I chuckle. "Want to bring that out to the patio and we can hang out there while I grill?"
"Sure, I’ll grab drinks too." He lifts the board and pulls out a couple of beers from my drink fridge under the wet bar.
I lead the way to the patio, my hands full of what I need to make dinner, and behind me I see Duncan try to close the door with his elbow.
The charcuterie board tilts precariously but he rights it. "Close one, the salami was slipping!"
I huff a laugh. "I hate when that happens."
Duncan stands up straight for a beat before a cackle bursts out and crackles in the air. "Shit, I forgot how funny you were too."
My cheeks blaze with his compliment. "I’m the whole package."
"You’ve got a package for sure."
I roll my eyes as I light the grill, but bite back the smile tugging on my lips.
As it warms up I move over to the chaise lounge next to Duncan. He leans back and takes a drag from his beer bottle and I become transfixed with the workings of his mouth. The bob of his Adams apple.
"So, this big meal probably isn’t a smart move for us tonight." Duncan says as he looks out over the lawn towards the barn.
"What do you, oh." I cut myself off. He’s right. I’m an idiot. Neither of us is going to want to get up in the other’s ass after steak, potatoes, and vegetables.
"I bet we can find some other fun to have, Charming." Duncan says as he lifts another bite from the tray to his mouth. "I like that you feed me."
The image of my cock in his mouth flashes and my hand flexes around my bottle. When my muscles relax, I start to pick at the corner of the label.
"It’s nice having you here." I admit quietly after a few beats of silence.
"Yeah." He says like his mind is faraway.
I swallow past the thickness in my throat.
"Would you, umm, like to see each other more often?" I venture.
My focus stays on the label I’m surgically removing with my thumb nail. I shift a bit in my seat, my muscles feeling achey.
Without looking directly at him, I can see Duncan take a drink. I hear his throat working. I need a drink.
Oh wait, I have one.
I gulp it and wipe my lips against the back of my hand as Duncan speaks.
"We can make things work for the next month or so, but I’ve got to start getting back into shape and then training camp starts in September."
He’s open to it.
Holy shit.
He’s willing to see me more often.
He wants this too.
"What if I were to come to D.C.?" The words rush out in one single breath.
"What do you mean?" He turns to me and leans up on his elbow.
I take my time, almost slowing my words too much. "Well…I got a position as an artist in residence at The Elliston Academy."
