Perfect Imperfections

“Uh, I have news for you, Reg,” Jeremy said. “My mother doesn’t marry for life. In fact, when you consider the prefilming stuff, the actual filming schedule, editing, and then the release promo, a lot of movies last longer than her marriages.”

“Wow.” Reg shook his head. “I totally can’t relate.”

“No?”

“My dad’s been dead for going on ten years, and my mom won’t even consider the idea of dating. She says ’til death do us part isn’t long enough, and there’s no room in her life for someone else.” He sighed and concentrated on massaging Jeremy’s shoulders. “That’s what marriage is supposed to be.”

“That sounds nice,” Jeremy said quietly. “I mean, I’m sorry for her loss and for yours. But that kind of commitment, caring about someone so much—” He cleared his throat. “It sounds nice.”

Looking down at the man cuddled against him, Reg’s heart swelled. “It is,” he whispered.

Chapter 11

“DID YOU talk to Bill about it?” Reg asked.

“Quit using that voice on me!” Jeremy yanked his shirt off, balled it up, and threw it at the hotel wall. It barely made a sound, which was disappointing. “It won’t work this time.”

Once again, Francis had planned interviews on the same day as a concert. Thankfully, they were earlier in the day instead of after the show. Well, at least that was what Jeremy had thought. But it turned out there was a reporter waiting when he got off stage too. Not to mention the photographer who happened to be outside the diner where they’d stopped to grab dinner.

“What voice? I’m just asking a question.”

“No, you’re not. You’re using your Calm Jeremy Down voice.” He toed off his shoes, picked one up, and threw it against the sliding glass door. There. That made a more satisfying sound. “I will not calm down!”

Reg turned his lips up in his crooked grin, leaned back against the wall, and crossed his arms over his chest. “My Calm Jeremy Down voice?”

“Yeah, you know.” Jeremy picked up his other shoe and threw it at the same spot. The glass shook again, but not as hard. “It’s lower and has a slower cadence than your regular voice.”

“I didn’t realize I had another voice.”

Looking around for something else he could throw, Jeremy saw the remote control and headed for it. He managed to get it in his grip, but before he could raise his hand, Reg was behind him, curling his large frame around him as he took hold of the remote. The fight immediately started slipping out of him.

“We’re not breaking electronics, superstar.”

“You’re using the voice again,” Jeremy warned, but he could no longer muster up the energy to yell.

“You’re vibrating, like you’re spoiling for a fight.” Reg’s hot breath ghosted over his ear and neck, making him shiver. “Tell me what Bill said that has you all riled up.”

“I haven’t told him about the interview after the show yet because I talked to him before I went on stage, but when I called to tell him about all the people I had to meet earlier today, he said it’s part of my job and I need to stop complaining.” Jeremy frowned and grunted. “I should fire him.”

“No, you shouldn’t. He’s a good guy, and he works hard for you.” Reg moved his hands up Jeremy’s stomach and brushed his thumbs over Jeremy’s nipples, which pebbled up under the attention. Jeremy hadn’t known he was sensitive there until Reg first traced his fingers over them; now he found himself subconsciously leaning into the touch, wanting the sensation. “What’d he say about the photographer outside the restaurant?”

“Um.” It was hard to concentrate with the adrenaline draining from his body. “I think he’s finally getting what I’ve been saying for months: it isn’t normal the way they show up everywhere.”

“See? That’s good. Sounds like you made progress. Now, let’s see what we can do to get you to stop thinking about work.” Reg dragged his hands down Jeremy’s flank and tugged on his waistband. “You want these off?”

“Yeah.” Jeremy nodded.

“You tired?” Reg asked as he unbuttoned and unzipped Jeremy’s jeans.

“Yeah, but I’m too worked up to sleep.”

“Well, I have an idea to help get your energy out.” Reg pushed Jeremy’s jeans past his hips, and they fell the rest of the way, pooling on the floor around his feet. “It’ll get you nice and relaxed.”

“Is it using that voice some more? Because that doesn’t calm me down.” Except it did. Reg’s deep, warm voice, his understanding eyes, his hard, strong body—all those things relaxed Jeremy, helped ease his stress.

“No, it’s not the voice.” Reg chuckled, dropped to a squat, and started removing Jeremy’s socks. “I have something else in mind.” When he didn’t say anything more, Jeremy twisted his head and looked down. “I was thinking of a, uh, game.” Reg smiled wickedly. “Sort of.”