Page 30 of Survival Game

There was a crackle and a sound Kyle really didn’t want to interpret. It was wet, sloppy and reeked of sexual activity of some sort. Kissing, he hoped. Then Luce’s voice spoke again, dreamy and far away. “Anyway, have fun and I’ll talk to you when I get back, whenever that it is. Love you, baby.”

The message ended. Sighing, Kyle put his phone back into his pocket and met Louis’s enquiring gaze. “She’s flying to Paris,” he murmured. “From the sounds of it, she’s having fun.”

Louis’s eyes gleamed in satisfaction. “Then I have you all to myself for the night. Shall we get another drink?”

Kyle thought he might as well. It was only eleven and he wasn’t ready to go home yet. Eric wasn’t waiting in his bed so what the fuck did he have to lose?

“Yep, let’s do this. Except this is my round. I don’t expect to be a kept man.”

Oh God, and now he was flirting.

Louis laughed loudly. “Kyle, I am quite sure of it. Yes, you can buy me a cocktail. A hanky-panky if you please.”

Kyle hooted with mirth. “One hanky-panky coming up. Although there’ll be none of that tonight.” He cast a mock glare at Louis who collapsed in amusement.

“Ah, we shall see about that. I am sure we can put our minds to mischief if we think about it.”

As Kyle motioned the waiter over, he felt a warm glow inside. Tonight was turning out to be rather pleasant after all. Making new friends wasn’t so tough.

A week later, Kyle was in Club Delish helping Ryan take in a new alcohol order. They held their respective stock sheets and ticked off the deliveries one by one. It was a cool day outside but inside the bar it was warm. Sweat trickled down Kyle’s back as he stood there.

As usual, Ryan looked completely in control and effortlessly together. The man didn’t even have a sheen of perspiration on his face, unlike Kyle who’d rolled up his shirtsleeves and untucked his shirt to let air circulate around his body

“Are you looking forward to Eric coming back tomorrow?” Ryan raised an eyebrow at Kyle, who scowled.

“Oh, did he go away? I hadn’t noticed.” Kyle turned and placed his stock sheet on the bar as he studied it without seeing. He hadn’t had any other texts since the last one of Eric with the busty blonde.

Ryan sniggered. “You’ve been like a bear whose favourite twink has been taken away, darling. Don’t try to fool me. Delilah knows better.”

Kyle’s face burned. Am I that transparent? Oh, yeah. This is Ryan.

“I don’t really care whether he’s back or not,” Kyle declared loftily. “I met some really nice guy at the casino the other night and we’ve been hanging out. Eric coming back is neither here nor there.”

He and Louis had been seeing each other as friends. They’d been to a film and dinner at Galileo’s, where Kyle had met the famous and oh-so-cute head chef Eddie. Kyle loved men with red hair and Eddie had been adorable. And from the way Gideon, the restaurant owner, kept a predatory eye on him, he obviously thought so too.

Ryan sidled up to him. “Liar,” he said softly. He reached out a hand as if to pat Kyle’s arm then pulled it back.

“You don’t have to do that,” Kyle muttered. “You can touch me if you want to.”

Ryan narrowed his eyes. “You seem a little skittish around people who touch you. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m only uncomfortable with guys who seem…threatening.” Kyle couldn’t meet Ryan’s eyes in case he saw the shame there. “My friends don’t count among them.”

Ryan growled. Actually, growled. “I knew someone had done a number on you. If you ever want to talk about it, you know I’m here.” He gave Kyle an awkward pat on the back then turned to finish his stock count. Kyle was relieved beyond measure Ryan hadn’t pushed the issue, and had simply given an offer of support.

“Thanks,” Kyle said gruffly and picked up another lengthy stock sheet. They had a lot to go through before the club opened tonight. Wednesday night was Leather Night and they were expecting quite a crowd.

Later that evening, sandwiched between two muscle-bound leather daddies making out on the floor as Kyle tried to navigate back to the bar and check on the stock and general goings-on, he spotted a familiar figure talking to Ryan in a quieter spot of the club.

Eric was back. Kyle’s stomach fluttered and he couldn’t stop the tingle that spread through his body at seeing his wayward paramedic. He ignored the flush of warmth and pretended he hadn’t seen Eric. Kyle knew he was being childish, but he couldn’t help it.

His plans were thwarted when someone shouted his name across the floor.

“Kyle.” Dammit. “Eric’s here. Do you want to say hello?” Kyle scowled at Ryan, whose face shone with glee. Or perhaps Mr Always Perfectly Groomed had sweat on his face, Kyle thought uncharitably. He’d no option but to turn and make his way toward the pair.

Eric looked amazing. Tanned, chestnut hair curly, and he was wearing a white cut-off vest with tight black jeans. The man looked edible enough to eat right there. Kyle wanted to bite the face off the young man behind Eric eyeing him with a distinct look of appreciation and lust.

Mine, he wanted to growl. All mine. Fuck off. And yet he had no idea whether Eric was his or not.