A mortified look passed over Cam’s face. His lips parted, but he didn’t speak.
Jeremy nodded once. “Exactly.”
Cam placed his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder and rested it there for several moments before he rejoined Brandon and everyone else in the living room.
As Jeremy plucked on the strings, he reflected on the array of feelings tugging on his heart. Why didn’t he know that Alan was opposed to marriage? They knew everything about one another – or so he thought. Now he questioned what else he’d been wrong about. His gaze automatically drifted to Alan, who was staring directly back at him.
With is arm over the back of the couch and turned halfway around to face Jeremy, Alan presented a crooked smile and motioned for Jeremy to take the seat next to him.
At first, Jeremy didn’t respond, but he quickly gave in. He placed the instrument back in its case and sat under Alan’s outstretched arm. He debated about whether or not to talk to Alan about his feelings on marriage but decided not to say anything and thanked him again for the thoughtful gift.
The TV was still on, even though no one was really watching it, and Jeremy heard his name mentioned. “Shh,” he told everyone, and raised the volume on the local entertainment show that was playing. Normally, he didn’t bother with celebrity gossip, but there was a photo on the screen behind the hostess that irked the hell out of him. It was a picture of him and Alan with the words, “Marriage? No Way!” across it, and he wanted to hear what the media was saying about them.
“An interview on the red carpet Thursday night confirmed that no marriage plans are pending for America’s number one same-sex rock star couple. Maybe things aren’t as perfect between the two as we’re led to believe. Take a look at what Alan Delgado had to say on the subject. More importantly, note Jeremy Kagan’s reaction to his longtime lover’s opinion on marriage.” The clip of Alan’s now famous “No way!” comment played, and then the camera zoomed in on Jeremy. The smile had dropped off his face the moment Alan blurted out the words, and even Jeremy had to admit he looked like a little boy who just lost his puppy. “On the heels of that tidbit,” the hostess continued, “last night in Albuquerque, a fan claimed that Alan Delgado had invited him aboard Bulletproof’s tour bus as he was escorted away by security. Was it a fan? Or maybe it really was a love interest. You decide.”
“What the fuck?” Alan got to his feet. “Jeremy, turn this bullshit off.”
“Shh!” Jeremy raised his hand to quiet Alan. He was riveted to the TV screen as the incident with the guy at the tour bus had been caught on someone’s iPhone and replayed for the world. It punched Jeremy in the gut. He knew the media was twisting what happened, but he fucking hated that they made it seem as if their relationship was a façade and implied that Alan was cheating on him. He knew it wasn’t true, but he still felt humiliated. People, maybe even family, would now be questioning their relationship. It was the first time the media tried to stir things up or portray them in a bad way. Paparazzi had always been behind Alan and Jeremy’s relationship and touted them as fully devoted to one another, so this dig hit Jeremy exceptionally hard.
Alan grabbed the remote and clicked off the power while the clip was still playing. “Don’t fucking listen to that. You know it’s all bullshit.”
The off-set jaw and smirk remained on Jeremy’s face, but he nodded. Everything was still too fresh, and seeing it played across the screen, so soon after both incidents took place, felt like a knife twisting in his chest. It hurt to watch the media insinuate that Alan didn’t care and that he wasn’t fully committed.
“Hey,” Alan said softly, wrapping his arm around Jeremy’s neck. “I love you. You. No one else.”
Tightness clogged Jeremy’s throat and made it hard to speak, but his expression gave away everything he was feeling. He never could hide his emotions and knew that he was all doe-eyed and had wavy lines across his forehead. He found himself wrapped in a bear hug, almost crushed by Alan’s big guns.
“I’m going to make this up to you,” Alan said, his lips against Jeremy’s ear.
“There’s nothing to make up. I get it. You don’t want to get married. It’s not a big deal. And I know that guy was just trying to sneak onto the bus. I know you didn’t invite him. I trust you. It’s just fucked up to watch it spun like that on national TV.”
