Given Time Read online

  Angel’s gaze locked with his and Matt saw the dark pupils expand over the sea-green eyes. Emotions ranged there, too, and Matt responded to the apparent attraction and kindness, trying to sound more in control.

  “I mean, I hoped you’d meet me. Let me get you something to go with the coffee—cognac maybe?” He forced the tremor from his voice.

  Angel took a deep breath. “Tell you what. I’ll order whisky and coffee for us both and you grab that table in the corner.”

  Matt cast a glance toward the corner of the room. He turned his face to Angel Starc.

  “Sure.” He left his glass on the bar, and attempted a saunter to the table for two, set up next to twin Kentia palms in huge terracotta pots. Still completely shaken by this turn of events, where not only had he encountered a guy he was intensely attracted to, the guy’s eyes reflected the emotion, Matt sat and loosened his tie. He’s Angel Starc, though. In this town, he has to be a relative of Rory Starc. Take it easy. He watched Angel talking with the bartender. His heart did a weird thump as Angel walked toward the table, gave him a smile like sunshine on a winter’s day, and sat opposite him.

  A server strode to the table and placed glasses of whisky before them both.

  “I asked for ice. It looked as if you’d taken ice in your other drink—odd shaped chips of it diluted the dregs. When I saw you in the restaurant I thought you were familiar, but we haven’t met before.”

  Matt considered his words, trying to choose the right ones. “No, but I wonder if you saw me visit the house where Rory Starc lived, perhaps…”

  Angel raised his hand. “Of course … you laid flowers at the gates. I, er, I did notice you. I was across the street in my car.” He gave a laugh, though there wasn’t much mirth in the sound, more like self-deprecation. “I sat there summoning the courage to go into my brother’s home.”

  Consumed by a wish to comfort Angel, Matt rushed in. “I’m so sorry to hear about Rory. I honestly don’t know much about his family. I can’t remember reading about a brother. You must be devastated.”

  Angel gazed into his eyes. “We were estranged, but yes, it’s hard. Thank you for the flowers. I, I…”

  Instinctively, Matt reached out and placed his hand over Angel’s as it rested on the table.

  “There’s nothing as good as talking to a stranger. You can let everything out knowing you probably will never meet again.” Hell, there I go again. When I want nothing other than to get to know him, I’m encouraging him to leave.

  Angel looked down at Matt’s hand on his. He raised his eyes and his voice was practically a whisper. “I hoped by the end of the night that you wouldn’t be a stranger and that we certainly would meet again.”

  Matt couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. Angel’s words drenched him in relief and hope.

  “Yes … so do I. I’m sorry. I’m hopeless at this.” He smiled, genuinely grateful for Angel’s candor.

  Angel grinned at him. “I’m not great at flirting. Let’s just tell the truth. I saw you. I think you’re hot as hell. I haven’t had a relationship of any kind for almost a year. I’m out of practice and feel guilty because I’m talking to a gorgeous guy and happiness is trickling through me when I’m here because my brother died, but I need this, to, to feel real. Does that make sense?”

  The coffee order arrived and the server arranged the cups on the table.

  Matt waited until they were alone again before he leaned forward.

  “I understand. There’s just a chance we were meant to meet—not, not that your brother had to die for it to happen.” Hell, what’s wrong with me? “I came here to work with him—with Rory. I’m an artist, and he invited me to work on an installation with him. I flew in from Paris. I had no idea until I arrived that he’d died.” He tried to salvage the romance that was in what Angel had said to him. “I’m attracted to you, too.” Matt felt like an idiot.

  Angel stared at him for a few seconds. “Wow, I was in the airport about to board a plane to Paris when I heard about Rory’s death on the news. Hell of a way to hear about it, but I drove here instead. That’s weird, huh? You believe in fate then? Sounds like it.”

  Matt winced. “There’ve been a few incidents in my life that have me believing in something—not sure what.” Worry stopped him from saying more. He’d lost a lover before with this kind of revelation. Not that Angel was a lover, yet, but Matt silently admitted to wishing he could cut through all the preliminary talk and crush Angel to his body in a hug. When Matt let his need to be with a man free, it overwhelmed him. He unleashed it then in the hope that Angel would see it and respond. He longed for the feel of this man’s hard body pressing the full length of his own—longed for kisses and more. He’d made hash of the meeting after discovering who the gorgeous guy was, now he had to make up for it. He stared hopefully at Angel.

