by Z. Allora
With everything balanced on a tray, he slipped back into the bedroom.
Daiki sat in bed and set aside his sketch pad. His hair was almost neat, so he must have freshened up. “Oh, Sage. Don’t move.”
“What? Why?” Sage didn’t know what to make of Daiki’s demand as he pushed the door shut.
“Can I take a picture of you?” Daiki pleaded, as if snapping a photo of him was of dire importance.
“What? Why?” That knocked him sideways. He needed some new questions.
Daiki grabbed his phone and took some shots. “You, shirtless in the apron, carrying a tray… I can’t draw you fast enough because I want to enjoy you immediately.”
“Are you okay?” Sage had never made anyone breakfast before, especially not in bed. But if a breathy artist totally hot for him was the usual reception, he’d have to make Daiki every meal.
Shrugging, Daiki nodded. “Yeah, I’m not used to being in a manga that I’m drawing.”
“What?”
Daiki groaned and touched his face. “I’m going to have to tint my cheeks with embarrassment lines.”
Ah, got it. Sage played along. He made a show of looking where the blanket failed to hide Daiki’s arousal. “Oh, by the way, you’re drawing not only yourself but me very aroused.”
Daiki put down his phone and pushed off the comforter. He didn’t meet Sage’s gaze, but the shifting of his body highlighted his jutting erection, not disguised at all by the shorts he wore.
“A gorgeous man bringing me breakfast in bed….” Daiki frowned and shrugged it off, then pasted on a teasing smile. “You probably make breakfast in bed for your lovers all the time.”
Sage’s desire to actually get someone who wanted him for him seemed to pull out the truth. He should stop himself from the long stare, but couldn’t. Instead he confessed, “No. I’ve only done this for you.”
A million expressions crossed Daiki’s face, but a predatory one stayed. “This is a first… for you too?”
Swallowing, Sage clutched the tray tighter. “Yeah.”
Daiki slipped out of bed and onto his knees in front of Sage. “May I?”
What was he—
Daiki ducked under the tray, pushed the apron out of the way, and grabbed on to the waistband of Sage’s lounge pants. He peeked out and tilted his head, making hair fall into his eyes. “Sage?”
His name never held so many questions, but there was only one answer. “Yes.”
Smiling a real smile, Daiki shifted forward and disappeared, hidden by the tray Sage held.
A hot, wet mouth wrapped around him and sucked him halfway in.
Sage hardened fully and gripped the tray tighter. “I should set this down.”
Daiki appeared not to have heard him, because he continued sucking him. Adding his hand, Daiki started stroking Sage in an enticing rhythm.
Something out of the corner of his eye made Sage turn his head. There was a full-length mirror behind the door, giving him a view he’d never had. How had he become the star of a filthy manga? But Daiki looked too beautiful to be associated with anything dirty. Sexy, yes.
The reflected image seared into Sage’s brain. Him getting a blowjob while clutching a tray, and Daiki sucking him, with a hand busy down the front of his pants, while he stared at Sage.
Their gazes caught in the mirror, the uncertainty in Daiki’s eyes dragging Sage deeper into his thrall. Daiki wasn’t conducting some elaborate game of seduction; it was clear he simply wanted to suck Sage and get off.
No question Daiki had stepped way out of his comfort zone and was exploring what he wanted… and right now that was Sage. That might have knocked him sideways, but it was what Sage wanted too.
Sage’s affection for Daiki was a nonstop fast beat. His feelings hadn’t evolved slowly over time in a measured fashion but had appeared in a moment. Had he been waiting all of his life for someone to open his heart? Maybe he’d get burned, but he couldn’t stop being consumed by the driving rhythm because surrender felt too good.
He gripped the tray tighter. The predicament of having to hold the tray while getting sucked off increased his arousal. So far, only a little bit of the tea had spilled on the napkins. Could he come without dropping the tray?
Turning back to the mirror, he stared as Daiki bobbed his head, bringing the wet heat of his mouth up and down with ever-increasing suction. Sage had never watched himself getting sucked off. The act felt new and forbidden; not being able to see Daiki except in the mirror added to the uniqueness.
