James's Birthday Party, page 1
James’s Birthday Party
Felice Stevens
Copyright © 2021 by Felice Stevens
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James’s Birthday Party
* * *
Malcolm
“You’re kidding.”
James arched an elegant blond brow at me. “Really? Me, kid?”
True. While James could have a wicked sense of humor, it was normally reserved for something deliciously evil that might annoy me, but the ultimate payout and reward were worth every torturous second.
“Okay. So let me rephrase. “You’re sure you never had a birthday party? Not even cupcakes after school with a bunch of your friends, or a movie on the weekend with pizza after?”
His face in profile, James took a sip of his scotch and set the glass on the table with a steady hand, but I saw his features tighten. “No, I’m certain. I didn’t have many friends, and we didn’t have the money.”
Fuck me. What an ass I was. While I’d grown up the spoiled, only child of ridiculously wealthy parents, I tended to forget James had grown up dirt-poor, the hidden, forgotten son of his wealthy bastard of a father. He might’ve beaten the odds and grown rich on his own, but he allowed that grinding poverty and hatred of his father to cloud every decision he made.
It had even prevented us from connecting emotionally until our hate burst into a lust so strong, we couldn’t keep away from each other.
“Well, Jamie, that’s unacceptable. Everyone deserves a birthday celebration.”
He rolled his eyes. “No, they don’t. I’m going to be thirty-five years old. I hardly need cake and balloons.”
“I wasn’t exactly thinking that.”
To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it at all until just now, but the more James protested, the more I wanted to give him a night he’d never forget. Having planned hundreds of charity events, the wheels began to turn as I gazed into my glass.
And because he knew me so well, his lips twitched as he heaved a sigh. “Okay. Spit it out. Knowing that demented mind of yours, I’m almost afraid to ask what you’re thinking.”
I grinned and rubbed my bare foot over his. We were in our apartment, sharing a drink before James got ready to head to Sparks for the evening. Frankie had the management of Man Up running smoothly, but I knew James was the type of person who needed to keep his finger on the pulse of everything important. The sun set over the river, and I luxuriated in my peaceful space. Our apartment, decorated by Austin, had become a sanctuary for me, where I could do my philanthropic work, no longer needing to run to the ends of the earth to find excitement. I had everything I needed right next to me.
“Why, Jamie, whatever do you mean?” I struck a pose, pretending to think. “I’m merely thinking of what little boys like at birthday parties.”
“Lots of other little boys? That’s what I would’ve wanted.” He laid his head on my shoulder, and contentment such as I’d never known filled me.
“No looking at anyone else but me, Jamie-boy.” I nuzzled him. “It took long enough to make you mine. I’m not giving you up.”
He shifted to give me greater access to kiss his neck, and I felt the hum of his contentment under my lip. That sound never failed to give me pleasure. “Thank the lord you can’t bring a horse inside here, or you’d find a way to have pony rides.”
“Is that a dare? You know how much I love a challenge.” I took the drink out of his hand and kissed him then, licking at the bite of scotch on his tongue. “And you didn’t mind riding me last night, cowboy.” I glanced at my watch, my desire rising by the second. “As a matter of fact, I think we have time for another gallop in the saddle.” I pulled him to his feet.
“I think you’ve been hanging out with Cort too much.” Twin spots of red rose to his cheeks, but he didn’t protest as I led him to the bedroom and removed his clothes, piece by piece.
“You’re looking well, Rodeo. You and Austin, who I must say could pass for an executive instead of a former dancer in that sharp suit.”
We were at Sparks, enjoying a drink, sitting at a banquette James had set aside for us, and I studied my best friend.
Sharing a glance first with Rhoades, Austin gave me a charming smile. No longer an angry, quick-tempered man, maturity and Rhoades’s love, coupled with quiet reassurance, had steadied him.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a dancer, Mal. I don’t regret it. My life would be completely different if I hadn’t danced and met Frankie, the other guys at Man Up, and of course, Rhoades.”
“I never said you should be ashamed. And trust me, you gave as much to Rhoades as he brought to you. You can’t imagine how pathetic he was before.”
Rhoades shot me a pained look. “Thank you so much. I’m sure you’ll be happy to tell him.”
I cackled. “Don’t play all British lord of the manor with me. You sat in that mausoleum of a house every night until Austin here caught your eye. And trust me, I get it. He’s an eyeful.”
“Mal,” Rhoades growled. “Do you ever shut that mouth of yours?”
“The answer to that, as you should well know by now, big brother, is no.” James, along with his business partner, Marcus, and Tyler, Marcus’s husband, appeared at our table. He cast me a devilish smile, but two could play his game.
“He doesn’t mind me opening my mouth when it benefits him. Just this afternoon—”
“You all remember Marcus and Ty, right?”
Desperate to keep me from revealing more, James began babbling, and I snickered. I’d known Marcus Feldman for years, back when he was the hedonistic club owner who’d fuck any man who caught his eye. The fact that he’d turned into not only a devoted husband to the handsome and sexy Tyler, but full-time father to their little girl, was nothing short of mind-blowing.
