Chapter Eleven
ALEX
With all the craziness that had occurred over the past few weeks, I’d forgotten about Trevor’s birthday party.
Well, I’d half forgotten. The event had been looming in the distance.
I knew the day was coming, but I hadn’t paid attention to the dates.
When Trevor mentioned it at work a few nights before the big day, I successfully played it off that I remembered and was ready to attend the party with a spectacular gift.
Thank God he bought the half lie. If Trevor figured out his birthday had slipped my mind, he’d have skinned me alive, bedazzled my hide, and worn it to the damn party. Much as I loved the guy, he was like a rabid little raccoon when crossed.
“This night is going to be fucking torture,” Ryder said as we walked down the street hand in hand toward Top Shelf.
Since it was a Tuesday, the club was closed, but Parker volunteered the space for Trevor’s party.
He’d even hired an outside catering staff to bartend and provide food, allowing all of us employees to enjoy the night without having to work.
It would feel strange to party in the place where I worked four nights a week.
My co-workers and I had hung out plenty of times in the past, but usually at Parker’s mansion or an outside restaurant or bar.
Tonight, I’d have to hold myself back from wiping tables and taking orders.
I glanced at my boyfriend, who looked edible in black jeans and a black mesh shirt that contrasted his light features and left little to the imagination.
Strategically placed rhinestones caught the streetlights, making him look like a disco ball at the right angle.
But then, the party’s theme was The More Glitter The Better.
Literally.
No joke.
That’s what the invitation said.
I squeezed his hand. “I thought you were looking forward to this. You’re the one who likes socializing and shit.” He’d practically been bouncing off the wall with excitement a few hours ago, talking about how we hadn’t been to a party together in ages.
“That was before reality hit.” His head dropped back, and he groaned, which made me laugh.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The droll look he shot me did nothing to erase my confusion. “You did look at yourself in the mirror after you got ready, right?”
“Um, yes?”
He huffed, shaking his head at my cluelessness. “You look so damn fuckable right now. And you smell insanely good.”
The explanation only spurred my laughter.
“And this is a problem for you? You bought me this cologne.” I lifted my shirt collar to my nose and inhaled.
It had absorbed some of the scent, and it was a good one.
The cologne had a smoky, leathery hint, but not in a pungent way.
The fragrance was soft, almost velvety. Very sexy, which, as Ryder admitted, was why he picked it.
I didn’t wear cologne often. Hell, I’d never purchased one for myself, but tonight seemed like a good night to break it out.
“Yeah, it’s a problem. It’s a huge freakin’ problem.
I bought you that cologne because as soon as I smelled it, I imagined you fucking the hell out of me while wearing it, surrounding me with your body and that scent.
” He visibly shivered. “I got hard the second you put it on tonight, and my dick won’t calm down no matter how much I think about gross things.
” He pointed toward his crotch, where indeed a prominent bulge reigned.
“Gross things?” I arched an eyebrow at the ridiculous man.
“Yeah, you know, dirty diapers or vomit, stuff like that.”
I grunted, trying to keep my face neutral when I wanted to laugh again. Ryder got me laughing more than anyone ever had. “That’s what you think of to get rid of boners?”
“Yes! And it usually works. But you are too damn potent. Nothing is working.” Ryder was five seconds from pouting at this point.
I couldn’t help but smirk. Nothing was as big a turn-on as someone wanting you desperately.
“And that damn shirt. I can’t believe I let you out of the penthouse looking like that. Every man there is going to hit on you.”
That had me rolling my eyes. “Almost everyone there already knows us. And they know you’re a jealous ape.
” I wasn’t one to wear sparkly clothing or jewelry, but for Trevor, I’d worn a metallic silver button-up I’d borrowed from Ryder.
The fabric was shiny rather than glittery, but it would do.
Ryder didn’t have as much bulk as I did, so the shirt stretched across my chest and back, too tight for any event besides Trevor’s ridiculous party.
“Can’t help it,” he said with a shrug. “Makes me crazy when other men so much as look at you.” The Caribbean blue in his eyes darkened as he stared at me with an intensity that matched his words.
This man. I’d never met anyone like him.
You’d think, given the extreme privilege he’d grown up with and the pretentious parents he had, he’d be insufferable.
And, for years, I thought he was, but I’d been so wrong.
