by Anna Zabo
Jackson glanced his way and huffed. “Beer, Adi. And I’ll tell you.”
They ended up back in Brooklyn, closer to Jackson’s home in Far Rockaway than Adrian’s. The bar was closer to an old neighborhood type, given that gentrification hadn’t quite set in this part of Brooklyn—no hipster menu, no gleaming metal, and distressed wood. All the wear and tear of the place was genuine, from years of use, not from special paints or whatnot.
Adrian felt at home here, too. He’d grown up in Brooklyn during the ’80s, back when his neighborhood wasn’t the place to live. His parents both worked and their house—the one he now owned—had been neat, but as run-down as this bar.
When the bartender set beers down for both Jackson and him, Adrian turned and waited.
“Don’t give me that look, Adi.”
“What look is that?”
Jackson smiled and looked into his beer, a rare blush on his dark, chiseled cheeks. “The lost puppy look.”
Adrian sat up. “I’m not—”
“Yeah, you are.” Jackson took a swig, then leveled his gaze at Adrian. “For all that you’re connected and have community, you don’t make friends that easily.”
That wasn’t—okay, maybe that was true. He had his kink community and the LGBTQIA group he volunteered with, and he knew some of the other folks at the gym. There was the freelance work that kept his hand in social media and website design, but friendships...? He could count those on one hand.
“I never understood that about you, ’cause you’re a good guy. What’re you so afraid of?”
Losing. Adrian laughed into his beer and avoided the answer, because it would strip too much off. “So you’ve got another job lined up, then?”
Jackson shook his head, but it wasn’t in answer to Adrian’s question. “I’ve been interviewing. I’m close to an offer at this place uptown. Startup type, near Columbia.” He paused. “Minority owned. They’re putting together this great social media app.”
“Chancy.” Adrian couldn’t help it. Startups came and went. Hell, he’d been on that roller coaster in California, enough to hate it. Yeah, so while he might not like the bank, while there might be a whole hell of a lot of prejudice, it was stable.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. But they’re doing shit I believe in. And I’ve got enough saved up if things go south. And if they go north...”
Jackson would be fine then. This was a good thing. Hell, Adrian loved social media, so he got why Jackson would jump after a new thing that looked great. Part of Adrian was happy, but the other part...
“And if you think I’m letting your white ass off of working out three times a week, you’ve got another thing coming.” Jackson sipped his beer. “Besides, if you settle down with this book boy of yours, you’re not gonna be up for dancing at night.”
So many emotions clashed in Adrian that he choked on his beer and laughed. “I haven’t even had dinner with the man yet.” If Jackson left work, they’d still be friends. It was a damn stupid thing to think that they wouldn’t be, but he’d also experienced that in California. “And Jack, if you want to find someone long-term, I’m not sure those clubs we went to are the right place.”
“You got a better option?”
A slow nod. “Maybe. You like art and music and all.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “I also like young and fresh.”
Adrian held up his hands. “All I’m saying is maybe check out places that hold your other interests.” Besides the quick hot sex they both liked. “There’s a jazz place that opened up recently in Washington Heights.”
That gave Jackson pause, it seemed, because he grunted and drank more beer. “Some folks I know have mentioned it, too, so I’m not going to be offended by your Irish ass recommending it.”
Adrian gave an apologetic shrug. “I did their website. And it’s a nice place. The music was top-notch. You never know who you might meet.”
Jackson snorted. “Matchmaker Adi. At least you do know your jazz, thanks to me.” Those shrewd eyes caught Adrian’s. “What about you? I know work’s grating on you. And you know they’re gonna promote William right over you.”
He couldn’t help the flinch. “It’s a paycheck, it’s steady, and I don’t hate it.”
“But you don’t love it,” Jackson said, an echo of what had been in Dominic’s face on Saturday night.
“There are very few things I love,” Adrian said.
“Bullshit, Adi. Bull-fucking-shit.”
