Read Love Is Always Write Volume 4 for Free Online Page B

funny part." He crossed his legs at the ankles and folded his arms. All the ease he'd shown with Emily was gone. "I'd like to get to know you better. But without the context of work, and without a lot of drinks or music, and now no Emily, I guess the conversation thing is an uphill battle for me. Especially at the moment."
    Stefan laughed and couldn't believe he felt charmed by the fact that the guy basically said talking with him was a chore. "Why at the moment?"
    Greg's smile was rueful. "I'm not sure why you invited me to dinner. You keep looking at me like that, and I get the wrong idea."
    "Look at you? What are you talking about?"
    "Your eyes." He lowered his lids, then bugged his eyes like he had a stomach ache.
    Stefan snickered. "I so do not look like that."
    "You do. You look like you're gonna fuck me with those big, dark eyes of yours."
    "Wow. That's…I don't know if that's really hot or really sick. Both, I'd say." They laughed, and the awkwardness was broken, but the heat remained.
    "You know, maybe I should be less of a virtuous monk about this stuff. Just because, yeah. I want you." Stefan grimaced. But why not be honest with himself as well as Greg? He needed excitement in his life again, and god knew where else he'd find it. He was just about to say, yes, let's go for it, when Greg stood up .
    GREG
    Greg had been acting like a moron long enough. That thing about fucking with eyes—not his style. "I think you're right. I need a friend more than a fuck." He checked his watch. Not really late, not particularly early. He'd been here for hours. And now he felt adrift in the evening.
    "Aw, jeez, and where are you going now? Off to a bar?"
    "I don't think so." He couldn't help the edge of indignation in his tone. Probably because that was precisely what he'd considered doing.
    "I'm not judging you. And, hey, you're the one who said you only do fast encounters."
    Usually Greg hooked up for a weekend or even as long as a week when he went on vacation. And even if he didn't want long-term, he was attracted to guys he'd probably like in real life. But he wouldn't bother explaining this to Stefan, because any more talk about sex would cause him permanent damage. His body had been fully aroused, off and on, for hours, and he wanted to stay in the nearly off mode now that he was out the door. "Thanks for dinner. It was great."
    "Anytime. It was fun hanging out with a grown-up."
    Stefan also stood. He pushed his hands through his already rumpled hair and stretched. Jesus, Stefan's body drew Greg's hunger to the surface again. Maybe it was the way he leaned from side to side. Or maybe Greg had had enough of not touching anyone. Greg definitely wasn't a hugger, but a quick hug good night wouldn't hurt.
    But even as he put his arms around Stefan for an embrace that was supposed to last a few short seconds, he knew he was in deep trouble. He put his nose to Stefan's hair and drew in the scent of soap, baby, slightly sweaty man. One moment, Greg had only the vague tingle of attraction; the next, his body jolted and his head went dizzy. He went from mild arousal to holy shit in one inhalation.
    Stefan froze, but he didn't push away.
    "Greg," Stefan whispered. He put his arms around Stefan and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Their mouths met, and it was over. No way was Greg walking away now.
    He craved immediate gratification, then remembered Stefan's hesitations. He pushed back the hunger for simple heat, pure wrestle-him-to-the-floor-and-fuck, and made himself attempt tenderness.
    The gentle touches to coax this new partner weren't Greg's preference, he'd thought. Turned out he was dead wrong. Soft kisses meant he could explore at leisure. Taking his time allowed him to learn the shape of Stefan's mouth, the tiny bite of beard stubble against the tip of his tongue.
    And then Stefan growled, a small, demanding noise in his throat that brought the end of restraint. Greg tightened his hold and slid his hands up and down that lithe