by KyAnn Waters
Chapter Three
The resort had several places to dine from casual to formal. Asher dressed in black jeans and a fitting Henley. The material clung to his form like a second skin. Joel wore what he always wore, Dockers and a polo shirt. He’d shaved although he’d used a drop of Asher’s hair gel and left his hair a bit on the wild side.
“Ready?”
Joel wasn’t sure what he was ready for. The emotions and reactions of the last few hours left a heavy weight in his gut. Still, he slipped the keycard into his back pocket and followed Asher out of the room.
Palm fronds whispered in the wind. The sky was awash of oranges, violets and blues, and the sun sat low on the horizon. This was paradise, a place for lovers. Joel glanced at Asher. It was a good place for friends, too, right? No longer tired, Joel took a deep breath in. “I’m starving.”
They followed the path around the buildings to the main area of the resort. When they could have five-star cuisine, they opted for the traditional Mexican fair. A mariachi band played outside the restaurant. Inside, streamers hung from ceiling fans. Traditional art hung on the walls, and the servers wore colorful skirts and flouncy shirts. People crowded around the entrance, leaned against the wall and spilled outside.
Joel approached the hostess. “How long is the wait?”
She glanced around the restaurant. “For two?”
He nodded.
“About an hour.”
Joel glanced at Asher with an eyebrow arched. “What do you think? Do you want to try somewhere else?”
Asher turned to the hostess and gave her one of his heated smiles that could melt the clothes off a woman…and apparently men if the beach attendant and Joel’s own reaction in the shower were any indication. “How long is the wait for seating at the bar?”
She dipped her head coyly, returned his smile and glanced at her paper. “Give me a minute, I’ll get you seated.”
“Thanks.” He winked and she scurried off to secure them a table.
“God, you’re good.” Joel laughed and they moved to the side of the foyer and leaned against the wall.
“The food smells good.” Asher’s stomach growled. “As good as Mara’s, but don’t tell her I said so.”
“Señor, your table is ready.”
Asher flashed another smile. “You’re amazing, and my stomach thanks you.” He patted his hard abs and followed her into the crowded bar. They were seated in a corner table and handed two menus.
“Carmella will be with you in a moment for your drink orders. But you can wave me over if you need anything.” She stepped away.
Joel opened the menu. “You have a gift, my friend.”
Asher laughed. “Yeah, but where’s the challenge?” He rested his forearms on the table. “If a girl, hell if a guy saw your bank account, you could have whoever you wanted. But then you’d know they were only interested in what you could do for them.”
Asher continued, “I can get laid with a little bullshit and compliments.” He crinkled his nose, sat back and picked up the alcohol menu. “But then what? You can go broke, and I could become horribly disfigured. If I’m looking for serious, I want to know if my dick falls off the person I’m with still wants to be with me.”
Joel stared hard at Asher. Maybe he wasn’t so trivial about life. He saw his future more clearly than Joel had given him credit for.
“What can I get you to drink?”
Asher glanced up at Carmella. “Dos Equis for me.” Asher set the menu down.
“Two,” Joel said.
“Rosalie said you’re friends, so you get the special.” She winked and sashayed away.
“What do you think the special is?” Joel whispered.
“I don’t think I want to know.” Asher leaned across the table. “That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to get my way. A smile and a bit of flirting works. But don’t get me wrong, if the right person and the right opportunity came along, I’d get laid, too. I’m not sure what I’m looking for. I trust that I’m going to know when I see it.” He raised a brow. “I know I’m not interested in mindless fluff…or whatever special Carmella might offer.”
As if on cue, the flirty server returned with their beers and tequila shots. “Specials for you.” She took their orders and left chips with salsa to munch while they waited for their food.
“I’ve had it with mindless fluff,” Joel said. “I just want to find someone I enjoy being with and that can turn me on. Mental and physical chemistry.” His thoughts flashed back to the shower, to seeing the hard lines of Asher’s flanks, the taut globes of his ass, and the gentle sway of his sac. His best friend. Mental and physical chemistry.
