Blood Match

Chapter 10: Joy Ride

Leo looked down at his watch. "It is 4:15, sunset is in 15 minutes. Would you like to head to the gallery this evening?"

"Yes, if it isn't too much trouble, I would like to see how Tristan made out today. Thank you, Leo, for this time." Liam kissed Leo on his cheek.

"What are friends for?" Leo said quietly. "Come. Let's get you changed so Tristan is not scandalized by how casual you're dressed."

"Leonidas..."

"Don't Leonidas me, I'm just helping you maintain your image of the owner of New York's newest avant-garde gallery," Leo said, pulling Liam back down the hall to the elevator.

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Liam finished freshening up in the bathroom and walked back into his bedroom. He caught himself—when did he start thinking of this bedroom as his? Why did Leo's home feel so right, as if he had finally come home? It scared him how intense his feelings seemed to be for this man who had just literally walked into his life. He couldn't deny that he was attracted to Leo, but he was uncertain. Although vampires had become part of modern-day society, coming out of the shadows and forging a mutually beneficial relationship with humankind, Liam had never interacted with them. So this was very new to him.

On the bed, he found that Leo had laid out clothes for him to wear. He breathed a sigh of relief that he had chosen an outfit that was casual and not too expensive—till he looked more closely.

On the bed lay a fine-gauge cashmere crewneck sweater in a muted charcoal gray from Loro Piana. A crisp white dress shirt in high-quality cotton from Charvet. Tailored chinos in a rich navy blue, made from premium cotton by Officine Générale. Dark brown suede loafers from Edward Green. Finishing off the outfit was a slim, finely tooled leather belt from Salvatore Ferragamo that matched the shoes, and a Cartier Tank watch with a matching leather strap. As he was looking at the clothes, Leo walked in with an unconstructed wool-silk herringbone blazer in muted earth tones that complemented the outfit.

"Here, this will complete your look for the evening. We have about a half hour before Tristan arrives to drive us to the gallery."

Liam walked over to Leo and pulled him in for a kiss that was quite passionate. He heard a deep growl from Leo as he wrapped his arms around him. As they broke the kiss, Leo said, "What was that for?"

"Just a thank you, Mr. De La Cruz. Just a thank you. Now go and let me get dressed," Liam said, pushing Leo out the door. Leo went, still dazed by the kiss.

Leo put his back against the wall and tried to calm down. He used his hand to shift his hardening cock into a better position before he walked down the hall to his bedroom to change.

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Liam descended the stairs to the ground floor, where Leo was already seated on the couch. His attire was casual, yet exuded an air of sophistication. His outfit was a compliment to Liam's: a crisp white button-down shirt from Charvet peeked out from under the fine cashmere pullover in heather grey from Elder Stateman. Tailored wool trousers from Loro Piana in tobacco brown fell luxuriously over soft leather burgundy loafers from John Lobb. A vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava wristwatch graced his left wrist, and the Berluti handmade leather belt encircled his waist. A Brunello Cucinelli cashmere overcoat in a muted taupe completed the look.

"Well, Mr. De La Cruz, no one can say you do not know your fashion. You look marvelous, Leo."

"Thank you, Mr. Von Anderson, and may I say you don't look too bad yourself."

"How could I? You and Tristan have excellent taste. Thank you again, Leo. I have a strange feeling that I will be saying thank you a lot from now on," Liam said, taking Leo's hand. Leo brought Liam's hand to his lips and kissed it.

"You have given me a precious gift, Liam, and I am grateful. Shall we go? Tristan is waiting outside."

Leo walked through the front door, still holding Liam's hand. As Liam glanced up at the sky, he noticed that the sun had just dipped below the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful shade of rose and purple. A few stars twinkled into existence as night began to fall.

In front of them stood Tristan, dressed impeccably and leaning against a stunning Lincoln sedan in a deep midnight blue hue. As Leo and Liam made their way towards him, Tristan graciously opened the back passenger door for them to enter. Leo gestured for Liam to go first, and then followed him into the car. Once they were both seated comfortably, Tristan closed the door and slid elegantly into the driver's seat.

"Good evening, Mr. De La Cruz, Mr. Von Anderson," Tristan said as he put the car in motion and pulled away from the curb.

"Hey, Tristan, how did the day go?" Liam said, leaning forward.

"That depends. I have both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" Tristan said, looking through the rearview mirror at Liam.

"Tristan..." Leo growled. Liam put a hand on Leo's arm.

"Give me the good news first."

"You have sold every photo that was exhibited yesterday. The gallery is a success," Tristan said, smiling.

"Wow! That's great! So, what's the bad news?" Liam said, puzzled.

"You sold every photo exhibited. The gallery has been wiped clean! You will need more photos!" Tristan said.

"Ok, I can do that. I have a large portfolio. I just have to select my next grouping to exhibit. Or I could start a brand new project," Liam said, looking at Leo.

"No, no, you can't be serious. You want to fill a gallery with portraits of me for sale!" Leo said, horrified.

"Leo, you are rich, influential, and a bit awe-inspiring. People would kill to have you on their wall! Come on, what do you say?"

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