Page 78 of Learn Your Limits

“A burlesque show… Feeling adventurous, are you?” My tone is teasing, but it was something that had caught my eye as well. Live performances at Pride can be downright enthralling, and I can see it becoming a treasured memory for us.

“It sounds like a good time, and I’m always down to try something new.” Reid bites his lip in a way that leaves his statement feeling anything but innocent. Honestly, I’m surprised that he hasn’t tried teasing me in public today.

Brat.

Pulling at his hand, I bring Reid closer to me, my fingers slipping from his so I can wrap an arm around his waist instead. My hand dips just below the waistband of his briefs, my pointer finger settling into the deep V-line of his hip as we walk toward the large performance tent that is already filling up.

I escort us toward the only few seats that are left open and luckily find a single bench near the front left of the stage. We only have a moment to settle in before the announcer begins to introduce the acts tonight.

“Oh, pardon me,” I apologize to the man beside me, having accidentally bumped his leg with mine.

“No need. These benches are packed in,” the man replies in a voice that sounds familiar. Curiosity wins the best of me as I turn to get a better look at him and instantly recognize a professor I worked with years ago developing a psycholinguistics course.

“Well, Professor Adler, I won’t lie and say it isn't a complete surprise to see you here.” A small laugh escapes me. For as short as we knew each other, I would have bet my soul to never run into the stoic Ezekiel Adler at a burlesque show.

“Professor Cervantes,” he greets in recognition with a small nod and accompanying smile. “I would agree and say this is not my typical kind of outing, but I would be lying to you.” The man looks entirely more comfortable than I thought he would be at an event like this.

“Please meet my boyfriend,” I lean back enough so Ezekiel has sight of Reid. Tapping him on the shoulder, I get Reid’s attention so he turns away from the stage and toward us. “Reid, this is Professor Adler, we developed a course together a few years ago. Ezekiel, this is the love of my life, Reid.”

“So is this a meeting spot for professors?” Reid jokes as he shakes Ezekiel’s hand.

“Statistically speaking, I am sure there is at least one other professor or university staff within such a large crowd,” Ezekiel replies, eyebrow scrunched like he is truly doing the math. He’s taken away from his thoughts only when the announcer introduces the headliner for the show, Alek… Adler.

“Any relation?” I ask, eyebrow raised, dying to know thechisme.

“He’s my husband,” Ezekiel beams, eyes set solely on the stage but specifically the muscular man covered in pink feathers.

“Holy shit,” Reid curses beside me, his eyes also set on the burlesque dancer.

Our small talk is effectively stopped once the lights fully dim and the show captivates us. After the performance, Ezekiel and Iexchange information, hoping to get back in touch and perhaps even team up for another course in the future.

“What did you think of the show?” I ask Reid as we walk toward a more secluded part of the park to enjoy our fried treats.

“I loved it,” he exclaims. “I can’t imagine what the shows are like at a real venue when they’re not working with limited space.”

“It can be one of our trips, as long as we can avoid the Texas summer heat,” I comment as I sit down, setting down the several plates of food in my lap and patting the spot beside me for Reid to join me on the grassy little hill.

“I have no desire to visit Texas during the summer,” he laughs, dropping down beside me.

“What about summers up north?” I ask, picking up achurroand bringing it to his lips. “Maybe in a remote cabin, only us around for miles…”

He groans, taking a bite of thechurroand chewing slowly. “You’re determined to get me naked for an entire week, aren’t you?” he teases, wiping the excess sugar from his lips.

“I would never,” I fake affront. Grabbing achurrofor myself, I chew over the sugary dough as I make a show of thinking, tapping my finger along my chin. “I’d at least let you wear running shoes.”