Page 66 of Daily Grind
Brian laughed. “Sneezing and coughing all over your customers and their drinks issoin style.” His voice quieted. “I’m sorry.”
He clicked his tongue. “Happens. So you’re off at eight, then?”
“And I work opening tomorrow.”
Of course he did. That was a pretty regular thing. As was working all twelve hours the shop was open. Wasn’t tenable in the long run. “I still need to bring you your bike.”
A long pause. “If you bring the bike tonight, do you think you could… stay? I really want to see you and I feel like shit about—”
“Yes.” Spend the night with Brian? Any night. Every night, if that wouldn’t fuck both their sleep schedules. Couldn’t get enough of the man in his arms.
An exhale. “Thank you.”
“Bri.” He kept his voice soft, despite his closed office door. “Life happens. You can thank me after I make you come tonight.”
That earned him a groan. “Unfair.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be in my suit.”
“Completely unfair.” Rob’s voice was quiet, but gritty. “I’m around customers, you know.”
“Mmm.” Yeah, that could be problematic, couldn’t it? Heat pooled in his belly and he pressed a palm against his hardening dick. “Sorry.”
“Liar.” Brian laughed and a bell rang in the background. “I gotta go. Pick me up at eight thirty?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Can’t wait. See you then.”
They both said good-bye and hung up.
Well, change of plans, but not entirely. A night of Brian next to him in bed? He’d take those when he could.
* * *
Rob lingeredin the office until six, folded his suit jacket, stuffed it into his backpack, and rode his bike home. After a shower and a quick bite to eat, he got Brian’s bike mounted onto his car, then packed a few things before standing in his closet and contemplating suits.
He could put back on the one he’d been wearing. Dark blue. Professional enough. Or perhaps gray or black.
Which one would appeal to Brian the most? Turn him on? Make him hard? He didn’t know. Brian had loved his tan suit—perhaps that? Didn’t feel quite right, either.
Power games or fashion? Both. Brian was an artist and appreciated aesthetics. If he wanted something more than that, Rob was happy to oblige. He pulled out a suit he’d have worn to a board meeting—dark brown and perfectly tailored. A nod to his tan suit but more appropriate for the time of day. He paired it with a crisp white shirt. After a moment of thought, he pulled out his black-and-gold-striped tie, far too aware of the Pittsburgh connection withthatchoice.
Brian had been born here. He’d appreciate the thought, no doubt.
He was a minute late by the car’s clock when he stopped in front of Grounds N’at. Brian’s smile was a brilliant and welcome sight when he opened the passenger door and slid in.
“Hey.” He swallowed. “Shit, you look good.”
Couldn’t help his own smile. “Glad you like it.” Took a bit to get to Brian’s place—his street was relentlessly one-way, and often parked up. “I don’t suppose you have a driveway…”
“Actually…” Brian pointed at the narrow alley between his building and the next. “There’s spots in back. No one uses them, though.”
Probably because driving between the brick walls was like threading a needle. But Rob managed.
No fooling around on the stairs—not with Brian holding a bike in his hands, but once they were up in the apartment and the bike safely stowed, Brian stepped back.
Rob had never seen that hungry a look from Brian before.
