The Truth of Yesterday
Book 4 of the Killian Kendall Mysteries
By Josh Aterovis
Copyright 2026
Chapter 17
Adam and I had breakfast together the next morning before I headed into work.
Once at the office, I checked my email, replied to anything urgent, then pulled up Google. I typed in “The Drake Group” and hit enter. To my surprise, the very first result was an official website: drakegroup.com.
I clicked the link, and a sleek, professional site loaded immediately.
A deep charcoal background set the stage, overlaid with subtle, tasteful accents of gold and midnight blue. A slow-moving video banner played in soft focus — glimpses of an impeccably tailored man adjusting his cufflinks in a hotel suite, a black car pulling up to a private entrance, candlelight glinting off crystal glassware. The logo — The Drake Group — sat elegantly in the top left corner in gold serif lettering, as a discreet tagline faded into view beneath it: "Exclusivity. Discretion. Excellence."
There were several menu options: Home, About, Services, Meet the Escorts, Client Access, Contact, and Apply. A small, unobtrusive icon in the top right corner linked to a private client login portal.
In the center of the page in bold text a banner read, "Where Sophistication Meets Seduction," and below that, "The Drake Group offers a discreet, highly selective escort experience for discerning gentlemen and professionals. Washington’s most powerful men trust us — and no one else."
Below the banner, there were three columns highlighting key values:
Discretion:
Your privacy is our highest priority. Every client interaction is protected by strict confidentiality protocols.
Exclusivity:
We are not for everyone. Our clientele and companions are carefully curated to ensure compatibility, elegance, and discretion.
Excellence:
Our escorts are more than stunning — they are cultured, intuitive, and highly skilled in the art of refined companionship.
Under that, in an elegant serif font, “Power is knowing who to trust with your secrets. We exist for men who don’t take chances.”
There was a scrolling escort preview gallery that was blurred until you logged in, just a stream of fuzzy profile cards with hints of luxury: black-and-white portraits, luxury watches, finely tailored clothing.
At the bottom of the page was a subtle gold button that read, "Request a Private Consultation."
I clicked on About and a new page loaded.
About The Drake Group
Sophistication. Discretion. Excellence.
At The Drake Group, we are proud to be the premier provider of elite male companionship in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Northern Virginia region. With a curated roster of exceptional gentlemen, we specialize in offering discreet, refined, and bespoke experiences tailored to the needs of our distinguished clientele.
Whether you're a visiting diplomat, a prominent public figure, a high-powered executive, or a discerning individual seeking discreet companionship, The Drake Group offers the highest standard of professionalism, confidentiality, and luxury.
Our gentlemen are selectively chosen not only for their exceptional appearance and fitness, but also for their intelligence, charm, and emotional intuition. They are cultured, confident, and capable of blending effortlessly into any environment—whether it be a black-tie gala, a private dinner, or a quiet night in.
At The Drake Group, we believe that true luxury lies in the experience. That’s why our companions are committed to creating moments that feel effortless, genuine, and unforgettable. Every interaction is approached with care, ensuring that your privacy is protected and your desires are fully understood.
With The Drake Group, you don’t just book an escort. You secure a discreet, world-class experience.
Let us exceed your expectations.
Well, that was informative.
I clicked on the Services tab next.
Our Services
Discreet. Refined. Unforgettable.
At The Drake Group, we understand that true companionship is an art — not a transaction. Our services are tailored to fit the sophisticated lifestyle of our clientele, whether you're seeking an elegant companion for an evening gala or a discreet presence during your next overseas engagement.
We do not provide a menu.
We provide an experience.
Private Companionship
Whether it’s a candlelit dinner at Le Diplomate or a quiet evening in your penthouse suite, our gentlemen offer intelligent conversation, attentive presence, and effortless charm. Each encounter is customized to your preferences and comfort level.
Event + Social Engagements
Appearances matter. When discretion is required but solitude is not, our escorts provide seamless social integration. From diplomatic functions to charity galas and corporate mixers, your companion will be impeccably dressed, well-spoken, and socially intuitive.
