A Rumored Affair

by Lyn, Viki

  Chris had spent the last couple of days with his lawyer and staff. Graham had kept his word, and the article was retracted. The social-media frenzy had died down, but Secretus’s reputation was sullied by doubt. Chris had some public-relations work ahead of him, but for tonight he’d set aside his worries.

  Settling out on the balcony, Graham lounged in the settee while Chris opened a bottle of champagne. Loren assured Chris the wine was from an excellent vineyard in France. He poured the champagne into two fluted glasses and handed a glass to Graham. “Here’s to our success in bringing down Gossipy!”

  “And the firing of Jordan Sebastian.” Graham clinked his glass to Chris’s. “I wish I could take back the tweets, but at least the article was retracted. Sebastian insisted there is no Tom Rance who works for him. Or that he sent a journalist to Secretus for a story. He found the story on his desk ready for publication and couldn’t resist.”

  “That’s strange. So the name is an alias.”

  “I’ll get to the bottom of it,” Graham promised.

  “I’m just glad the worst is over. Thanks to you. And Tony.” Chris’s lawyer had been on the phone to Mr. Sebastian soon after Graham had called the editor.

  The sunset cast summery light on the balcony. Sharing the evening together was a bittersweet moment for Chris. A familiar feeling, but this time, he loved Graham without regret.

  “Hey, scoot over.” Chris smiled down at Graham lounging on the settee.

  Graham made room for him. Once Chris sat, he rested his hand on Graham’s thigh. Unlike in his past relationships, he loved touching Graham whenever he could, and he’d miss these quiet moments spent together.

  “Josh wants me to make a statement on our website,” Chris said. “Do you think this is a good idea? Or ignore it and let the ruckus fade?”

  “If what you write is heartfelt, then go for it. Talk about Pete and Bob. How you feel about Secretus and why it’s important to keep your dads’ legacy alive.” Graham rested his head on the backrest and stared up at the sky. “I’m going to miss this place.”

  “You can visit, you know.”

  Graham shifted onto his side and peered at Chris. “Do you want me to?”

  “I never said I didn’t.” Although Chris knew that would never happen. Once Graham settled back into his routine, work would consume him. They had spent only two weeks together. That wasn’t enough time to establish a stable relationship that could withstand living miles apart.

  Graham squeezed Chris’s hand. “And you never answered me about us staying together.”

  He couldn’t honestly answer Graham. He had no idea how to make a long-distance relationship work. Now that Graham was out of the closet, he had the freedom to date openly and without shame. He’d find someone better, who fit in with his extravagant New York lifestyle. He loved Graham too much to hold him back.

  He forced a smile. “Let’s just be for tonight. Your mantra.”

  “That was before I fell in love with you.”

  Just like Graham, open with his emotions, going after what he wanted, full throttle and without regrets. Chris wanted to shout IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou but he wasn’t built that way. “You’re free now. Go out. Date. Have fun, find a great guy.”

  Anger flashed across Graham’s face. “Damnit, Chris. Why say shit like that when I love you?”

  “I can’t do this right now. Please, don’t be angry with me. Not on our last night.” Chris brushed back Graham’s hair then rested his hand on the broad shoulder that had provided so much comfort for him. “I want you, so let’s set aside the future. What do you say?”

  Graham let out a sigh. “You win the battle but not the war. I’m not giving up on you.”

  “Funny boy.” Chris wanted to imprint the feel of Graham under his sheets, the smell of shampoo on his pillow, his back nestled in Graham’s chest after they made love. The best part was being in those strong arms and feeling safe and loved.

  Graham kissed Chris’s hair, his face, his mouth. “You’re going to break my heart, aren’t you?”

  “I want what’s best for you.” That was why Chris was going to take the high road. Graham was better off without him. Once Graham assumed his old life in New York, the memories of what they shared would fade.

  You’re overthinking this, Christopher. Go with your heart, not your head.

  Was sensible Bob telling him this?

