“I’d like to see you naked again.”
“You’re too much.” Jonathan retrieved a shirt and boxer shorts from his dresser. He’d left a pair of sleep pants by the bed. The outfit didn’t scream style and sophistication, but it was comfortable. He wrestled his way into the T-shirt then hiked the boxers up his legs and removed the towel. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Right in front of me, I hope.”
“I’m sorry.” Jonathan padded over to where Sean sat. “I’m confused. Want to sort me out?”
“You have no idea.” Sean’s gaze roved over Jonathan’s body. He licked his lips. “I’m talking about you.”
“You get off on having two boyfriends at one time?” Jonathan stepped into his sleep pants. “I’m not fond of sharing.”
Sean slid onto the couch cushion then patted the other cushion. “Sit. I owe you an explanation.” When Jonathan eased down beside him, Sean trailed his knuckles over Jonathan’s outer thigh. “Tyler is my ex-boyfriend. On the set of
Checkers
, I started using cocaine. It’s not my proudest moment, but I was nineteen and it’s my past. The reason I got booted from the show was my addiction. Tony refused to deal with me when I was high and had me sent to rehab. At the time, my mother still had some clout and forced me. I hated them both, but I stuck it out. I liked acting too much to give in to the drugs. When I was proclaimed clean and sober, I was introduced to Tyler. He was supposed to be my sponsor. We ended up sleeping together instead. I’m pretty sure there are rules against the sponsor and ex-user being involved, but we were…horny. I’m not sure if we were actually dating or it should’ve been labeled enabling. Anyway, three years and a whole lot of arguments down the road, we actually split up. I was clean and functioning, but he was like an old shirt...comfortable and reliable. Tony even asked me to be on his movie
Royals
. In the last year, Tyler and I had a one-night stand. I moved on and am looking down the barrel of four years clean and mostly sober. Tyler is my friend, but we’ll never be more.”
“Ah.” Jonathan scratched his forehead and processed the new information. Tyler wasn’t exactly a threat, but the whole thing with Sean wasn’t exactly clear either. “So you’re saying I’m a rebound?”
Sean frowned. “You’re only a rebound if it’s right after the relationship splits. We would’ve had to meet more than a year ago for that to happen.” He inched closer to Jonathan and eased his palm over Jonathan’s thigh. “I don’t want whatever this is growing between us to go away. I’m happiest when I’m with you.”
“You’ve been with me one time, and we’ve been together for less than three days. That’s hardly enough time to figure out if we’ve even got a relationship.”
“I disagree.” Sean turned enough to face Jonathan and drape his arm around Jonathan’s shoulders. “I don’t like to waste time. I can’t guarantee I’ll be the perfect boyfriend and we’ll live happily ever after, but I’d like to try.”
“Sean.” Jonathan wanted to pull away, but Sean’s magnetism held him firm. “We’ve got a long road ahead of us. We live in different states. You’re more established in your career.” He shook his head. “People will talk. I’m not sure I want to have a relationship in the public eye.”
Only half of what he’d said made any sense.
“I’m used to people talking about pretty much every aspect of my life.” Sean stroked the hairs at the base of Jonathan’s skull. “I haven’t made a move that wasn’t dissected in the court of public opinion in nearly fifteen years. If they’d stop talking, I’d love it.” He sighed. “Long-distance relationships can happen. Besides, your career will take off. It’ll happen faster if you’re in California. Wasn’t that the plan all along? Break into showbiz in Hollywood?”
“Well, yeah.” But when Sean said it, the plan sounded rather thin and not terribly thought out.
“We can go the distance. I know we can because I look at life this way: we could end up running our course and burning out as a couple, but we could also be on the verge of something really great. We’ll never know what could happen if we don’t take that first step. I want to leap.”
“You sound like a self-help book.”
“I should. I’ve read just about every one of them that’s available.” He continued stroking Jonathan’s hair. “What do you say?”
Calm swept over Jonathan. He loved the way Sean knew how to touch him and what to say to make him feel better. He liked having Sean around. “Then why not?”
“I hoped you’d say that.” Sean grinned. “You’re very special to me.”
“Special?” Jonathan blurted. “I thought for sure you were here to break up with me.”
“Nah.” Sean tugged Jonathan across his lap so he straddle him. “I wouldn’t have stalled for so long. Like I’ve said I hate to waste time.” He cupped Jonathan’s jaw in both hands. “I’ve never wanted someone the way I want you—crazy hair-band sounding lyrics and all.”
