“You're no fun,” Ethan pouted. “What’s with all the questions?”
Fuck, Ethan mentally cursed. He really didn’t want to answer Tyler’s question and thanked whatever deity out there paying attention when the DJ put on Rihanna’s song “Work,” which happened to be his new favorite song. He hurriedly placed the empty glass he was holding in his hand down and easily moved Tyler’s arm that still had him against the bar, and danced his way once again over to the dance floor, losing himself in the music.
** ** ** ** **
CHAPTER TWO
Tyler Hamilton was having a shitty day, no make that week. First, he had to deal with a situation of chasing down an arms dealer all the way to the Middle East. His direct orders from Seekers were that they wanted their man dead or alive. Tyler went with the first option, not by his choice of course. Second, after leaving the Middle East, he got stuck in Virginia due to the plane’s mechanical failure and couldn’t get another flight out right away. The only highlight had been a call from his brother Lucas asking him to fly to Las Vegas to ensure the deal on a new purchase for a casino and hotel was finalized.
The owner selling him the casino and hotel wanted more money than what the property was currently worth. After the completed renovations, that he and his brother would make, the property would be worth more if they decided to sell. Tyler had seen the place’s potential three years ago. The building was located not too far from one of the other clubs he owned, and it would be the perfect place to promote his other properties. The deal had taken longer than he expected, which frustrated him, but now he had the weekend to clear his mind before heading back to New York.
Tyler could retire at his age, thanks to the wise investments he’d made in Vegas and other places. But loved the thrill of the chase, so to speak. Tyler smiled as he thought about his skilled ability to know how to work a deal and get exactly what he wanted. His father and Lucas had coined him the nickname ‘the shark’ when it came to business, because he refused to bend on what he wanted and when he saw a weakness in his opponent he took it.
As one of the Vice Presidents of Hamilton Enterprise, he was able to take time for himself and travel, especially when working for Seekers. Tyler loved working with Lucas and his father at Hamilton Enterprise, but he also liked gaining his own notoriety in the financial and business world. That included buying property in his name and planning for his future, so if he ever decided to stop working at Hamilton Enterprise he had a few backup plans.
He understood Christen’s need to do things his way and on his terms, even though Tyler thought his brother changing his last name to succeed in the medical field was a bit over the top. However, he supported his little brother’s goals, because that was the kind of big brother he was. Tyler was not the only one who thought that either, Lucas felt the same way. They had talked about it on many occasions.
Tyler loved what he did at Hamilton Enterprise and working for a secret organization like Seekers was an added bonus, as was training alongside the military. He was a skilled fighter in hand to hand combat and many other forms of martial arts.
The only one who was aware of Seekers was the President. The group was sanctioned in one of the earlier wars back in the 1800’s under a different name and later disbanded, only to be restarted about thirty-five years ago. Seekers operatives worked undercover and silently took out their targets. At his age, Tyler’s had to kill a few men because of his association with the Seekers organization. Not all of the criminals he chased down were terrorists, some were drug dealers, and low-key mob bosses. He’d also worked with other government agencies to bring criminals to justice.
Working with Seekers had also given him credibility with military veterans and wounded soldiers who simply needed a new start. He and Lucas started a small security company based out of New York and had already employed a few veterans to work security at Hamilton Enterprise, his club, and the new hotel and casino that would open next year. They had even turned over the managing of the security firm to their friend, Silas Porter, who had been wounded in his leg while serving in Afghanistan.
He was appreciative to his friends and business partners, who gave him the opportunity to be in more than one place at a time. Clearing his mind, he walked into Oracle, another property he owned with his friend Charlie Westgate, who ran the club’s day-to-day operation.
He and Charlie had been college roommates and business majors. Ever since college, Charlie had wanted to open his own club. He came up with a sound business plan to open a club in one of the largest tourist spots. Las Vegas. He and Charlie co-owned three clubs; Oracle, Essance, and Diviant.
Making his way over to the bar, skirting by the dance floor, Tyler smiled at the crowd clamoring for the bartenders, trying to order their drinks. He didn’t regret going into business with Charlie. Business was booming and Tyler couldn’t be happier. He got closer to the bar and stopped when he noticed a body, he was very familiar with, like the back of his fucking hand.
