Page 3 of The Secret Experimentation
Cole turns my way and his gaze becomes intense. “What’s with the frown?” he asks.
Am I still frowning?I try to concealmy expression, giving my sandwich a huge bite. I moan, loving how the mayo and lettuce create the perfect marriage with the grilled bacon and tomato. The combination of sour, sweet, and salty explodes in my mouth, making me sink into a food orgasm.
“It’s like watching food porn.” Cole snorts. “Never met anybody who savors food as much as you do.”
I shrug.Like he hasn’t said it to me a thousand times before.
“Are you done packing?”
He nods.
“Are you sure you want to do it? You haven’t had any kind of contact with your family in years, and it’s the second time this month you’re going to see them.” I just want to make sure he doesn’t feel forced to do it. He doesn’t owe them anything.
“Not sure of fucking anything, but I need togo and be done with it.”
“Do you want me or Scott to come with you?”
“Nah. You need to hold the fort while I’m gone.” He waves a hand around the office. “And your brother is a snarly bear on his best day.”
True. Most people huff at my silent and broody behavior, till they meet my I-don’t-give-a flying-fuck brazen brother and start to appreciate my introverted ways.
An image of Mel’s euphoric joyfulness suddenly pops into my mind. He’s always full of energy and cheerfulness, it almost spreads from his pores outward and all around him. I’ve halted the smiles forming on my mouth more times than I can remember, not wanting to encourage his relentless flirting. And it looks like it worked. Why do I feel like something’s wrong?
Cole’s next question snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Did you go see how Scott renewed the place?”
“Not yet.”
“It looks great.”
My brother bought an old bar two months ago and turned it into a LGBTQIA+ cafe and bar, called AM&PM. I should have gone last week, but I fucking got lost in work as usual.
“Keep me updated on the Samson file. I’ll be back on Sunday night.”
He stands up, taking more time than it should to pull his body into a straight position, and walks out.
I throw away the sandwich paper and grab my glasses from the desk. I feel fucking ancient every time I try to read something and have to move the writing away from my face to make the letters less blurry. That’s the moment I usually remember I need my new black reading glasses. Forty-four is not old, but I’m getting there. Although I don’t feel any drastic change in my body—not counting the glasses. I’m still fit as fuck, thanks to my daily exercise regime and healthy eating—with the occasional slip—and my big bulk and quiet disposition attract the opposite sex quite easily. My last hook-up was three weeks ago, and she was beautiful and young, late twenties with a rocking body. Her breasts were big and juicy, and I played with them for what felt like hours. We had our fun twice, not counting the heavy petting in her car. Despite my OCD tendencies I like to get dirty when I fuck. An odd idiosyncrasy.
I should’ve exchanged numbers with her. Maybe she’d have been interested in a repeat. Remembering her ass, plump and bouncy on my cock, I have to adjust my suddenly too-tight jeans. An image of Mel’s high, round butt invades my thoughts, and I can’t stop my dick from jerking.What the fuck?
Yes, he has a very nice…posterior,peach-shaped and just the right amount of abundance, but he’s a dude. Not going there. I was thinking about…whatever her name was and got turned on. Only because I was already in that state did my very confused cock react to the weird direction my mind took…toward Mel.
Shaking my head and promising myself to go out this weekend to find another random hook-up—maybe at my brother’s bar—I put on my glasses, and a few minutes later I’m nose down and completely into my work.
Chapter 2
Thenovelacquaintance
The smell of salty ocean water, coconut sunscreen, grilled meat, and lemony margaritas turn the public beach where we’re lazing around into a slice of heaven.
Cuban music is playing from Kaiden’s small speakers, giving the relaxed mood a somehow easy and jovial undertone. Asher and Jordan are sitting on a beach towel, looking at the slow waves caressing the shoreline while whispering to one another. Asher has his boyfriend plastered to his front, legs cradling him, his huge body almost hiding Jordan’s—only some of his ginger locks are visible. The tattoo on his back is amazingly intricate and almost shiny under the bright sun.
Kaiden is sitting in a plastic chair, drinking cheap margarita in a can and chatting—more like monologuing—with Pete. The tattoo artist is taking care of the grill, glancing continuously and intensely at Daniel who’s dancing and laughing happily with Mel.
The little pixie is wearing tight red swimming trunks that leave nothing to the imagination. I can clearly see—with almost x-ray vision—the round curves of his luscious butt and the deep line between the two soft-looking, high cheeks. He has two dimples on his lower back and the tips of two small green-inked wings peek out from the edge of the red waistband. The sudden urge to push that swimsuit down to see the entire tattoo engulfs me, nearly making me take a step toward him. Fortunately, he turns to face me, his eyes are closed, a small smirk tilting his lips. Enjoying the music. The breeze is gently ruffling his thick, loose brown hair. His sun-kissed cheeks are pink, lips red—covered with that strawberry lip balm he likes so much. I can almost smell it from here. He’s tiny but harmonious, all long lines, elegant arches, and graceful movements. I feel the impulseto reach out to him.
Once again, I’m frowning at my thoughts. And at my eyes. Why am I studying him so closely? And why the damn hell am I still looking at him? Since I came to the beach, after a quick greeting, Mel stayed away from me, not even sparing a glance. Which means that Pete was right. Mel’s finally put a stop to his flirting.
