Each shower station had a pump dispenser with body wash. Glossy black tiles lined the floor and walls and the knobs were metallic red.
I'd been to bathhouses in other cities too, and the palette always seemed to be black and red. Not my favorite colors, but I knew black hid stains and red was supposed to quicken the pulse. If a room full of naked men didn't do it for you, maybe the bright red accents would get you going.
I hung my towel on a hook and settled under the flow of water from the shower head. I loved getting clean before I got dirty. As the water cascaded over me, I ran my fingers through my golden brown hair, slicking it back, then traced the stubble on my jawline. Taking in the smorgasbord of prospects around me, I wondered who I'd end up with that night.
Short, tall, thick, thin, and all types in between. The bathhouse had something for everyone, and I'd sampled almost everything on the menu. My moods and interests changed with the moon, evolved with the seasons.
Just as I was rinsing the soap off myself, I spotted trouble walking into the room. His dark amber eyes met mine and a Hollywood smile filled his face. He breezed up to the station next to me, took off his towel, and pulled me into a full-body hug. Our cocks pressed together.
I nuzzled his neck, taking in the woodsy sweet scent of his cologne.Mr. Burberry, if I wasn't mistaken. "Hey, Xavier. How are you?"
"Baby, I'm good. Real good." He hardened against me, preparing for a sword fight.
I pulled away, not wanting to get anything started, but the temptation was intense. His umber skin glowed under the low lights. I tried not to look down. "I haven't seen you in a while." It's the only thing I could think to say.
"Yeah, I spent the last year studying abroad." He licked his plump lips and eye-fucked the hell out of me. I could already feel him inside me just from his stare. "I'm going back this fall, but I'll be here for the summer. You got plans for your birthday?"
I was impressed he remembered. I would be turning twenty-five in a few weeks. Twenty-five, for the second time. It's a good age, I'd decided. Not too young, not too old. "Just going out with a few friends. I'll probably end up here, you know."
He laughed. "I know. I wouldn't mind giving you another birthday spanking."
I put my hand on his chest to force distance. "Sorry, you know my rule." He flexed his muscles against my touch.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, "you never hook up with the same guy more than twice."
"And we already had our second time last August, when we celebratedyourbirthday."
"I'll never forget that night." He brushed a wet curl out of my face. "Maybe you could start a new rule. After a year, the counter starts over."
I didn't like the way he was looking at me. It felt too intimate, and I was already exposed, standing there naked before him.
This was why I had the rule about not hooking up more than twice; to avoid attachment. I wasn't looking for a boyfriend, and the bathhouse was no place to get hung up on a guy.
"Okay, okay." I was grinning as I pulled away, trying not to act too serious. "I'll take your suggestion into consideration."
His face lit up.
"But not tonight," I said.
And his smile dropped.
"Why not? You're here, I'm here. We're vibing, the feeling's right." He wrapped his palm around my cock and squeezed.
I batted him away. "Enough of that."
"Come on, Ty."
"Nope, sorry." I grabbed my towel and dried off. "You're old news, baby. I'm looking for some fresh meat."
He jerked back, holding his hand across his heart as if he'd been shot.
"See ya around, Xavier." I kissed him on the cheek and looked down, allowing myself one peek at the goods before I rushed off. A treasure trail of tight black coils led from his belly button down to paradise.
The hallway that connected to the steam room was lined with lacquered red doors on both sides, which opened to shoebox-sized rooms guys could rent by the hour or by the night. The only light in the hall was a thin strip of neon red that bordered the slate-colored walls. The industrial design of the bathhouse became progressively darker as you made your way toward the rear of the building, where most of the action took place.
There was a symphony of moans and groans as I strolled through the echo chamber. All the blood rushed to my dick. It was electrifying to be surrounded by sex.
I migrated into the steam room, feeling the warm, wet air envelop my body, loosening my tense muscles. Two tiers of slatted wood benches formed a circle of stadium-style seating. I settled into a spot on the top row, just inside the doorway, between my friends Rick and Noah. It was our favorite spot to check out prospects as they entered the room.
