by Lyn, Viki
A convenient way to look at things, but even if Graham didn’t have a personal stake in Gossipy!, Chris believed he had a moral obligation. “You should fire the editor for allowing articles that aren’t based in fact.”
Graham leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table. “Really? That would be your wise advice? Winter Media is one of the largest privately owned companies in the nation. I have the board to answer to, and I doubt they would be fine with me shutting down a magazine that makes money. It’s the bottom line that concerns me, not people’s reputations. I can’t help that people behave like idiots.”
Chris clenched his hands so hard his fingernails bit into his skin. He knew his anger was unpredictable and explosive but when he was face-to-face with someone who could make real change in the world…
“What’s eating you?” Graham’s voice was surprisingly gentle. “Spit it out.”
Chris let out his breath and worked hard not to flinch. Graham’s eyes were kind and not the eyes of a money-grubbing asshole. But Graham thought it was okay to trash other people for profit.
Chris’s anger resurfaced. “It’s business, not personal. Is that it? But what about the people you ruined? It’s fucking personal to them. If something is printed enough times, people believe it whether it’s the truth or not. Look at how we now have ‘alternative facts’ and fake news as everyday occurrences. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“I have over fifty magazines, three network stations, and several newspapers. I can’t oversee the details of every acquisition I purchase.”
“That doesn’t make it right.” Chris’s jaw twitched and he rubbed the slight tremor as he tried lassoing his temper. Why couldn’t Graham see that owning Gossipy! betrayed his integrity and brought him down to the lowest level of humanity? And this didn’t even cover purchasing the anti-gay Freedom Press.
Chris crumpled his napkin into a tight ball. “Gossipy! promotes bullying.”
“Come on. You’re overreacting.”
“You’ve never been bullied, have you? For being different, gay, or just because you can’t catch a softball. Look at you. You probably were the captain of the football team.”
Graham narrowed his eyes, his foot tapping furiously on the floor. “If something is working, I leave it alone. I’m giving the public what they want.”
“That’s bullshit.” Chris wasn’t letting him get away with platitudes. “You have a moral obligation to do good things with your money. But instead, you sink to the lowest common denominator. Do you even know how many other publications you own that spew out hate?”
“Your accusation isn’t fair. I’ve worked my butt off for five years, bringing back Winter Media from ruin.” Graham face was flushed, his chest caving in then out. “I’ve stuffed myself back in the closet because of my Neo-Con family, had nightmares of laying people off. People who desperately needed their jobs to support their families. The weight of responsibility is unbearable at times. Yeah, I own a sleaze magazine for profit. So sue me.”
Chris’s anger fizzled seeing the hurt in Graham’s eyes. Graham had a right to his lifestyle choices. Chris had gone too far, accusing him without knowing the full story. He gentled his voice hoping to salvage the evening. “That’s why you’re in the closet? To protect your company?”
“It’s easier that way.”
“Easier isn’t always better, but I understand.”
Graham downed the last of his wine and then poured himself another glass. “Can we agree to disagree and move on? I’d like to enjoy the rest of my meal.”
“I’m really sorry. Sometimes my temper gets the better of me. But this is an emotional button for me. I feel it’s important as a gay man to speak out against injustice and be a role model. That’s why my dads created Equality Acceptance Now. EAN for short. They expected me to carry on their mission.”
Graham breathed out a sigh. “Okay, I get it. So what does this organization do exactly?”
“We promote and support critical issues that affect the LBGTQ community. State by state. We make the public aware of anti-gay legislation and their supporters.”
On the tip of Chris’s tongue was Freedom Press, but he held back. He’d already caused a scene between them; several diners were eyeing them with curiosity. The uneasy truce had them traveling across a minefield. So much for keeping his mouth shut.
Graham’s gaze darted toward the view. When he focused back on Chris, he wasn’t smiling. “Sounds like a worthwhile cause.”
Go easy on the poor man. Not everyone is a spitfire like you.
