One
The cream-colored envelope came special delivery. Brett stared at the expensive stationery for much longer than necessary. He knew what was inside. With nothing else for it, Brett opened the card. Even knowing what was inside didn’t lessen the impact while reading the words.
As part of their chosen family
Izaak ‘Wrecker’ Lewis
and
Johnny Wayne Savage
Request the honor of your presence as they tie the knot Saturday the eighth day of August at two o’clock in the afternoon
The Back Porch
Main Park
Los Angeles, California
Brett read the invitation three times. He felt... something. Brett just wasn’t sure what. On the down low, Brett had been dating Wrecker before Wrecker fell in love with Johnny. Actually, “dating” might be too strong of a word. They had been sleeping together. While they had been more than fuck buddies, they had been less than a couple. Brett didn’t know if what they had been had a label exactly, but he had cared about Wrecker. Johnny was Brett’s client. Brett considered him a friend. This wedding put Brett in an awkward position, to say the least.
Xavier strolled into the room. His hard, tan body almost distracted Brett from his depression. Beautiful men were his biggest weakness and he loved to watch.
Brett forced a smile to his lips. “Hello, sexy. Would you like to attend a wedding with me?”
Xavier’s gray eyes had a cool edge to them, showing his true nature. “No. I can’t think of anything I would like to do less than attend a wedding. With anyone. It’s nothing personal.”
Brett got it. He didn’t like weddings either, but he didn’t feel like this one was one he could skip. There was one person he could call. Everything inside Brett cringed at the idea, but he knew one guy who would look ridiculously sexy next to him. One of Brett’s first clients, Falcon, had gotten married almost a year ago. Falcon’s husband Mason had a best friend who would do just about anything for the right price. Since Roman was otherworldly beautiful, people often threw money and gifts his way, hoping for a second of Roman’s time. Brett had lots of money. He could afford to keep things impersonal while not looking pitiful at Wrecker’s wedding. No doubt everyone who frequented The Back Porch would be there. Brett couldn’t go while looking forlorn. Everyone there would be watching his every move, looking for any cracks to whisper about behind their hands.
Before Brett could change his mind, he quickly found Roman’s number and dialed. When Roman hadn’t answered by the fourth ring, Brett almost hung up. Then Roman’s sexy voice caressed Brett’s ear. “Hello?”
Brett had to take a steadying breath. He could already picture Roman’s perfect body and long blond hair. “This is Brett. I have a proposition for you.”
“Mhmm.” The sexy hum had Brett’s eyes falling closed. “Have you come around and seen the error of your ways? Have you finally decided to share my bed?”
A snort escaped Brett. He didn’t want to enjoy Roman’s constant flirting and ridiculousness, but Roman was irresistible. “Not that type of proposition.” Xavier chuckled as he passed. Brett ignored him, as much as anyone could ignore Xavier’s naked perfection. “How would you like another free trip to California? I need a date to Wrecker and Johnny’s wedding.”
“Interesting. Are you asking me on a date or bribing me?”
“I’m trying to hire your services.” Brett was determined to keep this professional.
A sexy and evil-sounding chuckle caressed Brett’s ear. “I’ll hear your offer.”
Brett gave a sharp nod, even though Roman couldn’t see him. He felt certain they could come to terms. “Five grand and you can choose your hotel for the weekend.”
“Three and I’ll stay with you.”
“Are you negotiating down with me?” Even Brett heard the confusion in his voice. He couldn’t understand why Roman would ask for less money and give up his chance to stay at any of the world’s most gorgeous locations.
Roman sighed. “I’d do it for free, if you asked properly, but since you didn’t...”
A growl rose in Brett’s throat. He refused to let it fly and give Roman the satisfaction of knowing he burrowed under Brett’s skin. “This isn’t a date. It’s a job. Will you take it? Yes or no?”
“Six hundred dollars. I stay with you and I get to kiss you three times at any time of my choosing.”
Brett’s eyes fell closed. Roman was impossible. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Fine.”
Roman hummed again—like satisfied. “Now, tell me everything. How would you like me to dress? When is this happening?”
Without thought, Brett laughed. The craziness of his current situation struck him. He didn’t understand how he always seemed to end up in the most fucked-up situations. “I didn’t realize I hadn’t told you a date or anything. Yet you still accepted.”
“I told you all you had to do was ask properly and I would’ve said yes for free. Whatever you need. It’s nothing for me to rearrange my schedule for you.”
Brett heard the smile in Roman’s voice. He found himself forgetting he spoke to a serial seducer. Roman was an exotic dancer by trade. Everything he did, he did to tantalize. His long blond hair and hard body. His practiced smile and seductive glances. Everything about Roman was a show. Brett always tried to stay immune. He simply wasn’t sure anyone was truly insusceptible. Still, Brett didn’t have to let Roman know he tempted Brett. “The wedding is Saturday, August eighth. I thought maybe I could fly you in Friday night and back home on Monday. That way, you can enjoy your trip and not spend the entire weekend traveling or attending the wedding of people you barely know.”
Roman turned serious. “That’s fine. I can’t wait to see you. How are you holding up with this whole wedding thing?”
It was funny. Even though they hadn’t been technically dating, lots of people had known Brett had been sleeping with Wrecker for a long time. Yet not one mutual friend had asked how Brett felt. The one person Brett expected to care the least—the one who didn’t even know about Brett’s time with Wrecker—was the one asking about his feelings. “I’m fine. They’re in love and all that mess. We should all be happy, right?”
“It’s a bit sickening, isn’t it? The way everyone’s getting married all of a sudden. I mean, I never thought Mason would take that plunge. Yet, here we are. He’s married and barely speaks to me any longer. But—like I said—I can’t wait to see you. That makes a wedding worthwhile. Not to mention, I bet you look sexy as hell all decked out in your finest.”
Brett felt the same way about Roman. No doubt, every eye would be turned his way. The jealousy in the room would be thick. The thing was, Brett would know he paid Roman to be there. The pride he felt with Roman at his side would be tainted by that knowledge. Everyone would be looking at Brett, thinking he had landed this sexy-as-hell man, but Brett would know the truth. “I would very much like for you to go as my date. Properly, that is. If you have time for me?” Brett held his breath. He had no idea what drove him to do such a horrifying thing. This had not been his intention in any way, shape, or form when he called Roman. Roman would eat him for breakfast.