Page 22 of Gin & Sin (Last Call #2)

TWENTY-TWO

STEWART

Sitting at the dining room table with Kit’s friends should feel a lot weirder than it actually does, especially because they know what we’ve been doing up in his room, but everyone chats and acts like I’m always part of their meals.

Lowen finishes filling a champagne glass with mimosa for me, then he sits elegantly, gazing at me with a serene expression. “It’s still snowing, you know.”

“Is it?” Kit asks, putting bacon on his plate before passing the tray to me. “Any idea when it’s expected to stop?”

“Forecast says all day today,” Salem replies. “Supposed to stop overnight.”

“Guess none of us are going anywhere for a while,” Indy says, nuzzling his lover’s neck.

Salem smiles warmly, carding his fingers through Indy’s hair. “Hope PDA doesn’t bother you, Professor. We’re still in the honeymoon phase.”

“You’re married?” I ask. Laughter erupts around the table. “What?”

“Ignore them.” Lowen waves his hand dismissively. “Indy’s not exactly the marrying type, but if we’ve learned anything, it’s that the right person can make all the difference.”

Indy’s eyes are trained on Salem, and as the two close the space between them and kiss, my stomach does a little flip. When I turn my head, Kit is also watching them. Does he want what they have, or does he want one of them?

My answer comes quickly when his hand moves to my thigh under the table and he rubs it, shifting his gaze to me.

“I have a feeling Salem and Indy will always be in the honeymoon phase,” Jerryn says. “It’s… inspirational.”

“Aww, are you getting bitten by the love bug too, Jerr?” Ridley asks. His tone is teasing, but I can hear the clear affection in it.

Jerryn turns his gaze to his plate, stealing a brief glance at Bane beside him. “It’s not like that. It’s just…” He pauses, exhaling slowly before lifting his head. “Relationships aren’t easy. It’s hard to find your person, so when you do, it’s almost like a miracle. Seeing someone you love like a brother find his gives hope to the rest of us.”

Bane squeezes the back of his friend’s neck, and if I was a betting man, I’d think there’s a lot more going on there than just friendship. Lowen stares off into the distance while Ridley chomps on a piece of bacon and Indy and Salem finally stop kissing.

“What about you?” Lowen asks, directing his gaze to me. “What’s your story?”

“Um, like, in general?”

“You’re intriguing to us. You’re not Kit’s usual type.”

“And he doesn’t have to answer any of your questions,” Kit grumbles, squeezing my knee.

“I know I’m not. I’ve never been called a twink in my life.”

Ridley chuckles. “Same.”

I glance at Kit, who’s nervously watching me.

“I’m in the midst of a sexual awakening, aided by this handsome man next to me.”

Kit grins, nodding.

“I didn’t know I was bi.” I turn my attention back to Lowen, only to find everyone listening. “I was married most of my adult life, to a woman, but it stopped being a healthy relationship years ago.”

“Another divorcée.” Lowen smiles.

“You too?”

He nods. “Yes, but I’ve been gay since the womb.”

I laugh softly. “I used to wish I knew sooner, but I kinda don’t now. Experiencing all my firsts with Kit isn’t exactly a hardship.”

I notice Lowen’s gaze turn to Kit, and the way he shifts in his chair. Maybe I’m going too far. I don’t want to freak Kit out.

“It’s just casual with us, but it’s been great. I appreciate that he took a chance on me.”

Kit scoffs. “Like it was hard. Don’t demean yourself or downplay the catch that you are. You’re not a charity fuck, babe.”

I’m aware of my cheeks blazing red so I focus on my food, digging into the perfectly grilled hash browns. “This looks so good.”

“Thanks,” Bane says. “Me and Jerryn liked to make elaborate meals on the weekend back in Seattle. The snowstorm gave us the downtime we needed to do it up.”

“I really appreciate being able to stay here while my water heater is out.”

Lowen smiles. “It’s not an issue. Each of us has our space, so we can do what we want with it without imposing on anyone else. Besides, I’ve always felt the more the merrier.”

“Same.” Ridley puts his fork down for a second. “When I inherited this house, I was so overwhelmed, I figured I would just sell it, but as usual, the guys showed up for me and we turned it into a dream. Someday I hope that double the amount of people live here when we’re all coupled up.”

Lowen rolls his eyes. “Well then there might need to be a throuple or two brewing between us because I’m never coupling up again.”

Ridley grins. “Dude. You’re so asking for it with that kind of attitude.”

“Agreed,” Bane says. “Speaking of, how’s our favorite contractor doing these days? Has he managed to assess you?”

Now Lowen looks absolutely disgusted. “As if I would say. A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Oooh, so he did?” Bane teases.

“You guys are such asses,” Indy says. “Leave him alone.”

Lowen’s expression softens as he looks at Indy, mouthing ‘thank you’ before flipping Bane off.

“Is that your ultimate goal, Professor?” Salem asks.

“Please call me Stewart.”

Salem nods.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I continue. “What goal?”

“You know, coupledom. Marriage, long-term commitment, or is this just a fling?”

“None of your fucking business,” Kit says. “Jeez.”

It seems like time freezes as everyone stops what they’re doing and focuses on Kit. He looks annoyed, with his brow deeply creased and lips tight.

“Sorry,” he mumbles. “I don’t want Stewart to feel put on the spot, is all.”

I rub Kit’s back, smiling. “These are your best friends and they obviously care about you. They want to make sure I’m a decent person. I get it.”

Kit’s expression softens as he nods. “You’re right. Sorry for being a dick, Salem.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t trying to pry. Just making conversation.”

We all go back to eating for a minute, until I choose to answer the question.

“Honestly, I don’t know yet.”

Salem smiles, nodding. “That’s okay.”

“I’m having an amazing time with Kit, and it’s been…” I shrug. “At the risk of sounding dramatic, this experience has been life-changing. I don’t know if any of you have struggled with your sexuality, but accepting and affirming it is the most incredible thing I’ve ever done.”

“That’s beautiful,” Jerryn says.

I feel Kit’s gaze, but I resist looking at him. I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m afraid of what I’ll see. Or maybe I’m afraid of what he’ll see in my eyes.

“We’re gonna watch holiday movies after this,” Indy says. “You guys in?”

Kit squeezes my knee under the table. “We’ll catch up later. We’ve got some unfinished business to handle upstairs.”

My stomach does a whole-ass somersault, and even as I blush, I grin from the knowledge of what he’s going to do to me. I’m finally going to experience a man’s cock inside me, and if I’m lucky, I’ll get to return the favor. I can hardly sit still just thinking about it.

Kit leans close, his breath warm on my cheek before he nuzzles my neck. “Eat up, gorgeous. You need your strength for what I’m going to do to you.”

I turn my head to face him. He’s so close, we’re breathing each other’s air. “Same to you, handsome.”

A sexy smile spreads across his lips, and for a moment, no one exists but me and him. He presses a quick kiss to my lips, surprising me because his friends are present, but the move warms me at the same time.

I really need to be careful here. Kit is some kind of dream come true, but my logical side knows this isn’t anything I can hang my hat on long term. He’s made that clear. I’ll enjoy it for as long as I can and do my best to keep my pining heart out of it.