Chris inwardly winced at Bob’s words humming in his ear. Pete and Bob had taught him how to compromise with compassion instead of his fiery temper that resulted in verbal fists.
The waiter placed their entrees on the table, giving Chris the break he needed to cool his head. From Graham’s rigid posture he knew he’d gone too far and he hadn’t been fair. “Hey, really, I’m sorry for dismissing you like that. You’re right. I know nothing about you.”
“Then let’s change that. And, apology accepted.” Graham poured wine into Chris’s glass. When he set down the bottle, he picked up his own wineglass. “A toast to a truce between us.”
Chris gladly clinked glasses with Graham, happy that Graham was gracious enough for both of them.
* * *
After agreeing to a truce, they shared a pleasant meal together. They stayed with neutral subjects, and Graham found they had much in common despite Chris’s apparent dislike of the media. Once Chris got off his platform, Graham enjoyed the rest of the evening, despite the guilt gnawing at him, guilt because Chris’s accusations hit Graham in the gut. Then there was the exhilaration of being with a man who totally threw him off center, frustrating him one minute, exciting him the next. More than anything, he wanted to kiss Chris’s full lips that fascinated him in all of their expressions.
Once Graham retired to his room, he dressed in gray sweats and lounged on the bed with the balcony doors open. The sound of the waves colliding against the cliffs lulled him into assessing the temperamental owner. Chris had spoken harsh words against him and his morals. Every accusation had torn at his pride.
Maybe Chris had a point in what he’d said about Graham having a moral obligation. He had never stopped long enough to think about what he was doing and why. The heavy responsibility of owning a company had kept him from looking at who he’d become.
Another problem was Chris disliked him. Sure, there was an incredible attraction between them. Even Chris couldn’t hide that fact, but Graham figured that Chris had to respect the guy he was going to fuck.
Not only was the respect issue problematic, but there was also the issue that he had the hots for an activist. Not exactly the best choice for a hook-up when he had to stay on the down low.
Retrieving his laptop, he searched for EAN. Fuck. Chris was the fucking president of the organization. He pulled up the page that listed companies that were against LGBTQ laws and right there in bold letters was Freedom Press. A hard lump formed in his stomach.
He reached for his cell phone on the nightstand. When stifled by a problem, Graham’s course of action was to get information. He pushed a bed pillow behind his back and called Jillian. The voice of reason, she always made him see things clearly. “Hey, is the ship still righted?”
A sleepy voice sharpened into a growl. “Do you know what time it is?”
“Oh yeah, sorry. Forgot about the time change. But you’re a night owl.”
She huffed. “I might’ve had company. Did you think about that?”
“You’re alone, aren’t you?” He smiled into the phone.
“What do you want?”
“I need you to find out what you can about Christopher Katsaros, the owner of Secretus.”
“Ah, wait.”
He heard what sounded like a drawer opening and closing and then a click of a pen. “Okay, go ahead.”
Graham spelled out Chris’s full name and repeated it. “Got that?”
> “Sure but why?”
“He’s the chapter president of Equality Acceptance Now, known as EAN, an organization that monitors anti-gay companies. And that worries me.” He went ahead and explained EAN and their activities to her. “I’m not sure if EAN knows about us buying FP, but Chris could make trouble.”
“Crap. I had no idea. Maybe you should leave?”
“That would be too suspicious. Anyway, we have a date tomorrow. You know the saying, keep your enemies closer.” He tried to come off nonchalant, but Jillian was too tuned in to his true nature.
“You like him! Oh God, Graham. Don’t go there.”
“You’re the one who wanted me to get laid.”
“Yeah, but not with the owner. There has to be a slew of guys to choose from.”
True, but Graham felt that pull of attraction when he was with Chris. A feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He wasn’t willing to give up his pursuit for Chris’s affections. “I’ll tread with care. And besides, if he likes me, then he won’t out me. That’s not what EAN stands for anyway. They are into gay rights, not outing people without their permission.”
