Page 34 of Daily Grind
He knew that. Still, it was a relief to act on the truth. Unexpected tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. “It’s hard to explain.” Especially since hestilldidn’t feel any different.
Wasn’t he supposed to feel different?
“You don’t have to.” Rob said. His kiss was lazy and loving and exactly what Brian needed.
They separated and Brian glanced down. Two naked bodies, flush from sex and covered in spunk. Rob’s lean legs were still tangled with his, his cock flaccid against red curls. “God, you’re fucking beautiful.”
Rob kissed his cheek. “So are you. Tall Americano, indeed.”
He covered his eyes with his arm. “I’d like to think I’m more than a shot of espresso and a bunch of water. Americanos are soeasy.”
“You’re delectable.” Rob’s lips were against his. “And you certainly do wake me up.”
Brian slid his arm off his eyes and peered at Rob. “Why me?”
“Mmm. I could ask you the same question.” Rob smoothed a hand over Brian’s chest, raising goose bumps on his cooling skin. “Truth is, you’re a handsome man. You responded to my flirting and you kiss like you were born to make love with your mouth… but most of all… I like you quite a bit. You’re something of a kindred spirit, I think.”
Not quite the answer he’d expected—though he hadn’t known what to expect at all. “Kindred spirit?”
Rob stroked his cheek again. “You’re a businessman and you care about your community. You’re passionate about your art and you’re a bit on the self-sacrificial side.”
Oh. He rolled the words around in his brain. Yeah, all true, even the martyr type. “So not just a hot guy you wanted to fuck?”
Rob’s smile was indulgent. “That, too. But I told you, I’m not in this just for the sex.”
“Neither am I.” Another thought rolled through his head. “This counts as sex, yes?” He thought it did.
“Frotting? Blowjobs? Absolutely.” Rob kissed him on the nose. “Mind if I leave you for five seconds to get cleaned up?”
Not a bad idea. “Bathroom’s over there.” He waved in the vaguely correct direction. “I should do that, too. Except I’m not sure I can move.”
Rob rose from the bed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He headed toward the bathroom. “Linens?”
“Little closet inside.” Brian closed his eyes. He’d had sex with a man—with Rob. No fall of rainbow glitter. No feeling that he was a new and changed man. Only the realization that he had finally stopped hiding.
A few moments later, Rob knelt on the bed. “I brought a flannel and towel.”
Flannel? He sat up and examined the offered items. Oh, washcloth. “Thanks.” He took both and wiped himself off.
“Hamper?”
He waved off in the other direction and his head swam. “Fuck.”
He heard the basket open and close, then the bed rocked. “Are you all right?” Rob’s face was lined with concern.
“Yeah.” He settled back on the mattress. “Tired as all hell, though.”
“Good,” Rob said. “You need the rest.” He yanked at the covers. “Under you go.”
Brian groaned but did as told, then shivered with joy when Rob slid in next to him. “Staying?”
“Planned to, unless it’s a problem.”
He pulled Rob close. “Never. Never ever ever.” Because he was entirely done in by this man, even now. A definite connection had formed between them. He’d run with that as he had with every person he’d dated. Maybe this time, everything would work.Please, please.
The last thing he was aware of was a brush of Rob’s lips against his forehead, then sleep dragged him down into darkness.
* * *
