Page 11 of Numbers Boy (Working Boys #2)

CHAPTER NINE

Steve

I STOP JUST outside of the Doghouse, an indoor dog park that Noah has suggested this week, and stomp off my boots.

There’s not much on them because it’s been too cold for more snow to fall, but it gives me a chance to take a deep breath before we go in.

We’ve seen each other at least twice a week on our mid-day walks since I first asked for dog park recommendations, and that moment before we see him still never fails to make me nervous.

“Alright, Stace, you ready, girl?”

She looks at me and gives a quiet huff like, “Duh, now get me out of this cold.”

I pull open the door, and we head to the cubbies so I can take off her booties and hang up her leash. We’ve only been here a few times, but it’s been amazing when Stacy needs to get out some zoomies, and we can’t be outside for more than ten minutes without freezing our tails off.

Just as I’m telling Stacy to go play, she lets out a happy yip and runs over to where Noah is standing by a ramp.

When he sees her, his stoic face lights up, and he bends over to give her pats.

I decide to give myself a minute to enjoy the view of his strong, inked hands being gentle with her, but he looks up to glance around before I’m ready to stop ogling him.

When he sees me, his grin gets impossibly wider, and he waves. I happily wave back and head over.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I quip as he pulls me into a hug.

While it’s been a few weeks since we started meeting up, the hugging started about a week ago.

I sink into his warm embrace, enjoying the feel of being surrounded by his big arms. I don’t know what it is about Noah’s touch that makes me melt since it’s not like I never hug my friends.

Hell, Stu and I almost always have some sort of physical contact when we’re together, but this is different.

Noah’s hugs are one of my new favorite things.

How long could I make this last before it gets weird?

I bet if I said I was still cold from being outside, Noah wouldn’t mind.

“Yeah, what a surprise.” He lets go a tiny bit, so I reluctantly pull away, not wanting to push for too much. “That color looks amazing on you.”

My cheeks heat at his words, like I didn’t choose this sweater because I know it brings out the red in my hair. Then I grin cheekily and tug on his dark blue hoodie string. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Noah looks skeptically down at himself, obviously dressed for warmth, but doesn’t he know how fucking sexy gray sweatpants are? I force myself not to stare.

But only after I do another once-over. Just to make sure I get the full effect.

“You do know that you outdress me like a million times over every time we meet up, right?”

“Yeah, but you look super cozy. It makes me want to cuddle up on the couch.” I send him a flirty look, coy smile on my lips. “You know, with Stacy.”

He grins and inches closer as he looks out to find our charges playing together. “Sure, with Stacy.”

ON FRIDAY NIGHT , I’m four shots deep and feeling great as I dance with the Working Boys at Shimmer, our local club.

I moved my weekly rehearsal to tomorrow since we wanted to go out for Valentine’s Day, so after I took Stacy for a walk and made sure she was all comfy in bed, I got dolled up and met up with my friends.

The lights flash through the air, and the music pounds in my chest. I glance around me to see people of all sorts decked out in various shades of pink and red for the Valentine’s Day event. Leaning closer to Stu, I throw my arms around his neck and shout to be heard over the noise.

“I fucking love this place!”

My eyes slip closed, and I sway to the driving beat, taking a moment to just be. To soak in the freedom of this place, surrounded by love and acceptance. The pulsing bass of the music echoes the pounding of my heart, making me feel like I’m a part of the sound.

Stu puts his hands on my hips to steady me, grinning up at me when I open my eyes again. Normally we’re the same height at six foot even, but I’ve got some killer heels on. They’re ruby red and glittery, with giant rhinestone hearts on the toes.

“So you’ve said twice in the last half hour. Let’s go get some water.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I slip my hand into his as he leads us past the rest of the gang toward the bar.

When we get there, I take another look around, trusting Stu to get us the water.

Behind the writhing masses on the dance floor is the DJ stage, where I’m fairly sure it’s Greg and Andrew’s coworker spinning tunes tonight.

His name is Albert or Aaron or something that starts with A .

I know I’ve met him before, but my brain is too happy and floaty to focus on that right now.

He’s set up in front of a giant wall of sparkly fabric, which gives the club its name.

Tonight, it’s lit up with flickers of red and white and pink, causing it to wink like a sparkly, swirly love potion. Ooh, that gives me an idea.

“I need a love potion,” I say as Stu hands me a cold bottle of water.

