Page 13 of The Head Game

“Anyway, I am not prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people,” August pointed out. “I merely think your behavior is inappropriate during a game.”

“Oh, so you’d rather I flirt with you after a game. Got it.” Arents tucked a lock of blond hair behind his ear and August idly wondered how he wasn’t absolutely freezing without a toque on. He would be the type to be more concerned about his looks than staying warm.

“That is not what I—”

“Sure. You keep telling yourself that.”

God, he was infuriating.

“Well, as pleasant as this chat has been, I really do need to go,” August said, stepping sideways and skirting around Arents.

But he caught the sleeve of August’s peacoat. “Why? Have some place to be? Someone to get home to?”

August glanced over his shoulder. “No. Not anymore.”

Shit.

The drinks must have loosened his tongue. That was a little more honest than he’d intended and if the flicker of curiosity that crossed Arents’ face was any indication, he’d picked up on it.

“Why are you hanging around here anyway?” Arents asked, his tone surprisingly soft.

“I told you earlier, I was heading back to my hotel and decided to walk,” August insisted. “It’s only five or six blocks.”

Arents looked around, his expression skeptical. “In this weather?”

Their breath steamed, big rolling clouds of white billowing out from their lips like smoke. “I needed the fresh air to clear my head.”

“Sure.” If anything, Arents’ expression grew more skeptical. “But I wonder if maybe you’re looking for something else.”

August blinked. “Like what?”

“Like … a little fun.” Skeptical had become assessing and August belatedly realized he still had a grip on his sleeve.

August squared his shoulders, subtly trying to pull away. “Unlike you, I don’t go prowling around looking for hookups.”

“Prowling?” Arents looked oddly delighted by his choice of words.

“Well, whatever it is you do. You have a reputation, you know.”

“Oh, do I?” Arents’ grin widened and he leaned in. “Let me guess. It’s about how good I am in bed. They’re probably saying a kiss from me will leave a person weak in the knees and after a night in bed … they’ll never be the same.”

August let out a disbelieving snort. “Yeah, right.”

He’d never felt that way about anyone. As raw as he was about Daniel a year after their breakup, as much as he still wanted him, he’d never felt like that about him.

“I could always show you.” Arents’ tone was silky. He leaned in until August could feel his warm breath against his cheek.

It sent a shiver through August, though he wasn’t cold.

If anything, he was beginning to feel a little warm under the collar.

Something about this stupid banter was getting him going, making his heart beat faster. Some of the terrible feeling building in him all night had receded, replaced by bright anger.

“You’re so arrogant,” August shot back. “Convinced everyone will fall all over themselves to get a piece of you.”

Arents hummed quietly. “How about I give you a little demonstration right now?”

August sneered. “There’s nothing you could do to make me want you.”

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