Chapter Six
White Christmas lights lit up the room. Saint swore Clover twinkled as he moved from person to person, getting to know everyone. He was definitely a social butterfly who seemed to never meet a stranger. In under a minute, he charmed everyone he met. Saint couldn’t look away.
Clover wore a light gray soft outfit that had silver threading through it. That was likely the reason he seemed to catch the light and reflect it. The bow-neck shirt kept sliding down his shoulder, exposing part of his tattoo. He was stunning.
“Do I need to worry about the way you’re looking at your new office manager?”
Saint didn’t exactly jump at Steel’s sudden appearance at his side. But he had definitely been lost in the vision Clover created. Saint lifted his beer to his lips to buy himself a moment before speaking.
“I guess it depends.”
A soft, tired-sounding sigh left Steel. “I feel like I’ll regret asking this, but on what?”
Saint hid a smile. Despite his earlier harsh tone, Steel was a softy. “It depends on if you’re okay with the fact that we’re a couple.” He met Steel’s eyes that matched his name. “This isn’t a fling. He isn’t just some guy.”
Steel’s closed expression didn’t waver as his gaze slid Clover’s way.
“He’s personable. I’ll give him that.” Steel hesitated before adding, “And beautiful. Just answer something else for me. Did you give your man a job or did you jump your employee?” Steel made a wild gesture.
“Don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.
It’s better if I pretend whatever I want to believe is the truth. ”
A quiet chuckle sneaked out. Sometimes, Steel could be funny as hell. Before he could say anything, Clover joined them. A half second before Saint heard him, he felt him. His gaze snapped in Clover’s direction.
Clover was still all smiles as he slipped his hand into the crook of Saint’s arm. He was focused on Steel.
“This is truly an amazing party. Thank you for inviting me, even though this is only my second week working for the company.”
Steel looked every bit as smitten with Clover as everyone did.
He made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t worry.
Everyone is family here, no matter how long they’ve been with me.
Plus, everyone has sung your praises since you came onboard.
Hell, Maya Heartland called to tell me how good you were to her in a moment of crisis.
That’s exactly what we need. Compassion matters when people are at their lowest.”
Clover looked moved. “Thank you for that, but I don’t think anyone could’ve heard the terror in Maya’s voice and dismissed it. She could’ve been killed. Any number of horrible things might’ve happened to her.”
Steel never looked away from Clover. It was like Saint had vanished. “Exactly. It’s obvious you truly care. We need more of that.”
Clover nodded. “I’ll admit this position has been way more fulfilling than I expected. It feels like I’m actually helping people.”
“You are.” Steel’s fast response was filled with honesty. Another man felled by the magic that was Clover. Steel glanced around. “I suppose I should give my speech and hand out gifts before people get too drunk and restless.”
Clover laughed. “Hold on just a second.” He dipped his hand into the pocket of Saint’s dress coat.
Saint knew he carried something for Clover, but he hadn’t bothered to check what it was.
Clover popped open a tube normally used to carry cuff links to keep them safe.
He shook out a pin. “A little birdie told me you love all things dogs.” He clipped the golden pin on the lapel of Steel’s dress coat.
“There. In my parents’ home country, dogs are considered a symbol of good luck, loyalty, and protection.
In this case, that little golden puppy makes your entire outfit complete.
” Clover stepped back and reclaimed Saint’s arm.
Steel seemed more moved than Saint ever would have dreamed over such a small gesture. The guy was loaded in a way most people couldn’t even fathom. Yet a tiny gold pin looked as if it was the perfect gift to Steel.
“Thank you. You have no idea how much I love it.”
Clover beamed as Steel moved to the small stage set up for the event.
Pride filled him as he stared at Clover. He was literally the best person Saint had ever met. Saint would do right by him. Clover would see.
Clover tried to keep a calm demeanor while jumping for joy inside.
His bonus from Steel had more zeros than he ever expected.
Plus, everyone had been so, so welcoming and nice.
Jacobe, going as far as getting a job to be his boss, turned out to be the best blessing in disguise.
As scared as he had been to change employers, somehow he had managed to find his dream position.
He felt over the moon. Clover knew a big part of that was Saint.
He chewed on the side of his nail as he waited for Saint to finish getting ready for bed.
Clover had already showered and climbed into bed naked.
There was no way he could fall asleep without Saint.
Saint padded from the bathroom, totally nude, making Clover nearly swallow his tongue. Saint was all man. He made Clover hot as hell.
As he looked on, Saint’s dick stirred.
Saint growled. “Don’t look at me like that. I won’t let you sleep tonight.”
“Mmm, sexy. Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
Saint’s open toiletries bag sat on the nightstand. That was where the condoms and lube were. Saint dug inside the bag.
Clover’s cock throbbed.
Saint came out with a tiny gift box. “Merry Christmas.”
A wave of something powerful washed over him. He sat up, letting the covers slide into his lap. “Wait. I have something for you too.” He leaned over to get it from his bedside table.
Saint stopped him. “Please open this first.”
Since it seemed important, Clover accepted the box.
