9

Oh, my God.

Abandon ship.

This isn't singing.

To call it singing is a mockery to anyone who ever opened their mouth and attempted to stay on key.

No, this is… a never-ending chorus of out-of-tune car alarms.

A cat screeching in a blender.

The death of music as we know it.

And worse? He fucking owns it.

Twangy music plays as he croons his heart out, and it doesn't surprise me he chose a country song. Country or classic rock were the most likely choices. Call it musician's intuition, or something along those lines.

Certainly not a stereotyping of his wild half-mullet and straw hat.

When I realize he's performing Dolly Parton, I cackle with the rest of the crowd as he belts out Jolene , so off-key it makes me cringe even as joyful tears streak my face.

With the power of four shots fueling him, he embraces his lack of skills as he boogies on the stage. My laughter doubles down as he moves backward in a weird, stiff attempt at a moonwalk that ends up more like some twisted version of the robot.

By the time the song is done, a sheen of sweat shines on his forehead, and he's breathless as he rejoins me at our table. "I've decided you're an evil man," he declares, waving at the bartender to bring us another round.

"Oh, yeah?" I ask, leaning on my hands and grinning. "Why's that?"

Connor gestures towards the stage, where a new drunk shmuck has stumbled into the spotlight. "You wanted me to embarrass myself."

The bartender brings our drinks by, and we pull them straight off the tray and clink them together before tossing them back. "No, no, buddy. Don't twist this to turn me into the villain. Need I remind you it was your dare? All I did was make sure you followed the rules."

He begrudgingly nods as he thunks his shot glass on the tabletop. "That was before I knew you could do…" His eyes get wide as he waves towards the stage. "… that. And don't look so pleased with yourself!" he adds when he sees my grin.

As the band's keyboardist, I'm accustomed to taking a backseat and rarely being in the limelight. There are moments when I orbit close to the center of attention, especially when Eric and I share a microphone, but for the most part, I stay in the background.

And really, I'm okay with that.

In the band, my purpose is twofold—to create the music I am passionate about and to support my brothers in achieving their dreams. Don't get me wrong, the money is nice, too.

I've always been more of a wallflower by nature, content to watch everyone around me without the need to jump into their activities or conversations. I don't need to be noticed. Attention isn't important to me.

At least, it wasn't… not until those hazel eyes met mine three days ago, and the world shifted under my feet.

Now I want all his attention, and I'm terrified he's going to give it to me. He's seen me on that stage... knows what I can do. This could be the perfect time to tell him who I am...

But for some reason, I hesitate.

Maybe it's selfish, but I want a few more days where I don't have to be Tai... I can just be his.

The boat ports, and as we wave goodbye to Cho and Andrew on the dance floor, we head down the stairs and across the ramp to solid ground. A half moon is high in the sky, and alcohol still pulses through our veins as we walk back to our very private room. Everything has shifted between us, and that realization lifts the fog from my mind in an instant.

Distant music thumps from the boat as we slip onto the walkway towards the resort, and Connor slides his hand into mine. "Can I ask you something?" I say after a few seconds.

"Of course."

"Have you ever… been with a guy?"

Connor shakes his head, squeezing my hand. "No."

I hesitate before continuing. "You just seem so… calm? Like, that was a pretty intense make-out session up there…"

"Yeah, it was," he says, those dimples forming as he jiggles my hand.

"See?! You're completely unbothered by this, joking and talking about it as if it's no big deal. The straight-man freak-out is a real thing, and it can get ugly."

"Are you expecting me to have a meltdown just because the best kiss of my life was with a guy? Honestly, who has the energy for that drama?"

Oh, there's that tiny peacock again, fluffing its proud little feathers. "Best kiss of your life, huh?"

"Don't get a big head." We both laugh as we walk into the resort, and he drops my hand to open the door for me. The elevator is waiting, and sudden nerves swarm in my belly as we exit on our floor and approach our room.

Connor taps his keycard against the lock and the mechanics whir as it opens.

Then it's the two of us.

Alone.

We kick off our sandals, and for a second, we just stare at each other. "C'mere," Connor says, reaching for my hand and leading me over to his bed. His giant body drapes across the mattress, propped on the headboard with a stack of pillows to support him.

He tugs me next to him and I curl in, tucking my face into the crook of his neck. Cinnamon lingers on his breath, mixed with the slight musk of his sweat that makes me lose my sense of reason.

"Tai, I want you to know I have no expectations," he says, his hand stroking my hair and smoothing it down my back. "None."

"Such a gentleman," I murmur, swinging my leg over his hips and rolling his back to the mattress. Hooded eyes stare up at me through the curtain of his lashes, straddling his middle. I lean down and press my lips to his, soaking in the soft way he moans as he kisses me. Gentle hands land on my waist, his thumbs swirling maddeningly slow circles along my hipbones before his fingers venture up my spine, causing me to shudder with the tickle.

