Page 40 of Kicks

“We’re getting a late licence,” the woman explained. “Let’s pray for decent weather.”

The place would be mobbed with drinkers in the summer evenings. This was going to be perfect.

“I can see a new hotspot being born right in front of me.”

The woman grinned. “Tell your friends.”

“I certainly will.”

With one last glance out to the shoreline, Eddie pushed the door and went inside.

The alarm rang out to announce his arrival.

Billy appeared in the doorway.

“Hello, there,” he said.

“Nice to see you again,” Eddie replied.

Regardless of what happened with this deal, Eddie fancied the arse off Billy. Scott had told him it wouldn’t hurt to show that. As a general rule, Eddie usually did the exact opposite of whatever Scott suggested. In this instance, he had to agree.

He’d let a few decent guys slip through his fingers over the years. Each time fear had made him freeze up, but it had come across as apathy.

Time to learn from my mistakes.

Eddie walked up to the shop counter where he placed a large holdall with the Pleasure Seekers logo on. “Some free samples for you.”

“I dread to think,” Billy replied.

He had a different air about him. Some confidence had made its way to the fore. Eddie found that all the more enticing.

Fuck, I’d like to use all of these on you.

“You’ll be an expert in no time,” Eddie said. He punctuated it with a wink. He was rewarded with a wry smile from Billy.

“I suppose we’d better get going then,” Billy replied. “Harry’s in the back.”

Eddie’s stomach dropped a little. He had been hoping for it to be just him and Billy. Not that he had any intention of offering free demos. That was how his flatmate Tyler and his boyfriend, Danny, had got together. It had been a shrewd move on Danny’spart. He’d started as Tyler’s one-man induction and ended up his boyfriend.

Judging from the nocturnal noises, they were still working their way through the entire stock catalogue.

Even so, being so brazen had never been Eddie’s style.

“Lead the way,” Eddie replied with his most cheerful grin.

Billy walked through into the stockroom, office and staff room. Harry sat in the armchair. It suited him far better than the tiny stool from the previous time.

“Hi, Harry,” Eddie said.

He sat down in the chair offered.

“Can I get you a drink?” Billy asked.

“No,” Eddie said, resting the bag on his lap. “I can’t be too long. I’ve got a meeting at the offices later.”

He unzipped the bag. Inside he had stuffed a load of samples. This wasn’t really about testing Billy and Harry’s sales technique. He wanted to make sure they weren’t terrified of the products.

Eddie pulled out two identical vibrators. He saw Billy glance nervously at Harry. Eddie supressed a giggle. What did they think would happen? That the vibrators might explode?