Her lips twitched. “Whatever. There’s a guy in my firm—he’s so nice. Into the arts and theater. Good-looking and funny.”
“Yeah? Everything I’m not.”
She punched his arm. “Stop that. He’s interested in meeting you.”
His heart beat faster. “Yeah? I don’t know…I’m not good at dating.”
Her hand touched his. “Try it. It’s only a first date. Meet him for coffee or a drink. I gave him your number, and he said he’d call you.”
He forced a smile. “Sure. Why not?”
**
“I didn’t think you’d call so soon.” Sunday afternoon, Armi sat across from Brent Taylor at a small bistro on Second Avenue. “Marianne just told me last night that she gave you my number.”
Brent was exactly as described. A touch over six feet, with a lean runner’s body and warm brown eyes. They’d shaken hands upon meeting, and his grasp was firm and strong. Maybe Brent could make him forget hot green eyes, wicked lips, and messy blond hair that had invaded his dreams for weeks.
“I figured why wait? If we both had no plans, it would be a nice time to meet.”
Armi took a sip of his cappuccino. “So you work with Marianne?”
“Yes, I’m in the real estate division of our firm. But I don’t want to talk about her. Tell me about you. Marianne said you’re the owner of the Kings? That must be exciting. Football is the only sport I watch.”
“I guess it would surprise you then that I’m not that into sports, even football. But after my father died, it all came to me, so I’m trying to rise to the occasion.”
Brent’s eyes turned soft. “I’m sorry about your father. That can’t have been easy—losing him and having to step right into his shoes and hit the ground running.”
It wouldn’t be right to say losing his father didn’t have much of an impact on his life, so he shrugged. “It’s been a learning curve. But I’m lucky to have a PA who helps me every step of the way and other great people on staff. We’ll work it out.”
“A good PA is worth their weight in gold. I’d be lost without mine.”
A flash of heat hit Armi, thinking of Hayden pounding into him, kissing him, swallowing him whole… He coughed. “Oh, yeah. Hayden’s been a lifesaver.”
“And Marianne told me about your green thumb.”
Brent was saying all the right things to get him to talk. He wished he felt that spark, like he had with Hayden, that made him want to rip his clothes off and get naked.
“I have a greenhouse in my home. It’s where I go after work to decompress.”
“I don’t blame you. I’ve heard they’re very beautiful. I’d love to see them one day.”
Armi guessed this was dating. Not a pickup in a bar like he had with Hayden, where they knew the end result would be hot, wet kisses and orgasms that wrecked him. But Marianne was right. Brent was a nice guy. He didn’t make Armi feel awkward and seemed to listen when he talked. “I don’t live too far. Would you like to come by now?”
Brent’s smile was his answer, and he raised a hand to call the server over. “Check, please.”
His house was right around the corner, and he brought Brent to the greenhouse. “These are the bushes I’m working on now.” He explained his process, and Brent listened and asked questions.
“You have an incredible setup, Armi. The roses are beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
Turning serious, Brent closed the space between them. “You’re pretty incredible too.” His hand circled Armi’s nape and drew him close. “Can I kiss you?”
Armi nodded, and Brent’s mouth covered his. His lips were warm and firm, and Armi tried. The kiss was…nice. He held on to Brent and made encouraging noises. Brent brushed their lips together one last time.
“That was amazing. You’re so sweet.”
“You are too.”