Yeah, yeah. But if he told himself that, it made his work life a lot easier to deal with.
Chapter Four
Adrian cursed under his breath as he stood on the subway platform. He’d never make the restaurant to meet Dominic by 6 PM. Not with the way the trains were running. He should have known, should have left early, but with the chaos at work—well, obviously that hadn’t happened. Thankfully, he did have a cell signal for once, so he fired off a quick text.
Trains are fucked. Going to be late.
Dominic’s reply came fairly fast. S’ok. I have a book. I’ll get a glass of wine and wait.
Which book? Couldn’t help it. Perhaps it was on the list he had tucked into his suit pocket.
Just some Whitman poetry. I like lingering over the lines.
Adrian inhaled a breath that smelled too much like humanity and not enough fresh air. Still, Dominic’s words sent little sparks down his limbs. You sure you’re not a lyricist?
Ha. No, I’m really not. Just an admirer. The world is beautiful. Words are beautiful.
Adrian’s fingers flew over the screen, and he sent the text before he could even think about it. You’re beautiful.
The rumble of a train made Adrian look up. Thank god it was one of the ones he’d been waiting for. Yeah, it was gonna be packed, but he’d rather be crammed in and to Dominic sooner than later. His cell vibrated as he made his way onto the stuffed car and found a tiny bit of standing space. He reached up to grab the bar, and checked the reply.
Thank you. No one’s ever said that to me before.
The train lurched forward, and the tenuous cell signal vanished. Adrian stared at the message. Pretty damn obvious no lover had ever treated Dominic right. Maybe they’d been kind and hot. Maybe the sex had been exceptional, but for no one to tell that lovely man he was beautiful?
Fools. The lot of them. All of them. Adrian tucked his phone into his inner jacket pocket. Even if this flirting and date didn’t lead to anything more, he’d be the person who showed Dominic what it was like to be appreciated.
By the time the train got to Brooklyn and his stop, he was a good ten minutes late. He fired off another text as soon as he had a signal again.
You’re lovely, Dominic. And I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Then he’d prove it to the man. Words. Actions. At least for one night. Perhaps more.
Took another several minutes to cover the distance from the subway to the bar. When he was close, Adrian slowed his steps and tugged at his clothing. No time to go home and change. Hopefully he wasn’t too rumpled from the commute. He’d chosen a gray plaid paired with a purple shirt and a tie full of pinks and reds and blues. One of his yes, I’m hella queer, but so much better dressed than you looks. It was always interesting to note whose heads he turned as he travelled.
Several people gave him the once-over when he entered Poet and Whiskey, but he paid them no mind. He only had interest in one man tonight.
Took exactly one glance to find Dominic. He was tucked against the far wall in a corner, sitting on that long bench in front of a table for two, and yes, he had his glass of wine. But he wasn’t reading his poetry—no. He was staring at Adrian like a man in a desert who’d just spied water. Moist lips. Wide eyes. He swallowed, and the smile that lit his face warmed every part of Adrian.
Hell, this was going to be fun.
Adrian crosse
d the bar and ignored the chair on the other side of the table. Instead, he sat next to Dominic on the bench, their legs brushing. “I’m sorry I got hung up.”
“It’s all right.” Dominic leaned toward him, closing what little space there was between them. “I’m good at waiting.”
“Are you?” He reached to cup Dominic’s neck—but hesitated. “May I?” A simple thing, to seek permission. But so important if he were going to do everything as right as he could.
A lovely blush and a nod. “Yes.” A breathless answer.
So Adrian caught his neck and pulled him close enough that their lips nearly touched. “A kiss?”
“Please.” Almost a moan, that.
Took nothing to move that fraction of space, delve into that needy and tantalizing mouth. Dominic tasted of red wine and so much want.
Oh yes, he’d have his man in his bed tonight. No doubts about that. “I’m glad you waited for me, Dominic.” He spoke against those sweet lips, then sat back.