Overnight + Travel Companions
For business trips or weekend escapes, our clients often request a companion who can offer connection beyond the boardroom. All travel engagements are carefully arranged with discretion, professionalism, and absolute confidentiality.
International travel subject to advance notice and approval.
Long-Term Arrangements
We offer highly selective, ongoing arrangements for clients who desire continuity, discretion, and connection with a regular companion. These partnerships are structured with mutual respect and clear expectations — ideal for public-facing individuals.
Concierge Coordination
Need a private table? Car service? Weekend itinerary? Our dedicated client concierge can assist with planning every detail of your experience — from wardrobe recommendations to international bookings — ensuring that every encounter is seamless and stress-free.
Your Privacy is Paramount
We never discuss our clients.
We never share information.
Every detail of your experience with The Drake Group is protected by our unwavering commitment to confidentiality.
We serve only those who value privacy as much as pleasure.
To request an engagement or consultation, please visit our Contact Page or log in to your secure client portal.
I navigated to the Meet Our Escorts page, curious to see if they actually showed photos considering how discrete the rest of the site was.
Our Gentlemen
Elegance. Discretion. Presence.
At The Drake Group, we believe true luxury is found in nuance — a knowing glance, a clever turn of phrase, the quiet confidence of a man who can hold his own at a Senate fundraiser or a black-tie gala. Each of our escorts is carefully selected for far more than physical appearance.
These are not simply attractive men — they are cultivated companions, each bringing a unique blend of intelligence, charisma, and sophistication.
What Sets Our Gentlemen Apart
Worldly & Well-Spoken
Our escorts are fluent in more than just conversation — they bring cultural fluency, education, and emotional intelligence to every encounter.
Discreet & Professional
Every member of The Drake Group understands the importance of privacy and discretion. Our clientele includes politicians, public figures, and executives — individuals who demand confidentiality above all else.
Tailored to You
Whether you're seeking a quiet intellectual, a sharp-dressed confidant, or a charming extrovert to light up the room, our Client Concierge will help match you with a gentleman who complements your needs and lifestyle.
Meet a Few of Our Featured Escorts
(Note: Photos and full profiles available upon request for verified clients.)
Julian – Ivy League-educated, fluent in French and Italian, former investment strategist. Enjoys fine wine, museum dates, and private dinners.
Elias – Ex-military, fitness-focused, with a calm, commanding presence. A perfect companion for those who value quiet strength.
Noah – Professional dancer and conversationalist, excels at high-energy social events and red-carpet appearances. Warm, witty, and magnetic.
Sebastian – Graduate student in political science, well-versed in international affairs. Sophisticated, thoughtful, and deeply intuitive.
Each profile was accompanied by a professional photograph of a stunningly beautiful man. Julian had a well-groomed beard and smouldering dark eyes. Elias was buff with close-cropped hair, the slightest hint of tattooes showing under the rolled up sleeves of his crisp white button-down shirt. Noah was lithe and almost feminine with a flirtatious smile. Sebastian looked like a nerdy boy next door, blond with glasses and a smile that suggested he wasn't as innocent as he looked.
At the bottom of the page was a privacy notice: Full portfolios and availability are shared only through secure channels with verified clients. All photos used on this site are approved by our escorts. We respect the privacy of both our clientele and our companions above all else.
I clicked the gold “Request a Private Consultation” button, and a sleek window appeared, offering two options: Returning Client Login or First-Time Guest. I selected First-Time Guest, and was directed to a refined digital screening form.
Welcome to The Drake Group.
For the comfort and safety of our clients and companions, we require all first-time guests to complete a confidential screening process. This ensures that we maintain the highest standards of discretion, professionalism, and security. Our companions do not meet with new clients without prior screening. This process is designed to verify legitimacy and to uphold the integrity of our service. We ask for your understanding and cooperation — it allows us to serve only those who value trust, respect, and refinement as much as we do. Once your information is submitted, a member of our Concierge Team will be in touch to schedule a discreet phone consultation. Please note: Only respectful, serious inquiries will receive a response.
