“Stick around,” Rush said. “They say we’re up-and-coming, which sounds like branding for a Grindr profile, not a city, but what do Iknow?”
We shared a laugh before catching up briefly. He was in town for a few days and was meeting up with Ash and Beau for dinner at FeverPitch.
When our Uber arrived, Rush headed on his way, and we slipped into the car. It was nice that the woman driving didn’t recognize me, so we were able to chat about movies and TV shows for the ten-minute drive before Dax finally asked me, “Okay, but seriously. Where are we going fordinner?”
“Just wait, Mr.Impatient.”
We stopped shortly after, and I thanked the driver and hopped out of the car. Dax did the same, glancing around, his eyebrowsfurrowed.
“The fuck?” he asked. “Arewe—”
“Welcome to Chez Kruse.” I waved to my townhouse as the driver headed down the street to turn around in the cul-de-sac.
Dax burst into laughter, bowing over, hands on his thighs as he tried to collecthimself.
“Hey, it’s an alright place,” Iinsisted.
“No, it’s not that, Jace. I just…” He struggled a moment longer to contain his amusement, then stood erect once again. He approached and rested his hand on my shoulder, adding, “This is probably the most refreshing place you could have brought me to this evening. Machere?”
“Yeah, he is!” I grinned just at the mention of hisname.
I guided him inside, and Mac hopped up from his bed and hurried over to greet us. “Aw, you excited I brought my buddyDax?”
He barked, which made Daxlaugh.
“You said you didn’t have any pets, right? —Say hey to Dax,buddy.”
Dax knelt and reached his hand out, which Mac sniffed like crazy before accepting Dax’srubdown.
“Good boy,” he said as Mac lay down on the floor and rolledover.
“Yeah, he loves a good bellyrub.”
“Just like his daddy,” Dax said, turning to me andwinking.
“Hell, I sure wouldn’t have a problem getting rubbed down as much as he does, if some generous guyoffered.”
“Oh, now you’re just interested in guys. I guess I have that effect onpeople.”
I let Dax enjoy believing that about himself, because I enjoyed when he acted a little full of himself. It washot.
As much as he tried to seem like nothing more than a cool, collected, confident powerhouse, as he knelt on the floor, beaming while petting my little Shar-Pei pooch, I knew I was seeing the real Dax Munro. He rubbed Mac’s lower belly, leaving Mac twitching his head either way and reveling in theexperience.
“Yeah, that’s his favorite right there,” I toldhim.
“I’m good at finding the right spot.” Dax’s gaze shifted back to me, filled with determination and a playful mischievousness that had a way of getting me riled up. “So you want to get some pizza and wings like we did inLondon?”
“Pizza? No. Fuck that. I’m gonna makedinner.”
Dax seemed surprised bythat.
“What? You didn’t think I could cook? Come on. If you thought Nance was a good chef, just wait until you get a taste of what I can workup.”
“I had a taste ofthat.”
“Enough with the innuendo. I don’t need the chat when we can get to all thatlater.”
“What makes you think I want to mess around with you later? You’re the one who practically tricked me into coming over to yourplace.”
