They all laughed, though Bridget chided her daughter. “Adler is a fine, fit figure of a man. A match for our strong-willed son. Love knows no barriers.”

  Rohan’s face was scarlet, and he looked everywhere but at Adler. Suspecting he was missing some undercurrents or unable to interpret them, Adler was nevertheless relieved at the way the news had been received. Now, he wanted to take his husband home.

  Rohan refused dessert as well, hustling upstairs to return with an overnight case, and they left amid hugs and handshakes.

  The driver was making good time in getting to his building, and Rohan sat too far away for Adler’s taste. “That went well.”

  “It did.”

  “Did it seem to you that they weren’t surprised?”

  The younger man’s features were partially hidden in shadow as he turned his head in his direction. His tone of voice was neutral. “They were probably just being polite.”

  Sensing Rohan was overwhelmed, Adler moved on him, pinning him up against the door, seeking to rekindle their chemistry and ease his strain. He forced a kiss on him, relishing the tiny moan he captured with his mouth.

  He worked his lips until Rohan opened to him and welcomed his exploration. Adler found and gently squeezed his erect cock, stroking through the fabric of Rohan’s pants.

  The car felt overheated, and the sound of their heavy breathing only added to the sultriness. He reached for Rohan’s fly as the limo drew to a stop. Shit. But better they take this upstairs.

  Following the younger man into the apartment building, he was glad his jacket covered what proclaimed his lust to anyone looking, noticing that Rohan carried his case in front of his lower body.

  He let them in the penthouse, making a mental note to organize a key card for Rohan, and watched as he looked around. “Want a tour?”

  “It’s a nice place. Big.”

  “Too big for one, but comfortable.” It was more bachelor, less couple, but then Rohan probably appreciated the leather furniture and the enormous TV. If he didn’t, he could change whatever he liked. Adler’s only requirement was comfort and a modicum of tranquility after the hectic and trying job.

  “The kitchen’s freaking amazing. Do you cook?”

  He started as Rohan spoke, having been content in devouring him with his eyes. He glanced at the stone counters and fine wood cabinets. “I have a few dishes I crush. You?”

  “If you grew up in the Ferris household, you took a turn at meal prep. And clean up. Housework. My mother wasn’t sending any of her children out there unprepared. Where’d you learn?”

  “Self-taught. Sick of eating out. I thought, how hard can it be, though I screwed up sometimes. My parents…” This felt awkward. He didn’t talk about himself. But Rohan’s grass-green eyes were focused on him, expectant. “My parents were hands-off. That’s what nannies and boarding schools were for, preparing us for the real world.”

  Appearing to digest the information, the other man slowly nodded. “Different worlds. I’ll take mine, I think, over yours.”

  “You can have the best of both.”

  Rohan clearly mulled that over, turning inward in a manner Adler was familiar with. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

  Lightening up the mood, Adler said, “I will warn you. I don’t clean or do laundry, but I have staff for that. They’ll do yours, too. I hope we can take advantage of the spare time with more pleasurable exploits.”

  Surprise etched Rohan’s features, and then he shuttered them. “We should have that discussion we put off this afternoon.”

  Adler wanted to capitalize on the sexual tension simmering between them instead, but he’d promised, and he wanted to build trust. “Sure. We’ll continue the tour later. Have a seat in the living room, and I’ll get us a drink. I have some of that ale you like.”

  “You know what I drink?”

  He knew a lot about his husband as he’d come to learn. “I pay attention.”

  They settled side by side on the big couch, both silently eschewing the recliners. Adler grabbed the stack of papers and set them in front of Rohan. “Two basic contracts. The first relates to our marriage. Essentially, it says that you’re my partner under the laws of the state. And should we part ways, you’re entitled to anything you brought into the relationship and a lump sum.”

  Rohan looked where he pointed and sucked in a breath. “Why would you bestow that much money on me if the marriage doesn’t work out?”

  Because I don’t think that’ll happen. “I told you I wouldn’t cause your family grief. But read the fine print. It’s void if there’s infidelity.”

