Page 34 of Now Comes the Dark

Mallon kissed the top of his head. “You think I’m a snob.”

“I never said that.”

“You don’t have to say it. I know you do. It’s okay. I am a snob about certain things. I’m not ashamed of it. Who would be proud of having horrendous taste, anyway? Ham and cheese okay for the pizza?”

Roman’s favourite was chicken and mushrooms, but he suspected that might tip Mallon over the edge. “Whatever suits you is good for me.”

Mallon tapped in the order and put down the phone. Unlike most people he knew, Mallon did not seem obsessed with his phone or social media. He only used it for calls or practical tasks like ordering food. It made a refreshing change. Roman had known men who made no secret of looking for their next hook-up while they were still with him.

This was more than a hook-up. Hook-ups were quick and casual. They didn’t give you drinks or take you for breakfast or order pizza.So what is this, exactly?Roman wasn’t sure.Too early to put a label on it. He should enjoy these moments for what they were and not build up his expectations.

“How was work?” he asked.

Mallon tutted. “No work talk. I’ve been at it all day and will be there again tomorrow. This is time to relax.”

“Okay. Fair point. What do you do to relax?”

“I fuck you,” Mallon said, playfully squeezing him.

“Apart from that. You must like doing something.”

“I like all kinds of things. I go to bootcamp at six a.m. twice a week.”

“That sounds like the opposite of relaxing.”

“I like swimming, boxing. I’m interested in history.” He gestured at two books on the coffee table. “After what you said the other day about Blyham, I decided I should know more. One book is the history of the city, and the other is a history of the northeast area. There’s even a small chapter on your hometown. Nyemouth, right? I read about it last night.”

“That can’t have taken long,” Roman said. “There’s nothing there.”

“It looks wonderful to me. I plan to visit while I’m here—maybe in the spring, when it’s warmer.”

“Oh, God yes. That place is bleak in winter. Best avoided.” He snuggled in, catching on something Mallon just said. “Spring. So, you intend to still be here?”

“I should be here for most of the year, at least. This project won’t get done overnight.”

Roman smiled. “I hope you won’t get tired of fucking me if you’re staying that long.”

Mallon hugged him tight. “Are you kidding? With that ass, I won’t ever get tired of fucking you.”

Roman flushed with pleasure. “How about we get together this weekend? I’ve got some more underwear you might like to see.”

Mallon put his arm around him and squeezed his shoulder. “I’d love to, but I can’t. I’m going home on Friday. I won’t be back for at least a week.”

Roman hid his disappointment. It wouldn’t do to look too clingy. “Maybe next week, then?”

Mallon pulled him closer. His mouth was on top of Roman’s and when he whispered, his breath was hot and exciting. “Noneed to wait so long. What are you doing on Thursday night? I have an idea that just might turn you on.”

Chapter Thirteen

Return to The Viaduct

The heat and funk of The Viaduct took Roman in a familiar embrace. He had stood in line in sub-zero conditions for over ten minutes before reaching the front. With getting up early for work every Friday, he had yet to experience The Viaduct on a Thursday and was surprised to find it was the busiest night of the week. It was almost ten-fifteen when he got through the queue, paid the entrance fee and reached the changing room.

The theme for the evening was underwear or nothing.

The door attendant had given him a clear plastic bag for his clothes. Seven other men were undressing when he entered. Roman took off his scarf, gloves and coat, stealthily watching to see how far the others would go. A stunning Black man in his forties stripped to a grey jockstrap. His body was well-muscled, beefy rather than ripped, with a broad, hairy chest. The pouch of his jock struggled to contain his arousal. When he turned around, the rear displayed the most spectacular bare arse, wide and meaty, like a rugby player. Another man, late thirties, gym-perfect, went fully naked. His dick was on the small side,bolstered by a leather cock-strap, but from the way he arched his back and popped his hips, his cock was not on the menu. It was alpha bottom behaviour.

The rest of the men undressed to their underwear. They mostly wore boxer-briefs with trendy names blazed across the waistband. Their bodies ranged from skinny to muscled to big. As they went into the bar, more newcomers took their place.

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