Page 89 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

I let out a slow, slow breath. “It’s a matter of comfort level and trust,” I tell him seriously. “Some people don’t like that. And a lot of sexually active queer men wouldn’t consider it unless they trust the other person implicitly. Generally, that translates to a long-term relationship.”

“Oh,” he says, the one syllable sad.

“But I trust you, bub,” I continue quickly, pulling back enough to turn him my way. I resist dropping my gaze to his half-naked body, instead keeping my eyes on his as I frame his neck with mypalms. “I trust you. And I’d enjoy it. So if you want me to fuck you bare…or if you want to fuck me bare, I’m game.”

He swallows somewhat roughly. “I’m curious about it.”

“Me fucking you,” I guess.

He nods. “That felt good.”

“Which part?” I ask, pulling my pants up to grab some paper towel.

“Um… You touching me. And…you behind me like that. I, uh…” He lets out a breath. “You have this way of making me feel small? Not in a bad way. In a good way, as if you’re curling around me like a protective bubble. And that’s new for me. To be the one being…taken care of? None of my girlfriends in the past took that more…assertive role. And I know beingmanlyhas nothing to do with who’s doing the dicking. Like, roles in the bedroom don’t define a person any which way. It’s just…”

I wait as Brad collects his thoughts, using the opportunity to wipe up the mess between his legs now that I’ve done a cursory clean of myself. He gives me a quick thanks, not bashful in the least.

“Here’s the thing,” he finally says. “IknowI’ll enjoy fucking you. It’s a given. But I’m fairly certain you fucking me is going to rearrange my world a little. And I guess I’m kinda looking forward to that.”

My heart thumps painfully as I get to my feet. I step close to Brad, unable to keep my distance, unable to stop myself from brushing his hair back and cupping his face in my palms. “I’ll make it so good for you,” I promise.

He lets out an incredulous laugh. “See? That. That’s what I’m talking about. All you have to do is say a few words, and I’m gone. How do you do that? How do you make mewantyou so much?”

“You must kinda like me,” I tease, using his words from earlier.

He snorts, his hands on my hips pulling me closer. “Joey-roo, my dude,likeis not a strong enough word for you.”

My inhale is shaky, but Brad goes on.

“I’m a little bit obsessed, to be honest. It’s embarrassing. Andho, hello, is that Greg again? Thought he went to sleep.”

“He must have a thing for beautiful men being open and honest,” I tell him, stroking his cheek with my thumb.

“Is that what we’re calling filterless now?” he asks, forehead wrinkled. “I mean, I’m not opposed. It’s just—Oh. Do that again.”

I oblige, running my lips along his neck, my stubble bristling his skin.

“Fuck,” he mutters, hands tightening on my hips. “You’re just…full of…benefits, aren’t you?”

His breathlessness has me smiling. “Loads. Why don’t we get in the shower, and I’ll show you the benefit of having an extra pair of hands around?”

“Yeah, yep. I like your hands. And—holy shit. You’re carrying me. Like, I’m just up in the air right now as if that’s a perfectly normal thing for a guy my size.”

I smile against Brad’s neck, his arms and legs wrapped around me tight like a clingy koala. His briefs dangle from his foot for a moment before dropping to the floor, the paper towel I used to clean us up long forgotten. I’ll take care of it later.

Right now, I have an inquisitive, kind-hearted man in my arms, and I have every intention of showing him that obsession he mentioned?

It goes both ways.

Chapter 23

Brad

Joey waits patiently as I step slowly down the ladder attached to the side of the dock. It’s warm today, the sun out as it’s been all morning. After sharing a lovely breakfast with Mama Delgado, Joey proposed going for a swim.

It’s not that I’m against that idea, evidenced by the fact that my toes are now dipping into the cool, shallow water. I just have a healthy fear of being swept away in an uncontrollable current and ending up lost at sea, aka at the bottom of it. Never mind the fact that we’re at an inlet where the water is relatively still compared to the beachfront just down the road. Caution is a good thing.

As is my nice orange life vest.

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