Chapter One #2
“Yeah, well, I have to get the job first. Sotheby’s is looking for a photographer to shoot a collection of massive sculptures.
I’ve submitted pieces from my portfolio, and word is I should expect to hear the decision any day now.
It just so happens, your phone number and the person who’s supposed to contact all the bidders are almost identical.
When I saw the number pop up on the screen of my phone, I jumped the gun a bit. I apologize.”
“It’s fine. I would’ve probably done the same thing.” Matt took a deep breath and let it out. “I was calling to see if you’d like to get together sometime. Have coffee, or get a drink? I’d still like to see your photographs.”
“I was hoping you would call. I’ve been kicking myself black and blue for not getting your number. Would you like to see the gallery or … don’t take this wrong way … my private collection?”
Matt knew his preference. He didn’t intend to jump right into bed with Niall, but having an intimate atmosphere where they could become more familiar with each other sounded just fine to him.
“What if I told you I like how that sounds?”
Niall sucked in his breath, and his voice deepened. “Then I would give you directions to my condo.”
“I have an excellent sense of direction. I’m quite sure I can find you.”
Niall gave his place one last inspection.
Floors clear of clothes? Check. Dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher?
Check. Trash thrown down the garbage chute?
Check. Bed made? He debated on whether that mattered.
Niall would love to see Matt spread out for him on the enormous bed in front of him.
The wide expanse waiting looked empty right now, but Niall envisioned how he, Matt and the man he’d seen in his dream would appear as they twisted and writhed and thrust against each other.
The thick mattress was firm enough not to sag beneath the weight of three men, but the pillow top provided a cushion to cradle his lovers’ bodies.
Niall prayed he and Matt would find the other man to complete their triangle soon.
Until that time came, he had every intention of learning everything he could about Dr. Matthew Lincoln.
Niall longed to taste Matt’s lips and find out how Matt’s powerful body would feel pressed against him.
Matt had a few inches on him, height-wise, and Niall thought his lips would rest perfectly on the upper curve of Matt’s neck.
He wanted to taste Matt’s skin and discover what flavors lay hidden beneath the surface.
He wanted to feel Matt’s pulse pound against his tongue.
Niall stopped his mind from going too far down that track.
It would be unseemly to open the door with a hard-on for a first date.
He grabbed the edge of his comforter and fluffed the down-filled spread.
There—bed made . Niall left the master suite and walked down the hall.
The bare brick walls complemented the light wood floors.
The beamed ceiling glowed with small canned lights tucked between the rafters.
He’d painted the interior walls natural shades of moss green and lemon crème.
Plush runners in jeweled red and gold lined the hall.
Hie'd displayed his work in collections scattered around the eight-room penthouse.
It was inviting, but had yet to become a home.
Soon, he reassured himself. Soon his house would become a home.
The five tone chime announced the security desk was trying to get a hold of him. He hit the touch screen pad on the wall in the living room and a video of the lobby security desk came alive.
“Yes?”
“A Mr. Lincoln to see you, Mr. Roberge.”
“Thank you, Adam. You can send him up.”
“Right away, sir.”
Niall took one last glance down at his clothes.
He noticed a small splotch of chemical on his sleeve from when he’d been working in the darkroom earlier.
He still loved shooting in 35mm and medium format sometimes, even though most of his commercial business was now digital.
Oh well, it was too late to do anything about it now.
Niall headed toward the front door and opened it moments before the ding from the elevator rang in the hallway.
He smiled as Matt exited the sliding doors, and Niall held the door open in welcome.
Matt slid past Niall into the main living area and stopped dead.
When Matt didn’t say a word and remained cemented to the floor, Niall got a little nervous.
He tried to see his place from an outsider’s perspective.
All the exterior walls were red brick and his photographs, both large and small, floated over the masonry by specialized filament suspended from tracks at the top edge of the wall where it met the ceiling.
Floor-to-ceiling curtains dressed the large double-hung windows circling the space, offering privacy while still revealing the downtown lights across the harbor.
Niall’s u-shaped sectional sat on a soft jute rug, filling a large area on the far side of the room.
Opposite the sofa, a sleek contemporary wall unit held his television and stereo equipment.
Matt turned and stared at the area that housed Niall’s kitchen with a confused looked on his face.
Niall supposed his kitchen did look rather abstract, with its three pieces, then the traditional multi-cabinet and countertop combination.
The design method maximized space and provided a modern art piece.
Niall loved it and couldn’t wait to show all the cool features to Matt.
Matt leaned forward and peered down the hallway, which led to the three bedrooms and baths, then turned to face Niall.
“Wow. Just … wow. So I take it you’re not a starving artist?” he said, smiling.
Niall shrugged, then closed the front door behind him. “Not exactly. My studio's success has been a great blessing, and my grandparents also left me a substantial inheritance."
Niall was always uncomfortable when people started talking about incomes and trappings of wealth. Although he enjoyed living in a nice condo and paid for quality furnishings, he preferred to keep the atmosphere laid back and well lived in. He had no desire to live in a showroom.
