Chapter Fourteen

Julian

K nuckles rapped softly against my apartment door as my heart knocked loudly against my ribs. Christopher hadn't wanted to meet in the hallway or at his truck. He'd insisted on picking me up at my door as he would with any other date. My clamoring heart told me this could be the date to end all others.

Christopher's warm chuckle filtered through the door. "I still have a key to your apartment. I won't hesitate to use it."

I'd asked him to water my plants while I was in Atlanta doing the final fitting for Jorja's dress. Harper had nearly killed my precious babies the last time I'd put her in charge, so I'd rolled the dice and hit it big with Christopher. I'd never asked for my key back and didn't want to think about why that was.

He tapped lightly again. "I know you're just on the other side of the door."

I lifted my forehead from the cool surface. "How?"

I'd been in position before he'd left Harper's apartment and watched his approach through the peephole. Okay, I'd been scoping out the hallway since I'd heard him arrive home from work, balancing a potted plant between his sling and chest. No one had ever brought me flowers or plants, and I was ridiculously charmed by the gesture. But then I freaked when Christopher, freshly showered and shaved, approached my door twenty minutes later with the pot in hand.

"Because I feel you," Christopher said.

I opened the door and smiled at him. "Hi," I said, dropping my gaze to the adorable succulent arrangement.

"Hi." Christopher's dimples were on full display when he extended the ceramic pot to me, and I cradled it to my chest like the treasure it was. "I had difficulty deciding between a floral bouquet or a potted arrangement. I chose the succulents because they'll last longer." His grin turned wry. "Unless you leave them in Harper's care."

The affectionate dig chased away my nerves, and I stepped aside so Christopher could enter. "You've got that right. Harper is so good at everything else, though. I guess her plant-killer tendencies keep her humble."

I shut the door and turned to find a new home for my latest green baby, but Christopher snaked a hand around my waist and hauled me up against him, my back to his chest.

He pressed his nose to the sensitive spot behind my ear and inhaled deeply. "I missed smelling you first thing in the morning. You're more addictive than coffee." Christopher lifted his hand and sifted through the curls I'd worn soft just for him. "Missed these too."

I took a deep breath and withdrew from his embrace when all I wanted to do was melt into him. I turned and looked at Christopher. A frown marred his lips and brow, and I realized he'd mistaken my action for rejection. I rose on my tiptoes and kissed him until his lips softened and the groove in his forehead disappeared. "If I hadn't put a little space between us, I would've pulled you into my bedroom. You're not the only one who hated waking up to an empty bed. I missed you strumming out a melody only you can hear on my skin. But if we stay, I won't get to experience the date you planned."

If this was my last first date, I didn't want to miss a single moment.

Christopher held up his hand. "I'll behave…for now."

I chuckled on my way over to my multi-tiered plant stand in front of the only window in the living room. I rearranged a few pots to place Christopher's gift in the center of the display. It looked right at home among the others, and I was incredibly moved.

"Looks like you need a bigger plant stand," he said, coming to stand beside me.

I turned and smiled at him. "And a bigger window for more light." I placed a quick kiss on his lips, still not fully believing I could do that anytime I wanted. "Thank you so much for Suzie."

Christopher quirked a brow. "You name them?"

I nodded. "Still want to date me?"

Laughing, Christopher pulled me into a hug. "Even more. Maybe you'll share the names of the other plants with me."

"As soon as you tell me the song you play against my skin," I challenged.

Christopher cupped my face. "I'll sing it to you the next time I wake tangled up with you."

He sounded so sure that there would be a next time, and I found breathing impossible. Christopher chuckled and dropped a quick kiss on my forehead. "Don't overthink it."

"You're right," I agreed. "Shall we go?"

Christopher gestured for me to precede him to the door and placed his hand on the small of my back. He kept it there while I locked my apartment, then he reached for my hand.

I lifted our laced fingers once inside the elevator and said, "Technically, we're tangled right now."

Christopher backed me up against the wall and lowered his head until his lips nearly touched mine. "Huh-uh. I'm talking arms, legs, and dicks. No clothes between us this time. Just your bare flesh against mine. Then I'll sing it for you."

I placed my hand at Christopher's open shirt collar and trailed a finger lazily down the row of buttons. Awareness crackled in the air around us and pulsed through his big, muscular body. "Baby, you'll be singing for me long before dawn."