Below, the form requested details like name, profession, preferred method of contact, references (if any), and availability — simple, elegant, and unmistakably upscale.
Fair enough. It was reassuring to see they prioritized that level of security. I wondered if they did any sort of background checks as well. I closed the screening form and clicked on Contact, which led to a streamlined contact page featuring a direct email form and a phone number listed for urgent or high-priority inquiries. I made a note of the number as a backup but decided to start with a more subtle approach.
I composed a concise, professional message introducing myself, briefly explaining my connection to Paul, and requesting a private conversation with Neal. I hoped the name drop would be enough to open a door — or at least earn me a reply.
That night, Micah invited me out to dinner. We made a silent, mutual decision to avoid discussing the case while we ate, and it was a welcome break. For a little while, we just got to be two guys enjoying good food, a quiet corner booth, and each other’s company.
Afterward, we walked along the river that wound past the restaurant, the path lit by soft amber lights. We were alone aside from the occasional passing jogger. The evening air was unseasonably warm, but the air held a crisp tang that reminded you that it was indeed fall.
As we reached a quieter stretch of the path, Micah glanced over at me. "So," he said casually, "how’s it going? With the case, I mean."
I told him about finding The Drake Group’s website and shooting off an email to Neal. He nodded, listening carefully.
"Did you have one of those profiles?" I asked, half teasing, half curious.
He smiled faintly. "Yeah. When we were brought on, we had to fill out this whole survey to build a profile. Then they scheduled a professional photo shoot for each of us."
I raised an eyebrow. "Clothed?"
Micah gave a sheepish little shrug. "Mostly."
That image hit me harder than I expected. I’d been staring at profiles on the site earlier — slick, curated shots of beautiful men, polished and impersonal. They’d all seemed like props in a fantasy catalog. But hearing Micah talk about his time there, about being one of those men...it made it real. Every profile I’d scrolled past represented a person with a story, a past. A life.
"Do you think he’ll contact me?" I asked quietly.
"Probably. You dropped enough names to pique his interest, if nothing else. Neal’s cautious, but he’s not immune to curiosity."
"And if he doesn’t bite?" I asked. "Do you think I need a backup plan?"
Micah tilted his head thoughtfully. "It wouldn’t hurt. Neal plays it close to the chest. If he thinks you’re a threat or a liability, he won’t respond at all. But if you can find a way to prove you’re not a risk — or that you might even be useful — that could open a door."
I sighed. "Right. All I have to do is make myself useful to a man running a secretive, illegal escort agency."
Micah bumped his shoulder against mine gently, but didn't say anything.
"There was a phone number on the site too," I said. "It was listed for emergencies, so I was saving it. But you know what?"
"What?"
"I don’t want to talk about work anymore tonight. Can we just make this about us?"
He stopped walking and gently caught my arm, turning me toward him. His expression softened as he pulled me into an embrace. "Yeah, of course. I'm sorry."
I leaned into him, letting his warmth seep into me. "No need to be sorry. I just... want to stop thinking for a little while. Shut it all off. Besides, I’ve got other things on my mind." I slid my hands slowly up his back.
"Oh yeah? Like what?"
"Like this." I rose onto my toes and kissed him — no hesitation, no holding back. It was deep and hungry and exactly what I needed. He responded just as intensely, his arms tightening around me, one hand tangling in my hair while the other slid down to cup my ass, pulling me flush against him.
By the time we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard, hearts thudding in sync.
"Yeah," Micah said, a dazed grin spreading across his face. "You’re right. That was way better than talking about work."
He leaned his forehead against mine. "Do you want to come back to my place tonight?"
The question hit me in the chest — simple, intimate, and full of possibility. I was surprised at just how much I wanted that. "Yeah. That sounds perfect. I just need to swing by the B&B and grab some clothes."
He looked confused for a moment. "You keep clothes at the B&B?"