Guilt nudged at him that he might have inadvertently outed others through owning Gossipy!. Or at least that was what Chris had implied.
“I’ll call tomorrow.” Jillian yawned into the phone. “I need my beauty sleep.”
“Thanks. Oh, and you’ll get a nice present when I return.”
“Better a raise.”
Graham lay back into the pillows and pulled the comforter over him. The house settled for the night—an animal scampered over the roof, waves crashed against the cliffs, an owl hooted. Sounds he never heard in the city. Peaceful, but Graham couldn’t slow down his thoughts.
If he chose to come out, it would ruin his chances of acquiring Freedom Press. He had a financial obligation to the family board. Graham’s father had left the company in his hands, despite his uncles’ protests. This trust meant the world to Graham, who had coveted his father’s approval for most of his life.
But would his father have been proud of Graham if he had known about his sexuality? Graham would never know the answer. His sexuality butted against his family’s values. Always had. Always would. Maybe it was time to step out of his father’s shadow and become his own man.
7
A pine-needle-strewn path led to a vintage cabin that Chris had converted into a sanctuary, complete with electricity, bathroom, and living area with comfortable chairs and a community table used for EAN meetings and the occasional dinners with intimate friends. When he was confused about an issue, he’d squirrel away in his man cave, lounging in his favorite overstuffed chair with a good book.
That’s where he found himself in the morning, thinking about Graham Winter. Nothing about Graham—masculine and robust—was pretty. ’And that was why Chris had to tread with care. He liked men that were opposite of him in every way. A warm body he could be wrapped in, where he’d feel safe and secure. Daddy issues they’d say, but fuck, that’s what he liked in a man. Not that he ever found anyone that gave him these things.
There were so many reasons why pursuing a fling with Graham was wrong. The man was a closet case and supported organizations that hurt the gay community. And Graham would leave Chris’s heart on the floor.
Yeah, three very compelling reasons.
Last night he’d been too wound up to sleep. Too horny and pent-up from spending time with a man he found so fucking attractive despite the negatives.
“I hope you finally got some last night?”
Chris slapped his hand over his heart as Honda materialized in the doorway. Almond-shaped eyes peered at Chris as full lips twitched into a grin. Not only was Honda uniquely stunning with his mixed Swedish and Japanese heritage, but his best friend had a kind heart. So many times he’d kept Chris from falling down the rabbit hole from overthinking about things.
Honda smirked. “I thought I’d find you here.”
“Shit, don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“You were deep in thought.”
“Did you find out anything about the reservation?” Honda had designed the resort’s reservation software. Chris hoped his tech wizard had some answers. “Did the program hiccup?”
A golden brow lifted. “My programs are fail-proof. It had to be human error. Josh probably forgot to add Graham’s name into the system.”
“Just amuse me, okay. Check it out. Make sure this won’t happen again.”
“Well”—a slow smile slid across Honda’s face—“if I get to work with Josh, then I’ll make an exception.”
Chris rolled his eyes. Honda had been crushing on the manager since Josh came to work for Secretus. “Forget about him. He’s not interested in quickies.”
“Yeah. I guess. Most of the time your gorgeous manager ignores me.” Honda stabbed his thumb into his chest. “Me! Can you imagine?”
“Keep your pecker in your pants. I need my manager happy, not pining over you after you drop him like last year’s computer. Not that he would go out with you. You’re not his type.”
Honda’s eyes grew impossibly round. “Did he say that? Did he tell you he wasn’t into me?”
Now it was Chris’s turn to grin. “You don’t come up in conversation. Only when we have an issue with our computers.”
Honda picked up one of the pens littering the table. Then he pointed the tip at Chris. “Yeah, you a-hole. Anyway, you never told me what happened last night. And how gorgeous he is. Winter might be an asshole, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fuck him.”
“How do you—”
“Went to the house first. He answered the door. I had to scrape my tongue off the floor. What a surprise when I found out he’s shacked up with you.”