Christopher cupped the back of my head and kissed me. The elevator stopped on the lobby floor before he could deepen the embrace. The doors opened on a cheerful chime, and Christopher reluctantly stepped back so we could exit, but neither of us moved until a familiar snort came from outside the elevator. I peeked around Christopher and waved at Harper, who rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of her nose.

"Gross," she said. "Reeks of pheromones and three years' worth of unresolved sexual tension in there."

Christopher laughed and smiled at me. "Should I tell her, or would you like to do the honors?"

There was no way in hell I'd discuss our physical relationship with his sister, but the little imp didn't know that. "Actually…" I began.

Harper threw her hand up to cut me off when the elevator doors started to close. She pushed her arm out to trigger the sensors in the door, and it reopened. "Are you lovesick fools going to exit, or are you just going to ride the elevator up and down all night long and suck face?"

"Suck face," I replied while Christopher said, "Exiting."

We swapped, Harper stepping inside the elevator and Christopher and I into the lobby.

"It's a worknight, so I want him home by eleven," Harper said and blew me a kiss.

"Gives you plenty of time to sneak your Romeo in and out," Christopher teased.

Harper rolled her eyes. "Just worry about your own love life."

I looked up at Christopher once the elevator doors closed. "Are you ever going to tell her you figured out who she's dating?"

"And ruin the fun for her?" he asked as he reached for my hand. "No way."

"I'm surprised Coy hasn't told her."

Christopher released my hand to open the lobby door for me. "He's probably afraid she's only seeing him to spite me."

"He has nothing to worry about on that front. Harper is crazy about Coy."

"And that's for them to figure out for themselves," Christopher said. He stopped suddenly and looked at me with an astonished expression on his face. "Not sure how I can be so wise when it comes to everyone else's relationships but dumb as hell when it comes to my own. It shouldn't have taken me so long to realize the affection I felt for you went much deeper than friendship."

I cupped his face and kissed him soundly on the mouth. "You're not the only one questioning why they hadn't recognized the signs sooner. Are we going to waste precious time ruminating on old memories or focus on making new ones?"

"Definitely new," Christopher replied.

Neither of us said anything else until we drove out of his parking spot.

"I hope you don't mind if I make a quick detour before our date officially kicks off," he said.

"Well, since I have no clue where we're going, I wouldn't know it's a detour." I looked over at his handsome profile. "If it's a trip to the pharmacy for condoms or lube, though, you don't need to worry. I've got us covered. Literally."

"Good to know, but I bought those things at lunchtime. I was a little overwhelmed by the lube options, so I snapped a pic and texted it to Diego. When he didn't answer, I figured he was working a case, so I texted his husband, Levi."

I was incredibly charmed by the idea of Christopher phoning his friends to get advice on the best kind of lube to buy. I'd heard him mention Diego and Levi dozens of times, but I'd never met them.

"What do they think about us going out?" Christopher laughed, and I playfully swatted his arm. "What?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"You and I are the only ones who hadn't seen this coming."

I turned as far as my seat belt allowed. "Really?"

Christopher stopped at a red light and looked at me. "Yeah. I guess I talked about you all the time. I didn't even realize I was doing it. They're very excited to meet you."

"Oh, wow. You've already planned an introduction?"

"Between my favorite people? Of course." His left brow slowly lifted. "Too soon?"

The light changed, and Christopher forced his gaze back to the road.

"Not at all."

Christopher chuckled. "Tell that to your heart. I can hear it pounding from over here."

It was racing as if we'd just crested a roller coaster hill. "Cannot."

"Can too."

I tried to discreetly even out my breathing, but Christopher's soft laughter said it hadn't worked. Instead, I turned on the radio to drown out my reactions.

"I get to choose the soundtrack for our date since you've picked the destinations."

"Fine by me," Christopher said. "I love all types of music, so go for it. I have a phone charger in the console, and you can hook up to Car Play if you want to access your own playlists."

