Noah (26 page)

Two weeks later

"We should hurry, Noah…" He writhed under me and gripped my arms as he pushed back and met my thrusts. "Fuck! Please stop teasing me, at least. I'm so close!"

I chuckled, out of breath. "But I love teasing you." Stroking his cock firmly, I spread the pre-come seeping out of his sensitive head and drove into his tight ass over and over. "
God
…" I groaned and closed my eyes, dipping down to kiss him deeply.

My body took over, and I fucked him harder and faster. The bed frame banged against the wall, Julian's gasps became shallower, and his begging drove me crazy with lust.

I cursed as I peered down between us. My cock was slick with lube, and the sight of it pushing in and out of him was almost more than I could take. He was a vision. His abs contracted, his thighs firm with muscle caged me between him, and his long fingers clawed at my back.

"You're gonna leave marks."

"Good." He panted and fisted my hair, pulling me down for a sloppy kiss. Tongues and teeth, heavy breaths. "I want to mark you. I want—" He let out a moan when I slammed in. "Fuck. I want you to be marked underneath your tux today."

"Dirty little boy," I growled. "I love it."

Staying inside him, I swiveled my hips to reach deeper, and he cried out. The look on his face did me in. As he trembled and began coming, I gnashed my teeth together, buried myself balls deep, and let go.

A surge of euphoria shot through me, leaving ripples of pleasure that made me shiver and tremor until the high slowly came to an end. My cock pulsed inside Julian, his ass clenching as if it wanted every fucking drop I had.

"I need a nap," I groaned.

Julian laughed breathlessly. "Too bad we don't have time."

It was. And I guessed I couldn’t miss my first major premiere of a film I'd directed.

*

An hour later, Julian and I were dressed to the nines, and we met up with Tennyson and Asher in the hotel bar.

"How do ya fuckin' do, Wright brothers?" I grinned and slapped my hand to Asher's in a firm shake.

"Used and abused, Collins." He chuckled and motioned for a line of glasses of whiskey. "A drink while we wait for the ladies to make us late?"

"Cheers." I extended a glass to Julian and took a sip. "The cardio making you feel used and abused, or…?"

Tennyson laughed.

Ash rolled his eyes. "No, it's all Tennyson. I've taken his meetings this morning."

I lifted a brow. "I take it they went as expected."

"Why do you think I let Ash handle them?" Tennyson smiled wryly. "So far, only offers I can refuse."

I didn’t need to ask further.
Catching Stars
had a big buzz going on, and studios had been making offers since we found out the film had been accepted at Cannes. With some strategically leaked clips and one official trailer, Tennyson was set to make bank. But yeah, before the actual viewing, the studios played hard to get, even when they were desperate to distribute the first Tennyson Wright Production.

It was funny.

"Fuck me," Tennyson muttered into his glass. He was looking at something behind me, so I turned and saw Sophie and Brooklyn approaching. They were stunning, and I reckoned their dresses alone could bring a third world country outta poverty. I wouldn’t even speculate about the jewelry.

"We ready to go?" I emptied my glass and set it down on the bartop. Then I grabbed Julian's hand and kissed it. "I have a nervous boyfriend who's about to see his name in the credits for the first time."

Sophie beamed at him as Tennyson kissed her temple. "You've done an amazing job, Julian. I hope we'll work together again."

"Thank you, you too." Julian nodded and adjusted his bow tie. Maybe he was more than nervous. Hell, I was anxious as fuck. But at least I'd been around this life for two decades.

We exited the hotel together and ignored the paps that had flown in from all over the world for the festival. We had a limo waiting, and I sat down next to Julian as the rest piled in.

"Just wait 'til award season." Asher winked at Julian.

"Oh, God. I'm not sure I can take it." Julian slumped back and blew out a heavy breath. "If I didn’t adore your wife, Tennyson, I might've caused you some serious harm for this."

"Nonsense." Tennyson slid him an easy smile. "It's your score. We give credit where it's due."

I agreed.

Julian had gone from being an inspiration of sorts to taking over. He hadn't merely set the tone with a few songs; he'd ended up composing all music. He disliked being the center of attention something fierce, so Tennyson and I had handled the hiring of an orchestra, artists, and a studio, but Julian had been the silent genius behind it all.

"What about you, Noah?" Sophie asked. "Nervous?"

I let out a breathy laugh after Tennyson sent me a knowing smirk.

"I'll take that as a yes," Brooklyn snickered.

Good call
.

We drove through a buzzing Cannes that was packed with stars and the finest Hollywood had to offer. Festivals were a melting pot of music, fashion, film, and launches of brands. Everyone who belonged on the red carpet was a billboard, sponsored by whatever company and fashion house that had something to show off.

"Noah." Julian nudged me.

"Yeah?"

"From Grandma and Grandpa." He revealed his phone.

We wish you two good luck today. We are proud, no matter what.