Even though it looked wrapped, it was actually in two pieces.
Clover could lift the lid without unwrapping it.
He could only blink when he stared into the open box.
It took him a second to realize the reason he couldn’t see clearly was the tears in his eyes.
“It’s beautiful.” His voice cracked. He was much closer to crying than he cared to admit. Saint always moved him. He was perfect.
Saint climbed into bed and lifted the necklace from the gift box. He easily undid the clasp and put the gorgeous piece of jewelry around Clover’s neck.
Clover stroked the row of diamonds that fell down his chest in a straight line, twinkling against his skin. “I love it.”
Clover sniffed and grabbed Saint’s present before he actually broke down. “Here. Open yours. I’ll explain as you do.” He handed the folder to Saint. “You know how we stayed up talking all night for like three nights in a row?”
Saint laughed. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure my days and nights are flip-flopped now. After spending each morning making love to you, I’m also pretty sure I’ll get a hard-on every morning at exactly nine now.”
Clover couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ll be sure to check.
But anyhow, you told me when you were a kid, you wanted to be a race car driver.
I learned one of your clients is famous for just that.
When we spoke on the phone, he offered to let me take a spin around the track.
I told him I’m gay. Has he ever been in a Trader Joe’s parking lot?
We’re a menace. Anyhow, he laughed, and I had an idea.
I told him my boss was a great driver and had always wanted to get out on the track.
Then I asked if you could take that spin instead of me.
” He tapped on the folder Saint still hadn’t opened.
“It turns out it’s a very official thing they do for rich people and sponsors.
So he sent me the formal invitation along with some paperwork you have to fill out.
But this spring, you have a date with a very fast car. ”
Saint never looked away from him while Clover spoke.
A huge smile lit his face. “This is amazing. I can’t believe you did this.
” He flipped open the folder and his eyes practically bugged out of his head.
“Forty-eight minutes of track time. Do you have any idea how much this costs? I know exactly which client you mean, and this is the highest package you can get. You must’ve really made an impression on him. ”
Clover made a dismissive gesture. “All it took was me offering to sleep with him.”
Saint’s expression turned harder than Clover had ever seen.
He rushed to fix it. “I’m only joking. Maya is sending me an autographed photo to give him. All I have to do is meet her for lunch to pick it up when we get back, which I planned to do anyhow.”
Saint rubbed his chest. “Please don’t do that again. I lost five years off my life.” He set the folder aside.
Clover’s shoulders fell. “You don’t like that I bartered for your gift.
I was worried about that. At the time, I couldn’t afford to buy you anything special enough to suit my heart.
I didn’t know I would get this bonus. If you want, I can turn down his offer and buy you something else. Something more like what you gave me.”
Saint ran his hand down Clover’s arm before linking fingers with him.
“No. That’s not what I meant at all. It was you even joking about sleeping with someone else.
That would break my heart. As for the gift, it’s perfect.
It’s not about the price. You definitely got me something from the heart.
No one else has ever considered my wants before. I absolutely love it.”
Clover stared at their joined hands. He swallowed, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the words. “Well, I’m pretty sure I love you, so I needed for you to have—”
Clover found himself on his back with a good three hundred and twenty-five pounds pinning him in place.
Saint’s eyes glowed in a way Saint had never seen before. “Did you just tell me you love me?”
Damn. He had, and apparently, it was the wrong move.
Clover knew he was being dumb. It was way too soon, except he couldn’t help how he felt.
Saint had slipped beneath his skin faster and harder than anyone had done before.
They just felt like a miracle. He couldn’t make himself take it back.
Clover cleared his throat. His gaze slid away from Saint’s intensity.
He couldn’t watch Saint reject him. “It seems so, but don’t worry.
I won’t say it again. I know it’s crazy and you’re not ready to hear all that. Everything about us has been—”
Saint kissed him, cutting off the babbling before it started.
Once he had Clover’s attention, Saint held his stare.
“Don’t you dare start backtracking now. I’ve been sitting on those words all day, but it seems you’re braver than I am.
Yeah. This is something different, like you were purposely set in my path.
I love you. It doesn’t seem possible. I definitely can’t explain it, but you’re mine.
It’s like you were always meant to be mine. ”
A tear slipped from the corner of Clover’s eye and slid back into his hair. “You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t stop begging the universe for this to be real.”
“It is. I know it is.” Saint kissed him with all the love and longing Clover always carried in his chest. That was the kicker. Since that very first time their lips touched, Clover had known he would never go back to that one-bedroom apartment where he had suffered so much pain. Saint was his home.
That was the last coherent thought he had once Saint rocked against him.
He made love to Clover. It was sweet and so fucking hot.
The friction between their bodies increased as their kisses turned more passionate and hungrier.
It didn’t take long for that familiar pressure to addle his brain.
Everything was focused on what Saint did to his cock.
When an orgasm ripped through him, it hit him how real this relationship was.
It was so fucking flawless, and all Clover had ever wanted.
He wouldn’t stop until Saint married him. Nothing less would do.