A nice flush had spread down Dominic’s neck. “So am I.” He met Adrian’s gaze. “You look amazing, by the way, in that suit.”
Adrian touched Dominic’s bowtie. This one was silk, with blue and green jewel tones and hints of gold, paired with a pale yellow shirt. “Thank you. You’re quite the dapper man, yourself.” Once more, he’d worn jeans, and this pair was so tight his arousal was almost indecently apparent. “And utterly beautiful.”
There was that swallow again, but right before Dominic spoke, a waiter coughed from the other side of the table.
Damn. But they were getting ahead of themselves. They both turned, and Adrian gave the gentleman a smile. His nametag read Greg and he was blushing a little himself.
Greg cleared his throat again. “Can I get you something to drink?” He handed Adrian a menu.
Wine would be nice. He eyed Dominic’s half-empty glass. “Would you be up for sharing a bottle of something red?”
A sultry smile, and Dominic leaned back against the bench. “Sure.”
He glanced over the list and picked out a mid-priced Spanish wine. When Greg left, Adrian returned his full attention to Dominic. “We should decide on meals before we get too lost in each other again.”
That earned him a chuckle. “I already know what I want. But I suppose I should have some food, too.” He raised an eyebrow. “You gonna sit in your chair?” Dominic nodded at the empty seat across from him.
“Do you want me to?”
A slow shake of his head.
“Then not on your life.” Adrian nudged him farther into the corner, then rotated their table ninety degrees so they could more easily share it. “This is far more cozy.”
“It’s like you want me trapped,” Dominic murmured. The blush was still there, but there was an energetic edge to his smile and his gaze. Like he was winning whatever game they were playing.
Which, perhaps, was true. Adrian had the feeling they were both winning tonight.
“You could still slip out.” He gestured to the other end of the table. There was enough room to squeeze between it and the wall.
“So there is.” Dominic slid farther up the bench and shoved the table tight against the wall.
Oh, now that was nice. He followed, crowded Dominic into the corner. “It’s like you want me to trap you.”
“Yes, please.” No uncertainty. Just the whisper of someone who desperately needed to lose himself.
Adrian didn’t know Dominic’s story, but he knew that look, the way he moved his body, the desire twisted into every motion. Adrian tapped the menu. “Pick your dinner.”
“Will you feed it to me again?”
Lord, this man. He hadn’t even fucked him, and yet Adrian already wanted more. More nights, more words. “We’ll drink wine, eat our meals, talk books, and perhaps have some dessert.” He leaned in close. “But I do have other plans for that mouth of yours tonight.”
There was steel in those brown eyes when they met Adrian’s. “Good.”
Dinner was top-notch, and the wine warming. Watching Dominic simultaneously unwind and also become a creature of fiery passion was exquisite. They discussed the Jack Saul book, and that left Dominic squirming on the bench while they waited to order dessert.
Adrian couldn’t help laying his hand on Dominic’s thigh. “This all right?”
A huff. “Was the last time.”
“But this is now.” Adrian stroked a finger over hard muscle under denim. “I’m not here to take advantage of you.”
“What if I want to be taken advantage of?”
Those dark eyes were bottomless and wide, it seemed. “Then it’s not being taken advantage of. It’s surrender.” Adrian hazarded the word. “Submission.”
He didn’t think Dominic’s eyes could get larger, but he’d been wrong. “Oh.” A lick of lips. “Okay.”
“Just okay?” He drifted his fingers higher.
Dominic chuckled. “More than. Do whatever you want, you know, without getting us thrown out or arrested for public indecency.”
Ah, yes. They would get along very well. With his free hand, he pulled Dominic in for a long kiss full of flavor and need. Once more, those lips parted and Dominic softened under Adrian’s hands.
Well, not all of him. His dick was nice and thick as Adrian traced it with his hand.
When he backed off, Dominic’s chest was heaving, his cheeks were flush with more than wine, and he looked about ready to beg.
