Mike is a gallery owner who is looking to put on a show with a few local artists, and the first step is interviewing them.<br><br>Interview number one is Tommy: attractive, funny, amazing ... and far too young for Mike's forty-odd years, even if Tommy himself strongly disagrees.

Paint a Story on Your Skin

“Just let me close up, turn all the lights off, and then we can go,” Mike says, nervous and happy.


As he walks around the gallery making sure everything as it should be, lights off, doors closed, alarms set, his worries start to come back, but he’s not backing out now.


And as he locks up behind them, he starts to feel a little giddy. It’s been a long time since Mike was this excited about taking someone home. In a way, it makes him feel young again.


They walk around the back of the gallery to where Mike’s car is parked, and he can see Tommy getting tense as they get closer to the car. So he takes Tommy’s hand in his, and Tommy seems to relax enough to reach the car. And then, instead of getting straight in the car, Mike pushes Tommy up against the side and kisses him.


Chapter 12