  “I’m not a cheater, Adler. And I happen to believe in the sanctity of marriage.” Frost coated every word.

  He daren’t let Rohan see his eyes, unable to conceal the joy that leaped inside of him, certain it would reflect in them. “Good, then there’s no problem.”

  “On my part, anyway.”

  “And mine.” He ignored the skepticism on Rohan’s face, noticing the man hadn’t even acknowledged his sudden wealth as Adler’s spouse. Something to ponder.

  “What’s in the other contract?”

  “I want you to read both carefully, have them examined by a lawyer if you like, but the other contract offers a partnership in the company.”

  “What?” Rohan’s mouth dropped open, and Adler gave in to temptation and ran his thumb over the bottom lip, easing it closed. He shivered at the press of the warm flesh.

  “You said you wanted to work. I figured that. You’d have a vested interest in the company anyway, as my husband.”

  Blinking, Rohan said, “Well, yes, I definitely want to work. But at my current job, not as a partner.”

  Adler shrugged. “You have the education, and the additional experience will come. You’re head and shoulders above others I’ve considered.”

  “But I can’t bring any money to the table!”

  “I don’t want money, Rohan. I want you.” He put it out there, as honest as he’d ever been, taking a risk.

  His husband shoved upright and paced the length of the room. Whirling, he bent a look on Adler. “It’s too much. And when this falls apart, it’ll be a fuck of a mess. Let me work where I am. Forget the rest.”

  Hiding his hurt, no longer able to classify it as something else, Adler said, “You can stay where you are, then. I’d rather keep the company in the family, but it can wait. I’ve still got a few years left in me.”

  His attempt at humor and deflection fell short. Rohan scoffed, saying, “You’re nowhere near that stage. I recognize someone who’s in the prime of life!”

  Adler jumped to his feet and stalked to where his husband stood, now disheveled and looking perfectly endearing. “Then come to bed with that someone.”

  He made for the bedroom with Rohan muttering at his heels. The younger man’s steps faltered when the luxurious room came into full view. “This is nice.”

  “Bathroom’s through there if you want to shower.”

  “Sure. Right.”

  “I’ll join you shortly.”

  Rohan’s eyes dilated, and color streaked his high cheekbones. Lust seethed between them before he broke the standoff and made for the bathroom. Adler forced the tension from his body as he moved to pull the linens back on the bed and set out lube and condoms.

  When he thought he’d gained sufficient control and wouldn’t fall on Rohan like a depraved sex maniac—or disgrace himself by losing control—he went to his groom.

  Chapter Four

  His parents had nearly given him away! He’d forgotten how astute they were, and in sharing his admiration of his then-boss, probably blithering about him constantly, they’d put two and two together. Except they assumed his feelings were reciprocated. Rohan ground the heels of his hands against his eye sockets as resentment festered in his belly.

  It was offset by the fact Adler had married him with no prenuptial agreement in place. Did the man know Rohan so well that he was certain his assets were safe? It was a fucking muddle, and one he couldn’t sort out, not with the man he’d married waiting in the big bedroom where that massive bed rested.

  He ached for him, wanted to explore that big body without clothing in the way and feel those calloused hands on his own skin. Standing in the impossibly huge shower with the heated water streaming over him, he washed by rote, the scent of Adler’s soap driving him insane.

  A drift of air announced his husband’s arrival, the other man’s bulk blanketing his back as Adler pressed close. His arms slid around Rohan, reaching to capture Rohan’s fingers, intertwining them with his own in an impossibly intimate gesture.

  Rohan leaned back, marking the solid strength in Adler’s stance, his rigid cock hard against his buttock. Adler spoke in his ear, breath drifting in a sultry flow across his cheek.

  “Allow me.”

  Coaxing Rohan’s hands with his own, Adler worked the soapy froth from throat to navel, painting a tantalizing, teasing pattern of alternating touches. Rohan shuddered when Adler’s mouth closed over that sweet spot where his neck joined his shoulder, the additional sensation overloading his senses.

