Andrew walked down a hallway; his footsteps muffled by the thick carpeting. Several doors opened to the left and right, and Andrew glanced into each room before moving on.
Reaching the last door to the right, the only door not made of glass but dark mahogany instead, he finally spotted Neil on the far side of the room where he was idly inspecting the knickknacks on the bookshelf.
The sight of Neil always took his breath away, but tonight, he felt the world tilt on its axis beneath his feet. Neil was exquisite.
Neil's appearance drew a gasp from Andrew's lips, and at the sound, Neil turned to face him. A slow smile spread across his face, lighting the world like a thousand suns.
"You wore it," he said in quiet amazement, hungrily feasting his eyes over Andrew's body.
Before Neil could take a step toward him, Andrew held up his hand, immediately stilling Neil.
Andrew started pacing towards his boyfriend, drinking in the sight of him with every step.
Neil's auburn hair was slightly long and fell forward over his forehead. The light perfectly picked up the golden tones in them.
His icy blue eyes were framed with thick dark lashes, and Andrew saw he wore make-up; just a hint of dark liner on the bottom lid, and mascara to emphasize those lashes.
Following the line of his neck, Andrew's attention was drawn to what Neil was wearing; it made him slack-jawed in surprise and caused a slight tightness over the seat of his pants.
Neil was wearing a dress.
Not just any dress. The dress was red, strapless, and corseted, with a long flowing skirt.
As Neil moved, the dress revealed a thigh-high slit and gave Andrew a glimpse of long, tanned, muscular leg. Andrew knew the power held in those legs, both on the court and in his bed. Seeing them peek out under the soft red material only served to highlight their strength.
The dress also left Neil's arms and much of his chest exposed, leaving all of Neil's scars on display. No longer ashamed of them, Neil wore these scars as a reminder of all that he had survived. Andrew was left humbled by Neil's quiet display of courage.
Andrew flicked his gaze up to meet Neil's worried expression. Stopping a hairsbreadth away, he reached out his hand to cup Neil's face, not quite touching.
"Yes or no?" Andrew asked.
With a softly sighed "yes" Neil leaned his cheek into Andrew's palm. Neil closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
Andrew stroked Neil's cheekbone with his thumb, and quietly said, "Open your eyes, baby."
Hearing Andrew call him baby always surprised and delighted Neil, and put the smile back on his face.
Blue eyes met hazel, and Andrew asked: "What's up?"
Neil took a deep breath, swallowed audibly, and lifted his head to look Andrew straight in his eyes.
Gesturing with his hands over his body, over that dress, Neil hesitantly asked: "Too much?"
Andrew immediately answered. "Yes. Way too much."
Seeing Neil's smile falter and his eyes avert to the ground, Andrew sought to clarify. He grabbed Neil's right wrist, turning Neil's hand to cup Andrew's pants. Neil's eyes widened at the bulge he felt there.
"Way too fucking much," Andrew shuddered out, barely able to breathe.
This close he could smell Neil's perfume, something musky yet delicate, a scent that drove Andrew mad with need. Andrew wanted to return the favour. He saw Neil dart his tongue out to wet his lips, took in the pounding pulse at the base of Neil's throat, and knew he'd succeeded.
He reached into his left pocket and withdrew a flat jeweller's box. Without releasing Neil's right wrist, he handed it over. Neil looked confused for a moment, then lifted the lid with his left hand.
Nestled on black velvet inside the box was a neck chain. It was white gold links, with a flat tag in the middle. Inscribed in flowy lettering was Neil's name. It glinted in the light.
"Turn it over," Andrew whispered, not meeting Neil's gaze. Neil did so, and let out a sound that was part gasp, part groan.
Pressing Neil's hand to the front of Andrew's pants to make sure it stayed there, Andrew used both hands to lift the chain from the box. Unclasping it and holding it in front of Neil, Andrew breathed "Yes or no?"