Page 24 of Starfish and Coffee
Seeing they were alone, Alex set aside his spatula and jumped at Matt fast enough to make him jerk in surprise. He pulled at the collar of Matt’s shirt before he could complain, staring at the bite closer. He rubbed his fingers over the angry red mark, making sure he hadn’t broken the skin.
Matt grunted and shuddered in response, the prickle of goose bumps showing up without warning. Alex dropped his hand like he’d been burned when Matt’s reaction triggered something. For reasons he would never understand, rich straight boy Matt was one of the most sexually responsive men he’d ever come across and seeing it fueled a fire already threatening to rage out of control.
“Why didn’t you think to wear a higher-collared shirt?” Sexual frustration made Alex’s voice harsh.
“I didn’t notice it when I got dressed this morning. You’re not the only onehungover, Hunter.” Matt turned to give him a look. “You think you’re having a hard time with all this? Try walking a mile in my shoes.”
Alex understood hungover had become synonymous with sexually frustrated, confused, and terrified.
“I have walked a mile in your shoes. Many, many miles. Accepting you’re gay isn’t easy for anyone.”
Matt shook his head. “I’m not gay.”
Alex just stood there and gawked at him.
“What happened last night, then?” Alex finally asked when he found his voice. Then he leaned in and whispered in Matt’s ear, “You seemed pretty gay to me when you were getting off on watching me come on you.”
Alex expected him to deny it, but he didn’t. He just met Alex’s angry glare, the swirl of uncertainty in his light eyes mixing with something darker, more compelling.
Matt shrugged in defeat, because neither of them could deny the attraction. “Maybe I’m bi or something.”
“Or maybe you’re in massive denial.”
“Does it matter?” Matt asked. “Does it make a difference what label you put on it?”
“Yeah,” Alex said, the lust and frustration still colliding together to make him irrationally irate. “It fucking matters. I’m not gonna be some college boy’s experimental phase.”
“Do you want a ring instead?” Matt barked back, his voice every bit as harsh.
“Fuck you, Tarrington!”
Alex turned back to the flattop before he did something stupid like punch Matt in the face or kiss him until he lost that smug look.
“Fine, you’re gonna be a bitch about it,” Matt said, his tone suspiciously tight beneath the forced casualness. “That’s too bad. I was gonna invite you over after work.”
Did Matt just call him a bitch? And he had the absolute audacity to think he wasn’t gay?
“No fucking way.” Alex shook his head even if his cock jerked in argument. “Go find some other experimental phase, ’cause I’m not interested.”
Matt called out the blatant lie by laughing. Considering Matt was a virgin for all intents and purposes, he certainly was cocky and full of himself, which never stopped being annoying.
This whole thing was a major life complication Alex didn’t need.
He was going to ignore his now fully hard dick as he wondered how arrogant Matt would be pinned to the bed with Alex’s cock shoved up his ass.
Alex was still standing there battling with himself, the orders completely forgotten, when Matt turned to him. He crowded into his personal space and stood on his toes to whisper in Alex’s ear. “If you change your mind, I’m renting the big white house at the end of Bay Boulevard.”
“Good for you.” Alex tried to keep his voice even when everything in him responded to Matt being so close. “Now back off before someone sees you.”
“Tell me you know where it is first,” Matt countered, pressing close enough for Alex to feel the outline of Matt’s hard cock through his jeans and apron.
“Not a clue. I’ve been living on Mirabella my entire life, but I never noticed the huge fucking mansion at the end of Bay Boulevard,” Alex said sarcastically. He could not believe Matt was renting that place. “What’s wrong? Your mama’s estate not big enough for the both of you?”
“I just wanted my own space,” Matt said, completely unapologetic for the obscene abuse of wealth. “It is my year off life. I might as well enjoy it.”
Matt turned away after that, and Alex let out a breath. He felt shaky and turned on and more confused than ever. The last thing in the world he wanted to be was Matt Tarrington’s escape from reality, but everything in him was aching for just one more taste.
It made Alex angry. This was his reality.Every year. Working at Frank’s wasn’t just a bet, and being gay wasn’t a phase. Matt was spoiled and used to getting whatever he wanted. He was not going to give Matt the satisfaction of adding Alex to the list. Now all he had to do was convince his dick that pride was worth the sacrifice.
