Chapter 8 Vincent
EIGHT
VINCENT
I’ve never been so quick to get out of Above Board before. Several people tried to wave us over to their tables, no doubt curious about the newcomer I brought with me. I owe them all an apology because I ignored them in favor of steering us back toward my apartment.
“You okay going back to my place?” I ask once we’re outside. I’ve already pointed us in that direction, but I don’t want to make any assumptions.
“Sounds good.”
I interlace my fingers with his as we walk down the street. He falls behind for a second as he stares at our hands. “This okay?” I shouldn’t assume he’d be alright with walking down the street like this, as an obvious couple.
“Yeah.” It’s all the response I get back, but it’s enough for me.
It doesn’t take us long to make it back to the coffee shop.
“Wait, why are we back here?” He stares through the window of the closed café, all the chairs stacked neatly on top of the tables for the night.
“I live above it.”
“You live here? Over the coffee shop?”
I shrug. “It’s convenient.”
I’m not sure which part of it’s bothering him, but I tug him along to the door off to the side.
My hands are a little shaky as I unlock it, but it only takes a few seconds before the key turns and the door pops open.
Since the stairs to the second floor are narrow, I have to let go of his hand so we can go single file.
Our footsteps echo as we make our way to the landing.
There are two doors up here, mine and a rented office.
“You know, I never considered what was up here.”
“It’s pretty boring. Just me and the accountant who rents the other side.” It’s a good deal, though. I’m convenient to everything I like, and the open layout allows me to use the space as home and office without breaking the bank. Or any zoning laws, since the building is rated for both.
I push open the door and flip on the light. The place is bare bones, which is how I prefer it. When there are big projects, my messes get a little out of hand, supplies and plans drifting into every corner. There’s no need to add to it with additional clutter.
“Whoa. This isn’t what I expected.”
“No? You spend a lot of time thinking about what my place looks like?” I wrap my arms around him, pulling his back against my chest.
“No, just…” He trails off as he looks around.
“Just the bedroom, maybe?” It’s not so much a bedroom as a corner of the studio that happens to have my bed. It’s a big space, though, so the king-sized bed has plenty of space to be the oasis I like it to be. “You like thinking about what I’m going to do to you?”
“Vincent—”
“Hmmm…” I hum as I bury my face in his neck. He smells incredible, a mix of spicy and sweet that’s addictive. “Can I show you?”
“Show me?” His voice is uncertain, but he leans back into me a bit.
“My bedroom. My bed.”
“Please.”
He stays close as I lead him toward the back corner.
A small black screen separates the space, making it hard to see the bed from this angle.
Honestly, it doesn’t do much, but it provides an illusion of separation between home and work.
Important for the times when I’m zoned in on a project but need to spend a little bit of time sleeping.
If I can see it, it’s almost impossible to stop working on it.
“It’s not quite what I imagined,” Beau says.
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I don’t know, for some reason I imagined that it would have lots of colorful prints or stuffed animals. Something more cutesy.”
I chuckle. I should be offended, but it’s not the first time I’ve heard something like that. It says a lot about the vibe that I give off.
It’s also not that far from the truth. There are multiple sets of sheets in my closet that are covered in adorable prints. It’s only because I changed my sheets this morning to a plain light blue that he’s getting this experience.
I’m not hiding anything, I just thought I’d try to make a good impression. Plus, we’re between holidays, so most of the prints don’t apply until Halloween.
“Disappointed?”
He shakes his head. “More surprised than anything.”
“I hope it’s a good surprise.” I take the opportunity to take a few steps closer. “I have some other things I think might be a nice surprise.”
“Yeah? Do any of them include taking your clothes off?”
“A few. I thought maybe I’d start by kissing you.
” I wait to see if he’s on board with that idea.
Instead of a response, he moves into my space, forcing me to crane my neck a bit to look up at him.
I like that he’s a bit taller than me, even if it’s only an inch or two.
It’s enough that he feels a little imposing, even if I’m learning that his bite is not nearly as bad as his bark.
When he leans in, I suck in an expectant breath. His lips are soft and undemanding when he finally kisses me. It’s tentative and full of questions.
