New Tricks Read online

  Thomas put his hand over Brandon’s as he snapped the cuff into place. It was narrow and looked pretty nice on Thomas’s wrist. “I think it’s beautiful.” He kissed Brandon gently. “Thank you.”

  “Happy birthday, Thomas.” Brandon held him tightly as Thomas slid his arms around Brandon’s waist and pulled him even closer. Thomas kissed him hard and pressed him back onto the leather seat. Brandon chuckled softly. “I love that you liked your gift, but we aren’t doing this in the back of a limo. That’s just way too porno.”

  Thomas laughed softly. “But what if that’s one of my greatest fantasies of all time, to make out with a hottie in the back seat of a limo?” The mischief in Thomas’s eyes was almost too much, and Brandon’s desire rose quickly. Thomas’s scent and heat wrapped around him, threatening to cut off the supply of oxygen to his brain, and his good sense right along with it.

  “I think you’ll get over it.” Brandon put his lips to Thomas’s ear. “What if the driver looked back here, saw us, then went into complete shock, drove off the road, and hit some poor dog trying to make it home? How would you feel?”

  Thomas rolled his eyes. “God, you have a vivid imagination. Where in the heck did that come from?” He sat back up, and Brandon slid next to him, leaning against Thomas. It was nice, soaking in his warmth. Their joking around had cooled the mood somewhat, but heat simmered between them. Brandon was anxious to get Thomas home so he could give him his real birthday present.

  “I don’t know, but I don’t want the driver looking back here, seeing your bare ass, and deciding he was going to make a play for you.” Brandon cupped Thomas’s cheek in his hand. “I don’t want anyone looking at you that way… ever.” He closed his eyes, trying to keep his head from spinning. Everything seemed to be happening so fast.

  Just a few weeks ago, he was desperate to find a job and his prospects for a boyfriend seemed nonexistent. Now he had been offered his dream job, the one he’d wanted for years. He also had an awesome, thoughtful boyfriend who pushed all his sexiness buttons. Brandon had actually thought of turning down the job so he could stay with Thomas, but… Thomas would probably kill him if he did that, and Brandon knew he’d probably eventually blame Thomas and regret not taking his shot.

  “Sweetheart,” Thomas said gently, and Brandon realized he’d been sitting there, unmoving, his hand on Thomas’s cheek as he sank deeper into his thoughts.

  “I’m sorry.” Brandon pulled his hand away and wound his arms around Thomas, burying his face in his side.

  “Don’t be. You have nothing to be sorry for.” Thomas ran his fingers through Brandon’s hair, his hand cradling his head. “We both knew this was a possibility, and we need to face it. You have to take this job and give it everything you have. This is your dream—you only get one chance at things like this.”

  “How do you know you only get one?” Brandon asked.

  Thomas shrugged. “Because this is how life works. Things come your way in their own time, and the important decisions in life are never easy.” He swore under his breath. “I didn’t mean to sound like a damn advice columnist. But… I’m not worth you giving up the rest of your life for.” Thomas held him closer.

  “I’m not so sure of that,” Brandon said.

  “I’m not. No man is. Not after knowing them for a month. It’s going to hurt, I know that. But you have to go and take Hollywood by storm. It’s what you were born to do.”

  Brandon might have gotten angry at what Thomas was telling him if it hadn’t been for the hitch in his voice. This sounded just as hard for Thomas as it was for him, and Thomas was the one telling him he had to go. Brandon felt himself falling for Thomas a little more with each passing second, and it was going to be hard as hell to say goodbye in a few weeks.

  “We still have some time,” Brandon said around the lump in his throat. “Is there anything workwise waiting for us?”

  “No. It’s been quiet. You had things organized so well….” Thomas chuckled. “Including each and every meal for me laid out on the calendar in the kitchen.” Thomas’s belly fluttered under Brandon’s wandering hand. “But I spent too much time working, so I took today off.”

  “Good. Because we have to go out to dinner tonight, and Grandma said I have to bring you over sometime today. Apparently she has something for you too.”

