Daniel had come to town with the new arrivals from No Rival. Isaac’s eyeballs itched with the need to watch him. Rather than taking his mock interview to lunch, as he’d done in the past, Daniel took today’s interview into Aden’s office. Isaac wasn’t getting any work done. He tried. In fact, he’d sparred with Carter—one of Drew Alexander’s star MMA fighters who was back for his second round of Aden’s training. Isaac’s head wasn’t in it. It was in Aden’s office, licking Daniel.

By the time the office door opened and Daniel stepped out, Isaac was damn near dancing in place. Mateo kept eyeballing him. Isaac kept ignoring him. Still, Isaac fucking hated that he was on the clock. He wanted to cross the room, meet Daniel halfway, and capture the man’s lips. It had been four fucking days since he’d gotten a taste. It was hell.

As he looked on, Daniel shook hands with the man he’d been interviewing before parting ways. His gaze locked on Isaac. Isaac’s blood pounded in his ears. The rest of the gym disappeared. There was a connection between them. Isaac knew in his gut Daniel felt the same longing to see him.

“Hey.”

Isaac’s knees weakened at the sexy way Daniel said that single word. “Hey, I—”

“I feel like I’ve seen you a lot the last few months,” Mateo said, sidling in between them and interrupting Isaac.

Isaac’s gaze shot to Daniel. He couldn’t miss Daniel’s reaction to Mateo’s observation. Isaac wasn’t disappointed. A slow and wicked smile spread across Daniel’s lips. “I’m finding Key Largo fascinating. Something new catches my eye each time I visit.” His gaze flickered in Isaac’s direction as he made the claim. “I can’t stay away.”

Mateo’s expression turned calculating. “Have you been to Slip since Boston and Kaz built the dance floor and bar on the veranda?”

“Strangely, I have not. I usually keep better track of such big fish, but I’ve been keeping busy.”

“A bunch of us are headed up there tonight. You should come with us.”

Daniel glanced Isaac’s way. “What do you think? Should we go?”

The smile pulling at Isaac’s lips was out of his control. Daniel obviously wanted to be here and didn’t care if anyone knew they were together. Isaac didn’t care where they went. He was just damn grateful for having met this awesome man. “Sounds like fun. I’ll have to meet you there, though, since I don’t get off until nine.”

“I can wait for you,” Daniel offered.

Isaac shook his head. “Don’t worry over it. Go. Have a few drinks.” His mouth lifted in one corner, matching the smirk in Isaac’s heart as he added, “Loosen up.”

“What about you?” Mateo asked a passing Remy, seeming oblivious to the heat flaring between Isaac and Daniel.

Remy froze. His gaze darted from one person to the next. He tugged on the neck of his red tank top, looking ready to bolt. “What about me?”

“You going to Slip with us tonight?”

Remy pulled a face. “No, thank you.”

Isaac didn’t know why, but he always got the impression Remy didn’t like Boston. He could understand Boston choosing not to work out in the same gym where Gunnar worked. Everyone knew they used to date, but Remy liked everyone. For some reason, Boston was the exception.

Mateo tried maneuvering Remy away from the group. He lowered his voice, but not enough. “We could go somewhere else.”

Aden appeared out of nowhere, carrying a set of weights back to where they belonged. He walked between Remy and Mateo.

“Make better life choices before I’m forced to kill you,” Aden said without slowing.

Mateo took a step back. “You got it,” he said, going back to his workout.

Isaac shook his head. The man was a huge mess. Giving up on him, Isaac glanced Daniel’s way. He was watching Isaac as if he’d been waiting for Isaac to notice. “So, Slip around ten?”

Daniel nodded. “I have some business to take care of before then.” There was a hint of heat in Daniel’s gaze, but there was something else, as well. Isaac wished he knew what it was. “Don’t make me wait too long tonight,” Daniel said before pulling his keys from his front pocket. “I’d better get going or you’ll never get anything done.”

Isaac nodded. His lips tingled with the need to kiss Daniel. He hated that the man was leaving, and he had to act like it meant nothing.

“You should walk me out,” Daniel suggested, as if his thoughts matched Isaac’s.

