Page 7 of Convenient Rivals

“I’m fine in that department. Thank you.”

“Fine. Interesting choice of word. Trust me, when I’m done with you, you won’t befine.You’ll be begging for more.”

“I’m just gonna go,” he said, before practically running from the place.

What the fuck had just happened? One minute they were talking about business, the next he was contemplating what Laurence could do to him. He wasn’t even attracted to him physically, but the things he said spoke to him on a subconscious level.

The last thing he wanted to do was go back to the office, and he wasn’t going to speak to his mother... not until he’d thought about what he wanted to say. Did she know Laurence was going to proposition her son within five minutes of their meeting? She’d set him up on some disastrous dates, but this was a new experience he hopec he never had to repeat. Oscar needed to get home and unwind, but knew he’d be restless. There had to be somewhere he could go to let off some steam.

The club was heaving. Wall to wall, topless Muscle Mary’s and their geeky admirers. He’d only been to the Nerds and Jocks night once before, and never on his own. In fact, he’d never been into a bar or club on his own before. There was always someone with him – usually his bestie, Abby, who would complain about how it was unfair to be surrounded by so many gorgeous men yet none of them wanted to fuck her.

Oscar just needed to find a body for some tension relief. A smaller body than his, which wouldn’t be difficult to find. He even towered over the muscle queens, although they didn’t interest him. There were plenty of geeks giving him the eye, but he knew they weren’t offering what he needed.

It wasn’t a big venue, with probably two hundred people at most inside, and it was five deep at the bar. A quick circuit to check out the talent, and he pushed through the crowd to get a drink. One advantage of being built like a brick shithouse was people got out of your way.

As he edged closer to the bar, he got a glimpse of the back of someone’s head... who looked familiar. But there was no way it could be him. Why would he be here? Oscar looked to the right of the guy who’d grabbed his attention, and smiled; that explained it.

There was an opening at the bar, so Oscar used his bulk to occupy the space, which resulted in a few twinky pouts and fluttering eyelashes. They could look all they wanted, but Oscar had his eyes on a particular man. Oscar grabbed the barman’s attention, who gave him a nod before coming over.

“Large vodka and diet Coke,” he said. “Gregory, what can I get you?”

Gregory Balfour spun round with a confused expression on his face, but once he saw it was Oscar, he glared. The guy was so adorable, and he didn’t even realise it.

“We can get our own drinks, thank you.”

“Like fuck. We’ve been waiting ten minutes,” said Jason.

Oscar knew Gregory’s friend, although to be fair, most of Soho knew who Jason was. Oscar had never been there, but he knew some of his friends had. The guy got around, but each to their own. Gregory was more of a puzzle, and one Oscar wanted to solve.

“Vodka, lime and soda for me, and a whisky and Coke with no ice for this one,” said Jason, motioning to Gregory with his head.

Oscar didn’t wait for a response from Gregory as he put the order in. The barman quickly made their drinks. Before Gregory could say anything, Oscar tapped his card to pay and passed Jason his drink, then picked up his own and Gregory’s before motioning for him to follow. Oscar wasn’t sure if he would.

“What are you doing here, Oscar?” asked Gregory.

“The same as you, I’m sure. Looking for a bit of tension relief after ahardweek.”

Gregory flushed before his glare was back again. He took his drink and mumbled a thank you. Even when he was pissed off, Gregory was still polite. They came from the same breeding.

“We are nothing alike.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Gregory. I think we could help each other out.”

He’d always flirted and gotten nowhere with Gregory. He knew tonight would not be any different.

“I wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire,” he snapped.

Why had that given Oscar a semi? He wasn’t even into that. There had always been something about Gregory which appealed, which is why he enjoyed winding him up. When he got all grouchy, it made Oscar’s body tingle all over.

“Where did Jason go?” he asked, trying to keep Gregory talking.

“He had his eye on someone.”

Oscar chuckled. “Let me guess. Some guy in his forties with muscles.”

Gregory smirked and then hid it by taking a sip of his drink.

“Was that a smile from Gregory Balfour?”

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