Chapter Two
T he world disappeared around Tarek. He stared at the ceiling from his spot on the couch and went over every detail of his date with Portland in his mind. Things hadn’t gone at all like he planned. Somehow, Tarek had gone from hunting Portland to swearing he wasn’t a gold digger like Salem. Fuck his life. He didn’t know what happened. As soon as Portland recognized Salem’s name, an overwhelming urge to ensure Portland knew he wasn’t like him had overcome him. Now Tarek didn’t know what he believed.
A very unclothed and tall male swept past the couch. Tarek enjoyed the show. For all Dodge’s lack of intelligence, he was still one of God’s favorites. It was too bad he was straight.
“I know I’ll regret asking this. Why are you nude?”
Dodge looked down at his body. An empty-headed chuckle escaped him. “Oh. Yeah. I don’t know.”
Thank god he was pretty.
Dodge grabbed a drink from the kitchen and returned. He grabbed Tarek’s feet and sat where they had been. Bare assed. On the couch. He massaged Tarek’s feet, so Tarek didn’t balk. Plus, it wasn’t his couch. Nothing belonged to him.
“Why aren’t you at work?”
Tarek stuffed a throw pillow beneath his head so he could hold Dodge’s stare while they talked. He was painfully aware of exactly how far his feet were from Dodge’s massive dick. “I’m off today.”
“Cool. We should get high.”
Tarek fought not to roll his eyes. “You know they randomly drug test at my job. I can’t afford to be unemployed.”
Dodge blinked at him—like the concept of money eluded him. “Sure you can. Quest and I would take care of you.”
Tarek’s smile was out of his control. Dodge was sweet. Tarek knew if he needed them, Dodge and Quest would have his back. Salem would snap his fingers and they would do anything to keep him happy. It was almost funny. The stepbrothers were straight, but they adored Salem. People thought the three shared the mansion JD left to them because none of them were willing to let go of their portion. Nothing could be further from the truth. The three were inseparable. From the day JD brought Salem to live with him and his sons, it was like the three of them met their soulmates. Sometimes Tarek felt like an outsider. That was why he needed to forge a new path. No matter what they claimed, Tarek was an interloper here.
“You’re sweet.”
Salem’s head appeared over the couch. He kissed Dodge’s cheek. “Hello, sweet angel. Where are your clothes?”
The same clueless chuckle Tarek had gotten fell from Dodge’s lips. This time, it was accompanied by a blush. He grabbed a throw pillow and covered his crotch. “I forgot them.”
Tarek and Salem exchanged a glance. Salem rolled his eyes, but he still affectionately ran his fingers down the back of Dodge’s neck—like stroking a pet. “Go find them and I’ll make you breakfast.”
Dodge nodded. His blush didn’t recede.
Tarek was fascinated.
Salem headed for the kitchen while Tarek stared at Dodge.
Dodge didn’t move. For a moment, he seemed to disappear inside himself before focusing on Tarek once more. “I don’t remember what we were talking about.”
Tarek smiled. “That’s okay. Salem’s cooking will do that to a person.”
The way Dodge smiled nearly made Tarek sigh. Yeah. God had favorites. Dodge stood and tossed the pillow aside. He turned away before Tarek got the full show. Tarek kind of wished he hadn’t. For a moment, he almost swore Dodge was semi hard. He had zero interest in Dodge beyond friendship and the enjoyment he got from looking at the guy. Still, he would have paid good money for that show. It had been way too long since Tarek had sex. He had never been one to enjoy casual flings. Maybe he just had bad taste or something, but he had never gotten to enjoy a one-night stand that hadn’t been all about getting used with zero thought to his pleasure. Tarek wouldn’t waste precious prep time on that bullshit. He was done with settling.
For a full five minutes, Portland sat in his car and stared at the three-story stucco beach house. It sat on a corner lot and had its own lighthouse. While Portland had heard the stories of the mansion JD had left behind, Portland hadn’t realized this was the one. He loved it, except now he truly couldn’t picture Tarek being interested in his money. Why would he need Portland if he lived here? His mind had glitched a bit since pulling into the driveway. The more he learned about Tarek, the more it looked like the guy actually wanted Portland for Portland. He didn’t know how to feel.