  Never mind that Chris cared for Graham or thought he loved him. Chris had never been in love. Crushes yeah, and he’d lusted after guys and dated a few, but Graham was his first serious relationship. Weren’t holiday romances supposed to be short term?

  Chris finished off the rest of his champagne and set the glass down on the coffee table. They had only a few hours before Graham left for the airport. He wanted to make the most of the situation.

  Chris stood and held out his hand. “Let’s do the dirty.” And he’d cherish this night for the rest of his life.

  19

  Graham let himself be pulled up from the comfort of the settee. They faced each other, and then Chris leaned in and kissed him. Those sexy lips felt right. Perfect. Graham wanted Chris to admit they were good together, but in his gut, he knew Chris would do no such thing.

  “Lead the way, then,” Graham said, keeping his shattered heart at bay.

  Graham followed Chris through the glass doors, down the hallway, and into Chris’s bedroom. Once inside, they undressed each other in silence, no words needed between them. Chris pulled back the covers on the bed and then smiled at Graham, inviting him in.

  Chris crawled across the bed and opened the drawer to the nightstand, giving Graham a nice view of his ass. The slender back muscles rippled as Chris reached for the goods. Condoms and lube flew onto the bed.

  A whimper escaped Graham. He stepped closer, needing to touch Chris. Waiting for a sign that Chris was ready for him.

  On his hands and knees, Chris twisted around, and damn, if he didn’t smirk. “I want you inside me.”

  The low growl of Chris’s voice sent a shiver through Graham. He fought back the tears because men weren’t supposed to get emotional over fucking. But this wasn’t fucking. What Graham wanted was Chris’s love.

  Graham tore open the square foil and removed the condom. He snapped it over his erection. Lubing up his dick, he made sure to prepare himself well. “Face me. I want to see your beautiful face.”

  Chris turned onto his back, his eyes so blue and bright. “This better?”

  “Yeah, much better.” Graham traced the curve of Chris’s thigh as he positioned himself between opened legs. He inhaled Chris’s scent and would always think of Chris when he smelled ocean air and pine trees.

  Pulling back on his haunches, Graham asked, “Ready, babe?”

  Chris tilted up his hips. “Always.”

  Graham loved having Chris’s full attention. Part of Graham wanted to take it slowly, but his dick didn’t want to go slow. He reined in his lust and took every precaution to loosen Chris’s sphincter and muscles to ease entry.

  A gasp came from Chris as he clutched the sheet, his legs bent, his hips moving up and down, taking Graham’s fingers deeper into him. In such a short time spent together, Graham had learned how Chris would respond to his touches. Their rhythm was familiar and comfortable. How could Chris walk away from something this good?

  Graham removed his fingers but kept his hand on Chris’s knee. Graham teased Chris’s sphincter with a slight pressure of his cockhead. Then he pushed in with gentle thrusts.

  Chris lifted his hips and took Graham’s cock in deeper. Then he met Graham’s gaze and smiled.

  Graham’s body reacted with a flash of intense heat. That smile did him in. He increased the tempo, gripping Chris’s hips. “You’re fucking sexy.”

  That smile turned wicked, and Chris wrapped his hands around Graham’s neck, lifting slightly, his dick rubbing against Graham’s stomach. The connection they shared was real. From Chris’s raptured expression, Graham knew his lo
ver felt the same, so why couldn’t they stay together?

  Graham faltered. “I love you,” he said with all the love he could convey in those words.

  Tears wetted Chris’s face. He tightened his hold on Graham. “I love you back.”

  Chris’s confession brought Graham to a climax with Chris following right behind. Without letting go, Graham hugged his lover to his chest. This might be the last time he held Chris in such an intimate way. A sharp ache squeezed his heart. He wanted to shout at Chris to listen to reason. They loved each other. That was enough to risk their hearts.

  Instead, Graham swallowed his hurt and kissed Chris’s forehead. Graham turned on his back, grasping Chris’s hand. Tomorrow morning he’d leave, and what would become of them? Nothing had prepared him for finding love. But he had and he’d fucking hate for this to end.

