by Sky McCoy
“I’m Dorian, mother. This is Dorian Hart.”
“Oh him.” Another punch to the gut.
“Yes, him.” I tried to control my voice so as not to show her the teenager who had walked out her door years ago with just a backpack and a few dollars I’d saved from doing odd jobs.
“I have one question to ask you.” I drew in a full breath and exhaled.
“Well, I’m waiting. I don’t have much time.” You would have thought she’d take the time because I hadn’t seen her since I was sixteen when she closed the door on me and let me walk out of the house with nowhere to go. It had been Phillip who took me in, and it was Phillip who had left me to grow up. Well, I’d finally grown up, but not so much as anyone would notice, because I was now terrified to see a doctor who would give me life-changing news I’d never been prepared for.
“Has anyone in the family had cancer of any kind?”
“Every female in my family has had a battle with cancer of some kind. I don’t know about the men, but your father is healthy as a horse, and I don’t know about his family now, most are all dead.”
“That’s all I wanted to know.” Then there was a long pause.
“How are you, Dorian,” her voice softened and seemed frail.
“I’m good.”
“I hope you’re happy.”
“Sometimes.”
“I have to go, Dorian.” Then she hung up the phone, and I held it to my chest while I wiped the tears from my eyes. I straightened up and headed for the shower.
I’D STOPPED OFF AT our beautiful new home, and I could finally say that it was Jeremy’s and my place. I checked everything to make sure the house would be ready to move into. The construction company had done a wonderful job of finishing the home on time. With a lot of money, and knowing the right people in high places, who Jeremy did know, his friend Max who seemed to own companies from here to Kalamazoo and New York, we’d been able to finish our dream home much earlier than expected. Or should I say my dream home, since I’d been sketching that house since I’d been a teenager in my room. I thought that I’d be in this house with Phillip, but Phillip had other plans that didn’t include me.
After checking over everything from the bathrooms to the kitchen to make sure they’d installed the appliances I wanted, I’d gone on to my office and dropped in to see if it was still there, and whether Phillip had managed to fuck something up before I’d gotten back.
Thank God he’d completed the work he’d left for weeks. We needed that money in the bank like yesterday. I guessed there was nothing like losing something to make you aware that it could be worse. What could be worse would be to lose your livelihood, especially if you’d worked your ass off to make it work and profitable.
Finally a lightbulb must have gone off and Phillip got it. He understood how hard we both had strived to make this company the best in Seattle, and a piece of ass wasn’t worth all these years of long hours and suffering.
Knowing that I’d checked on my home and been satisfied with the results, and that my job was secure, I headed out to the Millennium Hotel to talk to Jack. If I had to beg him to come with me, I wasn’t opposed to doing just that.
I parked in the inside parking garage, then took the elevator down to the lobby because I had to access another set of elevators to get into the hotel lobby. As I stood at the elevator waiting, I heard someone call my name. I didn’t know anyone who would be in here but Jack or Jeremy, and I’d know Jeremy’s voice or Jack’s in a crowded room of people talking and laughing.
Turning around to see who it was, I came eye to eye with Parker. He handed Jacqueline over to a young tall blonde woman and strolled over to me, faced me locking eyes on me as if he’d caught me in some immoral venture. “Who are you going to see?” he asked, slanting his head slightly.
“I can’t see that’s any of your business,” I replied, turning my back on him and hitting the button wondering what was taking the elevator so long.
“If it’s Jack, I just saw him in the restaurant.” I stopped tapping the button and turned to face Parker.
“Is he alone?” I questioned.
“Jack is always alone. Until he isn’t. Like now. I’m sure he won’t be alone for long.” Parker aimed a closed smile that reached across his face and stayed fixed. I wished the fuck he’d just leave, but he wouldn’t. He’d been the most annoying man I’d ever met. I got how protective he’d been with Jeremy and Jacqueline, but he was getting on my nerves and I did everything to prevent from butting heads with him. However, I saw where this was going— to a full-blown confrontation, but not today. I didn’t have time.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” I questioned. I crossed my arms waiting for an answer because he’d worn a sly grin as if he knew something about me. My life was an open book, until now. I did have a secret, but not what I was sure he’d thought.
“I don’t want to see Jeremy hurt.”
“You and me both. Don’t you think you should get Jacqueline? I don’t know that woman who’s holding her. Has Jeremy vetted her yet? If not, then she shouldn’t have control of my baby.”
I moved to the side and brushed Parker’s shoulder, then headed in the direction of the blonde woman holding my baby. I took Jacqueline into my arms, held her and gave her a kiss, and looked at Parker. “When Jeremy and I are married, then I will adopt Jacqueline. Did he mention that to you?” I didn’t expect an answer, I just wanted to put Parker on notice that I would be a central part of Jeremy’s life, and not to fuck with me.
I handed Jacqueline back to Parker after kissing her, aimed a closed smiled at the woman, and walked in the direction of the restaurant. Entering it I spotted Jack right off sitting in a booth alone. It was the same booth I’d seen him in before when I dined with Phillip. It appeared Jack had taken up residence there and the waiters and waitresses knew him well.
