“It’s fine. I’m only giving you shit about it because I know I have to introduce her to Blake.”
“She’ll love him.…Don’t worry. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.” He disconnected, set the phone down, and stared off into space for a second before he roused himself. “Idiot. You got a man waiting for you at home and you’re sitting here.”
Anxious to slide back into bed again with Blake, Jeremy raced out of Hard Core and to his car. Tonight he was meeting Blake’s family, and he was a bit more nervous than he thought. It might’ve seemed fast, but to Jeremy, it was everything right. Damn, this relationship stuff was hard.
****
“Does this lookokay? It’s not too casual, is it?”
Jeremy stood in the dressing room of the men’s department in Macy’s Herald Square and surveyed himself in the mirror. He’d already bought a new pair of jeans but decided to get a new shirt and sweater to wear over it, deeming all the clothes in his closet “not good enough.” Seated in a chair in the corner, Blake laughed at him.
“You look gorgeous. As usual. And my sister will love you—they all will.”
“Yeah?” Dubious, he continued to stare at his reflection. If he were Noah, he wouldn’t care; his brother never gave a damn about his looks because he’d never had to. No matter what he wore, Noah was effortlessly perfect.
“Yes. I’m serious. Where is all this self-doubt coming from?” Blake stood behind him, and their eyes met in the mirror. “Look at yourself.”
“I’d rather look at you.” He pulled Blake close and brushed their lips together. “You’re cute.” The scruff of Blake’s beard scraped against his cheek, and Jeremy nestled him closer. He’d had his fair share of women, but he loved holding a man close and feeling the hardness of muscle, dick, and ass. For Jeremy, Blake excelled in those three parts of his body. He cupped Blake’s firm butt with both hands. “Mmm, you smell good too.”
Voices sounded outside the dressing room, and Jeremy could see the shape of several people through the curtain, standing right outside their little dressing area. Blake’s dick stiffened, and Jeremy stilled in surprise. In a slow, deliberate motion, he rubbed against Blake, who stared at him with a bit of fear in his lust-filled eyes.
“We, uh, need to stop. Someone might hear us.” But he didn’t move, and Jeremy felt Blake’s dick twitch against his thigh.Whoa.Seemed his shy guy liked a little public nooky.
Curious to test out his theory, Jeremy grasped Blake by the nape of his neck and kissed him hard. For a second Blake resisted, then melted into his chest, winding his arms around Jeremy. His breathing increased, and Jeremy felt him trembling.
“Shhh. It’s okay. You’re right. We should stop. But”—he kissed Blake’s soft lips—“we can discuss this later at home, okay? I like this side of you, babe.” He caressed Blake’s jaw with the tips of his fingers. “It’s fucking hot.”
Letting go of Blake, who stood wide-eyed and panting, Jeremy took off the new clothes and put his Hard Core sweatshirt back on. He always tried to wear something from his gym to give a little free advertising. After five years, it was running well, but he knew better than to rest easy and was constantly on the lookout for fresh, innovative ideas.
“Ready?”
Fully composed once again, Blake nodded, and they walked out of the fitting room to the knowing smirk of the employee taking the unwanted clothes.
“I see you found everything you liked?”
Ignoring his comment, Jeremy slung an arm over Blake’s shoulder. “I’m taking these.”
They left, and Blake asked as they made their way past the clothing, “Do you think he heard us?”
Jeremy stopped by a rack of pants. “What if he did? I’m thinking you like that. Am I right?” A flicker darkened Blake’s big blue eyes, but he remained silent. Waiting. Jeremy ran with the vibe he got from Blake in the dressing room. “Yeah. You get off on the high of that, right? Of someone catching us touching each other, or maybe even watching us making out?” Blake began to breathe a bit heavier and wet his lips.God.The sight of Blake so flushed and hungry for him made Jeremy think he could do anything. No one had ever looked at him like Blake did. Like he was special. On top of the world.
“I like it too. A lot. Let’s go before I do something that might get me arrested.” He held out his hand. “Don’t get me all worked up before I have to meet your family.”
A smile transformed Blake’s face, and he let out a self-conscious laugh when they reached the register. “Uh, yeah. I said we’d be there by seven. There’s plenty of time.” He checked his watch. “It’s only noon. We finished fast.”
Jeremy set the clothing down and handed the salesclerk his credit card. “There aren’t enough hours for what I want to do to you.”
The salesclerk’s brows shot up, but he remained silent while Blake flushed a deep, fiery red. A warm feeling spread through Jeremy’s chest. If this was what a real relationship was like, bring it on. He was having a ball.
****
Seven hours later,he wasn’t so sure, and he whispered to Blake, “Are you sure I shouldn’t have brought her flowers? My mother always said to bring flowers or candy or something.”
Blake snorted, then kissed his cheek. “She’s not your date.” He rang the bell. “I can’t believe you.”
Jeremy couldn’t believe it either. But it was the first time he was ever meeting anyone’s family, and he hated being on display with everyone looking at him. He didn’t want Blake to regret being with him.
