Epilogue - Jack
Two years later
Sat in my office at Phoenix, I frowned at the case that had just come in. It was the most unusual one we’d ever considered. So unusual, in fact, that normally I’d have turned it down immediately.
What was stopping me was that I knew the client in question. Tristan Wells was a Hollywood heartthrob, known for making people of all genders swoon with his debonair charm.
I’d met him several years back when he’d shown up pretending to be Kai’s boyfriend.
I didn’t know what Kai had been thinking with that little stunt, but needless to say it’d blown up in his face rather spectacularly.
Once the dust settled, Kai and Silas had finally admitted to their feelings for each other and Tristan had returned stateside.
I’d been surprised to learn there was no animosity between any of them. Silas hadn’t given me the full details, but from what he’d said, Tristan had been trying to protect Kai. Silas couldn’t hold a grudge against him for that.
But it was the other thing he’d hinted at that was making me take a second look at this case—that Tristan was hiding from someone. That, and the fact that Kai had reached out to me directly to ask us to assist him, had stopped me turning it away.
Whatever was going on clearly had the man spooked. Spooked enough to be considering something as far-fetched as this.
My phone lit up with an incoming call from Arlo.
I grinned at the picture on the screen for a second.
It was one of my favourites. Barefoot on the beach, we were grinning at each other.
We’d just exchanged our vows with our friends looking on.
Committing myself to Arlo permanently was hands down the happiest moment of my life.
We were coming up on our one-year anniversary, and we’d been talking about the next big milestone in our lives.
Children.
I’d been surprised when Arlo first broached the subject, figuring his less than stellar childhood would’ve put him off. I’d been wrong though. Arlo wanted to build a family of his own with me. A family he could raise right and love unconditionally.
I was going to do everything I could to make that happen. As soon as he’d mentioned it, I’d started researching everything from adoption agencies to the best baby monitor. I hadn’t seen kids in my future, but now Arlo had planted the idea, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Swiping to answer his call, I put him on speaker. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey yourself. You still working?”
“Yeah. Just waiting for Corey to get back so I can discuss this case with him.”
“The Tristan one?”
I rubbed my hand over my scruff. Technically, I wasn’t supposed to disclose client requests to anyone, but this one was so far out of left field that I’d asked Arlo his opinion on it. “Yeah.”
Arlo snorted. “Are you sure he’s the right one for the job?”
“I think so. He’s straight, so there’s no danger of him crossing any boundaries.”
“Like you did, you mean?”
I rolled my eyes even as I smiled. I loved that we were in a place where we could joke and tease about the past. “It’s not my fault. That was all on you for being so fucking tempting.”
“Well hurry up and get home so I can tempt you some more,” he drawled. “You’ve got one hour or I’m getting started without you.”
“Don’t you dare.”
I was still grinning when I ended the call. An hour was tight, but I’d make it happen. I just needed to break the news to Corey and persuade him to get on board.
The man in question entered my office, closing the door behind him and leaning against it. “What’s up?”
I nodded towards a chair. “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”
Fifty-seven minutes later, I was letting myself into a silent house. Kicking off my shoes, I headed straight for the basement.
The silence lasted right up until I opened the door. Then the sound of his playing filled the air.
Finally, I was home.
He didn’t notice my entrance, too caught up in the music. Settling myself in my usual chair, I sprawled out to watch him.
How Arlo had ever thought he was easily replaceable in the band was beyond me. His name was up there with all the greats, and rightly so. He had more talent in his little finger than a hundred other people combined.
Watching him play had always been one of my favourite things to do. When he was at his kit he was content. At ease. It was just him and the music.
He still had dark days. Dark weeks, even. But we got through them the same way we did everything else. Together.
His eyes were closed and his head tipped back as he let the rhythm move through him.
I recognised the song as one they were working on for the new album.
His top was sticking to his lean muscles, suggesting he’d been at it for a while.
My tongue darted out over my lips as I watched the muscles in his arms flex. Fuck, that man was beautiful.
And he was all mine.
The song came to an end and Arlo’s eyes opened. “Hi.”
“Hi. I made it in under an hour.”
He put his sticks on the floor before striding over to me wearing a smirk. “Guess you deserve a reward.”
“Guess I do.”
He straddled my lap and my hands went straight to his arse. “Want to go upstairs?”
“Nope,” he said, unbuttoning my shirt. “I’m gonna ride you right here. Then tomorrow when you’re in the office, I can look over here and remember.”
I bit back a groan as he rolled my nipple between his fingers. “Maybe I should work from home tomorrow and we can relive the memory together.”
“Speaking of work, how did Corey take the news?”
My brows flew up. “Seriously, you’re asking me that now?”
Arlo kissed down the side of my neck. “Can’t you multitask?”
“Not brilliantly,” I grumbled, tilting my head to give Arlo better access. “He took it as well as expected. Which is to say, not at all.”
Arlo lifted his head. “He’s gonna do it though, right?”
“He is. He’ll bitch and moan, but he’ll do it.”
“Good,” Arlo said. “I like Tristan. Corey’s a grumpy twat, but he’ll keep him safe.”
“Can we stop talking about other men now?” I slid my hand under the back of his sweats and teased at his hole. “I’d much rather talk more about you riding me.”
It didn’t take long before our clothes were strewn around the room and Arlo was lubed up and sliding down my cock.
I’d learned a long time ago that we needed to have supplies stashed in every room in the house.
Once we had kids, we’d have to keep it contained to the bedroom.
Until then, I was going to take advantage of the fact that we could fuck about wherever we pleased.
“Yes, baby,” I groaned as his arse hit my thighs. “You’re so goddamned tight.”
Arlo smirked tauntingly. “You’ve obviously not been fucking me hard enough then.”
Fucking brat. Sucking a mark onto his neck, I thrust up hard, setting a punishing pace. Arlo’s head fell forwards onto my shoulder, his cries making me grateful for the soundproofing in the room.
Cupping his shoulders, I shoved him down to bury myself even deeper. “I can’t get enough, baby. It’s never enough.”
I pinned him to me, taking everything he had to give while he held on for the ride.
“Jack,” he moaned, his breath hot on my neck. “Touch me. Please. Fuck, please.”
Spitting on my hand, I reached between us to circle his cock. He was leaking profusely, throbbing under my touch.
“Yes,” he cried, lifting his head. His back bowed, his hole clenching around my cock as he came. “Jack!”
Groaning, I held on to his shoulders as I came. We’d given up the condoms years ago, but the feeling of my cum filling him never got old.
I cradled him to my chest as we both came down from the high. Our panting breaths were mixed with quiet kisses.
“Thought I was going to ride you,” Arlo said drowsily, his fingers lightly drumming on my chest. “Pretty sure I was the one getting ridden there.”
“Sorry,” I said, not sorry in the slightest. “It was your fault for goading me.”
“No regrets.” He kissed me and smiled. “Never any regrets when it comes to you.”
I smiled back at him, my hand automatically going to his tattoo to stroke it. I had a matching one now, covering my hip. “No regrets.”