“I brought you a list of books,” Adrian whispered against those willing lips.
A tiny moan. “Fuck, Adrian,” Dominic whispered. “You’re gonna give me whiplash.”
Yes, yes he was. With joy. “That’s the plan.” He sat back and dug the list out of his suit pocket and passed it along.
Dominic took it, his hands surprisingly steady given the rest of his body, unfolded it, and read. The flush remained, but a sharp, focused look took up where lust had been. “I’ve read some of these.” His gaze met Adrian’s, and it was everything at once. Intelligent, sexy, needy, impressed. “But not all of them.”
Good. That meant Adrian could offer the books to Dominic to borrow. “Which ones have you read?”
Before Dominic could list them off, the waiter finally came to take their dessert order. Adrian didn’t bother consulting Dominic this time. “That chocolate cake you have. One fork.”
Greg’s gaze flicked between them, and he nodded before retreating.
“No lemon this time?”
Adrian brushed a thumb over Dominic’s lips. “I want to see what you taste like with chocolate tonight.”
Another tremble. Good. He liked the needy edge on Dominic. It was going to be such a pleasure to take him home and tease the hell out of him before fucking him good and hard. “Now, which books?”
Dominic focused on the list. The ruddiness of his skin had spread down his neck. “Well, Maurice, for one, and the bio of Oscar Wilde.” He pointed out a few others. “I’ve been wanting to read City of Night for ages.”
“I have a copy.”
“Do you?” Hook, line, and sinker. Dominic’s smile said everything. Yes, there’d be other dates after this one.
When the cake came, Adrian fed it to Dominic, watching the way those lips and tongue took the heavy cake off the fork. A beautiful mouth, no doubt as talented as it was pretty. The fact that Dominic was articulate and interested in literature and fine food as well as fucking? Perfect.
So was that smile, the one that seemed to say that Dominic thought he was just as in charge of the situation as Adrian. And perhaps he was.
The cake was delightful, and so was that little sound Dominic made when he swallowed down the last bite. Hell, Adrian was harder than he’d been in a long while, if he discounted his first encounter with Mr. Dominic Bradley.
As they waited for the waiter to collect their
dishes, Adrian pointed to the book of poetry. “May I?”
“Of course.” Dominic placed it in Adrian’s hands.
He flipped it open at random. “‘To a Stranger.’ How apropos.”
That earned him a smirk. “We are, aren’t we? Strangers. Eating and drinking.”
The lines were obviously familiar to Dominic. To Adrian, as well. “I ate with you and slept with you.”
But it was the last line that held Adrian’s attention.
“I am to see to it that I do not lose you.”
Well, if that ever were a sign that he should keep pursuing the interesting man before him. Not that he believed in fate or portents. Life was far too chaotic for that. He closed the book. “Would you like to come over, Dominic?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” A quirk formed on those lips.
He wanted under Dominic’s clothes, wanted to press fingertips against skin. Drag his tongue down that neck and devour full-throated moans.
When the check came, Dominic collected it before Adrian could reach for the folder. “This is nonnegotiable.”
A flare in his speech and gaze had Adrian nodding in agreement. “Of course.”
There was strength in this man, enough to bend, enough to let go. But also to stand his ground, which Adrian appreciated as much as all the other parts he’d glimpsed.
Check paid, they both rose and headed out of the bar. Adrian caught Dominic’s hand and pulled him close. “I normally don’t take anyone home on a weeknight.”
Warm hand in his. An even warmer one slipped beneath Adrian’s suit jacket. “Breaking your rules for me?”
“I suspect I’ll have no regrets whatsoever.” He slid his fingers into Dominic’s hair and tugged him close. Lips met lips and thighs brushed. And yes, Dominic tasted superb with chocolate.
This time when he broke the kiss, Dominic clung to him, cock hard and body trembling. “Adrian.”
“Hmm?”
“Please take me home and fuck me.” Low, soft words, so sexy, like silk over skin.