  Matt’s emotions must have been written on his face.

  Angel’s eyes filled with what Matt recognized as desire. “It’s been a long time since I had to drive down the need to grab a guy and kiss him. I’m taking a chance on telling you that’s what’s happening now, but I can’t seem to care. Events have torn my heart open. I don’t know how to be, except straightforward. I want you in my arms.”

  Matt’s lower body tightened. His cock responded to Angel’s words, hardening and pressing up against his suit pants’ fastening. His balls zapped with sexual tension. He picked up the whisky and drained the glass. He basked in the aura of masculine energy that surrounded Angel. It had been long enough between orgasms with a guy for Matt to wonder if he’d lose his wad when Angel kissed him. “I want to be there.” He finally whispered.

  Angel sipped at the whisky in his glass. He ran a hand over his forehead.

  “How long?” Angel’s voice was gentle.

  Matt’s thoughts tumbled. “How long?”

  “Since you had a guy in your life.”

  “Eighteen months, give or take a few days.”

  Angel shook his head. “I don’t do ‘one-nighters’. If we connect tonight I’ll expect more, at the very least to see you again soon. You fill me with an emotion I thought I’d never feel. Is that okay?”

  Acceptance brought a smile to Matt’s face. “It’s great. I’m close to desperate to hold you.” Happiness lifted his nerves.

  “Sorry to be so intense. I just … I won’t be able to take being messed around.”

  Concern flooded Matt. “I’m the same. I am…” He allowed himself the pleasure of tracing Angel’s face with his gaze, soaking up the beauty with a sigh. “You’re so, so … I can’t imagine why you’re alone—why someone hasn’t snapped you up.” Matt couldn’t find words that wouldn’t sound false. He gave Angel an encouraging smile. I hope this is the start of something good—something lasting.

  Angel leaned forward. “You took the words out of my mouth. I’m amazed you’re single. Not many hot-as-hell guys are. My room or yours?”

  The sudden invitation made Matt’s heart thump. Nervous again now, he went for the safety of his own territory. “Mine.”

  Angel stood. “The drinks are on my bill. Lead the way.”

  To his disgust, Matt’s hands shook as he walked from the bar and turned to take the wide stair to the next floor. He snatched his key from his pocket hoping the act of holding something would stop the tremble. Instead, he fiddled with the key. His suite was close. He glanced at Angel. “I’m nervous.”

  Chapter Seven

  Angel scooped Matt’s hand in his. “That makes two of us.” He took the hotel suite key from Matt and opened the door where Matt stopped.

  Matt went in and Angel followed. He didn’t give Matt a chance to change his mind. He grabbed Matt’s shoulders and pushed him against the wall. As soon as Angel pressed his body to Matt’s, a surge of desire forced his eyes closed. He brought his mouth to Matt’s kissable lips and grazed them. “Just this touch is reducing me to mush.”

  He kissed Matt, gently, soaking up the feel of Matt’s skin against his nose. He thrust
his hips so that his lower body crushed on Matt’s and the unmistakable shape of Matt’s cock, hard and bulging in his pants met Angel’s cock. A low groan escaped Angel and he deepened the kiss, clinging to Matt, as his legs weakened and his heart pounded.

  Matt pushed his arms around Angel’s neck, and Angel’s hands fell away from the grip on his shoulders. Matt’s murmur penetrated Angel’s haze of pleasure. “I can’t even think straight, but I know I want you naked in my arms.” He rained kisses on Angel’s mouth.

  Angel pushed his hands between their bodies. He traced Matt’s erection with his fingertips and then cupped it in his palm, pressing against the fabric of Matt’s pants.

  Matt’s groan on Angel’s lips sent a shock of desire through his balls.

  Angel opened Matt’s pants in a rapid move and thrust them down his thighs. He dragged Matt’s boxers down and grabbed his cock. The rock-hard column filled his fist and extended inches over it. He sighed out the pleasure the feeling gave him, kissing Matt hungrily. Angel’s cock strained against his pants and his stomach clenched so tight it made him breathless.

