by Nico Jaye
That’s when everything clicked into place for Trick. The company his father had built was gone, taken over by Redden’s ego. John’s legacy was in the buildings he created, in the changes he’d made to the landscape of the city.
Redden had dropped Grigsby from the company name shortly after Trick’s father died, and it was as though he’d never existed. It had broken Trick’s heart and been the impetus behind him working hard to put himself in a place where he would be able to buy his father’s portion of the company back.
Watching Redden, whose face was becoming more and more ruddy the longer he talked, and listening to the rounds of applause that punctuated each increasingly boastful story, Trick knew that even if he were able to save up enough money to buy in as partner, it wouldn’t be the same.
Maybe that was a good thing.
Trying to piece together scraps of his father’s memory at a company owned by a man who clearly didn’t give a shit about John wasn’t honoring him any more than striking out on his own would be.
Striking out on his own?
It wasn’t the first time that thought had crossed his mind, but it was the first time he hadn’t immediately dismissed it. Instead, it burrowed deep, smoldering in his mind like the embers of a fire that just wouldn’t go out.
Redden prattled on, and Trick began to hatch a plan.
Louder applause pulled him out of his thoughts and back to the present in which Redden was basking in the limelight and Preston was saying something to Trick he hadn’t registered.
“I’m sorry. I spaced out for a second there. What?”
“I was just saying what an inspiration Mr. Redden is,” Preston said.
“Completely,” Trick agreed sarcastically. It took everything in Trick not to roll his eyes. Preston didn’t seem to notice the barely contained contempt.
The waiters appeared on cue, delivering tiny cubes of meat on beds of tiny greens drizzled with a white sauce of some kind. He seemed to remember something about tuna belly and microgreens. When Mrs. Redden had decided on the menu, it had sounded delicious, but now looking at the miniscule serving of food, it seemed more pretentious than anything.
Trick looked around the room at the hundreds of people dressed in silks and sequins, and suddenly he was reminded of costume jewelry. It sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, but ultimately it was nearly worthless. These people—Redden, his sons, and most of their clients—were a façade of sparkle with very little substance.
How had he ever thought this shit was important? When had he become so intent on beating Redden and reclaiming his father’s portion of the business that he’d lost sight of what was really important?
John Grigsby had taken on projects that mattered. His buildings were still standing because they were more than a pretty façade for people who had more money than sense. When John died, Redden’s priorities had shifted, and he’d transformed from John’s best friend and business partner into someone John wouldn’t have recognized.
The party, the prestige—it was bullshit.
Trick looked over at Preston, who stared back at him, his eyes soft around the edges and kind of dreamy. The façade had fallen from Preston too. All that time Trick had spent fawning over him in the elevator, and he’d never bothered to look past the pretty face. There was no substance there. Trick no longer saw the suave confidence. All he saw now were the little details that were missing from Preston’s appearance—there was no slightly crooked nasal bridge, sandy blond hair, or broad shoulders.
In comparison to Edwin, Preston just seemed… ordinary.
Edwin.
Trick’s heart sped at the thought of Edwin, and as he felt the rush of happiness suffuse his chest, he realized that the reaction he was having was nothing new. He’d wanted Edwin longer than he’d been able to admit to himself.
Somehow, between the time the appetizers had been served and the empty plates had been retrieved, Trick’s entire life had shifted focus.
He was done with Redden, and he was done with Preston. All he wanted was to get home to Edwin. Right on cue, the music swelled. It was like a Hollywood movie moment, when the hero realizes that everything he’s ever wanted has been right there all along.
“Do you want to dance before dinner?”
Trick turned to find Preston staring at him again. For half a second, he contemplated explaining, but he just shook his head.
“I have to go.”
Trick stood, and as the clock struck eight, he rushed out of the ballroom to hail a cab back home to Edwin.
Chapter Sixteen
THE CLICK as the lock turned roused Edwin out of his doze. He’d been flipping through one of the books he’d unearthed from Trick’s boxes in an attempt to distract himself when he’d decided to lay his head down for a moment and rest.