“Relationships aren’t supposed to be difficult and complicated. Look at us.”
Joel took a swallow of beer and nearly choked on it. “Us?” He might need more than a beer.
“Yeah, I’d rather hang with you than just about anyone. I figure the person I’m fucking should mean more to me than you do and that hasn’t happened.” Asher popped a chip into his mouth. “Any thoughts on what you want to do with your house?” He smiled and took another bite of chip with salsa. “You can move in with me.”
“What?” His gut tightened and damn, but his cock unfurled with awareness, pressing into his zipper. “You’re switching topics too fast.” He was still reeling with the casual words spoken by Asher, words mimicked by Joel’s thoughts. Deep inside, where only he had to know, Joel agreed. Asher’s words made sense. They were best friends, but comparing their friendship to a relationship? Where would that leave them? A bro-mance? Or something deeper? Asher would trip if he knew that Joel had a boner, hard enough to pound rocks into gravel for him.
“I’m talking about living together. I want you to move in with me. Money’s tight. I could use a roommate.”
He’d just gotten out of a ‘living together’ relationship. He wasn’t sure he was ready to jump into another one. Although this wasn’t the same. He didn’t know anyone better than he knew Asher. It could work.
“I’d have to sell my place. The market isn’t good. I’d take a pretty big hit on the equity.” He shrugged. “We could do it, though. If you’re serious about roommates—”
“I’m totally serious.”
“I think for you to give up your apartment and move into my house makes more sense.” With the image of his house as he’d left it in his mind, Joel laughed. “I’ve got plenty of room now.”
“At least you won’t need to buy new furniture. I’ll just move my stuff in.”
True, Asher had a fully furnished bachelor pad, but not necessarily what Joel was used to. “Maybe we can compromise a bit on furniture.”
Asher smiled, a shimmer twinkling in his eyes. “You love my sense of style.”
“Your charming persuasion won’t win this one.”
Their food arrived. Joel was too hungry to continue the conversation. He dug into his chicken enchiladas verdes.
“Try this.” Asher held his fork out, piled high with pulled pork.
A few seconds of awkwardness passed. His gut tightened and holy shit, his cock jumped. The meal and the moment turned intimate. Then Joel opened his mouth and ate from Asher’s fork.
“Good?” Asher asked.
Joel chewed and swallowed. “Delicious.” Then for the first time, he filled his fork and offered it to Asher. Regardless of how anyone watching might perceive the exchange, Joel felt a connection to Asher. Sexual energy was making him sweat.
Asher hummed his approval. “Damn, it’s better than Mara’s but if you tell her I’ll lie and claim it was only you who said it.” He filled his fork from his own plate and continued eating.
“If you did move into my house, how soon could you get out of your lease?”
Asher swallowed. “Anytime, I have to give the standard thirty day notice, but that’ll just give me time to get my shit moved into your place.”
Joel nodded and stuffed another bite of enchilada into his mouth. They ate in silence for a
few minutes, then Joel said, “I’m going to get the locks changed when we get back. I’ve had enough surprises from Shelly.”
“Good to hear. You’re more forgiving than I would be. I’d have called the cops.”
After he finished eating, Asher set his fork down and covered his plate with his napkin. He growled as he stretched. “Still up for a little night life?”
Joel pushed his plate away. “Sure, if you are.”
“Let’s go.” The restaurant was still packed as they made their way outside. The sun had set, and cooler night air had settled in. Asher pointed to a busy corner across the compound. “The brochure said a mix of salsa and hip hop.” He chuckled. “Should be interesting.”
“Very, I suck at dancing.”
Asher turned to Joel. “Are you crazy? I’ve seen you in the bar. Don’t worry, you have the moves.”
“Whatever. Just keep a drink in my hand and I’ll be fine.”
The bar had both an inside dance floor and outside social area. Although crowded, there was still room to mingle. As soon as the music hit them, Asher’s body picked up the beat and the moves matched. He had a bounce in his step and a swagger to his strut.
A woman walked around with a tray of shooters. Asher grabbed two, turned to Joel and handed him the cranberry-colored liquid.
