Page 6

“Eh. I’m an any time of day person.” I delivered the line with a wink. “And if you ever want a running buddy, holler.”

“I might.” Stu’s tone was cagey like he didn’t quite believe the offer.

“I’m serious. I’m still new in town. I wouldn’t mind adding a new friend.” For all that I didn’t want a relationship and all the associated heartbreak, I was a social guy, and the long stretches of solitude could bring me down. Having someone to pal around with could be nice, and Stu was remarkably easy to spend time with. “Benefits would be an added bonus but not required.”

“So that mention of a repeat wasn’t simply you being nice?” Stu leaned forward again.

“I don’t make offers I don’t mean.” I held his intense gaze.

“Ah.” His cheeks flushed dusky. “I couldn’t tell, but then again, I don’t have a ton of hookup experience.”

“That’s why you didn’t come back over?” I pushed aside my empty plate.

“Pretty much.” Stu shrugged, uncharacteristically shy. “The sex was spectacular. I just didn’t want to presume.”

“Presume away.” I leaned back in my chair, legs falling open, invitation clear.

“Good to know.” Stu cleared his throat before gathering our plates. “You still want to see my paintings? And then maybe stick around a while?”

“Absolutely.” I nodded. And while my dick was delighted at the second half of the invitation, I honestly did want to see more of his art. The more I learned about Stu, the more I enjoyed spending time with him. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

He led me to a detached garage he was using as a studio. Various completed paintings leaned against the unfinished walls. His style ranged from abstract, with more of the geometric elements he’d incorporated on the furniture in the house, to more realistic landscapes. Several spoke to the California connection with big waves and beachy scenes. I stepped closer to admire one that featured a line of colorful surfboards.

“You surf?”

“I used to when I was younger.” Stu gave a weighty sigh. “I was born in Hawaii, then my mom moved us to California after my dad died. I still surfed some, but it was hard to enjoy surfing without him along.”

“I feel that.” I nodded. The list of things I’d given up after my father was lost in the line of duty was long. My chest tightened, an unfamiliar sense of kinship with Stu. “My dad and I used to camp. Haven’t had much of a taste for it in years. He was a firefighter. Good guy.”

“I still miss mine too.” Stu held my gaze, and the moment stretched out. In addition to being a good listener, he was talented at making me feel seen and understood in ways I hadn’t in years. Stu stepped toward another painting, this one a sunrise over a beach. “This one is from a photograph of the Oahu town where I grew up.”

“It’s beautiful.” I wasn’t sure what else to say about such a deeply personal piece of art, the way the sunrise conveyed nostalgia and longing. “You’re really talented.”

“Thank you.” Stu bent to reveal a canvas behind the sunrise painting, this one more abstract with floral shapes and colors. “Teaching is my first love, but painting is my favorite creative outlet and stress relief.”

“Well, you’re damn good at it.” I bumped his shoulder with mine. “That the only form of stress relief you like?”

“No, but not a ton of opportunities for that.” He offered me a flirty smile. “The other day notwithstanding.”

“No time like the present.”

ChapterFour

Stu

“Indeed,” I agreed easily with Percy. I’d wanted a repeat as soon as I’d spied him on my front step. To be fair, I’d wanted a repeat moments after we’d finished last time, but Percy had been none too subtle about sending me on my way. I hadn’t wanted to presume his “we should do it again” had been anything other than parting nicety. I’d decided to let him seek me out, and while it took him long enough, he had. And he’d brought brownies, so I was in a giving sort of mood. I glanced at the dusty, scarred garage floor. “However, I’d rather not get busy in my studio. Besides, I’m too old to kneel on concrete.”

I gestured for Percy to follow me back toward the house.

“Amen to that.” Percy shut the side door to the garage behind us. As we entered my kitchen, he drew me against him from behind. “Is oral your favorite pastime? You said you like me leading, but I’m happy to indulge special requests.”

In case I missed his meaning, he gave my ass a firm squeeze before nuzzling my neck. I inhaled sharply, weighing my desire to make the most of this rare opportunity for sexy fun against prudence.

“Are you tested? It’s been a while since I bottomed, but I’ve got condoms and lube if you’re interested in fucking.” Both items were mainly for use with my hidden toy collection, but I was craving the real deal at the moment more than toys.

“Oh, I’m interested.” Percy drawled before nipping at my neck. “And yes, negative for everything, and I always play safe.”

“Good.” Decision made, I led him to my bedroom at the back of the house, wincing at my unmade bed, pile of books next to the bed, and full laundry hamper in the corner. I pushed the heap of covers aside and tossed a clean towel onto the bed. “I wasn’t exactly expecting guests, so apologies for the mess.”