Alan pulled back but kept Jeremy’s face cupped in his hands. “I’m going to show you how much I love you.”
Jeremy displayed a lighthearted smile. “Are you going to buy me another bass guitar? Because I heard John Entwistle’s zebra wood Alembic bass is up for auction.”
Alan smiled. “I’m going to do a lot better than that.” With his hands still on Jeremy’s cheeks, he placed the softest kiss on Jeremy’s mouth.
Whatever emotions were going through Jeremy’s head immediately disappeared, and his heart took over. A mere kiss from this man reduced him to a quivering mess, and every inch of him sizzled for more.
Taking hold of his hand, Alan led Jeremy to the bedroom. The guys snickered in the background like teenagers, but neither one of them cared. In that moment, it was just the two of them sharing a bond like no one else in the world. Maybe it was because they’d been inseparable since they were boys and as close as two people could be. Whatever the reason, they always seemed to know what the other wanted and needed. Alan had known that Jeremy craved that extra bit of romance the last few days, just like Alan knew he needed some extra loving right now.
Once in the bedroom, they stripped their clothes off and ripped the covers off the bed. They climbed on top of it and lie side by side so they could face one another. They didn’t talk about what was broadcasted on the TV or any lingering doubts that Jeremy may have, and Alan didn’t apologize again. They simply reveled in each other’s body and the love they shared.
They stroked each other, while Alan peppered tiny kisses over Jeremy’s neck and chest. Jeremy rolled onto his back as Alan’s mouth moved lower. Every touch of his hands and every feathery dusting of his lips drove the heat of desire through Jeremy’s blood. When Alan engulfed his shaft with a succulent draw, Jeremy exhaled a shuddering breath. Strong hands worked their way under Jeremy’s hips and touched him in all the right places, causing Jeremy to cry out.
Alan’s lips and tongue continued to drive furious sensations into Jeremy’s bottom, and soon he was begging for deeper contact. After Alan prepped him with lubrication, his thick shaft made an entrance. They made love facing one another. Watching one another. With each slick thrust, their breaths and moans deepened. Their bodies worked together, creating a rhythm that only the two of them shared.
Jeremy climaxed first, which is what he preferred. Once he came down from his own mountain of bliss, he was free to ride the wave with Alan. As he watched those gorgeous silver eyes deepen with pleasure and Alan’s dark brows crinkle as he crossed the threshold, Jeremy knew that this man belonged to him, mind, body, and soul.
Over the next two days, the media hype about their relationship actually seemed to die down instead of exploding. Jeremy constantly checked the band’s social media accounts, expecting a flurry of bad press, but found that the fans were one hundred percent behind them. Both journalists who tried to start trouble were blasted for insinuating that Jeremy and Alan’s relationship was anything less than true blue. Fans vouched for Alan’s integrity and ordered dudes to stop trying to cause trouble. Through it all, Jeremy and Alan’s status as America’s number one rock star couple stood strong.
Jeremy placed his phone down on the dining room table next to his plate and sighed happily.
“Everything still OK?” Alan asked, as he picked up his burger. “Did the paparazzi stop trying to undermine my undying devotion to you?”
“Yeah.” Jeremy smiled playfully. “Your reputation remains untarnished.”
Alan wiped his brow, feigning relief. “Thank God. I thought I was going to have to spring for that John Entwistle bass after all.”
A small laugh left Jeremy
’s throat. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” He thumbed through the feed on his phone. “There might be one or two bottom-feeders spreading lies on here.”
One of the bedroom doors inside of the hotel suite flew open with a bang, and Derek ran into the living room. He jumped onto the coffee table and did a happy dance, complete with a full-body shimmer.
Everyone stopped eating and turned in his direction.
“You’re in a good mood,” Brandon commented. “Did you smell lunch?”
