“N-no. It was getting to be a bit much.” He adjusted his glasses and swallowed hard. “I mean, we only met like an hour ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Looking chastened and breathing hard, Jeremy turned his back, and Blake took the time to adjust his own painfully hard dick in his pants. “You really got to me. I swear I hadn’t planned on this when I asked you over.”
“It’s okay. I know, or else I wouldn’t have come. I’m not a prude or anything, but—”
“I get it. That’s why I figured we could have dinner and get to know each other? I mean, the worst that could happen is that we’d simply be friends.”
His throbbing lips and aching cock weren’t exactly signs of friendship, but spending even this short period of time with Jeremy had brightened Blake’s otherwise dull world. He didn’t want to give up his chance.
“Um, okay. Dinner sounds nice. Where do you want to go?”
“Do you like sushi? We could do that. Or the taco place a few blocks from here is pretty good.”
Blake hadn’t tried either of them, but they both sounded fine. Hell, he’d eat cheese that smelled like dirty sweat socks to be with Jeremy. And Jeremy didn’t need to know he rarely had dates. Blake had spent his whole life pretending, so a few hours in the company of a handsome guy wouldn’t hurt.
“Whichever you want. Surprise me.” He peered over Jeremy’s shoulder, out the small kitchen window. “Looks like the snow’s stopped.” A bit regretful, he gave Jeremy a smile. “I should get going.”
“You need to give me your number. Can’t have you disappearing on me.” The uncertain light in Jeremy’s eyes surprised Blake. Disappear? Who wouldn’t want to be with Jeremy Strauss? From his own past experiences, Blake knew this wouldn’t be a relationship, but, he thought as he studied Jeremy from beneath lowered lashes, why not have some fun in his life? The prospect of lying in a bed wrapped in Jeremy’s big arms and held against his strong chest left Blake weak in the knees.
“Sure.”
He took Jeremy’s phone, and when their fingers brushed, Blake shivered at the contact. Emotions didn’t play a big part in his life. He preferred to keep things precise and neat. Emotions made things messy and chaotic, and Blake was all about keeping himself under control. Determined to remain calm, Blake concentrated on remembering his phone number and pushing the right buttons, ignoring Jeremy’s physical presence. God, he even smelled good.
“Here.” He shoved the phone at Jeremy and took a step backward. “I’d, uh, better get going in case it starts up again.”
Trying to quell his rapidly beating heart, Blake threw Jeremy a quick smile and hastened back into the living room to gather his grocery bags. He slipped on his boots and parka and picked up his broken umbrella. A rueful smile curved his lips as he stared at its twisted frame. “Hmm. Guess this won’t be much use anymore.”
“Give it to me and I’ll toss it.”
Blake handed it to him and picked up the two grocery bags then stood uncertainly.
“Here. Let me help you.”
Jeremy stood in front of him and pulled the hood of his parka over his head but kept his hands on the furry edges. “This will keep you from getting wet. I’d hate for you to get sick.”
Mesmerized by Jeremy’s proximity, Blake blinked rapidly and licked his lips. “Yeah.”
“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night.” Jeremy took Blake’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and kissed him, and in spite of his earlier conviction to remain strong, Blake melted into the touch of Jeremy’s whiskey-tasting tongue and lips. An ache rose within him, and he wished he had the nerve to press up against Jeremy and give in to the need crawling through him. For a moment he flew, allowing Jeremy to take control, but when Jeremy’s tongue slid inside his mouth, Blake gathered his shaky willpower and pulled away.
“Um. Yeah. Me too, but I gotta go.”
With his blue eyes inky-dark and filled with lust, Jeremy was an erotic fantasy come to life, and Blake knew he’d be in an agony of waiting until their dinner date.
Jeremy remained standing, dark and silent, while Blake pulled open the door and walked away as fast as he could. The inclement weather meant few people were about, and he trudged through the snow underfoot, slipping slightly on the icy patches. Normally the starry sky would catch his attention, but all Blake wanted to do was get home. The four-block walk took a bit longer due to the snow and slush, but soon he was inside his small studio apartment. It took him only moments to change, hang up his suit, put his shirt on the pile for the cleaners, and clean off his boots. He put on dry socks, sweatpants, and a hoodie, grunting in comfort as warmth seeped through him. Feeling hungry, he put some tortilla chips into one bowl, poured half a jar of salsa into another, and was about to make himself comfortable on the sofa when his phone rang. Seeing his sister’s name pop up on the screen made him smile.
“Hey. What’s up?”
In the background he heard voices and surmised his nephew, Henry, must have friends over. Michelle and Evan, his brother-in-law, had bought their big house specifically to raise a bunch of kids, but unexplained infertility had kept her from getting pregnant after Henry. Secretly he believed that was why Michelle always had Henry’s friends play at their house. That, plus their father had never let them have playdates in their home growing up, saying he couldn’t stand the noise and mess.
“Oh, nothing.” Either laughter or hysteria teetered on the edge of her voice, he didn’t know which. “I only have eight children running around my house like wild animals. Wild, wet animals.”
“Oh, who are you kidding? You love it.”
“I do,” she said, and Blake caught the wistful tone of her voice. His heart hurt for her.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have Henry and Evan and my life is full. Which is why I’m calling you.”