“Yeah, that did sound like a line from a power ballad.” Jonathan inched higher up on Sean’s lap, rubbing the bulge in his sleep pants against the one in Sean’s jeans. “It’s a good thing I plan on signing on to do the short film, then, isn’t it?”
“You did?” Sean pulled him closer and kissed him hard on the lips. “I love you.”
“You what?” He knew what he’d heard. Love. Sean claimed he loved him. No fucking way. “Sean?”
“That’s awesome.” Sean kissed him again, this time longer and with more passion. He licked the seam of Jonathan’s mouth and when Jonathan opened to him, he sucked on his tongue.
Jonathan moaned. He’d been crazy to think he could get Sean out of his system in a short period of time. The man was just too confusing and overwhelming. Jonathan wasn’t even sure what to believe. He let go of Sean long enough to catch his breath.
“Details,” Sean said. “I need to know what’s going to happen.”
First, he needed to clear his head. Jonathan gulped for another breath. So much had happened in a short period of time. “My Uncle Ron is an attorney, and I called him for a referral. I had no idea he did contract work, so I had the contacts sent to him. He’s coming here tomorrow to discuss some small details and so we can sign the paperwork.”
Sean’s eyes widened. “You’re not fucking with me and blowing smoke up my ass? Or do you mean we aren’t going to have sex in the movie?”
“We can have all the sex we want…on or off the film.” Jonathan shrugged, finally understanding what Sean meant. “I want to do that film, and that’s why I was scared. In less than three days time, I’ve formed an attachment to you. I don’t know if I could handle making a movie with you, being close to you in those scenes then having to share you with someone else.” He groaned. “Didn’t that sound stalker-ish…geez.” But the truth hurt. He’d fallen more than a little in love with Sean. The jealousy within him would eat him alive. He’d never been in over his head the way he was with Sean and that thought scared him.
“I knew what you meant, and yeah, I can see where things could get painful. I used to be that guy, but I’m not any longer.” Sean curled his fingers under Jonathan’s chin. “I’ll do my best to make sure you won’t regret taking this leap with me.”
Oddly enough, Jonathan believed it. “I know you will.” Now, if he could just figure out how to keep his heart from breaking when the inevitable happened, he’d be fine.
Sean stared at him for a long while. “You’ve been hurt, and I want to make that up to you. I’ve been on the receiving end of people being assholes. If at all possible, I will not be that person to you.” He grasped Jonathan’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “What’s on the agenda for this evening?”
“I’ve got to work.” And just like that, the real world came crashing down on Jonathan. He still needed to earn a living, despite some of his acting dreams coming true. “The diner called. Short staffed. It’s just a five-to-ten shift. Nothing too taxing, but the tips should be good. You’re welcome to stay—unless you’ve got a better offer.” Part of him hoped Sean would whisk him away from the dregs of hourly work. He wanted a better life. The rest of him wanted to be able to say he’d made the big time on his own.
“I’m all yours.” Sean palmed Jonathan’s ass. “I’ve got nowhere to go and a hot guy I’d like to spend my day with. You?”
“Really?” His voice cracked. Jonathan spread his fingers out on Sean’s leg, massaging the tight muscle. “I mean, I’m glad, but I didn’t expect you to really want to stay with me.”
“Honey, I care about you. I want to see where this is going.” Sean sat up enough to kiss him. “I can dick around the set until you get off then we can hang out…have a super late dinner…”
“Have sex?”
“Now you’re talking my language.” Sean moved his legs then slid his hands under Jonathan’s shirt. “I’ve been dying to feel you beside me since the moment you left. I’m sorry about Tyler. Let me make it up to you.” He continued kissing Jonathan, moving along his neck and jaw.
“How?” Jonathan suppressed a moan.
“I’ll take you to lunch.” Sean eased his phone out of his pocket and swiped across the screens. “There.”
“There what?” Jonathan blinked. “What did you just do?”
“Get dressed. Something comfortable.” Sean disengaged from Jonathan and stood. He smoothed his fingers through his hair. “Oh, what did I do? I ordered us transportation.” He winked. “You’ll love it.”
Jonathan stood. Once again, Sean had his head spinning. He was already wearing something comfy and hadn’t planned on going out anywhere. He grabbed a pair of jeans from the drawer and retrieved a pair of socks. He couldn’t shake the swept away feeling. “Any idea where you want to go?”
