“How much older?” Ben twisted around to stare at him.
“I’m not rightly sure.” Without thinking, Tommy stroked his chin. “He has a beard, an’ there’s some gray in it, if that helps.”
“Oh my God, he’sold!” Ben exclaimed, gaping at him. Bethany smacked him on the back of the head. “Ow!”
“You’re not the one dating him, so shut up,” she said, eyes blazing.
Tommy chuckled, his head swimming just a bit. “I’m not datin’ him either.” He gave his head a little shake. Woo, this stuff was stronger than he’d thought.
“You may not be dating him, but youhavekissed him,” Ben said smugly.
Bethany let out a squeal. “You kissed him?”
Ben put his hands over his ears. “Geez, Beth, I think you just went ultrasonic.” He grabbed the bottle and held it out to Tommy. “Andyouneed some more ofthis.”
“No,” Tommy protested weakly, but Ben ignored him and filled his glass to the brim. Tommy stared accusingly at him. “You’re tryin’ t’get me drunk.”
“Yeah, and by the look of things, I’m succeeding too.” Ben gave a wicked chuckle. “Now drink it up.”
Tommy brought the glass to his lips and drank its contents in one mouthful. Peach schnapps was definitely growing on him. He liked the way it made him feel, warm on the inside and so comfortable it was like he’d melted into the couch. He lay on his back, a cushion stuffed under his head and his socked feet on Bethany’s lap. She didn’t seem to mind, judging by the way she was rubbing them.Damn, that feels good.
He lay there enjoying the foot rub, letting the pleasurable sensations roll over and through him. “So what you wanna know about Mike?”
“Oh, his name’s Mike.” Ben was still sitting on the floor near his head. “Where d’you meet him?”
“At Woofs. ’S a gay sports bar. Mike works there.”
“Is that where you were New Year’s Eve?” Bethany asked.
Tommy nodded. “Lord, you shoulda seen ’im. He was wearin’ thisteeny tinylittle leather jock strap that just about covered his dick.” He was dimly aware of Bethany’s muffled gasp. “An’ he has thesereally wideshoulders, an’ his chest isfurry”—he grinned—“but not as furry as his butt. Oh, an’ hislegs? Ohmy, the muscles in those thighs….” This time Tommy definitely caught Bethany’s strangled giggle. “Whass’up?” He craned his neck to peer at her, but the room swam a little and he dropped back onto his cushion.
“Nothing,” she insisted after clearing her throat. “So where’d this kiss happen?”
“Oh, after he took me ’round Atlanta las’ Monday. We had a great time, an’ then we had burgers at Cowtippers.” He told them about the guys kissing behind them. “I kept thinkin’, if they can kiss, why couldn’t I? All I wanted was to feel those strong arms ’round me.” He closed his eyes, recalling the feel of that wide chest pressed against his. “Damn, he felt good.” That kiss had felt good—right up until the moment Mike had looked at him, that stunned expression so clear on his face.
“You got it bad, haven’t you?” He could hear the sympathy in Bethany’s voice. “What are you going to do now?”
“Do?” He snorted. “Girl, there ain’t nothin’todo. Think I scared him off.”
“Pffft. There’ll be another one along, trust me,” Ben said with a smirk.
“Ignore my brother. If you want this guy, go after him.”
“An’ how’d you propose I do that?” Tommy propped himself up on his elbows, trying to focus his eyes on Bethany, but they weren’t cooperating. He blinked a couple of times, but she still looked a little blurry around the edges.
Bethany grinned. “Do like the girls do when they see a man they want—dress to kill. Make him notice you. Oh, and take him flowers.”
Ben guffawed. “You don’t take guys flowers.”
Bethany gave him a superior look. “Sure you do.Everyonelikes flowers.” She turned her attention to Tommy. “When d’you plan on seeing him again?”
Tommy still wasn’t sure about this, but Bethany seemed in earnest. “Icouldsee him at the bar t’morrow night, I s’pose.” His stomach did a little flip-flop.
“Excellent!” She glanced at Tommy’s clothes. “Then I have an idea. How about Mom and I take you clothes shopping tomorrow?” Her eyes sparkled. “We’ll have you looking like a million dollars. By the time you strut into that bar, Mike’ll be eating out of your hand.” She hugged herself, chuckling.
Tommy couldn’t quite see that, but the way his head was feeling, he wasn’t about to argue.
He wasn’t sure about the strutting, though.
