4. Chapter 4

Chapter four

" O bviously, I'm happy for you, but I don't know why you have to announce it right away." Priya Salvi paced the living room of the suite, gesturing wildly with her hands as she spoke. "Why does it have to be now?"

Seated on the sofa with his ankle propped up on his opposite knee, Storm took the rhetorical question for what it was and said nothing. Priya had been with him since the beginning of his career, and in that time, he had learned a lot about his manager. Namely, it was best to let her rant without interruption. Nine times out of ten, she found the solution on her own without his input anyway.

"You haven't even finished filming yet!" Her long, ebony hair flowed down her back to her waist, the ends swishing with her agitated movements. "You know the success of these dramas hinges on the viewers' belief in the relationship."

Yes, he knew, but it was also a bit more complicated than that. Still, he said nothing and let her continue her diatribe.

Her accent was heavy today, and several native words and phrases snuck in occasionally, a sure sign of her stress levels. While he didn't speak Hindi, he could read between the lines to get the gist. Even that wasn't necessary to understand she wasn't happy with him, though.

"Can't you just wait until after filming wraps?"

He could, but that wouldn't be enough, and they both knew it. A more likely timeframe would be several months after the last episode had aired. Altogether, it could end up being a year before Priya felt comfortable with him making the announcement, and then, only if he didn't have another project in the works.

Neither practical nor acceptable, in his opinion.

"If we don't announce it, however, fans are likely to find out on their own." She stopped pacing and cursed under her breath. "With help from the media, of course."

Storm dipped his head in agreement. Unless he planned to keep King under lock and key, or only meet him infrequently and in secret, it wouldn't take long for them to be outed. Hell, the tabloids wouldn't even need proof. In his business, rumors had a way of fueling themselves.

"Storm." She made a noncommittal noise in the back of her throat as she flounced over and dropped down onto the cushion beside him. After adjusting the skirt of her sleeveless lilac dress so that it draped over her knees, she pierced him with her intense amber gaze. "What does your mate have to say about this?"

"King understands what he's getting into."

"That's not what I asked."

Fair enough. "We talked, and he agrees that lying or hiding will only make things worse when our relationship eventually comes out."

Priya sighed. "You talked about how his life will change once you tell the world?"

"We did."

"And he's okay with that?"

Storm lowered his head a fraction. "He is."

"What about you?" Her tone softened, and her posture relaxed. "You know this could potentially limit the roles you're offered, right?"

"I know." It was hard to sell a romance when at least one half of the on-screen couple was already deeply committed to someone else. "I'm sure you'll make something happen."

He'd already been approached about the lead role in a new paranormal thriller. Based on a bestselling books series, the first season had been green-lit for twenty-two episodes—nearly unheard of for a debut. Word on the vine was that showrunners anticipated high popularity, hopefully leading to multiple seasons.

Naturally, it was too early to judge success, but the part sounded right up his alley. Even better, it was slated to be filmed in New York, reducing how much he would be required to travel.

The best thing about the role, however, was that his character didn't have a love interest. That could—and probably would—change in future seasons, but romance would never be the driving force behind the plot. In other words, his suitability wasn't predicated on if he had a mate or not.

He'd spent a lot of time during the night, talking to King and planning his next moves. In that time, he had come to one very important conclusion. If push came to shove, he had no problem walking away from the business.

His fame had given him the opportunity at a life most could only dream of, and for that, he was grateful. He didn't love it, though. Not like Damien. Not even like Priya. Honestly, he had kind of stumbled into his celebrity status, and he would be fine stumbling back out of it.

Still lounging in his current position with his arm draped over the back of the sofa, he glanced at his manager and spoke without inflection. "I think I'm going to announce it at the fan meeting."

Priya's eyes widened, and a vein in the center of her forehead protruded, throbbing madly to herald the coming emotional storm. Springing to her feet, she rounded on him with one slender finger pointed at his face.