“This is better than lunch!” Derek hopped off the coffee table and threw his arms up toward the ceiling. “Travis is finally here! Woo hoo!” He grabbed an onion ring off one of the plates in the center of the dining room table and quickly consumed it. “He’s downstairs. I’m going to meet him at the elevator.” Then he ran out of the hotel suite.
Cam leaned over his chair and looked toward the door. “Did he just run into the hallway in nothing but his underwear?”
“At least he’s wearing underwear,” Brandon commented.
Seconds later, happy shouting erupted in the hallway. Both Derek and Travis’ voices could be heard laughing and exchanging over-enthusiastic greetings.
Jeremy chuckled. “There’s two of them now.” Derek and Travis were as alike as two people could be, and as different as two people could be. They were double trouble and thrived on adventure. One was crazier than the other, and they were two of the biggest foodies on the planet. That, and music, is where their similarities ended. Derek was outgoing and a complete extrovert, while Travis was often shy and quiet and sometimes lost in his own head. He was sweet and sensitive, but also harbored rebellion for authority.
“Make room at the table!” Derek announced, entering the suite with Travis, their arms around each other. “We’re both starving.”
Travis placed his cowboy hat on the couch and immediately bent down to pet the dog, who was really happy to see him. She kept trying to give him her tennis ball but pulled it away every time he tried to take it.
Jeremy moved to the opposite side of Alan so Derek and Travis could sit next to one another. The two were starry-eyed and wore the biggest smiles. It reminded Jeremy of when he and Alan first got together, and he couldn’t keep the mushy emotion from his face. He felt guilty for giving Alan a hard time over the past few days, but he was really enjoying the attention. Part of him felt selfish, though, and he wanted to do something nice for Alan. “What do you want for Christmas?”
“You didn’t get my present yet?” Alan asked, surprised. “It’s only a few days away.”
Jeremy met five sets of eyes staring at him from around the table. Six, if he was going to count the dog. “What? You guys all got each other presents already?”
Everyone nodded, and Jeremy felt his cheeks redden. “I’ve been trying to find the perfect gift. What do you want?” he asked Alan. “Something extravagant. You name it, and I’ll buy it.”
Alan raised his brows and smiled brightly as he contemplated the question. “I’ve had my eye on a new Ferrari.”
“You got it,” Jeremy said, without hesitation. “What color?”
Alan waved his hand. “I’m just kidding. I don’t need another car. Besides, I got you something that’s really for the both of us.”
Jeremy was done taking gifts from Alan. “Nah, dude. You’ve totally outdone yourself these last few days, especially with that bass.”
“Too late. She’s already here.”
Alan tapped something into his phone and headed for the door.
“She?” Jeremy asked, leaning his arm over the back of the chair. “If you got me a hooker, you wasted your money. I’m strictly a meat and potatoes kinda guy.”
Alan laughed over his shoulder. “This is one lady you’re gonna love.”
Jeremy turned back to his friends, genuinely confused. “What the hell is he talking about?”
Cam couldn’t contain his smile. “You’ll see.” He had Brandy on her leash, which he never did, and she suddenly started barking.
“Here she is!” Alan announced, walking into the dining room with a beautiful Golden Retriever on a pink lead.
Jeremy was on his knees in an instant, petting the blonde dog. “Whose dog is this?”
“Ours. Merry Christmas, baby! Do you like her?”
Jeremy jumped to his feet. “Are you serious? You got us a dog?”
“Yep.”
Jeremy’s heart was soaring, and tears suddenly filled his eyes. He was so happy and didn’t know who to hug first – Alan or the dog. He hugged Alan. “Thank you. I love her.” His voice cracked, and he fell to the floor to hug the dog. “What’s her name?”
“It’s Maggie. But we can change it. I think the rescue place gave her that name.”
“Rescue?”
Alan nodded. “Cam helped me locate some rescue places, and I found one who said they had the sweetest Golden. She’s only about a year old, but they said she has house manners and is calm and mostly trained. She sounded perfect.”