“I finally found a quality I like in Shelly.” Asher touched the bottom of his tube to Joel’s. “She has perfect timing.”
Joel laughed and drank to that.
They wandered through the club. People laughed and flirted. On the dance floor, they gyrated to the hard beat, bumping and grinding on each other. No one really had a partner. They just pulsed as one energized, sexual group.
Asher grabbed his arm. “Come on. I love this song.”
Oh, hell, playing was the song Asher had sung in the shower earlier. Joel instantly thought of Asher, naked, bent over the tub to adjust the water temperature, giving a perfect view of his round ass. And just like that, he was hard again. Looking down, he took an inconspicuous glance at his trousers. Damn, he was visibly hard. His cock flexed, and the fabric bulged.
“Hey, you with me?”
Joel snapped his gaze up. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?”
“Perfect.” Just hard, hot and apparently horny for my best friend who wants to move in with me. “Let’s dance.” On the crowded dance floor, hopefully Asher wouldn’t notice. And if he did, there were plenty of beautiful women around to blame for his erection.
They wormed into the center of the crowd. Asher shimmied his shoulders and rolled his hips. His pelvis jutted to the rhythm of the song…and he sang along. Those around them, including Joel, couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the seductiveness.
Joel might not have the best moves, but he figured, what the hell, and he worked his own groove. He pumped his fist into the air as he rocked his hips. The room was hot, the dance floor crowded. Sweat beaded on his forehead. One song ended and another began.
Asher stayed close, but danced as if he was fucking everyone around him. Women gyrated their hips. A blonde put her hands on his shoulders then swiveled, turning around in front of him. She rubbed and bumped her ass into Asher’s groin. Asher closed in tighter and thrust his pelvis against the crack of her ass. Her short skirt inched higher. A few beats later and her skirt was around her waist. Wearing only a thong, she pressed her bare ass against Asher’s jeans.
Heat rushed through Joel’s body. His groin tightened and his balls grew heavier. He danced but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from where Asher’s hand rested on the woman’s hip. Slowly, Asher pivoted. The woman grabbed onto Joel, digging her long nails into his shoulders. She pressed closer to Joel as Asher tightened in behind her. Asher smiled at Joel as the woman, wedged between them, slithered up and down.
Joel was definitely turned on, but the state of his arousal had nothing to do with the blonde, but rather the man staring into his face.
“You look so fucking hot,” Asher said above the music.
“So do both of you,” the woman replied, only her back was to Asher so she didn’t know. She didn’t know Asher had spoken the words to Joel.
Breath froze in Joel’s chest. Was it a compliment or was Asher flirting…with him? He lost his rhythm, stumbling and stepping on the woman’s foot. “Sorry,” he whispered to the woman, unable to look at Asher. He needed fresh air, needed to think. But that wasn’t the only issue.
Asher was clearly enjoying dancing with the woman. Regardless of the plan for a chick-free getaway, Joel wasn’t going to stand in the way of Asher meeting someone. Time to give Asher some space to make his move. Why did that make Joel’s stomach tumble?
“I’m a little hot.” Joel took a step back just as the song ended, blending in with the next.
“So am I.” Asher moved away from the girl. “See you around,” he said without a backward glance to the woman. Okay, so maybe Asher was just dancing. “Want to step outside and get a drink?”
Joel nodded. A drink sounded good. Being alone with Asher was becoming complicated and confusing.
Outside, the cooler temperature felt good against Joel’s sweaty skin. A small crowd gathered around the bar. They approached and each grabbed a beer. “Over there.” Asher indicated a concrete wall surrounding a tropical flowerbed. They sat on the edge.
Joel sipped his beer as a few people passed by. “You looked good out there.”
“Are you kidding? That was hot. You were hot. Who told you that you couldn’t dance?” Asher bumped his shoulder into Joel’s, teasing him. Then he tipped the beer to his full lips.
Joel grew warm. Asher’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank. Sweat dampened the hair at his temples and his tanned skin was slightly flushed. “I know my rhythm sucks.”