"Yeah. I crash there sometimes. And it's a lot closer than driving all the way to Ocean City."
"True," he said, brushing a thumb across my cheek. "Then I’ll meet you at the apartment."
Then he kissed me again — slower this time, savoring — before pulling back with a mischievous smile. "Just don’t take too long."
"I won’t," I promised, breathless and already counting the minutes.
I sped all the way to Amalie's House and burst through the door.
Steve looked up in surprise from the front desk. "Whoa! Everything okay?"
"Yeah," I said as I breezed by him on my way to the stairs. "I'm just grabbing some clothes to spend the night at Micah's."
I ran up to my room and threw some clothes and toiletries in a backpack. I was back downstairs in less than five minutes.
"Killian," Steve called just as I reached the front door. "Can I speak to you for a second?"
"Sure." I paused with my hand on the doorknob.
He approached, looking slightly uncomfortable. I suddenly grew a little uneasy.
He took a deep breath when he reached my side. "Look, I don't know if this is my place or not. I mean, I'm not your father..."
"What is it, Steve?" I tried to keep my voice neutral. "You may not be my father, but for all intents and purposes you've been like a second father to me. Or I guess that would be a third father. I don't really count my dad, though."
I was babbling. I had a feeling I knew what Steve wanted to talk to me about, and I'd rather have avoided it if at all possible.
"It's just that...well...I guess I didn't realize your relationship with Micah had progressed to the point of sleeping together." He rubbed his face and sighed. "Which I admit was probably pretty naïve of me. I know I haven't been around much the last couple of months. I've been so busy with this place I don't suppose I'd have noticed if you'd suddenly gone straight and started dating girls."
I grinned. "I think we're all safe on that score."
Steve chuckled, but sobered quickly. "I just want you to be safe on every score."
"What do you mean?"
"You're eighteen so you can make your own choices. Adam and I both respect that. But I know if he were here he'd want to tell you to be careful."
"I've done a lot of thinking about Micah and me. I'm sure this is right for us."
"That's not quite what I meant," Steve said with a slight blush.
My blush was more than slight as I realized what he was talking about. "Oh. Oh! You mean..."
"Are you having safe sex?" he asked bluntly.
At that moment, I would have actually welcomed a visit from Amalie, but of course, there's never a ghost around when you need one. I felt as if my face would burst into flame at any moment.
"I... We... I mean... We've only... I..." I stammered to a stop, took a deep breath, and managed to get a coherent answer out. "Yes."
Steve looked eminently relieved. "That's all I needed to know." He pulled me into a sudden hug that caught me by surprise. "I'm sorry that was so...ghastly," he said, releasing me. "I've never had kids, and I don't exactly know what I'm doing. It really shows at times like this."
I kissed his cheek. "If you ask me, you've done a great job."
His face creased into a grin. "Liar. But look, now that you're...sexually active...maybe we should get you an appointment with a doctor. Even if you're being safe, you should still get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. And there's a prophylaxis you can take to help prevent the spread of HIV."
I felt my eyes getting bigger with each sentence. Steve noticed my expression and laughed.
"Relax, Killian. This is all just part of being a gay man. But we can have this conversation another time. I didn't mean to scare you." He ruffled my hair and gave me a gentle shove towards the stairs. "Now get back to your man before he falls asleep without you."
I decided a little payback was in order.
"Not much chance of that," I said with a wicked smirk as I swung the door open. "Micah's been promised something, and he isn't likely to forget it.
I shut the door, leaving a blushing Steve on the other side.
Revenge is sweet.
Of course, Micah was still awake when I got to his place. In fact, not only was he awake, but he answered the door in the nude. After I got over my initial shock, I quickly slid inside, where he shut the door and pinned me against it for one of his deep kisses.
"God, you're beautiful," I said when he broke away, my voice a little husky.
"You look pretty good, yourself. But either I'm underdressed or you're over overdressed."
