Chapter 17
Slade
My fingertips ran the length of the new facial growth I’d started two days ago.
Like normal, the facial hair had filled in quickly.
It was dark, easily changing the appearance of my jawline.
I continued to trail my fingers down to my chest hair.
Finally prickling out after the last wax I had before coming here.
Without a doubt, I was a hairy guy. The beard became a relaxing add-on with all the trimming I was constantly having done.
I needed to figure out a better way to stay groomed. Mace truly seemed to like me shaven rather than all hairy. I’d probably have to make a quick run to my esthetician in NYC soon to help with the daily grind.
The mere fact I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, trimming my beard to eventually remove it all together again spoke volumes to the infatuation I’d developed toward that beautiful man. I was captivated, totally consumed, and found I wanted to look my best for him.
My cell phone rattled. Mace might have fibbed to me about the importance of his role at the bar. All my guy had to do today was place the bar’s liquor order and inspect the cleanliness of the kitchen before taking off to run some errands.
Errands.
It was a weird flex for Mace to show me we didn’t have to spend every minute of free time with each other.
With the way we texted all day, every day, I was certain I was always on his mind.
I reached for the phone, opened the text to see a picture of Mace with a buzz cut.
He was such a handsome guy. I didn’t think I’d like anything other than the untamable mop of hair.
But this style changed everything. He was stunning, with tanned masculine features that could have been designed by Michelangelo himself.
I turned, leaning my ass against the sink counter.
I pinched my fingers against the screen to draw the picture in closer.
I didn’t hesitate to let him know how much I liked the change, thumbing out a quick reply.
“Didn’t think you could be more handsome.” I typed quickly, pushed send, and went back to analyzing the photo. The way Mace refused to grin or smile at me was changing based on this semi, quite possibly the beginning of a smile.
“Call from Liam Ford.” My gaze lifted as if I planned to share that information with anyone in the room with me. I was alone.
“Answer,” I said near the mounted speaker.
The call connected with my manager on the other end. I gave no greeting.
“Slade?” he asked.
“Yeah, what’s up?” I asked, my tone changed into the one I used while dealing with the industry. A tone Mace wouldn’t believe to be mine if he ever had a chance to hear it. “Did you hear from Austin?”
“That’s why I’m calling. What do I do with this information from a Dash Richmond, attorney at law?” Liam asked. “Who is that?”
“Forward all incoming information from Dash to Tommy. I’ve instructed him on what to do,” I explained. “I’ve stalled my meeting with Austin, but we’re rescheduled. Dash is looking out for my…friend’s interest.”
“You still don’t know what Austin wants to talk to you about?” Liam asked.
“I don’t. I assume it’s a movie. His production company’s building a decent reputation,” I said, but Liam already knew all that. “His funding’s increasing. Maybe he can afford me.”
“You’re schedule’s booked for two years out,” Liam interjected, causing my jaw to set and I glanced at the Bluetooth speaker with laser beam intensity.
“I have an out in every contract I’ve signed. You’ve made sure of that,” I reminded.
“Slade, I work on a percentage of the cut. We go where the money is. I’ll handle the negotiations with Austin after you two talk.”
Normally, I’d have been all over him handling the financial end. Yet today, I found I wanted different things than my career needed from me.
I remained silent.
“Okay. I see you disagree,” Liam said, breaking the silence, giving me the win. “I’m your manager for a reason. Don’t make me have to get on a plane and show up there. We’ve agreed. I handle all negotiations and contracts that you bring in. Don’t make me have to flex my authority.”
Absolutely not going to happen this time. Liam was a shark who enjoyed a nice life at my expense.
“Blah, blah, blah,” I responded, letting him know exactly what I thought about his statement. “I’ll make contact after I know more,” I called out in the direction of the mounted speaker. “Disconnect the call.”
“Slade!” I listened to Liam’s grumbling until the call disconnected. Over the small keyboard on my phone, I thumbed another text to Mace.
“Why’s the bubble drumming but there’s no response from you?” I typed.
Apparently, Mace was talking to someone else, not me. My brows drew together.
“When are you going to be home?” I asked, purposefully using the word home as a place I was with him.
A single beep drew my attention through the walls in the house to the front door.
