by K. C. Wells
God, I could so easily fall in love with you. Then Chris gave himself a mental shake. Who was he kidding? He was already more than halfway there.
“Well, well, well.”
Chris gave a start. Dean was standing next to their table, looking insufferably smug. “Good morning, Dean. All ready for the signing?”
Dean ignored the question and focused his attention on Jase. “My, my. I don’t know what regimen you follow, but it obviously does wonders for you.” He grinned. “You are positively glowing this morning. I guess you got a good night’s sleep, huh?” His lips twitched.
Jase shot Chris a glance. “And you think I’m incorrigible?”
Chris cleared his throat. “Was there a reason for stopping by our table, or did you just want to get your shits and giggles in for the day?”
Dean placed his hand over his heart. “I’m wounded. As if I would do such a thing. I merely came over to inform Jase of what he’ll be doing this evening.”
“And you couldn’t tell him later? Like, when we arrive for the event?”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, just put me out of my misery and tell me I haven’t lost it entirely when it comes to matchmaking. I mean, look at you! Talk about afterglow. I’m positively green with envy. And if Michael were here right now? I’d be whisking him away to my hotel room to get some of what you two obviously got last night.”
Chris chuckled and reached for Jase’s hand across the table. Jase didn’t hesitate, and they laced their fingers, saying nothing.
A happy sigh fell from Dean’s lips. “Thank God.” His eyes sparkled. “Now at least if I can’t find you later, I know where you’ll be—and what you’ll be doing.”
“Dean.” Chris met his gaze. “You’re spoiling my buzz.”
Dean stilled. “Gotcha.” He mimed zipping his lips, waved goodbye, and promptly headed across the restaurant.
“I thought he wanted to tell me about the event.” Jase let go of his hand, and Chris was sorry. Holding hands was something he could get used to.
Chris rolled his eyes. “Sure. Like I said, it’s probably nothing that he can’t tell you when you get there. He just wanted an excuse to come talk to us. And like he said, he was only interested in knowing if I’d followed his advice.”
Jase tilted his head to one side. “He offered you advice?”
Shit. “Yeah. He sort of told me to get it in gear and ask you out.”
Jase snickered. “Then why did you leave it up to me to make all the moves? Because that was me kissing you by the fountains, wasn’t it?” Before Chris could respond, Jase held up his hand. “It’s okay. None of that matters now, does it? Now we’re together.” Jase’s eyes were warm.
“That we are.” Chris still couldn’t believe it.
“It’s only eight thirty,” Jase said after a moment. “What time did you say you have to be at the ballroom?”
“Ten.” Chris grinned. “Yep, you’re incorrigible. Luckily for you, so am I. Wanna go upstairs for a while?”
Jase’s smile lit up his eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“There’s something I have to do first. How about I come to your room when I’m done?” Chris had an urgent phone call to make.
Jase nodded. “I’ll be waiting.” His eyes sparkled. “With boots on.”
Chris stifled a groan. Talk about not playing fair. “Great. Now I get to walk through the hotel hiding my crotch.” He left Jase at the table, laughing.
And Chris was left trying not to think about those high-heeled boots.
JASE couldn’t get his head around the sheer number of authors in one room.
The white-covered tables were arranged in long rows, so authors either faced another row or were back-to-back with one. Every table was different. Neat piles of books, boxes with buttons, candy, pens, you name it…. Some authors who wrote shifter books had brought plush animals, and that was so cute. Chris was right about one thing—it was easy to spot the LGBTQ authors by the rainbow flags draped over the tables.
“It works both ways,” Chris said quietly as they strolled along each row. “If you’re looking for LGBT fiction, the flags make it easy. If you wouldn’t be caught dead reading it, you know who to avoid.”
Jase frowned. “There won’t be any trouble, will there? I mean….” He didn’t like to think authors would be exposed to hate, not in such an environment.
