Heart Eyes Read online

  “I’d love that,” Penn finally said, placing another kiss on the corner of Adam's mouth. “We can definitely make it work. I don’t suppose the party will start before ten?”

  Adam shrugged. “I guess.”

  He surged up, catching Penn’s mouth in a rough, deep kiss as he stood up with Penn still wrapped around him, and carried him to the bedroom without breaking their frantic kiss.

  They didn't talk much after that.

  It was a mild evening, even if it was mid February. Weather in London was often unpredictable, but Adam was glad he’d decided to walk from the station to the restaurant where the charity event was held. According to Google it shouldn't take him more than fifteen minutes. Adam wondered if that was enough time to settle the butterflies in his belly, and decided it probably wasn’t.

  It was fucking stupid. Penn was his boyfriend. Why the fuck was he nervous about seeing his boyfriend on Valentine’s Day?

  His phone vibrated in his pocket, distracting him from his thoughts. It was an email he’d been expecting for fucking ages. But, as it turned out, it came just in time. Adam could picture Penn’s wide, disbelieving eyes when he told him what they were doing tomorrow.

  The restaurant was tucked away into one of the side streets, and Adam nearly walked by it without realising. There were no windows visible from the street level, just a dodgy looking door with graffiti drawn on it and the name “Garland” over it. And a security guard dressed in an impeccable suit.

  Shit.

  “Hi there,” Adam said cheerfully. “I’m here for the private event?” He smiled at the guy who was looking at him as if he was a piece of spit out gum on the floor.

  “Name?”

  “Adam Fischer.”

  The guy took out a small tablet from his back pocket, typed a few things on it, then shook his head ever so slightly.

  “You’re not on the list. Sorry.”

  Right. Adam hadn’t realised he actually had to have his name down on any lists when he’d decided to surprise Penn at the event and go to the club together from there.

  “Alright, give me a second,” Adam said to the guy, taking out his phone and calling Penn.

  It went to voicemail.

  Adam took a deep breath, willing himself not to get angry, then dialled again. Straight to voicemail.

  There had to be a way of getting in there for fuck’s sake. His boyfriend was one of the people exhibiting at the event, and was right behind that door somewhere. Adam couldn't be left stranded on the pavement all evening. And on Valentine’s Day no less.

  Of course not. He could charm his way in there, right? He could prove to Mr Security over there that he was Penn’s boyfriend and he’d be very upset if Adam wasn’t allowed in. He wasn’t Jared – the man could charm candy floss from a child – but he could definitely give it a try.

  The guy watched him with a blank expression as Adam pretended to call over and over, but was actually thinking of a plan. He pretended to send a text while he changed his lock screen to a photo of himself and Penn, a close up selfie of Penn’s smiling face as Adam kissed his cheek and tickled him.

  “It’s going straight to voicemail,” Adam said as he approached the guy again. He didn’t even move let alone show any compassion for Adam's predicament. “Look, mate, my boyfriend, Penn Shields, he’s one of the main exhibitors of the event. He probably forgot to put my name down on the list. He was really nervous about the show this morning.”

  The security guy hummed, but didn’t move, his expression still blank and a little bored as if he’d seen people trying to crash private parties all the time.

  “Look,” Adam said, sticking his phone in the guy’s face. “That’s me and Penn, cuddling. Now, why would I have this photo if he wasn’t my boyfriend?”

  “Don’t know, man,” the guy replied, his voice perfectly devoid of any intonation. “It may be an old photo.”

  Adam was getting seriously annoyed, and that wasn’t helpful for the charming his way in plan.

  “It’s Valentine’s Day, for fuck’s sake!” He shouted in the guy’s face. “I wanted to surprise him, OK? Trust me, if he finds out you didn’t let me in and I had to sit on the pavement and wait for him all evening he’d be seriously pissed.”

  “I thought he “forgot” to add your name? Which is it?” The guy actually made air quotes with his fingers. Adam stared at him, mouth gaping.

  He had nothing. No charm, no proof, no way to get in there. Maybe he could punch the guy?

