That might be the single best way to describe his over-the-top attraction to Greer. Half his life ago, he’d learned to control what aroused him—at least the physical evidence. Greer’s charms seemed enough incentive to never hide another hard-on again.
“This silence thing needs to stop. You’re incredibly hard to read.” The firm set of Greer’s lips had Dallas taking a giant step away. Sex brought words out of Dallas’s mouth that he never intended to say. Greer’s expression meant that he knew exactly how to make Dallas talk.
“We need to go so we can be back here a little sooner,” Dallas said reasonably. It worked. Greer turned away, looking about the room until he found his wallet.
“All right, you have a good point. The deal about this evening… It’s a work event. I’ll be different tonight. This oversharing I seem to do with you is not really who I am with others. I equate tonight to a game of chess.” Greer tucked his few items into his tuxedo jacket as he spoke. “If I walk away, just hang tight. I’ll come back for you. It’s rare for any of these attendees to feel comfortable talking business with their significant others around.”
Dallas nodded, glad for the change in topic. He clasped the button of his jacket, stepping back in front of the mirror in hopes the panels hung low enough to cover his never-ending arousal.
“I’ll seem cold and distant to you, at least that’s the way Kailey describes it.” Greer’s pause had Dallas nodding his understanding again. “Let’s play a game. We need to get to better know one another. Your favorite color, tastes, preferences to everything. When I see you start to get bored, I’ll ask a question. You must respond. If you choose not to, I pick the punishment.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Dallas asked, challenge showing in the cock of his brow.
“Absolutely.”
As if the transformation to rigid professional happened in front of Dallas’s eyes, Greer took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and stood taller. His purposeful bearing carried him out of the bedroom in long, confident strides. He took on a secret agent vibe.
“Come on, babe,” Greer called, standing with one hand tucked inside his slack’s pocket, expressionless at the room’s open front door. His cool, aloof stance was a thing of beauty. Greer should grace the cover of GQ with such a stunning pose. Instant trepidation made Dallas’s heart beat a little faster.
“I think my game plan for tonight is to stay quiet.” Dallas didn’t break stride as he went through the open door.
“Not too quiet. Talk StreamTrainer freely.”
Dallas nodded. The long, relaxing massage that had rubbed away much of the tension he’d carried in his shoulders for weeks lost its effectiveness as his muscles began to tighten again.
“What’s your favorite color?” Greer asked out of the blue.
“Favorite color. I haven’t thought about it. I guess blue. I search calming colors. I like my mood to stay even.”
“Good choice. I don’t have any blue in my house and now I see your point. I need blues,” Greer said. The elevator doors opened. Dallas wanted to be a gentleman. It wasn’t instinctual to walk ahead of anyone. Greer finally broke mold and laughed at their stalemate. His arm extended, preventing the elevator doors from sliding closed again. “In the vein of learning about one another, I like to get your doors. Not everyone’s, but yours. So, please, go first.”
The request came with a wink. Of course, he gave in and walked through.
“What’s your favorite color?” Dallas asked.
“It used to be hues of red until I met this emerald-eyed man. Now I’m solidly a green guy.” Greer waggled his brows, entering the box. “Pretty good answer, right?”
Dallas’s grin split his face at how proud Greer seemed with his response.
“It’s weird to be in such a private space and not be all over you.” Greer stood on the opposite side of the elevator with his hands in his pockets. “You’re gorgeous.” Greer’s approving gaze slid down his body then lifted to meet his. “I like the joggers and knit shirts a lot, but this… Damn, I’m a lucky guy.”
“Greer, stop.”
Of course, Greer did the opposite. He stepped toward Dallas, pulling his hands from his pockets. Dallas extended a hand, as if that would ever stop Greer, but luckily the doors opened. The gala had spilled over into the foyer. Elegantly dressed men and women were sprinkled across the room in small clusters.
Greer reached for his hand and whispered, “You’re my boyfriend. We’re committed. It’ll be a surprise.”
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“I’ve never brought anyone other than Kailey,” he whispered. These hints into Greer’s life were like little bombs to his heart, obliterating the small amount of perspective he’d managed to keep.
“Fuck, Dallas,” Greer hissed, looking back at him. “I like that blush.”