"At the fan meeting?"

Storm dipped his head once.

"No, no, no." She waved her hand with each repetition. "This is a delicate matter, and it needs to be handled—"

"Delicately?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, but otherwise ignored his interruption. "We'll need to call a press conference and release a public statement. We can probably have something ready by the end of the week."

Storm shrugged. "Now is better."

"Are you even listening to me?"

Bit of a hypocritical question in his opinion, but he didn't bother pointing that out. "Hear me out. Instead of making a whole thing out of it, if we announce my mating to fans in an intimate, casual setting, it will make them feel like they're part of it. We get them onboard, then let them convince everyone else on social media."

It was kind of comical to watch Priya's expression slowly morph, her features gradually softening and smoothing. After several seconds, she resumed her seat beside him, perching on the edge of the cushion with her legs crossed at the ankles.

"That's actually kind of brilliant."

Her surprise wasn't exactly flattering, but he accepted her backhanded compliment with a short nod.

"The Q&A will be a good opportunity for Damien to offer his support as well," she added. "I'll talk to his manager."

It might sound like she was forcing Damien into the situation, but in reality, she was looking out for him as well. A fact for which he was immeasurably grateful. While he would face the majority of the backlash, his best friend wouldn't escape unscathed.

There would be questions, speculation, and giving Damien a chance to tell his side of the story was essential. Of course, they wouldn't be able to please everyone, but that was true of life in general.

Growing up, he'd been taught that certain topics shouldn't be discussed in public or polite company. It wasn't until three months into filming his first drama, however, that he'd learned there were innumerable ways to be "problematic."

In the realm of social media, there were always people ready and willing to berate him for one perceived misdeed or another. There was the group that attacked him for his food choices. Another who railed against his fashion sense. Some hated the sunscreen he used. Others took issue with the way he talked.

It would be all too easy to take those comments to heart and give in to the pressure. It wasn't logical or practical, however, and frankly, no matter what he did or changed, it would never be enough to make everyone happy.

"Storm?" Taking the hand he had resting on his knee, she cradled it between both of her own. "Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

"I knew you'd say that." She sighed, just a small, quiet breath that still managed to speak volumes. "I had to ask, though."

Sitting up, he moved to the edge of the cushions and angled toward her. "Everything is going to be okay. You don't have to worry about me."

"Of course, I'm going to worry about you." Her pretty, chocolate eyes sparkled, and a smile curved her lips. Then she exhaled sharply and grabbed him by the shoulders to pull him into a fierce embrace. "I really am happy for you."

Storm closed his eyes and hugged her back. "Thank you, Priya."

"Okay." She patted his back, then stood to smooth the wrinkles from her dress. "I need to talk to Sergio," she added, referring to Damien's manager. "We should decide on a backup plan in case this all goes to shit."

He found her pessimism amusing, but he resisted the urge to laugh. "It won't."

She side-eyed him with a feminine snort but didn't comment. " You need to get ready for the fan meet." Resting her hands on her hips, she finally faced him fully. "You also need to prepare your mate. Don't you dare let him walk into this blind."

With a crooked smile, he drew an X over his heart with his index finger.

He and King had spent most of the previous day—and a good portion of the night—discussing various ways to approach the announcement. They'd even gone over possible questions that might be asked, as well as the best ways to respond. As a fan himself, King brought a unique perspective to the conversation, which proved invaluable to their planning.

In essence, he was probably more prepared than Storm was.

"Good." Priya dipped her head with a note of finality. "I'll meet you downstairs in an hour for hair and makeup."

The door had barely closed behind her when his cell phone buzzed on the coffee table with an incoming message. Guessing it was his mate looking for an update, Storm smiled as he reached for the device and pulled up his texts.

KING: How did it go?

STORM: She just left.

KING: I know.

