“I…that’s okay?” Dane shook his head. “I’m just kicking myself for even keeping that on there.” He really tried to keep his nudes in a separate folder, specifically so he wouldn’t have to worry about exactly this situation. But he remembered taking that. It hadn’t been for anything serious, but he was trading nudes with a guy and, after he’d run out of his backlog of pics, he’d snapped a new one and sent it off. Then forgot to delete it or move it.
“Offer stands.” Aras was still holding out his phone. “You shouldn’t feel awkward. I’ve seen one before. More than one.”
Dane was regaining a little bit of his faculties, and he was piecing some vibes together. Aras had definitely complimented his dick, which was interesting to note. And he hadn’t withdrawn the phone yet. Was he… “Do you want me to see?”
For probably the first time since Dane had met him, Aras’s cheeks flushed a bit darker. He shrugged. “I’m not opposed.”
The words burrowed down into Dane’s belly and, even knowing it wasn’t the brightest idea, he pushed a little more. “Do you want me to see in a photo or in person?” That hadn’t been the idea Dane wanted to share when he set up the meeting, but it wasn’t the first time it had crossed his mind, either.
Aras’s hand quivered slightly. Then he pulled his phone back and tucked it into his pocket. “I’m…open.” He smoothed back his hair, then looked up to the ceiling. “Was this your grand master plan all along? Using your fucking masculine wiles to seduce me?”
Dane snorted. “My wiles aren’t exactly masculine. Also, I don’t have wiles.”
“I just saw one of your wiles. Looks pretty masc to me.”
“I usually keep a sparkly pink bow tied beneath the head.”
Aras shook his head. When he locked his gaze back on Dane, there was a seriousness buried deep inside, and the slight smile faded back into his normal, stern expression. “Are you serious? Or just making a joke?”
“I don’t actually wear a little bow.”
Dane raised one eyebrow. “About…seeing. Things. Not the god damn bow.”
“I know.” Dane had been trying to delay a little, but also trying to get under Aras’s skin. Just a little. When he got that pissed off expression, itdidsomething to Dane. Something downstairs. The scowl and the sharpness in his eyes was pure focus, and as long as it didn’t turn into a blow-up, Dane would take that focus.
Except he was being offered a verydifferenttype of focus from Aras. A private kind, which was also sending energy down to his crotch. He shifted to try and get a little relief, but it just rubbed his fly against his cockhead, lancing lightning up the shaft and along his spine. Just like their little static shock from before, but this time the electricity gathered in his head, fuzzing his thoughts.
Fuzzing, but not totally blocking out all logic.
They had almost fuck-all in common, except that they both collected something. Those two somethings didn’t even exist in the same realm. That was as much common ground as he had with little old church ladies who collected those hideous angel figurines.
“We should really get through anything work-related.” Dane nodded. “Then we can see if the offer still stands.”
Aras snorted, folding his arms across his chest. “Frankly, I’m not going to be able to focus on work now.” His gaze darted down between Dane’s legs, and the attention felt like a physical weight, pressing and rubbing against him. “You absolutely don’t have to. Don’t feel any pressure. But this is officially not a work meeting anymore. Unless I can…relieve some tension. Then we can huddle back together.” He sighed. “Not trying to push anything. You can say no, but I gotta be honest. I’ll need to excuse myself for…fifteen minutes if we’re going to keep up the business talk.”
Aras’s face had gone noticeably pink this time, like a desert rose color, but he never broke his gaze, never darted around like he was searching for an answer, like so many guys did when things were feeling a little too awkward. Whether he was looking at Dane’s face, or somewhere else, he was always givingDanehis complete focus.
Dane swallowed, trying to wet his throat. His belly tightened a moment. Then he nodded. “I’m not pressured. I…think I should go upstairs and change.” Which was true. He could feel how wet he was from this conversation. His underwear would be a mess. “We could…compare hotel rooms?” It was more than a little silly, skirting around the issue. Aras had seen his cock. Dane was inviting him up so they could get naked and maybe see what happened. But somehow, it felt like this was all more secure if Dane played coquettish over the whole situation. “I want to see iftalentgets better accommodations.”
“Now I’m talent, huh?” Aras rolled his eyes. “I guess it’s only right to compare…rooms.” His smile came back, and it was jagged and toothy and perfect. Just in case Dane wasn’t gushing enough precum as it was.
They both rose and, as Aras straightened out, Dane took the chance to sneak another peek at his bulge. What a bulge it was. Quite noticeable. If Aras didn’t already have a hard-on as well, then he was packingmajorheat.
When Dane pulled up next to him, Aras moved half a step closer. Not touching, not overt, but definitely inside Dane’s personal space. “This seems like a pretty fruitful meeting so far.”
Dane offered an amused grunt. “I didn’t know eggplant was a fruit.”
Aras barked a laugh as they headed back for the elevator.
Chapter twelve
Aras
Whatintheever-lovingfuck am I doing?Aras’s stomach had been doing backflips since he’d first offered Dane his phone. Honestly, since he’d accidentally scrolled past Dane’s dick pic, but it had intensified with every step they took toward the main event—literally and figuratively.
The elevator opened and he stayed close to Dane, but a step of two behind. There was plenty of time to back out if his reason ever overtook his damn hormones. That, however, felt increasingly unlikely as they passed a few doors, a little alcove with ice and a vending machine, and finally stopped for Dane to pull out his key card. He slid it in, the lights flashed green, and Dane pushed the door open with a flourish. “Come see my hovel.”
Dane held the door, which meant Aras had to shimmy past him to get inside. Not an objectionable experience at all, but score one more point for his hormones. The room, as he expected—and as Dane probably expected too—was essentially the exact same as Aras’s, with a single queen bed, small desk, TV, fridge, and microwave. Bland colors and blander décor, and like all hotels, not nearly enough lighting or outlets.