  “What the hell is all that shouting?” Adam heard someone say as they opened the door from the inside. “Oh, I should have known it’s you.” Sonnie, the theatre’s chief costume designer and Penn’s boss was glaring at Adam from the half-open door.

  “Thank fuck,” Adam murmured. “Sonnie, tell this baboon to let me in.”

  “Hm...” Sonnie said, putting his finger on his lips as if deep in thought.

  Adam was pretty sure Sonnie didn’t like him much, but if he fucked this up for him Adam would blow shit up.

  “Sonnie,” Adam said, a warning in his voice.

  “Alright, fine, get in here, but behave yourself.” Sonnie waved him in much to the displeasure of the security guy. “I’m only doing this for Penn. Because if I don't he’ll pout for weeks and I don't have time for this.” He rolled his eyes and hurried down the stairs.

  It was a weird place. The door opened into a tiny landing with stairs to the left and a door that led to the toilets on the right. Adam followed Sonnie down the stairs, gazing at the old film posters decorating the walls. They must have walked down at least thirty stairs until they reached the main restaurant. No wonder Penn’s phone had no coverage.

  Loud music assaulted Adam's senses as they opened the door and walked inside the restaurant. All the tables were pushed along the walls and a big runway was built in the middle of the room. Bright lights chased each other round the room, never stopping in one place for long. Models clad in clothes of various styles, designs and materials walked up and down the runaway, the guests occupying the tables watching with interest.

  Best of all? No foil balloon or love heart in sight.

  “Where’s Penn?” Adam asked, leaning closer to Sonnie.

  “He’s backstage. His dresses are about to walk in... “He looked at his elegant rose gold watch. “Fifteen minutes.”

  Adam nodded, unsure of what to do now. He didn't want to intrude backstage and distract Penn, but he also didn’t have a table booked. His dilemma was probably written all over his face because Sonnie nudged him and said,

  “Go to the bar and get yourself a drink. I’ll tell Penn you’re here and he’ll come round when he’s free.”

  “No, don't tell him yet,” Adam said. “I want to surprise him. Is he going to walk out on the runaway after his designs?”

  Sonnie nodded and waved Adam off, hurrying away backstage. At the bar Adam ordered whiskey on the rocks and settled comfortably to watch the show. He recognised Penn’s style as soon as a skinny model wearing one of his dresses sauntered out on the runway. Adam hadn’t actually seen that particular dress before but Penn’s style was etched in every line, every meticulous detail.

  Pride bloomed in Adam's chest as he watched the guests murmur to each other, take notes and nod their heads. They recognised true talent when they saw it. The money they spent tonight on the gorgeous pieces might not be much for them, but they’d make a huge difference to the charities Penn’d chosen to support. Adam knew that was what mattered to Penn; not the money or the fame or the glitzy events.

  Taking a sip of his drink, Adam watched closely as one of the models reached the end of the runaway and blew a kiss at the audience, then turned dramatically on her heel to walk back. What caught Adam's interest was the fact that next model, also wearing one of Penn’s dresses was a guy. The dress fit him like a glove even if he didn't have boobs to fill it in. Adam imagined Penn frantically stitching and resizing things backstage until every model’s garment fit to perfection.<
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  Soon, Adam saw Penn emerging from the end of the runaway, holding one of the model’s hands and followed closely by all the rest of his models. He bowed and received applause loud enough to be heard over the thumping music. As if drawn by invisible force, Penn’s eyes landed on Adam. He raised his glass and winked at Penn, and was rewarded with a magical, wide smile.

  After Penn went back in, Adam took out his phone to check for any texts from Jared. They’d arranged to meet around ten in a bar near the club. Seeing Adam and Penn’s grinning faces as he turned on the screen surprised Adam – he’d forgotten he changed his generic lock screen to this picture. His thumb itched to click on the settings and change it back. After all, Adam had never put a picture of a boyfriend as his lock screen before. He’d made fun of people who did that. Yet... He remembered the moment the picture was taken so clearly. Penn had stolen his phone and started taking random selfies, while Adam tried to get it back. He’d resorted to kisses and tickling but in the end he’d managed to get it back. Later, he’d pretended to delete all the photos to annoy Penn, but he never had.