Chris chuckled. “No, nothing like that. At most you get readers skipping past certain tables. But the die-hard romance readers who collect autographs? They don’t give a shit. They’ll have you sign their tote bag or their book, whatever. And yes, there is a publishing company here who won’t accept LGBTQ characters in submissions. Last year we just thought they were a clean, wholesome publishing company who didn’t want swearing, sex, or violence in their books. We didn’t know about the rest until one author took a closer look at their submissions guidelines. Then we saw the whole picture.”
“I like that you say ‘we,’” Jase commented. “Even though you’re not an author.”
Chris smiled. “Anyone who is involved with LGBTQ fiction is Family as far as I’m concerned, and I’ll always have their back.”
Jase resisted the urge to take Chris’s hand in his, although he badly wanted to. Save the PDAs for someplace more… forgiving. He had to admit he’d been encouraged by the support shown in the model contest, though. Maybe times really are changing for the better.
“Jase!” Victoria got up from her chair and came around to the front of her table, arms wide. She hugged him tight, then released him to peer at Chris. “Victoria Keats.” She extended a hand.
Chris shook it. “Jase’s mentioned you. All ready for this?”
She laughed. “Ready for sitting here for hours? Sure, why not.” Behind her were several piles of crisp new paperbacks with glossy covers. She picked up one of them and handed it to Jase. “Think you could sign a few of these? Just the ones where you’re on the cover. I think the readers would love that.”
Jase beamed. “I’d love to.” She handed him a Sharpie. He glanced at Chris as he opened the first book. “Could you take our picture?” Jase scrawled his name.
“Sure.” Chris gestured to the book in his hand. “Hold that up so people can see the cover. Jase, put your arm around her waist. That’s it. Perfect.” He clicked a few times. “I’ll put these on Twitter and IG.”
“Thank you.” Victoria gave Jase a keen glance. “You look… different.”
Jase’s flush was adorable. “Oh God, am I going to be getting this all day?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh wow. Do you have something to tell me?”
Chris snickered. “I think by the sound of it, you already know.”
Victoria seized Jase in another hug, only this time she pressed her lips to his cheek. “I am so happy for you,” she whispered.
Jase held on to her, his heartbeat quickening. “That makes two of us,” he whispered back. “And that makeup job helped, by the way.”
Victoria released him and took a step back, her lips twitching. “But it was the boots, wasn’t it?”
Chris groaned. “Okay, sign some books for the lady, and then that’s us out of here. Let’s go take some more pictures before they open the floodgates.”
She gave Jase a triumphant smile. “I knew it!”
Jase spent the next five minutes signing as many books as he could. He kissed her cheek. “Have a great day, and I hope to see you before I leave tomorrow.”
“Just in case we miss each other?” Victoria squeezed his hand. “Good luck. I hope it all works out the way you want it to.”
He thanked her again, and then he and Chris continued on their way, Chris stopping to take more photos.
Jase was in a daze. He still couldn’t believe it was real. Any second now he expected to wake up from a dream.
Could my life be any more perfect?
Well, there was one way it could, but Jase knew better than to think about that. Finding out Chris cared for him w
as miracle enough.
Two miracles was expecting way too much.
IT didn’t take Jase long to realize that the publisher event was an extension of Dean’s movie night. He was basically there to hand out prizes. What he was unprepared for was the number of readers present and the feeding frenzy that resulted as they gathered around Dean’s stage, all wanting to win a prize.
“And I have a Rainbow Unicorn T-shirt to give away to the first person to reach Jase wearing… red shoes!” Dean announced into the microphone.
Three women made a beeline for him, and Jase tensed, waiting to be knocked to the floor. Fortunately the woman who reached him first came to a halt in front of him. “I won!”
“Yes, you did.” Jase handed her the plastic-wrapped garment. “If it’s the wrong size, tell them and they’ll change it.”
“Thank you!” She disappeared into the crowd, and Jase headed back to the stage. Dean crouched down, grinning.
“Only ten more minutes to go.” He glanced over Jase’s shoulder. “And don’t look now, but someone is bringing you a cup of lemonade.”
