Page 43 of Private Exhibit
“Maybe I should sign that check over to him,” Devon whispered as though talking to himself. “It might not even be enough to cover all the debts he has piled up, but it would help. And it's not like I'm going to need it–”
“Whoa, sorry!” someone cried, stepping around one of the marble statues and nearly running into them.
Andy automatically reached for Devon, but the boy was fine. Never lost his footing. Andy looked up to see a young man stumbling back, smiling apologetically at them.
Then the young man looked at Andy and scowled. “Oh. Well if it isn't Doctor Asshole.”
Andy grimaced, recognizing him. It was one of his interviewees. The boy had been breathtakingly beautiful but almost annoyingly chipper.
The boy gasped, looking at Devon. “Oh! Hey. I remember you. You interviewed right after–” He broke off, looking from Andy to Devon and back. “Oh,” he deadpanned, then blinked and looked at them again, even taking a step back as he studied them. “Ohhells,” he said through a breathy gasp, his eyes going wide. “My gods, the sexual tension between you two. Holy shit. You guys clearly haven't banged yet but you shouldtoooootallybang. That would be epic.”
Devon turned right red.
“How could you possibly know that?” Andy couldn't help asking.
The boy tossed his head, making his golden curls bounce. “I was trained by a member of the Erosti Leisure Guild. I can usually read a person's sexuality and kinks from a mile away. And you two!” He fanned himself. “Yeah. Wow. Put you guys in front of a mirror or an audience, and the world might catch on fire.”
Devon gave a squeak of embarrassment.
And Andy felt his cock start to go hard.Holy hells. He shifted his stance, trying to think of anything other than sex.
Because he could picture it way too easily: himself and Devon in front of a mirror. Or, even better, in front of an audience, enjoying Devon's body while strangers watched them.Fuck. It sounded so hot.
“Speaking of an audience,” the boy said, “I need to get to work. I've got a shift at The Dungeon. That glory hole isn't going to fill itself.” He looked at Devon. “It was nice seeing you again.” He fluttered his fingers in a wave and practically danced away before either Andy or Devon could respond.
Andy cleared his throat. “Well. That was…”
“Yeah,” Devon breathed.
Andy frowned. “What the heck is the Erosti Leisure Guild?” he mumbled to himself.
“Um.” Devon shifted his stance. “They're basically glorified prostitutes. Highly revered on Erostil.” When Andy raised his eyebrows, Devon blushed again. “I read a lot when I'm…”
“Ah,” Andy murmured with a nod.When he's stuck in an attack, he realized. “It was video games for Junior,” he said quietly. “When he had use of his hands, anyway.” Andy glanced in the direction the other boy had gone, then cleared his throat again before shoving his hands into his pockets, trying to subtly adjust his pants. “We should–”
“Yeah,” Devon repeated.
They both hesitated before they continued walking.
The rest of the walk back was silent. Andy was achingly aware of the boy beside him, more than close enough to touch, but he resisted. Even just holding Devon's hand might make him burn.
But it all felt so right. A simple, quiet stroll. A perfect, quiet companionship on a truly beautiful evening.
They stopped to admire the jacaranda tree again, then continued on their way. Andy walked Devon right up to his apartment door. He waited there while Devon dug out his keys, then found himself blurting out, “I had a great time tonight.”
Devon smiled shyly. “Me, too.” He fiddled with his keys. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Thank you, again, for listening.”
Devon's smile turned bittersweet.
Fuck. Andy wanted to kiss him so badly, but he had to resist. He rubbed the back of his neck. “So I guess I'll see you tomorrow? Oh. No. Wait. It's the weekend. Isn't it?”
Devon nodded. “Mister Bokin did say tomorrow was optional, but I was thinking of going in.”
“You don't have to do that,” Andy made himself say. “You should enjoy your weekend.” And he meant it, knowing how little time Devon probably had left.But can I really go two whole days without seeing him?
Devon shrugged. “I think I only need one more day to clear the last of that pile on the desk. It would be nice to start fresh next week with the next project.”
