Page 23 of Coming Clean

How the hell was Connorsupposed to pay attention to the play when Jeremy was that close?When another character came out on stage, Jeremy leaned over andwhispered his identity in Connor’s ear, his breath warm and hislips so close Connor wanted to lean in enough to feel them brushhis skin.

“Now we’re in the fairywood. You’ll love this part. The characters are sosensual.”

Connor nodded, afraid tospeak. He kept his gaze glued to the stage. Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him. He wasn’t sure what crazy thing he might do or say if hedid. As it was, he wasn’t really seeing the actors, he waspicturing Jeremy’s mouth and how very much he wanted to feel thoselips caress his ear, his throat, his… fuck no, he wasn’t goingthere.

“What are they talkingabout?” he asked Jeremy a bit later when he realized he was utterlylost.

“The various lovers arearguing because Puck has messed up the love spell. If you get lost,don’t worry about the exact meaning. Just follow their tone andnotice how passionate they are about each other.”

Connor suppressed a groan.He’d had no idea how fucking sex-filled Shakespeare was. How couldJeremy sound so unaffected? Connor didn’t think he was going tomake it through the rest of the play. His dick was so hard he couldno longer sit comfortably. At least it was getting dark sohopefully no one, especially Jeremy, would notice.

Sabrina was slouched in herlawn chair, a beer in the cup holder. She appeared to be mesmerizedby the play but not as affected as Connor was. Hell, now he’d haveto admit that he’d loved it, but not for the reason Jeremy wouldwant him to, and not because it was surprisingly filled with dirtywords and innuendos. It wouldn’t matter if the play was the worstwritten piece of garbage in the history of the stage, Jeremycould’ve made him love it because he was passionate about it.Could he ever be that passionate about Connor?

Ask him back to your placeso you can find out.

Why would he want to go tomy dinky apartment instead of his gorgeous house?

Fine. You have to take himhome, so ask yourself in.

No.

Stubborn asshole. Go homewith blue balls then.

He doesn’t want to sleepwith me.

Look at him.

It was dark now, but Connorknew how to tell a lot about a man from his shadow in the dark, theway he held himself, and how still he was or how fidgety. Jeremyquivered with excitement, like a kid at the circus. He was on theedge of his chair. His hand rested on Connor’s thigh, probablyunconsciously. He was all worked up and Connor bet he’d be justlike that if Connor got him alone and naked. Connor had never beentotally naked with a man, never stretched out in bed besideanyone.

All it takes is thecourage to admit who you are.

But apparently I’m apathetic coward.

No you’renot. He heard the words in Jeremy’svoice, remembering how Jeremy seemed to believe he could doanything.

Jeremy’s grip tightened ashe laughed hysterically at Bottom’s antics. Connor felt the warmthall the way to his cock.

He laid his hand overJeremy’s and leaned toward him, bringing his mouth to Jeremy’s ear.“I can see why you love this play.”

Jeremy sucked in his breathand turned. His face was so close. It would be so easy to… Jeremy’slips parted. Connor watched without breathing as the tip ofJeremy’s tongue slipped out and caressed his lower lip. He wantedto capture it in his teeth and suck on it. God help me.

A while later, the crowdbroke out in applause as the play ended. Connor took his hand offJeremy’s so he could join in the clapping. They rose along with therest of the audience, giving the performers the standing ovationthey deserved.

“You liked it?” Jeremyasked.

“Yeah, I did.”

Jeremy squeezed hisshoulder. “I’m so glad.”

Jeremy had genuinely beeninvested in Connor having a good evening. Connor doubted heunderstood how much that meant. He’d never had another man carethat much.

“Good, wasn’t it?” Sabrinaasked, having to shout over the now buzzing crowd.

“Yes.” Connor hadn’t mindedadmitting it to Jeremy, but Sabrina would gloat fordays.

“Aren’t you glad you came?”she asked.

Connor answered honestly.“I am.” For more reasons than he was going to admit toSabrina.