Ethan ‘sexy-as-fuck’ Beaumont.
Ethan was his brother’s best friend and the bane of Tyler’s lust and infatuation. At thirty years old, Tyler acknowledged that he shouldn’t have schoolboy crushes, but he couldn’t help it; there was something about Ethan that made him feel like a little kid, picking fights just so that the other man would notice him. Admittedly, though, he was not ready to enter into a committed relationship with anyone, not even Ethan. Call him a slutty bastard, but Tyler felt he was still too young to settle down, not when there were so many gorgeous men and women in the world. Why stop at just one?
What were the odds that he and Ethan would bump into each other in Vegas, at his club no less? One in a million, considering that he himself was not supposed to be in Vegas at the moment. He watched Ethan and Charlie talk to each other, wondering what their conversation was about.
Their conversation looked intimate, and Ethan threw his head back and laughed at something funny that Charlie said. There was also an easy smile on Charlie’s face, which Tyler had seen him use on many guys back in college and that only meant one thing. He knew how flirtatious his friend could be and knew exactly what happened after his friend got what he wanted. With any other person, Tyler wouldn’t have cared, but with Ethan he didn’t like it.
He and Charlie were the same somewhat. The only difference was Tyler didn’t lead his bed partners on. He told them what he was all about from the beginning; that one, maybe two nights was all they could have together and no hard feelings in the end.
Ethan laughed once again, and Tyler could have sworn he heard it louder than the beat of the music playing. He knew the sweet sounds of Ethan’s laughter, and he could imagine the sparkle in Ethan’s brightly colored eyes.
Tyler wondered why Ethan would be in Las Vegas and if he was alone. The last he had heard, from a very pissed off Christen, Ethan was engaged to marry some schmuck, who no one in the family had met yet. Ethan’s body language didn’t scream “I’m-taken-so-back-the-fuck-off” and it piqued his curiosity. Ethan and Christen were close enough to be brothers. His mother, Marilyn, took to him the first time Ethan was introduced to the family. She saw Ethan as her son in all but blood. But Tyler had never seen Ethan as his brother.
Images of me fucking and having Ethan begging for pleasure are not thoughts one would have for a brother.
Tyler was well aware that his mother was worried about Ethan and tried to smother him the way she did with him, Lucas, and Christen. He found her smothering endearing and annoying at the same time. Ethan on the other hand, soaked up all of the attention she bestowed on him.
Tyler sighed; he was getting annoyed watching Charlie trying to ease his way into Ethan’s pants. And Ethan certainly didn’t seem to mind. The desire to get drunk and find someone to warm his bed for the night was all but forgotten. Slowly, he walked up, extending his arms, and sandwiching Ethan between himself and the bar. Sweat and an earthy scent, with a small hint of alcohol, wafted under his nose, that could only be attribut
ed to Ethan.
He leaned in and whispered in Ethan’s ear. “Fancy seeing you here.” That was the first time he had ever made such a bold, though admittedly small, move on Ethan. Tyler found it cosmically funny that two people that lived in the same state and never saw each other, unless Ethan was with Christen, were in the same place at the same time.
Tyler mentally admitted that Ethan had a way of bringing out certain unexplained feelings in him, feelings that usually resulted in them snapping at each other. It might appear to everyone in his family that Tyler could not stand to be around Ethan, but it couldn’t be anything further from the truth. He wanted Ethan something fierce, but held himself back because he didn’t want to ruin the friendship between his brother and his friend.
But if Ethan ever gives me the chance, even for one night, I’m taking it.
Ethan turned around and Tyler held back the gasp threatening to come out. Ethan’s eyes were happily dancing, compared to the last time they saw each other. Tyler remembered they were dulled by whatever was bothering him. Tyler had always loved staring into Ethan’s expressive eyes, filled with so many emotions. He assumed that the reason for his sadness was that Ethan was thinking about his father; it was the anniversary of his death.
