Connor’s jaw tightened, and he leaned forward slightly. “You’re playing with fire, pup,” he whispered, his voice so low I almost missed it over the din of the room.
The pet name sent a shiver down my spine, and I bit my lip to suppress a grin. “Maybe I like getting burned.”
I watched him take a controlled breath, his eyes never leaving mine as he deliberately cut into his chicken. The tension between us was palpable, crackling like static electricity. To anyone else, we probably looked like two guys having a normal dinner conversation. But underneath the table, my foot was now resting against his inner thigh, and the muscle there was taut with restraint.
“How’s the food?” Pastor John’s cheerful voice broke through our bubble as he appeared beside our table.
I jerked my foot back, nearly knocking over my drink in the process. “Great!” I said, my voice coming out a bit too high. “Really delicious.”
Connor cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you for having us.”
Pastor John’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he glanced between us. “I’m glad you both could make it. Community isimportant, don’t you think? Having friends, people who care about you.”
“It’s been nice,” I admitted, stealing a glance at Connor. “A nice change of pace.”
“Well, I’ll leave you boys to enjoy your meal,” Pastor John said, patting my shoulder. “But remember what I said earlier, Connor. You’re welcome here anytime.”
As he walked away, I felt a rush of gratitude toward the pastor. In a town where gossip traveled faster than wildfire, it meant something to have someone in our corner.
“He’s a good man,” Connor said quietly, watching Pastor John greet other parishioners.
“One of the few,” I agreed.
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, though I couldn’t resist occasionally brushing my foot against his under the table. Each time I did, I watched his jaw tighten, his eyes darkening with desire he was fighting to control.
“So,” I said, leaning forward slightly, “when’s your next day off?”
Connor took a sip of his tea before answering. “Sunday after next. Your father’s been staggering our schedules to make sure we’re not all free at the same time.”
“Two weeks?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “That’s forever.”
“It is what it is,” he replied with a shrug that didn’t quite mask his own frustration. “We just have to be patient.”
I stabbed at my green beans, suddenly less hungry. “I hate this. Having to sneak around, pretending we barely know each other.”
“It won’t be forever,” Connor reminded me, his voice low. “Just a few more months.”
Under the table, I let my foot travel higher up his thigh, feeling bold despite the public setting. His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t pull away.
“Ryder,” he warned, his voice dropping to that deep register that made my skin tingle.
“What?” I asked with a small smirk. “I know you like it.”
His eyes flashed with something primal, and I knew I’d hit the mark. I pressed my foot against the growing bulge in his jeans, enjoying the slight hitch in his breath.
“Ryder,” he repeated, glancing around to make sure no one was watching us. “Not here.”
“No one can see,” I whispered, applying gentle pressure with my foot. “And I’ve missed you.”
Connor closed his eyes briefly, his knuckles white around his fork. When he looked at me again, the intensity in his gaze nearly took my breath away.
“You’re going to pay for this later,” he promised, his voice a low growl that sent heat pooling in my groin.
“I hope so,” I replied, smiling through it all. “I want to be your good boy, but when I have to waitsolong…” I ground my foot against his stiff cock through his jeans. “I just can’t help myself.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed and his leg tensed under my touch, but he didn’t move away.
“You know what happens to boys who can’t behave themselves, don’t you?” he asked, his voice so low I had to lean forward to hear him.
