Page 13 of Counterpoint
You’re lovely, Dominic. And I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Then he’d prove it to the man. Words. Actions. At least for one night. Perhaps more.
Took another several minutes to cover the distance from the subway to the bar. When he was close, Adrian slowed his steps and tugged at his clothing. No time to go home and change. Hopefully he wasn’t too rumpled from the commute. He’d chosen a gray plaid paired with a purple shirt and a tie full of pinks and reds and blues. One of hisyes, I’m hella queer, but so much better dressed than youlooks. It was always interesting to note whose heads he turned as he travelled.
Several people gave him the once-over when he entered Poet and Whiskey, but he paid them no mind. He only had interest in one man tonight.
Took exactly one glance to find Dominic. He was tucked against the far wall in a corner, sitting on that long bench in front of a table for two, and yes, he had his glass of wine. But he wasn’t reading his poetry—no. He was staring at Adrian like a man in a desert who’d just spied water. Moist lips. Wide eyes. He swallowed, and the smile that lit his face warmed every part of Adrian.
Hell, this was going to be fun.
Adrian crossed the bar and ignored the chair on the other side of the table. Instead, he sat next to Dominic on the bench, their legs brushing. “I’m sorry I got hung up.”
“It’s all right.” Dominic leaned toward him, closing what little space there was between them. “I’m good at waiting.”
“Are you?” He reached to cup Dominic’s neck—but hesitated. “May I?” A simple thing, to seek permission. But so important if he were going to do everything as right as he could.
A lovely blush and a nod. “Yes.” A breathless answer.
So Adrian caught his neck and pulled him close enough that their lips nearly touched. “A kiss?”
“Please.” Almost a moan, that.
Took nothing to move that fraction of space, delve into that needy and tantalizing mouth. Dominic tasted of red wine and so much want.
Oh yes, he’d have his man in his bed tonight. No doubts about that. “I’m glad you waited for me, Dominic.” He spoke against those sweet lips, then sat back.
A nice flush had spread down Dominic’s neck. “So am I.” He met Adrian’s gaze. “You look amazing, by the way, in that suit.”
Adrian touched Dominic’s bowtie. This one was silk, with blue and green jewel tones and hints of gold, paired with a pale yellow shirt. “Thank you. You’re quite the dapper man, yourself.” Once more, he’d worn jeans, and this pair was so tight his arousal was almost indecently apparent. “And utterly beautiful.”
There was that swallow again, but right before Dominic spoke, a waiter coughed from the other side of the table.
Damn. But they were getting ahead of themselves. They both turned, and Adrian gave the gentleman a smile. His nametag read Greg and he was blushing a little himself.
Greg cleared his throat again. “Can I get you something to drink?” He handed Adrian a menu.
Wine would be nice. He eyed Dominic’s half-empty glass. “Would you be up for sharing a bottle of something red?”
A sultry smile, and Dominic leaned back against the bench. “Sure.”
He glanced over the list and picked out a mid-priced Spanish wine. When Greg left, Adrian returned his full attention to Dominic. “We should decide on meals before we get too lost in each other again.”
That earned him a chuckle. “I already know what I want. But I suppose I should have some food, too.” He raised an eyebrow. “You gonna sit in your chair?” Dominic nodded at the empty seat across from him.
“Do you want me to?”
A slow shake of his head.
“Then not on your life.” Adrian nudged him farther into the corner, then rotated their table ninety degrees so they could more easily share it. “This is far more cozy.”
“It’s like you want me trapped,” Dominic murmured. The blush was still there, but there was an energetic edge to his smile and his gaze. Like he was winning whatever game they were playing.
Which, perhaps, was true. Adrian had the feeling they were both winning tonight.
“You could still slip out.” He gestured to the other end of the table. There was enough room to squeeze between it and the wall.
“So there is.” Dominic slid farther up the bench and shoved the table tight against the wall.