“Is there vodka in it?” Jase asked.
Dean snickered. “That comes later.” He got to his feet and launched into another spiel, this time calling out a raffle number.
Chris handed Jase the plastic cup. “You look like you need this.”
Jase took it gratefully, draining it in three mouthfuls. “Thanks.” He removed his phone from his leather pouch and glanced at the screen. “Almost seven thirty. Is there food at the party, or just nibbles and dancing?”
“Seeing as it starts at nine, I should think it’s nibbles. Do you want to grab a bite first?”
Jase nodded. “Then I’ll need to get ready. I’m wearing the tux tonight. Want to come to my room and collect me for the party?”
Chris sighed. “Unfortunately I have a last-minute call to make, so I’ll meet you in there.”
Jase laughed. “If you can find me. It’s bound to be busy, the last night and all.”
Chris leaned in and whispered, “I’ll just look for the sexy guy in the tux.” Then he kissed Jase’s cheek. “I’ll be at your room in ten minutes to pick you up for dinner, okay?”
“Sure.” Jase watched him walk away, his heart soaring.
If this was a dream, it was the best dream ever.
Chapter Nineteen
JASE glanced around the crowded ballroom. All evidence of the book signing had been removed, and circular tables filled all the space except for the square dance floor near the stage. Colored lights played on the walls and ceiling, and music and chatter filled the room.
No sign of Chris, however.
Jase took a sip from his glass of wine. He’d arrived half an hour ago, and so far Chris hadn’t responded to his text. Clearly his last-minute call was taking longer than expected.
“Well, don’t you look dapper?” Dean walked up to where Jase stood, and Jase blinked. Dean wore a rainbow-colored jacket and pants, as well as a rainbow tie.
He laughed. “Talk about making a statement. You look… awesome.”
Dean leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Bless you. I’m too long in the tooth to worry about offending people. If they don’t know I’m gay by now, they never will.”
“Oh, that suit is definitely a giveaway.”
Dean scanned the area around them. “Where’s Chris?”
“Taking a call. He should be here soon.”
Dean gestured to two empty chairs at a nearby table. “Can we sit for a minute? I’ve been on my feet all day, and if I don’t sit soon, I’ll fall down.”
“Sure.” They sat, and Jase took another drink from his glass. “I believe I wasn’t the only one you were giving advice to on their love life. So Chris tells me.”
Dean laughed. “Sweetheart, I had to say something. I’m just glad it all worked out. So, what’s the plan now?”
“No plans. We go home tomorrow, and then I guess we play it by ear. At least we both live in the same state. He’s in Manhattan, I’m in Brooklyn. That’s doable.” And having Chris so close was going to be wonderful.
Dean sighed. “You don’t know how lucky you are. When my husband and I first got together, it was a long-distance relationship. We put up with that for three years. Three years! Thank God things changed. I don’t see how people make it work when they’re thousands of miles apart.”
Jase didn’t see how either. “I don’t think I’d be able to cope with that.”
Dean gestured to his tux. “Are you wearing this for a reason, or are you just getting your money’s worth?”
He laughed. “Actually, I own this. I had a few book covers that required one, and then I thought, ‘Hey, think positively. You’re gonna need one for all those premieres you’re gonna be attending.’”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with being positive,” Dean declared emphatically. “And you look fabulous in it. Chris is a lucky guy.” He sighed dramatically. “It’s no use. I have to get up and go mingle.” He got to his feet, wincing. “I can see me soaking in the tub before I go to bed—whatever time I manage to get there. But hey, the night is still young. Plenty of time for drinking, dancing, romance….” He stared at a point behind Jase and smiled. “And maybe a surprise or two.” Dean bent down and kissed Jase’s cheek. “Have a wonderful night, honey.” Then he straightened and walked over to another table, waving at its occupants.
Jase was intrigued by Dean’s enigmatic smile. He stood up and turned to where Dean had been looking—and stilled, his gaze locked on the approaching figure.
