Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Gary gets a frown on his face, and there’s something almost endearing about it. Like he’s worried about me when he really doesn’t know me all that well. Gary’s got a big heart, and people tend not to waste theirs on me. He is, though.
The waiter shows up and asks if we’re ready to order. I wait for Gary, who is still fucking looking at me like I’m a goddamned puzzle he’s trying to figure out. Forget that I likely see him the same way—I don’t make it as obvious as he does.
He orders a BLT, and I ask for the roast beef sandwich. When we’re alone again, I lower my voice and ask, “How did we meet?”
“Huh?”
“If anyone asks, how did we meet?”
“I don’t know. How everyone meets? We were out at Flirt, went home together.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, but that happens all the time with everyone. I’ve gone home with a shit-ton of men from Flirt, and my ass has never dated any of them.”
“You’ve never been serious about anyone?” he asks.
“Nope. And don’t plan on it. So, back to us—why were you different? How did you tame the beast?”
He nearly snorts sweet tea through his nose. “Tame the beast?”
“Obviously. Now answer.” I’m curious how he’ll respond. Gary doesn’t seem like the type who has a whole lot of good things to say about himself.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
“Could be because you’re a hot piece of ass.” I lean back in my chair and stretch my legs out in front of me.
“There you go. There’s your answer, though I doubt I’m the only good lay you’ve had.”
“It could also be because you’re shy and not cocky, and that’s so fucking different from me that I find it interesting.” That one seems to surprise him, which makes me want to keep going. “Hmm…but you’re not completely shy. You’re like the wolf in sheep’s clothing—quiet and submissive on the outside but a fucking beast on the inside.” I’m enjoying this, I realize. The banter we have together.
“I thought you were the beast?” he asks.
“We both are.” He looks away, takes a drink, and I add, “Maybe I just thought there was a lot more going on with you than you showed the world, and I wanted to find out what those other pieces were.” Which is more truth than fiction, but he doesn’t need to know that.
His eyes get intense, emotions flashing through them that I don’t understand. It makes me shift uncomfortably. “I’m good at this game. If massage therapy doesn’t work out, I can be a boyfriend-for-hire—oh, food’s coming.” The waiter brings our plates. I avoid Gary’s eyes because I’m nervous he’ll see those things I said were true. That I do think there’s more to him than he shows the world, only I don’t know what it is…but there’s a part of me that wants to.
We eat in near silence. Even though he argues with me, I pay for the meal, and then we walk back to Metropolis.
“I’ll walk you up,” I tell him.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.” When we get to his door, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see Steven’s name on the screen. Thank God. I close my eyes because I really thought he wouldn’t call. “It’s him,” I say, then answer the call. “Hi, Steven, it’s good to hear from you.”
My pulse jackhammers. Just because he’s calling doesn’t mean he still wants to meet. He could change his mind. What the fuck would I do if he changed his mind?
“Travis, sorry about the delay. Things have been crazy. How does next Friday night look for you and Gary?”
Fuck, yes! “He’s right here. Let me ask him.” Turning to look at Gary, I say, “Steven wants to meet next Friday night. Does that work for you?” Then I add, “babe,” because I’m obviously an overachiever.
Shock flashes in Gary’s expressive eyes. “Yeah…yeah, of course.”
Steven gives me the time and says he’ll text the address. The second we get off the phone, I’m picking Gary up and squeezing him in my arms and spinning us around. “Oh my God! I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but I was scared as hell he would tell me he changed his mind! I’m one step closer, Gary!” And then I’m sandwiching him between my body and the door. His legs are around me, and my hands are on his ass. “I just…” I’m so happy…hopeful…but those things feel too close for me to speak out loud. I don’t know what to say so I let my lips slam down on his. My tongue sweeps his mouth, and he shudders against me. His hands go into my hair and now he’s Sex-God Gary again. I knead his cheeks and think about dipping my finger into his crack. Rubbing that tight little hole of his and opening it up for my cock.