  “Mom and Dad have dinner planned already, and Thelma is coming as well.” Thomas held him as they rode. “I was in favor of just taking you back to my place, throwing you over my shoulder, caveman-style, carrying you to the bedroom, and unwrapping you as my present, but they had other ideas.”

  Brandon lifted his head to look at Thomas as his body reacted to the thought of being alone with him. Even when Brandon was a teenager, Thomas had always had the ability to get him to react… and without any conscious effort. “That isn’t really fair,” Brandon groaned.

  “I know. It seems that in their rush to give me a happy birthday, they’re denying me the one thing I truly want.” Thomas kissed him deeply, holding him as the car continued gliding on the freeway, closer and closer to home.

  THAT EVENING, after an amazing dinner at Thomas’s parents’ that rivaled anything they had eaten in New York, Thomas and Brandon said good night and took his grandmother home in the limousine. She had a ball being driven around in the huge car. Not that it was a very long drive, but she had fun and had even gotten out of the car giggling and doing the royal wave to the neighbors.

  Okay, maybe Grandma’d had a little too much wine.

  “Let me help you inside,” Brandon told her.

  She shrugged him off. “I’m perfectly capable of walking into my own house and putting myself to bed. This isn’t the first time I’ve been a little tipsy in my life, and God willing, it won’t be the last.” She let herself in, and Brandon waited for the lights inside to go off before getting into the limousine and riding to Thomas’s, where a single light burned in the window.

  Thomas got out and led Brandon up to the front door, and they went inside the large home, their footsteps echoing in the empty space.

  Up the stairs and down to Thomas’s room, neither of them said a thing. As soon as the door closed, Thomas kissed him, pressing Brandon back against the door as the energy and heat in the room jumped to blast-furnace levels. The panels in the door pressed into his back as Thomas cradled his cheeks in his hands, his chest firmly holding him in place. Brandon’s head swam in an ocean of tingling pleasure as he reveled in the scent and warmth of Thomas. This was what he’d been missing the entire time he’d been away. Yes, he wanted the job, but he also needed this. Brandon wound his arms around Thomas’s waist. There were so many things he wanted to say, and yet as soon as Thomas claimed his lips in this heated kiss, all those things flew from his head and he made no effort to try to catch them. Words were overrated, at least for right now.

  “Thomas,” he managed to gasp between breathless kisses, and Thomas pulled away, maneuvering him toward the bed. They both fumbled with shirt buttons and fasteners, shoes, and damn stubborn zippers that decided to be difficult. When they tumbled onto the mattress together, Brandon pawed and clutched at Thomas, needing to get all he could from him, wanting to remember each flowing muscle, every curve of his shoulder, even the exact shape of the scar on his shoulder. It was like his mind had been built as a computer for the sole purpose of memorizing every little piece of Thomas.

  “I missed you….” Thomas smoothed his hands down Brandon’s sides, sucking his nipples and kissing trails down his chest and belly. Being held this way made Brandon feel precious, cared for. And then Thomas took him deep, sending Brandon into a cloudy-headed daze that left him breathless and aching for more.

  “You missed me?” Brandon gritted between spikes of unyielding pleasure. “What am I going to do when missing you becomes a daily occurrence?” He carded his fingers through Thomas’s hair, wishing he’d never said anything, but unable to stop.

  “The same thing I will,” Thomas said after pulling away t
o kiss him. Within seconds the interruption in their lovemaking seemed like a distant memory. Dammit. All Thomas had to do was kiss him to make the world stop spinning and everything seem all right.

  Thomas reached for the bedside table, and Brandon wrapped his legs around him, opening himself, needing to feel Thomas in every way possible. The cool slick raised goose bumps, and he held Thomas more tightly as his thick fingers explored, sliding into him one after the other. God, the stretch and burn were exquisite as they were replaced by Thomas pressing to him.