Giving up the puzzle for now, Portland climbed from the car and headed for the door. Every new detail of the house he saw made him fall a little more in envy. The front door was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was mostly glass but solid and intricate-looking—like it was an indestructible beauty. He rang the doorbell. A musical chime floated through the air, caressing his ears. Fuck. Everything about the place was magical. The door swung open and a tiny blond sprite stared out at him. Portland knew immediately it was Salem.
Salem’s sparkling green gaze slid down Portland’s body before meeting his stare. He looked young. Uncomfortably young. Portland knew he had to be old enough to get married and work at a casino a few years ago, so he had to be at least Tarek’s age, if not a little older. He looked fifteen. Portland didn’t find that attractive in the least.
“Is Tarek home?” Portland asked when his brain worked again.
“Portland, right?”
That threw Portland every bit as much as the sight of the house. Did Salem recognize him from somewhere, or had Tarek talked about him? Fuck. What was this feeling in his chest? He was acting like a goddamn teen with his first crush. “Yeah. You must be Salem.”
An irresistible smile snapped to Salem’s lips. “That’s me. Come on.” He waved for Portland to follow.
Portland stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “This is a beautiful house.”
Before Salem responded, a half nude man who looked like a Greek god appeared at the bottom of the steps.
Salem snapped his fingers. “A shirt too, beautiful.”
Looking pouty, the guy headed back up the steps.
Portland didn’t ask, but he was dying with curiosity. Then it hit him. Tarek lived here with these young, beautiful men. Jealousy wormed its way through his gut, darkening his mood. He felt his features hardening with every step.
“Hey, babe. Portland is here.”
For half a second, Portland was confused as to why Salem spoke to an empty room. Then Tarek shot upright from a couch that had its back to the doorway. His hair was a mess. Portland didn’t see anything but his beautiful smile. It was real.
“Hey. How did you know where I live?”
Since he had dropped Tarek off at his car at the casino last night, that was a fair question. “I know everyone in this town.”
Two men rushed into the room like over enthusiastic, giant puppies and nearly plowed Salem over. One was blond, and the other was the same dark-haired god from the stairs. They were equally flawless—like gym bros, but nice. Honestly, they both looked too dumb to be mean.
“I heard there was breakfast.”
Salem chuckled and shook his head.
“Almost everyone in this town,” Portland said absently as he eyed the pair. His gaze returned to Tarek. Tarek looked slightly crestfallen, as if he was used to fading into the background once the beauty brigade arrived. None of them held a candle to Tarek. Each of them had something Portland couldn’t stomach. He had no desire to date someone who looked like a child, and he definitely didn’t want to spend his time with someone with nothing but air in their head. Not only was Tarek gorgeous, but he was smart and funny. Witty. Everyone else disappeared.
“I’ve come to steal you away for the day.”
The light returned to Tarek’s eyes. “How did you know I’m off today? Is this another knowing everyone thing?”
“You’re off today? Perfect.”
Tarek laughed. It was a real one. He didn’t try to look pretty. It was obvious he didn’t put on an act for anyone. Tarek was his genuine self and Portland was mystified. He stood and circled the couch. “Come on.” Tarek took his hand and headed for the stairs.
Portland allowed himself to get dragged along. Truthfully, it was more like he was trapped in a spell and his body obeyed. He watched the way Tarek’s body moved as he climbed the steps ahead of him. Portland wanted him; almost painfully so. As they reached the second floor, Tarek kept going to the third. He spoke over his shoulder as he went. “I’m the only one whose bedroom is on the third floor. No one else likes climbing this many stairs, but I love the view.” As they cleared the last step, Portland nearly gasped. The top floor was nothing but windows, and the bedroom faced the ocean.
“This house is beautiful. It’s no wonder JD’s stepsons refused to give it up to Salem.” Portland wanted to bite his tongue off as soon as the words left his mouth. Salem was Tarek’s best friend. He likely didn’t care for Portland insinuating Salem shouldn’t have inherited the place.
Tarek shocked him by laughing. His eyes swam with good humor. “What? Those two downstairs? They don’t leave here because they’re glued to Salem’s hips like they were born conjoined triplets. Those three are inseparable. It’s like they were born to find each other.”
That confused Portland more than a little. “I’d always heard the stepsons were straight.” Much to the chagrin of the entire gay community. They loved adding names to the Atlantic City’s Most Wanted list of bachelors.
Tarek motioned toward his unmade bed. “Sit. They are. Friends can be soulmates too.”