With a grin, I started shedding clothing as I made our way to the bedroom. By the time we reached the bed, I was as naked as he was. Micah threw an arm around my waist and pulled me down onto the bed.
"Are you good?" he asked just as I was going in for another kiss.
I pulled back in surprise. "Yeah. Now that we've had sex, I'm not scared of it anymore. In fact, I haven't stopped thinking about it since D.C. I want you to fuck my brains out."
Micah laughed. "That's not what I meant, but that's good to know too. You just took a little longer than I expected. I was starting to get a little chilly"
I buried my face in his neck, a little embarrassed. "Oh. Steve held me up. He, uh, wanted to give me the birds and the bees talk."
"Aren't you a little old for that? Or is he worried you're going to get pregnant?"
I pushed up so I could give him a dirty look. "Very funny. I guess this was the gay birds and gay bees talk. He wanted to make sure we were safe."
"Good thing we were or that talk would have been even more awkward."
"Tell me about it. And he wants me to get tested."
"Probably a good idea. I get tested every three months."
"Really? You never mentioned that."
"It was never an issue until recently, but you're right. We should have talked about it before we had sex."
"It never crossed my mind."
"I guess it wouldn't. I always use condoms and, like I said, get tested regularly, plus it was your first time, so I wasn't really worried."
"Well, right now I'm ready for my third time."
"Are you sure it's not your fourth?"
"Hm. Maybe you're right. Think we can make it six before morning?"
"Think big, Mr. Kendall."
I slid my hand down his stomach and wrapped my fingers around his cock. "Oh, I am thinking big, Mr. Gerber."
"I think we can make it seven by morning."
"I like the way you think."
By the time we hit number six, I was so exhausted someone could have done a full tap routine in the middle of our bed and I would have slept through it.
Waking up in Micah’s arms, his body warm and pressed close to mine, was nothing short of wonderful. The kind of peaceful, perfect moment I could get used to far too easily. I stayed still for a while, not wanting to break the spell — just soaking in the quiet intimacy of being held, the rise and fall of his breath syncing with mine.
Then I felt him shift slightly, his lips brushing against the side of my neck in a slow, lazy nuzzle. So he was awake too.
I smiled and rolled over to face him, tossing a leg casually over his body as I settled in closer.
He gave me a warm smile. "Good morning, beautiful."
"A very good morning," I said. "I wish I could wake up like this every morning."
Micah studied me for a minute, his eyes searching mine, before he broke into a wide smile, his eyes twinkling. "If you think this is good, then you're just going to love what comes next."
With that, he ducked under the sheet.
After number seven and a shared shower, which took a lot longer than usual even if we didn't quite make it to number eight, we finally made it to breakfast.
"Should I call Steve and tell him he might have a grandchild on the way?" Micah asked me, just as I took a big sip of coffee.
I almost spit out my mouthful. "Oh my god, stop!"
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.
Micah smirked. "And if not, I'm dedicated to keep trying until we're successful."
I punched him in the arm.
"Okay, okay, so, I need to get going so I can finish up this story. I'm hoping to turn it over to my editor today. I'll talk to you later?"
"Yeah, just let me know when you're free."
"Okay. Sounds good."
He gave me a quick kiss before jumping up and heading out. I finished my bagel, then followed him out to make my morning classes.
After school, I swung by the office where I was typing up reports when Micah called.
"I thought you were going to be busy all day," I said after answering.
"Just turned in the story."
"That's awesome! Congratulations. Are you happy with it?"
"I'm happy it's done. At least for the moment. We'll see what happens once it breaks. But that will wait for tomorrow. Right now, I missing you already."
"Oh please. It's been three hours at most. You can't be ready for number eight already."
He laughed. "No, I need to recover and rehydrate first. Actually, I have a surprise for you. Is now a good time?"
"What's the surprise?"
"I'm not saying. You'll see. So, is it okay if I come by now?"
"No, I want you to tell me first."
I don't really like surprises. I prefer to know what I'm doing and what's expected of me. If someone says there is a surprise, predictably, I obsess over it until I find out what is going on. Blame it on my insatiable curiosity. That's why I'm an investigator.
