Well, that was grim. And it defeated the point. Oliver couldn’t stand to have his heart broken more than once a year.
“It won’t come to that.”
Nick rolled toward him, like he meant to kiss him again, but Oliver stopped him with a hand on his chest.
“What?” Nick frowned.
“I have a few more things. Rules, if you will, before we go ahead.”
“Rules?”
“I used to be a lawyer. We like to have our bases covered.”
Nick sighed and rolled back. “All right. Let’s hear it.”
Oliver ducked his head to smother a laugh and winced when his hair pulled at its elastic. He went to undo it and tie it back for the third time since Nick had arrived, then thought better of it and let it hang loose instead.
“First,” he said, “we both get tested before we do anything too involved. This arrangement doesn’t have to be long-term, but I’m not extending the experience with an STI.”
Nick shrugged. “The fire department makes us get tested every year. Even me, despite the fact I never leave the station. We did it a few months ago. I can get a copy of the report if you want.”
“Fine. I’ll make an appointment this week.”
“Next?”
“This arrangement isn’t serious, but if either of us is thinking about seeing anyone else, and especially about sleeping with anyone else, we tell the other one. It’s not about exclusivity, it’s about honesty, and I hope you’ll respect that.”
Another shrug. “You’re the first person I’ve been with in years. The odds of me finding someone else so quickly, when I’ve lived in this town my whole life, are slim.”
Well, that had been easy. If Nick were going to balk at anything, Oliver expected that condition to do it. Asking to keep this casual but exclusive was big.
“Last thing.” Oliver slid a hand over the hard expanse of Nick’s chest. “We don’t do anything sexual without both parties agreeing.”
Nick arched an eyebrow. “That’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?”
“I wanted to get it out there. I think it’s pretty clear I want you.” Oliver circled his thumb across one of Nick’s nipples, making him inhale sharply. “But wanting doesn’t mean we’re compatible. I don’t role-play. I’m me and you’re you, just as we are. I don’t like to be tied down. I don’t mind toys, but I don’t like pain. If your mouth, your hands, or your dick go anywhere near my ass, you get to clean up before they go anywhere near my mouth again.”
Nick grinned, maybe the first real smile Oliver had seen from him. The white teeth against his tanned skin were bright.
“Don’t call me babe,” Nick said
“I didn’t.”
Nick put his hand over Oliver’s where he still teased Nick’s nipple. “That’s my condition. Don’t call me babe. Or sugar or honey or sweetie. My ex-wife liked pet names. I am not your darling, your baby doll, or anything else you can think of.”
“What about party girl?”
“Party girl?” Nick’s mouth pinched like the word tasted rancid.
“Yeah.” Oliver took a chance and ran his free hand over Nick’s close-cropped hair, gratified when Nick closed his eyes and leaned into it. “Your license plate says Party Girl. Can I call you that?”
Nick opened one eye to glare at him. “It’s Pretty Girl, and no, you can’t.”
“Pretty Girl?” Oh, this was going to be fun. “Of all the things you could put on a license plate, you chose Pretty Girl?”
His laughter was cut off when Nick gripped his shirt again and hauled Oliver onto his lap. No more time for jokes before Oliver straddled Nick and Nick’s strong arms were wrapped around him, pulling them close as Nick tried to devour Oliver in one bite.
“I’m in,” Nick said.