  Brandon looked into Thomas’s amazing brown eyes as his body opened for Thomas, cock sliding slowly, too slowly, but exquisitely inside his body. This was what he’d craved for today and thought about on the flight home. He needed Thomas to make love to him, just as he saw in Thomas’s eyes a requited desire that rivaled his own. God, that fire burning in Thomas’s eyes drove his longing exponentially. Thomas moved slowly, rocking them back and forth, kissing and holding him as their passion threatened to burst into flames and consume them both. Each withdrawal left Brandon aching and each thrust filled him with even more desire.

  “You know I love you,” Thomas said softly, his movements stilling. “If you don’t, then I need you to.”

  “Is this so I’ll stay?” Thomas’s cock jumped inside him, and Brandon groaned softly as he waited for Thomas’s answer—one he didn’t really need because he knew the truth before he even asked.

  “No. You have to go. Just know when you do, you take a piece of my heart with you, one that I’ll never be able to get back.” He pulled away and thrust deeply once more, sending tingles of passion racing through Brandon that built until Brandon couldn’t control it any longer and climaxed with such force that he gasped for breath, pulling Thomas along with him into bliss.

  Chapter 11

  WHO KNEW that two weeks could fly past so quickly? It seemed that Brandon had just gotten home from California, and in the blink of an eye, he was packing to leave once again. This time for good.

  “I have your calendar up to date,” Brandon said as he set a phone and iPad on Thomas’s desk. “These are what Marjorie sent me when I first started working for you. They’ll come in handy for your next assistant. I left a list of the people I’ve been working with. The dry cleaner and the yard service, the stores and things. There is nothing at the cleaners at the moment, and I have the house stocked with food for you.” Brandon handed him a business card. “You might want to contact these guys. They’re a personal chef service. They’ll come in once a week and cook meals for you that can be frozen or refrigerated and heated up. It will help make sure you eat something better than takeout every night.”

  “I can take care of myself,” Thomas said lightly.

  Brandon nodded. “I know you can do anything you want. But I need to know you’re eating healthy and taking care of yourself. I’ve also updated your calendar with doctor’s appointments, and I made one for you with a dentist. Your mom helped with both of those. There are notes on your parents’ birthdays and as many other things as I can think of.” He blinked hard. “Marjorie said that she’d do what she can to help you until you can find another assistant here.”

  Thomas shook his head. “I’m not getting another one. I’ll take care of the things I need myself from now on. You could never be replaced, as my assistant or in my heart.” It hadn’t seemed right when Marjorie asked him about it a week ago, and it still wasn’t something he could do. “There’s nothing for you to worry about except getting to California and starting your new life and job. I want you to call me to let me know you made it okay. If you need help with anything, you’re to call. You have to promise me that.” He’d worry if Brandon didn’t.

  This was the hardest thing Thomas had ever had to do in his life. Brandon had the opportunity of a lifetime, the same as Kornan had given Thomas all those years ago. He couldn’t deny that to Brandon. He loved him too much to hold him back. But he’d moved to Colorado Springs for peace and to be close to his parents, who needed him. He couldn’t abandon the people who had supported and encouraged him now that he realized how much they needed him and how important they were to his life and to the person he’d become. Up until now Thomas had always chosen what he wanted. This time he had to choose what his parents needed, even if it cost him his heart.

  “I will. You know that, and maybe you can come out to visit.” Brandon moved closer to Thomas’s desk and walked around to stand in front of him. “I don’t know what to tell you right now. I mean….”

  “I know.” Thomas stepped forward and hugged him tightly. “It’s nearly time for you to go. Do you have everything you need?”

  “Yes… no.” Brandon’s voice faltered. “I’ll be fine.” He pulled away. “My flight leaves in a few hours, and I have a car on its way to pick me up.”

  “What about Thelma?” Thomas knew Brandon’s grandmother was going to miss him greatly. “Did you say goodbye to her?”

  “Yes. I did before I left this morning.” Brandon leaned against him a little more. “She didn’t want me to go….”

  “Thelma is strong, and the last thing she wants is for you to stay here when the bigger world is calling.” Thomas hugged him tighter. “I’ll stop in to see her a few times a week just to make sure she’s okay. I promise.”