“You had her panties wet.”
“Me? You were the one lifting her skirt and trying to tap her ass through your jeans.”
“Not me? She lifted her skirt. I was just dancing. Dude, I could tell you had a hard-on for her?”
Joel looked to his crotch. He’d been hard, but not for her.
Asher laughed. “I meant that figuratively, but if you want—”
“No, I’m not interested in hooking up. Oh shit, here she comes. And she’s bringing a friend.”
“Told you. She’s coming back for more.”
“I don’t have anything else to give.” Joel chuckled. “It’s too late to bail.”
“Hi, guys. I’m glad we found you.”
Asher turned to Joel and mouthed, “Were we lost?”
“I’m Mandy and this is Veronica.”
Veronica smiled. “Hi.”
Joel tipped his beer to her and returned the smile. Veronica could be Mandy’s twin. Both petite blondes.
Veronica sat next to Asher. “So where are you guys from?”
“Colorado.”
“Oh, fantastic,” Mandy said, staying close to Joel, although she couldn’t tear her eyes off Asher. “We just moved to LA.”
“Actresses?” Asher asked. “You look like movie stars.”
Joel nearly laughed aloud. Asher was flirting with them as only he could—with charm and sincerity. Only he was full of shit. Although the girls did look like they wanted to get laid. Seemed Asher had their interest, but Joel knew Asher and this was typical Asher. The girls would have to look elsewhere.
“Modeling, acting, singing. We want to do it all.”
“Well, good luck with that.”
“Thanks. So how long are you guys staying? Maybe we can get together. Maybe breakfast.”
Joel could almost hear the words hovering on the tip of her tongue. Maybe breakfast…in bed. Joel didn’t want to share Asher, not this weekend. Now that he thought about it, he never wanted to share Asher. Which had been one of Shelly’s arguments. She claimed Asher didn’t want to share Joel.
“Vacation ladies. I doubt we’ll be up for breakfast,” Asher said.
“Well, I’m sure we’ll see you around.” Veronica laughed
, casually placing her hand on Asher’s arm.
Joel stared hard at Asher, maybe seeing him for the first time as they truly were. From outward appearances, they did have more than friendship. They just didn’t have a relationship. They had everything but sex—Joel’s stomach flipped. Now he couldn’t get the image of Asher’s cock out of his head. “I really need another drink.”
Asher smiled at Joel and stood. “Let’s get you one.” He turned to the girls. “See you around.”
“Oh, okay.”
They started walking away from the girls. Joel could go back into the club. But he was even more ready to call it a night. “I think I’m ready to head to the room.”
“Are you sure? Don’t let them spoil our fun,” he said, using the tone Joel has used while they were sailing. He wrapped an arm around Joel’s shoulder.
“They didn’t.” Joel’s pulse spiked and his cock kicked. A simple touch, a non-sexual touch, had him on edge. He needed to think, or rather he had to quit thinking so much if all his thoughts were going to be of Asher. “It’s been a long day. I don’t mind if you want to stay.”
“Fuck that. If you’re ready, so am I.”
The noise of the bar and restaurants faded as they made their way to the room. Only a few people lingered on the paths. Moonlight shimmered off the ocean waters. Joel slid the keycard through the slot and the door unlocked.
“I’ll just be a minute,” Joel said as they entered the room. The door closed behind them.
“Don’t worry. Take your time.” Asher yawned. “Damn, I am tired.”
“Do you want to grab a shower before bed?”
“No, I’ll dirty up the sheets.” Asher flopped onto the bed and laughed. “That’s what housekeeping is for.”
Joel nodded, hurried into the bathroom and closed the door. He felt as if this room had become a sanctuary. He couldn’t trust himself not to get aroused when in the bedroom with Asher. With his lack of control, he’d be spending more time in the bathroom than in the bedroom.
Taking his time, he changed into lounging pants and brushed his teeth. He straightened the towels, cleaned up the counter and looked for anything else he could do to avoid going back into the bedroom. With a deep breath, he unlocked the door. Not as if he could stay in the bathroom all night.
