Chapter Five
There was no confusion. That was the scary part. Court woke up in Heath’s arms with his face pressed against Heath’s chest. He knew exactly where he was. Court didn’t try to remedy the situation. In fact, he subtly snuggled closer. At least, he thought he did until Heath’s arms tightened around him. That was when he realized Heath’s arm was shoved beneath his shirt, skin on skin, as seeking warmth. From there, his mind cleared even more. Court had a majority of the couch while Heath hung on for dear life. Court also had the entirety of the blanket and the only throw pillow. Poor Heath was in the most uncomfortable, cramp-inducing position Court had ever seen. He smiled. Heath obviously had done everything possible to keep him comfortable and not wake him.
“I have some things to take care of this morning, but I’ll be back this afternoon.”
Court’s smile grew. He didn’t know how Heath knew he was awake. “I love how you assume I’m free today.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
The soft chuckle that rumbled from Heath’s chest felt good caressing his ears. “Then I’ll be back this afternoon.”
Oddly, Court didn’t want him to leave.
Heath made no move to get up, even though he had to be uncomfortable as hell.
Court was hyperaware of every place their bodies touched, which was basically everywhere, considering how they were squished together on the couch. Heath was hard, but it was likely morning wood, and he wasn’t being disrespectful. It was nice to simply be held, even if it was only so Heath didn’t fall off the couch. He searched his mind for a way to make the moment last a little longer.
“What do you want to do today?”
“Nothing.”
Court laughed at Heath’s answer. “But you’re coming back today?”
“Yes.”
He confused Court. “You want to do nothing together?”
“Yes.”
Well, fuck. Court kind of wanted to punch him for turning out to be a nice guy. “Okay.”
Heath still didn’t move.
Court didn’t either. Minutes ticked by. They silently cuddled. Court listened to the steady beat of Heath’s heart.
“I really have to pee, but I’m too comfortable to move.”
A laugh burst from Court. “How in the hell are you comfortable in your position?”
He felt Heath shrug. “I’m holding you.”
Oh no. He was in trouble. Everything felt too good. This would not end well for Court. Yet, he couldn’t stop. “Run to the bathroom and come back. I won’t move.”
“We’d never get in this position again.”
Court couldn’t stop smiling. The entire situation was just so damn ridiculous. There was an intimacy that would break when they moved. Court couldn’t stop himself from taking advantage before that happened. His fingers found their way beneath Heath’s shirt. His lips found Heath’s collarbone.
“Did you ask yourself how you could make this situation worse and then let the intrusive thoughts win?”
Court pushed him off the couch. “There, the demons won. Now you can go to the bathroom.”
From the floor, Heath smiled up at him like an idiot. He was sleep-mussed and real. So fucking real. For the first time, Court knew he stared at the genuine version of Heath. He didn’t know if he could survive him.
Heath rolled to his knees and jogged to the bathroom. He looked adorable. The most terrifying thought of all hit. He wanted more.
Heath made his way through the casino he knew like a second home. He wasn’t a gambling addict like Drue or Wayne. Heath was just wealthy and bored. Plus, Saul was his friend. Saul ran several casinos in town. He was definitely the place to start. Heath had texted him before coming. That way, he wouldn’t have to hunt for the guy.
Luckily, a person Heath recognized to be private security headed his way before he made it too deep into the place.
Heath nodded at the man. In a matter of minutes, Heath sat across from the man who helped run Atlantic City. He might’ve been terrified if he didn’t know Saul so well. He had eyes so light, they cut through a person and a slight accent that intrigued people.
“Your message was pretty cryptic this morning. Is everything okay?”
Heath appreciated the genuine concern in Saul’s voice. “Yes and no, I suppose. I’m perfectly fine. My friend, on the other hand, is not. You have a problem in Drue Langley. You need to stop his line of credit.”
Saul’s eyebrows rose. “Why is that? He’s always paid his debts.”
“No. He hasn’t.” Heath didn’t hold back. “He’s been shaking down his son for the money.”
Saul sat back and sighed. “Honestly, I’d begun to worry. His losses have been suspiciously more than his salary should cover.”
Heath nodded. “For Court’s sake, I’ll cover the seventy-five thousand he owes now, but from here on out, he doesn’t have it.”
Saul looked slightly confused. “He doesn’t owe seventy-five. He only owes twenty.”
Heath was every bit as confused. “Odd. When he tried kicking in his son’s door yesterday, he screamed about seventy-five. Maybe he owes more than one casino?”
Saul shook his head. “Not possible. We all keep check. Only one high limit debt at a time. If you owe one, you won’t be extended credit anywhere else.” Saul paused. He looked as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue. Finally, he sighed and held Heath’s stare. “There’s a very real possibility it’s not this addiction he can’t pay.”