Jeremy gulped. “She is. Hi, Maggie. We’re your new people, and we’re going to give you everything.” He noticed that there was a young woman standing several feet behind Alan. “Who’s this?”
“Justine. She’s a dog nanny. She came highly recommended with excellent references. I thought we could use a little help until Maggie gets acclimated to our crazy schedule.”
“A dog and a nanny? This is the best Christmas ever!”
Brandy started whining and Maggie’s ears perked up. “Do you want to meet Brandy?” Jeremy asked her.
“They actually met already,” Alan admitted. “I needed to make sure they got along, since we’ll be sharing a tour bus and the suite with both dogs.”
Cam unclipped Brandy’s leash, and the two dogs ran around the living room chasing each other like old friends.
“Look at them!” Jeremy didn’t think he could smile any wider. “I love her!” He turned to Alan. “I love you. Thank you.”
They didn’t have much time to bond with Maggie since Bulletproof had a show that night and needed to head to the venue for sound check. But she slept in bed between Alan and Jeremy when they got back to the hotel, while they listened to Derek and Travis getting it on for most of the night.
The next morning, they headed to Vegas. “Ready for your first ride on the tour bus?” Jeremy asked Maggie. She let out a happy bark, and Brandy joined in.
“That’s right, girl.” Cam patted Brandy on the shoulder. “You can show her the best places to sleep.”
The two dogs sprawled out side by side on one of the lower bunks and napped for most of the five-hour ride, while the guys continued with their poker game from a few nights ago. When the tour bus pulled into Sin City, Alan and Jeremy were the big winners. “I think we should hit the casino,” Jeremy told Alan, as soon as they checked into the penthouse suite at the Four Seasons. “I think we should capitalize on this winning streak.”
“In a bit,” Alan replied.
Maggie immediately jumped onto the couch, as if right at home. Brandy pranced up to her with a tennis ball in her mouth and dropped it in between Maggie’s paws, then hopped onto the couch next to her. It was the sweetest thing to see how well the two dogs got along. “Aw,” Jeremy placed his hand over his heart. “They love each other.”
“Good girl, Brandy.” Cam praised his dog and patted her lovingly on the head. “You have a friend now.”
Jeremy rested his head on Alan’s shoulder, love filling his heart. “Thank you for her. Seriously, you got a lifetime of free passes, so feel free to act like a dick. Anytime.”
Alan chuckled and placed a kiss on Jeremy’s head. “I’ll remember that. And I’ll start now. I gotta run back to the bus. I forgot my toiletry bag.”
“Why not have Felix send someone to get it?”
“I’m trying to give the guy a break. I got security,” Alan reassured.
Derek went with Alan, and Brandon and Cam took Brandy for a walk, so it was just Jeremy and Travis in the
suite with Maggie.
“So where’s that Hugh Manson bass I’ve been hearing so much about?” Travis asked.
Jeremy retrieved the guitar case, which was against the wall next to their overnight bags, and handed the shiny purple instrument to Travis. “Check it out.”
Travis sat on the couch and inspected every inch of it. He played a few chords, and then he asked Jeremy to play something.
Thirty minutes must have gone by before Jeremy realized that he’d been playing nonstop, fully absorbed in utilizing the custom features of the one-of-a-kind bass. “Sorry,” he told Travis. “I could play this thing for hours. I didn’t think anything could top it.” He leaned down and kissed Maggie on the head and hugged her. “Until this girl showed up. She’s the best gift in the world.” When he looked up, Travis had a crazy smile on his face. “What?”
“You’re in for the shock of your life.” Travis pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?”
“Alan has something special planned. I’ve been keeping you busy while he and the guys got it ready.” Travis was beaming. “You’re going to be blown away. It’s just down the hall. Maggie can come with us.”
A Bulletproof New Year (The Holiday Collection Book 2) Page 4
