Page 49 of Provoking the Punter

Garrett opened his eyes and turned his head just enough that he could kiss Chester’s palm. “I’m so used to keeping what I want in a very narrow lane that not knowing… even though I trust you… is kind of scary.”

Chester set his glass on the table. “And that’s okay. You’re used to a restrictive takeout diet.”

“And there you go, comparing sex to food again.”

“Because it works. You can’t live on boiled chicken and plain rice. Well, you can, but it’s boring.” And he should know. There had been nothing wrong with his relationship with Michael. It had been calm and kind and loving, and also completely dull and predictable. At the time, it had been enough, or it had felt like enough. “To be honest, I am rediscovering some things myself, because it has been a while.”

“But you were with someone?”

Chester nodded. “And sometimes things fall into a rut that is extremely comfortable, and I didn’t want to be the one making changes.”

Which, now that he said it out loud, seemed foolish because if one of them had said something, they might still be together. Maybe. Or perhaps it always had an expiry date, and he hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t as if he’d been unhappy. Had he gotten too comfortable? Was that even a possibility?

“So this isn’t a painful experience for you, trying to get me up to speed?”

“Is that what it feels like? It’s not meant to be a lesson.” Was he doing this wrong? It wasn’t his job to bring Garrett up to speed, so his next lover or boyfriend got to benefit. He was having fun. He was enjoying it far too much.

It wasn’t just sex, even though it should be.

Garrett rested his forehead against Chester’s. The tips of their noses brushed together and sent a shiver of heat down Chester’s spine. “It doesn’t feel like a lesson. I’m not used to exploring what I want, but I want to. I want to with you, and I’m glad you’re also enjoying it.”

“How could I not?” Garrett was gorgeous. He probably had a string of girls who wanted him, and he didn’t even notice. Hell, he probably had a few guys panting after him, and he was oblivious because he wasn’t letting himself look. Once he did, he wouldn’t waste his time with him. He’d end up with some A-lister or B-Lister and then use their influence to create a perfume or something.

But even as he thought it, he couldn’t imagine Garrett being happy with that kind of image-focused lifestyle, which meant putting everything on social media.

He barely had social media.

“Then I guess I better get my gear off.” Garrett took a step back and lifted the hem of the T-shirt, baring his well-defined abs.

“You’d better tell me what you want for dinner first, so I can put the order in.”

He pulled off the T-shirt, reminding Chester that he wasn’t here for the food. “I’m worried you’re going to judge me.”

“Oh, I am judging the menu. Burger, a steak sandwich which is a fancy burger, pasta with two sauce choices, a pizza, and a salad. Is this what you eat every night?”

“No, sometimes I go out with some guys from the team, or I eat at one of the restaurants downstairs. I miss cooking for myself.”

“You can come to my place and cook for me anytime. I am so sick of cooking for one.”

Garrett grinned, dimples forming, before he grabbed him around the waist and kissed him. “Careful, I might take you up on that offer.”

He couldn’t take Garrett home because then he wouldn’t be able to lie to himself, not that he was doing a good job of it, anyway. “Can you actually cook? Or do you call dried chicken breast and rice dinner?”

“Excuse me, are you dissing my cooking skills before you’ve tasted anything?”

“Well, I am used to?—”

“I am a very good cook. And I do much more than throw a few sausages on the barbecue… though I can barbecue as well.” Garrett’s hands were under Chester’s shirt, fingertips sliding against the skin of his lower back. Chester couldn’t resist. He rocked forward, hoping to feel the hard thickness of his dick.

Garrett stepped back, as if knowing exactly what Chester wanted. There was a devilish glint in his eyes, and his smile would get people arrested. “You’d better order. I’m having the chicken salad with extra chicken and boiled potatoes.”

Chester’s gaze skimmed over him. There was no way he was going back to boring, safe, and comfortable. Not when he was enjoying testing to see how much heat he could handle. Sure, he was going to get burned at some point, but didn’t every relationship end up with someone in tears?

He wasn’t sure if his had been tears of relief or fear that he was alone.

Either way, he’d been fine until Garrett had turned up, and he hadn’t been able to help himself.

“I’m sure you could find a short-term rental until you?—”

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