Chapter 2

“Comfortable?”

Luke blushed and nodded. “Yeah. I just didn’t want to get into the middle of an awkward situation.”

“Hey, it’s smart. As long as you’re not going to get weirdly judgmental about it, it’s cool.”

Luke shuddered. “So not my place. Even if I were uncomfortable, it wouldn’t be my place. It’s your life, your relationship. If I wanted the responsibility of managing a relationship, I’d have my own.”

Evan drained the rest of his glass, and a shiver of anticipation ran up Luke’s spine. “I’m glad to hear that. As it happens, Nick is out of town right now. Our relationship is open because we both travel for work, and we both get weird when we’re alone for too long.”

Luke held up a hand. “It’s all good. You don’t have to justify anything to me.” It meant something that he wanted to, and maybe at some point down the road Luke would try to figure out what. For now, he just wanted to lose himself for a little while.

“I know. I wanted to set your mind at ease a little bit.” He glanced at Luke’s empty pint glass. “I don’t suppose you’re ready to get out of here?”

“Absolutely.” Luke stood up.

Evan led him out of the bar. “I only live a couple of blocks from here. Are you okay with going back to my place, or would you rather go to a hotel?”

Luke shuddered away from the thought of spending hotel-type money. “Your place is good.” Places around the bar—hell, near the University—weren’t exactly cheap, but if Evan had already bought it the cost wasn’t Luke’s problem. “It’s convenient for classes, huh?”

They made small talk as they quickly made their way back to the old brick factory, now converted into high-end condos. Luke didn’t look around more than he had to, but he could see that Evan occupied a large, minimalist space with two separate loft-type areas. City lights dazzled from a massive, unobstructed picture window that took up an entire wall.

Evan kissed his neck as Luke found himself distracted by the beautiful view. “Nice, isn’t it?” he murmured into Luke’s ear. His normal voice was upbeat and alluring. When he spoke like this, deep and direct into Luke’s ear, it was like he had a direct line to Luke’s cock. His pants very suddenly fit all wrong, and the clothes he’d worn against the October chill created a sauna.

Luke leaned into his embrace, and Evan took it for the invitation it was. His strong, elegant hands slid under Luke’s henley, leaving a trail of fire against the skin beneath. “I think you’re a little overdressed, don’t you?” Evan tugged at the edges and slipped it over his head. “Let’s get this off you.”

Luke let Evan strip him, first of his shirt and then of the rest of his irritating, hateful clothing. He hadn’t gotten particularly into BDSM, but he had no problem letting his partner take charge in the bedroom. Evan knew what he was doing, that much Luke knew, and he didn’t feel at all uncomfortable standing naked in front of Evan even though Evan was still fully dressed.

He stood proud before Evan. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of. And the way Evan looked him over, with every ounce of his attention frozen to Luke, just solidified that knowledge. “Well now. You’re one beautiful man, Luke. And eager.” He eyed Luke’s hard cock and winked.

“Can you blame me?” Luke chuckled. “I’ve been looking forward to this since we connected earlier.”

“Mmm. Me too.” Evan peeled his shirt off, slowly and carefully. Luke’s mouth watered as Evan all but performed a strip tease. He’d done a few hookups, here and there, but he’d never been with someone so unabashedly sensual as Evan. His cock throbbed with need, and something under his skin burned.

“We should move this upstairs.” Evan glanced over at the stairs going to the loft space over the kitchen. “It’s where the stuff is, anyway. Not that I wouldn’t be happy to screw you right on top of that ottoman, but we have all night.”

The idea of more than one round with Evan made Luke weak at the knees. “Let’s go.”

Evan took him by the hand and led him up the stairs. The loft space turned out to be generous, with a huge walk-in closet and a massive master bathroom tucked in behind the main loft space. Luke only had eyes for the giant platform bed, though, with its soft gray bedding.

“Let’s get nice and warmed up.” Evan guided him gently onto the bed, and even just the feel of his hands on Luke’s skin had him raring to go again. He obeyed, lying on his back across the foot of the bed. “You okay with oral?”

Luke’s profile had been pretty specific with what he liked. “I love giving head.” He swallowed hard, looking at Evan’s dark red cock.