Connor grins against our kiss, then grabs the hem of my shirt. "Can I?"

"Only if I can, too." He smiles, dimples and all, before pulling my shirt off and tossing it on the ground. A rumbling, husky laugh leaves him when I struggle with his, clawing at his shoulders until he sits up and allows me to tug it over his head.

Shirtless, he eases back onto the mattress, and I take a moment to soak in his sculpted form. My fingers run through the dark curls on his torso as he watches, raking them up and down until I graze the very edge of his nipples.

"Someone likes that," I tease as he grunts, goosebumps lifting on his skin and hardening his nipples as his cock thickens underneath me. I do it again, teasing over his chest before giving a light tug on his hair. Connor smiles as he pulls his arms back, tucking them under his head and wiggling under my attention. "Enjoying the show down there?"

"You have no idea," he teases, and I take a good, long look at him—his bulging muscles, the sun-tanned complexion sprinkled with that dark hair that I'm learning I love so much. My eyes trace along the well-defined features of his face, his grin highlighted by those irresistible dimples.

He's fucking stunning.

But it isn't just this physical attraction that draws me in. I've never been shallow enough to be fooled by pretty boys with no substance. They're a dime a dozen, and not worth the headache they cause. With Connor, his kind, chivalrous heart and his willingness to be vulnerable with me are as attractive as his body. His sunny outlook and the way he quiets my mind are just as stunning as his smile.

The way he sees me, without all the bells and whistles that I usually wear as a disguise .

It's terrifying.

Hands still on his pecs, woven through his chest hair, I drop my lips to his, rolling my hips as his cock flexes again. Our kiss becomes harder than it was before, his tongue more aggressive as it tangles with mine. In a move driven by pure instinct, he bucks off the bed, and I break away and press my forehead to his. "Don't think I can't feel how hard you are for me."

"What are you going to do about it?" he rasps, and I groan as I kiss my way down his neck. Stubble scratches against my lips and tongue as I suck the skin into my mouth, just enough to leave a mark that'll fade by morning. My teeth scrape against his collarbone and he gasps, jutting his hips up into me again.

The muscles in his pecs pop and twitch as my lips weave a path, stopping to flick my tongue over his nipple and enjoying the tickle of hair against my chin. Noises spill freely from his throat now, quiet grunts and needy whines that tell me what he likes best.

His hands are still tucked under his head as I drag my nose up the curve of his armpit, soaking in his natural, masculine scent that blends with hints of his woodsy soap. "Fuck, you smell good."

Something about the rugged, in-your-face manliness has me desperate for more. I press my face against his skin and take a deep inhale, rolling my hips harder and drinking in his rumbling noises of pleasure. I tear myself away, sliding my body down his legs as I kiss a path over his chest and stomach, stopping to nuzzle against his navel.

His eyes are glued to mine as I grip the waistband of his pants. "Is this okay?"

"God, Tai, don't make me beg," he says, and I smile as I flick the button open.

"If it gets to be too much or you want to stop, speak up, alright?" He nods, not even blinking as I lower his zipper with a quiet whir. His cock presses against his briefs, and I can't help my surprised chuckle. When I glance back up at him, he's smiling so wide his teeth are showing. "This was your choice in underwear, really?"

He gives a one-shouldered shrug, smile intact. "You seemed to enjoy it."

"You picked these because you thought I was going to see them, huh?" I tease, and his face flushes.

"Hoped might be a better word… I hoped you might see them."

Grinning, I move to the mattress and tug at his shorts. Connor lifts his hips to help me slide them off his legs until he lays there wearing nothing but his bright pink underwear. The man is a goddamned masterpiece, solid muscle from head to toe, cock straining against his briefs in a way that makes my mouth water.

"Keep looking at me like that, and you'll make quick work of me," he rasps, and I lick my lips as I move to pull the last bit of clothing from his body.

"Wait," he says, and I freeze, glancing up in question. He grabs my legs and yanks me back over his middle before picking me off the bed and flipping us until I'm pinned underneath him. The unexpected manhandling has me gawking as my erection throbs inside my jeans. "Fair's fair."

His lips crash into mine as he reaches between us, making quick work of my pants as he loosens them. "I want to look at you." He lifts off me, and I whimper at the sight of the bulge behind his underwear.

Connor yanks my jeans down, an audible groan climbing from his throat when he finds me bare underneath. "Fuck, you didn't tell me you were going commando all night." Tongue sliding over his lips, he pauses and stares. "Can I…" He trails off, appearing shy for the first time tonight.

"Can you what?"

"I've never really seen another man's cock… I mean, I've been around plenty at the gym, right? But I haven't paid attention. Can I look? At you?" He's so fucking sweet as he glances up at me, waiting for permission in his pink undies.

