Chapter Two
Armand Winters gazed into the gorgeous face of the man who sat next to him. “I’m sorry, what?” He must’ve heard wrong. Guys who looked like Hayden—sexy, messy blond hair, big green eyes, drool-worthy tattoos—didn’t talk to men like him. Someone who always managed to wear what he’d last eaten on his shirt or tie. A man always late or early but never on time. One unable to make a decision because he was afraid to say no and upset people.
Not the best look for the owner of a football team. Even a reluctant one.
Hayden leaned in and whispered, “I’d like to buy you a drink.”
“You don’t have to.” A shiver rolled through Armand, and nervous, he licked his lips.
“I know. I want to.”
Their mouths were temptingly close, and Armand wondered if Hayden could hear the thunder of his heartbeat. “Uh, sure. A Stella. On draft.”
A sensual grin curved those full lips, and Hayden motioned to the bartender. “Stella on draft for my friend.”
Hayden held out the beer. “Here you are.” Armand reached for it, and Hayden pulled the glass away at the last minute. “Ah-ah-ah. Not so fast. I need something before I give it to you.”
Armand’s brows knitted. “What?”
Again, Hayden commanded his personal space, bringing them almost nose to nose, and Armand’s breath caught. Oh God, he wanted to kiss him so badly. “Your name.”
In the heated air between them, Armand could almost feel his smile.
“Uh, it’s Armi.” A nickname only his closest friend called him. One he’d never felt cool enough to use with anyone else, but sitting there with Hayden made him feel daring enough to try.
“Here you go.” Hayden offered the beer, their fingers touching, and Armi’s hand shook. He’d never been so turned-on in his whole life. “Easy does it, Armi,” Hayden murmured, curving his hand over Armi’s to steady him. “We have all night.”
Another full-body shiver rocked him. What did Hayden mean, all night? Did he want to…? All sorts of thoughts ran round and round in his head. Armi gulped the beer, hoping it would cool the raging fire burning through him. He’d never done this kind of thing before—a pickup at a club could be dangerous. He’d heard the stories, seen what could happen on the evening news. But Armi was tired of living an ordinary life.
What did all the dating advice say?Ask them about themselves.
“Uh, so do you live around here?” He held on to the glass to keep his fingers from trembling.
“Why? You want to come home with me?” A wicked smile flashed across Hayden’s face.
Startled by the intense sizzle of heat those words brought, Armi stuttered. “Wh-what? N-no. I didn’t mean that. I was just making conversation. I—”
Hayden laid two fingers across his lips. “Shh. I know. I’m joking.” His eyes sparkled. “I guess we’ll just have to find out,” Hayden teased. “Why so nervous?”
Armi’s shoulders sagged. “I’m terrible at all this.”
Hayden shocked him by cupping his cheek. “Terrible at what?”
Everything. He was the one who could never get anything right. Armi wasn’t smooth or quick-thinking. Not suave or sophisticated. Everything he should be in his new position. The one he wasn’t qualified for. At least that was what his father had told him, every week, every day.
“Hey, where’d you go?” Hayden nudged their noses together.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sweet. I bet you taste delicious too.” Armi forgot to breathe when Hayden’s mouth covered his.
Armi’s eyes slid shut, the music faded away, and he opened to the push of Hayden’s tongue against the seam of his lips. He sucked its velvety softness, the pleasure melting in his mouth like chocolate warmed by the sun. He moaned. One hand fisted Hayden’s shirt, pulling him close…closer, while the other tangled in the hair curling at his nape. God, he was ready. He wanted to sit in Hayden’s lap and rock into him. His empty body ached to be filled.
“Two blocks,” Hayden whispered. “Let’s go.”
He’d never done anything so wild. So free. Hayden licked into his ear, and Armi’s heart hammered so fast, he grew dizzy. And then dizzier still when Hayden cupped the bulge in his pants and hummed his approval.
“Mmm, can’t wait for this. In my mouth. You want that, don’t you, baby?”
