Authors: Penny Brandon
The smile turned into a grin. "Can I buy you a coffee, then?" the blond asked.
"Coffee?"
"Yeah. You know, the dark, aromatic brew."
"I know what the fuck coffee is."
"Well, do you want one?"
Jared hadn't got a clue what to say. Did he accept and take the offer at face value, or did he decline because he knew damn well that wasn't all the man was offering?
The blond stepped up close until Jared could smell the faint scent of the shampoo he'd used and the very musky aroma of his obvious arousal. The sharp tang filled his nostrils, causing his mouth to water and his heart to start hammering. He held the other man's arresting gaze and was only vaguely aware of sliding out a tongue to wet his lips as he did so. The action, though unintentional, provoked a low groan from the man standing across from him. The sound drove a shiver down Jared's spine, and he felt goose bumps forming on his skin.
"I don't bite," the man said, his low, seductive tones the straw that finally broke Jared's resistance.
"I do." Caution flew out the window along with every excuse he'd ever used to deny the very basis of his need. To hear the other man draw in a sharp breath sent Jared's primal instincts roaring. He no longer wanted to back away, to take that guarded stance. Instead he reached behind the man's neck with one hand and drew him forward. Silky hair caressed the back of his hand, and he had to still the need to clench his fingers into a fist. He'd had no intention of letting the kiss be anything more than brief yet purposeful, but the second those soft lips touched his, he lost it.
Roughly shoving the blue-eyed blond back to the wall, Jared drove the full length of his body hard against him, grinding his hips across the full thickness of the man's cock. He groaned at the heat that rose between them and moaned at the other man's startled response. Two hands clutched his arms, fingers digging in deep, then releasing as the man's grip slowly changed into an embrace. Jared dropped his bag and helped slide the other man's bag off a broad shoulder. He changed the angle of his mouth and slid his tongue across those plump lips, tasting, exploring, then demanding entrance.
The man complied on a sigh, and Jared got to taste what he'd so far only thought about. The mouth was moist and warm, the tongue soft, questing. Jared traced his along it and then sucked it between his teeth. The body he was holding began to tremble while the hands that had slid over his back tangled in his hair. Jared groaned into the other man's mouth as pleasure slammed into him, driving his arousal to new heights. The kiss deepened, grew hotter, and with every stroke, every thrust of his tongue, he moved his hips, sashaying them back and forth until they were both panting, both moaning.
Eventually Jared pulled back, a satisfied growl rising out of his chest when he saw the other man's glazed eyes. He waited a few moments until both of them were breathing close to normally.
Then he asked the question that would change his life forever.
"Still want to buy me that coffee?"
"Fuck, yeah!"
Jared laughed and was surprised at the unexpected feeling of contentment that wrapped itself around him like a cloak. He leaned back in for a swift kiss and then, unable to help himself, nipped the lower lip of that full mouth with his teeth.
"Ow!"
"Told you I bite."
Kyle stood, slightly dazed, not quite trusting the strength in his legs to do anything more than hold him up. He had not expected that. One moment he was coming on to the dark-haired man, and the next he'd been slammed against the wall and his mouth ravaged. Already aroused, the kiss had fired his body almost to breaking point. It had taken a hell of a lot of willpower not to simply act on his desire and give in to what his body craved. But he warned himself to hold back, to wait, because he had a feeling the kiss could lead to more, so much more.
When he first saw him, Kyle had been shaken. The man had a body that stirred a deep, primal hunger within him, which had been surprising because it had been a long time since that had happened, but what had captured and snagged his attention most was the look in those hazel eyes. Desire was the first thing he'd noticed and it was the first thing Kyle had reacted to, but there had been something else present in the multiflecked depths, something not quite definable but definitely interesting. Right then and there, he'd decided he wanted to find out what it was, so when the door had been surprisingly slammed in his face, he'd decided to wait.
It hadn't been easy, patiently waiting, especially when he'd heard the unmistakable sounds of the man masturbating. Lust had hit him full force, which had turned into a fierce arousal that refused to quit. He'd been tempted to ease the tension, as the other man was doing, but he didn't want to miss the opportunity of hearing every moan and harsh breath or the final cry of culmination. Control had been something Kyle had lots of practice at, but it had been sorely tested as he'd imagined the way the man's hand would move over his body, how it would at first caress, then grip his cock before starting a slow but powerful cycle of pleasure. And the one thing he definitely didn't want to miss was catching him coming out of the shower stalls.
Now, with the man looking at him with an avid gleam, Kyle was glad he'd waited. He bent to pick up his bag and fallen jacket, astonished at how his hand was shaking slightly. He saw the other man pick up his own bag, and as the guy straightened, Kyle admired the flex of his muscles, the tightness of his ass. The man had a great body, and if that kiss was anything to go by, he knew how to use it. That they both wanted to fuck each other senseless was a given, but Kyle really wasn't after a quick, casual fuck; he'd given that up long ago, and he didn't see himself reverting back to the way he used to be, either, so what now?
Tearing his gaze away from the man's ass, Kyle had to wonder what this could ultimately lead. But first, perhaps he should concentrate on where it should start.
He followed the man across the parking lot toward the cafe. The low, single-story building was at the front of the large graveled area that was used primarily for the big rigs that stopped there. The shower block they'd just vacated sat at the side of the cafe, far enough away that the users would have some privacy, but not so far it could be used for anything other than what it was built for. Kyle realized they could easily have been spotted, and was thankful their liaison had gone unnoticed. Or at least he hoped so. Not that he cared what people thought, but a truck stop with big, burly heterosexual drivers would not be a place one man wanted to get caught kissing another.
