Noah

"They have an art studio, too."

"I give." I threw up my hands. "Have Tiff send a video or some panoramas."

"I already did." He smirked. "Should be done tomorrow or the day after. You go back to the hotel and get some rest. It's…" He checked his watch. "Almost four in the morning."

"What about you?" Part of me was worried about facing Julian, so maybe I was stalling. "If you need any help, I'll be happy to—"

"Brooklyn ratted you out earlier," he said wryly. "Go talk to Julian."

"Goddammit," I muttered. Well, if he was asleep, I'd wait, anyway. "All right, see ya tomorrow."

I made my way out of the trailer, nodded at security and the lingering crewmembers, and strolled toward the nearest main street where I could catch a cab. My phone burned in my pocket, having been too silent all fucking day.

So far, no response from the Hartleys.

I couldn’t say I regretted sending them the tickets, but what the fuck had I been thinking? I should've cleared it with Julian.

Once in a cab toward the hotel, I cringed at the memory of us saying we were finally being open and honest—no more hiding whatsoever. Granted, we'd been talking about the outside world. Being out and open around others. But starting that chapter by keeping this from him…?

I hoped he'd see my intentions. Actually, I knew he would—eventually. But he had every right to be pissed.

Twenty minutes later, I entered the fancy lobby and took the elevator to my floor. I was surrounded by mirrors, and I removed my cap and ran a hand through my hair. I needed to trim my beard. I looked ragged as fuck, but my eyes… I chuckled and shook my head.

Since beginning my relationship with Julian, I was undoubtedly more alive. I guessed it was happiness I saw staring back at me. And some chickenshit nerves for fessing up.

Keycard ready, I exited the elevator and headed toward my suite. Julian was guaranteed to be asleep, so I was looking forward to a quick shower before crashing next to him.

I'd fess up tomorrow.

*

I woke up slowly, vaguely aware of Julian's hands rubbing my back. I groaned sleepily. It felt so fucking good, but I wasn’t ready to leave sleep behind.

"Turn around," he told me quietly.

"Mmmmph…" It was like I'd gained a ton overnight. Rolling over took way too much energy, but I did it. "It can't be time for work already, can it?"

"No." He kissed my chest lazily. I kept my eyes closed, my mind foggy with sleep, though my hands trailed up his naked body. "You rest."

I hummed, relaxing. His slow kisses and touches lulled me back to sleep, and I only roused here and there when he stroked my cock. It was the perfect morning. Perfect way to wake up.

At some point, I felt his fingers wrap around my wrists. I frowned as a dream had a decent grasp on me. Sophie and Joel were practicing lines, but I knew it was a dream, and why couldn’t I move my hands?

Then my cock was engulfed in warm and wet, and Sophie and Joel were gone. The dream faded, and with it, the cobwebs of sleep. A husky moan slipped through my lips. Julian was everywhere. I didn’t have to tell him to get lube; he nudged my legs farther apart and began teasing me with a coated finger.

In a reflex move, I shifted to scrub my hands down my face, but I was stuck. It caused me to open my eyes pretty damn quick, and I furrowed my brow and blinked drowsily.

"The fuck?" I was tied. Literally. He'd used two of my ties to restrain my hands to the bed frame. "I usually prefer coffee before I get kinky. Wha's goin' on, baby?"

"You can be quiet now." Julian seemed driven by something. Whatever it was, it made him steelier, more determined, and…feral? It was too early to read into things.

"All right." I gave the restraints a few tugs. He'd done a good job. I wasn’t going anywhere. "I'm your willing captive."

He snorted and smirked darkly, though he didn’t answer. There was tension. It confused me a bit, but then his magic fucking fingers made me incoherent. Bending down between my parted thighs, he swallowed me down and pushed two digits into my ass.

I groaned, my head falling back on the pillow again. Fuck, it burned good. The third finger even more so, and I let everything go. He was clearly in charge this morning. No complaints from me.

My abs tensed as he twisted his fingers to reach my prostate. I bucked my hips involuntarily. When I asked for more, he shushed me. Which was… Sexy. As. Fuck.

I flushed with heat. My head swam, images swirling, thoughts giving me questions. Would he make me beg? I could probably be down with that. It would be new.