“What?” I ask.
“Why are you nervous?”
“I’m not. I’m going to change. I’ll be right back down.”Shit.Tonight is supposed to be about putting him at ease and getting him more comfortable talking to guys and exploring what he wants. He can’t fucking do that if he’s too busy being worried about me. God, all he’s ever done is worry about me. No fucking wonder he couldn’t wait to get away from me.
Pulling myself together, I shove down all my thoughts and insecurities and focus on helping Stone have an unforgettable night.
Chapter 17
Stone
Iwant nothing more than to put my sweatpants back on, watch a movie by the fire, and eat the leftover chili in my fridge.
But tonight is for Hanlon.
If he’s determined to help me, then I’m determined to let him. He seems to need tonight more than I do, and while I havezeroplans to help him get laid, I’ll enjoy having a drink with him and seeing who he thinks is my type.
Except I somehow managed to forget this isHanlonwe’re talking about.
Hanlon never half-asses anything.
And tonight is no different.
He’s clearly bringing his A-game in a black button-down that’s tucked into form-fitting gray jeans. He has a silver watch on his wrist, and while his hair isn’t gelled, the waves are pushed back from his face, and his glasses round out the ensemble, making him lookfar olderthan his twenty-two years.
“Jesus, Hanlon. I’m gonna be beating guys off you with a stick.” The nervous laugh escapes without my permission, and I don’t miss the way his cheeks flush a deep crimson. The color looksgood against his pale skin and black shirt.
He’s always melted under my praise.
Would he enjoy being told how well he swallows my cock?The thought slips in, heating my neck, and I know my face must now match the color of Hanlon’s.
“Tonight’s not about me,” he says, thankfully unaware of the thoughts inside my head.
“I think that probably depends on who you ask,” I reply.
The flush on Hanlon’s cheeks spreads with another burst of color.
“Um, well, you look nice, too,” he offers.
“I lookdecent,” I argue.
He smiles as we head for the garage.
“Why, Stone, are you fishing for a compliment?”
I shrug, feigning nonchalance.
“I wouldn’t turn it down if you have one handy.”Ohmygod, am I FLIRTING with him?
Hanlon stops in the doorway, causing me to run into him, repaying me for our run-in earlier. Grabbing me by the shoulders, he looks me up and down and nods.
“You’re disgustingly attractive. It really doesn’t matter what you wear because the only thing every guy in that place will be thinking about is how to get you out of the clothes you have on. You are effortlessly handsome, ruggedly sexy, and the best part is that none of it’s for show. You have the skills and the knowledge to back up your mountain-man appearance, which will absolutely make every man in there a drooling puddle of precum at your feet. Better?”
Well, fuck.
Unsure how to respond, I deflect with humor because I’m totally at a loss here.
“So, what I’m hearing is you think I’m hot.”