  * * *

  Chris woke up to an empty bed. No Graham, no warmth… He brought up Graham’s pillow and breathed in their mingled scents. Did Graham leave without saying goodbye? Panic made him stumble out from the covers. He struggled into his pajama bottoms and then tripped over his shoes while scrambling out the door.

  Running down the hallway, he heard noises in the kitchen. There he found Graham by the kitchen counter.

  “Hey, I made coffee.”

  Chris rushed over to Graham and kissed him. “For a minute there, I thought you’d left.”

  “You know me better than that. I thought you could use a few more minutes of sleep, that’s all.”

  Right, Graham would never be that cruel. Chris poured himself a cup of coffee. He needed something to hold on to besides clinging to his lover. “When do you have to leave?”

  “Soon. I have no idea how bad the traffic will be.”

  Making small talk like an old married couple hurt more than he imagined. “You’re all packed?”

  “If I left anything behind, I’ll pick it up later.”

  Later. Like there would be a later. Once Graham walked out the door, he would never come back, because everyone that Chris had ever loved discarded him or died. This feeling of abandonment stuck to him like a limpet and he was unable to shake it off.

  Graham stroked Chris’s hair. “You know I hate goodbyes… I gotta go.”

  Chris opened a cabinet door and took down a thermos. His hands shook and his heart had fallen to his toes and stayed there. Graham’s departure was slowly killing him.

  “You’ll need to be fortified for the long journey.” Chris filled the thermos with coffee to give him something to do.

  A smile brightened Graham’s face. “I’ll return it. Promise.”

  For this morning, Chris wouldn’t argue with Graham but nodded in agreement. What could they say to each other that would change things? He lived in California where he belonged and Graham in New York.

  Yet the niggling doubt remained in his mind that somehow they could carve out a relationship even with the distance between them. They were opposites in so many ways, yet Graham understood him better than anyone since Pete and Bob.

  “Hey,” Chris said, hating the awkwardness between them. He was reluctant for their parting. “Are you really okay? You know. About being outed? We never talked about it.”

  “I have some explaining to do when I get home. I’ve lied to a lot of people. But I have you if things get rough.”

  “Yeah, I’m here for you. If you need to talk. Or…” Chris wished his anal personality would take back seat for once but he knew he would let Graham go without telling him how much he really cared.

  Graham picked up one of his suitcases. “I should go.”

  Chris helped carry the rest of Graham’s luggage to the rental car. The time had come. The blue sky failed to lighten Chris’s mood. His steps felt heavy, and his heart carried a pain that would take weeks, maybe months, to heal. He’d barely spent two weeks with Graham, but the impact this man had had on him would be lasting.

  They kissed. Chris closed his eyes and memorized the soft feel of Graham’s lips. He breathed in Graham’s scent while clinging to those wonderful broad shoulders that gave such comfort.

  Graham’s eyes glistened. “I’m not giving up on you.”

  Leave it to Graham to have the last word, but God, Chris hoped this were true.

  Graham got into the car and waved through the window.

  Chris smiled, despite his heart cracking from his anxiety of being alone, again. The red convertible disappeared down the road, thankfully at a slow pace. He laughed, remembering how terrified he’d been driving with Graham on the coast highway. Until he understood that Graham had complete control of his vehicle, Graham being confident in everything he did.

  Watching the car blink out of existence was agony. Chris had thought he could live alone. That he preferred a solitary life. Then Graham walked through his door and irrevocably changed him.

  20

  Jillian ushered the camera crew out of the office while Graham shook hands with the reporter. “When will you be airing this?”

  Ms. Hutton’s toothy smile complemented her youthful face. “Two weeks from today. I’ll let you know the date and time. I must say I was surprised by your call.”

  “Surprised I’m gay or surprised I wanted an interview?”

  Ms. Hutton laughed while batting her mascara-lashed eyes. “Disappointed you’re gay. Surprised you wanted the interview. What you’re doing is very brave. Coming out on national television and taking responsibility for what happened at Secretus.”