  Brandon nodded. “Thank you. I don’t want her to be alone all the time.”

  Thomas rubbed his back for a moment, enjoying the touch. “When will your car be here? I could have taken you to the airport, you know.” He stepped back, needing to put some distance between them, or he was going to want to say goodbye in a much more intimate way and there wasn’t the time. They’d already said goodbye in that manner last night.

  “It’s best if we say goodbye here.” Brandon swallowed, Thomas watching his throat work. Then he reached out, tracing Brandon’s jawline with the tips of his fingers, Brandon’s gaze locking on his. Damn it all, it would be so easy to ask him not to go. The word stay was on the tip of his tongue. He opened his mouth as the doorbell rang.

  The moment was gone.

  “They’re here for you.” Thomas turned and went to the door to let the driver inside. The driver took the luggage and carried it out, once again leaving him alone with Brandon. “Travel safely.”

  “I will.” Brandon wound his arms around Thomas’s neck, bringing them together for a gentle kiss. Then Brandon pulled back, blinking before turning. He left the house and walked to the taxi. Brandon got in and paused before closing the door to look at Thomas, standing in the doorway. Thomas took a deep breath to build some strength, the urge to race out to the taxi and ask Brandon to stay nearly overpowering. Brandon eventually pulled the door closed. The driver got in, and soon the car drove away from the house.

  Thomas watched until the taxi turned the corner, and then he went inside, closing the door. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. His footsteps echoed off the marble hallway floor as though the house were empty, and in a way, it was. Thomas looked into his office but wasn’t in the mood at all. He ended up in the family room, settled on the sofa, and turned on the television to find a movie. Thomas needed to fill the house with some sort of sound. The television held no interest, but he left it on before going to his office, hoping the voices would make him feel less alone.

  THE DAYS seemed to meld together with little for Thomas to do other than work. He fell into old habits so easily. Just like before, work filled the time, and Thomas began thinking of projects he could develop in Colorado Springs. It wasn’t New York, but there were opportunities.

  Thomas drove to the grocery store ten days later, barely looking at where he was going as he assessed the area’s potential for development and change. It was how he’d started in the business, and he could return to that. It would be good.

  “It’s a terrible idea,” Blaze told him when he called to explain what he wanted as he was trying to do some shopping. The house was devoid of food, and that alone had forced Thomas out of the house and away from his compu
ter.

  “Why?” Thomas asked, taken aback enough that he stood unmoving in the middle of the produce section as people veered around him.

  “Because Colorado Springs isn’t New York, and I doubt they need a seven-story apartment building. They might need a shopping center or the revitalization of their historic downtown, but not a glass tower, no matter how architectural it might be.”

  “I’m the boss,” Thomas said forcefully.

  Blaze paused for two seconds. “Who cares? It’s my job to make sure all projects meet our standards, the ones you set, and that they get done right and on time. This is a bad idea and I’m not going to green-light it. For one, it’s wrong for the town—remember, I saw it when I went home with you in college—and two… you need to pull your head out of your butt, quit working yourself into the ground, and decide what the fuck you want to do.”

  Now it was Thomas’s turn to pause. “What the hell?” Thomas’s voice rose as he gripped the phone. “I can do what I want, and if I decide to pursue this, do you really think you have the balls to try to stop me?” This was turning into a pissing contest very quickly.

  “Yes, I do. Mine are very nice, and they’ve grown and turned to brass since you visited, remember?” The humor in Blaze’s voice defused the situation. “So let’s stand down and stop this alpha male crap. It isn’t going to get us anywhere, and besides, it isn’t going to change the fact that the idea is a bad one. Or the fact that you’re bored as sin.”

  Thomas couldn’t argue with that. He looked around the grocery store and then down at himself, in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He wondered when he’d shaved last and… dammit. Thomas hated it when Blaze was right. Son of a….

  “Blaze, I need to finish up grocery shopping so I don’t starve and….”