"If you cooperate you'll find out a lot quicker," he reasoned.
"Fine. Just hurry up and get here."
"I'll be there before you know it."
Despite his promise, it felt like forever until he came through the office door. I jumped to my feet and noted his empty hands.
"So where's this surprise?"
"You have to come with me to find out."
"Where?"
"The sooner you stop asking questions and just do what I say, the sooner you'll find out."
I crossed my arms obstinately.
"I'm not moving until you tell me what's going on."
"Then I guess we're doing this the hard way." He walked calmly around my desk and, before I knew what he was doing, he'd grabbed me around the waist and tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I struggled, but it was cursory at best, my laughter betraying how much fun I was having.
He carried me through the door just as Novak was coming in.
"I won't even ask," my boss commented coolly as he squeezed by and went into the office without so much as a look back.
"It's nice to know I can count on you if I'm ever in trouble," I yelled after him, mustering as much dignity as one can while hanging over a man's shoulder with one's rump in the air.
"I didn't ask to be included in your sexual peccadilloes," I heard him call back.
"What?" I gasped. "What did he say?"
Micah just laughed and carried me outside.
"Now," he said, setting me down in the parking lot next to his car, "we can either do this the easy way — namely, you get in the car and quit being a pain — or I can stuff you in the trunk."
I had a feeling he would do it too. I made a show of smoothing my clothes, then turned calmly and climbed in.
"There, now that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked.
"Just go," I replied.
Chuckling, Micah drove us a short distance to one of those ubiquitous suburban strip malls — the kind that seem to spring up around any reasonably sized town like mushrooms after a storm. This one featured a Chinese restaurant, a tattoo parlor, a Kenpo studio, a custom framing gallery, and a bridal boutique. An eclectic mix, to say the least — and one that offered absolutely no clue as to why we were here.
I gave him a sideways look. “So, are we taking self-defense classes, getting matching tattoos, or splitting an order of moo goo gai pan?”
“None of the above,” he said, grinning. “Just trust me. Come on.”
With the air of a man on a mission, he strode straight to the bridal shop. I blinked. Well, that certainly wasn’t on my bingo card. Credit where it was due — Micah knew how to keep me guessing.
I followed him warily, trying to piece together what on earth this could possibly be about. He held the door open with the solemn grace of a royal footman, and I stepped inside.
The shop was all soft lighting and tulle, with an unmistakable undercurrent of floral perfume. A small man with a receding hairline and a mischievous twinkle in his eye greeted us at once. Judging by the way he lit up the moment we walked in, he was definitely in on whatever Micah had planned.
And judging by that smile, I was definitely in trouble.
"Okay, I'm here. Now what's going on?" Then a terrifying thought occurred to me. "This better not be another surprise wedding," I yelped.
The bewildered expression on both of their faces was almost enough to make me laugh. Almost.
"Surprise wedding?" Micah asked in confusion.
"Whoever heard of such a thing," the clerk added with a dismissive wave.
"Will someone please just tell me what the hell is going on?" I interrupted, a bit louder than I had intended.
“The Equality Ball,” Micah said quickly, apparently deciding he’d dragged out his little game long enough.
“Huh?” I replied, brilliantly.
“I told you I’d take care of the tuxedos for the ball,” he explained. “We’re here to get fitted.”
I blinked at him. “Wait...all of this was just for a tux fitting?”
“Yes.”
“That was the big surprise?”
“Well, it is a ball,” he said, completely unapologetic. “I wanted it to feel special. Exciting.”
“You kidnapped me for a tux fitting?” I tried to keep my tone stern, but the corners of my mouth were already fighting the uphill battle. I wasn’t mad — not even a little — but payback was a delicious concept.
“I didn’t kidnap you,” he protested. “Not exactly.”
That was it. His expression — equal parts smug and sheepish — broke me. I burst out laughing. He joined in a moment later, clearly relieved I wasn’t actually pissed.
