Page 55 of Refraction

“I’m thinking I will. I like how they make you moan. I just have to do it.”

Oh God. “Really? On a public sidewalk?” His cheeks were on fire, but he was more than blushing now. Still, he really liked that Tucker knew that, and that it mattered.

“Well, I doubt I can trim and walk at the same time, but if you have a pair of scissors at your place, I can fix myself up to make sure and thank you for today.”

“Ha!” He laughed. “You totally would too, wouldn’t you? Waltz right into my bathroom with my scissors.” Tucker wasn’t joking, Calvin knew that, but the idea made him laugh. “Lemme just trim up here so I can blow your mind.”

“Of course. I mean, I can stop at a drugstore and buy my own scissors or use a pocketknife, although that chafes.”

“Baby.”I am falling for you so hard.“You are too good to me.” He wanted to climb into Tucker’s jacket with him. There were times he’d be happy to disappear into Tucker, completely. Sometimes it was hard to get close enough.

“I want to hear you make that sound, the one you make when you’re fixin’ to come for me.” Tucker’s voice poured over him like honey.

He made a sound? Other than his heart trying to beat out of his chest? “You better kiss me if you’re going to talk like that, tiger.” He stopped walking and pulled on Tucker’s collar.

“You got it, honey.” Fearless and happy, Tucker kissed him like there was nothing on earth Tucker wanted more.

Worked for him—there was nothing he wanted more either. Their little tongue battle made him grin, each of them wanting a little control. He loved it.

He heard his cell phone ringing in his pocket but ignored it.

Tucker broke the kiss, eyelids heavy. “Taxi, honey. So we can get you home.”

Home? Oh, they were still on the sidewalk. Right. “Yes. Get me home.” He let Tucker see him lick his lips and then stepped to the curb to hail a cab.

It wasn’t a long trip. They headed down the east side to avoid Times Square, and it worked out great. He did have time to check the message on his phone, though. “Michael.”

Calvin. You’re a finalist for the Calvin Klein gig. I need you at your best next week. Four days. Call me tomorrow.

Whoa.

“I got the Calvin Klein audition.” He stared at his phone. “Holy shit.”

“No shit? Oh, honey! That’s good, right?”

“It’s really good. It’s exactly what I wanted! Oh my God.” He paid the cab driver and pulled Tucker out of the cab. “Oh my God. Four days next week. Shit, tiger. I guess you’ll get a lot of work done.” He laughed. “I didn’t think this day could get any better.”

Tucker laughed, swinging him around. “Damn, honey! Good for you.”

He laughed, arms around Tucker’s neck until Tucker let him down. He couldn’t stop smiling, though. “Wow. What’s today, Wednesday?” He could have brunch with Tucker tomorrow, work out later in the afternoon, and then he’d have to be super careful after that. Oh. Tucker needed dinner. “What do you want to eat, baby? I’ll steal a bite. I’m celebrating.”

Tucker patted his hand. “I want pizza. Do you like pizza?”

“Who doesn’t like pizza?” It didn’t always love him when he ate too much of it, but it was just a bite or two. “There’s a great place right around the corner.” He wondered how many finalists there were. He figured he’d find out when he called Michael in the morning. “Wow.”

“I know, right? I’m proud. That’s damn cool.” Tucker grinned at him, eye lines crinkling. That was going to be so hot when Tucker was older.

“Huh. You’re the first person who’s ever said that to me. Thank you.” He never expected his parents to be; that was understood early on. He leaned on Tucker as they headed up the block.

Tucker held him, just as stable and strong as could be. “Well, I hate that no one’s said it, but I’m glad you know how I feel now.”

“I do, thank you, tiger. And it’s okay. I haven’t done much to be proud of until now anyway.” He pointed. “Two Boots. Best pizza in the city.”

Calvin was impressed with how many slices Tucker could put away. The cowboy didn’t hold back, that was for sure. He had three big bites and a big cup of water and was plenty full, so they both went back to his place happy.

Happy and horny, if Tucker’s grabby hands were any indication of things.

He played at slapping Tucker’s hands off his ass and ducking Tucker’s kisses all the way home. He wasn’t above teasing, and he was loving the way it made Tucker’s eyes narrow and his jaw square up.

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