“Where did you sleep last night?’ Alec countered.
That stopped him and his bravado in his tracks. Damn. Keyes looked up to see that familiar cock of Alec’s brow, proving he knew he’d won that argument.
“If you lived here, it wouldn’t have mattered what time you got out of the meeting last night, you’d’ve come to your home. Same with me going to Austin. You didn’t stay here while I was gone. If it were your home, you’d be here.”
Keyes eyed Alec closely, some of the happy from minutes ago was gone. Okay, this conversation had taken a wrong turn somewhere. He sucked at the twenty-question game Alec pulled off so easily. On that theory, Keyes remained silent until he took his seat, and then teased Alec, hoping to turn this night around.
“You think you’re so smart. Keep goin’, what’s goin’ on tonight that you’re still hidin’.”
With a cocky little move, Alec popped a shrimp bite in his mouth. His nervousness was gone as he reached for the wine bottle and poured himself a refill. “I think we can stay right on the you think I’m so smart for a minute more. Let me bask in my victory.”
That was one of Alec’s finest qualities. He didn’t allow himself to wallow in anger or stay upset for long, and Keyes barked out a laugh, choosing to contradict him. “I think I said… you think you’re smart.”
“You’ve been hanging out with me too long if you’re picking apart every detail.” Alec stood with the wine glass in hand, giving him a wink as he bent over, coming within inches of his lips. “Come on. I have more to say. Let’s do it in the bedroom.” Alec took his hand, pulling on him until he reluctantly rose. If sex were involved, he’d have gotten a kiss. So, he was back to wondering what the hell was up as he grabbed his beer for liquid courage.
Funny, he was a badass biker who had people scattering when they saw him, yet this refined man who had never seen the end of a fist somehow regularly brought him to his knees, and he didn’t even seem to care. He voluntarily let Alec continually surprise him even though he fucking hated being surprised, and that was because it made Alec happy. When Alec encouraged the twist of their hands, entwining their fingers, Keyes let that happen, too, even as his anxiety built at a rapid pace.
“You’ve been busy.”
“I didn’t like sleeping alone so I stayed awake,” Alec said, his voice growing quiet as he got closer to the bedroom.
“Quit tryin’ to sex talk me,” he teased, and Alec shot him a brilliant smile over his shoulder as he opened the door. Alec stopped right inside the door, and Keyes craned his neck to see inside. His anxiety immediately lessened. Wow, okay, he could be into this. Alec had gone all out in the romance department. Rose petals carpeted a path to the bed, the only light in the room came from the soft glow of candles, very soft classical music played and champagne sat chilling in the bucket along with several longneck bottles of his favorite beer.
He guessed Alec was breaking their recently established no sex after eating rule. “Why did you do all this?”
“The night requires romance.” Alec didn’t let him go, moving forward, guiding him toward the edge of the bed. There had to be a hundred candles flickering, all over the bedroom. “I got you a gift. Sit down.”
Oh hell, another gift. His anxiety swirled as he lowered to the edge of the mattress, his body tight with tension. Why was Alec buying him more gifts? He hadn’t bought Alec shit since they’d started dating. Now he’d be two down. Keyes stared at the small brightly wrapped boxes Alec extended. He hesitated. Small things could be as expensive as the big things. He didn’t take the gifts immediately. Instead, he looked up at Alec and asked, “What’s goin’ on?”
“Seriously, play along.” Alec ignored his question and placed the gifts in his hand. When he started to say he’d gotten that ridiculous gift sitting out in the driveway, Alec shook his head, and nodded to the present in his hand. “Unwrap.”
Keyes leaned over, placing his bottle of beer on the nightstand, then reluctantly unwrapped the box as Alec left him sitting there. Alec got a new job and he got a gift? That made no sense at all.
“Keep going,” Alec encouraged quietly from the closet door. Keyes lifted the lid to find a small leather collar and leash inside. It took a second for him to digest, then suddenly he better understood what tonight was about. Sex toys. They were celebrating Alec’s good fortune and taking their relationship to the next level sexually. He nodded—totally into the idea as long as he wasn’t the one tied up—and immediately reached behind his back to tug his T-shirt over his head. Whew, all the anxiety fled. He’d dodged a bullet in this deal.