Tyler had always heard how special their relationship was before James Beaumont died. Ethan was a beautiful and smart man, Tyler had always thought that, and their conversations or arguments always left him with a smile on his face.
Maybe it’s because I’m tired of hiding my attraction?
“Well, well, it’s Tyler Hamilton!” Ethan smiled at him, and Tyler’s inside melted like chocolate. Ethan had an infectious smile, and he couldn’t help the one that pulled at his own lips.
“In the flesh,” Tyler responded, resisting the urge to stare at Ethan’s luscious smiling lips.
He kept his attention so focused on Ethan’s face, that he missed the disappointed look on Charlie’s face. “Well, isn’t this a surprise, what are you doing here?” Ethan asked. Tyler had the strangest feeling that Ethan had known he was standing behind him before he turned around, but did not comment on his suspicion.
“I could ask you the same thing, what are you doing here?” Tyler questioned back, the unspoken question of are you alone was hanging in the air like a big pink elephant.
“What does it look like? I’m having fun, what else.”
He really wanted to know if Ethan’s fiancé was around. The vibes he was getting off the other man screamed otherwise. Tyler mentally scowled at the word fiancé. He’d hidden his attraction to Ethan since the day they met, and he honestly had no idea what he was doing right then. Maybe it was the way Ethan was seductively dressed or seeing Charlie flirt with Ethan, that brought out the jealousy in him.
“Uh huh,” Tyler responded, showing his uncertainty. “Well, are you? Having fun that is?”
“Yes, Charlie has been an excellent host.” Ethan turned around and looked at Charlie, Tyler had completely ignored. But, was still standing behind the bar, watching their interaction.
“That means we did our job, by making you feel welcomed in our little establishment,” Tyler smiled.
“You own the club?” Ethan asked. “I had no idea Hamilton Enterprise was in the clubbing business.”
“They aren’t,” Tyler said, shrugging his shoulders. “This belongs to Charlie and me.” Tyler saw the surprised expression on Ethan’s face. “Surprised?” Tyler questioned.
“A little,” Ethan admitted. “I had no idea you wanted to do things on your own. I thought you worked for Hamilton Enterprise.”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me,” Tyler said, leaning closer to Ethan. But I’m willing to show you everything and more. Tyler inhaled Ethan’s sweet and intoxicating scent, he closed his eyes briefly. Tyler opened his eyes, and noticed that was Charlie watching him with envious eyes. Friends or not, Tyler would not allow Ethan to be one of Charlie’s conquests. But do I want him to be one of mine? Tyler abruptly pulled away from Ethan stunned by his internal thoughts.
Step away, man, you’re flirting with an engaged man.
Tyler was about to back away, remembering that he was treading on dangerous territory. He had been keeping his distance all along, and had to ask himself why should he change now, but stopped when he saw Ethan’s eyes travel up and down his body, admiring him appreciatively.
Tyler raised and eyebrow before asking, “See, something you like?”
It surprised him how well they were getting along, usually within seconds of being in the same room with each other they would be at each other’s throats.
They struck up a small conversation, Tyler asking questions about whether Ethan was having a good time. He saw the surprise on Ethan’s face when he found out that Tyler owned Oracle. It shouldn’t have bothered him that Ethan, along with everyone else, believed that he wanted to continue to stand in his father and brother’s shadows. Tyler followed orders, yes, but he wasn’t a robot and could also think for himself.
He didn’t want to question why he felt Ethan should be the one to see him differently. He had always made sure that he kept his attraction hidden from Ethan and everyone they associated with. Tyler was aware that Ethan was speaking to him, but all he really wanted to know was if Ethan was there alone or not. He felt the need to stake his claim Ethan as his, even if it was for one night.
“Do I finally get to meet the elusive fiancé I have heard so much about?” Tyler asked, cutting off whatever Ethan was saying.
Ethan hummed not clarifying his answer. “Buy me a drink, Tyler.”
Tyler raised an eyebrow and looked at the empty glass in Ethan’s hand. “Haven’t you had enough?” The person standing before him was not the Ethan he knew. He hadn’t yet decided if that was a good or bad thing. He also didn’t miss the fact that Ethan had evaded his question by playing coy.