That was nice.

We hadn't seen them yet, but Julian had been emailing them a lot, and as of a few days ago, he'd been on the phone with them. It wasn’t as strained anymore, and though they definitely found our relationship a bit
too
unconventional, they were trying.

We couldn’t ask for more than that. They were of another generation and had their own sets of beliefs. So it wasn’t about handing out an ultimatum of "It's all or nothing." It was about meeting halfway and accepting each other, even when we didn’t agree.

"You okay—" I was cut off by the sound of people cheering, and I looked out to see we were passing the fan area for our theater. Press and crew filled the sidewalks, and we had officially arrived. The line of limos didn’t seem too long, so it would be our turn soon.

"Ask me tonight," Julian said nervously, peering out the window. The text message and previous topic were already forgotten, so I assumed he was okay. "Don't forget to keep your promise."

"Of course." I squeezed his hand. "Junk food in bed and shutting out the world."

Sophie evidently heard that, and she nodded in approval. "Oh my God, us too. Tennyson was out this morning to get us all the snacks we'd want for a lazy night under the covers. My feet are already killing me."

Well, what did she expect with six-inch shit-kickers?

"I'm taking my stunner out for a romantic dinner on a yacht," Asher said and kissed the top of Brooklyn's hand. She smiled brilliantly, and I knew they were looking forward to their vacation after today.

"I just want hot wings," Sophie said.

Tennyson smiled. "I just want you naked, so it works out great for me."

I chuckled and scooted forward in my seat, since we were next. An assistant was approaching our vehicle, speaking rapidly into her headset. Asher sat closest to the door, so he opened it and stepped out first.

Immediately, the background noise of the crowd morphed into a loud cacophony.

I stepped out too and extended my hand to Julian. Fingers wove together. A firm grip. His hand a little clammy.

"Before I forget," he said, squinting in the sunlight, "I'm so proud of you."

I grinned and kissed his hand. "Right back at'cha, baby. We make a good team."

"The best."

In-fucking-deed, and now it was time to hit the red carpet.

*

Julian became at ease halfway through the movie. He relaxed visibly, and I could tell seeing our creation helped. He believed in the project. He was satisfied with his own work.

I was satisfied with my work as well, but I knew I wouldn't relax until all was said and done. Until the audience had said its piece. Until Tennyson had gotten an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Maybe he was sensing how high-strung I was, 'cause Julian put a hand on my leg and stroked it soothingly as the final scene began on the screen.

Light poured into the window of the art studio where April painted. It gave off an oddly warm and romantic vibe, a contrast to the sad reality of her not being able to live her life.

April's son watched her, his discomfort as clear as his love for his mother. He missed her, hated her fate and that there was nothing he could do about it.

She began humming quietly, and Julian's piano followed, along with more sunlight as the camera zoomed out to include a better shot of both of them.

"Don't worry, dear boy… Mommy can shelter you well. Don't worry, dear boy, Mommy can catch you stars." A few violins joined Julian's piano, and it was enough to give me goose bumps. "Don't worry, dear boy, Mommy can keep you safe. Don't worry, dear boy, Mommy can catch you stars."

I grabbed Julian's hand.

Dust bunnies danced in the light.

As the camera went behind Brad, filming over his shoulder, he let out a breath. April never noticed him.

"I believe you, Mom," he whispered.

Then he slowly turned around and walked down the darkened corridor, and the music grew louder, including the recorded lyrics of April's lullaby.

"Directed by Noah Collins" appeared on the screen, which was a total mindfuck.
I did this
. I drew in a deep breath and waited. "A Tennyson Wright Picture" followed, and then I felt a ton of weight sliding off my shoulders as the audience gave us a standing ovation.

Oh, thank fuck.

The credits started rolling, and I stood up with my friends, never letting go of Julian's hand. Sweet mother of Christ, I was almost shaking.

"So fucking proud. I love you." He reached up and kissed my cheek.
To hell with that
, I thought, and gave him a hard kiss. He grinned. "I want to see that name at the top many times. But…in your passport…?"

I raised a brow, confused. And a bit too overwhelmed to decipher what he was saying.

"I think Hartley-Collins sounds good for us," he said.

Fuck me.

Unable to speak, I kissed him again, and I managed a firm nod before I had an audience to face. What a motherfucking release of emotion and stress. From the moment we'd started, when Tennyson gave me this script, to now. The most prestigious film festival in the world. And Julian had been there with me for every step of the way.

I shook hands with Tennyson, both of us relieved and excited, and I hugged Sophie and Brooklyn.

"I was right," Tennyson told me. "I knew you could do this."

"I had a great mentor." I shook his hand again, and then we were called up to the stage for a Q&A I couldn’t say I wanted to sit through. But it came with the job.

The applause grew louder, and we reached the front when Julian's name rolled past in the credits.

Fuck yeah, Hartley-Collins sounded perfect.

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