  “Hey,” Penn said in his ear, appearing next to him out of nowhere. “What’s that?” He pointed at the screen Adam was still staring at with a stupid smile on his face.

  “Nothing,” Adam said, quickly putting his phone away.

  “Oh my god, you didn’t delete those!” Penn exclaimed with childish glee. “And you put it as your lock screen!” His eyes were wide and shining with amusement, and all Adam wanted to do was draw him closer and kiss the smile away.

  And that was exactly what he did. Penn melted against him, meeting his lips half way, and draping his arms around Adam's neck.

  “You were amazing tonight,” Adam said when their mouths separated. He was panting, looking forward to having Penn in his bed – in his arms – later tonight.

  “Thanks.” Penn’s blush was visible even in the dim lighting. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby,” he murmured in Adam's ear, placing a soft kiss on the soft skin under it. Adam shivered and repeated the words to him, pulling him in for another kiss.

  Adam remembered the stage manager Martin the moment he saw him. The guy was super enthusiastic to see them all – Jared had invited Sonnie and his boyfriend Riley too, as well as some other people from the theatre – and had saved them the best booth in the club, as he claimed himself. The club, unfortunately, was fully decorated for Valentine’s Day with balloons, flowers and hearts in all colours and sizes everywhere. Adam managed to curtail the urge to glower at the foil balloons, focusing on how sexy Penn looked. After the show, he’d changed into black jeans and a tight red t-shirt made of the softest material Adam had ever touched that clung to Penn’s torso like a second skin.

  Unable to keep his hands to himself anymore, Adam pulled Penn onto the dance floor while everyone else shuffled into the booth. The moment they were engulfed by the music and the crowd of dancing bodies, Adam slid his palms around Penn’s ribs, pulling him closer. He could feel something underneath the thin shirt, but couldn't figure out what it was.

  “What are you wearing underneath?” Adam asked in Penn’s ear to be heard over the music, still clutching at him, not letting him move even a breath away.

  He felt Penn’s cheeks move as he smiled. “The lingerie you gave me last week.”

  His words sent a jolt of arousal right to Adam's cock. But then he remembered they’d just come here so it was hours before he could peel the sexy lingerie off Penn.

  “Can we go home? Right now?” He asked Penn even though he knew what the answer would be.

  Penn just laughed, shaking his head, then led Adam into a hot, energetic dance, not making him forget about the lingerie hiding underneath Penn’s clothes entirely, but definitely keeping his mind occupied with sexy moves. Soon, Adam saw Jared and Fenix joining them on the dance floor. The pair loved dancing and often turned heads, especially Fenix, who had genetically inherited his mother’s – the prima ballerina Evelyn Bergman – grace, skill and flexibility. Damn but the guy seemed like his bones were made of liquid. Adam had watched Fenix on stage and in rehearsal often enough and yet he couldn't stop staring at him as he moved.

  “I may get jealous if you keep watching Fenix like that,” Penn said in Adam's ear, leaving a little bite in wake of his words.

  Adam snorted. He was probably the only man in the world immune to Fenix Bergman’s charms, mainly because he’d never be able to forgive what Fenix had done to Jared, even if Jared himself had.

  Instead of a reply, Adam pulled Penn closer and slowed their movements, surrendering to the feel of his boyfriend’s lithe body pressed to his. Penn’s hair tickled his face, and Adam buried his nose in it, inhaling the sweet scent.

  “I can’t wait to go home and get all these clothes off,” he murmured in Penn’s ear.

  “Not yet. Jared said we have to do the karaoke. He’d promised Martin.”

  Adam groaned. He hated karaoke. Drunk, tone deaf people making fools of themselves while a bunch of other drunk, tone deaf people applauded them. Who’d even come up with that ridiculous concept?

  As it turned out, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Adam had anticipated. He’d forgotten it was a private party and Martin used to be a stage manager for one of London’s most famous theatres. The crowd gathered tonight was mostly theatre people, and all sort of independent artists, so tone deafness was definitely not a problem. The karaoke performances were pretty entertaining, especially because instead of an old fashioned karaoke machine there were musicians playing the songs live. Lots of the people who performed put their own spin on the songs, the band following them effortlessly.

