Changing Colors (Seasons of Love, Book 4)

By Elyse Springer

Tony Quinn has a knack for figuring people out. He likes labels, likes to be able to put everyone and everything in tidy boxes. As a theater director, it allows him to run a production without too much drama. But when he meets Gentry—“call me Gee”—in a bar one night, he discovers that some people aren’t so easily defined.

Gee Parnell is unlike anyone Tony has ever met before. He refuses to conform—to Tony’s expectations, or to society’s gender roles. He’s sexy and flirtatious, unapologetic and unashamed. And Tony isn’t sure he’s okay with that. So he breaks things off and escapes back into his well-ordered life.

But then an attack leaves Gee bloody and bruised, and Tony realizes that he isn’t ready to lose him. Not only is the passion between them off the charts, but Gee shows him a different way of understanding people. However, an exciting new job opportunity means that Tony has to decide between hiding his sexuality and his relationship with Gee, and his newfound appreciation for the color and beauty Gee brings to his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elyse Springer
• Release date: Nov 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732208131

Elyse Springer

Elyse is an author and world-traveler, whose unique life experiences have helped to shape the stories that she wants to tell. She writes romances with LGBTQIA+ characters and relationships, and believes that every person deserves a Happily Ever After. When she’s not staring futilely at her computer screen, Elyse spends her time adding stamps to her passport, catching up on her terrifying TBR list, and learning to be a better adult.

Book preview

Chapter One

Ten Months Ago

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The club was not Tony’s regular scene. He felt like one of the oldest people in the room, ancient at age thirty-four and desperately trying not to roll his eyes at the hundreds of twenty-somethings grinding together on the dance floor to too-loud pop songs he didn’t recognize.

Getting old, Anthony.

He shoved his father’s words away and took another sip of his beer, leaning back against the bar and looking across the room for a familiar face.

It hadn’t been his idea to come here tonight. Half-price drink specials and close proximity to the theater had drawn his cast and crew to the club, and he’d followed in their wake, too exhausted and in desperate need of a few cheap drinks to complain. They’d just wrapped on a well-received run for a musical that Tony had directed, and there was no doubt the party was going to go until the early hours of the morning.

Mostly what Tony wanted to do was go home and sleep for twelve straight hours, maybe call his friend with benefits, Elena, for a hard-earned reward fuck, and then get to work on his next project. He loved directing musicals, and next month they’d begin preparations for one of his all-time favorites: Rent.

But he could be a good sport for a few hours more. And, as a women from the crew gave him a flirty wink and raised a glass in his direction, he realized it might actually be a pretty fun night. After all, I’m not her boss anymore. A no-strings-attached night of sex and stress relief definitely would not go amiss, and would be a lot easier with her than convincing Elena to come to Midtown at this time of night.

Tony drained his beer and turned back to the bar. It was a busy night, and it took several minutes before the bartender was able to work his way down and get Tony a fresh bottle. He was already sipping the icy liquid as he turned back to the dance floor—

And choked on his next sip.

A pair of eyes were watching him from across the club. Even with the room between them, the gaze punched the air out of Tony’s chest.

The guy on the dance floor tilted his head up when he realized Tony was watching him in return, and Tony spotted a flash of white teeth under the strobe lights. Then the connection was gone, the guy turning to face the other dancers.

What the . . .?

Tony studied the man on the dance floor. He was thin and blond, with miles of white skin visible—not difficult, seeing as how he wasn’t wearing much: a scrap of fabric that only barely qualified as a shirt over his chest, and tiny shorts that reflected the light as he moved.

If anyone fit the definition of a twink, it was this kid. And he was a kid; even from this distance, no way was he more than a year or two past the club’s twenty-one minimum. Definitely not Tony’s type. Blondie would probably whine and beg for Tony’s cock, pouty lips eager to suck him in . . . but that wasn’t what he wanted tonight.

He pulled his eyes away from the blond, skating them over to a man a few feet away. Tall, probably a few inches on Tony’s own 5’7 frame, muscled arms gleaming with sweat and a black tank top stretched tight over his chest. He looked like the kind of guy who would shove Tony into a mattress and pound his ass all night.

That’s more like it.

Except something about the twink caught his attention again, and he found himself glancing back over. The guy was lithe, graceful, dancing to the heavy beat with the crowd, not focusing on any one person.

And damn could he move.