  Adler slipped his hands free and continued his mapping of Rohan’s body, working lower to grip his straining cock. With obvious practice and skill, Adler jacked him, murmuring filthy endearments and exhortations.

  Rohan slapped his hands on the tile as he bowed at the waist, fighting his orgasm, and then Adler bit down again. With an incomprehensible shout that echoed in the space, he came, ropes of cum spurting as he released the pent-up need that had built all day. For years, if he was honest.

  Registering the fact Adler was stroking his abs, bringing him down, he lifted his head and swiveled to face the older man. The tenderness in his eyes, vying with the lust-strained features, made Rohan’s heart cramp. What is this?

  “What about you?” he managed to ask.

  “Time for that. I wanted your pleasure before mine.”

  From the state of Adler’s cock, the head an angry purple and leaking pre-cum, and coupled with the tension in his frame, Rohan decided enough time had passed. He sank onto the stone bench, putting that cock at a convenient level, and reached to wrap his fingers around its girth.

  He took the corona into his mouth and closed his lips tightly. Adler drew in a breath, and his hands came up to clasp Rohan’s head, fingers clenching in his hair. The sting spurred Rohan to tease his husband, alternately lashing and stroking the salty surface of his dick, torturing the tender notch to the sound of Adler’s muted groans.

  He bobbed his head, sucking the stalk and opening his throat to take all of Adler. He wanted to watch his face, and blinking through the moisture, he was enthralled at the sight.

  The spray of the shower plastered Adler’s dark hair to his well-shaped head and spangled his long lashes. The older man’s sensuous lips then parted on a moan, the skin taut over his cheekbones, and those blue eyes glittered as they stared into Rohan’s.

  Adler was clearly on the verge of erupting, yet he didn’t attempt to guide the blowjob. Rohan increased his efforts, swallowing against the thick invasion, sucking harder, determined to wrest a spectacular climax from him. Replace the memory of all those other men.

  With a shout, his hands tightening and thighs tensing, Adler climaxed, and Rohan eagerly swallowed him down. After gently letting the sated cock slip from his mouth, he eased to his feet and leaned into Adler’s frame, marking the fine trembling. Adler’s arms wreathed around him, and he hugged his husband in turn.

  Standing in the streaming water, close to the man he’d committed to, wishing Adler felt the same, Rohan let himself enjoy the moment to its fullest.

  ****

  Adler was awash with emotion, even those he held at arm’s length, as he languished in a post-orgasmic state. And this was just the beginning. He’d never been in love, but experiencing this physical intimacy cemented what his heart had been communicating.

  Rohan’s heart beat strongly against him, his muscled torso and strong arms both a comfort and a turn-on, and the younger man’s cock was already stirring between them. To his surprise, considering he’d emptied his balls a minute earlier, so was Adler’s.

  Reluctantly, he eased back, mourning the loss of his touch. “Let me rinse off.”

  Rohan stepped aside and moved out of the huge stall. When Adler came out, the other man had dried off and wore a towel slung casually around his hips. Was there anything sexier than a cut torso over narrow hips and long, sturdy legs? Even Rohan’s long feet were sexy. And the towel hiding the prize was tantalizing.

  Lifting his gaze to take in Rohan’s good-looking features, blond hair water-darkened and beginning to curl, Adler’s erection surged to full mast. Rohan smirked and moved to offer him a towel.

  “Thanks.” He wanted to reference their first sexual experience but couldn’t find the words.

  With a wider smile, Rohan advanced to the vanity. “Which sink is mine?”

  “The one on the left.”

  They shaved in companionable silence, Adler’s stare drifting to watch his husband. The way he tilted his head to access his throat, the one his cock had been down… He tried to focus on his own actions, lest he cut himself, but was continually drawn back. Rohan scrunched his nose in an endearing fashion as he dealt with trickier spots.

  As they rinsed off, Rohan asked, “Which side of the bed?”

  He laughed, the sound a bit rusty to his ears. “Left.”

  “You’re consistent, I’ll give you that.”