Portland would have to mull that one over. He was a good ninety-five percent certain friendship wasn’t what he had seen downstairs. Maybe his ability to read people was fading.
Tarek peeled off his shirt. “Where are we going? I don’t know how to dress.”
The hunger that slammed into Portland bordered on unnatural. “What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?” There was a hint of a growl in Portland’s voice. It was out of his control.
Tarek eyed the shirt he held. “I didn’t think you’d want to be seen with me in an old band t-shirt.”
Goddamn. His skin was flawless. “I just really need you to put your shirt back on.” Portland wasn’t doing a good job of hiding the monster inside him. “I’m sitting on your bed. You’re too beautiful and it’s been a really long time since anyone touched me.” And he was within striking distance. All Portland had to do was pull him into bed.
Tarek didn’t put his shirt back on. He stared at Portland like a deer in the headlights. His tongue shot out, wetting his bottom lip. “You haven’t even kissed me yet. For all you know, I might not be that desirable.”
If this was a game, Tarek was winning. All Portland heard was his pulse thumping in his ears. His skin itched. Tarek was in danger.
Showing an obvious lack of good sense, Tarek tossed his shirt aside and crowded Portland’s space. He set his hands on Portland’s shoulders and stared down at him, looking every bit as starved as Portland felt.
Portland’s hands ran up the backs of Tarek’s thighs. He didn’t even realize it until he cupped Tarek’s ass. It was too late for him. Portland pulled Tarek closer until Tarek straddled his lap. His breathing turned ragged. The suspense snapped Portland’s razor-thin human veneer. He grabbed the back of Tarek’s head and hauled him down so he could claim his mouth. Tarek didn’t kiss the way Portland was accustomed. It wasn’t rough and hungry. His kiss was soft and seeking. It pissed Portland off because he didn’t want to be soft.
Portland flipped, pinning Tarek beneath him. He took the kiss he wanted. Tarek’s knees lifted and gently brushed his sides. He held Portland’s face and Portland found himself being the one who turned gentle. Tarek wasn’t the type of guy a person manhandled. He was precious. Tarek looked soft—like he might bruise easily. The idea of anyone marking Tarek’s skin outraged Portland. He deserved someone who took their time and blew his mind. Portland wanted to watch him fly apart. He needed that image in his head to be real.
Portland pulled away and stared down at Tarek. Possessiveness overcame him. He felt murderous at the idea of anyone coming between them. “What are you doing to me?”
Tarek chuckled. “I think it’s a bit obvious.”
“No. What are you doing to my head and chest?”
Tarek’s smile fell. His gaze moved over Portland’s face. He looked nervous. “Whatever it is, you don’t look like you like it.”
“People don’t matter to me.”
Tarek flinched as if Portland’s words physically slapped him.
Portland had to fix it. “You matter to me.”
“You matter to me too.”
That was dumb. Portland would eat him alive.
Tarek suddenly looked uncomfortable. His gaze slid away. “No one’s touched me in a long time either.”
“What? Why?” Portland didn’t mean to sound so disbelieving, bordering on accusatory, but he didn’t understand.
Tarek met his stare again, looking defiant. “I don’t do one-night stands and that’s all anyone wants anymore. Either someone wants to be with me, or they don’t. I don’t play games.”
He couldn’t have been more perfect for Portland if Portland had created him from a spell. “Then I should probably go on the record and say I’m looking for more with you than one night or just sex. I just lost years of my life hopelessly trying to win someone I chose to be unexclusive with. I knew seeing me would ruin his career, and I knew how much his job meant to him. In the end, what really happened was he waited until he found someone else and then quit. I don’t want to waste more time on something fake. I need something real.”
Tarek held Portland’s head and scratched the spot at his hairline. Goosebumps rose and Portland’s skin. His desire skyrocketed. “It’s probably a good thing we’re searching for the same thing, since I’m not entirely sure we’re leaving this bed.”
Despite his erection and the painful need to seal this deal, Portland laughed. “Let me take you to breakfast first.” His smile slipped. Portland showed his hunger at full force. “Plus, there’s no one at my place to hear you scream.”
“I’ll hold you to that boast.”
Portland couldn’t resist the heat in Tarek’s eyes. He stole another kiss. This time, he lingered, letting Tarek know through his actions that he enjoyed using his tongue. Soon enough, he would have everything he wanted. Portland felt the springs of his trap tightening.