Page 10

Noe could say with authority that no one had ever been courted this sweetly before. Yes, it had only been a week since they’d started dating, but he said what he said.

He and Luca met up for lunch and dinner without fail, and it was never strained or awkward. Luca genuinely wanted to know about him. He asked about Noe’s hobbies, desires, dreams. By their fourth day together, he could confidently order what Noe wanted and get it right.

Luca actually paid attention to Noe. Mind-blowing.

Peppered in with those meetings were the little touches, too. Now, whenever they went anywhere together, Luca held hands with him. It was both sweet and empowering to have a man so confident with Noe that he wouldn’t pretend to be “just a friend.” Every time he took Noe’s hand, it felt like a silent “fuck you” to any bigot watching. Also a silent declaration of Noe being more important than they were. Noe could hold hands with Luca all day.

Then, to top it all off, he kept hugging Noe and giving him these sweet kisses. Sometimes a peck on the forehead or cheek, sometimes full-blown kisses. Like that heady night at the foot bath when they’d casually made out for the better part of half an hour.

A thrill went through Noe at the memory. Noe had been the one to put a stop to it, too, because between the heat of the water and the kissing, he’d gotten too lightheaded to continue. Which had been a rotten shame.

After nearly a week of having a handsome man commandeer his personal space, Noe had a serious case of blue balls. He didn’t know if he could do anything about it, though. Luca was still testing the waters on what he felt comfortable with, physically speaking.

Tonight’s dinner went much the same, with them having a wonderful conversation and Luca walking him to his door, leaving him with a kiss. Noe thought it cute Luca always walked him home, but he also wanted to reel Luca in and shove him against a wall before deep throating him.

Noe stopped in the foyer and banged his head against the shoe cubby, barely feeling the pain over the ache in his groin.

A voice he knew well called out, “You all right there?”

“No,” he groaned without looking up.

“Date go bad?”

“Date went well. Giric.” He tilted his head to look at his best friend and whined, “I want to jump him.”

Giric snickered a little. “Ah, I see the problem. Then jump him.”

“I caaaaaan’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s still figuring shit out?”

“Why are you saying this like a question?”

“Because maybe it is? Maybe I’m too strung out and trying to rationalize it?”

Giric shook his head. “Look, at least tell the man you’re on the edge.”

“That sounds like a horribly uncomfortable conversation.”

“You got a better idea?”

“If I had a better idea, I wouldn’t be whining to you like this.”

A thought struck, completely out of the blue. Actually, he did have a better idea. Why not consult someone who knew Luca well? Someone Noe knew would understand the possible pitfalls.

Straightening abruptly, he hurried for the door, glad he’d not removed his shoes.

“Where you going?”

“To get better advice!” Noe called over his shoulder.

“Fuck you! I give excellent advice!” Giric said cheerfully at his back.

Noe didn’t even dignify him with a response.

It was nippy out and nearly eight o’clock in the evening, so he hurried. He didn’t want to get to the Brahmses’ ryokan too late, as they had a child to put to bed, and it was just rude to arrive late and unexpected at someone’s home. Fortunately, their ryokan wasn’t far from his, so he arrived within minutes.

Considering the hour, though, he gave a discreet tap at the door once arriving at their rooms. “Warden Brahms, are you in?”

“Enter!” Warden Brahms called immediately.

Phew, he was. Noe promptly slid the door to the side and entered. Somewhat to his surprise, only Warden Brahms was in the room. Perhaps Sakura was in the bath? Who knew. Noe was grateful to have him one-on-one considering the nature of the upcoming conversation.

“Warden Brahms, sorry for the late hour, but I need advice.”

The man gestured him in and pointed to a cushion at the low, round table. His expression said he had a very good idea of what Noe was about to ask.

Still, Noe sat properly, legs crisscrossed, and put his thoughts into words. “I am not aware if you know or not about how close General O’ Broín and I have gotten?”

“I am very aware.” The warden folded his hands on the table and gave Noe his full attention. “Several dates, all of them aside from the first having gone very well. That’s what I’ve heard.”

“You’ve heard correctly. In fact, they’re going a little too well. I’m…I’ll be blunt.”

“I adore bluntness, and this isn’t the time for pussyfooting about the matter.”

“I honestly feel like Luca’s been edging me for the past week.”