  When it was Jared’s turn to sing, he pulled Fenix on stage with him and they sang “You’re the One That I Want” giving John Travolta and Olivia Newton John a run for their money. It was common knowledge Grease was Fenix’s favourite musical, he was always humming one of the songs under his breath. Adam had sat through many a rehearsal where Fenix burst into a Grease song, goading the other cast members to join him.

  The song ended, the applause thundering through the crowd, people shouting for more. As if on cue, Jared grinned and said into the microphone,

  “We’ve got another one for you tonight, guys, but we’ll need some help.” He started scanning the throng of people until his eyes landed on Adam.

  Oh, fuck no.

  “Hey, Adam, come up here. You too, Penn.” Jared pointed at them and the lights immediately found them, shining in Adam's face. The crowd got even more excited, people started turning around to look, cheering them on.

  “Come on, babe,” Penn said, grabbing Adam's hand. “It’ll be fun.”

  The excitement shone on his face and Adam couldn't resist giving in. In fact, it should have been the other way around. Adam was the one performing on stage every fucking day while Penn designed costumes and barely talked to anyone if he didn't need to. So why was Adam's whole body buzzing with performance anxiety all of a sudden?

  Because I don't want to fuck this up, he thought. I don't want the memory of our first Valentine’s Day together to be of a shitty karaoke performance.

  When they stepped on stage, Fenix handed them a microphone each while Jared talked to the band. They were all nodding and grinning as if loving Jared’s idea. Adam was pretty sure he wouldn't be so cooperative himself.

  “We’re doing “Summer Nights””, Fenix said with a smug grin.

  Adam managed to curtail the urge to groan, mainly because Penn had clapped his hands excitedly. Alright then, if everyone was enjoying this then maybe Adam could stop being a grouchy bastard and have some fun. Even in a club full of foil balloons, singing trashy karaoke songs. He was with Penn and that was all he needed.

  “Alright,” Adam said, giving Fenix his best evil smile. “But I’m not going to be a backing singer to your and Jared’s performance. I’ll be John Travolta or I’m out.”

  Fenix beamed at him. “I wouldn't have it any other way, big guy.” The bastard winked at him
and went to join Jared, leaning to whisper in his ear. Jared showed Adam the thumbs up when he heard what Fenix said.

  “You OK with this?” Adam asked Penn. “You know you’ll have to be Olivia Newton John, right? Because I’m not doing this with Fenix fucking Bergman!”

  Penn nodded, his excitement showing in his wide smile.

  “Of course.” He tucked his blonde, shoulder length hair behind his ears and sauntered off in the middle of the stage, doing his best Sandy impression.

  Adam had no idea if Penn could even sing. He’d heard him humming in the shower a few times and singing quietly to a song on the radio from time to time, and he showed no performance anxiety whatsoever as the music started. And when he opened his mouth to sing the first few lines of the song, Adam gaped at him. Penn’s voice was smooth, but he could do the high notes of the song without much issue, and what was more, it complimented Adam's deeper voice perfectly. Jared and Fenix took their roles of the backing singers slash classmates in the musical very seriously, and pretty soon Adam found himself having a really good time. He couldn't keep the smile off his face, watching his friends’ antics, and his boyfriend’s beautiful, excited face.

  When the song ended, confetti exploded all over the stage, falling on top of them as they laughed and hugged. After they bowed to the applauding crowd, Adam picked Penn up in his arms making him shriek in surprise, and kissed him as the colourful, heart-shaped confetti kept raining on them.

  Adam couldn't wait for the door to shut behind them before he grabbed for Penn. He giggled, trying to evade him, but Adam was on a mission. A clothes removing mission.

  “Come here,” he growled, reaching Penn in two long strides, grabbing him around the waist and lifting him off the ground.

  Penn laughed and pretended to struggle a little but once Adam put him down and pushed him on the bed, he sprawled on it seductively, waiting for Adam's next move.

  “Clothes off,” Adam said, removing his own t-shirt and unbuttoning his jeans. His cock had been in various stages of arousal for the past three hours, he needed to feel Penn’s sweet mouth on it before he exploded.