I took him up on his suggestion and had just selected a song on my phone when I realized he'd turned onto Seiler Avenue. I hadn't expected his detour to take me down memory lane. My chest swelled with happiness as Christopher drove past the homes that were both familiar and foreign. Many of the properties had exchanged hands several times since Tallulah had sold her home and moved in with my parents. I'd only driven past it once since moving to Savannah. I'd gotten so upset that I'd run a stop sign and gotten pulled over by the sexiest cop in the world.

I was preparing to point out her old house when he slowed in front of it and turned into the driveway. The residence had been fully remodeled since the last time I was there. Instead of white siding with black trim, the little house was sage green with white trim. They'd painted the wide porch a warm, sandy brown color. I was too stunned to speak until Christopher turned off the truck. "What are we doing here?" I asked.

"My landlord called me this morning and said the renovations finished ahead of schedule, so I can move in whenever I'm ready. I also picked up the keys at lunchtime. I can't wait to show you around. There's a clause in my contract that gives me an opportunity to buy the house after the first year. I haven't even moved in yet, but I already know I'm going to exercise that option."

I looked at the porch where I'd spent countless hours daydreaming as a little boy. The longing I'd expected to feel was there, but it was surpassed by disbelief and more profound feelings I couldn't name. Sensing Christopher's gaze on me, I turned to him. "This is the house you rented?"

He narrowed his eyes like he couldn't get a read on my emotions. That made two of us. The feelings built until they burst out of me in a squeaky hiccup, which I followed with deranged laughter and tears of joy.

Christopher blinked rapidly, and I could practically hear his gears grinding as he tried to figure me out. Again, that made two of us. "Did I do something really right or really wrong?"

"This was Lulu's house," I said, still not believing it. Savannah wasn't a metropolis by any stretch, but of all the houses Christopher could've rented, he'd ended up there. "I spent most of my summers here as a kid, and this house means the world to me."

Christopher stared at me with a slack jaw, then looked back at the house. "Seriously?" he asked, meeting my gaze again.

"Yeah, but that's impossible, right?"

Christopher removed a keychain from his pocket and dangled the keys in the air. "This says otherwise." He lifted my palm and placed the keys in the center. "You do the honors." Christopher wrapped my fingers around the metal and gave me a quick kiss. "I knew this house was special the moment I crossed the threshold, and now I know why. Give me a tour. I want to see it through your eyes."

"Holy fuck, you really are going to ruin me for all other men."

Christopher winked and removed his seat belt. "Maybe that's my diabolical plan." He eased open the driver's side door and stepped out. I remained rooted in my seat as I tried to process what was happening. Christopher stood in front of his car and smiled at me through the windshield. When I still made no move to get out, he rounded the truck and opened my door for me.

"And then what?" I asked.

He pursed his lips and considered my question for a second. "I don't follow."

"After I'm hooked on you, then what?"

Christopher's smile was slow and fiendish. "If I told you, it would spoil the journey." He held out his hand palm up. "Do you trust me?"

There was no one I trusted more, so I placed my free hand in his, and we walked together toward the house. I stopped by the front door and looked up at him. "Please tell me the new owner hasn't painted all the original woodwork white or altered those big, beautiful archways between the rooms."

"Nope."

"Or that they gutted all the built-in art deco cubbies and bookshelves."

Christopher smiled. "Nope. Those were some of my favorite features. And before you ask, the wall of windows in the kitchen is intact. They're what sold me on the place."

I closed my eyes and pictured all the plants and herbs Lulu had grown in the kitchen. "Thank goodness."

I put the key in the lock and turned it. The door opened on silent hinges, and we stepped inside. My heart pounded as I cataloged all things old and new. The wood floors, trim, and exposed beams in the ceiling were left in pristine condition, though the finish looked new. Perhaps a hickory stain instead of cherry. The very first art deco feature in the house was the foyer. To the left was a built-in cubby with a row of hooks for coats and a bench to stow shoes beneath it. To the right was a half wall that opened into a bookshelf in the sunken living room.

The dining room featured a built-in buffet, china cabinet, and a corner knickknack cubby. I walked to the cubby and ran my finger over the edge of a shelf. "Lulu kept her bell collection here. People brought them to her from all over the world. She'd tell me about each one as she lovingly cleaned them."

I crossed the main hall and stepped down into the sunken living room. Christopher followed behind me at a slower pace. The long wall featured a fireplace in the center with bookshelves on both sides. "This would be a wonderful room to showcase your vintage guitars, and those shelves are deep enough for your vinyl record collection."

