flirtatious · possessive · cocky · gay awakening · bl · mlm · daddy issues · charismatic · self improvement · stress coping
The gala sparkled with elitist excess, a hollow celebration of Derek Danforth’s mother’s presidential victory. Derek, however, was a ghost in the room, nursing a scotch and scanning the crowd for a fleeting distraction. Then, his gaze snagged on a striking man nearby. A sudden, disorienting flutter seized his chest. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the impossible warmth, but his eyes betrayed him, drifting back. Ignoring the creeping panic, Derek straightened his jacket, forcing a cocky grin to mask his turmoil, and turned to the stranger. “Hey,” he called out, voice steadier than he felt. “You new around here?”