However, that didn't stop him from admiring the ass that paraded in front of him, or from appreciating the long legs that sauntered with just the right amount of confidence and swagger. Clad in light blue jeans, with a white T-shirt emphasizing the broad, well-muscled torso, the view from this angle was just as good as the front had been. "Hey!"
The stranger stopped and turned around. That gaze of his seemed to pin Kyle to the pavement.
"Yes?"
"I don't know your name."
A wide smile had butterflies dancing in Kyle's stomach and a slither of desire flitting up his spine, but because his cock was still hard and stuffed painfully into the tight confines of his jeans, he didn't appreciate the added stimulation.
"It's Jared. You?"
"Kyle."
"Nice to meet you, Kyle." The pleasantries were said with a mock bow and a twist of Jared's lips. Humor danced in those eyes, but so did something else. Hunger?
Shit! He liked the way Jared had said his name, with a soft edge that seemed to make a promise out of it, and right then Kyle didn't care that his cock gave a strangled twitch; in fact he kind of hoped Jared noticed.
A few minutes later, they sat in a booth in a secluded corner of the cafe. Though it was early morning, the cafe was pretty full of rig drivers and tourists, alike, so they were lucky to have a little space to themselves. Kyle wanted privacy so he was able to talk freely. He wanted to ask Jared as many questions as possible so he could get some kind of idea if they had any similar likes or dislikes. And he wasn't just thinking of the sexual kind either, though he knew they would end up discussing that sooner or later. Just the mere thought had Kyle's blood thickening--and everything else. And he'd only
just
got his erection to subside a little! Damn it!
"You hungry?" He asked the question to get his mind off the throbbing between his thighs. There was only one kind of hunger he wanted to alleviate, but he grabbed the menu off the table and quickly began to read.
Jared had settled deep into the padded seat opposite him and had also picked up a menu, but though he glanced at it, he didn't seem particularly interested in the contents. Kyle watched him for a moment, fascinated by the play of emotions on his face. Jared was cautious suddenly, yet as their eyes met, the light in them belied the frown on his brow.
"Jared, you hungry?" he repeated.
Jared shrugged, and Kyle's attention was ripped from his face to the impressive width of the man's chest. Kyle suddenly found it was possible to get turned on just by eyeing the bulk of a man's pecs. This man's, anyway. Stopping his thoughts right there, he once again brought his gaze back to Jared's eyes. They were seriously fascinating, the different-colored hues making it almost impossible to look away. Would those eyes change color as some hazel eyes were likely to do when they were riding an emotional high? Kyle smiled to himself and decided he couldn't wait to find out if those flecks of color would darken or lighten when Jared was just about to come.
Shit, there he was again, thinking of sex. It seemed impossible to think of anything else, though, not when the man he was so interested in, so attracted to was sitting close to him. If he reached out his hand, he could touch him, but he had a feeling Jared wouldn't like that. Not in plain sight anyway.
The slightly awkward set of Jared's shoulders was more than likely due to his being uncomfortable in public with a potential lover. Kyle understood that, had felt it himself a few times when he'd first started dating. But he wasn't worried; once they got to know each other and were more comfortable in each other's company, then Jared wouldn't look like he was going to jump out of his skin if anyone made so much as a move toward him. At least Kyle hoped so. That's of course if they actually got past having breakfast together, because if Jared didn't loosen up anytime soon, it might not even happen.
When the waitress arrived, Jared seemed to sink farther into his seat, and Kyle decided to order for both of them, chancing a look into the other man's eyes as he did so. "You okay with that?" he asked once the waitress had left.
"Bit late now."
"You could have said something."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry, I'm just..."
"A little uncomfortable. I figured," Kyle added at Jared's raised eyebrow.
Jared took in a breath, then blew it out. He relaxed a little, which was a big improvement, and it made Kyle feel a little more hopeful.
"Where are you headed?" Jared asked, toying with the salt shaker sitting in the middle of the table. It sounded like an idle question, but even as Jared asked it, his eyes bored into Kyle's, demanding an answer. The right answer.
Kyle worried his lip. He knew this would come up, but he wasn't ready for it. Maybe they weren't going to get past breakfast after all, but for a totally different reason. He tried to sound nonchalant and casually shrugged. "Nowhere in particular."
Jared's long, tapered fingers stilled. "You're a drifter?" The speculation in Jared's eyes was no less than Kyle expected--he'd seen it a hundred times--but there was no follow-up of disdain or derision, and for that he was grateful.
"You could say that."
"How about I don't say anything, and you tell me."
The warmth that spread through Kyle's chest had everything to do with Jared's casual acceptance. He wasn't judging out of hand but was waiting for Kyle's explanation. There weren't many people out there who would do that. He smiled and patted the bag beside him. "I can travel because I take my work with me."
"Yeah? What kind of work do you do?"
Kyle grinned, quickly noticing the way Jared's eyes darkened as he did so. His grin deepened, figuring he'd just got a glimpse of how Jared would look as he was coming. "You like computer games, Jared?"
"Some."
"Well, I write them."
The surprise in Jared's eyes lightened them again. "You're kidding," he said, smiling.
Kyle smiled back, leaning against the table between them. "Nope. I had a nice little business a while back, which I got out of. It left me financially secure, so I spend my time playing games and investing my money."
"Nice job if you can get it."
"It has its perks." Kyle hesitated, wondering if it was too soon to say anything more, but as Jared seemed to be waiting for him to add something, he jumped in with both feet. "Like being able to go where I want, when I want, and with whom I want," he added, knowing he couldn't make himself any more obvious.
Jared started playing with the salt shaker again. Kyle watched him closely and was a little disappointed when he didn't say anything. Just then the waitress came with their order, and anything Jared would have said was lost as he picked up his fork and started eating.