  “Take off your clothes.” Matt’s urgent whisper teased on Angel’s lips.

  Angel hurried to comply. He slid his hand from Matt’s cock taking with it the pulse of pre-cum that leaked from the slit. He licked his finger gazing into Matt’s eyes.

  Matt gasped as he watched. He dragged off his jacket and pulled his tie from around the collar of his shirt. Practically wrenching the buttons from his shirt, he yanked it down his arms.

  Angel gazed at him, taking off his jacket and shirt as he savored the sight of Matt’s muscled torso, and the way Matt’s perfect cock bounced as he moved. Matt was already naked and Angel went to him. He grabbed his ass and pulled him close. “Fucking hell, you are so hot, and it’s been so long for me I might come just looking at you.” He kissed Matt.

  Matt’s response made his cock jerk. The passion in his kiss scorched down Angel’s stomach. He escaped Matt’s lips with a groan and pulled off his pants, levering off his boots as quickly as he could.

  Matt ran his hands along Angel’s ass.

  Angel jerked upright and spun around.

  Matt’s eyes darkened and he held out his arms.

  Angel rammed his body on Matt’s and they crashed together, murmuring hoarse sounds. Matt’s cock rubbed on Angel’s and he rocked his hips so that the hard columns slid along each other. His chest felt tight as his lower body clenched with the need to come.

  “I might fucking fall down if I don’t come soon.” He whispered into Matt’s ear and sucked on the lobe. A soft herby scent filled his head as a fine film of sweat drifted from Matt’s glossy hair. He rubbed his face in it. The sheer maleness emitting from Matt made him weak at the knees. He thrilled with the feel of a man in his arms.

  Matt struggled to turn his face, and kissed Angel. “I feel the same. This is killing me. I’m fucking desperate.”

  Angel grabbed Matt’s hands and led him in a rapid pace to the bed. He pushed Matt down and leaned over him. “We can fuck each other’s mouths. I want your cock slipping on my tongue. I need to taste cum, to rub my face on your skin, against your balls—I’ve missed the feel of a guy so much.”

  Matt pushed his fingers into Angel’s hair and pulled his head down to his own. “Yes…” He whispered on Angel’s lips. His hard kiss made Angel groan, and then Matt shifted along the bed and brought his face to Angel’s lower stomach. He ran his tongue the length of Angel’s cock.

  Angel winced, the pleasure exquisite as he ached to orgasm. He curled his body to nuzzle into Matt’s balls and kissed along Matt’s cock. He licked the leaking cum from the slit, and then sucked the helmet head into his mouth.

  Matt grabbed Angel’s cock low on the shaft and brought the remaining length into the tight wet O of his lips.

  Sensation zinged along Angel’s body. His eyes closed shut. His hips moved in time to Matt’s sucks on his cock. He held Matt’s thighs and slid Matt’s cock in and out of his mouth.

  Matt increased his suck on Angel’s cock before he let go of the shaft. He ran his hands down the length of Angel’s body and grasped fistfuls of Angel’s hair. Matt’s hips hammered his cock between Angel’s lips.

  Angel followed suit and fucked Matt’s mouth. His balls lifted so high, Matt’s chin hit on them. His stomach clenched so tight, Matt’s nose bumped on it. His delight at being with Matt acute, Angel’s waves of orgasm started somewhere in his mind. They rippled down his body, pooled for a delicious moment in his balls and then ripped through his cock. He rammed his cock into the wet welcome of Matt’s mouth. He groaned and gasped as intense pleasure made his ass feel melted.

  Matt still fucked his mouth and he opened wide, moaning as Matt’s cum filled it and slipped from his lips.

  Angel’s cock throbbed with the last waves of his orgasm and he rocked his hips to Matt’s soft kisses on the column of his cock. He slid his mouth away from Matt’s cock. He turned and knelt. He nosed Matt’s stomach and a vague scent of new mown grass made him smile. He kissed along Matt’s body, up his muscled chest to his face. “That was incredible—intense, completely fucking great.”

  Matt gathered him into his arms and kissed him softly. “It made me come so hard I thought I’d drown you.” He traced a fingertip into Angel’s hair. “I know I pulled. I hope it didn’t hurt. I lost it.”