Chris turned the page of his book, but his friend’s gaze burned into him.
“Did I just see you blush?” Honda perched his tight butt on the arm of Chris’s chair. “Hey, you did the dirty. Top or bottom?”
“Shit if I’d tell you. And we didn’t do anything. I don’t just jump into bed with someone. Like you.”
“You’re young and gay. Now’s the time to experiment. Try out the merchandise. See what you like.”
Chris shook his head. “You talk big, but if Josh asked you out, you’d faint.”
“We’re not talking about me. At least let the dude blow you, man. Something. Anything.”
Chris jerked in his seat. The image of Graham on his knees sucking him off raced blood to his cock.
“Holy shit. I hit a nerve!”
“I don’t like him.” Chris gritted his teeth. “He’s a pain in the ass who demanded a room.”
“Thou dost protest too much.” Honda’s eyes sparkled. “Then can I have him?”
Honda would be the kind of guy Graham would go for—fun to be around, sex for sex sake, no strings attached. No, no way did Chris feel the stirrings of jealousy. Graham had every right to go out with Honda, but he was not going to encourage it.
“He’s a guest. Until then, hands off.”
Honda pouted beautifully. “He’s too yummy to waste.”
“Who’s too yummy to waste?” Josh stood at the door with one foot over the threshold, waiting for permission to enter. He looked good wearing the resort uniform of khaki pants and a white shirt with the Secretus logo embroidered in gold thread.
Chris waved him over. “Hey, Josh. Come in.”
Josh turned to Honda, sporting his secret weapon, his hundred-watt smile.
Chris chuckled, seeing Honda step back as if blinded by a radiant light. “Better close your mouth, Honda, or you might swallow a fly.”
Josh patted Honda’s back. “Are you here because of the glitch?”
Honda shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. The flirty tongue turned into a tangled one. “Ah…the what?”
Enjoying Honda’s discomfort, Chris decided to dish on more shit. “You know, Honda, the software bug. The one you’ll need to fix because of your mistake.”
/> Josh frowned. “So it’s in the program. That can cause problems. Honda, can you fix it? It’ll be a mess if this happens again.”
Honda glared at Chris. “I never said that it was a bug.”
“Then I suggest you work with Josh, closely.”
Oh yeah. Chris had never seen Honda turn quite that shade of red.
“The confirmation could have been forged,” Josh said, either ignoring the sexual overtones or not processing it. “I checked the system, and Graham Winter wasn’t listed.”
Chris ran his hand through his hair. Besides Honda, only Chris and Josh had the password to get into the program. A disturbing thought was beginning to form in his mind. “Do you think someone hacked in?”
With an elegant shrug, Honda nodded. “Anything’s possible, but why?”
Josh looked from Honda to Chris. “It’s not like we’re high profile or a dating service. And Graham’s name is the only one missing from the register.”
Chris picked at his thumbnail. “Doesn’t seem likely. It’s just…odd.”
“Not if our hacker is trying to get some juicy gossip,” Honda suggested. “Eligible bachelor’s who are in the closet, like that NFL star who’s lounging at the sauna right now.” Honda fanned his face. “What a bod.”
The thought of Secretus’s guests being harassed soured Chris’s stomach. “My dads were so careful in keeping a low profile, making a place where guests felt comfortable. I know that was years ago, but not everyone is out and proud.”
“I don’t think it was a hacker. Human error, most likely,” Honda assured Chris. “Don’t get worked up over it.”
“Come on,” Josh said to Honda as he headed toward the door. “Let’s leave Chris in peace. He rarely has time to himself. Let’s use the computer in my office. Maybe you can find the problem. It’s best we don’t speculate and get worked up over nothing.”
“Yeah, great!” Honda’s enthusiasm was evident. He zeroed in on Chris. “Remember what I said about Graham.”
Chris flipped Honda off.
Their voices grew faint as Josh and Honda left for the office.
