5. Elton

CHAPTER FIVE

Elton

“So, tell me a little about yourself.”

The woman in front of me, Michaela, gives me a warm smile. “What do you want to know?”

Everything .

We met on a dating app a few days ago and really hit it off. I think it’s a good sign that when I asked her out on a date to this ritzy restaurant, she agreed immediately. Our texts have been pretty superficial—just back-and-forth nothings—but I’m hoping tonight will change that. She’s beautiful, with her long dark hair and even darker eyes, and I know that the rest of her will be just as amazing.

“How many kids do you want?” I blurt out, my excitement making it hard to contain myself. “I want about four, maybe five, depending on if the last one is an asshole or not.”

“You want five kids,” she repeats kindly, eyes widening a tad. “Well, I guess I haven’t really given kids much thought.”

Oh. That’s disappointing. “That’s okay, not everyone knows right away. Do you think you’ll ever want to get married?”

She gulps and opens and closes her mouth with a nervous laugh. “Married?”

“Yeah,” I say, the back of my neck starting to sweat when she just continues to stare at me. “Um, I want to get married. Start a family, you know?”

“Aren’t we a little too young for that?”

No, never. You’re never too young to chase the dream you want, and I know what my dream is. I want that white-picket fence, the dog, the happily ever after riding off into the suburban sunset. Someone to provide for, to care for, to love forever.

When I don’t immediately answer, she sighs, tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear. “Elton, you’re such a nice guy…”

“Thank you.”

“But I think we want two different things,” she finishes, smiling sadly at me. “I just want to have some fun. I’m not looking for Mr. Forever.”

My heart drops, and I feel like an idiot. I guess I must have misunderstood when she told me she was looking for an adventure. I thought maybe she meant the greatest adventure in life? Now, I don’t know what to think. I slump in my seat, defeated, because why does this always happen? It’s always the same thing.

You’re such a good time, Elton, but ? —

You’re really funny, but ? —

I had a great night, but ? —

Too many fucking buts.

When my mind starts to stray and all those sad thoughts keep popping into my head, I shake myself out of it. This is a new generation of me . I won’t back down from the things I want, and I’ll embrace my needs. If somebody can’t accept me for the things I want and the person I am, I don’t need them.

“I understand,” I tell her honestly, making sure my million-dollar smile is plastered on my face. “Do you still want to eat dinner?”

She thinks it over and nods. “That’d be nice.”

And, because I’m a gentleman, I don’t give her rejection the cold shoulder throughout the night. I make polite conversation, listen intently when she gives me details on her life, foot the bill, and walk her back to her car when we’re done. It’s a great night spent with an awesome person.

I can’t help but wonder when that person will be my person?

I don’t know how I always end up here.

No, that’s a lie. Over the years, XO has become sort of a safety blanket for me, and now that I work here, even more so. I could have just gone home after my sort-of-date, but Everest wasn’t home and, damn, I just didn’t want to be alone in an empty penthouse.

I move my way through the bodies, the place pretty crowded for a Thursday night, and head straight to the bar. Time to drink away my woes. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Everest will peel himself off Rhys long enough to hang out with me. But when I finally make it to the bar and see Rhys and Everest making out against the side of it, I know that’s not going to happen.

“I love me some Rheverest , but when is enough, enough?”

I chuckle at Skylar’s question. He’s in front of me, looking more disheveled than usual. His hair is all over the place, his usually glittery cheeks red and flushed, almost like he’s run a marathon.

“Busy night?” I ask, already taking my card from my wallet.

He rolls his eyes with a dramatic groan. “The actual busiest and Rhys has taken approximately five point seven breaks so he can maul his boyfriend. I swear, we need to ban Everest from the club, and I never thought I’d say that about the baby.”

I chuckle, noting that my brother and my best friend are still going at it. “No luck finding a new bartender yet?”

“There are contenders,” he says as he fixes a drink. “But they’re not family material.”