He hadn’t locked the door, and three other guys were a room away. The worry of being caught in the act intensified everything.
Sage wasn’t going to last long, so he warned, “Close.”
Daiki pulled off him, gave him a shy smile, and started licking his shaft. Long, wet, well-placed licks were going to—
“Oh God.” As he came, the tray wobbled in his hands, but he held on and let the pleasure pulse through him.
The fact that Daiki came too, moaning as he shot off, made Sage’s experience perfect.
When he could move, Sage set the tray on the nightstand and pulled Daiki off the floor.
“You’re incredible.” He kissed Daiki because how could he not?
Daiki pulled back. “I must taste of—”
“You do.” Sage tugged him back into a kiss and pushed his tongue into Daiki’s mouth.
He guided Daiki over to the bed and broke the kiss. “I think your breakfast might be cold.”
Daiki gave him a sheepish grin and then licked his lips. “My breakfast was delicious.”
“Oh….” Sage didn’t know what to say, so he focused on getting the tray to the man he was falling in love with.
He sat next to Daiki and pointed at the picture. “I’m grateful to bear a passing resemblance to your ideal man.”
After kissing Sage’s cheek, Daiki leaned in to him and whispered, “There’s nothing passing about you or this.”
ZEN HAD chased everyone out of the shared bedroom so Wayuu could sleep. Though Sage doubted anything but a marching band would wake the guy up. When he’d gone into the room to grab his phone, Wayuu was sleeping hard.
He smiled at the shirt he’d borrowed from Daiki’s closet. Sharing clothes was a symptom of relationships… and he was good with that.
Across the main room, Daiki bent over his computer with his glasses and fox hat on.
Sage couldn’t help but hope to borrow Daiki’s clothing for a long time.
Daiki’s assistants had started coming in around nine.
Sage met each one and embedded their names into his head. They were an important part of Daiki’s world, and therefore his.
He stood near Haru and Zen, who were skimming the titles along the bookcases.
“Did you read manga growing up?” Sage studied the cover of the manga he held and got the appeal.
Haru nodded. “I grew up reading another artist.”
Zen wandered over. “My sister reads manga too. She says sometimes the presentation can be problematic, but it saved her life.”
Haru nodded. “Mine too.”
“How?” Sage asked, wanting to understand.
Pulling out one of the books, Haru said, “It expanded my world view. And even though I wasn’t exactly like the characters, seeing people who were different made me feel less lonely. Even the imperfection of it gave me space to be. They gave me hope to keep going.”
Zen smacked Sage on the back. “That’s what Kashi-sei is going to do, right?”
“I sure the hell hope so.” Sage grinned and glanced over at Daiki, who was staring at him.
As soon as Daiki recognized he’d been caught, he ducked closer to his computer. Too cute.
Chapter 11
DAIKI TRIED to focus on his assistant, Takahashi Ichiro. This newbie wanted to burn down the entire system with one match, and Daiki tried to follow his rant, but then Sage laughed at something Haru said.
Sage has such a nice laugh. Not forced but deep
, and the sound made squiggles of happiness spiral through Daiki.
Akihiro nudged his foot against Daiki’s. What? Oh. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that, Ichiro?”
The newbie hesitated and then nodded with a big grin. “You’re right. I need to rethink everything. Thank you, Sensei. Thank you.”
Daiki pressed his lips together and pointedly ignored Akihiro’s openmouthed stare. If his words helped encourage someone else to answer their own question, there was no problem… right?
A short time later, the real estate broker took the band and Daiki on a tour of the luxury apartment, which was within walking distance of Ni-chōme.
The window seat called to him, so he opted to stay in the apartment as she took the others around the building to show them the amenities, which included a full gym, sauna, and pool.
Daiki curled up on the built-in white cushion. A gorgeous view, and the light was perfect for sketching. He flipped open his pad, picked up his pencil, and let the graphite fill the page. His grandfather had labeled his pads and pencils Daiki’s his protection against the world. Maybe so, but seeing life through the lens of his drawing allowed everything to be more palatable.