  “It’s just been me for a long time.” Dammit, he didn’t want to sound like a pussy.

  Rohan studied him. “I might take some getting used to.”

  A growl building in his chest, Adler invaded his husband’s space. Rohan stood his ground, not that he expected anything different. He leaned in and took possession of the younger man’s lips, and Rohan met him with equal intensity. Their tongues dueled as they explored one other, adjusting positions and pressure in tiny increments, even as their bodies somehow kept a minuscule distance. The chemistry seethed between them—he’d never tire of this man.

  Mutually separating to pull in air, their gazes clashed, but with desire rather than aggression.

  Adler cleared his throat and said, “Time to turn in, husband.”

  His voice hoarse, Rohan replied, “After you, husband.”

  The title, coming from Rohan, was worth more than the younger man could imagine, and he wondered if Rohan had used it sincerely.

  In the bedroom, Adler cast aside his towel and watched all of Rohan come into view again as he discarded his. The muted lighting in the room loaned a calming atmosphere to the space, but the simmering attraction dispelled it. He advanced on his groom and gave in to his carnal urges—restraining himself in the shower, not fucking Rohan’s face, had taken a lot of control, and he planned to indulge himself now.

  Rohan’s eyes widened as Adler took him down. The mattress compressed beneath their combined weight, and Rohan grunted in surprise before entering into the spirit of things. The tussle evolved into heated touching quite different than their first experience. Adler saw the understanding of his intent on Rohan’s features and wondered if the man would submit.

  His weight pinning his husband, though he suspected Rohan could at the very least make him work to keep his dominant stance, Adler bit down on the spot he’d marked before. Rewarded with a shudder, he began to map all of Rohan’s sweet spots, making his way down his body.

  “Fuck, Adler.” Rohan gritted when he found a particularly sensitive one near the defined V that Rohan sported.

  He then cupped the velvet sac, gently rolling Rohan’s balls while admiring his straining erection. The thick vein that writhed upward to the wide, helmeted head demanded his attention, and he drew his tongue over it.

  “Jesus!” Rohan lifted his hips. “Don’t stop.”

  Adler loved how verbal his partner was and carefully traced and tasted every inch of that impressive cock to the sound of throaty groans and exhortations. The salty flavor made him want more, but he craved something else.

  At his urging and with a frustrated groan, Rohan carefully rolled onto his belly. Adler knew how the position would compress his cock—but he wouldn’t come as quickly. He feasted his eyes on the length of the strong back and sculpted ass.

  “You’re beautiful,” he breathed.

  Rohan voiced a muffled protest.

  He cracked his palm on the upturned buttocks. “Don’t question my assessment.”

  His husband gave a strangled chuckle, and Adler smiled widely. He ran his hands over the smooth skin, kneading strong muscles, tracing tendons, mapping all the contours of Rohan’s body before reaching for the lube.

  Coating his fingers, he sought Rohan’s puckered opening, rimming it as it relaxed to allow him to insert one digit and then two.

  Rohan’s legs slid further apart in mute offering, and Adler worked his fingers deeper, loosening and stretching that tight muscle. Adding another finger, he located his prostate and feathered a touch to stimulate it.

  “Adler. I…” Rohan panted.

  He pulled back, depriving him. “Hang on. You do it, husband.”

  The younger man growled, a definite deep, throaty roar, and Adler dropped his weight over him. Rohan writhed, then subsided, and Adler pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades before dismounting.

  Grabbing a condom, he sheathed himself and added more lube. His voice grating, he said, “Turn over.”

  Rohan complied, face flushed and eyes dilated, that verdant green barely visible.

  “I need to see your face when I fuck you. At least the first time. And I want you to see mine.” Adler pressed his lover’s knees up.

  With a jerky nod, Rohan helped position himself, and their gazes locked. Adler fisted his cock and set it against Rohan’s opening. He slowly pushed past the constricting muscle and was enveloped by intense heat. So damn good. They both groaned in concert as he sank balls deep.

  “Okay?” he rasped.

  “Move,” Rohan groaned. “I gotta…”