I look over to where there are temp bartenders working the rest of the bar top. “They’re not panning out?”

“They’re slow and uncommitted,” he says, placing a particularly fluffy looking drink in front of me. I put it that way because I really don’t know another way to describe what I’m looking at. When I go to hand him my card, he shakes his head. “Nope. We’re celebrating your employment. This one’s on me.”

“Thanks, man.” Taking the drink, I still sneak a twenty over the bar and into the tip jar I know they keep hidden. “Hang in there.”

“I’ll try my very hardest,” he sings, dancing away from me to go serve someone else.

Now that it’s just me, I think about what to do. I don’t want to interrupt Everest when he looks so happy, and I’m sure he’s headed home soon anyway. Rhys will be working once Everest leaves and… Wow. I really am pathetic, aren’t I? Sure, there’re about twenty people on my phone I could call who would love to come have a good time with me, but I’m not feeling trying to be my usual cheerful self.

Wandering around the edges of the club like a weirdo, I cling to the walls as I sway to the beat of the music. I sip on my drink slowly because I don’t feel like getting trashed solo tonight, but I still find my glass empty in about five minutes. As I turn to head back to the bar and maybe get another one—water would be a smarter choice—something in the corner of my eye catches my attention.

Knox is lounging in one of the oversized booths, both hands thrown over the back of the cushions in a total BDE move, watching the dance floor like some grungy kingpin. Based on the way our last interaction went, there’s no reason for me to make my way to him, but my feet act before I can think it through.

“Knox!” I yell over the music, tipping my empty glass at him. “How’s it going, man?”

He raises that pierced eyebrow at me, the glow of the neon lights bouncing off his tattooed neck, making him look more ominous than usual. “Elton.”

Okaaaaay . I expect him to say more, but he doesn’t. I guess acknowledging my presence is good enough in my book because I take a seat next to him. He’s still, seemingly watching my every move as if I’ll strike him at any moment.

“My job interview went well,” I say to fill the void, clapping my hands together. “You’re looking at XO’s new intern marketing specialist.”

Again, he just stares and only leans forward to take a sip of his drink.

“Well, aren’t you going to congratulate me?”

“Congratulations,” he finally says, but it’s with a clenched jaw and tight shoulders. He looks around, curiosity in his gray eyes, but he seems almost reluctant to speak. “You here with anybody?”

I shake my head. “Nope, it’s just me. Why? You want to buy me a celebratory drink?”

He cocks his head, studying me before nodding slowly. “How about some shots?”

I open my mouth to tell him I don’t plan on getting drunk tonight, but it’s too late. He’s already waving a shot girl over and taking more than enough glasses off her tray to supply a frat party. He puts three in front of each of us and gestures for me to take the first one.

I should know better. I have a feeling nothing good is going to come from taking shots with Knox, especially after what happened the last time…

But I do it anyway. I take two shots and hold them up to the corners of my mouth and down them both at once. I look at Knox to see him regarding me like he’s impressed. Not one to be one-upped, he copies me and downs two in one go.

“To your internship, I guess,” he mutters, holding up his last shot glass to clink with mine. “May you not royally fuck up.”

“Look at you being nice,” I tease, tapping my glass against his. “I knew you had it in you.”

He snorts. “Don’t count on it. I’m bored and you’re here.”

That shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. I’ve always been kind of sensitive, especially when people don’t like me, and my need to please comes out in full force at his dismissal.

“Why aren’t you here with anyone?” I question, sipping on my last shot.

He gives me a glare but ends up shrugging. “Working.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“No.”

Well, there goes the pleasant conversation. I squirm in my seat, not used to feeling like this. I’m normally so confident and put together, everyone’s best friend, but with Knox, it’s like I’m trying too hard to get his attention. It’s weird as fuck and super disconcerting, but I can’t help myself.

I take a moment to appraise him and… Damn, why does he look so good right now? I’m straight—maybe not, actually—and the shots must be doing their job because I just want to lick him. Trace my tongue down the tattoos on his neck and see what they taste like. Do anything to get his approval.

