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Sloan had to have him in his arms, and the only acceptable avenue he had at present was the dance. He couldn't wait for Paul to finish his drink; he needed to feel him close and personal. He wanted to sway with him to the music across the floor and disappear into their own little world.
The music slowed, and he maneuvered Paul to the back into the shadows of the dance floor, wanting to have him to himself. The draw and the pull of this man was beyond the ordinary, and Sloan felt himself burning with a need to stay close and to know more.
It was when Paul looked up at him that the world stopped, and a surge of emotion flooded his mind and body. The realization of what it meant hit him, and all he could do was stare, taking in every aspect of Paul's face and every sense of who and what he was.
“It’s you.” He said with a dreamlike adoration that he’d never used with anyone. His entire being was shaken, and his mind realigned with this man at the center. This was really happening, and it was happening to him. "It's you." He repeated and took Paul's lips in a kiss that consumed, devouring his taste, his touch, and his very essence. Sloan trailed his lips down Paul's throat, pulling the neckline of his sweater back, and rained more kisses across his shoulder.
"Do you want to come home with me?" Paul said between desperate pants and gasp, obviously feeling much the same intensity of emotions as Sloan.
"Yes." Sloan did not hesitate. He was ready to pull him into the back darkened hallway. His need was so great, but going home with him was an even better idea.
"I came by cab," Paul stated.
"Come, I'll drive." Sloan wanted to get on the road before Paul managed to talk himself out of this. He suddenly looked to be second-guessing himself, but Sloan took him by the arm and started for the door. "I parked just down the street." He said and kept Paul moving.
"I want this," Paul stated, but it sounded more like he was talking to himself than to Sloan. He reached for Sloan's hand and looked up at him as they made their way out of the Club and down the block to where Sloan had parked. "You're so far out of my league I can't believe this is real. You're not going to beat me up and steal my wallet, are you?" Sloan stopped and turned to regard Paul, not sure if he was serious or joking.
He then took Paul’s face between his two palms and tilted it up so he could see him clearly. “Look into my eyes, Paul. Do you trust me? Do you feel the desire and the connection that I feel? If you want to end this now and go home alone, I understand no hard feelings." Sloan could feel Paul's rising ardor and his sudden panic at the prospect of going home alone, so he knew he would not choose that option.
Paul gripped Sloan’s wrists and held tight. “No, I don’t want this to end. I want you to come home with me.” He spoke rapidly.
"Do you trust that I mean you no harm?" Sloan needed to be sure that Paul was at ease with him. If not, they would go back inside and continue the evening, among others. He wanted his adored one to be comfortable with him. The growing heat he felt in his heart and mind for this man was demanding more, but he would not push if Paul showed any signs of not being ready. They were meant to be, and nothing would ever get in the way of that, but they could also take their time.
"I know I'm safe with you. I can feel it in my bones, and your touch tells me to relax. I don't normally invite men or strangers home. It was out of my mouth before I thought about it, and honestly, it feels right." Paul was explaining more than he had to, and Sloan was enjoying every word. His most adored was feeling much the same way that he was feeling. They found each other, and now the connection needed to grow and deepen, which would happen with closeness and contact.
"Please come home with me, Sloan. I desperately want to know you better." Sloan took Paul's lips in another near-suffocating kiss that ended with Paul eagerly pulling on him. "Where's your car, Sloan?"
"Right here, baby." Sloan stepped over to the curb, unlocked his black Mercedes Benz, and held the passenger door open for Paul. "Make yourself comfortable." He said and helped Paul get seated and buckled him in before closing the door and heading over to the driver's side. Having his adored one sitting in his car filled him with special satisfaction. He got in, and they were quickly on their way.
"Nice car," Paul commented softly and ran his hand across the leather dash. He cast a side glance in Sloan's direction, and it was clear he was thinking about just who it was that he'd invited home.
"Give me your address." Sloan broke into his considerations, not wanting Paul to start second-guessing himself again. Paul gave him the address, and Sloan put it into his navigation system. "That's a good area. It's close to town but also possesses a rural feel."
"I like it. The neighbors are nice, and I have a fairly large apartment." Paul paused as if struggling with something, but Sloan didn't have to wait long before he explained. "I'll be honest with you; I just broke up with my ex-boyfriend. He left me four days ago for a man he'd been having an affair with. He decided I was not financially feasible. I no longer fit into his lifestyle." Sloan did not comment because he sensed there was more to be said.
"I went out tonight hoping to find someone to take my mind off the pain and the betrayal, and then I found you." Paul looked over at him squarely with sincerity, filling his expression. "I don't know if this is a rebound. It feels like so much more than that. Looking at you was the first time I was able to put Joshua out of my thoughts. I don't want you to think that I am just using you." Paul tried to make himself clear.
"Use me, Paul; you have my permission." Sloan chuckled as they entered the parking area adjacent to the apartment complex. "Whoever this Joshua character is, he is an idiot. You don’t let go of perfection while searching for some fantasy fulfillment.” He parked and leaned over to take Paul’s lips in a heated kiss one more time.
"Thank you for saying that," Paul answered with a sweet smile as soon as Sloan had released his lips.
“Thank you for choosing me.” He discovered that his adored one was just as sweet as he was handsome and not an ounce of guile anywhere to be found.
Joshua and his new man were parked across the lot from the Mercedes that just pulled in, and to his shock, Paul got out of the passenger seat, followed by a tall, darkly handsome man who stepped out of the driver's side.
"Someone must be dropping him off. People always feel sorry for poor Paul, so put upon and such a victim of life's pain and tragedy." Joshua was being extra harsh as he put on a show of superiority for his new man, Lance.
He stopped by the apartment earlier, but Paul was out, and knowing that he never stayed out late, Joshua decided to wait for a bit and catch him when he got home. His real intent was not to pick up the last of his belongings but rather to show off Lance and prove to Paul that he was doing so much better without him.
Paul had proven himself to be nothing, and Joshua deserved so much better than Lance. Lance, who was a doctor in private practice, made more money than Paul could ever dream of making. Joshua didn't need money. His father was loaded, but he preferred a rich boyfriend, one that spoiled him and gave him everything he wanted.
For some reason, he thought that was going to be Paul since he was on the ground floor with Austen Fields, a prestigious company, and had the opportunity to advance. But he was wrong; Paul was just a work-a-day drudge with no vision and no 401(k) that Joshua could pillage.
"They're going inside. Looks like Paul found himself company for the night and impressive company at that." Lance stated with a soft chuckle as he watched the couple enter the apartment complex.
“What do you mean, who is he?” Joshua turned on him sharply and demanded answers.
"Mr. Sloan Dobre, the second in command of the Kilconnor Company. They own the Agincourt Bank and have their home base here in Charlotte but have interests throughout the country. Paul's doing very well for himself." Joshua tried to conceal his jealousy and rage, but he was not successful. Lance needed to shut the fuck up and do it immediately.