Heath wanted to say he was surprised, but he wasn’t. “Damn. When I saw the way he had destroyed Court’s front porch and the insanity he showed, I thought that might be the case. Coke, I assume.”
Saul dipped his chin. “Mac caught him snorting in the bathroom. He was thoroughly scared away from using my club for that bullshit.”
Heath wouldn’t touch that one. The huge guard, Mac, likely held the guy by his feet over a balcony. At least, that was what Heath pictured. “Do you know who his dealer is?”
“No. There’s not many people it could be among the community, but it’s not like you can go around asking.”
Heath sighed. “Well, fuck. All I can do is cover his debt here and hope the other fifty-five was him wanting funds.”
“May I ask why you’re willing to do this? It’s not like I don’t have other ways to get the money from him.”
A chill ran down Heath’s spine. He didn’t doubt Saul. “I’m not doing it for him.”
For a moment, Saul studied him. His expression gave nothing away, but when he spoke, he sounded deadly. “Let me guess, he’s the reason Court is selling himself.”
Everything inside Heath revolted at the question. Court wasn’t a whore. Logically, Heath knew people thought that because Court literally sold his time. But there was a part of Heath that felt like it was his fault. He had set Court on this path. Heath didn’t like this feeling. Still, he knew what Saul meant. “I believe so, yes. Even though I don’t know exactly how long Court has been bailing him out, I know he’s done.” Heath felt his face harden and his tone matched the change. “And Drue is a huge piece of shit who doesn’t deserve the amazing son he’s been given. I’ll be damned if he continues to drag him down.”
Saul’s gaze moved over Heath’s face. He nodded. “Court is lucky to have you.”
A bark of laughter burst from Heath. “I promise he’d disagree.”
A smile exploded across Saul’s face. “We’ll see.”
It was scary how badly Heath hoped Saul was right. Heath wasn’t looking for anything. He didn’t expect his time with Court to go anywhere. But strangely, his morning with Court was the happiest he had been in a really long time. For that alone, he would spare Drue. Now he had to get back to Court.
Unfortunately, Heath didn’t make it back to his car unmolested. Portland appeared from nowhere and blocked his path. A groan rang through Heath’s head, but he kept his expression and tone bland. “Portland.”
The guy’s let’s-do-business smile made an appearance. “Heath. I hear you’ve made a recent acquisition.”
Heath swallowed his annoyance over everyone speaking about Court like he was an item at the store. “I need you to be more specific.” He knew he was being a dick. Heath didn’t care. Portland was just a little too shiny for him.
The congenial smile turned sharklike. “Court Langley.”
“I know of him, yes.”
Portland straightened his sleeves. “Perfect. I’d like to purchase his contract.” Heath knew this game. His sudden focus on the press of his suit was meant to look as if the topic meant nothing to him.
“No.” Heath stepped around him.
Portland jumped back into his path. “I’m quite serious. I’m willing to make you a very generous offer.”
Heath squared his shoulders. “No.” This time, he didn’t walk away. He held Portland’s stare, so the man understood he wouldn’t be budged.
Confusion twisted Portland’s features. “Why? It’s obvious you can’t stand him.”
“Why do you want his contract? What would you do with it?”
Under his unwavering stare, Portland turned visibly uncomfortable. He shifted nervously. “I have no immediate plans.”
Heath felt the way his intensity doubled. “The remainder of his contract is worth one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and you just offered to pay even more. That’s not the actions of a man with no plan. So, again, what do you plan to do with his contract?”
“I don’t see why it would matter to you.”
Heath didn’t falter. “It matters.”
Portland lost his shiny composure. “Why do want to keep him so badly? If you don’t even like him and won the damn thing in a bet anyhow, why refuse to sell?”
Something dark rose inside Heath. It sounded in his voice. “This. For this fucking reason, right here. You’re badgering me to buy Court like he’s a goddamn object. He’s a person. I might only hold his contract for the next sixty days, but for those months, he’ll get to be the human fucking being he is. Now get the hell out of my way. I have places to be.” While still fuming, Heath stepped around a visibly shocked Portland, leaving him behind. He considered going back and turning the argument physical while he waited for valet to bring his car. Heath couldn’t count the number of times he had seen Court on Portland’s arm and the guy still treated Court like he was nothing. Court was a person. This job was bullshit. Fuck everyone who had led Court into this position and trapped him there, including Heath. Heath was enraged, and he had no idea how to fix anything. All he knew was he wanted to get back to Court. So, that was what he would do.