Fuck, I need to stop drinking around him.

He catches me ogling and looks intrigued, brow creasing as he worries the inside of his cheek. His eyes drag from the top of my head down to my tapping feet. I don’t know what he sees that makes him break out into a dirty smirk. He licks his lips, a little peek of his tongue bar showing, which only makes me remember when it was dragging down my cock.

“Elton,” he says quietly, eyes flicking toward the center of the club. He juts his chin out. “Close the curtain.”

“W-What?” I stutter, my hands suddenly clammy as it becomes hard to swallow. “Why?”

Biting down on his bottom lip, he leans forward with his elbows braced on his thighs. “I think you know why.”

“I…”

No, I can’t do this. I know exactly what he’s thinking, and I started it by eye-fucking him, but I never meant to actually go through with anything.

Why then am I standing and walking toward the edge of the booth, pulling the dark curtains closed?

I turn slowly, hands fumbling for something to do. My nerves only last a second because this is Knox. There’s no way I’m going to let someone like him make me tremble. I might want him in my slightly drunk state, but I get a sick satisfaction that he wants me too.

So, I feign confidence and raise my chin high. “So? Are you going to do something?”

Chuckling under his breath, he leans back in the booth as he pats his lap. “Come sit that sweet ass down.”

My sweet ass is surprised as hell. That’s…not what I expected him to say. Especially with all the swagger in the world. This must be enjoyable for him, watching me squirm, so I hold my ground. “No.”

He raises an eyebrow, hands clenched into fists at his sides. “No?”

“You heard me,” I say defiantly, the alcohol turning me into a brat.

He regards me for a moment as the gears in his head turn and plot his next move. After a second, he shrugs. “Guess you don’t want to find out what would have happened.”

That catches my attention. “What would have happened?”

He smirks once again, sucking on his teeth as his hand migrates to his crotch, crudely grabbing his dick. “I thought maybe you could sit on my lap and I could make you feel good.”

“How?” I take an unconscious step forward.

“You want to know?”

“Yeah,” I breathe out.

“You have a nice thick cock, babe,” he starts, slowly unzipping his pants with a calculated precision. “The perfect fucking size. I’d lay you down against my chest and shove my hand down those tight pants of yours and jack you off until you came all over my hand.”

Another step. “You would?”

“Yeah.” He tilts his head back, exposing his slender tattooed neck as he starts to stroke himself. “But not before you were begging for me to let you come, calling out my name, and writhing on my lap like a dirty, slutty mess.”

Holy shit . Why does that sound so fucking good?

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m sliding onto his lap, my back to his front, and it’s a bit awkward to be sitting like this with a man. Usually, women sit on my lap, but I kind of like the way I feel so small.

Knox runs his pierced nose up my neck, his breath causing goosebumps to rise in his wake. “Get your dick out.”

I wordlessly comply, my fingers having a mind of their own, pure instinct taking over. I don’t know what’s happening to me or why I’m so easy to manipulate right now, but the pleased hum he lets out when I fish my cock out is enough to have me drooling.

“Look at that pretty cock,” he mumbles, then gently wraps his hand around my length. “You’re already so hard for me.”

There’s no denying it. The proof of his effect on my body can’t be hidden, even if I wanted to, which I don’t think I do at this moment. He starts with slow strokes, mumbling nothings into my ear as I grow more and more tense, my stomach tight, but it feels like something is missing.

“Knox,” I whine, squirming in his lap when he drags his teeth across my ear.

“What is it, babe?” He chuckles against my skin. “What do you need? Do you need me?”

“More,” I groan, twisting, hoping that it’ll make him tighten his hand. “ Knox .”

“That’s right,” he whispers as he kisses the back of my neck. “Turn around.”