I felt Christopher's presence before he settled his hand on my hip. "I plan to hang my television over the fireplace. What do you think?"

"I like that idea. Lulu had one of those monstrous console things. It was opposite the windows, so you couldn't see the screen when the sun was on this side of the house. We popped popcorn and watched a movie every night." I stilled when a specific memory hit me.

"You okay?" Christopher asked softly.

I turned and smiled up at him. "Pretty sure Aunt Lulu knew I was gay before I did. I just remembered the summer she introduced me to Rock Hudson. I think I was ten."

Christopher chuckled and kissed my lips. "I'm dying to hear this."

"It wasn't as bawdy as you're thinking," I replied. "She had one of his movies on and told me it was a shame Rock couldn't be himself. I didn't understand and asked, ‘Who is he really?'" I was thinking of a superhero or something, but Lulu told me that some boys prefer to kiss other boys instead of girls. She said Rock was one of those boys, but he had to lie about it to make movies. Lulu told me it was wrong to make people feel ashamed about who they loved. It was a few more years before I realized I was one of those boys who wanted to kiss other boys. Lulu was the first person I told. It was Christmastime, and she was at our house for the holiday. She held me tightly and said, ‘I know, honey. Never let anyone tell you it's wrong.' That next summer, we watched as many Rock Hudson movies as she could find."

Christopher traced my jawline with his finger. "Damn, I love that woman. No wonder this place is so special to you." He leaned forward and rubbed his nose against mine. "Have you ever kissed a boy in this house?"

The tenderness in his eyes made it impossible to speak so I shook my head. Christopher tucked his fingers under my chin and lifted it. My eyes drifted shut as he pressed his lips to mine, softly at first, then more insistent when he slid his tongue between my lips. I opened for him, and he deepened the kiss until I forgot everything except the way he made me feel.

When we parted, Christopher stroked his thumb over my cheekbone and said, "Now you have."

"This is the best date ever."

Christopher chuckled. "It hasn't even started yet." He looked around the room. "Is this where she taught you how to sew?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Lulu taught me about fabrics and fibers and showed me how to sew, crochet, and knit. She had friends over several times a week. They referred to the gatherings as sewing clubs or book clubs, but they mostly drank wine and gossiped." I closed my eyes and memories of their laughter echoed in my mind. I met Christopher's gaze once more. "Lulu's lessons went beyond which patterns matched and which yarns made the best blankets. She's always encouraged me to think for myself and be my own person. You've seen what she's like."

Christopher pulled me into a one-armed hug, which I decided was way better than a two-armed embrace with any other man. Christopher's love language was touch, whether he knew it or not. With one hand on my lower back and the other in a sling, he still managed to caress my face with the intensity in his golden gaze. The warmth of his adoration ghosted over my cheeks as tenderly as his touch would. The gentle giant had the power to crush my soul in ways others never could, but as I stared into Christopher's eyes, I realized he never would. He saw me. I mean, he really saw me, and he was letting me know. Christopher placed a whisper-soft kiss on my lips.

"It must've been really hard for her to sell the place and move in with your folks," he said.

I nodded. "It was a royal battle between them. Lulu had been diagnosed with cancer, and Mom wanted her to have the best treatment money could buy in Atlanta. They locked wills but came to a compromise. Lulu agreed to stay with my parents while undergoing treatment and would return to Savannah once she was in remission. She really struggled during treatments, and I think it really scared her because she ended up staying in Atlanta permanently. She's a warrior in more ways than one, and I love her so much."

"Pride radiates from Lulu every time she looks at you, so I know the feeling is mutual."

I blinked, and a few rogue tears slid down my cheeks. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Christopher dropped his hand from my back to wipe away my tears. "When I imagined our first date, making you cry wasn't in my plan."

I tilted my head to the side. "Not even tears of ecstasy?"

Christopher chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "And he's back."

I settled my hand on his chest and fixed my gaze on his. "These tears feel good." I trailed my hand lower and stopped just shy of his belt. "The ones that come later will feel great."

His answering kiss was sweet and gentle, but the emotions they stirred in my core were naughty and savage. I pulled back before I commandeered his date. The longing expression in his gorgeous eyes said it wouldn't take much effort to convince him to forget his plans.

