Page 57 of Salacious Star

That wasn't just me?

He looked at me, his hazel eyes searching over my face for a long moment before his lips twitched up in a smile.

"Yeah, baby boy," he agreed softly. "That was different."

He leaned forward and captured my lips in a soft kiss, affectionate and entirely removed from anything sexual, and I sighed into his mouth as I kissed him back. My heart fluttered at his agreement, and I swallowed down any words that wanted to spill out when he pulled away.

Not the fucking time, Xan.

My heart didn't agree with my mind's sound logic, but the next moment, Tristan reached over and turned the water of the shower off, and he smiled at me as he reached up and shoved a wet lock of hair off my forehead.

"Come on, baby boy," he said, pushing the shower door opening and letting in the cooler air of the bigger dressing room. "Let's get dressed and get some food. How do you feel about sushi?"

He reached down and twined his fingers with mine before tugging me out of the shower, and I went, a stupid grin on my face as he continued to chatter on, filling the silence as we dried off, and then got dressed to go out for a late lunch date.

God, this fucking man.

26

Tristan

Gunner's was loud, which was typical for a Friday night, and I slid into our usual booth near the front door as I waved at Mark, and waited for Brandon.

My phone buzzed when I pulled it out of my pocket, and I couldn't stop the smile that curved my lips up as I saw that Xander had texted.

Xander: I'm pretty sure boyfriends keep each other company on Friday nights...but I guess that this little guy will do.

The text was accompanied with a picture of him snuggling a stuffed moose, one that looked like it had seen better days.

I texted back, the grin on my face unable to be contained.

Tristan: Was that little moose yours, or did you go and buy it from the thrift store for a bit?

"You know, if I were you, I would be embarrassed at how happy I look staring at my phone."

Brandon's voice was warm and amused as he slid into the booth across from me, holding two beers. He slid one across the table at me, and I set my phone down as I took the drink from my friend with a grin.

"Most men aren't secure enough in themselves to recognize a good thing when they have it," I countered, lifting the glass in a mock toast.

Brandon's eyes widened, and his lips stretched in a sharp smile. "Oh, burn," he teased, taking a sip of his beer.

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced down, laughing aloud at the message.

Xander: Now see, thinking that far ahead for a text message joke would be sad and pathetic. But...not as sad and pathetic as you thinking that I would hold on to a stuffed animalfor fifteen years. So....whichever you think is better? :pouty face emoji:

"Oh, God, you're fucking gone for this guy," Brandon said, drawing my attention again.

I looked at him, and there was no derision on his face, only genuine happiness for me.

"Yeah," I admitted. I blew out a breath, my stomach squirming as I glanced around - as if anyone would be listening in on us, ha - and then returned my attention to my friend. "I don't know what it is about him, Bran. He's just...gotten under my skin."

Brandon's expression sobered a little, and he looked at me contemplatively. "I can't remember the last time that you seriously dated someone," he finally said.

"Ricky, right after I started working for the studio," I said, shaking my head. "He thought that dating a porn star would be hot, until he realized that italsomeant that I had to sleep with other people."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "American education system left behind that one, didn't it?"

I nodded, my stomach twisting when I glanced down and saw that Xander had sent me another text. A good, warm twist.

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