I move against him slowly, not wanting to push him too fast. We’ve made a lot of promises of what’s to come over the last day, but that doesn’t mean any of them have to be tonight. Beau is everything I’ve wanted for a long time, and I’m more than willing to wait to get him between my sheets.
He runs his thumb over my jaw, and I can’t help but moan into his mouth.
That must be all he needs to break. He quickly goes from sweet to demanding as he opens to me, encouraging me to deepen our kiss.
I lick into his mouth, loving the way he tastes, the sweetness from his drink at the game store combined with his own flavor.
“Beau, baby, what do you want tonight?” I pant when I finally break away.
“Whatever you want.”
That’s not what I asked. “What do you want?”
“I want you to…”
“Yeah, baby? Tell me. Tell me what you want me to do to you?” I lean in and kiss his neck, trailing from his ear to his collarbone.
“Will you suck me?”
“Is that what you want? You want my mouth on your cock? Want me to lick every inch of you?”
“Yes, please,” he begs.
I’m more than happy to comply. “Let’s get these clothes off.” He reaches for his belt, and I grab hold of his wrists. “Let me.” Beau is my gift tonight, and I plan to unwrap him. Slowly.
I start by stripping off his jacket; it’s far too hot in here to be wearing it anyway.
When it’s gracing the floor, I stare at the button-down shirt I’ve been eyeing all evening.
It’s adorable, and he looks so good with the thin fabric stretched over his broad chest. But I don’t like anything that keeps me from getting a nice look.
I drop to my knees, deciding that I want to start at the bottom and work my way up. “Vincent.” He gasps when I run my hands under the shirt, up his midsection. I can’t get very far, but feeling his hot skin against mine is enough to get me going.
“Be patient, baby. I want to take my time getting to know you.” I pop the bottom button open and give him a glance to check in.
His pupils are blown and his eyes wide, staring down at me.
When I get enough of his shirt open, I start peppering kisses over his skin, working my way up the little trail of hair over his lower abdomen to his belly button and up to his nipples.
Undoing the last of the buttons, I let the shirt fall off his shoulders.
I lick one of his nipples, using my tongue to tease it with attention until it becomes a stiff peak, then I suck it into my mouth. Beau gasps and grabs my head, tangling his fingers in my hair. “What are you doing?”
I ignore the question momentarily, choosing instead to answer by doing the same to the other side.
He’s so responsive, the way he pulls me in, encouraging me to keep going with his hands.
I usually prefer to take the lead in the bedroom, but it’s nice to have him directing me.
Especially this first time, when I’m trying to get to know him better, figure out what turns him on.
When I think he’s had enough, I turn my attention back to the rest of his clothing.
The belt is a struggle. I don’t typically bother with them, so my skills at getting one off are a little rusty.
He reaches to help me, but I swat his hands away.
I want to be the one undoing him tonight.
Beau might be prickly, but he deserves to be treasured.
I suspect he doesn’t get that a lot, and I’m going to do my best to take him apart and put him back together.
“Let me,” I say. “You just focus on you.”
“And what about you?” he asks as I finally get past the belt buckle and button of his pants.
“I’m getting exactly what I want,” I say. I don’t need to look at his face to sense his skepticism at my comment. I don’t care. I’ll prove it to him minute by minute tonight.
“Is it okay for me to take these off?” I loop my fingers through the loops on his pants, pausing to get his approval.
“Yeah. Please.”
I love enthusiastic consent. Especially when it comes from a gorgeous man.
I tug down his pants, pulling his briefs with them.
He steadies himself on my shoulders as I help him step out of the legs.
His hard cock bobs in front of me, begging for attention.
I plan to give it plenty, but only after I’m done teasing him a little more.
“Go get on the bed.” I give him a little nudge toward the edge of the room. I’ve already been on my knees for a while, and the rug in my room is not going to be enough to keep them from hurting. If I want us both to enjoy ourselves, we’re going to need somewhere more comfortable.
Plus, I get to spread him out where it’s easier to take advantage of him.
He gives in easily, taking my command and crawling to the middle of the mattress.
I’m tempted to remove my clothes now, to make things easier, but I’m enjoying where things are right now.
There’s a certain feeling of power that comes with being the only one wearing clothes, and I plan to extend that feeling for a little longer.