"Of course," I say, and he flashes me another dimpled smile as he wrestles my jeans the rest of the way off, tossing them to join the pile of our clothes on the floor. He leans in, moving almost reverently as he settles on his belly between my legs.

"It's… cute."

I prop myself onto my elbows and glare at him. "Excuse me? Did you just call my dick cute?"

He laughs, glancing between me and my extremely eager erection. "I mean, okay, you are quite a bit bigger than me, which, frankly, is unfair because you're so skinny."

"Wait," I choke out a laugh. "Wait, wait. First, my dick is cute, and now I'm skinny?"

Connor's cheeks are turning red as he tries to keep a straight face. "Come on, you gotta admit it's cute. It's wearing a tiny turtleneck."

" Tiny?! "

"Like it's ready for winter and building itty-bitty snowmen."

"Connor!" I shout as I spring up and tackle him, and he's laughing so hard he allows me to push him to the mattress. We crash to the bed together and he wraps his arms around me as we both continue to laugh.

"I wasn't done looking," he complains, and I try to scowl but fail. "Hey, Tai?"

"Yeah, chippoke ?" I emphasize the word, and he grins again now that he knows the meaning of it.

"Can I touch you?" Although he sounds incredibly self-assured, I have a strong need to check in with him.

"Hey," I say, turning serious as I drop a kiss on his lips. "There's no pressure to do anything you aren't comfortable doing. No expectations, just like you said."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to… like, I really, really want to touch you. Don't make me use a dare," he teases as he slides back down, laying on his stomach again between my legs.

His fingers glide up my inner thigh and through the crease in my hips, dancing over my groin without touching me. Any softening that had occurred as we laughed vanishes, my cock throbbing as it pushes off my body, fully erect.

For a man that has never been up close and personal with a dick, he sure is skilled at teasing one.

Knuckles graze my balls and up the underside of my erection, and his thick fingers wrap around my length. "Fuck, that's hot," he mumbles as he explores, thumb tracing along the tip as he forms a loose fist and gives a slow pump.

His attention is completely fixed on my cock, watching as he strokes a second time with a firmer grip. The pink head pops out, and he stills, eyes wide as he glances at me. "Am I going to hurt you?"

"Holy shit, you're so sweet," I mutter with a grin, falling back onto the pillows. "No, you won't hurt me."

He tightens his grasp and starts to stroke me in a rhythm, the point of his tongue adorably caught between his teeth as he concentrates. My chest flutters at the sight, but then he grabs my balls with his other hand, and I lose cognitive thought. A moan tumbles from my throat, and his eyes move up to mine.

"Fuck, I like hearing you," he murmurs, and then he inches closer. "Can I just… God, I want to taste you. Just a taste…" Wet heat sends a blast of arousal through me as his tongue swipes over my tip. "Jesus, that's… I need more. Can I have more, sweetheart? Please?"

Two realizations slam into me at that moment.

First—Connor is verbal and a beggar.

And second—I really fucking like that.

"You can have more," I say, reaching down to weave my fingers through his hair. "Take it, Connor."

The heat of his tongue slides across my tip again, and he whimpers. This giant, muscled man who's never even looked at a dick in his life whimpers over the taste of my pre-cum. "Fuck, that's so good," he moans, wrapping his lips around the crown of my cock and suckling.

He's everywhere—taking long drags over my slit, flickering across the head, licking gently under my foreskin. The whole time, he maintains a constant suction like he's sipping through a straw, enough to tease but not enough to push me any further. He drops his lips lower, glancing up as he takes another inch into his mouth.

"You're doing so good," I praise as he slides the ring of his lips along my length and tries to suck with more enthusiasm. A few times, he loses suction, and the wet sound of him popping off my cock only makes me harder. A moan vibrates up my shaft as he flexes, rocking against the mattress until the muscular globes of his ass indent on the sides.

Spit leaks from his lips as he bobs up and down on me, only a few inches in his mouth. The glide of his tongue over my sensitive nerves and the sight of his grinding, toned body push me into overdrive. When he grips the root of my cock, I can't help the way I thrust.

He coughs and pulls back to catch his breath. "Shit, I'm sorry," I murmur, trying to still my greedy hips.

"No, don't apologize… don't restrain yourself. Fuck my mouth, sweetheart. I want to feel it, okay? Please?" He wraps his lips around me and sucks, so eager to satisfy that it shreds at my inhibitions. Fisting his hair, I pull him lower.

"Hold on to my cock to keep it from going too deep." He nods, circling my shaft with his thick fingers, and I tug him forward until his lips meet his hand. "Is that too much?"

His eyes meet mine, all blown out pupils and desperation, and he shakes his head no. Still holding his hair, I give a slow roll up into him. He moans again, louder, and matches my thrust with one of his own, grinding into the bed. We build into a steady cadence, my cock sliding between his lips at the same tempo he thrusts against the mattress.