“Sorry, just the water tonight,” he replies.

“Noooo,” I whine, lips set in a pout. “I mean for Noah. Not one of the creepy ones that changes how people feel, just one that lets me know what he thinks of me. Oh, maybe I need a truth potion instead!”

Stu laughs, the big meanie, but he helps me drink some water before guiding me to a quiet spot near the hall to the bathrooms, so I guess we’ll stay besties.

“First of all, I’m glad you’re having fun tonight.”

“Me too!” I chug a bit more water, and when I accidentally dribble a bit down my chest, it feels refreshing. I giggle as I wipe the droplets away. “Oops.”

“Second of all,” Stu continues, not letting my drunken clumsiness distract him, “I don’t think you need a love potion or a truth potion, babe. From what you’ve told me, it’s obvious he likes you.”

“But how do I see if he wants to take things further?” My head clears a bit thanks to the water.

I’m still feeling a bit floaty, but I can think easier.

“I’ve been testing the waters, and the waters seem fine, but how do I know that the next step isn’t going to be a giant drop-off that sends me drowning. When will we be ready for that?”

“Honestly, why not now? I think this could be the perfect time to test some deeper waters. Let’s take a pic and send it to him.”

“Really?” I glance down at my outfit again, remembering how strong and sexy I felt when I put it on.

I’m in all black with pops of red. My heels match my belt and my lipstick, with skintight pants and a mesh bodysuit to complete the ensemble.

Noah would be lucky to get a peek at all of this, and if he doesn’t appreciate it, then there is someone out there that will.

I square my shoulders and nod decisively. “Let’s do it.”

“Alright, let’s ease him into it. Selfie first.” Stu leans in and wraps one arm around my shoulder, the other holding out my phone.

I look toward the camera and smile, doing my best to create fuck-me eyes that will come across even when turned into a shadowy club pic.

Stu checks the photo and gives a low whistle.

“Dude, you look smoking. If a chick I was interested in sent me something like that, I can guarantee I’d ask for a follow-up pic. ”

I giggle again and pull up my most recent messages to Noah.

Me: Happy Valentine’s Day! *image attached*

Before I can talk myself out of it, I add a kissy face emoji and press Send. Noah answers almost instantaneously.

Noah: Damn, Steve, just when I thought you couldn’t get any hotter

I bite my lip and grin, blush heating my cheeks as I read his response. That’s a pretty good sign that he’s okay with amping up whatever it is we have, right? Stu nudges my elbow as he reads over my shoulder.

“Told you,” he gloats. “Now, take it a bit deeper. Maybe ask what he’s wearing?”

I turn and face my friend, eyes wide. “Woah there, big guy. I thought we were testing the waters, not jumping right in.”

“What?” Stu asks with a confused expression. “Don’t you want to know?”

“Well, yeah, but I don’t think we’re to sexting levels yet!”

“Fine, play it safe.”

Me: Any fun plans tonight?

Noah: Just watching old romcoms with Blake, Amy, and the girls

Noah has told me all about his sister and her two daughters.

Every time he does, he gets this soft, mushy expression on his face.

Thinking about it now makes me wonder if he wants kids of his own someday.

He’s clearly already an amazing uncle. I bet he’d be the best dad.

I snap myself out of that thought and focus back on our texts.

Me: That sounds fun. I bet the girls had a fun day at school getting all that candy

Noah: Lol you bet they did, just look at their boxes *image attached*

I turn up my phone brightness to see the picture better.

In the middle of it are two Valentine treat boxes, one decorated like an orange cat with a pink bow tie and the other wrapped all in pink with hand-drawn conversation hearts all over it.

They’re both overflowing with candy, but as I scan the image again, I get sidetracked by what has to be Noah’s legs and lap.

There’s a small sliver of pink where his shirt is just out of the shot, and he’s wearing gray sweats again.

God, I love those sweats. I can see just the faintest outline of his cock.

It looks long, even lying soft against his thigh, and my mind conjures all sorts of naughty things I want to do with it if I ever get to see it in person.

I startle when Stu taps my chin, and I realize my jaw has dropped.

“Careful, or you’re going to end up drooling on your phone,” Stu teases.

“Worth it,” I counter, still not tearing my eyes away.

Me: Is that a pink shirt I see? Something for Valentine’s Day?

Noah: Yeah, hold on a second, I’ll get a pic

I grin over at Stu and shake my phone.

“He’s sending me a pic.”