Tony worked with singers and dancers every single day. He’d seen women trained in classical ballet, and men who had done tap or modern dance since they were toddlers. But he’d never seen anyone move like that: hips swaying, arms above his head, sinuous and tempting.

The guy looked up, like he’d sensed that he was still being watched, and his dark eyes met Tony’s across the room once again.

His smile this time was wicked, and the distance between them wasn’t enough to hide the challenge in that smirk, or the unmistakable Come and get me in the way his chin tilted up. It wasn’t a request . . . it was a command.

Tony had set his full beer on the edge of the bar and was stalking across the room before he even realized what he was doing. The blond turned away, showing off an ass that perfectly filled out the tiny shorts. But he kept glancing over his shoulder to watch Tony’s progress, and his grin was all sex and triumph when Tony finally stepped behind him, chest to back, and settled his hands on narrow hips.

Dance with me? Tony asked.

The blond smiled. When he spoke, his voice was full of laughter, and he had an accent that was easily audible over the music, sweet and drawling. "Nope. But you can dance with me."

Yeah, Tony could do that. He pulled the guy back until there was no space between them, brushing his hands along sweaty, hot skin.

One song merged into another, and the blond eventually turned around, hooking his long arms over Tony’s shoulders. He was shorter than Tony by at least six inches, and this close Tony could see the corded muscles that ran down his arms . . . muscles he used to position Tony exactly where he wanted him.

Fuck yes.

This was what he’d been craving. He could have called Elena, who had no qualms about shoving him onto the nearest horizontal surface and having her way with him. Tony wasn’t really submissive, but a strong woman or man who knew what they wanted had always turned him on. But she didn’t have the muscle mass to force him, to hold him down.

And he was fast realizing that this guy, the kid he’d pegged as a skinny twink who only knew how to shake his ass, was deceptively strong, and more than happy to push Tony around wherever he wanted.

Half a dozen songs later, that meant up against a wall in the back hallway, the building vibrating from the bass, and a narrow thigh pressed between Tony’s legs as dexterous fingers wove through his hair and pulled him down into a furious kiss.

God damn.

The blond smirked and bit Tony’s lower lip. Darlin’, if you’re still able to talk, then I’m doin’ something wrong. His voice was honey-smooth, and so Southern that Tony wondered if it was even real.

Then those lips were back on his own, and he didn’t have a chance to wonder much about anything.

It wasn’t until they were stumbling toward his bed, half an hour and one excruciating cab ride later, that Tony thought to ask the other guy’s name.

You can call me Gee, he said. And then he pushed Tony backward onto the bed and climbed on top of him, framing Tony’s body with long legs as he straddled his chest. Though I’m hopin’ you won’t be able to manage even that one syllable by the time I’m done with you.

Tony’s hands slid back to Gee’s hips, framing his narrow waist like they had when they’d danced together in the club. But this time Gee clucked his tongue and took Tony’s wrists, one in each strong hand, and pinned them to the sheets on either side of Tony’s head.

You leave those there for me, ’kay?

Yes. Oh hell yes. It had been a long time since anyone had bossed him around like this in bed. Too long.

Nimble fingers unbuttoned Tony’s shirt, pushing it open to bare his chest to the chilly air. He had the heat turned on, but there was no radiator unit in the bedroom, and the room was colder than the rest of the apartment. Tony only had a second to shiver, though, before a hot mouth licked over his collarbone and nipped at the base of his throat.

Tony arched up into the sensation.

Gee laughed, a puff of heat against his neck. What should I call you when I’m fuckin’ you, darlin’?

It was several seconds before Tony could process the question. Gee’s words rang in his ears: When I’m fuckin’ you. Somehow they didn’t sound as crude in Gee’s accent, which Tony was quickly realizing was real—and got deeper the more turned on Gee got.

Tony, he managed.

Mmh. Gee bit Tony’s neck again, then rolled his hips. His dick was visible through the tiny shorts, shadows making the bulge look almost obscene in the dimly lit bedroom, and Tony shuddered when Gee brushed the hardness against Tony’s lower stomach. His own cock was straining painfully against the zipper of his jeans. That short for Anthony?

Tony nodded.

Gee ran his hands down Tony’s chest, fingers digging into the muscles on his shoulders, thumbs finding places that made Tony groan with pleasure, nails scraping down over his nipples. Well, Anthony, I think we’d best talk for a second, before this goes any further.