Warden Brahms’s eyes crossed for a second before he started laughing, dark eyes crinkling with his mirth. “Oh dear. That bad?”

“I know he’s not doing this intentionally but…gah. On the surface, it’s all rather innocent in a way. Holding hands with me everywhere we go and constant hugs, but he’s started kissing me almost every time we see each other, which is multiple times a day.” Noe’s face steadily warmed due to awkwardness, but he had to get the problem out to hear a possible solution. Plaintively, he whined, “Does he not understand how attractive he is?”

Warden Brahms continued to laugh. “No, not really.”

Argh, so that was the problem? Dammit.

“Look, Keller, I would love to have a fellow gay friend. Can I call you Noe?”

“Oh gods, please. I need more gay friends.”

“Good. I feel the same way about it.” The way he grinned at Noe, it felt immediately welcoming and affectionate. “Also, I’ll be the first to commiserate with you. I had the same problem with my husband, back when I first met him. The first year was hell in some ways. I was with this incredibly attractive man who didn’t seem to understand physical boundaries, and worst of all, I shared a tent with him. I about came out of my skin several times, and I don’t think he even noticed.”

On second thought, at least Noe didn’t have to deal with that. Living with Luca right now would definitely make it worse. “You survived? Somehow?”

“Somehow. In retrospect, I’m not sure how.” Ren gave a rueful shake of his head. “Anyway, I can empathize with your struggles right now. My best advice to you is wait it out.”

Noe made a sound only dogs could hear and manfully stifled tears.

“I know. Trust me, I do know. But it’s…He’s already making so many mental adjustments. Rushing the process won’t do you any good in the long run.”

Shit. He was right. Noe hated it, but he was right.

“Also, O’ Broín and my husband are very much alike in several aspects, but especially in how they attach themselves to people. They need to spend time getting to know someone before they emotionally connect. Once the connection forms, though, it’s nearly impossible to break. I can see O’ Broín going through those connective steps with you. I think you’re nearly there, honestly. The way he’s constantly gravitating to your side speaks volumes.”

Noe perked up a little. “That’s hopeful. You really think so?”

“Last time I saw him act like this, he was making friends with my husband, so yes. It took a little longer with me, but that’s because he had to do a lot of mental adjustments, reconciling what he was taught with what was right in front of him.”

A process he was doing again for Noe’s sake. Dammit, he really couldn’t rush this.

“As frustrating as this is for you, don’t seduce him,” Ren cautioned. “Blue balls hasn’t ever killed a man, but rushing him right now will do only harm. Wait for him to come to you.”

Noe half collapsed over the table, head buried in his hands. “I hate that you’re right.”

“Sorry. On the bright side, it looks like you’ll have the relationship you want faster than I did. At least he’s actively dating you. It took Arman five years to figure it out.”

Noe’s head popped back up because, fuck, he couldn’t have heard Ren right. “Five years?!”

“I wish I was exaggerating. It was a little over five, actually. See? Aren’t you glad you’re in your position and not mine?”

Noe nodded fervently. Five years would have led to murder. Out of pure frustration. Ren must have the patience of a goddamn saint.

For a moment, Ren’s mobile face turned thoughtful. “You said he’s kissing you frequently? Like, little pecks, or…?”

“Well, pecks for the most part, but we did make out on our second date. He initiated, too.”

“Ah-ha. Then I would say he’s not far away from propositioning you. O’ Broín’s very much the type to try something and then sit on it for a few days, let it sink in, before acting further. His analytical brain insists on processing it. Another thing he and my husband have in common.” Ren rolled his eyes expressively. “Which drives me straight up the wall sometimes. Anyway. Wait, Noe. Just wait for now.”

Noe gave another long sigh, feeling part of his soul leave his body in the process. “Okay, but I’ll stock up on oil too. Once he does say something to me, I’m not about to wait.”

“Nor should you.” A mischievous twinkle appeared in those dark eyes. “Speaking as someone who has seen him naked on multiple occasions—start stretching now. Maybe a butt plug?”

Noe’s eyes nearly crossed at the mental image that just jumped into his brain. “Um. He’s that well-endowed?”

“Whatever you just imagined is about right, trust me.”

Well, fuck, and knowing this he still had to wait?

Please let Ren’s assessment of the situation not be too far off. Please oh please oh please.