“Hi, everyone.” Marcus waved at us, holding Tyler’s hand. “Austin, you’re looking classy as hell.”
“Definitely a change from my former outfits.”
“I didn’t mind,” Rhoades murmured. “I’ll confess to missing them sometimes.”
Austin leaned in to whisper in Rhoades’s ear, and I watched my best friend’s eyes widen and his color heighten. I suspected Austin might be giving Rhoades a private show later tonight.
Giving us all a disarmingly shy smile, Austin played with the straw of his margarita. “I do have some news, though. I just found out today that one of the apartments I decorated is going to be on the cover of Architectural Digest.”
“Austin, that’s incredible. Only a few years ago you were dancing in my studio.” Tyler beamed at him. “Look how far you’ve come. I’m so proud of you.”
“Terrific news, Austin.” I shook his hand and waved over one of the waiters. “Bring us a bottle of champagne.” While everyone continued to fuss over Austin, I shifted over. “And you, Jamie, come sit by me, so we can toast Austin properly.”
“There isn’t room. I don’t mind standing.”
“Well, I mind.” I patted the space next to me. “You can squeeze in next to me, where you belong.”
“You’re not going to be satisfied until I do it, are you?” But he slid into the narrow space.
“Don’t you like being close to me, Jamie?” I ran my hand up his thigh and heard his breath hitch. One of my favorite things was to turn James on in public, forcing him to keep all that lovely, delicious passion banked inside until he was ready to explode.
“Stop that.”
“Make me.”
It was dark enough in the club that I could spread my fingers over the bulge in his trousers and cup his rapidly swelling dick. He put his hand over mine to push me away, but I grabbed him and began a slow, rhythmic squeeze-and-rub motion.
“Mal,” he gritted out. “Stop it.”
“You know you love it.”
“Club’s doing well I see, James,” Marcus said and drew up a chair from a neighboring table. “It’s packed, and from the numbers, running ahead of last year.”
“Mmmhmm,” James managed and Marcus, no stranger to club antics, raised a dark brow. His violet eyes brimmed with amusement.
“Very well, I’m thinking.” He caught my eye, and I winked.
“Well, you know James. He’s always been a very hands-on manager.” One final rub to his now fully erect dick, then I let go. “Here’s the champagne. Congratulations, Austin.”
I raised my glass to everyone at the table and clinked James’s, who leveled a look of such murderous fury at me, I was reminded of that explosive kiss we shared here, the night of a charity auction when I’d bid on and won a date with him. An idea formed as to how I planned to celebrate James’s birthday.
If he didn’t kill me first.
“You’re going to pay for this.” A sunny smile lifted his lips, but the fire blazing in his eyes made me shiver in anticipation of what was to come. I raised my champagne flute to him.
“Shut up and take my money.”
* * *
James
“You’re such a bastard.” I flung my suit jacket into the corner of our bedroom and toed off my shoes.
“Absolutely.” Mal’s smile gleamed bright in the dim light of the bedroom as he quickly stripped off his jacket.
“Embarrass you? Never.” He stopped with shirt in hand, his toned, muscular body bare from the waist up. “And so what if Marcus knows? God love him, Marcus did much worse, I know for a fact, before he married Ty. Besides”—that cocky grin returned—“I did it because I hoped this would happen.”
He dropped the shirt and advanced on me, amber eyes blazing, mouth curved in a sensual, wicked smile, and my heart slammed in my chest as he stood before me. How did we end up in this place where the mere sight of him was enough to make me explode?
“This?” I might’ve asked the question, but I knew the answer and waited, holding my breath, for Mal’s response.
With the edges of my shirt gripped in each hand, Mal ripped it apart, and I reached behind to steady myself against the wall. That teasing smile grew broader, and he sank to his knees in front of me. A man like Malcolm McHabe—rich, powerful and so damn sexy he left me breathless—didn’t kneel before anyone and yet, here he was at my feet.
Fuck if that wasn’t the hottest damn thing I’d ever seen.
“This.” His steady fingers undid the button of my trousers and unzipped my fly, releasing the pressure on my dick. My pants slid down, and Mal kissed the V by my hip, nibbling along my stomach and rubbing his cheek against my rigid length, still trapped in my damp briefs. “Do you know I want you all the time, my Jamie-boy? Every minute of every day.” He mouthed me through the thin cotton, and I grew weak-kneed.
The lilt of his Irish accent flowed over me, stirring me further. My breathing turned harsh and silently, I stepped out of my trousers and widened my stance. His heated gaze swept over me, and I felt bared to the bone, not only my body, but to my soul. From the beginning, Mal always had the unique ability to see beneath my skin to the real me, even when I didn’t know who I was.
Strong hands smoothed up and down my quivering thighs, and I bit my lip while arching into Mal’s touch. We could and did make love every day and night, yet each brush of his fingers felt brand new, every kiss as perfect as our first.
“That’s right, my Jamie. I know what you want. It’s what I want too.” He continued crooning to me as he peeled off my briefs. That slight touch of rough fabric against my sensitive flesh sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I hissed.