Edwin glanced at the clock and was shocked to see it wasn’t even nine o’clock. He’d fully expected Trick to be out all night, and he’d have been gone by the time Trick returned.
Should he hide? Should he go out to the garden?
Edwin swallowed thickly. What if Trick had brought Preston back with him?
Preparing Trick for the party had been bittersweet, but Edwin had done his best to present a cheerful demeanor. He was a fairy godfather, and his charge was well on his way to attaining his heart’s desire. Edwin should have been ecstatic.
He should have.
But instead he’d felt a melancholy little ball form in the pit of his stomach as he saw Trick off in the taxicab Edwin had insisted upon.
Now Trick was back already, and Edwin wasn’t ready. He leapt to his feet, vaguely hearing the book thud to the ground as it slid off his lap, and patted his pockets for his wand, wallet, and keys. Trick had given him the second set of keys, and Edwin wasn’t about to abuse Trick’s hospitality.
Not when he might be back with Preston Ward in tow.
Edwin had pulled open the garden door when Trick spoke.
“Edwin?”
Unable to help himself, Edwin looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of Trick in his finery. Edwin turned back to face the garden and spoke quickly. “I was just about to leave, my apologies for—”
“Leave? Don’t leave.”
With one foot outside already, Edwin halted his steps. The tone of Trick’s voice was off—even a little… desperate.
Edwin’s eyes widened.
Had things not gone well?
Thoughts of escaping vanished, and Edwin strode back into the apartment and shut the door. Trick had locked the front door and was walking toward the couch. He rubbed a hand behind his neck and offered a hesitant smile.
Furrowing his brow, Edwin looked around briefly, confirming Trick had returned alone. Edwin slowly took a seat in the armchair and met Trick’s gaze.
“You—” Edwin cleared his throat. “—you’ve returned early.”
Trick ran his hand through his hair before letting it drop by his side. “Uh, yeah.”
“Is… was everything okay? Did you not see Preston there?” Edwin forced himself to ask the question.
“Yeah. Yeah, he was there.” Trick was watching him, and Edwin wasn’t sure what Trick was looking for.
“Then it… didn’t go well?”
“Oh, it went fine.” Trick shrugged and began unbuttoning his close-fitting jacket. The splash of his red shirt was vivid against the dark material of his suit and the dull brown of the worn couch. “I just didn’t feel like being there anymore. I wanted to come home.”
“Oh!” Edwin blinked and stood. “And here I am, intruding on your private space. I apologize, Trick, I should have been gone by now.” With an embarrassed smile, Edwin nodded his head and moved to sidestep the small table he’d magicked out of an old crate earlier.
After a quick eyebrow raise at the table, Trick stood and blocked Edwin’s way with a hand to his chest. “No, I—that’s not what I meant, Edwin.”
Edwin looked at Trick’s hand, the elegant long fingers pale against his blue sweater. H
e watched Trick slide his thumb in a soft sweep against the fabric. Edwin blinked and looked up, catching a look in Trick’s eyes that made his breath hitch. “I… I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t want to stay at the party with Preston. I wanted to come home—to you, Edwin.” Trick surveyed the room and returned his gaze to Edwin. “I—this place is home, but you’re part of that feeling too. I don’t understand it, either, but… what I’m saying is, when Preston was there, I didn’t want him. I—”
Trick swallowed hard and searched Edwin’s gaze.
“I wanted you.”
Edwin’s heart pounded in his chest. He wouldn’t be surprised if Trick could feel it beating beneath his hand. Edwin felt a whirlwind in his head and in his heart.
He wanted Trick too, but Trick was his charge. Edwin had never heard of such a thing. Besides, he was already as good as promised to—Oh good Fairy. He was the heir to the Fairy Queen, and he couldn’t fall for his charge. He couldn’t have Trick.
Could he?
After a few moments, the warm look in Trick’s eyes shuttered, and Trick began to pull away.