The clerk, who had been watching the exchange with growing confusion, finally cleared his throat and stepped forward with practiced precision. “If we could...?” he prompted, producing a measuring tape with a magician’s flourish that suggested years of theatrical fittings.
“Sorry,” I said, still grinning as I stepped forward to be measured from every possible angle — and possibly a few new ones. Then it was Micah’s turn. Afterward, we browsed their selection of tuxes, tried on a few to get a feel for the cut and style, and settled on a matched-but-not-matching look that suited us both. They’d need a few alterations, but the clerk promised they’d be ready before the big night.
Back in Micah’s car, he glanced over at me. “Do you need to go back to the office?”
“Not really. Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
He grinned. “Good. I feel like celebrating turning in my big story.”
“Then let’s celebrate. What’d you have in mind?”
“Dinner somewhere nice. My treat. And I know it’s a Wednesday, but...you wanna go dancing?”
“Where? Inferno?”
“Yeah. I need to burn off some energy.”
“More than last night?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He laughed. “Okay, fine — I need to burn off some energy on the dance floor, not just in bed.”
“But maybe in bed too?”
“You really are insatiable.”
“Is that a complaint?”
“Definitely not.” He reached for my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “So we’re on?”
“We’re on.”
“Great. I’ll drop you at your car so you can run home and grab a change of clothes. Then meet me back at my place and we’ll head to dinner from there.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Once we got back in the car, Micah glanced over at me with a crooked smile. “So… what was all that about a surprise wedding?”
“Oh, nothing.” I waved a hand, suddenly feeling sheepish now that the moment had passed.
He didn’t buy it. “C’mon, that didn’t just come out of nowhere.”
I sighed. It was easier to just tell him than endure the full Micah Gerber Interrogation Experience. When it came to rampant curiosity, Micah was definitely my match.
“You remember my friend Will?”
“I don’t think I’ve met him, but you’ve mentioned him before.”
“Yeah, we met when he was dating my cousin Aidan.”
“The one who was murdered last year.”
I nodded. “Right. Well, Aidan and Will had a surprise wedding. Adam helped them plan it, but they kept the whole thing under wraps. No one knew why we were all invited to their house — it was around Christmas, so I figured it was just a holiday party. But when we got there, the place was decorated, the officiant — who was Bryant, by the way —was waiting, and they got married. And then…” I trailed off for a second. “Aidan was killed that same night.”
Micah let out a breath. “God. That’s...unbelievably tragic.”
“Yeah. The wedding was beautiful, though. Classic Adam — elegant and perfect.”
He smiled. “I don’t doubt it. So...you thought I was throwing you a surprise wedding?”
“No! I mean...not seriously.” I winced. “It just popped into my head and kind of came out of my mouth.”
Micah laughed. “You realize there’s one major difference you should’ve picked up on right away, right?”
“What’s that?”
“Aidan and Will both wanted to get married. They were surprising the guests. Surprising one of the grooms? That would be a bold strategy.”
I laughed too. “Okay, fair point. I didn’t really think it through.”
“Well, you can relax,” he said, squeezing my hand. “I’m not planning a wedding.” He paused for a beat before adding, “Not anytime soon, anyway.”
His words hung there for a moment, light but meaningful. We fell into a thoughtful silence, and I found myself turning over the idea of marriage — not in a fantasy way, but in that quiet, contemplative way you do when something suddenly feels possible, even if it's a long way off. Still, I wasn’t ready to dive into that pool just yet. I pushed the thought aside and let the silence settle into something warm and comfortable as we drove.
I ran home to swap out my backpack full of dirty clothes for some fresh ones and changed into an outfit that could pull double duty — polished enough for dinner, but still club-ready. Adam was home, so I let him know I’d probably be staying with Micah again that night. Then I hit the road back to Salisbury to meet my boyfriend.
Dinner was excellent. Micah was in full celebration mode, his good mood infectious. After we ate, we made our way to Inferno.