"I want to check on something," I said. "Then we can go."

I laced my fingers through Christopher's and led him into the kitchen. I paused when we entered the room because the wall of windows along the back of the house was just as breathtaking as I remembered. The new owner had replaced the old kitchen cabinets but had chosen ones with a similar look and feel as the original art deco design. White base cabinets lined the entire perimeter of the room except for the small eat-in nook off to the right. There were very few upper wall cabinets mounted in the kitchen, which was correct for the era. Their glass fronts weren't as ornate as the originals but still pretty. Another craftsman feature was the open shelves throughout the room. I crossed over to the ones by the kitchen windows and said, "Lulu filled these shelves with plants and herbs. And over there," I said, pointing to the stove, "she kept her dry spices, seasonings, and cooking wine."

"So that's where your green thumb comes from."

I nodded. "My mom has it too. She spends countless hours working in her flower beds and vegetable gardens." I looked into the backyard and noticed the owner had replaced the old metal fence with a nice wooden one. "Lulu had a small garden over there," I said, pointing to the right corner. "She grew mostly tomatoes, onions, peppers, and green beans."

"No okra?"

"Yuck," I said with a hard shiver.

"You just haven't had it prepared correctly," Christopher replied.

I snorted and shook my head. "Says every okra nut."

Christopher chuckled and tugged me closer. "Is this what you wanted to see?"

His proximity nearly made me forget my mission, so I stepped back and tugged him with me. I opened the door next to the stove and pulled him into the walk-in pantry.

"The landlord told me what was behind the door, but I didn't inspect the space. It's huge."

I heard him, but my eyes had started to mist over again when I saw the growth chart Lulu had made for me was still there. "I was sure someone had painted over it," I said, running my finger over the pencil marks and notations. The last one was from the summer I turned thirteen."

"Was that your last summer here?" Christopher asked softly.

"Yeah," I said wryly. "The next summer, I put kissing other boys into action."

Christopher's arm snaked around my waist, and he rested his head against mine. "Why don't we call Lulu and tell her our quirky news."

I brightened at the suggestion. "I have an even better idea. I can FaceTime my mom, and she can hand the phone to Lulu."

Mom was just as excited for Lulu to discover Christopher was moving into her old house. I turned the phone around and showed her the updates in each room. She, too, got tears in her eyes when I recounted my fondest memories with her.

"I regret that I didn't return for more summers with you," I said once I finished the tour in the backyard. Christopher had stayed in the house to give us some privacy.

"Oh, you have nothing to feel guilty about, my love. I wish I'd had the foresight to know you'd move to Savannah one day. I would've saved the house for you instead of selling it to strangers." She tilted her head to the side. "But maybe things turned out the way they were supposed to, yeah?"

I turned and looked through the kitchen windows. Christopher was opening cabinets and drawers. He looked so right standing in the space, like maybe him being there wasn't just a huge coincidence. "I think you're right," I agreed. We chatted for a few more minutes before she informed me that Wheel of Fortune was about to come on. "Lulu," I said before disconnecting, "thank you for everything."

"It is I who should thank you, dear," Lulu said. "You brought so much joy to my life every summer. I will cherish the memories beyond my last breath. I love you, Julian."

"I love you too, Aunt Tallulah."

I waited a few moments to pull myself together before I walked back inside.

Christopher shut the drawer and looked at me. "Everything okay?"

"Perfect," I said, crossing the distance and wrapping my arms around his waist. I looked up at him and said, "Though my next bout of joyful tears will occur when your big dick gets up close and personal with my prostate."

Christopher's mouth parted on a soft gasp as lust and need darkened his eyes. He blinked a few times and seemed to recover his thoughts. "I'm a sure bet, huh?"

I trailed my finger over his chest and was delighted when a shiver racked his body. "Aren't you?"

Christopher cupped the back of my head and said, "Hell yes," before locking his lips to mine. My brain went haywire, thinking of everything I wanted to do to and with him. I'd mentally stripped him down to his underwear when Christopher pulled back suddenly.

"Date first," he said.

I reluctantly agreed, and we locked the door behind us and headed to his truck. I didn't ask where we were going because it didn't matter as long as we went there together. I smiled when he stopped at Corleone Trattoria.