Chris was walking slowly toward him, looking heartbreakingly gorgeous in a tux. In his hands he carried an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne, and two glasses.
Jase found it difficult to breathe.
Chris stopped in front of him and smiled. “Sorry I’m late. The tux was a little late in getting here, and I had a bit of a problem with the bow tie.”
“You’re late? I hadn’t noticed.” Jase couldn’t get over how amazing Chris looked. “Wow. Just… wow.”
“I thought as it’s the last night, I should make an effort.” Chris placed the bucket and glasses on the table. “So… will I do?” He performed a brief turn.
Jase chuckled. “In case no one tells you this, you absolutely own that tux.” He glanced at the champagne. “I didn’t expect this either.”
Chris picked up the bottle and filled the glasses. “Well, this is a celebration, isn’t it?” He handed one to Jase.
“I thought so.” He waited until Chris’s glass was full, then raised his own. “I guess the toast has to be: to us.”
Chris beamed. “To us.”
They drank, and Jase was surprised by its smoothness. “This tastes like it might be expensive.”
Chris laughed. “You have a good palate. Don’t ask what I paid for it. You’re worth it, and more.” He took another drink, then gestured to the dance floor. “Might I have the honor of this dance?” When Jase hesitated, Chris took his hand and looked Jase in the eye. “So what if we look like a couple of penguins on a date? So what if we’re the only two guys dancing together? Let’s show ’em, okay? Let’s show them that love wins.”
Jase put down his glass. “It would be my pleasure.”
Chris’s smile could have powered every light in Las Vegas.
He led Jase onto the dance floor, and a space opened up for them. Murmurs erupted all around them, and Jase did his best to quell his nerves. Abruptly, the music changed. Gone was the rhythmic thump of a bass, replaced by….
Jase stilled. “‘Something’?” The Beatles track, sung by Shirley Bassey, had always struck him as incredibly sexy and intimate.
Chris’s eyes sparkled. “Seems like they’re playing our song.” Chris placed his hand on Jase’s waist, but Jase was having none of that.
We’ll never have this night again. Let’s make it memorable.
“If we’re going to dance, then let’s really dance.” He put his arms around Chris’s body and pressed h
is cheek to Chris’s, their bodies close.
Chris wrapped his arms around Jase’s waist. His breath tickled Jase’s ear. “I’ve never danced like this. Now I know why. This feels….”
“Intimate,” Jase concluded. “Personal.”
Chris chuckled. “Dean asked if we were doing the horizontal mambo. It’s only just come to me that what is sex, if not an extremely intimate, sensual dance?”
“So next time I say, ‘Do you want to dance?’ I’d better make it obvious what I mean?”
Chris’s lips brushed Jase’s ear, making him shiver. “I think our surroundings might give me a clue. But yes, I want to dance with you all night long.”
Jase pulled away from him and met his gaze. “Me too,” he whispered. Then, forgetting his earlier reticence, he cupped Chris’s cheek, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips. What began with a soft brushing of lips changed as the kiss continued, deepening when Chris locked them together in a fervent embrace, and Jase let the world fall away, until there was nothing but the music and them, Chris’s gentle hands on the back of his head.
The moment was shattered when the applause started, a trickle at first, but swelling into an explosion of hands clapping and voices cheering.
Jase gazed around them in surprise. “Wow. Anyone would think they were pleased we’re together.” He grinned. Then he caught sight of Victoria staring at them and wiping her eyes.
A woman standing near them patted Chris on the back. “That had to be one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen.” Chris thanked her. She peered closely at them. “You two weren’t an item when you did that contest, were ya?”
“No, ma’am, we weren’t.”
Her face lit up. “Oh my. A real-life romance. At a con for Romance. I think that’s awesome.” She turned to the women standing with her and talked animatedly. Jase couldn’t catch the words, but more voices rose in approval, accompanied by another ripple of applause. There were shouts of encouragement, including someone who yelled, “Y’all will have to come back next year and get married at the con! That would be fantastic.”