  “Not brave. It’s what I need to do to live with myself. And I appreciate your thoughtful questions. I think it went very well.”

  “Good. I’ve wanted to address this issue since forever. So thank you.”

  Graham saw Ms. Hutton to the lobby and then returned to his office. He had met the reporter at one of his mother’s charity events last year. She had seemed eager to prove herself. Wanting to set things right, he’d chosen to expose the truth behind the Twitter debacle and Winter Media’s involvement. Clearing Secretus’s reputation on live TV was vital to Graham sleeping at night.

  This interview was the first of many changes he planned to enforce. He’d already closed Gossipy! until further notice, compensated the staff’s salaries, but forewarned that they should look for new jobs.

  Graham loosened his tie and slunk down in a chair, putting his feet up on the coffee table. He’d meant it when he told the reporter he had no choice but to come clean. Yes, he publically would come out of the closet on national news, but this wasn’t as painful as admitting that he’d promoted agendas that hurt the LGBTQ community.

  Graham rubbed his neck. Freedom Press had foamed at the mouth over his gay status. That deal collapsed, like everything else in his life, but he’d never felt more liberated.

  Jillian beelined for the coffee machine. A minute later, a hot cup of coffee found its way into Graham’s hands. “Drink. You’ll need this for dinner with your mother.” She peered down at Graham. “Are you okay?”

  Graham sighed and then took a sip of coffee. Okay, maybe, but he fiercely missed Chris. Worst of all, Chris hadn’t answered any of Graham’s text messages. Chris must have his reasons for not responding. The debacle with Gossipy! had caused trouble for the man he loved.

  “The gall of Luka Publishing,” Jillian seethed through her teeth. “I’d like to string up their CEO by his balls.”

  Graham shook his head. “I had no idea they were interested in Freedom Press. How did we miss this?”

  “They keep a low profile.”

  Luka Publishing was one of Winter Media’s fiercest competitors. They had paid Tom Rance to snoop around Secretus with the singular purpose of getting the proof and exposing Graham’s sexuality knowing this would collapse Winter Media’s purchasing of Freedom Press.

  Jillian sat with her ankles crossed, balancing a cup of coffee on her lap. “I approve of what you’re doing, no matter the outcome.”

  Graham smiled warmly at his long-time assistant and, more importantly, his friend. �
��I’ll have my mother’s support or not. She usually doesn’t involve herself in the business as long as she’s compensated well.”

  “And if she doesn’t like the changes you plan to make, you think she and the family will cause trouble?”

  Graham shrugged, not too worried about his mother’s interference. She never wanted to be involved in the business, but he had two uncles and a cousin who held a tight rein through their investments and board status. Having his mother’s approval would help immensely in getting the other board members to agree with his changes.

  Jillian tapped her spiked heel, creating a dent in the plush carpet. “What are you going to do about Chris?”

  The first night Graham was home, he’d confessed his love for Chris to Jillian over a bottle of bourbon. It had felt good to talk about Chris to someone who cared. “He’s doesn’t want a long-distant relationship. Or he thinks he doesn’t.”

  “So you’re going to give up? Just like that? You should tell him about the interview.”

  “Hell no, and I don’t want you interfering. He doesn’t need to know. I didn’t do it to get him back.”

  Jillian leaned forward. “Graham, this is the first time I’ve seen you this excited about someone. When you talk about Chris, your face lights up. Are you willing to let him go without a fight?”

  Heat flushed Graham’s face at his transparent feelings. “You make me sound like a love-struck teen.”

  “No, a man in love.”

  Love.

  That was the truth. Graham had fallen in love with Chris. He’d never believed in love at first sight, yet when he’d least expected, love hit him between the eyes. The thought of never seeing Chris was more than he could process. He didn’t want to believe their relationship was over when they were just beginning. But Chris refused to play by Graham’s rules. The man was frustrating, stubborn, and a control freak and the total package that was Chris Katsaros fascinated Graham and kept him interested.