I waved to Jack after speaking to the host. “Mr. Westbrook is expecting me. Bring me a vodka shot at his table. Lime on the side.”
Chapter 6
Jeremy
I had called Jack several times on the number he’d given me. I’d hoped he’d answer his phone because I needed to touch base with him about Carter and the family meeting. However, I’d bet even money on Jack having more than one phone, and he wasn’t answering the number I had. After I’d gotten no answer after more than a few tries, I settled back in my chair and prepared myself for meetings at my firm that I’d neglected.
It was a wonder I could remember to get up in the morning with the shitstorm confronting me from all sides. It was like a warzone with Parker and Dorian, and I’d been on the front line. And I didn’t want to think about Thomas and Alice. I didn’t know what plans they were hatching now where they’d throw me out front as the face of their gay campaign where I’d have to beg, “No, that’s too strong a word,” Thomas had said. “Try ‘request a donation’.”
If it wasn’t for Dorian in my arms each morning, and my cock in his mouth I would have fallen to pieces and instead of Carter having mental health issues, it would be me along with him. I wondered what Thomas would say to the reporters if they questioned his mental stability having two Westbrook men in the hospital? I chuckled thinking that that would be one way to put the kibosh on his campaign.
After sending out the latest emails to the lawyers, looking for my notes, and checking my calendar, my secretary walked in and said that a very handsome hot-looking man had come to see Jack Westbrook. I’d thought that was strange because Kristen, who had to be nearing fifty and a no-nonsense woman, never referred to any man as hot. She’d been around most of the men in my firm for years, and would never characterize any of them as being hot. Maybe cute. Hot had never been in her vocabulary until now.
My thoughts were that it had been a surprise and a relief to meet someone who knew Jack as being hot which made it more imperative for me to meet this hot individual. I wouldn’t want to be caught with any of Jack’s friends alone in a dark alley on the right or wrong
side of town, much less in my apartment where they’d come looking for him.
Without thinking, and eager to see the man who had sent Kristen’s temperature up a few degrees, I told my secretary to show him into my office because I had to see this handsome guy that Jack knew. My thoughts were Jack had just met him, and he didn’t know Jack well because he wouldn’t be looking for him, unless it was business of some kind, but then why would he come here? Why not to Jack’s hotel where Jack claimed he did his business.
I stood behind my desk when a tall mature man in his forties entered my office. He wore a dark-blue expensive suit, and his haircut had to cost as much as what Max would spend on his—maybe five hundred dollars—but then I knew nothing about haircuts in that range. I’d stayed in the area I could afford.
He had the most impressive muscular body, tall, six two or more, wide shoulders, powerful long arms, large hands. His hair was cut in such a way that you didn’t notice the grey on the sides, but I did, not because those few grey hairs were noticeable, but because they added to his sex appeal. He had it in abundance.
I couldn’t help but stare at him from his head to the fine Italian shoes he wore on his feet. I’d never seen that face before because I’d never forget a beautiful strong face like his with a prominent nose and square jaw, and plump natural pink lips.
If I’d been out of the closet before I’d met the love of my life, and if I wasn’t a top, I’d want him to fuck me. His face was chiseled and clean shaven, he wore a white shirt and a silk tie that had to have been made especially for him.
“You’re looking at me as if you don’t know me.”
“In all honesty, sir, I don’t.”
“At least you’ve acknowledged that I’m your Master.”
I chuckled. “You’re at the wrong company, and I’m the wrong man. I didn’t call in anyone to relieve my stress.” I chuckled, wondering what the fuck Jack had gotten himself into now, and clearly he’d been looking for Jack and didn’t know about me. The hot dude standing in my office had this serious stare and he’d planted his feet and wasn’t ready to leave until he’d come for what he wanted.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” The handsome forty-something took a step closer to the chairs in front of my desk, and placed his hands on the back of one and leaned forward.
“Why are you doing this to me, Jack? You changed your first name and left your sur-name intact. That’s not very smart. You know that you almost destroyed me when you left me. I thought we had an understanding. I thought you knew that you were my sub, and I’d forever be your Dom. We had a ceremony—”
“Wait before you go any further, I’m not Jack—”
He cut me off. “I would know my boy when I saw him. Come back to New York with me. You don’t belong here.”
“Please, sit down. You have the wrong man,” I insisted. “I’m his twin brother. My name is Jeremy. What’s your name?” He stood, slanted his head, his grey eyes scanned my face, then my office, then it was as if a light went off in those steely grey eyes of his.
He plopped down in the chair in front of my desk, turned to watch me as I stepped out from behind it, and he said, “I’m Austin. Austin Rhone.”
“I’ve heard of you. I can’t remember...” and then it came to me that Max had mentioned him, or maybe I’d heard the name when he and Jack had argued one time. “Do you know Maxwell Gold? He’s from New York,” I added. Austin blinked his eyes and I realized that he indeed knew of Max, and I wasn’t Jack.
“Of course I know him.” His voice abrupt, sounding as if he didn’t care for Max. “Max introduced me to Jack at his first wedding. He married a woman named Paige. I understand that he’s married again and has a husband.”
