First Loser

by Charity Parkerson

  Henry didn’t know why he looked at his hand at the question. He just kind of liked the sight of his rings. Henry felt like he owned the world each time he caught sight of them. “Oh, actually it’s an engagement ring. Well, it’s my wedding band too, but I guess I forgot to tell you, I’m getting married. The wedding is next week. You’re invited. In fact, I have your invitation to the engagement party and wedding in here somewhere,” he said absently while shifting through the piles of invitations and everything else covering his desk. He found Gerard’s. “Ah ha. Here you go.”

  Even though Gerard reached for it, he looked like he expected to get bit. “You’re getting married next week? To Tanner? Are you being serious?”

  Henry’s eyebrows snapped together. “Why would I joke about something like that?”

  Gerard didn’t open the invitation. Instead, he stared at Henry with open challenge. “Do you even know this guy?”

  A snort escaped Henry without thought. “He lives here. We spend every waking moment together. That’s knowing someone.”

  “Henry,” Gerard said, sounding condescending. “You can live with someone for years and not know them. You should probably—at the very least—have him investigated and start working on a prenup. You can’t do that in a week.”

  A burble of laughter rose in Henry’s throat. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Gerard stared at Henry like he questioned Henry’s sanity. Maybe he had gone crazy, but fuck it. Henry had never really cared about the money. He knew Tanner didn’t want his money, but so what if he did? Tanner could have it.

  “Which part am I being ridiculous about?” Gerard asked, sounding offended. “You have to protect your company. People depend on you for their jobs.”

  Henry bit back a sigh. “Everything you’ve said so far today is completely ludicrous. First off, even if Tanner divorces me and takes half of everything, I’ll still be one of the richest men alive. So, don’t worry. Your job is safe. As far as an investigation goes, that’s dumb. Tanner and I talk about everything. If I want to know something, I’ll ask. He’s not a liar. I’m not undermining our relationship by acting like my dad.”

  “Are you joking? Do you even hear yourself?” Gerard looked apoplectic. “He could be a con man. For all you know, he’s already married three millionaires and killed them. You know nothing about this man.”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Are you finished? I’m trying to figure out the perfect wedding gift.”

  “See? How much are you spending on this wedding? He already has you pissing away your money.”

  “It was my idea,” Henry said, getting irritated. “He wanted to get married in Vegas. I’m the one who insisted on all this grand scale crap, which—honestly—I’m starting to regret. I should’ve run off with him when he suggested it. This is a lot more stressful than I expected, and I’m seriously over it.”

  “He tried to get you to run away to Vegas? And that didn’t set off any warning bells? Someone who loves you for you would be willing to wait.”

  Henry shook his head. “He is willing to wait, which led to my regret in asking him to do so. Keep up and pick a thing to be angry about. You’re starting to sound like you’re just trying to stop me from being happy. Do you know who you sound like? You sound like my dad.”

  Gerard drew back, looking hurt. “Is that what you think?”

  Henry didn’t back down. “I don’t know. Is that what I should think?”

  “No,” Gerard said, sounding sincere. “I’ve always only wanted your happiness. You know I care about you. A lot,” he added, sounding like Henry had truly hurt his feelings.

  Henry called his temper back under control. He didn’t want to fight. “You’re a good friend. I know your heart is in the right place, but please don’t interfere in this. Tanner is pretty spectacular, and he really does love me. With my dad being the man he was, I never thought I’d have this. I do now and I’m giving it my everything. So, stay out of it. Tanner is worth it.”

  Gerard nodded but didn’t have a chance to say anything more. Tanner sailed through the door, looking like the sexiest man on the planet to Henry. “Hey, hottie. Gray said you were finished in here.” He stepped around Gerard and snagged Henry from his chair. Before Henry could react, he found himself over Tanner’s massive shoulder. A burst of laughter escaped Henry as Tanner stepped around Gerard again. “Excuse me. Nice to see you again. Sorry, I forget your name. I’m just retrieving my property. Gray says he’ll see you out.”

  Henry covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter as Tanner strolled from the room, carrying him away. He really loved this ridiculous guy who had taken over his world. Tanner always knew exactly how and when to save him.