Tony’s mouth was dry, and he had to swallow a few times before he could speak. What the hell is going on? He’d never been speechless like this around a one-off fuck. But, then, he’d never met anyone like Gee, who turned his expectations upside down with just a look and a grin. About what?

About what’s going to happen tonight. Gee settled on his stomach. He might have been half a foot shorter than Tony, and skinny as a rail post, but he was all muscle, and his body was a heavy weight across Tony’s abs. He rested his hands on Tony’s shoulders, and met Tony’s green eyes with his own dark-brown ones.

You’re gonna fuck me. Tony’s dick swelled even more as he spoke.

Gee leaned down and kissed him, hot and filthy, tongue pushing into Tony’s mouth before licking his way out. Yeah, I am. But first I’d like to suck that dick I can feel pushin’ against me. He shifted back an inch, his spandex-clad ass nudging Tony’s cock. And I don’t much like the taste of latex.

Oh. Tony groaned at the firm pressure, hips jerking up involuntarily, then forced his brain to process Gee’s question. He liked sex, liked having a lot of it, but he was always careful. I get tested every few months. Everything is negative.

Gee granted him a smile and another quick and dirty kiss. That’s what I needed to know, Anthony.

No one had ever said his name like that, like it was something to be moaned out loud during sex. Tony fisted his hands into the sheets on either side of his head and watched as Gee shot him a sultry smile and slid down his body.

His cock was so hard that he thought for a second he was going to shoot like a teenager the second Gee put a hand on his dick. He struggled to catch his breath as Gee flicked open the button on his jeans and inched the zipper down.

Up. Gee tapped the spot where Tony’s ass met his thigh, and even through the thick denim Tony could feel the light sting. He lifted his hips, letting Gee tug his pants and boxer briefs off his legs, and kicked them onto the floor.

Then, true to his word, Gee licked a long stripe up his cock and sucked the head in without further ado.

Tony’s eyes rolled back as he was surrounded by tight, hot suction, Gee’s hand wrapping around the base of his dick and jacking him while he sucked on the head, before sliding his mouth down. When Gee groaned, it was like an earthquake running up Tony’s spine, and he shouted, back arching off the bed.

The busy schedule meant that he hadn’t had much time over the last six months to get out and get laid, and his desperate whines betrayed that. Gee pulled back to lick a bead of pre-come off his head, laughing low. His breath was hot against Tony’s cock, and Tony squirmed, pushing his hips up and painting Gee’s lips with white as he sought the return of that velvet heat.

Gee, shit.

Another laugh, and then Gee’s mouth was back on him, this time pressing kisses along his shaft, using one hand to move Tony’s cock out of the way so he could lavish attention on his balls. Tony generally wasn’t a big fan of having his balls sucked, but when Gee’s other hand slid down to rub at his crack at the same time, he let his legs fall open and moaned.

You got stuff?

The words and abrupt lack of heat forced Tony back to the present, and he struggled to focus on the lithe blond between his legs. Gee’s lips were swollen, shiny with spit and a streak of pre-come that glistened on his cheek.

What?

Lube. Condoms. Gee sat up a bit, jacking Tony slowly . . . and fuck Tony couldn’t think like this, not with Gee’s dark eyes staring down at him, grip firm around his dick.

Yeah, I— He gasped when Gee’s thumb grazed over the head of his cock, collecting the moisture there and using it to help ease the slide of Gee’s hand. Drawer. In the— Shit.

Gee rewarded him by twisting his wrist and tightening his fist, perfect friction pushing Tony closer to release. He eased off after a second, though, ignoring Tony’s pleading and removing his hand altogether.

Roll over.

The words were low, spoken with enough authority that Tony was moving before he’d even processed the order. His body flushed with heat as he got on all fours, head hanging down while he tried to catch his breath. He could see Gee behind him, though the room was dark enough that he could only catch glimpses of movement.

His whine when he heard the click of the lube opening would have been more embarrassing if not for Gee’s own reaction. "Goddamn, Anthony. That thin body plastered itself over Tony’s back, suffusing him with the scent of fruity perfume and sweat. A kiss was pressed between his shoulder blades. You want this bad."

Yeah. There was no denying it, not when his cock hung heavily between his legs and when he rocked back against Gee, seeking the pressure of Gee against his ass.

So fuckin’ hot. Gee shifted, pulling away for a second, and when he returned to Tony, it was to rub slick fingers against Tony’s crack. Big guy like you, you have no idea how much I wanted you from the moment I saw you in that club. Wanted you beneath me, crying out.