"This is my favorite restaurant," I said.

Christopher killed the engine and kissed me. "I know. I'll never forget the look on your face the first time I saw you eat takeout from here. I provoked a more rapturous response out of you when I brought you that eggplant parmesan than I ever did with anyone I took to bed."

I patted his cheek and gave him my best "oh sweetie" look. "You've put that expression on my face plenty of times. You just weren't there to see it."

"I will get to from now on," Christopher said as he shoved his door open. He volleyed his gaze between the restaurant and me, and a cute scowl formed on his face. It could've been my imagination, but I had a feeling Christopher didn't want anyone in the restaurant to see my reaction to the eggplant parmesan. But then he said, "Maybe we should get our dinner to go," and I knew I'd been right.

"I'll tamp down my euphoria," I promised. "I won't bang the table and cry out in ecstasy."

Christopher groaned softly but led me into the restaurant. I didn't want to tempt fate, so I ordered baked ziti instead. It was as good as the eggplant, but I kept my reactions G-rated. Christopher tucked into his spaghetti and meatballs with a gusto that made my heart happy. He caught me smiling at him and narrowed his eyes.

"Am I making a pig of myself?"

"No," I replied. "I love the way you enjoy food."

He sat back in his chair and patted his stomach. "If I'm not careful, I'll pack on weight while my shoulder heals."

"I'd still climb you at every opportunity."

Unfortunately for me, our server decided to check in with us at that precise moment. I worried it was too much for Christopher, but he laughed when the poor kid stumbled through his question and beat a hasty retreat when we assured him everything tasted wonderful.

"I'm serious," Christopher said once we were alone again. "I gain weight easily."

"And I seriously love a dad bod." I set my fork down and said, "I think you're incredibly sexy as you are, but I'd still feel the same way if you were bald or suddenly sprouted a bunch of back hair."

Christopher grimaced. "Hopefully not at the same time."

I chuckled but waved away his concern with my fork. "I'd just shave my initials in your back hair so everyone would know you're mine."

He tilted his head to the side. "I actually believe you."

"As you should," I replied. "As much as I appreciate your looks, I'm drawn more to your character."

He swallowed hard, and I could tell how much my words meant to him. "I feel the same about you, Julian."

I didn't know how long we stared at one another before the poor waiter returned to see if we wanted dessert.

"We'll take two boxes for our leftovers and the check, please," Christopher said. "Wait, do you want dessert?"

It was on the tip of my tongue to say no, but then I imagined feeding cannoli cake to Christopher in bed. I ordered a piece to go, and the waiter commended me on my choice before disappearing.

Once back in Christopher's truck, he started the engine and turned to me.

"I was going to drive out to Jesup so we could watch Twister at the drive-in theater. I'm still eager to share that experience with you, but—"

"I could go down on you in a more comfortable environment, like on my sofa or in my bed."

Christopher responded by pulling the gear shift down, but the truck lurched forward when he hit the gas instead of rolling backward. He engaged the brakes and smiled impishly. "You rattled me a little."

"Baby, I'm going to rattle you a whole lot."

Christopher took a deep breath and corrected his course.

"Tell me, have you ever played with your ass or asked one of your girlfriends to do it?" I asked. I took Christopher's strangled response as a no. "Is it something that interests you?"

Christopher fidgeted in his seat, and I dropped my gaze to his lap. He wasn't fully erect yet, but he was getting there quick. "Yes." His voice sounded choked and dry as if he'd been stranded in a desert for a week without water or he'd recently deep-throated a cactus.

I was having too much fun to show Christopher any mercy. "Would you prefer my finger, tongue, or dick?" I asked.

"I-I. Yes." He slowed at a four-way stop but rolled through it when he saw nothing was coming. "If I had my way, we wouldn't leave your apartment until you showed me everything."

"You know how I'm not a fan of binge-watching shows?" I asked.

He met my gaze briefly and nodded. "You prefer to savor each episode and let it settle before going onto the next one."

I reached over the console and trailed my forefinger over his denim-clad thigh. "I love anticipation." Christopher spread his legs, but I stopped shy of his groin. "Delayed gratification." I repeated my stroke, but this time brushed my pinky against his erection before retreating. Christopher sucked in a sharp breath, and I smiled. "Edging. Are you familiar with the concept?"