“Please make yourself comfortable. The sofa is a dream to sit on. I frequently end up falling asleep there instead of in my bed,” he said with a grin. He didn’t mention that the bed felt too empty with no one to share it. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’d love a glass of wine if you have one.”
“Red or white?”
“Red, please.” Matt walked over and rested against the concrete topped island.
Niall stepped up in front of Matt. Placing his hands on either side of Matt’s body, he leaned forward, tilted his head up and gently touched his lips to Matt’s cheek. Matt’s breath fluttered against Niall’s cheekbone. “It’s nice to see you again. Thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad I called. There’s something about you, Niall, that I can’t explain. I feel something more than basic attraction to a hot guy.” Matt placed his hands on Niall’s hips and flexed his fingers. “I don’t want to freak you out, but I have the burning desire to learn everything about you. Now.”
Niall inched his body closer to Matt’s large frame. Matt’s grip on Niall’s hips was sure but didn’t demand, even if part of Niall wanted to jump Matt’s bones and grind against the beautiful man’s glorious muscles.
“How about I pour that wine, then we can get right on that?” Because he couldn’t stop himself, Niall ran his hands up Matt’s arms. The thick biceps were hard under Niall’s fingers, and the heat from Matt’s skin beneath the long-sleeved dress shirt warmed Niall’s palms. Niall closed his eyes and tucked his nose right under Matt’s chin, inhaling the combined scents of aftershave and Matt’s unique flavor.
Niall tried to stop the soft moan before it escaped, but the second Matt’s lips touched his temple, he released the earthy sound.
Niall stepped away from Matt’s body. The break allowed his brain to reboot. “Wine,” he whispered. “I’m getting wine.”’
Matt nodded. “Wine and talking.”
“Right, talking.”
Niall forced himself to go around the other side of the island. He opened the left side of the large carved wood cabinet and removed two wineglasses from the interior recess of the door which held all his glassware.
“That’s awesome,” Matt exclaimed.
“Isn’t it cool?” Niall opened the other side and suddenly a full kitchen was at his fingertips.
The center portion of the cabinet held all his dishes and small appliances, the right door recess held his cooking tools, and a swinging insert contained his eating utensils, spices, and other kitchen paraphernalia.
When he exposed the full unit, it stretched eight feet across, but only took up half that space when closed.
Niall then went over to the coordinating cabinet that housed his wine cooler, refrigerator, and freezer.
“I put this bottle of pinot noir in the cooler about thirty minutes ago. It should be perfect by now.”
Niall lifted out the dark red bottle of La Crema and placed it on the island. He removed the cork and held it out to Matt to sniff. “What do you think?”
“I can smell plums and cherries, but it has an undertone of oak. We should let it breathe for a few minutes. Can we take it over to the sofa?”
“Of course. I hadn’t intended for us to talk standing here at the counter.
Also, I have an excellent aerator, so the wine will be ready in no time.
” Niall carried the wineglasses in one hand and the bottle in the other.
Niall smiled as Matt’s hand landed on the small of his back.
They each found a comfortable spot on the sofa and relaxed back into the cushions.
Niall scooted toward Matt until their knees touched as they faced each other.
The rightness of that simple contact made Niall’s inner self sigh with pleasure.
“So tell me more about this job for Sotheby’s,” Matt invited, then took a sip of the wine Niall had poured for them.
“They’re auctioning off a collection of sculptures.
A single artist created all the sculptures, which are scattered throughout the United Kingdom.
Some are massive, measuring fifty feet wide and twenty feet tall.
Others are only a fraction of that. The commission will go to a single photographer and he or she gets to shoot the catalogue for the auction. ”
Matt smiled. “I can hear how eager you are. You must want the job pretty bad.”
“Are you kidding? This is a once in lifetime opportunity.
Aside from the prestige, to be given the chance to challenge my skills with a subject like this is incredible.
Shot composition, lighting, and filters all affect a sculpture's mood. My fingers are itching and my brain is already spinning a thousand cycles a second with ideas and possibilities.”
Matt glanced around the walls of the condo. “So all these are yours?”
“Most. I have a handful that I picked up from a gallery here and there because I loved them so much.”
Niall watched as Matt’s eyes landed on the most personal photograph displayed.
Niall knew the black-and-white image was dramatic.
A man’s torso from the neck down stood out in stark relief from a black background.
A pair of sculpted arms rested on the back of his neck.
Sinuous muscles expanded and tautened his chest. Two raised white scars curved from just above and just below the left nipple across the chest to stop in the center.
The lighting hid nothing of the puckered skin.
In fact, when you looked closely, the slash of light actually highlighted the evidence of violence.
Matt turned his head toward Niall. “I thought you said…”
Niall set his glass on the coffee table. He unfastened a few buttons on his shirt and spread the material wide enough to expose a pair of scars identical to those displayed on the wall.