Tony obliged when Gee slid a finger into him without warning. He arched his back, burying his face in the pillow to muffle his pleas for more. The lube was still cold, but heated up almost immediately as Gee added a second finger, thrusting them into Tony’s ass while he kept whispering against Tony’s ear.

Was watching you browse the other people in the club, and your gaze always settled on bigger guys, the bears and the jocks, the ones with bulging muscles. Gee crooked his fingers, finding Tony’s prostate, and Tony could feel Gee’s grin against his neck when he shouted, pushing back eagerly, chasing the sensation. And I thought, fuck it, I could give that man what he needs. Gee’s teeth bit down on his earlobe, more a tease than a sting. What do you need, Anthony?

For you to fuck me. The words sounded like a sob, wrenched free from his chest.

You need it hard?

Tony gasped. Yeah. Yes. Fuck me, Gee.

The fingers vanished from his ass, and Tony would have protested the loss except he heard a foil wrapper being torn open. Tony arched his back, sinking down until his shoulders were almost touching the bed, hands twisted in the sheets, and Gee swore under his breath.

Fuck me, Tony said again.

And Gee did.

He thrust in hard, hands finding purchase on Tony’s hips to pull him back. It was tight, but not painful; Gee hadn’t stretched him as much as other men—and women—had, but there was enough lube to ease the way, and the pressure, the stretch, was exactly what Tony had been chasing all night.

Gonna make me do all the work? Gee asked.

Tony followed the unspoken command, pressing his hips back to meet Gee’s when they snapped forward, clawing at the bed beneath him as Gee wrung out cries and hoarse, garbled pleas for more.

It was just what he’d needed. And when Gee shifted, finding the right angle so that he was nailing Tony’s prostate, Tony’s brain shut down, overwhelmed by a steady flow of Harder please fuck yes Gee.

He was distantly aware that Gee’s hand was reaching around his hip, taking his cock in a tight, slick grip and tugging in time with each thrust, but the sensation was just one more in a body already at the edge, and he shouted and came, harder than he could ever remember coming before.

Gee wasn’t done, though. He jacked Tony through until he was empty, then leaned forward and wrapped his arm around Tony’s waist to hold him up, fucking him with short jabs while he spewed absolute filth in Tony’s ear.

It was almost too much. Almost.

But after Gee came, biting down on Tony’s shoulder and gripping his hip hard enough that Tony could feel the bruises forming, Tony sank down onto the bed, sated and content.

Gee collapsed against him, still connected, and nuzzled his back, and the cool air of the bedroom hit their heated skin. Eventually, Tony shifted, hissing as Gee slipped free. He turned on his back, watching Gee pull the condom off and tie it.

I’ll be right back, darlin’, Gee said, giving Tony a honey-sweet kiss before sitting up and sliding off the bed. A few seconds later, Tony could hear him moving around in the bathroom, water running, and then Gee reappeared with a washcloth.

He cleaned them both up, and Tony watched with sleep-heavy eyes as Gee hesitated at the edge of the bed after dropping the cloth in the hamper.

Lying there, studying Gee while every muscle in his body ached deliciously, he realized that Gee wasn’t the hot, toppy twink he’d initially labeled him as. He wasn’t a dom, or a power top, or anything that Tony could find a word for.

And that . . . was intriguing.

Stay the night? Tony was surprised when the words escaped his lips. Wait, what? He’d never had any of his one-night stands from the bar spend the night. But Gee . . . Something in Tony said that if he let Gee go now, he wouldn’t see him again. And he wanted to see him again. He wanted to figure out what was up with this guy, why he didn’t fit any of the labels Tony tried to stick to him. Please?

He was even more surprised when Gee nodded once and climbed back onto the bed beside him. Yeah, all right.

He pulled Gee against his chest, wrapping an arm around bony shoulders and tucking sweaty blond hair beneath his chin. They were both still panting, skin drying in the cool air. Tony managed to yank half of a blanket over them before giving up and sinking down into the mattress, his sated body giving out. I’d like to do this again. His tongue felt heavy, words a bit slurred.

The sex?

Yeah. Tony ran a hand down Gee’s spine. He thought back to the club, the instant connection when Gee had looked at him from across the room, the way they’d danced together. Gee was a mystery, an unanticipated surprise. Tony had tried to file him into a specific box in his head, and Gee had ripped through those walls in a split second. And . . . and maybe dinner too?

Gee was silent, and Tony thought for a second that