Page 6 of Sweetheart

“Okay,” Levi responded just as softly.

Mason slid into the booth across from Levi and smiled as he ran his gaze over the handsome man. Levi wore his light hair cutshort, allowing Mason an unobstructed view of his face. Levi’s high cheekbones were as sharp as that intense gaze. Levi wore a soft gray T-shirt that made his eyes pop. Mason could look at Levi for days. Except his obvious appraisal was making Levi shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“Are you an artist?” Mason motioned back toward the sketch pad.

“Uh.” Levi looked around frantically again.

Fuck! Should Mason address the dating app and his fuck-up or not? Would that help or make Levi even more uncomfortable?

Levi suddenly rolled his shoulders back then lifted his chin. “Why do you want to know?”

Damn, this sweet man had some fire inside him. Good. Mason needed a man with a firm hand. He tended to get himself in trouble.

Mason grinned. “Isn’t this how you get to know someone? Ask them questions? Talk to them?”

“You want to get to know me?”

“I do.” How to phrase this? “We’re neighbors so we’re bound to run into each other. Maybe we could be friends.”

“Friends,” Levi repeated.

Or more. Mason didn’t think that Levi was ready for Mason to tell him what he really wanted to do. Like pushing Levi onto his back and climbing on top. He could take, what Mason imagined, was an impressive dick and rock Levi’s world. Then snuggle for several hours before doing it again. And again.

Fuck, Mason loved bottoming. He loved being fucked. He wanted Levi. Damn it, he needed to get ahold of himself. Spreading his legs, Mason tried to give himself more breathing room as his hard cock pressed against the zipper of his pants.

The waitress walked up to the table and set a mug of coffee in front of Mason before placing a plate in front of Levi.

Great timing. Levi couldn’t run until at least after he ate.

“Your usual, Ranger?” Sally asked.

“Yes please.” He nodded. He sipped his coffee as she walked away. The diner’s strong coffee always gave him a bit of a burst. Fuck! Mason would be lost without coffee.

Levi reached for his club sandwich but quickly dropped his hand back to his side.

“Please eat,” Mason told him.

“I…”

“I am imposing on you for company. No need to wait on me. Eat before your food gets cold.”

“Not imposing on me,” Levi mumbled while reaching again for his sandwich.

Mason smiled. Maybe Levi didn’t mind his presence too much. “So, artist?”

Levi took a bite and swallowed then reluctantly answered. “Tattoo artist. I own the shop in town.”

“The one across the street?” Mason perked up. He’d been inside the shop, but Levi hadn’t been there. Mason would have noticed. “I met with Steve about having some work done.”

“Oh.” Levi’s shoulders dropped. “He’s very talented.”

But Mason wanted Levi’s hands on him. Hopefully Levi felt the same. “I don’t remember seeing you there.” Mason was being pushy. It didn’t seem that Levi wanted to talk about himself though.

Levi shrugged before dipping a fry into ketchup. “I don’t take walk-ins and only come in when I have an appointment. Steve does a good job of running the shop for me.”

“Which means that if I want to see you, I shouldn’t hang around the tattoo shop?”

Levi choked on the french fry he’d just popped into his mouth.

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