STORY EXCERPT

“No way are you dragging me to a mixer.” I sat back, crossing my arms, looking defiantly at my best friend. “I’m not admitting to anyone that I don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day.”

Arber snorted. “Like everyone isn’t going to find out, Ori. We travel in the same circles with other gay men, and you know as well as I do that they gossip worse than old women. Come on, be adventurous.”

The idea of going to a bar to pick up men was, well, like every Saturday night, but this was different…somehow. I just hadn’t figured that part out yet.

“Free booze.” Arber dangled that damn carrot in front of me and knew I’d bite. He waved a hand as he ordered our coffees on the patio of the cute bistro a block from our apartment building. “Plus, you never know, Ori. You just might hook up with a god.”

The snort was involuntary, but I went with it. “Most hot guys are jerks. They’re self-centered snobs until they see someone they want. Then they turn on the charm.”

“And it never lasts,” Arber said. “You see the same guys back at the club weeks later on the prowl again. Okay, I get it, but go anyway. You might find someone you hit it off with. The worst that can happen is you go home with a wet ass and a huge smile.”

Go to a mixer and look desperate or sit at home on the most romantic day of the year looking like a loser. Decisions, decisions.

 “If I leave there with no date, I’m blaming you,” I said with a pout and a look that said I meant it.

“Like that will happen.” Aber reached across the iron table and tugged on a strand of my hair. “Though you might want to see a stylist before Saturday night. I mean, boring.” He said the last part in a singsong voice, and I wanted to smack him. In fact, I smacked his hand away. “How you have drab hair and work at a salon is beyond me.”

“What’re you talking about? I just got it cut.”

“Not colored,” Aber harrumphed. “If you want the fish to swim to you, you have to dangle the bait, hon.”

“This coming from a guy who’s equally as single as I am.” I smiled when the barista brought our drinks out. When she walked away, I leaned in. “Just because you pay big bucks for a blowout doesn’t mean everyone has to.”

“And who gets more dates between us?” Arber said smugly while picking up his drink. “All I’m saying is wow them at the mixer.”

“Wow this.” I flipped him off.

“If only you were my type.” Arber sat back, tossing one leg over the other. “We should totally go clothes shopping to find outfits. I look horrible in red, but I’m sure I can find something that will make heads turn.”

“You do look like a ripe tomato when you wear that color.” I was just being catty. I really didn’t want to go, yet I didn’t want to sit home, either. I felt as if I was between a rock and a hard place with very few options.

“Cory is having a get-together on Sunday.” Arber sipped his brewed iced tea, which held two packets of Splenda, a pump of vanilla, and three ice cubes. “He wants everyone to compare notes on their night.”

“That’s just wrong,” I said. “I’m not kissing and telling if I get lucky.”

“You’ll get lucky.” Arber patted my hand. “Unless you’re going with your hair like that. Babe, I just love you and want you to look your shining best.”

“And on that note I have to get going. I have to get to work before Brandon fires me.”

“That man needs to pull that stick out of his gorgeous ass,” Arber said. “He’s too damn fine to be so uptight. Tell him to bring the condom and lube and I’ll have him marching in the Pride Parade in no time.”

“Has it slipped your crazy mind that Brandon isn’t gay?”

“Hello, he owns an effing hair salon,” Arber said.

“That doesn’t mean he’s gay. He owns it. He doesn’t work there.” I got up, taking my coffee with me. “Later.”

“Love you!” Arber called out.

“Back atcha,” I called over my shoulder. Too bad Brandon wasn’t gay because, damn, he really was a delicious side of beef.

ADULT EXCERPT

As soon as we cleared my door and I closed it, we were all over each other. I hooked my leg at his hip as he held me close, his hands exploring as well as his mouth. He dragged his lips over my jaw and neck, and I loved every second of it.

We stumbled into my bedroom and landed on my bed, our limbs entwined. Lying there a little dazed, all I could do was blink. I didn’t want to speak and break the spell around us, because the words I’ll do whatever you want were just behind my lips, and I wasn’t going to let them free.

I might have wanted Brandon for a while, but hell if I was going to lose my mind over him just because the guy had a banging body and was too damn gorgeous for his own good.

“Are we moving too fast?” I couldn’t help but voice what was on my mind.

Brandon threw his head back and laughed, the sound sliding down my skin like a lover’s caress. “I fought my attraction to you for two years. I’d say we weren’t moving fast enough.”

That was all I needed to hear.

With a roll of his body, Brandon pulled me from the bed, both of us tumbling backward until I landed on top of him, Brandon’s gray eyes blazing now with want and need.

I leaned forward, inhaling his scent from collarbone to ear, taking in the raw aroma of man. The scent rushed back into me in a wave of intoxication. Smelling Brandon was hardening my cock. I loved the smell of man, was addicted to the flavor. It was a scent that made me instantly hard every time the aroma was near. And now that I had Brandon in my bed, I was a goner.

We stripped out of our clothing in milliseconds, and then Brandon dropped to his back, taking me with him as I laughed. I liked how playful he was being as I slid my leg over him, straddling his waist.

“Hi.” Brandon tucked strands of my hair behind my ear.

“Hi.” I felt silly saying that, but I was also happy as hell we were naked.

“I can’t believe I finally have you,” Brandon said. “You have no idea how many times I’ve fantasized about us being just like this, naked and intimate.”

“Confession, I’ve done the same thing.”

“Really?” He looked as if he didn’t believe me then smiled. “I’m glad we’re on the same page, Ori.”

“Me, too.” I leaned forward and nipped him on the jaw. I loved that he had a shadow of a dark beard. The hairs tickled my lips.

He tugged at my nape until our lips were only an inch apart, and then I moaned as Brandon captured my lips. Our very first kiss.

My body tightened, every bone and muscle in me reaching for his mouth, the hot draw of his lips, and the moist wash of his tongue. I was completely lost in what we were doing.

I opened my eyes, seeing Brandon’s grimace of pleasure, the raw lust that transformed his handsome face. I hadn’t thought he could get any better looking, but staring down at him, I knew I’d been wrong.

A course of lust shot through my groin, making my dick throb with my heartbeat, and I knew I had to have Brandon inside of me yesterday.

I broke the kiss and leaned sideways, reaching into my nightstand drawer for the lube and a condom. As soon as I pulled back, Brandon took the lube from me and wet his fingers.

“Lean forward.”

I did as he commanded and was rewarded with long, thick fingers probing at my hole. When those fingers entered me, I gasped and groaned, rocking backward on them.