Page 29 of Gin & Sin (Last Call #2)

TWENTY-NINE

STEWART

Stepping into a packed Moby’s takes me back to the night I bravely did the same thing. That decision changed my life for the better. I glance around, looking for an empty spot and Kit, until my gaze lands on a small table near the bar with a little stand on it that says ‘Reserved for Professor Hanley.’ Seriously? That’s so nice.

Salem spots me as he comes around the corner carrying a plate of wings. He smiles and nods in the direction of the reserved table. I walk over and sit down, feeling slightly awkward as I look around.

“Hey there.”

A man’s voice draws my attention to my left to see the source. He’s tall, bearded, covered in tattoos, and I’d guess about twenty years younger than me. Without invitation, he slides into the chair across from me.

“Don’t tell me,” he says. “You’re waiting on a date.”

“Um…”

“But since your date isn’t here yet, I’m gonna go out on a limb and hope you date guys, and if you do, that you’ll let me be your next date.”

His comment stuns me into silence. “What?”

“I’m asking you out, handsome. I’m Gentry, by the way.”

I must look like an idiot, my mouth opening and closing as my scrambled brain looks for words. This very hot man wants to take me out? Two months ago I wouldn’t have imagined a situation like this.

“If it’s too awkward to answer me, that’s okay.” He pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and produces a card. “My personal cell is on there. What’s your name?”

“My name?”

Gentry chuckles. “You have one, right?”

“Uh, yes, of course. Stewart.”

“That’s nice. You date men, right?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Sweet. Hope I hear from you, Stewart.”

Then he’s up and moving into the busy restaurant, leaving me stunned. Before I can finish processing that interaction, Lowen slides into the vacated chair.

“Hi. Kit will be right out. How are you tonight?”

“Fine. Good.” I clear my throat. “Did you see that guy who was just sitting here?”

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“No. He asked me out.”

Lowen smiles, glancing down at the card on the table. “What do you think of that?”

“It’s weird. I wasn’t sure I would be appealing to anyone at my age. Especially younger men.”

“But now you know you are.”

“I thought Kit was a fluke. He is, just not in the way I thought.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“He’s far more than I anticipated. I was looking for someone to break the seal with, you know? All I wanted was to experience sex with a man. I didn’t expect to find someone so…” I shake my head as Lowen tilts his. “So everything. He’s kind and thoughtful and… sexy. He’s helped me see myself in a new light.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“It is.”

“But you still want to date? You want to explore what else is out there?”

His questions cause a swift internal rejection and before I can stop myself, I blurt, “No.”

Lowen’s expression softens. “No?”

“Please don’t tell Kit. He should hear it from me but… Shit. I shouldn’t ask you to keep a secret. You’re one of his best friends.”

Lowen puts his hand over mine. “You can talk to me. I doubt you’re about to say anything that would be upsetting.”

“No.” I study Lowen’s eyes for a moment, deciding to confide in him. “I want this to continue. I want to see where it goes. I’m not at all interested in anyone else.”

“Good.” He sits back in his chair, his eyes shifting as the door opens and Oakley, the burly contractor, enters.

I can literally see the moment Lowen’s guard goes up, but his body leans in Oakley’s direction. I know enough about psychology to understand the war of emotions Lowen is waging right now. Oakley’s eyes settle on Lowen and his face lights up as he confidently walks in our direction.

“Hey,” he says, acknowledging me with a nod. “Water heater good?”

“Yes, thanks.”

He looks at Lowen again. “Busy night.”

Lowen nods back, standing slowly. “Cabin fever got the best of everyone. Are you meeting someone?”

Ooh. Yeah, there’s jealous curiosity in that tone.

“Nope,” Oakley says, as his eyes roam up and down Lowen’s lithe physique. “Just came to grab some dinner and maybe a drink.” Oakley glances around. “Not sure there’s anywhere to sit though.”

“We’ll find you a spot,” Lowen says.

“Thanks.”

The two stand gazing at each other like they’re alone. I wonder what’s keeping them apart, but it’s none of my business. Lowen leads Oakley off, and just as they move out of my line of vision, Kit appears. My stomach does a somersault. He’s not wearing his Moby’s t-shirt, but instead, a tight-fitting black sweater.

With a big smile on his face, he sits across from me. “Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hi, Kit. What’s going on?”

“A date. I hear this is the hottest place in town.”

“A date?”

“Yeah.” His smile softens. “Is that okay, Professor?”

“It is.”

“Good. It’s not the most romantic setting, but the food is legit.”

I chuckle. “It’s more than good enough for me.”

Kit notices the business card and snatches it up before I can. He looks it over and his eyes narrow. “What is this?”

“A guy gave it to me. He said he’d like to take me out some time.”

“I see.” He hands the card back to me. “Was he attractive?”

I nod. “Yes. Young too. Not that long ago I would’ve never thought a man like him would look at me, but I don’t think that anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because you looked at me and you’re leagues ahead of that guy.” I take the card and tear it in half. “I’m not interested in him.”

Kit exhales slowly. “No? Who are you interested in?”

“Just you, Kit. I have a lot of things I want to say, but not here. Not now.”

“Me too, Stewart. It’s good stuff too.”

Is Theo right? Could Kit really be ready to try this with me?

He reaches across the table, taking my hand before lifting it to his lips and pressing a kiss to it. Very romantic. “I have something to give you.”

“Okay.”

Kit reaches into his back pocket, huffing a laugh that sounds terribly nervous to me. He produces something small and metal and places it in the palm of my hand. Oh my god.

“It’s a key to my place,” he says. “I’m not sure what time I can get out tonight, but I want you to be there. In my bed, naked, putting your scent all over my sheets again.”

“Kit.”

“I washed them and now I hate it.”

I nod, biting my bottom lip and squirming in my chair as my cock begins to swell. “How am I supposed to eat dinner now?”

“Same way I got through the day knowing my reward is you.”

I know my cheeks are red, but I don’t care. “It’s kind of wild, you know, getting to my age and never knowing I could feel like this.”

“If it helps, I didn’t know I could either.”

Okay, that’s a hopeful statement.

“You mean that, don’t you?”

“A hundred percent.”

Salem drops off two orange and pink layered drinks. “Two Gin and Sins for the handsome couple.”

“Thanks, Salem,” Kit says without taking his eyes off of me. He raises his glass, waiting for me to do the same. “To first dates. May there be many more.”

We clink glasses and as I take a sip of my drink, my courage blossoms. I can tell him how I’m feeling and that this is so much more than just a casual fuck for me. If my luck holds, this could be my future.