It all became clear. It was Austin who Jack had lived with after he and Max couldn’t make a go of it. It was Austin who Jack had a tumultuous relationship with when Jack decided to live in New York to be around Max, and shortly afterwards decided to enlist in the Marines.
Jack had been living with Austin when he disappeared. It was Max who’d told me about Austin, and Max who’d told me that Jack had enlisted. Afterward, not hearing from Jack for a year, I received a letter confirming what Max had said about him signing up, but Jack mentioned nothing about Austin to me.
“I’ve been looking for Jack since he left me. When he came out of the service, he returned to me, but for only three months, then he disappeared again with the gift I’d given him on his birthday.” There was a sadness in this handsome man’s face. In his eyes. Jack had a way of causing unhappiness to himself and others. I saw it with Max.
“Was it a car? A Corvette... that you gave him?”
“Yes, but I’m not here about a car. That means nothing to me. Jack means everything to me. I want Jack to come back to New York. He doesn’t belong here. He belongs with me.” Austin’s words signaled that he was a man in love, a man who liked to possess things he loved, like a collector of beautiful cars or paintings. Not to sell them, but to keep them if for no other reason than to admire these beautiful things and to know no one else could have them.
Austin sounded like a desperate man, and he sounded like me earlier on.
“If you know my brother, then you should know that he’s strong-willed, and he will do only what pleases him.”
Austin raised an eyebrow and glanced at me. “You two look so alike. It’s like looking at Jack. Although I must say that he’s a little rougher than you.”
“Some twins may look alike, but everyone is different, and I must say Jack and I are as different as summer is to winter.” I chuckled at the thought.
“I don’t want to take any more of your time, Jeremy.” Austin rose and extended his hand with a smile. I took his hand and he shook it. “Yes, you and Jack are different, but you gave me the greatest pleasure when looking into your face. I’m reminded of what I lost and what I want back. It was a pleasure meeting you. We have to get together soon.”
When Austin released my hand, I walked with him to the door. “Austin.” He turned to me. “I hope you find Jack and I hope you love my brother.”
“There is no doubt that I love him, but does he love me enough where he can let go of that desire for Maxwell. As long as he thinks there’s a chance that Max will be with him one day, he will never fully be mine,” Austin added.
“Here’s Jack’s number and the hotel where he’s staying.” I knew I shouldn’t have given that to Austin, but I’d want someone to help me out if it had been Dorian. I knew Max would never leave Jami and his children, and he’d have to leave them to be with Jack. Just those minutes with Austin told me everything I needed to know—that Austin loved Jack. He was what Jack needed, even if Jack had been too single-minded and focused on Max and stubborn to know the difference.
I never wanted to see Jack waste his years on someone who’d never really loved him in the first place, and because he wouldn’t let go of Max and that fantasy of being with Max, he couldn’t let Austin into his heart. However, one day he’d wake like I had, and realize that what he’d been searching for had been right there waiting for him all along.
But how long could anyone wait, hoping, before the ones they loved woke up and said, “Enough, fuck this,” and walked away never to return?
When I closed the door to my office, I realized that I was late for the company’s weekly meeting. Rushing to the boardroom, I made my speech short to everyone’s relief, but I had to break the bad news that they would have to go to another one of those team-building events.
The lawyers acted as if they couldn’t wait to get back to their offices because of the bored looks on their faces. Some even took to doodling on notepaper during my talk, pretending that they were taking notes. I knew because when I’d first been a new lawyer at this firm, I did the same thing.
Once I announced that there would be another team-building event, they appeared to take that in stride now, not like the first time. There wasn’t any grumbling after I announced that was al
l for today.
For some reason that last event had gone great, and when the lawyers came back and talked positively about the event, they’d asked if another had been scheduled. I talked around that question trying not to answer it. I hoped they’d react positively to this one as much as they’d done before with the cooking because there were two more scheduled. I didn’t want to give them the heads up because I thought most of them would call in sick.
I entered my office just in time to call Dorian and tell him that I’d be home early, and I wanted to take him out dining and dancing.
Chapter 7
Dorian
After entering the restaurant I stood in front of Jack, he glanced up at me and raised an eyebrow. I wondered what he thought of me when his mouth curved up to the right in a small smile. The waiter placed his food in front of him with me standing to the side. Jack looked up. “Are you going to stand during this conversation? I assume you’re here to talk to me because I’m not in the mood for anything else unless you’re here to give me a blowjob and if you are, you’re going to have to wait until I eat first.”
Jack took his gaze from me and concentrated on his plate of grilled salmon. He reached and drank a glass of red wine instead. I’d assumed it was Pinot Noir red.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Jack,” I chuckled. Jack was good for throwing a man off his game. Today I had a purpose and I wasn’t about to let Jack deter me from that. Then he offered me a polite gesture when he asked me, “Are you hungry,” he picked up the asparagus from his plate with a fork and waved it at me. Thirsty?” Another smile from Jack as he swiped his tongue across his lower lip. He loved fucking with men and especially me. Every time he had a chance he’d play games. Today he felt like teasing me.