Without a word, Isaac headed for the front door. He didn’t look to see if anyone watched them go. All Isaac needed was one taste of Daniel’s lips to tide him over until tonight.

* * *

It felt like an eternity before Isaac made it to Slip. He’d been forced to ruthlessly guard the chair next to him to keep Mateo from stealing Isaac’s seat. They’d spent some time at the bar and had only managed to snag a table ten minutes before Isaac finally came through the door. His black t-shirt molded to his skin, straining against Isaac’s biceps. Daniel took a breath, trying to push down the darkness inside him. He knew—occasionally—he needed to share Isaac with the world. That didn’t mean he had to like it.

Five minutes after Isaac claimed the seat at his side, the man’s hand slid up the inside of Daniel’s thigh. Daniel kept his gaze locked straight ahead, hoping no one noticed the sweat forming on his skin. Carter was busy staring at the drink menu. Mateo was looking in every direction as if hunting a target. It was borderline maddening always wanting Isaac. It seemed the thrill should’ve faded at least a little. His interest hadn’t waned a hair. A man wearing a Slip T-shirt, jeans, and an apron around his waist headed toward them.

“What can I get you?”

Mateo turned sideways in his chair as the waiter appeared over his shoulder, setting napkins on the table. His on-the-make smirk made an appearance. “If I could get your phone number, I won’t ask for more, and promise to leave a huge tip.”

Daniel worried he’d damage his eyes by not rolling them. To his surprise, the server turned a bright smile Mateo’s way, obviously interested. It seemed the man got takers on occasion.

Before the man had time to respond, Carter butted in. “Don’t mind him. He’ll fuck anything that moves. It’s not personal.” Carter’s speech was delivered without once looking the server’s way. That was why he missed the flash of hurt passing over the man’s features. The man walked away and moved to wait on the next table without a backward glance. The silence at the table was deafening. It took Carter a minute to finally look up from the drink menu. Daniel didn’t know how the man hadn’t felt all the eyes trained upon him. He glanced around. “What?”

Mateo looked thunderous. It was the first time Daniel had seen the man show any emotion he’d deem real. “You’re an ass.”

Carter shrugged. “Sorry, dude. I wasn’t trying to cock block.”

His apology only seemed to deepen Mateo’s anger. “You’re also dumb as fuck,” Mateo added, not backing down. “You hurt that guy’s feelings.”

A hint of puzzled humor touched Carter’s features. “Nowhere near as bad as you using him for the night and then forgetting his name would hurt.”

Mateo shook his head. For a second, Daniel got a peek at the man behind the mask. He looked disappointed. “You know, not everyone is looking for a lifetime commitment. Some people are just trying to get through another shitty day alive, and you never know what other people are dealing with. Maybe you should consider that the next time you open your dumbass mouth and say some shit you can’t take back.” Without a backward glance, Mateo stood and went after the waiter Carter insulted.

“Well, on that note, I need another drink,” Carter said, pushing from the table as well. “I’m going back to the bar.”

Daniel didn’t bother responding. He couldn’t tear his gaze from Mateo and the server. The man was smiling again. Mateo was too. Their animated discussion kept Daniel enthralled. As he looked on, Mateo pushed the man’s hair behind his ear. Even from where Daniel sat, he could see the man’s blush. It was odd. The man was nice looking—tall and dark-haired, but Daniel didn’t think Mateo had as much as looked at the man before asking for his number. It wasn’t unusual for Daniel to obsess over things. He loved a good story and a mystery. Mateo was both.

“You know, it's customary to stare at your date and not other men when you’re out with someone. Unless you’d rather stare at Mateo all night.”

Daniel’s head whipped around and his gaze snapped to Isaac’s at the man’s claim. “Sorry. I’m normally a damn good judge of character and I can’t figure that one out. It’s making me a bit insane.”

A loud laugh came from Mateo’s direction. Against his will, Daniel’s gaze sought the pair once more. The server had his head thrown back on a roar of laughter. Mateo’s smile looked genuine for once.

“I think I’ll find a drink and someone to dance with,” Isaac said, coming to his feet and snagging Daniel’s attention once more.