“Not nearly enough,” Ethan muttered. “I came here to have fun and let loose,” he said a bit louder.
“Where is your fiancé, shouldn’t he be the one buying you a drink?” Tyler questioned, not letting Ethan distract him no matter how sexy he looked tonight.
“You're no fun,” Ethan pouted. “What’s with all the questions?”
God, he is cute, Tyler thought to himself. Is it alright to call a grown man cute?
He was about to reply with a sarcastic remark, but held his tongue when Ethan’s eyes widened and sparkled brighter to the beat of the song that blasted throughout the club. He felt Ethan’s hips began to move in rhythm with the beat. Before he could say anything Ethan moved his arm smoothly and danced over to the middle of the dance floor.
** ** ** ** **
Tyler watched the way Ethan moved his hips seductively to the beat of the music playing. He had no idea what the lyrics were to the song, but made a mental note to give the DJ a raise. He licked his suddenly dry lips more from his imagined thoughts rather than for moisture. He had never seen Ethan that way before, usually the man was quiet and only voiced his opinion when asked. The way he was dressed had Tyler seeing stars, he was dressed in tight black leather pants. And fuck, who knew Ethan could move his hips that way.
The man is fucking sexy as hell.
Tyler couldn’t help but watch as Ethan hips gyrated and his bubble butt jiggled as he danced to the beat of the music. It could be his wishful desires, but it was as if Ethan was dancing for him, calling to him like a siren calling to a ship.
I always knew he was hiding something under his regular pressed black slacks and button down shirts. Teacher by day, alluring tempter at night.
The black, sleeveless, see-through shirt Ethan was wearing left nothing to the imagination. Tyler wondered how he had missed Ethan’s nipple ring when the man had been standing in front of him.
Where the fuck has this Ethan been hiding all this time? Tyler mused. He found himself drawn and intrigued to both of Ethan’s personalities.
“I take you know him, personally?” Charlie asked, standing behin
d Tyler.
Not taking his eyes off Ethan, he nodded his head. “I sure do. He’s my little brother’s best friend and it depends on what you mean by personally.” Tyler responded.
Charlie grunted, “From the looks of it you two seemed quite cozy.” Tyler didn’t miss the jealous taint in his business partner's voice but didn’t comment on it. He didn’t need to.
Instead, he asked, “How long has he been here?”
“A couple of hours,” Charlie replied. “And before you ask, he’s been alone all night. A couple of guys tried to approach him, myself included. But our efforts have been wasted.”
That answered his question as to whether Ethan came with his fiancé or not.
What the hell is the fucker's name? All I know is that it begins with an S or some shit like that… Sam… Shane… Sean. That’s it, Sean. If Ethan is here, then where the fuck is Sean?
With Christen just moving and starting a new job, it would be hard for him to take off right now even if it was for a weekend of Vegas fun. Well, not until he established himself with his bosses. It would be only a matter of time before his brother won over the staff of the hospital with his electric personality.
Tyler was brought from his musing when another onlooker decided to make a move on Ethan. Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, Tyler pushed away from the bar and quickly stepped up behind Ethan staking his claim by gently putting his hands on the sides of his hips and pulled Ethan’s ass flush against his crotch. Ethan didn’t fight him and easily pressed his back against Tyler’s chest. Ethan rested his head on Tyler’s shoulder while continuing his seductive dance. Tyler found his rhythm and moved his hips in tandem to Ethan’s. He wrapped his arms around Ethan’s waist, pulling the other man closer to him, leaving no room between them.
Tyler buried his face in the side of Ethan’s neck, fully taking in his scent. Perspiration, alcohol, and a whole lot of Ethan. He was so turned on by the way the other man felt in his arms, he didn’t want to let him go. Ethan reached up with one hand and cupped the back of Tyler's head, putting his face deeper into his neck. He couldn’t help it, the tip of his tongue peeked out, lightly tasting Ethan’s sweaty flesh.
Loving You: Mpreg Romance (My One-Night Stand Series Book 2) Page 3