  At the stairs, Tanner shifted Henry in his arms until he cradled the man against his chest before heading up toward their room. He fought the urge to stare at the love of his life. The last thing Tanner wanted was to trip and kill them. At the moment, he was too hungry and possessive. Henry belonged to him. He wouldn’t let anyone come between them.

  “Caveman.”

  A smile exploded across Tanner’s face. All his anger melted away at Henry’s accusation. “Maybe.” He met Henry’s gaze as he crossed the threshold of their bedroom. As he held Henry’s stare, Tanner kicked the bedroom door closed behind him. “But you’re mine and I want you. I got tired of waiting.”

  A flush rose on Henry’s cheeks. His gaze dropped to Tanner’s mouth. “I want you too.”

  That was all the permission Tanner needed. He headed for the bed and gently set Henry on the mattress. While holding Henry’s gaze, Tanner stripped. He loved watching the lust grow in Henry’s eyes. Once he was nude, Tanner went to work on Henry’s clothes. He didn’t let Henry do anything. Tanner was in seduction mode. He didn’t want Henry to have any regrets about keeping him. Tanner needed Henry way more than Henry would ever need him. It was important to Tanner for Henry to feel his worth.

  “You’re so unbelievably sexy. Inside and out. I’m so proud to be marrying you.”

  Tanner felt Henry’s praise all the way to his soul. He kissed Henry’s stomach. “You have no idea how humbled I am by you. I don’t deserve you, but I won’t ever stop trying.” His lips moved to Henry’s hipbone. Henry’s fingers brushed through his hair. Tanner licked Henry’s crown before moving away. He dug the lube from the bedside table before crawling onto the bed. Tanner had every intention of fucking Henry’s sexy ass, but he wanted that dick in his mouth first. He wanted to keep Henry so high he didn’t have time to think about Gerard.

  Tanner snagged Henry’s legs, dragged him closer, and swallowed his cock. Henry’s hips left the bed, chasing the euphoria Tanner promised. Tanner took no mercy. He hollowed his cheeks and sucked, taking all of Henry with each draw. Henry babbled and begged. Tanner didn’t let up. When he felt Henry stiffen and Henry yanked his hair, Tanner only worked harder. A cry bounced from the walls as Henry’s cum filled Tanner’s mouth. Satisfaction roared through Tanner as he crawled up Henry’s body and claimed Henry’s mouth. To his surprise, Henry pushed at his chest until he had Tanner on his back. He coated Tanner’s cock with lube, making Tanner pant with desperation. Tanner was turned on to the point of being painful. He wanted to tear at his skin. Before Henry, Tanner hadn’t known what it was like to want one person so badly. With his erection shimmering with oil, Henry straddled him and impaled himself on Tanner’s dick.

  “Jesus,” Tanner breathed, trying not to come right then.

  Henry bit his shoulder. His short nails tore at Tanner’s skin as he rode Tanner’s cock like it was the only drug that got him high. All Tanner could do was suck air and take it while praying he didn’t disappoint the man who owned his heart. Tanner’s entire body seized. His brain glitched. Henry’s name tore from his lips as his body shook from the power of the orgasm Henry pulled from him. Tanner swore he lost part of his soul.

  “Fucking perfect,” Tanner growled as he claimed Henry’s mouth. He had never meant anything more in his life.
This man was his and there was no low he wouldn’t stoop to in order to keep Gerard away. Next time, Tanner was likely to fuck Henry on the desk in front of him just to prove a point. It was time for Gerard to back away.

  Eight

  Once Tanner stood in the middle of the gorgeous engagement party Henry put together, he had to admit it was nice. He was moved. Not only had a ton of people shown up to support them, Tanner recognized Henry had done this for them. Henry was proud of what they had together. Everything Henry did solidified Tanner’s belief in him a little more every day. Henry was the love he had been denied since his mother’s death. Tanner couldn’t imagine a life without him.

  Henry squeezed his hand. “You’re being very quiet tonight. I know you hate crowds, but—”

  Tanner kissed him, cutting off whatever Henry had been about to say. Several people nearby clapped and someone wolf whistled. Henry smiled against his lips. Tanner held Henry’s face between his hands, so he couldn’t look away. “I’m quiet because I’m blown away. You put a lot of work into making this perfect.”