The sharp angles of Sage’s face forced his hand. He’d done drawings of poses Sage seemed to favor—leaning back in his chair, what he looked like asleep, and how angelic he appeared when he came.
He couldn’t focus on that here, so he changed to a sketch of the band.
“What are you drawing?”
Daiki jumped at Haru’s question. He turned the pad around to show him. “You.”
“Kashi-sei. Wow, look at us,” Haru gushed at the quick sketch of the entire band on stage.
Daiki smiled. “It’s not finished,” he said as he turned back to the page. He needed to add a touch of shadow along—
Someone cleared their throat.
Sage asked, “So would you help us decorate?”
Daiki glanced up and found the entire band and real estate broker staring at him.
How long have they been standing there?
He set his sketchbook aside. “What? I mean, of course. But decorate what?”
The real estate agent pointed across the room. “I have catalogs on the counter. All you have to do is pick furniture, colors, and the accents. After I call the order in, everything can be delivered within five hours.”
“We can move in tonight?” Wayuu asked with so much hope it hurt Daiki’s heart.
Zen stepped closer to Wayuu. “Of course we’ll be living in each other’s pockets from now on.”
Blushing, Wayuu stepped away from Zen and stared out the glass doors that led to the balcony.
Sage chimed in, “Yes, I don’t see why not. If everyone likes this place—”
“Wonderful. We only have paperwork and furniture choices to make.” The broker smiled, probably at her commission.
Daiki couldn’t stop meeting Sage’s grin with a small smile of his own. He liked the idea of being in Sage’s pockets… in his pants… in his bed. What is with me?
Sage’s lips quirked like he could read Daiki’s dirty thoughts. He pointed to the real estate agent, who shuffled paperwork. “I’ll go sign the leasing agreement.”
Watching him moving across the room was—
“Since we already set aside the one room for practicing, do you guys mind if I take the single?” Haru asked.
Zen nodded. “Of course you should have the single. You’ve got a girlfriend. Wayuu and I can share the larger room on this side of the apartment, and Sage can have the one at the corner.”
Wayuu gave Zen a big-eyed stare but didn’t say anything.
Flashing Daiki his idol smile, Zen added, “Good light in the bedroom on that side of the apartment for you. Besides, I’m sure you and Sage won’t mind sharing.”
“No, of course not.” Daiki mumbled, trying not to be embarrassed that the other guys might have heard him and Sage this morning sharing his bedroom. “Um, so we should look at the decorating books.”
Sage glanced up from reading the rental agreement. “You guys pick what you want. It’s covered, but keep in mind the living room will need to double as a dance studio.”
The real estate agent was on the balcony making some calls.
“Haru, what’s your style?” Daiki couldn’t begin to guess.
Haru scratched his head. “I don’t know. It’s been whatever me and my girl could afford. I guess I want something warm, soft, and inviting, like my girlfriend.”
Zen grimaced. “You mean cozy. Geez, you weren’t kidding before when you said you were straight.”
A growl and an angry glare came from Wayuu. “Stereotype much?”
Snorting, Haru said, “He’s not wrong, though. I don’t know whether to be insulted or complimented.”
Shaking his head, Zen said, “Neither. Just put me down as observant.”
Daiki wanted to get confirmation. “How about soft textures in creams mixed with gold. Chests of drawers and a shallow desk in honey-colored woods.”
Looking at the pictures Daiki pointed to, Haru nodded. “Yeah, I like that.”
“I think these two chairs will fit in that nook between the window and the en suite bathroom.” Daiki thought it would be a nice place for the two of them to relax when they wanted to get away.
“Yeah, that sounds great.” Haru’s tone said he was trying to summon excitement for Daiki’s sake.
Zen pointed at Sage. “Now, Wayuu, I bet you LA Drummer-san will have exact opinions on his decor.”
Daiki bit back a smile. “Isn’t that another stereotype?”
Zen shrugged. “It’s another bet.”
