They nodded and went back to their duties, but Spencer was sure inquiring minds still wanted to know. Was Spencer going to drop his guard and let in a little holiday cheer this season or continue to be the downer he typically was?
Six
Cole
Cole didn’t know who the motherfucker was that had grabbed Spencer’s arm, but he could tell by the tenseness in Spencer’s shoulders and the firm set of his jaw that it wasn’t appreciated. Spencer disappeared behind a set of double doors, and Cole locked eyes on the young asshole. He held it until the prick reclined back in his chair and allowed his server to relight his cigar, turning his attention to the piano player.
That’s what you better do, shithead. Cole wasn’t a person who liked to cause a scene, and honestly this wasn’t his type of crowd. He felt men who needed to be catered to in this manner were insecure. He’d never been that kind of person. If he wasn’t so intrigued with Spencer, he wouldn’t be signing up for a membership. If he came to town overnight again, he’d have a quick drink and smoke in the common area, then leave. His brother, Coleman, had been the face of the company, the glamorous one, the wonder boy. He’d been the one that loved to indulge in the finer things in life. And Cole had been the creative genius behind the scenes, confined in his New York loft, designing some of the rarest collections of jewelry in the world. They’d been a kickass team. Until it all changed in one night. Now Cole was alone to do it all himself. Thrust into the public spotlight, and he’d never felt so scared and so alone.
“I wasn’t gone to long, was I?” Spencer asked as he settled beside him, his fresh fragrance filling his senses, his warm body chasing away the chill of his depressing thoughts.
“Just long enough for me to miss you.” Cole smiled. His joy was cut short when he saw the faint shimmer of moisture in Spencer’s eyes and the splotchy red patches on his cheeks as if he was fighting to contain his emotions. Cole immediately brought his hand to Spencer’s chin and tilted his head toward him. God, he was beautiful, but now wasn’t the time for more selfish observations. “Hey. What’s the matter? What happened?”
Spencer lowered his head, and Cole allowed him to retreat into the safety of his throat. Cole cupped the back of Spencer’s neck and massaged him as he turned toward the bastard that had grabbed Spencer’s hand. He gave him the look of death. If he was the cause of this, he’d pay. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me.”
“I’m sorry. This is… is not like me.” Spencer sniffed and shook his head as if he was being silly. “It’s just this goddamn holiday, fuck. It gets in my head every time, no matter how much I try to ignore it. Hell. I should be over this shit by now.”
“I understand,” Cole said softly against the bottom of Spencer’s jaw.
“How could you? You actually look as if you’re enjoying the season. I mean, I haven’t seen you cringe once at the flashy decorations or the piano player’s third rendition of ‘Santa Baby.’ And if I hear one more person talk about how much food they’re going to stuff their faces with at Christmas dinner, I’m going to snip the tip of their tongue with my cigar cutter.” Spencer pulled back and gazed into Cole’s eyes. The pain and heartache were clearly evident behind the forced humor, and he wished like hell he had the power to take it all away. “If I wasn’t at work, I’d be home in bed with the lights off on my Grinches Only Facebook group.”
“Did you say grinches only?” Cole smirked.
Spencer’s gorgeous smile began to slowly reappear. “Yes, I did?”
“Well, can I get an invite or what?” Cole rubbed him lightly under his ear.
Spencer laughed, and it was far better music to his ears than what was coming from that grand piano. Cole bit his bottom lip to keep from asking what time Spencer got off tonight. He wanted to ask if he could spend the rest of the evening with him, but he didn’t want to presume.
“Sure. Ask one of your fifteen secretaries to give me your Facebook name and I’ll send it right over,” Spencer teased as he brushed his thumb along Cole’s lower lip, coaxing it from between his teeth. Electricity sparked inside of him as Spencer grazed his delicate fingertips along the tender flesh.
Cole closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Let’s step outside for a moment. I think I need some air.”
“It’s freezing out there.” Spencer blinked his long, dark lashes.
“It’s either I step outside and compose myself, or I take your mouth right here, right now in front of everyone.”
Spencer’s eyes blazed with fire. “I’ll get my coat.”
While Spencer was gone, Cole got a message that his car would be pulling up in fifteen minutes. Shit. He snapped his wrist up. He couldn’t believe it was already eleven thirty. He’d promised his guys they could have Christmas Day off. But he wasn’t ready to leave Spencer. He racked his brain for an idea, because there was no way Axel was going to allow him to stay out at all hours without security.
Spencer returned and took Cole’s knee-length black trench from the attendant and proceeded to help him into it himself. His touches were purposeful and teasing in all the right places. Spencer smoothed his hands along Cole’s shoulders, then came around to stand in front of him. They didn’t take their eyes off each other as Spencer methodically fastened each button and looped Cole’s scarf around his neck.
“Do you always provide this service?” Cole asked, needing to know.
Spencer’s brow creased, and his gaze fell to Cole’s chest as he ran his fingers behind the lapels of his thick coat. “No, Cole. That’s why everyone was staring at me like that. I never do this. Well, not in a very long time.”
“Why’d you do it with me, then?” Cole held his breath. Please say because you don’t judge a man by how much money he has.
Spencer’s expression was hopeful, almost challenging. “Because I wanted to have as much fun as everyone else was having. Because despite everything I grumble about, I wanted to smile and laugh tonight too. I wanted to make a man feel special and have a meaningful conversation with someone. And when I saw you come through that door. I thought it was a goddamn Christmas miracle.” Spencer scoffed as if he couldn’t believe he’d just said that. “I just wanted to flirt with the pushy sales manager I met at the mall who I thought for a second liked me.”
Cole lifted Spencer’s hands in his own and kissed his knuckles. When he looked up, he noticed the attendant was doing his best not to watch them. “Come on. Let’s step outside.”
Spencer allowed Cole to lead him past the valet stand to the dark parking lot on the side of the building. “Did you drive here?”
“No,” Cole answered, pulling them deeper into the shadows. “Do you have a car parked out here?”
“No. I walk to work. I live in the red building one block up.” Spencer laughed, the deep, soft sound making Cole increase his speed. “Are you taking me back here to chop up my body into a million little pieces?” Spencer laughed again.
“Of course I am. How else am I going to devour you? My mouth isn’t that big,” Cole said, stopping suddenly. He wrapped Spencer in his arms and walked them backward until his ass was pressed against the cool cement building. He liked they were almost the same height, Spencer maybe an inch shorter than him.