The parking lot was nearly empty, and my favorite bouncer was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Carmen?” I asked.
“She mostly works weekends,” Micah explained. “They don’t usually bother with a bouncer during the week.”
I looked around. “It looks kind of dead.”
“Yeah, it does. But that’s okay — we’ll bring our own party.”
Inside, the music was blasting, but the place was practically deserted. After the sprawling chaos of Michelangelo, Inferno felt almost cozy — and the lack of a crowd made it seem even smaller. It was like stepping into a private club with a killer sound system. Not what I expected, but, somehow, it felt right.
"Let's dance!" Micah yelled over the music and grabbed me by the wrist to drag me onto the dance floor.
At first, I felt a little self-conscious — we were the only ones on the dance floor — but eventually, I let the music take over. It didn’t take long before a few more people trickled in, and some even joined us. Most still lingered at the bar or sat at tables, watching, sipping drinks, or chatting with friends. I didn’t care. I had Micah, the music, and the moment.
We danced for hours, stopping only for water breaks. By the time we finally called it quits, we were both sweaty, grinning, and breathless.
“You ready to go?” Micah asked.
I nodded. “I’ve got class tomorrow, so we probably shouldn’t be out past midnight.”
He smirked. “It’s already past midnight, Cinderella. But yeah, let’s go before you turn into a pumpkin.”
I frowned. "Cinderalla didn't turn into a pumpkin. Her carriage did."
He raised an eyebrow. "Do I have to throw you over my shoulder again?"
I laughed and ran for the door.
Back at his apartment, we peeled off our damp clothes and collapsed onto his bed. I stretched out, eyes closed, enjoying the cool air against my flushed skin — until I felt Micah’s hand glide down my chest and over my stomach. My body responded instantly.
Micah chuckled low in his throat. “Before I get you too worked up, maybe we should hit the shower. I don’t know about you, but I feel gross.”
“A shower sounds amazing,” I said, cracking one eye open. “Let’s take one together.”
When I looked up, Micah was propped on one elbow, watching me with a wicked twinkle in his eye.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he said, voice low and seductive.
He leaned in and kissed me, hard and hungry, before jumping up and pulling me with him. Once I was on my feet, I grabbed his face and kissed him again, our tongues teasing, playful and hot.
Still laughing, we stumbled into the bathroom. Micah kept one arm wrapped tight around my waist, cupping my ass, while his other hand fumbled with the shower knobs. Once the water was just right, he pulled me under the spray, breaking our kiss only long enough to grab the body wash.
He lathered up his hands and began working them over my body — slow, deliberate, teasing. Every glide of his palms over my skin sent shivers through me. I wasn’t about to let him have all the fun. I grabbed the body wash and returned the favor, my hands roaming his firm, slick torso.
Suddenly, he spun me around so my back was pressed to his chest. I instinctively pushed back, grinding against him as he lightly bit my neck and thrust his hips forward. We groaned together.
“I want you so bad,” he growled in my ear.
“I want you too,” I said breathlessly. “Right now. Right here.”
He stilled. “I don’t have a condom in here.”
I hesitated. “I...you’re the only guy I’ve ever been with.”
Micah gently turned me to face him, wiping water from my face with his thumbs. “I haven’t been with anyone since I met you. I still get tested regularly, but even so, I think we should use protection. At least until we both get tested. Together.”
I smiled, despite my frustration. “Get tested together? How romantic.”
He laughed and pulled me into his arms. “Those are the terms. Take ’em or leave ’em.”
I sighed, grinning. “Fine. I’ll take them. But in that case, we need to get out of this shower so you can take me.”
He laughed again. “You’re too much, Killian Kendall.”
I reached behind me and turned off the water. “Nah. I’m just enough. I hope you’ve got condoms and plenty of lube, because now I’m all riled up, and you know I’m insatiable.”
Fortunately, he did — and we definitely made good use of them.
Later, wrapped in Micah’s strong arms, I drifted off to sleep, warm and sated, the world fading into quiet peace.
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