Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
He shouldn’t get too attached. Mike would get bored with the novelty of a girly boy, with the prank on his family. He’d meet a girl he wanted to bone and break up with Arden. Yet he couldn’t help but allow himself more touch, more affection, more conversations… more of Mike.
He’d accidentally-on-purpose let a bra strap slide off his shoulder, or let his pants hang lower to give Mike a glimpse of lace. And Mike always noticed. It was exhilarating to feel like a sexual being again without fear of where that could lead.
The danger to his heart grew every day. When Arden had first seen Mike, all buff, tattooed and pushy, he’d thought he knew what kind of man Mike was, but while Mike could flirt the pants off a pastor’s daughter, his energy was different to Luke’s.
Where Luke had wanted to know where Arden was at all times to control him, Mike wanted the same to protect him.
Where Luke had a need to dominate, Mike was masculine but playfully seductive.
Where Luke pushed for sex until he got it, Mike longed to be desired in return.
Mike wasn’t the kind of ‘bad boy’ Luke had been, and it terrified Arden, because if they weren’t alike, then maybe he didn’t have to force down his desires. Maybe he could give this fake relationship a chance of becoming real?
Maybe he would have, if Mike wasn’t straight. Arden was already in way over his head and didn’t need any more drama in his life.
Still, he accepted Mike’s invitation to San Francisco because they’d be spending more time together, going on fake dates where Mike treated him like a princess, and hugging on Mike’s bike.
The drive had been a leisurely one, with a stop for late breakfast. They spent over an hour arguing what the very best horror movie was over burgers and pie Mike paid for—he even remembered to get Arden a veggie patty—but two hours later, they were almost at their destination, driving along a grassy area with elegant houses on the other side. Some of them were colorful, with siding and white frames around the windows, while others, made for more than one family, had bay windows and decorative ridges.
The sun made the city look all fresh and inviting, but Arden truly relaxed once Mike drove into a large urban park boasting tall trees and bushes, which seemed to stretch endlessly on either side of the wide road. He’d missed this kind of greenery in the parched stretch of land that was Hawk Springs.
Mike then took another turn, and a wide landscape dotted with palm trees and monuments opened up before Arden as they slowed upon approach to an elongated building with a facade covered by rusty-colored metal.
This was the place Mike had business to attend to? A museum? Arden’s confusion grew when Mike drove into the underground parking lot, but then again, maybe he was supposed to meet someone at a discreet location in the park?
“Leaving me here for the day?” he asked when the engine stopped rumbling, but he indulged in hugging Mike from behind that bit longer. The cool air that swept over them throughout the journey prevented Arden from enjoying much of Mike’s scent, but he’d take any excuse to touch those sturdy muscles.
Mike removed his helmet and combed his unruly hair with one hand, weirdly cute with the flush coloring his cheeks. “Huh? No, I’m only meeting the guy late in the afternoon. Thought we might as well enjoy ourselves if we’re riding out this far.”
Arden lit up as he got off the bike. “So you’re taking your boyfriend out on a date?” he teased, but his heart burst with joy as if they really were together.
“Sure am. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t?” Mike asked and entangled his fingers with Arden’s as soon as he was ready to go. “They have a comic book exhibition now. Thought you might like it.”
Arden’s lips parted when he realized Mike had planned this for him. That was so… thoughtful. Luke would have never gone out of his way to make Arden’s day.
He squeezed Mike’s hand, bouncing in excitement as he pulled him along. “Oh, my God! I’ve only been to a few galleries in Reno. I know what you’re trying to do. You want to inspire me so that I draw more porn?” He winked at Mike, who looked thoughtful.
“I didn’t think about that, but if you want inspiration, I can give you plenty once we get to our hotel. You don’t have to draw me from memory, you know,” he said, pulling Arden toward the staircase.
Arden laughed, nudging Mike with his elbow. “Are you saying you’d be able to stay still for two hours so I can get everything right? Because I highly doubt you’re that patient.”