Wayuu asked, “But are you stereotyping people from LA, gay men, Americans, or—”
Rolling his eyes, Zen patted Wayuu on the shoulder. “Allow me to finish. I’m stereotyping Sage. Let’s just say I’ll bet he’s going to let Daiki make the decision.”
“We’ll see. What’s the bet?”
Smirking, Zen answered, “To be determined by the winner.”
“These bets are adding up.” Haru grinned; he appeared to be keeping track. “I’m going to call my girl. Any issue if she spends the night?”
Zen waved him off. “Have at her.”
Haru snorted. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”
Daiki began the task of pulling information from Wayuu and Zen.
Wayuu shook his head. “Whatever you think.”
Daiki couldn’t tell if he was speaking to Daiki or Zen.
Zen held the color wheel up to Wayuu’s face. “Which goes best, Daiki?”
“Goes best… with Wayuu?” What an odd question.
“What color bedding would he look best against?” Zen turned on his idol smirk and winked.
Wayuu gasped, then played it off. “Stop teasing, Zen.”
“Never.” Zen stared at him until Daiki cleared his throat. Turning with a raised eyebrow to Daiki, he asked, “What about white on white on white. Very minimalistic.”
That was easy enough. Daiki asked, “Wayuu?”
Wayuu tore his gaze off Zen and smiled at Daiki. “Sure. Sounds good. Easy to keep clean.”
Zen guided Wayuu toward their new bedroom. “You plan on getting things dirty? Well, let’s see where the bed goes.”
“You mean beds… don’t you?” Wayuu’s voice cracked.
“Whatever.” Zen smirked, then added, “but if we had one bed, there would be enough room to also have a small table and two chairs, right?”
Daiki wanted to be careful. “Um… yes, but maybe Wayuu—”
“No, I’m good with sharing. I actually have a hard time sleeping without someone in bed with me.” Wayuu’s voice got softer with every word he said.
Zen’s mouth dropped open, and then he folded his arms over his chest.
“What? I got used to having someone sleeping next to me when I was training to be an idol and then in Fire. We always shared a bed. Didn’t WTZ?” Wayuu scowled at Zen.
Soften
ing his expression with an almost shy smile, Zen put a gentle hand on Way’s shoulder. “No, our band didn’t, but I have no issue sharing with you.”
Wayuu gave him a tiny nod and then meandered back to his assigned room.
Zen stumbled into a chair trying to follow. He straightened the chair, gave Daiki a gesture that indicated he was going, and then trailed after Way.
That settled that… at least as much as things between those two were going to be.
Daiki shoved aside the plot bunny those two birthed and made some notes. He gave the information to the Realtor and promised to send the rest by email as soon as possible. She said her goodbyes.
Sage grabbed the keys from the Realtor and walked her to the door.
He hurried back to Daiki with a big smile and handed him a key. “For you.”
Holding the key in his hand seemed too big. “I don’t need—”
“Why not? You’ll be living here… at least part of the time.” Sage’s gaze got intense, making all the tubes of paint in Daiki’s mind gush.
Safe topic needed. Daiki asked, “Um, what color would you like your room?”
“Our room. I heard Zen giving Haru the other single—”
“Do you mind, because I’m sure—”
“I’ve got no issue, and I’m glad I didn’t need to arrange it… unless you’ve got a problem sharing with me.”
Daiki shook his head emphatically. “Not at all. I….” No games! His face grew warm, and his cheeks probably tinted with crimson, but he finished his thought. “I’ll enjoy sharing with you.”
Sage leaned in. His lips were so close.
I could drop to my knees and—Daiki jumped back. “Um, so what colors do you like?”
“You choose for us.” Sage put the emphasis on us.
Daiki had to admit he liked the sound of us. He’d never really been part of an us. Did this mean they were dating? Or sleeping together? Maybe both. Were they boyfriends? If not, how did that happen? Did Sage want that to happen?
Perhaps his storyboard should have less desperation drawn into these frames.
Maybe, but this was better than the smell of his first manga straight off the press. He’d be living with Sage. They could do what they’d done this morning and more… anytime they wanted. A shiver of excitement painted him with exhilaration and anticipation.
