Perfect Imperfections

Reg handed him the shampoo and started lathering his own hands with the soap. “If you want to record your next album with Frankie Z, then you have to go back now. You heard what Bill said. Frankie Z’s retiring.”

Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Nobody retires at forty, least of all the hottest producer in hip-hop. He’ll be back within a year, two, max. Mark my words.”

“Maybe so, but he says he’s retiring, and you wanted to try something new and record with him. No reason to blow that chance.” Reg tipped Jeremy’s head under the water and dragged his fingers through it, pushing the suds out. “Besides, this way we can spend Christmas with our families, plan the wedding, and when you’re done recording, we’ll have our adventure in the form of a long honeymoon.”

“I still don’t like it.” It made sense. Jeremy knew it made sense. But he resented anything and anyone that got in the way of his time with Reg. Even if that anything was studio time and that anyone was a producer he greatly admired. It was crazy and unexpected to enjoy being with a person more than he enjoyed playing music, but there it was. And it made him feel wonderful.

“Okay. All clean.” Reg turned off the water. “Our bags are packed. I left clothes out for you to wear on the plane. Your hair stuff and toothbrush are on the counter.” He tossed Jeremy a towel before stepping out of the tub and drying himself off. “Anything else you need?”

There were times Jeremy wanted to pinch himself to see if he was having an amazing dream. “Are you going to get sick of me?” He didn’t realize he’d asked the question out loud until Reg responded.

“Hey,” Reg said softly, dropping his towel to the ground before stepping back next to the tub. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” He gripped Jeremy’s elbow and helped him climb out, then he took the towel from Jeremy’s hands and dried him off. “I adore you, JJ. You know that.”

“I know.” He did. He really did. There was no mistaking the way Reg’s eyes got soft when he looked at him, the way his dick got hard, his voice gravelly. There was no missing the fact that Reg was constantly watching him, touching him, and smiling at something he said or did. “But look at what you put up with. You packed everything yourself, probably trying not to make noise so I wouldn’t wake up. You had to think about what I’d want and leave it for me to use. You had to drag me out of bed and give me a hand job. You—”

“All right, that’s enough.” Reg put the towel over Jeremy’s head and rubbed the wetness out. “Getting you off is one of life’s greatest pleasures, superstar.” He grasped Jeremy’s shoulders, walked him over to the sink, and readied his toothbrush. “And the rest of that stuff comes from being with the most talented musician of our generation. You’re busy, you’re tired, and you have a lot on your mind. If it’s not concerts or albums or photographers, it’s writing your next song.” He kissed Jeremy’s cheek. “Don’t think I miss the little bars you hum during quiet moments or the way you text yourself lines for new songs.” He tapped Jeremy’s temple. “You have a lot happening here all the time. I get it.”

All those things were true, but that didn’t mean they weren’t frustrating for other people. Jeremy had seen relationship after relationship fail because someone got tired of living in the shadows, of having the world revolve around their spouse. He’d heard people say those words to his mother, to acquaintances, to him. He could only imagine the same had been true for his father, though he doubted anyone who’d been with Beau Jameson would have expected anything different.

Jeremy didn’t want that to happen with Reg. He wouldn’t let it. “It won’t bother you?” he said, biting his lip. “Because I can change. I can—”

“Don’t you dare even think about it,” Reg said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. He handed Jeremy his toothbrush, waited for him to start brushing, and then said, “I’ve already told you I love you just how you are. I don’t want you to change.”

Jeremy spit into the sink. “But taking care of me is like a full-time job. You’ll feel ignored.”

“Well, then, it’s a good thing my boyfriend’s loaded and I can do it full time.” Reg gave him one of his sideways grins, and Jeremy melted.

“Fiancé,” he corrected, touching Reg’s chest.

Cupping his cheek, Reg smiled. “Fiancé.” He pulled Jeremy into a hug, engulfing him in heat and strength. “And you never make me feel ignored, JJ. You make me feel like someone special.”