Beau's breath caught as Lanet tossed the shirt aside, revealing his toned chest.
"A lot better," He added with a sly grin.
"I'm glad you think so," Lanet said, climbing onto the plush bed and watching Beau with an inviting expression.
Beau hesitated for only a moment before pulling off his own shirt and joining Lanet on the bed. He settled beside him, smirking playfully.
"Hey, sexy," Beau teased.
"Hey, sexy yourself. Come here," Lanet said with a soft chuckle, wrapping an arm around Beau's waist and pulling him close.
Beau couldn't help but laugh softly, the warmth of Lanet's touch spreading through him. Lanet's smile widened as his gaze locked onto Beau's, holding it for a long, unbroken moment. There was no need to question Lanet's intentions—his eyes spoke volumes. They weren't officially anything, but the intensity in his gaze made it clear he wanted more.
Lanet reached out, his fingers tracing lazily over Beau's cheek. "Beautiful. Inside and out," he murmured, his voice low and filled with admiration.
The intensity of Lanet's loving gaze caused Beau to look away shyly, his cheeks heating. "Lanet?" he asked softly.
"Mmh?" Lanet responded, his eyes never leaving Beau's face.
"Are you sure about this? Wouldn't you rather be seen with someone more... like you?" Beau forced himself to meet Lanet's gaze again, searching for any sign of doubt. But there was none. Lanet still looked at him with the same unwavering affection.
Lanet smiled gently and said, "Let's make a deal."
Beau tilted his head slightly, waiting to hear more.
"When I see you, I see you, Beau. Not class or anything else. Just you. I want you to look at me the same way—no class, just Lanet. Okay?"
Beau hesitated for a moment but eventually gave him a small nod. He knew it would be difficult not to see the wealth and status surrounding Lanet, but he wanted to try.
Lanet lifted Beau's chin gently, aligning their mouths. His lips hovered over Beau's, teasingly close but not quite touching. The heat between them grew, their breaths mingling as Lanet lingered just out of reach, his gaze flicking briefly to Beau's lips before returning to his eyes.
"Can I?" Lanet whispered.
"Yes, there's..." Beau began to answer, wanting to assure him there was no need to ask, but the rest of his words were stolen as Lanet's lips pressed softly against his. Gently, carefully, and unhurried.
Beau's hand slid up Lanet's spine, tangling in his hair, pulling him closer until their bodies pressed together. Beau's desire surged; he wanted more than this. He wanted to touch every inch of Lanet, to feel all of him.
His tongue slipped into Lanet's mouth, seeking and demanding more, and he closed his eyes, losing himself in the kiss as their bodies ground against each other with need.
Just as Beau felt himself drowning in the moment, Lanet pulled away abruptly.
"Is something wrong?" Beau asked, breathless and confused.
"Nothing's wrong." Lanet shifted, pressing himself against Beau, the hardness of his arousal evident against Beau's thigh. "That's the reason. I was getting a little carried away."
"Oh," Beau replied, the heat in his own body not subsiding. He was just as hard, his mind racing with thoughts he wasn't sure he should voice. Clearing his throat, he added softly, "What if I want you to get a little carried away?"
Lanet leaned in, placing a tender kiss on Beau's cheek before pulling back to look him in the eyes.
"I feel something for you, Beau," Lanet said. "And I want to make sure it's real—without my judgment being clouded by sex."
Beau felt a pang of disappointment in his chest but masked it with a nervous chuckle. "I understand. I like you too, Lanet. It's just... I might have fantasized about this moment a few times."
"Really?" Lanet raised a surprised eyebrow.
"Yes," Beau replied, tilting his head at him. "Why are you so surprised?"
"I mean, you're way out of my league," Lanet admitted with a sheepish grin. "I thought I'd have to lose an arm just to get you to like me."
"Well, damn," Beau teased, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Should I start playing hard to get all over again, or should I bring out the chainsaw for the arm?"