"Oh hell," Christopher said. "I'm not going to survive this, am I?"

I stroked upward again and squeezed Christopher's dick through his pants. "But you'll go with a happy smile on your face."

I let up on my teasing to ensure we made it back to the apartment complex in one piece, and I didn't taunt him during our brief elevator ride. I behaved until we were in my apartment with the door closed and locked and I'd stowed the leftovers in the refrigerator. Christopher was still by the front door watching me, so I crossed to him. I started to reach for his hand to lead him to my room but froze when I saw hesitation shimmering in his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

He nodded vigorously, but I wasn't convinced. Was I moving too fast? Was he not ready for more?

"I don't think I'm very good at this."

My heart sank, but I refused to let my disappointment show. "This?" I asked.

Christopher squeezed his eyes shut. "I, uh, this is embarrassing," he said.

I stepped into his arms, and he reopened his eyes. "It doesn't need to be. Just tell me."

He swallowed hard, and I saw the struggle in his golden gaze. I almost backed off, but he said, "I've never pleased the women I took to bed. I don't think I'm good at sex." He took another shaky breath. "I think they saw my size and expected me to be, um…"

"Dominant?" I guessed.

He nodded. "I guess it's not in my nature, but I didn't realize it until I saw those assholes arguing if you were a power bottom or a…" He scrunched up his face, and I chewed on my lip so I wouldn't smile. God, could he be any cuter? "I can't remember the other term."

"A submissive bottom," I suggested.

"Yes, that's it." He tilted his head. "You read the comments on your channel?"

"No, but now I know you do." Christopher blushed, and I pressed a lingering kiss to his mouth. Joy was building inside me, and I was afraid it would bubble out of me in a giggle. I didn't want this beautiful man thinking I was laughing at him. "I'm just familiar with both the terms. This type of debate is pretty common."

"Um, which are you?"

"Definitely a bossy bottom," I said. Christopher scrunched up his nose adorably. "Same as a power bottom."

Because I was still pressed against him, I felt the tension fade from his body. I dropped my hand and ran the backs of my fingers along his erection. "Does that turn you on?"

His smoldering gaze was the only answer I needed, but I waited to hear the words. "So much." He licked his lips. "I've watched bossy bottom porn and imagined you ordering me to please you and…" A hard shudder rippled through him. "And now you know about my internet search history."

I grabbed his arm and tugged him toward my bedroom. Clothes, socks, and shoes came off between kisses and gentle caresses. My excitement amped up every time Christopher sucked in a breath or I felt need ripple through him.

"Sit on the edge of my bed and spread your legs," I said. "I want to choke on your dick."

Christopher looked momentarily horrified. "Just want to gag a little. Trust me, I love it and so will you."

He sat on the edge of my bed and spread his legs. I grabbed a pillow and dropped it on the floor between his feet. I knelt on the pillow and ran my hands up his hairy thighs and brushed them over his stomach. So strong and masculine and all mine. I leaned forward and nuzzled my face against his belly hair. "I love this so much."

"I wasn't sure if you liked it and almost shaved."

I jerked my gaze up to his. "Don't you dare."

Christopher swallowed hard and nodded. I rewarded him by sucking his left nipple into my mouth. He inhaled sharply, and I pulled back. "Not every guy likes this. Feel good?"

"So good."

I sucked it again but harder while rolling the other nipple between my thumb and forefinger. Christopher slid the hand of his injured arm into my hair and held my face against his chest. I sucked, nibbled, pinched, and rolled until he cried out my name. I pressed a kiss to his mouth and inched lower, kissing a path down his strong chest and stomach. I dipped my tongue into his belly button, then buried my nose in his trimmed pubes. His hand tightened in my hair, and I lifted my head to meet his gaze. I kept my eyes locked on his as I licked a path from his taut balls to the leaking head of his dick. I swirled my tongue once around the crown before wrapping my lips around his cock and taking him down to the root.

"Fuck!" he roared loud enough to wake the dead. I kept his cock buried deep and swallowed around the head, gagging just a little on his girth. The thick vein running the length of his dick pulsated against my tongue, and I figured he was already close to spilling down my throat. I pulled back slowly, easing his cock free one inch at a time. It smacked against his belly with a wet plop. I longed to give him a blow job while pegging his prostate but decided to wait until we got the first-time jitters out of the way.