The authentic Ryder gave his time and energy to those in need.
He cared and felt deeply. He didn’t look down on people for the lives they lived or what they had or didn’t have.
And he loved me.
I stopped walking and turned to him, shoving him against the warm brick wall of the nearest building. The air seemed to jump twenty degrees into the triple digits as the sudden, overwhelming need to feel his body against mine took over my senses.
Ryder grunted when his back hit the unforgiving brick, but the surprise instantly morphed into lust. We kissed, hot and hungry. Words weren’t necessary. He got it. He understood my need and felt the same. It is a driving force that wouldn’t be ignored.
I ground my stiff cock against his, and he gasped, breaking our kiss.
“Christ,” he said, his pupils blown and face flushed. “Not that I’m complaining, but what brought this on?”
An energy thrummed through my veins, potent and drugging. “I just…” How could I even put it into words? I wanted and needed him on a cellular level. It felt like something vital to my very existence. Something primal and animalistic on the most basic level.
He grabbed my ass through my jeans and pulled me even tighter against him. My cock loved it, and I couldn’t help but grind against him out there on the street for all the world to see. “I get it,” he whispered. “I love you too.”
My throat thickened, and all I could do was nod. I was quickly getting to the point where I couldn’t imagine a day without him.
“What. The. Fuck.” Trevor’s near shriek cut through the fog of our desire. We jerked against each other, then both turned toward his outraged shriek.
He stood, holding the door to Top Shelf open with one hand while the other rested on his sparkly hip.
Shirtless and wearing gold sequin shorts and matching rhinestone boots, Trevor gawked at us.
His naked torso boasted body jewelry in an intricate pattern.
He’d changed his hair to a platinum blonde and artfully spiked it with gel.
Elaborate gold makeup completed his birthday ensemble.
In a word, he looked like he belonged on the cover of Vogue magazine.
“Happy birthday, beautiful,” I said, grinning at my best friend.
“Damn, you look fantastic, Trev. Happy Birthday,” Ryder added.
He pointed a sparkly gold nail at us. “Don’t you two try to sweet-talk me. Get your horny asses into this club right now. You are ten minutes late.”
Chuckling, I peeled myself off Ryder. Even Trevor’s interruption wasn’t enough to kill my hard-on. As we turned toward the entrance of Top Shelf, Trevor’s eyes went wide.
“Well, hello, boys. Welcome to my party. I didn’t realize you’d be bringing two extra guests, but those babies are always welcome. Though next time you decide to put on a naughty show, you do it in here where I can watch, okay?”
Laughing, I grabbed Ryder’s hand and closed the distance to Trevor. “Not a chance, Trev. Sorry.” I kissed his shimmery cheek. “Happy birthday.”
He beamed. “Thank you.” Then he turned his face to accept a peck from Ryder as well.
“Enjoying your party so far?” Ryder asked as we followed Trevor into the club.
He glanced back at us with a smirk. “A whole night dedicated to celebrating little ole me? What’s not to enjoy?”
As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by Brittany Spears belting lyrics about toxic men.
Trevor immediately started dancing to his favorite recording artist. He shimmied over to a table filled with small, sparkly gift bags.
“Party favors,” he said with a mischievous grin as he picked up a bag and handed it to us.
“Or maybe I should say after-party favors.” He winked.
Ryder chuckled as I accepted the bag from Trevor as though it might contain a venomous snake. “Should I be afraid to look inside?”
“With the way you two were about to start fucking on the street three minutes ago? Nope, no need to be afraid. I think this will be right up your alley. Now, you sexy boys go get yourself a drink while I take my very fine ass to the dance floor to put on a show for my adoring fans.”
I shook my head. “Someone needs to do something about your low self-esteem.”
Trevor winked at me, then started shaking said ass as he made his way to the crowded dance floor. The man had friends upon friends. He loved people, parties, and being the center of attention, and no one shone brighter than he did. One step away from the dance floor, he spun back to face us.
“Make sure you find me if you’re going to put on another sexy show. It’s my birthday, so I get to watch. You can’t refuse me on my birthday.”
Chuckling, Ryder threw his arm across my shoulders and pulled me close. “Never gonna happen, you horny asshole, birthday or not,” he shouted back to Trevor, who began laughing maniacally. Five seconds later, he disappeared into a sea of, as he’d described them, his adoring fans.