Page 120 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“What do you think, Wyl?”
“Dos Equis works for me.”
“Make that two.”
She left, and they dug into the delicious creamy clam chowder, spooning a bit of the sourdough boule with each bite. The server arrived with pints of Dos Equis, and they drank down the cold beer while finishing the chowder.
“Wow, fantastic lunch!” Wyl wiped his mouth.
“I always try to enjoy at least one meal of chowder while in San Francisco, but the city includes so many great restaurants it’s hard to choose.”
They paid their tab, donned their caps, and walked over to the area where the sea lions basked in the sun. In the distance, the spires of the Golden Gate Bridge reached for the blue sky.
“We are lucky to have a day with no fog,” Rod said, glancing at his husband.
“I could so kiss you right now.” Love flooded Wyl’s chest as he gazed at the man who captured his heart. Not only was Rod sexy as hell, but he also filled a gap Wyl didn’t know existed until that fateful day last year.
“Stop looking at me with those lusty eyes, Wyl Sterling.” Rod bumped Wyl’s shoulder. “I’m already half-hard. You’re the one who’s sex on two legs in that ball cap.”
Wyl aimed an air kiss at Rod before turning his attention to the sea lions. He heard Rod sigh and, out of the corner of his eye, noticed Rod studying the sea lions, too.
“I wonder if sea lions think each other is sexy?” Rod asked.
Wyl laughed. “Talking of being sexy is NOT helping. Besides, they’re not wearing ball caps.”
Rod bumped his shoulder against Wyl’s. “What are we going to do? I can’t leave this railing.”
“We need to think of something else. How about them Rangers?”
Rod looked through the crowd on the pier. “I don’t see any park rangers around here.”
Wyl spoke through a chuckle, “I meant Texas Rangers. You know...baseball?”
“Oh. Uh-huh. Sexy muscle-hunk ball players. Talk about not helping...”
“How about the law enforcement kind?”
“Uh-huh. Sexy authority figures in uniform.”
“Shut up!” Wyl said. “Now it’s you who isn’t helping.” He nudged Rod’s elbow. “Don’t turn around. I think Mitzi is lurking in the shadows behind us.”
“Where?” Rod started to turn.
“No!” Wyl whispered. “Don’t. She’ll know we saw her. Let’s amble off to your left.”
They walked toward the bus stop at the entrance to Pier 39.
“Let’s catch the bus.” Rod pulled Wyl’s sleeve and hurried toward the bus stop. “We need to get home.”
They boarded the bus, which took them in the direction of their condo, and sat side by side.
“Do you think we gave Mitzi the slip?” Rod asked as they took their seats on the bus.
Wyl blew in Rod’s ear. “I made it up so we could get to the bus without our turned-on status being obvious.”
“Boy, are you gonna get it when we get back to the condo,” Rod whispered in Wyl’s ear, blowing in it and giving Wyl a taste of his own medicine. “You in that ball cap is so sexy.”
Wyl chuckled. “If you keep that up, I won’t be able to get off this bus without it being obvious you turn me on, too.”
