Page 29 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

Mark doesn’t seem to pick up on the sarcastic inflection of Jamie’s tone, but Nathan has.

His eyes lock on the cutie’s pretty pouting mouth. Recalling what those lips felt like—pressed against his. The taste of peppermint. The heat of his breath. The silky wet glide of that tongue under his cock.

He grunts, clearing his throat. “I’ll have the mushroom and Swiss burger with fries—please?” Nathan stares, wanting Jamie to look at him. Hoping to apologize with puppy gaze and the rehearsed smile that always works like a charm.

He gets a brief glance from the side of scorching narrowed eyes.

Nathan raises his glass, trying to hide. Eyes stung and nose tickled by the bubbly liquid. He deserves that.

“I’ll have the portobello parmesan gnocchi and a side salad.” Mark collects the two menus and holds them over the table.

Jamie stuffs them under his arm and finishes scribbling on his pad. “Perfect. I’ll be back soon.” His cheeks are flush. He chews his lip. You can almost see the heat is rising off his body. “All good on the drinks?” He can’t get away fast enough.

Nathan doesn’t dare ask for a refill. The furious cutie just might dump it over his head in front of everyone. He doesn’t want to have to explain to his date. The waiter hates him for ghosting after a really hot hookup in the nature preserve. Or that he’d given Jamie a fake name, just to cut all ties. It’s awkward enough that one person in the room thinks he’s an asshole. He’ll just suck on the ice cubes.

The dream comes back to mind. Young Bertie in all her sparkling spiritual splendor, bringing the two men’s hands together. Like they do during ceremonial joining of lovers in her beloved Wá-šiw tribe. She had shown him dozens of photos as a child.

Mark carries on the conversation while Nathan steals glances at Jamie gliding from table to table. Passing close by on occasion. That familiar scent of cocoa butter and fresh laundry wafting each time. Returning his attention to the date, answering a question here and there, when his ears catch the right tone in Mark’s voice or pause in the chatter.

“I’m here for two more months in my contract with the hospital. Then I’ll be off to North Carolina for the next.” He makes sure things are clear. This date was only going to go in one direction.

Mark seems disappointed for a moment, before shifting into heavy flirting and innuendos. Normally just the playfulness Nathan hopes for.

Jamie appears again. Carrying a large round tray. Setting Nathan’s burger and fries down with more force than necessary. Carefully placing Mark’s gnocchi and salad in front of him. “Refills?” He asks Mark only.

Mark looks to Nathan for an answer.

Nathan nods, reluctantly.

“Sure.” Mark smiles up at the furious cutie.

“Great.” Jamie is on his last nerve as he walks away.

Nathan can’t help staring past Mark. Perfect asscheeks swaying side to side in snug black denim. Flashes of their heated encounter flood his mind. He can almost feel that flesh in his grip again. He shakes himself out of lusting for the angry cutie to chill the swelling in his own pants.

Nathan bites into his burger. Catching juices dripping down the side of his chin with the swipe of a thumb. Jamie passes the table again. Long arms poke through rolled sleeves. Cocoa butter smells more enticing by the minute. Nathan’s ears perk up. Listening to the cutie’s voice charm a table of middle-aged women behind him.

“What do you think?” Mark’s chatter paused again.

“Sorry, what?” Nathan pats the edges of his mouth with a cotton napkin.

“Should we go somewhere else for a drink after this? Or?” His half grin and scooped brow is suggestive.

Nathan sucks a drag of soda through his straw. It would be so easy to just say yes. Have another drink with Mark. Take things to a secluded parking spot and rock each other's socks off in the BMW before going home. Jamie’s ass cheeks bounce past again. There’s a small wet spot soaked through his t-shirt between his shoulder blades. Nathan imagines licking the salty skin under there.

“I’ve got to get back to Mabel after this.” He’ll probably kick himself later. “The old girl will need a walk. She can’t make it too many hours between potty breaks these days.” The old ride or die makes for a great excuse. “I’ve got work really early too.” That’s the truth.

Mark’s eyes go soft and his smile levels out. Pinching his lips between his teeth.

“I’d love to get together again though.” Nathan tries to ease the wound he’d just inflicted.

Mark’s smile returns. Hopeful. “Great!” He taps a finger on Nathan’s hand. “Me too.”

“Maybe sometime next week?”

“Perfect.” Mark sips the last of his wine. “I’ll be out of town Sunday through Tuesday for work. I will be back Wednesday morning.” He watches Nathan’s face.

Jamie passes again. Cocoa butter smells so delicious.

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