Without thought, Edwin grabbed Trick’s wrist and held him in place. He held him close. He held him where he wanted Trick, no matter what his obligations or Trick’s status as his charge had to do with it.
“Edwin?” Trick’s voice was soft. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Trick’s touch was gentle as he brushed his hand across Edwin’s cheek. When Edwin shivered at the contact, the look in Trick’s eyes sharpened.
“I….” Edwin swept his tongue across his lower lip, and Trick’s gaze dropped to Edwin’s mouth. The thudding of his heart was loud in his ears, and Edwin swallowed hard. If he thought about Trick and forgot everything else—the circumstances of their relationship, how he had even come to be here—he knew in his heart of hearts that he wanted Trick too. He’d never felt this way before—had never let himself feel this way, considering everything that was expected of him at Paravale. But his desire for Trick was undeniable.
It was a magic all its own.
Could he have Trick? He didn’t know, but he wanted to try. He wanted to have Trick for as long as he could, even if just for this moment.
“I understand, and I want you too.”
Edwin caught sight of the surprised look that crossed Trick’s face before he pulled Trick closer. He wanted Trick. He wanted to touch, to hold, to kiss. He’d liked kissing Trick that one time, and it felt like it had been far too long since that night—and he’d been far too fuzzy to appreciate it truly.
They were nearly of a height, which made it a simple thing—a simple yet magnificent thing—to lean forward and taste Trick.
“Mmmm….”
Edwin couldn’t be sure who’d made the noise, but the sound and feel was immensely satisfying. The kiss was butterfly soft, and Edwin lifted his head to see a quiet smile spread across Trick’s lips.
Trick opened his eyes slowly and blinked up at Edwin. His smile spread, and his hooded gaze made Edwin feel warm all over.
“You know…,” Trick said, his voice husky. “There’s a million ways to kiss.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.”
Watching Trick, Edwin took in his impish look and open expression. Sliding his arms around Trick, Edwin held him close.
“Then I want to kiss you in a million ways.”
Edwin barely had time to catch sight of Trick’s answering smile before Trick was crowding up against him, and all Edwin could do was hold him closer. He pressed his lips to Trick’s, basking in the caress of Trick’s mouth against his.
Trick tilted his head and pressed close for a moment. As he pulled back, Trick’s breath came out in a soft brush of a whisper against Edwin’s mouth.
“One,” Trick said softly, a smile hovering on his lips.
Leaning forward, Edwin stole another kiss. Trick’s mouth opened over his, and Edwin felt the wet pressure of Trick’s tongue against the seam of his lips. Edwin gasped at the contact, then tentatively touched his tongue to Trick’s. Their kiss was a caress, and Edwin let himself fall into the feeling of closeness, intimacy, and heat.
After a moment, Edwin lifted his head, feeling dazed and like his blood was singing. He blinked down at Trick, who watched him with a small smile curling his lips.
Edwin cleared his throat, then smiled back. “Two,” Edwin said.
Their next two, ten, or ten thousand kisses were a whirlwind of touch, warmth, and that floating-flying sensation of learning Trick, yet knowing he was a mystery waiting to be uncovered.
At some point, Trick had angled them toward the sofa again, and before long, Edwin found himself sitting on the plush cushion with Trick seated in his lap. Trick had shrugged out of his formal jacket, and his red shirt was smooth beneath Edwin’s exploring palms.
Trick was lean and fit, and his body held a whipcord strength. The thin material of his shirt did nothing to hide the play of muscles that shifted beneath Edwin’s hands as Trick moved closer, pressing into Edwin’s body.
“Edwin,” Trick whispered, his voice rough. “You—are you—is this good?”
By way of response, Edwin pulled Trick closer and lifted his own hips upward and into the cradle of Trick’s body. The rush of heat and the stiffness of his dick made for a nearly overwhelming flood of sensations.
Trick chuckled low. “I’m guessing that’s a yes.”