Storm chuckled. While he would prefer for King to share his bed during the night, he supposed having him in the room next door to his suite was the next best thing. With that in mind, however, he couldn't help but picture his mate flattened against the adjoining wall with his ear pressed painfully against the plaster. Or anxiously watching through the peephole for Priya's departure.

STORM: Then why didn't you come over?

KING: I wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

STORM: Why wouldn't it be?

Bouncing dots appeared on his screen, indicating King was typing, but after a few seconds, they disappeared. Storm waited, but instead of a new text, a response came in the form of a knock at his door.

Still grinning, he bounded over the back of the sofa to answer the summons.

"So?" King asked the moment the door swung open. "What did she say?"

"You worry too much." Grabbing him by the elbow, Storm urged him across the threshold and into his arms. "Everything is going to be fine."

King didn't resist the embrace, but he sagged forward, and his shoulders rounded in a physical manifestation of his mood. "That's not what I asked."

"Priya is happy for us. She's on board with the announcement, and she'll talk to Damien and his manager to mitigate any backlash for him."

King leaned more heavily against his chest, but it felt different now. More relaxed.

"Good," he mumbled as he nuzzled against the side of Storm's neck. "That's good."

Every cell in Storm's body lit up, keenly aware of his mate's closeness. His pulse sped. His breaths came faster and shallower. Saliva flooded his mouth, and the gums around his canines ached. A current of electricity raced across his skin, starting at the place where King's lips rested against his neck and spreading to his extremities.

Blood that should have been fueling vital functions like higher reasoning and circulation pooled between his thighs, making his balls tighten and his cock swell. Yet, despite the interruption in executive reasoning, instincts told him that King wasn't ready for the wicked things he wanted to do to him.

A kiss, however, just a small taste, might be acceptable.

Tucking a knuckle under his mate's chin, he urged his head up. King's content smile and slightly dazed eyes were almost his undoing, but he held a tight leash on his self-control as he leaned closer. He took his time, moving inch by inch while constantly monitoring King's reaction.

When he detected no hesitancy or apprehension, he closed the final distance and slanted their mouths together in a slow, tender kiss. He kept the touch light, barely a brush of lips, encouraged when he encountered no resistance. So, he pressed a little harder, fusing their mouths together with more firmness, and he was rewarded with a quiet, enticing gasp.

Taking advantage, he slid his tongue along the parted seam of King's lips, licking and teasing without entering. His mate's answering moan knotted the muscles in his back and made his cock throb, but he continued his slow, gentle seduction, coaxing rather than demanding a response.

Eventually, his patience was rewarded when King leaned into him and darted his tongue out to meet Storm's. It wasn't a battle for control, but a tentative dance and a silent request for something more.

All too willing to oblige, Storm slid his hand along his mate's jaw and around to palm the back of his head. He kept his hold light, more supportive than restrictive, and plunged his tongue between those plump lips. When King didn't retreat, he pushed even deeper, licking and exploring the depths of his mouth.

The first taste was unlike anything he could have predicted. Bright and alluring, like perfectly sweetened lemonade on a hot summer day, the unique flavor seduced and enticed. When a quick inhale filled his head with King's scent, the combination made his head spin, one only enhancing the other.

Fuck, everything about him was intoxicating and addictive. As much as he wanted to tumble King onto the sofa and lick every inch of him, he didn't. Timing was everything, and apart from King not being ready to take that step, Storm didn't want their first time to be rushed and fumbled. King deserved better than that.

Still, it was with great reluctance that he ended the kiss and smoothed his mate's honey-colored curls back from his brow. With his eyes wide and dazed and his cheeks flushed, he looked absolutely edible.

Choking back a groan, he pasted on a smile and whispered a chaste kiss to his lips. "Are you ready?"

"For what?" King squeaked.

Storm chuckled. "The fan meet."

"Oh, right. I knew that." King took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I'm ready. Are you still sure you want to do this, though?"

"Absolutely." Now, more so than ever. "You?"

King took a moment to think about it, then graced him with one of his signature smiles. "Absolutely."