“Naked into a snowstorm? No thanks.”
Percy got up as well, giving CJ his first full look at him from behind. And damn. His ass cheeks were divoted heavily on either side, the muscles surprisingly taut beneath the pale brown skin. He reached up, stretching his back and showing off even more definition, and pulled the curtain all the way aside. Snow piled up on the windowsill, and frost tinged the glass, obscuring most vision. Percy blew hot air against it and, after a few moments, the frost began to melt away. Then he peered out. “No snowstorm that I can see. Looks like the plows have already come through, too.”
That panged down into CJ’s stomach, landing like a leaden arrowhead.No more reason to stay. Of course he knew this was a brief dalliance. A stop on his trip. And it wasn’t as if he couldn’t find Percy again on the way back. He ran the only coffee stand in the town.
Maybe it was hormones, or maybe it was Percy’s wide-open personality, or maybe it was just so nice to be with someone decent rather than focusing on the shitshow he had waiting for him at work. Whatever the potential explanation, he only knew one thing: he didn’t want this dalliance to be over. At all.
But there was no real way to avoid it, either. No matter how long CJ spun the ideas around and around in his mind, looking for any out. So he sighed, then reached down for his boxers and slipped them on. It was stupid, but that barrier against the world, that separation between himself and Percy—however flimsy—cut against the bonds there.
Percy blew out a long breath, turning around, still baring himself. And cut off or not, CJ stilllooked. He took in the soft, curly bush and the thick penis hanging flaccid, covered by his foreskin. He traced his vision up the hard, slim planes of his abdomen, up his barely defined ribs, and to the full lips and warm eyes.
He watched those full lips part, sayingsomething, but it didn’t penetrate at all, and CJ had to shake himself loose. “Sorry. I was…admiring the view. Can you repeat that?”
Percy grinned, although it was tight. His fingers were balled into fists at his sides and his shoulders were high and tight. “I was just saying, do you think there are good odds of you getting a car that can handle these kinds of road conditions? It’s been plowed, but that doesn’t mean everything’s clean and clear. Especially all the way across state lines.”
CJ had…absolutely no idea where this was coming from, let alone where it was going, so he tried to stay as non-committal as possible. “That’s true.”
Percy nodded like that was a massive win in favor of whatever the hell point he was making. “And I’m probably not going to get a ton of traffic at the stand today. But my truck should handle everything no problem. Four wheel drive, and I’ve driven in these conditions my whole life.”
The gears started to click and turn over in CJ’s mind, but he still approached with caution. “That would be a benefit for sure. But I couldn’t impose on you like that after you let me stay here last night.” His gaze raked over Percy’s body, still fully exposed, and he couldn’t deny a bit of extra arousal at the way he just…stood there. Not shy in the least.
Percy shook his head. “I want to spend the extra time with you. Thanks for forcing me to say it instead of playing along.”
He stuck out his tongue and CJ’s cock throbbed. His boxers wouldn’t do much to hide if he got bricked up all over again, so he brushed past it. “You at least need to let me pay for gas and wear and tear on your truck.”
“Deal.” He spat it out almost too fast, but the sheepish grin that spread across his face at least told CJ he was aware of it. “Not to sound too excited—”
“There are worse crimes than being excited about spending time with the guy who just came all over your face.”
Perchy chuckled low in his throat. “Wouldn’t say no to that again, either.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’ve got a hotel room all squared away. King bed.” Maybe a bit presumptuous, since he was pulling Percy away from work even longer, but he had to put the info out there if Percy was going to be able to deny or accept the offer. “Steam shower. Room service.” And maybe he wanted to sweeten the deal enough to convince him.
Percy sighed. “You drive a hard bargain.” He sidled over to his dresser, definitely swaying his hips to show off his…everything. At least, CJ was looking at everything, taking in the show as long as he was willing to offer it.
Percy pulled out a couple pairs of briefs, one black and one a dusty, sage green. He slipped into a third white pair while still talking. “Any dress codes I need to worry about?”
CJ considered telling him to bring some formal wear. A nice meal, take in a show, he’d researched a speakeasy in Spokane that they could hit up. But… “No. Maybe bring a button-down you don’t mind being seen wearing in public, just in case. But if it’s up to me…I’d prefer to spend a lot more time in the hotel room than anywhere else.” Besides, he would be working. Some time alone with Percy would present a great chance for him to just decompress. In a way that having a night out on the town certainly wouldn’t.
Percy looked over his shoulder, bending over, and he looked way too fucking cute for CJ’s own good. So much so, he only barely heard the answer. “Sounds good to me. Just let me know what I owe you for the room.”
Thatgot CJ’s attention to focus right down. “You don’t owe me anything. I don’t owe the hotel anything. I’m coming in to clean up a mess for some fat cats, and decent accommodations are part and parcel with my payment.” He hesitated a moment or two, then walked up and clapped Percy on the shoulder. “I’ll call my employers, let them know we’re on the way today?”
“Yeah. I’ll get a bag together.” Percy laid his hand on CJ’s, holding tight. “Thanks for humoring me.”
“Humoring you? You’re coming to my rescue yet again.” Another beat of hesitation, then CJ pressed his face against the top of Percy’s head, smelling the sweat and the lingering floral perfume of whatever shampoo he used, and feeling the softness of his hair against his cheeks. “I should be thanking you.”
“Well, no one’s stopping you.”
CJ chuckled. “Thank you.” Then he gathered up his clothes from the floor and headed out into the living room. He had a call to make. And, if time permitted, a second call. The hotel could surely provide a little something extra when his room was so expensive, and when Sidewinder Entertainment had such a full, bursting bank account to foot the bill.I’d like to see them complain about it.
This wasn’t a case that was going to leave him feeling all light and fuzzy at the end. So he felt less than zero guilt for padding out his expenses.
Chapter 7
They were approaching Spokane, the roads remarkably clear considering how thickly the snow had fallen the day before. “Only about half an hour.” Percy slipped into the left lane, passing a particularly slow line of semis. “You can give me directions when we get close, right?”
“Yep. You’re kind of a nervous driver, aren’t you?”