“Uh-huh.” Sean’s eyes twinkled. He waited for Jonathan to change. “Get your keys.”
“Pushy, aren’t you?” Jonathan sighed. He’d always been one to submit. Doing what others told him to do and not asking questions. Somehow, he feared if he let Sean completely take over, he’d lose himself. Was he willing to be Sean’s lapdog?
“Always.”
Chapter Ten
Once Jonathan put on his shoes and locked the apartment door, he let Sean tug him downstairs to the ground floor. On the street, a limousine waited. “You got us a limo?” Holy cow. He’d only seen limos buzzing down the main drags of Cleveland and at the airport. He wasn’t important enough for the gigantic car.
“I want to treat you.” Sean waved and climbed into the massive vehicle. “Come on.”
Shit. This is what he’d expected. Sean to take over. He braced his feet and kept from getting into the vehicle. “Sean, you don’t have to impress me.” He’d prefer it if Sean would be himself and cut the actor act.
“I like limos.” He grabbed Jonathan’s hand, not giving Jonathan much of a chance to protest further. “Come on. You’ll love it.”
Jonathan settled beside Sean. He’d never been in such a big vehicle in his life. He gawked at the rope lighting on the ceiling and the wraparound bench taking up the back and most of the side of the interior of the car. His second thoughts got the better of him. He grasped the handle of the door and scooted toward the exit.
“Sean.” He needed to get out. He didn’t belong in a limo or any other luxury vehicle. He was a simple guy from a simple place who didn’t deserve such over the top niceness. He pushed the handle, opening the door. A ray of sunshine filtered in and made the carpet glow.
“What?” Sean pressed a button, darkening the windows. “Sweet. Close the door?”
“You don’t have to do this.” Jonathan wasn’t sure he even liked the limo. He felt so tiny and unworthy. He pushed the door open even more. “I need to get out.”
Sean paused. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m overdoing it, aren’t I?”
“A little.”
Sean slid across the seat and lightly tugged Jonathan back into the car. “I’m still learning to be myself. It’s hard. Don’t give up on me?” He trailed his fingers down Jonathan’s cheek. “Let’s go for a ride.” The door clicked shut, and the vehicle lurched forward.
“One ride.” Not that Jonathan could argue. The car had already merged into traffic. “I don’t want to sound like I don’t appreciate the gesture. I do.” He glanced out the window and watched the large buildings pass. “But I’m simple. Pizza and a movie are high-class for me. I’ve never had sushi, and I’m not sure I’d even like it.”
“I forget sometimes how it feels to be normal and not have stuff thrust at you.” Sean rested his head on Jonathan’s shoulder. He held Jonathan’s hand tighter. “One day, I’ll get to treat you to a high class date. I’ll pull out all the stops. Awards season is coming up. I want to show you off. Hell, you’ll be winning all the awards, and I’ll be the eye-candy.” Sean sat up. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you in my life, but I’m not letting go. You’re amazing.” He turned in his seat enough to press kisses to Jonathan’s neck once again. This time, instead of only kissing, he touched as well. He smoothed his palm up and down Jonathan’s chest then down to his jeans. A low groan ripped from his throat as he popped the button on Jonathan’s pants.
“Slow down. Someone will see us.” Jonathan wrapped his fingers around Sean’s wrist. He was losing his inhibitions because of Sean. His cock throbbed, and he gritted his teeth. Christ, Sean kept him on the edge.
“The driver is paid to drive, and I made the window tint as dark as it’ll go. No one will see anything.” Sean nibbled on Jonathan’s jaw. “That’s part of the fun of riding in a limo.”
Although he liked what Sean was doing, pushing him out of his comfort zone, Jonathan was still self-conscious about being seen. He prided himself on discretion.
Sean continued kissing Jonathan’s neck and rubbing Jonathan’s chest. “Relax.”
“I don’t know how,” Jonathan mumbled. Too many sensations bombarded him at once. He loved the silky feel of Sean’s hand on his chest and the hot kisses on his skin. The idea they could possibly be seen added a dimension of excitement, urgency and fear to the act.
Sean slipped onto the floor between Jonathan’s knees. He looked up at Jonathan with sweet mischief in his eyes.
“Going to make this worth my while?” Jonathan asked.
“You’ll love it.” He moved Jonathan’s shirt out of the way and pressed more heated kisses to his skin. He nibbled his way down Jonathan’s abs, nipping each muscle then ringing Jonathan’s bellybutton with his tongue.