Since it’d felt so good, Edwin did it again, eliciting a soft groan from Trick. “Yes, it’s very good.” Edwin skimmed his hands over Trick’s body and rested them on his hips. The smooth lines of his body underneath the shirt and slacks hinted at a masculine beauty of which Edwin had only the briefest of glimpses before. He found himself greedy for another opportunity. “I’d love to see more of you.”
Trick met and held Edwin’s gaze, then quirked his lips and reached for the buttons of his shirt.
One.
Two.
Three.
The vee of pale skin beneath the shirt grew more visible as Trick undid each button, allowing the material to part and reveal Trick’s chest.
Growing impatient, Edwin reached for the opening, giving himself the chance to finally touch the skin that’d been such a temptation so many days before. As Trick shrugged the shirt off, Edwin moved his hands behind Trick’s back and pulled him forward.
Kisses…. Edwin had liked the kisses.
He bent forward to place one on Trick’s collarbone, then moved over an inch to kiss a beauty mark beside it. Leaning into Trick’s body, Edwin ducked his head to kiss Trick’s chest and, seeing the dusky nipples before him, decided to place kisses there too.
The skin pebbled beneath his mouth, and Trick let out a little gasp at the contact, his hands flying up to grip Edwin’s head. Edwin repeated the kiss on the other side, thrilling inside at the way Trick tightened his grasp on his hair.
Trick tugged him up, and Edwin went willingly, a small, pleased smile on his face.
“I like kissing you. Very much so.”
Trick’s answer was a kiss of his own, this one deep and consuming, and Edwin felt lost again in a whirlwind of sensation. A whirlwind of Trick.
When Trick slid his hands beneath his sweater and began to ruck it up, Edwin straightened and lifted his arms, letting Trick tug the soft material up over his head.
“Fuck. You can’t be real,” Trick muttered, his voice so low Edwin wasn’t sure if he’d heard him correctly.
Edwin was saved the need to reply when Trick pressed himself right against him, his chest a firm blanket of heat against Edwin’s own. Trick’s kiss was devouring, and Edwin felt just as hungry.
Trick pushed Edwin along the back of the couch, guiding him down until Edwin lay back with Trick covering him. Edwin barely had time to take in the beauty of Trick’s dark hair and eyes above him before Trick moved forward, capturing his lips in a heated kiss.
His hands firm, Trick held Edwin’s shoulders and ground his hips down.
Oh, good Fairy.
Edwin groaned against Trick’s lips, pushing up into Trick. He felt incredible, and Edwin wanted more. He wanted to hold Trick forever.
Trick rocked against Edwin, his breath coming in soft gasps that caused Edwin’s heart to race.
He’d never done this with another before, but it felt so right. In the solitude of bathing and the darkness of night, Edwin had felt this rush, but it had been nothing like this thrilling sensation of climbing toward something with Trick by his side. At Trick’s next thrust, Edwin groaned into his neck as his dick twitched behind the placket of his charcoal slacks.
“Edwin….” Trick’s voice was rough and held a note of inquiry as his hand slid down Edwin’s torso to rest over his fly. With a soft press of his hand, Trick grasped Edwin’s length through his pants.
“Yes,” Edwin breathed. “Yes.” With unsteady hands, Edwin reached for his fly, his knuckles brushing against Trick’s when he reached his destination. Once he had undone the fastening, though, Trick nudged Edwin’s hands away to slide his fingers under the waistband and pull them down himself.
Edwin wore his usual white briefs. They were little and, with the stiffness of his erection beneath them, they revealed a lot.
From the look he was giving him, Trick seemed to like them.
Trick stood, watching Edwin, and palmed his own crotch before unbuttoning his suit pants. After shoving them low on his hips, Trick knelt on the couch again and brought their cotton-covered bulges together. Edwin swore he could feel the heat of Trick as the contact zinged through his body.
Pulling him close, Edwin gathered Trick in his arms and found his mouth for another searching kiss. He loved kissing. He loved everything he was doing with Trick.
With a small noise, Trick wound one of his hands between their bodies and pushed his palm against Edwin’s hardness. Bucking up into his hand, Edwin gasped against Trick’s mouth.
