet.”

While trying not to get distracted, Pierre stroked Lennox’s wide shoulders. There was something in Lennox’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Lennox pulled Pierre onto his lap and hugged him against his chest. He kissed Pierre’s temple and took a deep breath, as if trying to pull Pierre into his lungs. “My contract is up at the end of this season.”

Pierre’s heart twisted. “Okay.” He was scared as hell of where this might be going.

“While the Tornadoes have already made an offer for a contract extension, Rocky thinks I’m worth a bigger number. He wants me to let other teams court me.”

Fuck. That was the absolute worst news for Pierre. He couldn’t relocate. Pierre didn’t have a job that people walked away from. It was for life. He knew too much. Pierre couldn’t leave the family. He swallowed. “And?”

Lennox kissed his temple again. “I told Rocky about you. We agreed you needed to be a factor in negotiations. I’m not sure more money is worth the cost.”

Pierre’s chest squeezed. How could he hold him back? Lennox had worked hard for this. “Don’t factor me. I would never ask you to take a career hit for me.”

For a moment, Lennox didn’t speak. He simply sat with his lips pressed to Pierre’s skin. “Was that a warning?”

The hurt in Lennox’s voice couldn’t be missed. Pierre leaned away and met Lennox’s stare. He looked every bit as pained as he sounded. Pierre had to wipe any negative thoughts from his mind. He couldn’t watch Lennox hurt. “No. Not at all. I just don’t want you to give up an opportunity for me. How am I supposed to live with knowing you could’ve made an even bigger name for yourself, but you chose me?”

Lennox’s beautiful eyes never wavered from Pierre. “I would.” Lennox looked every bit as surprised by his admission. His obvious shock only lasted for a second. Then he doubled down. “You’re worth more than money to me. Maybe that sounds crazy to you after only a month, but I’ve always been someone who knows themself. Since that midnight kiss, something has sat on my chest. People don’t stumble onto what we have every day. If you think you can handle this life, and you actually keep me that long, even if someone else wants me for more money at the end of the season, I’d choose you.”

There was a softball-sized lump in Pierre’s throat. Not once had anyone made Pierre feel as wanted as Lennox. Countless times, he had heard the entire Cattaneo family talk about knowing they had met the one immediately. It had always sounded crazy to Pierre. Now he saw it firsthand. He was a thousand percent certain Lennox was the one, and it would kill him if he lost this. If Lennox would choose him, Pierre would too. This was real. Whatever it took, Pierre was in it for the long haul.