Another whimper leaves him as he breaks our rhythm, hips jerking at a quicker, faltering pace. His ass flexes, faster and faster, until his mouth hovers open, and he rocks into the bed with a wail.

God, he's fucking glorious.

"Connor, talk to me," I say as I lift his head. Spit webs between his lips and the slicked skin of my cock, and another helpless noise leaves his throat. "You're close, aren't you?"

"Yeah," he whines, the muscles in his thighs and ass rippling as he mindlessly thrusts.

"You don't want to go like that… not while I'm here to help." I pull away from him even as he protests and reaches for me. I grab his wrist and smile as those hazy, lust-filled eyes meet mine. "Let me do it… let me take care of you. Be a good boy and lie back for me."

We swap positions, and I drink in his desperate state. His erection strains against his pink briefs, a wet spot the size of a half dollar darkening the fabric. My fingertips skirt up the inside of his thigh, and he whines again as I trace the shape of his cock through his underwear.

"Tai," he gasps, hips jolting into the air. "Tai, I'm going to come."

"Not yet, you aren't," I soothe, returning to petting his legs and hips and staying away from his erection. He's on a hair trigger, and I'm not even touching him. "You haven't let me see you yet. Is it okay if I remove these?" My fingers hook through the waist of his underwear, and he nods, abdomen muscles flexing as he curls up to watch.

"Look at you," I praise as I slide them over his ass, his cock catching on the elastic before springing loose as I rid him of the last piece of clothing between us. Palms flat on his skin, I smooth them up his groin and hips, careful not to touch his oversensitive dick. "How perfect and needy you are for me."

Dark, dense curls cover the base of his cock, travelling up to meet his navel in a thick trail that I've been eyeballing for days. His head is almost red with his pent-up arousal, sticky with the pre-cum that soaked his underwear. "Please touch me… it hurts. I need it."

My fingers glide closer, raking through his pubic hair as he moans and squirms. Unable to help myself, I lean to press my face into the root of his cock, taking in his scent. Just that small bit of contact has him gasping, rutting against my cheek as I take my fill of him.

I pull back a few inches and meet his eyes, licking up the side of his shaft before blowing on it. It flexes and strains under the cool brush of my breath, and his hips thrust into the air again. "So good," he murmurs, jerking in small, stunted movements that search for relief. "So fucking good… please let me come. I need it, Tai, please. Give me what I need?"

"Tell me what you need." My lips grip the side of his cock and slide upward, and he tenses as my tongue drags across the tip.

Teeth gritted and skin flushed pink, veins in his neck and forehead standing out, he speaks with a broken, begging grunt. "You… I need… I need…" I lick another path down his length and then back up, and he calls out as his hips snap forward. A splash of cum shoots across my cheek as he arches off the bed, his entire body tensed.

"Fuck," I gasp as I suck him into my mouth, the next blast erupting over my tongue. The rhythmic thud of his muscles hammers against my lips as I take him deeper, his release spilling into my throat. His shouts are loud and desperate, enough for the surrounding rooms to hear.

I pry his grip from the blanket he's white-knuckling and steer it to my cock. Never releasing my suction on him, I wrap his hand around my length and cover it with my own, thrusting through the cage of our fingers.

Mouth full, I'm forced to swallow as I drive forward again, and again, and then I'm moaning around his cock as the pressure finally breaks. My orgasm crashes over me, the sight of him unraveling becoming the final push I needed to fall over this edge I've been riding since he first put his lips on me.

Warmth flows over both of our fingers, making everything slippery as I continue to fuck his hand. The wet, slick sound of sliding through our joined grip is almost as loud as our pleasure-filled noises, and I keep thrusting until I'm spent.

By the time we both come down, we're sweaty and limp-limbed. I slide my tongue over his softening cock once more before releasing him, and then his starry-eyed gaze finds mine.

"C'mere," he says, voice rough, and I climb his body and drop a long, tender kiss on his lips before settling beside him on the bed. "That was fucking incredible. Hands down the best sex of my life."

I snort a quiet laugh. "Don't lie to me, chippoke."

He grabs my chin with his clean hand, expression serious as he forces me to hold his gaze. "No lies, Tai. Not with you."

Emotion clogs my throat as I nod, blinking away the sudden burning behind my eyes as he tucks me back into his arms. For a long, long time, we lay here, curled up in each other with nothing more than the sound of our breaths and the beating of our hearts.

Reality screams at me to put distance between us while I'm still intact—to save myself from this before I'm too deep. But as I nuzzle into his chest and feel the tickle of his hair against my cheek, I know I won't.

I'm going to ride this train until it's too late, and I'll have no one but myself to blame when it derails with me inside, clutching a man who isn't mine to hold.