Someone had opened the door, and I hoped it was my guy.
The phone was discarded on the bed as I started that direction.
=?=
Mace
One solid positive? Slade never slacked on the air conditioning.
The abrupt cold breeze with the hot as hell temperature outside drew me in even better than the man who lived there.
Before I shut the front door behind me, I heard the heavy footsteps of Slade’s loafers padding on the floor until he rounded the corner, coming straight into me.
The smile I’d had for a few days slid easily into place.
I held my ground and took the chaste kiss.
For most of the day, my thoughts had been lost to the conversations I kept having with my parents, questioning everything about my life since Lori spilled her news.
More than anything, I wanted to talk about all these new feelings.
What was happening to me while soaking in all the love and nurturing Slade was giving me.
The games were ending. I wanted to be here. I liked the changes within me. The magic held again. My entire focus rested on the gorgeous man who convinced me that I was in his heart.
Man, he looked good with a beard. We should call it a night. I’d let it tickle my thighs as he suckled my balls inside his mouth.
“I like the haircut,” Slade said, taking a step backward to let me fully inside the house.
“I like the beard,” I said, dropping my keys in a tray close to the door.
His lips landed on mine again. My eyelids closed and I nipped at his bottom lip.
What would it be like to have this life every day for the rest of my life? Nothing sounded better than that dream.
“Your eyes are still closed. I’d encourage you to the bedroom, but we need to talk.” My eyelids snapped open again. Slade was right there, still very much in my face.
“You’re nice to look at this close up,” I muttered, instead of immediately backing out of the house in fear of the dream I’d just concocted. “This talk, is that why you look so nice?”
“I look nice for my guy,” he cooed and pivoted on his heels. “Come get a drink. I’m testing out a new martini recipe. Wanna try?”
Everything Slade did was done with efficiency. His long stride ate up the distance to the kitchen as he tossed me a wink over his shoulder.
“Is this a kitchen conversation? Do I take my spot?” I asked, following behind, eyeing the barstool at the island that I usually sat in while Slade made our dinner.
“How about the back porch?” Slade suggested and reached for the two pre-made martinis sitting on the counter. He carried his, handing me mine as I approached.
“Must be something big to go through all this?” I said, slowing my stride to take a hearty drink of the perfectly prepared dry-martini. “The actin’ thing doesn’t work out, you should come work at the bar. You have a gift.”
Slade held open the back door off the kitchen, taking a drink from his glass. “I feel like I’m always trying for something special with you.”
Well, I believed that was the truth too. He fought every day to make sure I was happy. “Then I’ll go first. I was at Lori’s house today and she tried to spill the news about you and me.”
I let that bomb settle in as I started for the area on the back porch that was magically cooled even during the hellish heat. “I’m not sure how to respond.”
The concern he used touched that place inside me that was only him.
“I told them about the friendship we’ve formed.
Lori seemed immediately regretful and helped save me.
I shifted gears with my parents, tellin’ them about an investment into the animal sanctuary.
They also believe your friends are still here. ”
“Mace, I’m sorry,” Slade said, taking the seat beside me, encouraging me to take a drink. Even made perfectly, I’d never liked the concepts behind a martini.
“I’m more of a beer guy,” I said reluctantly with a grimace.
“Here.” Slade placed his martini on a side table, and hopped up, grabbing a can of Bud Light from the small refrigerator nearby.
“Thank you,” I said, halfway out of my seat to get it myself. “You take good care of me.” I didn’t plan those words, but speaking unguarded happened more and more these days.
“It’s what I’m trying to do, so it works out,” Slade said, chuckling, taking my martini and handing over the beer.
The thing about Slade was that he used no unnecessary movements.
He was fluid, and polished. He took the seat next to mine again, reaching his arm behind me to circle my back.
“I had a productive day that I need to share with you.”
The new facial growth held a grip on me. He was so incredibly handsome. His perfectly plump lips were moving, and I forced my eyes away to concentrate on what he was saying.
“Kitt, Austin’s husband,” Slade said. This time when I looked at him, my brows drew together.
Of course, I knew Kitt Kelly. He was a landowner and legend in this area. His entire life was devoted to animal husbandry. His knowledge base was second to none, and he generally gave it free of charge.