I spin so quickly I knock my forehead against his. He grumbles out a curse, but it doesn’t kill the mood. If anything, it makes it so much hotter when he wraps his hand around the back of my neck and drags me to him. Our lips meet in a clumsy kiss. He tastes like vodka and weed, a combination I didn’t think I’d ever find so intoxicating, but I feel like I could drown in it.

What the hell is happening to me?

“Hold on to my shoulders,” he demands against my mouth, the metallic tang of his lip ring causing me to moan. “Do it, Elton.”

I grab onto him so hard he winces, but he seems to like it because he starts to fucking maul me. It’s all teeth and tongue and masculine groans that I never dreamed of liking.

But then he wraps one hand around both of our cocks, giving us one solid tug, and I lose my goddamn mind.

“Fuck!” I yell, arching my back as he picks up his pace, showing me no mercy. That’s just like Knox, taking what he wants, what he needs , with no consideration for others.

Why do I find that so hot?

The rough friction of his dry hand spurs me on. The sting, the burn, the ache. It’s mesmerizing. What’s even more enthralling is the effect I’m having on him. His chest is heaving, teeth grit, looking so fucking pissed off that he likes this so much.

But something is missing. Something…

“Fuck, talk to me,” I beg, fucking up into his fist.

There’s a devious gleam in his silver eyes as he huffs out a chuckle. “What do you need to hear?”

“I don’t know…” Digging my nails into his shoulders, I grip his shirt for dear life. “I…”

“I think I know what you want,” he spits, twisting his hand at our heads, flicking his thumb against our tips to use our precum as lube. “High and mighty Elton likes to be told he’s nothing, doesn’t he? You want to hear that you’re not the perfect golden boy. You’re just a slut .”

I come without warning. Spurt after spurt leaves me breathless, moaning, wriggling in his lap as I try to chase that high. I never thought I’d be one for degradation, but Knox hit the nail on the head. The thought slams through me that I like being his slut. Even if it’s just for tonight. Even if it’s just when we’re drunk. Even though I’m pretty sure he loathes me.

“Jesus,” he bites out, burying his face in my throat. “Shit, babe, gonna cover you in my cum.”

I don’t know what he means, but I’m quick to find out when I go flying off his lap. I scramble on the floor, landing hard on my ass, but I don’t have any time to recover before Knox is standing over me. He digs his fingers into the hair on the top of my head, yanking my face back, and jacking himself like it’s his last come on Earth.

“You know what to do,” he barks, tightening his hold on me to a point of pain.

Shit. I know exactly what he wants. Something comes over me as I drop my jaw, open my mouth, and stick out my tongue.

“Holy fuck, you’re so hot,” he groans, and it only takes a second for him to reach his peak. His cum lands everywhere. My tongue, my cheek, even in my eye. I feel so messy and dirty, so debauched, and I do something that comes so naturally.

Before he can step away, I’m greedily lapping at his cock, trying to catch every bit of cum that’s leftover. I don’t know what I’m doing as I wrap my lips around his head and flick my tongue against his slit. All I know is I want his throaty groans, and I want him to pet my hair the way he is now. I want him to fucking own me.

Wait, I what ? —

I stumble back, mouth agape as I realize what I’ve done. Who I’ve turned into. This isn’t me. I’m not… No. It’s not that Knox is a man—I’m not a homophobe, for fuck’s sake—but I’m not this . I’m not some hit-it-and-quit-it type. I’m a forever kind of guy. I want a relationship, not a quick fuck.

Jumping to my feet, I grab a napkin to wipe the cum off my face. Knox just stares, giving me a questioning look. He reaches for me, but I step back quickly, and I realize my mistake when his gaze hardens.

“You can leave now,” he says calmly, tucking his softening cock into his pants.

Guilt hits me. “Knox, I?—”

“Get. Out.”

His growl leaves no room for protest. I practically run from the scene, tearing the curtain open as I flee. I feel like a royal piece of shit, but I panicked. I don’t know what happened but I blame Skylar and his ridiculously strong drinks.

Just a momentary blip of insanity. Just a desperation to please.

Just a moment to not be alone.