“Damn it. I’m sorry. Let’s dance,” Daniel said, standing as well. Isaac’s smile let him know he wasn’t really annoyed. Daniel set his hand on the small of Isaac’s back and steered him toward the veranda. The moment their skin met, Mateo was forgotten. This sexy man was the only person who needed his attention. He’d get it.

When they stepped outside into the warm night air, a love song filled the air. Several couples danced close under the tiny soft lights strung from the ceiling. The instant they reached the edge of the dance floor, Daniel pulled Isaac into his arms. Isaac didn’t hesitate to close every inch between them, going flush against him. His hot breath brushed the side of Daniel’s neck. Daniel’s eyes fell closed as he savored the sensation. His feet automatically kept time with the music.

“Mateo isn’t as complicated as you’re making him out to be,” Isaac said against the shell of Daniel’s ear. The move had chill bumps rising on his skin. “He’s unhappy to the point that he can’t stand to see other people sad, so he fakes a bunch of smiles, trying to make other people smile. Part of him thinks if he fakes it enough, it’ll eventually be true or if he gives enough happiness to others, it’ll bring him joy. He’s just trying to survive a hellish life.”

He understood all too well the life Isaac described. Maybe that was why he couldn’t stop obsessing over Mateo’s personality. They were too much alike. Instead of admitting as much, he chose to make light of the conversation. “I thought you said it wasn’t complicated.”

A low chuckle caressed his ear and Isaac’s body vibrated from the laughter. Daniel’s chest tightened. He had to concentrate on something else. He liked Isaac. The last thing Daniel wanted was to destroy the man by falling for him. “It’s the story I can’t stop digging for,” Daniel admitted. “That’s who I am. I have to know why people do what they do. If he’s trying to survive a hellish life, why is it hellish?”

He felt more than saw Isaac shrug. “Who knows? Everyone has a past and secrets.”

“I want to know yours,” Daniel said before he knew he would.

Isaac leaned away and met Daniel’s stare. Taking Isaac’s hand, Daniel headed for a nearby set of stairs, leading toward the beach. He didn’t stop moving until they were at the water’s edge. He needed a moment. The breeze coming off the ocean brushed over Daniel’s skin. Daniel closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of salt and seaweed.

“This place really is beautiful.” Daniel opened his eyes to find Isaac standing inches from him, staring him down. He’d seen the man at the height of intensity and at the edge of orgasm. Daniel had never seen the man wear the expression he did now. Isaac looked as if he braced himself for any reaction from Daniel. He wasn’t wrong. Even Daniel didn’t know what would happen next.

“I love you.”

Daniel’s mind blanked at Isaac’s claim. “What?”

Isaac didn’t back down. “You said you wanted my secrets. That’s the only one I have left. Every time you leave here, it gets a little harder. I won’t stop enduring it, because we both have careers we love, but I’m also in love with you. You might not want it, but it’s there.” For a moment, they simply held each other’s stare. Isaac didn’t look as if he waited to hear his words returned, but the pressure was real, nonetheless. The silence stretched on. A smile exploded across Isaac’s face. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same. That wasn’t a—”

Daniel fisted the front of Isaac’s shirt and hauled him forward. He held Isaac’s stare. “No,” he said, cutting off whatever Isaac had been about to say. Sometimes there were no words. This was one of those times. Isaac couldn’t love him. Daniel didn’t even love himself. No one should. “No,” he repeated, releasing Isaac and taking a step back. Isaac’s smile had fallen. His features were shut. Daniel couldn’t know the man’s thoughts, but he was certain they weren’t good.

Isaac opened his mouth.

Whatever he’d been about to say, Daniel couldn’t hear it. He held his hand up, stopping him. “Just no. Okay?”

“I’m sorry,” Isaac said, making Daniel wonder if he’d stroke out.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Goddamn.” Without another word, Daniel turned his back on Isaac and walked away.

“Daniel.”

Daniel didn’t look back or stop moving. He couldn’t. Isaac was sorry. Fuck. He should be. No one could love him. Only a fucking idiot would fall in love with him. Tonight felt a lot like the night he wouldn’t be able to do this any longer.