“I agree. You’re adorable.” Eli smiled at him and did a thorough once-over, but Billie would not be moved. He pointed at Eli.
“Don’t think your cute smile and that sexy look you give me is gonna make me forget your reaction. I hope you enjoyed last night, ’cause that’s all the kissing you’re gonna get from me.”
“Wait a minute now—we were laughing with you, not at you,” Eli countered. “Don’t be mean.”
He wandered over and drew Billie in close, leaning down to whisper in his ear. “I love seeing you in my clothes. It turns methe fuck on. Makes me feel like a caveman. Mine.” Billie glanced up and got lost in Eli’s whiskey-colored eyes. Eyes full of heat and desire and something deeper… Oh, boy. He was in trouble.Deflect!Keep things light and flirty.
“I better get going. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Call or text me later?”
“You got it, big guy.” He gave Eli a quick kiss.
Billie gathered up his clothes and boots and placed them in a gym bag that Eli loaned him. They said their goodbyes, and then Luis escorted him out to his SUV. Thank God for tinted windows. Billie could at least remove the hat when he was in the car.
“So you and Eli, eh? I guess that’s why I’m now your primary,” Luis murmured as he drove them back to Manhattan.
“Yes, me and Eli. We’re friends. I mean, we’re more than friends. But not boyfriends. I don’t think. I don’t know. I don’t really want to talk about what we are exactly.” Billie was a mess this morning. “Mason was going to suspend him, but thankfully he changed his mind.”
“Mason changed his mind? Whoa, that’s shocking. His rules about clients are very strict, and we all know not to cross that line.”
“Eli told Mason the truth so there’s nothing more to be concerned about.” Billie squirmed in his seat as the city whizzed by, anxious to change the subject. “Anyway, I have another appointment with the band next week for final fittings. Then I’m attending their launch party in a few weeks. I’ll share my schedule with you.”
“Sounds good.” Luis pulled up near Billie’s building.
“Looks like there’s still a pap or two hanging around the front of the building.”
“Use the underground garage. Take a left here and head to the back.”
They entered the parking garage and didn’t spot anyone near the service elevator. Five minutes later, Billie was back in his apartment. Tired and kinda freaked out but relieved at the same time.
“Hey, boss, nice outfit. Did you forget what size you are and that you were going out in public?” Frankie quipped and Billie shook his head.
“I had to borrow Eli’s clothes as a cover because now the press are on to me and likely to hound me until this tour starts.”
“You stayed over at his place last night? Oh, baby, tell me every dirty detail!” Frankie rubbed his hands together.
Billie chuckled. “There’s not much to tell. We cuddled on his couch. Then he carried me to bed. He spooned me. We fell asleep. We woke up. We slept together, and now I’m dodging reporters.” Billie paused. “I need coffee. You want a cup?” he asked as he headed for the kitchen.
“No thanks. Go back for a sec. He carried you to bed? Swoon.” Frankie fanned himself. “So, are you dating now? Is he your boyfriend? Inquiring minds need to know.”
“Not my boyfriend. I don’t think. I’m not sure I want to put a label on it since we slept together once. And your inquiring mind should be focused on the final alterations for the band outfits, not my sex life.”
“Come on, Billie, between work and my classes, I have no life and live vicariously through other people.”
Billie laughed and leaned against the kitchen counter. “I really like Eli. More than like. But I don’t know if I’m ready to jump into another relationship. We didn’t have a chance to talk this morning because his boss showed up.”
Frankie’s eyes widened. “His boss? Oh, shit, what happened there?”
“Mason was about to suspend him, but I shut that down. Now I have a new bodyguard, and the press are about to jumpon my every move. And I don’t know what to do about Eli. Fuck, I feel another anxiety attack coming on.” He began to pace back and forth.
“I know you’re scared about getting hurt. But what’s life without a bit of risk? Do you play it safe when it comes to fashion? No. If you did, you wouldn’t be successful and where you are today.”
“My career is one thing. My heart is another.” Billie sighed. “Times like these I really miss my mom. She always knew how to calm me down and get me to see what really mattered.”
“I know you miss her terribly.” Frankie leaned over and gave Billie a side hug. “I’m here anytime you need to talk. I don’t just think of you as my boss. You’re also a good friend.”
“Thanks, Frankie, I value your friendship, too. I don’t know what I’m going to do when you graduate and move on.”