Lanet laughed, the tension in the room easing with the sound. "You little devil."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke, the comfortable silence wrapping around them warmly. Finally, Lanet broke it. "Thank you for understanding, Beau. My body wants you—God, it does—but I want to build something real first. I want that strong emotional bond."
Beau noticed the nervous edge in Lanet's tone despite the soft smile on his face.
"Hey," Beau said, reaching out to take Lanet's hand in his. "I promise, I understand. And that doesn't change how I feel about you. I still want to see where we go."
Lanet's smile grew, but it fell when he glanced at his watch. "Time moves so quickly. In less than thirty minutes, we'll need to get out of bed."
Beau groaned, burying his face in the pillow. "I want to stay here and cuddle all day."
"Trust me," Lanet said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "You're going to love where we're going, I promise."
"You're so sure I'm going to love this date you've planned," Beau said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"I am hopeless like that," Lanet replied with a grin. "I live to impress."
They stayed tangled together a little longer, enjoying the warmth and closeness. Eventually, they both got dressed and ready to leave.
"I know you're tired," Lanet said as they walked out, "but we're going to have to take a short hike to our first destination."
Beau sighed but nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
The two walked quietly along a trail in a nearby park, their hands clasped together. Lanet refused to share where they were heading, so Beau followed his lead curiously.
"Just a few more minutes, and we'll be there," Lanet said, glancing back with a teasing smile.
Beau rolled his eyes, giving a dramatic sigh. "You still won't tell me where we're going?"
Lanet chuckled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "It's a surprise."
Not long after, they arrived at a serene pond surrounded by lush greenery. Under a large tree, a beautifully arranged picnic waited for them, complete with a blanket, cushions, and an assortment of food.
"This is us," Lanet said, gesturing toward the setup with a proud smile.
Beau stared in disbelief. "How and when did you manage this?"
"Magic," Lanet replied with a laugh as he sat down on the picnic blanket. He patted the empty spot beside him, inviting Beau to sit.
Shaking his head in amazement, Beau joined him, a smile tugging at his lips. "You're something else, you know that?"
Lanet simply smiled back, the satisfaction of surprising Beau lighting up his face.
Beau felt a rush of emotion as he took in the picnic setup. He'd expected a dinner at some fancy restaurant, not this intimate and very thoughtful gesture. It was romantic.
"Beau, are you alright?" Lanet's voice pulled him from his thoughts. There was a hint of nervousness in his tone. "Is it too much?"
"No," Beau replied quickly, smiling as he turned to face him. "This is perfect. I love it."
Instead of sitting beside Lanet, Beau dropped himself between his legs and leaned back against his chest. "I think I like it better here."
Lanet chuckled, wrapping an arm securely around him. "I was hoping you would."
It was as though the world had faded away, leaving only the two of them. They ate and chatted with ease, the conversation flowing naturally. Lanet asked Beau personal questions, and for the first time, Beau felt comfortable answering them, now that the walls between them had been broken.
"It feels like forever ago when I couldn't even get you to tell me your name," Lanet teased.
"And there goes my brick wall taking form again," Beau quipped.
"You would not dare," Lanet gasped dramatically.
Beau grinned. "I wouldn't even if I wanted to. I'm already in too deep."
Their carefree laughter echoed across the pond. But the peace was shattered by the sharp click of a camera shutter.
"What was that?" Beau sat up abruptly, his eyes darting around.
"You there!" Lanet barked. A man bolted from behind a nearby tree, clutching a camera as he fled.
"Shit," Lanet cursed.
The man was already out of sight before either of them could react.
"We can never have peace. Fucking reporters," Beau heard a group of people hiss as they walked by.
Beau turned to face Lanet nervously. "Did that guy take a picture of us?"
Lanet ran a hand over his face, his jaw tight with frustration. "I'm sorry, Beau. This place is supposed to be private, but I guess that doesn't mean much to them."
Beau's heart pounded nervously as the situation hit him. This wasn't just about Lanet anymore—his own life had just become infinitely more complicated.