  Henry shrugged. “I love you. I know most people would’ve hired someone else to do this, but I love you,” he repeated as if that summed up everything. Tanner supposed it did.

  “That’s why I’m speechless,” Tanner said, stealing another kiss because he had to. “You’re perfect. Can I get you some more champagne?” Henry looked ready to drop. Between planning everything on super short notice and spending the entire night on his feet, talking to every guest, Henry needed to be babied. Tanner wanted the job.

  Henry fanned his face. It was getting pretty hot with so many people crowded inside their home. “Please. Honestly, I’m sort of hoping people start leaving soon. I’m frying and exhausted.”

  Tanner nodded. He briefly considered tossing everyone out before deciding he couldn’t ruin Henry’s party. “Give me a minute to grab you a drink. If people don’t start trickling out soon, I’ll give them a show.”

  Henry’s laughter made Tanner smile as he walked away. He was completely serious. Tanner wasn’t above making an ass of himself.

  “I love seeing that smile, baby brother.”

  Tanner released a loud sigh he didn’t really feel. “You never intend to let that nineteen minutes go, do you?”

  Toby shrugged. “Something has to set the three of us apart. My being the oldest is my only claim to fame. You get to be the baby. Tucker, well… he gets to be the loudest.”

  “Where is Tucker, anyhow?” Tanner asked, casting a quick glance around. “I only got to talk to him for a few minutes earlier before he disappeared.

  “Last time I saw him, he was on the phone. I think he stepped outside. It’s getting pretty toasty in here with Henry and you kissing every two minutes.”

  Tanner rolled his eyes, but he was too happy to care.

  Toby slapped him across the back. “You know I’m just fucking with you. It’s good to see you happy. I never thought I would.”

  “Thanks,” Tanner grumbled as he motioned for a glass of champagne from the bartender.

  “It’s nothing personal,” Toby said moving closer. “I never expected any of us had the mental equipment it takes to produce happiness.” The bartender handed Toby a glass too and he nodded his thanks. “I thought the ability to be happy had been beaten out of us years ago. It’s good to be proven wrong. Maybe there’s still hope for Tucker and me.” Damn. Tanner wanted that. He craved seeing his brothers whole and smiling when it wasn’t faked. Toby drained his glass in one swig and set it aside. “Anyhow, I think I’ll go find Tucker and get some fresh air. It’s too crowded in here for my tastes.” With another slap across Tanner’s back, Toby disappeared into the crowd.

  Tanner grabbed Henry’s champagne and started back toward Henry only to find his path blocked by Gerard.

  “I hoped to catch you alone for a moment.”

  “Okay.” That was all Tanner had. If Gerard possessed an ounce of sense, he wouldn’t want to catch Tanner alone at all. They might not find Gerard’s body.

  “We need to talk about Henry.”

  Tanner’s eyebrows rose. “What about him?”

  Gerard surprised him by not immediately backing down. Tanner was easily twice his size and half his age. Gerard either didn’t notice or thought his money would save him—like most rich pricks did. “I’ve been waiting a long time to be with Henry. Don’t think I plan to let this wedding go through. He deserves better than some kid who spends all day distracting him from the fact that you’re after his money.”

  A chuckle burst from Tanner. It sounded as evil as Tanner felt. This guy didn’t know him. Tanner would fucking see Gerard dead before he let the man hurt his relationship. “Have you been waiting?” Tanner asked, sounding condescending even to his ears. “Because, I have got to say, Henry’s father has been dead for like five years now. Where have you been all that time?” Before Gerard could respond, Tanner cut him off with a snap of his fingers. “Oh, yeah. You were married for twenty years to some poor woman who had no clue you preferred men until you divorced her the minute Henry’s father was in the ground. Unfortunately, for you, she didn’t go quietly so you were stuck waiting through a long, ugly divorce.” He could tell Gerard was shocked by the depth of his knowledge, but Tanner wasn’t finished. No one fucked with Tanner’s life. “Or,” he said, being extra obnoxious. “You haven’t decided yet if you should tell Henry the real reason his father came between you two. But, I have to say, I’m not sure if telling Henry you were fucking his dad is a good way to start a relationship you supposedly care so much about.” Tanner kept a feral smile in place while driving in as many nails as possible in Gerard’s coffin. He wasn’t playing around. “You see, the thing is, Gerard, you’re weak. You were weak all those years ago when Henry’s father promoted you for sucking his dick, and you haven’t stopped being a pussy since. So, forgive me if I’m not running for the hills at your threat. I just don’t see you as one.” Another evil chuckle rumbled from Tanner as he walked away. Tanner truly didn’t see the man as a threat, but the guy had openly challenged him. That was more than Tanner had expected from such a self-serving bastard. Usually, snakes stayed hidden. Tanner had to step up his game. That was fine. He had this.