“D’you know how the mere sight of you turns me on?” He licked the liquid trickling from my slit. “I can’t think of anything else but you.”
“Mal,” I moaned, my hips involuntarily rolling toward him, aching for the touch of his mouth. “Please.”
“Yes, that’s right, I’m going to please you. So damn well.” His mouth came down over my dick, and I cried out at the perfect mix of heat and wetness as he grasped my hips and sucked up and down my length. At the apex, his tongue circled the head before sliding down once again to take me down to the root.
“Mal, Mal.” I twisted my fingers in his hair and thrust into his willing mouth. I was no longer James Rutledge, unaffected and closed off. Malcolm had burrowed so deep within me, he’d broken open the shell I’d crawled inside to hide, leaving me naked and exposed.
My orgasm crested, a tidal wave drawing me under so I could barely draw a breath. Weak-limbed, I held myself up by sheer force of will but when I came, shooting hard down Mal’s throat, he moaned and that intense, sensual sound vibrated through me and I slid out of his mouth and sank to the floor beside him.
“Mmm, you should see your face, Jamie. So flushed and desperate for me. Do you? Do you want me now?”
“Always. I want you always and forever.”
He cupped my face and kissed me, and I tasted myself, bitter yet sweet on his tongue. The pace of his breathing increased, and I might’ve come only moments before, but I wanted him again. Inside me.
“Come to bed with me,” I whispered, although there was no one there we needed to hide our words from.
His playful mood gone, Mal took my hand and kissed it; then we rose, and he removed the rest of his clothes. Both of us naked, we lay together on the bed. He took the lube from our nightstand and after coating his fingers, he entered me, working my aching hole, stretching me so I eagerly pushed back on him when his hard cock thrust inside me.
“Ride me.” Mal gripped me, and I rose and fell on his thickness. “That’s it.”
He pegged me hard, driving in deep. After all these years together, he knew with an unerring touch exactly where to move. And I knew how to make him feel good, and I tightened myself around his hot rigid length as I rocked up and down, making every push and pull last as long as possible. I bent over him and kissed him hard and deep, plunging my tongue inside to meet and tease with his.
Mal dug his fingers into my waist, gave three long hard thrusts, and came, groaning into my mouth. I clasped him tightly, unwilling to let go, and he held me close, kissing my cheek.
“That was nice,” he murmured.
“Nice?” I pretended outrage. “Nice is the weather, not what you say after we make love.”
His lips lifted in a lazy, sated smile. I loved seeing him like this, when I knew he wasn’t hiding things from me. Because I knew he did. Mal didn’t like me to know when he felt ill and got those headaches.
But I saw. And one day we might have to have that tough conversation about another surgery, but not now. Not when our sweat-slicked bodies lay together, and I could taste the salt on his skin. Not when our hearts pounded in tandem. Not when I loved him so much more than I loved myself, and it fucking scared me to death to think of life without him.
“Magnificent. Perfect. Incredible.”
I lifted off him and lay nestled in the curve of his arms.
“I should get up and shower.”
He held me closer. “Don’t go just yet.”
A chill of uncertainty ran through me, but I chose my words carefully, knowing how touchy he was. “Everything okay?”
His lips brushed my hair, and the strong beat of his heart thumped beneath my cheek. “Yeah. I just like holding you.”
Relief left me trembling. “I like it too.”
We stayed like that for a while, Mal cuddling me close.
“Do you really not want to celebrate your birthday?”
I picked my head up to stare down at him. “Seriously? This is what you’re asking about?”
“It’s important to me.”
“I don’t want a big fuss, Mal. Please.” I gave him a stern gaze. “Promise me you won’t make a big to-do.”
“But you don’t mind a little something, right?”
I sat up, and even though I could feel his come trickle out of me, I didn’t move. We could change the sheets later. “Tell me you don’t have something outrageous planned.”
“Why would you assume it’s outrageous?”
I arched a brow. “Are you serious? You forget I know you.”
“Yes, you do.” He swept me under him and began to kiss me again, rendering me mindless with desire as he always did with his touch. “You know me better than anyone. You know I love you and would do anything for you.”
I don’t know what I did to deserve this, I thought hazily, but I’ll take it.
“You promise there isn’t a huge surprise party waiting for me?”
A week later, we were in a cab from our apartment, on our way uptown to Man Up. Mal had insisted that I come to the club, have a few drinks so the guys could all get together to wish me a happy birthday, and then we’d go have a nice dinner. Just the two of us. For some reason, I didn’t trust him.
Well not for some reason. Being that I was talking about Malcolm, only God knows the thought processes in that warped brain of his.
“Why do we have to go all the way up there?”
“Don’t whine. It isn’t a cute look on you.” He kissed the tip of my nose.
“I do not whine, thank you.” I crossed my arms and glared at him. “I’m asking a valid question, and I expect an answer.”
His grin gleamed at me in the darkness of the car. “There’s the James I know and love. All that fire and arrogance. You know how much that frostiness turns me on, don’t you?”
“Really?” I drawled. “What doesn’t turn you on? That’s a much narrower scope.”
