COME UP WITH ONE

DIEGO'S POV

The first package arrived at 7 AM. On opening my door, I found a box with expensive wrapping and it had my name on it.

At first I was skeptical because you never know until I got Felton's message.

Inside was the art book. The one I'd mentioned in an interview two years ago and it was a limited edition worth three freaking thousand dollars

The card said: For your collection. —F

Two hours later another delivery, a sculpture tool that was custom made with  initials engraved.

For your art. —F

Third delivery at noon and this time they were gallery tickets.

For tomorrow night. Wear something beautiful. —F

I sat on my couch surrounded by gifts and thought about the fact that Felton D'Angelo was paying attention. 

My phone buzzed. What again? I clicked it only to find a video message. What was Felton D'Angelo up to again?

He was in a bathtub with a champagne flute and water sliding down his chest while he looked at the camera like he could see straight through me.

"Diego. I've been thinking about you and I can't seem to get you out of my head.” He paused, looking at me with those seductive eyes of his then he continued. "You want me but you're just too scared to admit it.”

Ewwww, I do not.” I puckered my face in disgust. Yes he was handsome and all that but……but what? Damn, what is wrong with me?

“So I'm going to make this easy for you. Next time we meet, I'm not asking permission. I'm taking what I want and what I want is you. All of you. Until you stop lying to yourself about what this is."

The video ended and I stared at my phone for five seconds before yeeting it across the room.

My hands were shaking but I replayed it anyway. And the fact that my body kept reacting to it only made it worse.

Okay, who wouldn't react like this to a video of a half baked, handsome….. I slapped myself.

This was supposed to be an act so fantasizing about him was not supposed to happen. 

I stood up, the tickets were still in my hand and I had to hurry up if I wanted to avoid Victor's nagging.

—

The gallery opening was that night.

I showed up early to help Victor set up while trying to focus on work instead of thinking about Felton's video or the fact that I'd replayed it seven times.

"Diego, you seem distracted," Victor said.

"Just tired."

"Well, perk up. This is an important night."

The gallery started filling up. I moved through the crowd with a smile and answered questions. 

Then I felt it, that shift in the air so I turned and there he was; the devil in a three piece tuxedo.

Felton.

He smiled as he walked through the crowd. People moved for him without thinking about it then he stopped in front of me.

"You look nervous," he said.

"I'm working."

"You're hiding." He looked around then he spotted the private viewing room. "Come on."

"Felton, I can't just—" He took my hand, pulling me through the crowd while I pretended like all was fine to avoid drawing attention. 

The sound of the lock clicking made my pulse spike. "You got my gifts?" he asked.

"Yes."

"And the video?"

"Yes."

"You didn't respond."

"I didn't know what to say."

He stepped closer. "The truth would be a good start."

"The truth about what?"

"About why you're doing this. About what you want."

"I don't—"

"Don't lie to me, Diego. Not here. Not now."

"This whole thing is a game to you. That's all I am."

"Is that what you think?" He was in my space now backing me against the wall. "Then let's play." 

He pulled me closer and kissed me without asking and I—

I grabbed him by his jacket, pulling him closer while I opened my mouth and let him in and felt every wall I'd built for thirteen years crack open.

His hands were in my hair. My hands were under his jacket. We were pressed together and his mouth moved to my neck. My head fell back against the wall. I heard myself make a sound I didn't recognize.

His hands slid down my sides to my hips then he pulled me closer and I panicked.

With all my strength, I shoved him and he stumbled back. Hit a chair. It crashed over with a sound that seemed too loud.

"Diego—"

"I can't—" I was breathing too hard. My hands were shaking. "I can't do this."

"Yes you can."

"No. I have to—I have to go."

"Don't run." He tried to stop me as I got hold of the door handle but I only shoved him back.

“Stay the fuck away from me.” I spat out as I got the door unlocked and I bolted away into the crowd that had multiplied.

Victor called out to me but I didn't stop walking until I got outside and I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.

I'd just kissed Felton D'Angelo.

I'd grabbed him, pulled him closer then made sounds I'd never made before and then I'd panicked and shoved him and ran.

I was falling for him and this shit was not part of the plan. What was Avani going to say when she found out?

“No,” I yelled at my reflection in the car mirror. “You're not gay, you like women right? Those boys back in high school were just messing with my head, right?”