"Lie down on your back," I said, then reached into the nightstand drawer to grab the supplies while he got into position.

I crawled up the length of his body, only pausing to drop a few kisses, until I straddled his hips. Christopher reached for me and pulled me down onto his chest for a long passionate kiss. "I can't wait until your shoulder heals enough so you can pin me down and take me."

Christopher wrapped his good arm around me and rolled to reverse our positions. He supported his weight on his good hand. "Like this?"

"Hell yes," I said, lifting my legs up and around his waist. "Now kiss me."

And he did, alternating between teasing, soft kisses and animalistic ones. The constantly changing tempo amped up my desire until I nearly forgot about being bossy.

I pulled back from the kiss and retrieved the lube. "Squeeze a little on your fingers and tease my pucker. Swirl it around the rim to wake up the nerve endings and ease the tip of your finger in to stretch it a little." Christopher's brow furrowed in concentration as he followed my guidance. I gasped and arched my back when he slipped just the tip inside my ass. "A little deeper. Slide your finger along the wall until you find my prostate."

"How will I know when I find it?" A moment later he let out a soft "Oh" when he found the spot. "There?" He pressed against my prostate and made my eyes roll back.

"Yes! Do it again."

Christopher pressed harder and chuckled when incoherent mumbling released from my lips. "You like that?"

"So damn much. I could come with the right pressure."

"Show me," Christopher said, rubbing the pad of his finger against the gland.

My cock jerked and leaked. "Fuck yeah. Just like that. Now give me two fingers."

Christopher slowly pulled back, added more lube, then eased two digits inside me, pegging my prostate like a pro.

"Three," I whispered hoarsely.

Christopher retreated, lubed, and sank three thick fingers inside my greedy hole. When he hit my gland, it felt like fireworks burst inside me. My balls drew tight, and my breath snagged in my throat as my cock jerked and splattered cum all over my stomach. I glanced up at Christopher and caught the wonderous, rapt expression on his face as he continued fingering my ass until the last drop fell.

"And now you roll a condom on your dick and fuck me."

Christopher deftly suited up and positioned his dick at my entrance. I drew my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around my thighs to minimize the risk to his shoulder. It took him a second to line up just right, but then he pushed inside me. Usually, I didn't like anal sex after an orgasm, but I'd wanted to be claimed by this man from the moment I first set eyes on him. I craved the pressure and fullness of having him own me.

He stopped once the head of his dick stretched me wide. "This okay?"

"Perfect. Fuck me with that big dick. You won't hurt me."

Holding my gaze, Christopher snapped his hips forward, giving me just what I wanted, then continued to drive into me as his climax swelled. I kept my eyes locked on his face, memorizing every sign of euphoria—the snarled lips, blown pupils, and flushed cheeks. He dug his fingers into my ass cheeks and sped up, driving faster and harder until his big body stiffened and his dick pulsed as he filled the condom.

I released my legs and let them fall to the sides of Topher's hairy thighs, and he lurched forward, managing to catch himself with his good arm before he landed fully on top of me.

"Remember my ideal weight?" I asked.

Christopher eased down and buried his head in my neck. I ran my hands up and down his back and kissed his sweaty temple as he panted against my skin.

"Can I stay?" he asked.

I tightened my hold around his back. "Just try and leave."

Christopher chuckled, lifted his head, and smiled down at me. The exhausted joy in his golden gaze made my heart swoon because I'd put that expression there. "I don't think I could walk on these legs if I tried."

"You know full well what happens when you share a bed with me," I warned.

Christopher's smile turned naughty. "I'll be ready."

I lazily stroked his back and stared into his eyes. "I want to feed you cannoli cake in bed."

"Best date ever," Christopher said.

"And then you're going to tell me how long you've been watching my YouTube channel." He buried his head in my neck again.

"Do I have to?"

His pouty voice made me smile. "Yes. And while you're at it, you can finally admit you watched my season on The Next Face in Fashion. "

Christopher lifted his head. "Fine, but you need to delete that Grindr app off your phone."

"Already did," I confessed. I raked my feet over the back of his legs. "I won't be needing it ever again."