  Angel placed his hand over Matt’s knuckles. “I hardly noticed. The pleasure in my cock reduced me to a thrusting mass of need.” He smiled against Matt’s lips as Matt dotted kisses over his mouth. He kissed away along Matt’s jaw to his neck where he nuzzled. “You smell like herbs.”

  “It’s probably my shower gel. You smell like sex. You’re so hot. I’m under some kind of spell. I want you pounding in my ass. I want to slide into yours. I want to kiss you until I can’t feel my lips.” He laughed softly and trailed his hand along Angel’s skin.

  Angel tensed. The words thrilled along his body. “Next time. There must be a next time.”

  “Yes. I want a next time.” Matt hugged Angel close. “This is so unexpected. I was sure this journey would be special, but meeting you is incredible. My heart’s pounding. I hope there are many next times.”

  Angel shifted in his arms. “There will be. Tell me all about yourself, Matt.” He settled against Matt’s body wanting to share information that might bind them together. There was something so right about this encounter.

  “I never know what to tell people when they say that. Ask me questions, instead.”

  “I get that. I’m the same. I looked in my brother’s studio and there was nothing—no preliminary sketches, no photographs, no sign of an impending work. What do you make of that since you came here to work with him?”

  Matt shuffled along the bed to look into Angel’s eyes. “He must have already taken everything to the exhibition space. We have a studio booked in the art complex to work on the sculpture. Why do you ask? I am legit. I’m not spinning you some story to get you in bed.”

  Angel ran his hand along Matt’s shoulder. “Hell, that’s not what I meant at all. I wondered if maybe, because he’d been ill, he’d not been working. I have no doubt you’re legit. I’m sorry. That wasn’t a question about your integrity. Tell me about your work.”

  “He was ill? There was no hint of that in the correspondence. I’m sorry to hear it. As for my work, I recently ventured into what’s fondly termed social comment sculpture. Your brother and I were going to make a street scene using photographs I’ve taken as inspiration. I usually paint.”

  Angel watched the play of emotion in Matt’s eyes. He waited until Matt finished the sentence and then kissed him. “When I stopped working with my brother, I moved into a different field. I make music videos, design them…” He sighed. “Did my brother seem okay the last time you spoke to him? I’m trying to make sense of his sudden passing.”

  “I didn’t know him, of course, to judge I mean, and I only spoke to him once. We emailed everything. I d
id think that strange, and then I decided that must be how he liked to work. His tone in the emails was a little patronizing, but I was honored to work with him.”

  Angel considered Matt’s words silently for a few moments. It seemed to him that his brother had still been a little arrogant even in sickness. He didn’t enjoy thinking that way, but there it was.

  “I don’t know your work. I’d like to. If the studio and the exhibition space are booked, why don’t you go ahead with the art work?”

  Matt’s expression changed.

  Angel could practically see his confidence drain away.

  “I’m not sure I should or could do the work alone.”

  Angel didn’t want to push right then. He wanted Matt snuggled against him. He soaked up the comfort of being skin to skin with this gorgeous man. He drifted his hand down Matt’s muscled back. “Do you live in Paris? You’re American. I can tell from that Midwestern accent.”

  “Yes. I’ve lived there for five years. Angel, I hope that I haven’t taken advantage of your grief. I didn’t know you were Rory’s brother when I sent the note. I’m stunned that we’ve met under these circumstances.”

  Angel heard the anxiety in Matt’s voice. He took a deep breath. It was strange that he and Matt had met this way, when he hadn’t met a guy in so long he’d about given up, but he was glad. He searched for a way to reassure Matt, because everything about Matt attracted him and his whole being ached for companionship and love.

  “We don’t look alike. There’s fifteen years between us. You couldn’t know. The fact is Rory never mentioned me in interviews—well, he rarely gave them—and when we worked together, truth is I felt overlooked by the art world alongside of him. Though, it wasn’t jealousy that had me branch out in a different career direction. I became interested in another field. I haven’t been home, well to the family home, nor spoken with Rory for a long time. He didn’t approve of my new venture and we fought. You for sure haven’t taken advantage of me.” Angel stopped talking and grimaced at his outburst.