  Tanner handed Henry his champagne.

  Henry’s eyes flashed with happiness. “Thank you. What were you talking about with Gerard? I’ve only seen you look that silently enraged a couple of times. It never stops being sexy.”

  Tanner shrugged. “He was saying he’d been waiting a long time to be with you and wouldn’t let this wedding go forward. I was threatening his life.”

  Henry froze with his champagne halfway to his lips. “Are you being serious?”

  Oh, he was. Gerard thought he was dealing with a child who didn’t feel secure enough to talk to Henry. Little did Gerard know; they had already suffered all the setbacks Tanner would tolerate. Now, they talked about everything. “Unfortunately, I’m being very serious.” Rage flashed in Henry’s eyes. It was so fucking sexy. “Damn. I should’ve told you sooner that I suspected this was coming with him. Your anger is hot as hell.”

  Henry blinked. “You thought this might happen?”

  Tanner shrugged. “Yeah. He looks at you just like I do—like you’re everything.”

  The way Henry softened had Tanner fighting the urge to kiss him. They had bigger issues right now. Henry turned up his champagne, emptying the glass. “No sense in letting good alcohol go to waste.” He set the glass aside. “Now, shall we?” he asked, taking hold of Tanner’s bicep.

  Tanner couldn’t stop smiling and even he didn’t know why. All he knew was, Henry would make him proud. “Where are we headed, gorgeous? This is your party.”

  “Exactly,” Henry said with a sharp nod. “I planned this event and I can leave it. Gray will make sure everyone finds their way home or to their assigned rooms. Let’s find your brothers and head to Vegas.”

  For a moment, Tanner could only stare at Henry and blink. When he re
alized Henry was serious, and they were truly headed to Vegas to get married, Tanner threw his head back and roared with laughter. He loved this man. Henry was such a warrior. Tanner swiped at his eyes. “Oh, sexy. We’re going to have such a beautiful life.”

  “I know,” Henry said while holding his stare. Tanner believed in them. They would be great.

  It was funny how—when it came right down to it—Henry knew exactly who he could trust. Deep down, he had always known Gerard wasn’t on that list. But as he spotted Legend across the room, speaking closely to the ear of one of his men, Henry knew Legend was one of those people he could always count on too. At first, it had been odd seeing Legend there with his husbands. Even though he felt nothing for him, and he knew Legend was a friend of Tanner’s, it was still strange to see his face tonight. Now, Henry had never been happier, because Legend had married the kind of men who cared little for the law or rules, and Henry needed that right now.

  With Tanner held in his grasp, Henry headed straight for Legend. Legend must have seen something in Henry’s face, because he didn’t hesitate. “What do you need?”

  Henry would remember this favor for the rest of his life. “We need to gather Tanner’s brothers and make our way to Vegas.”

  Legend nodded, looking serious. “Eloping. Got it. Yaro will drive. He has years of experience at getting his boss out of places he doesn’t want to be. Pytor will grab the brothers, and I’ll find an SUV in the garage big enough for all of us while you call your pilot.” Legend’s huge husbands, Pytor and Yaro nodded along, obviously completely willing to help.

  Henry felt moved to give them an out. “You don’t have to come along, if we’re asking too much.”

  “We will come,” Pytor said in his usual thick Russian accent. “Legend will be hurt if he cannot see you wed. I will get the cubs and meet you outside.”

  At Henry’s nod, everyone moved in opposite directions except Tanner and Henry. They held onto each other while heading for the back door. They almost made it.