Buzz (The Riley Brothers Book 1) (8 page)

In his last guided tour on Wednesday, Noah was hardly focused. It was a group of older retired folks, tourists, and two university students and he was showing them the exhibit on the cod moratorium in Newfoundland.

Nobody took much note of the photograph that was
his
favorite – an old black-and-white photo taken in the 90s. Two fishermen were leaning across the edges of their boats. One man braced his chapped, rough hands on the edge of his boat, watching and worrying. The other twisted the net away to reveal the bright, wide eyes of a scarce few small cod caught in the huge net.

After the tour, Noah came back to the photo to admire the details. Even in black and white, it was potent. Every time he saw it, he sensed the stress and the grief of the fishing life.

Before his life as a beekeeper, his uncle Bill had once spent his days fishing on a Newfoundland boat. Back in the late eighties, before Noah's birth, life had been good for him. He'd heard the story dozens of times: fish from shore to shore, good hauls, rough work that paid, and then less and less, and then the moratorium. Plants closing, docks shutting down, boats rotting, communities emptying out.

Bill had gotten sick of it and moved back to New Brunswick where Noah's dad's parents had lived briefly. He'd stumbled into beekeeping, and it was an industry that paid better each year.

It was the barest of connections between Noah and the piece, but it was enough that he stared at the men and wondered if his uncle would have known them. He'd only come to the art gallery a couple times, and never to this exhibit. He said it was too hard on him.

The gentle announcement from the front desk ushered visitors out. Noah snapped back to attention, a smile spreading across his face. Time to do a walk of the exhibit, answering questions while guiding visitors to the cloakroom.

And then... a shiver of anticipation ran down Noah's spine. Supper, a shower, and a date with the man who had been on his mind all day.

***

This time, Noah was the first to spot Cameron. The broad-shouldered man had a smooth way of walking, like he was gliding wherever he went. He had a certain graceful awareness of his body despite his broad, yet lean physicality. It was smoking hot.

“Hey,” Noah called out to get Cameron's attention as he crossed the street towards the wine bar.

Cameron's head snapped up as he scanned his field of vision in one swift motion. He quickly made eye contact with Noah. The lazy, easy smile made Noah tingle. Cam's full, narrow lips pursed in almost a heart shape before his face cracked into a winning smile.

It was so easy to smile along with him, and Noah did.

“Hi,” Cameron greeted as he joined Noah, reaching out to brush his hand down Noah's arm. Noah sizzled with pleasure.

“How are you? You made it,” Noah commented, then kicked himself for stating the obvious. “Uh, I'm glad.”

“I'm glad you did, too.”

Already, there was heat between them. Noah resisted the urge to sway into Cameron and give him a hello kiss. “Come on in,” he invited and waved at the wine bar. “Wine and cheese?”

“Great plan,” Cameron agreed. “I have to warn you, I don't know a lot about wine. I usually go for beer.”

“Tonight will be your education, then,” Noah teased and winked. He knew that could be taken multiple ways.

Cameron caught on. His voice was sultry as he leaned in behind Noah to open the door for him. He murmured right into his ear, “I like being taught new things.”

His breath on Noah's neck was warm. The quick brush of Cameron's front against Noah's ass, plus the innuendo... it all raced straight to Noah's cock. He knew he was blushing as he gave Cameron a quick wink, then headed into the restaurant.
He's gonna kill me before we even get to bed. Argh...
“Table for two, please.”

Once they were seated with the wine and cheese menu, Noah dared to make eye contact again. Even then, Cameron was gazing right at him with those smoldering eyes. “Fuck,” Noah laughed under his breath, glancing back down to his menu.

“Sorry,” Cameron apologized with another easy laugh, but he didn't sound apologetic. “You're just handsome today. Again.”

“Thanks.” Noah wore a tank top under a black pull-over cardigan with intricate crochet patterns. It was almost lacy with holes across his shoulders but a solid front and back. The tank top shoulders were perfectly hidden under a solid section around his neck, which made it look like he was shirtless. It was one of his favorite outfits for that very reason. The thin sweater fabric clung to his body, and his jeans were tight and black. He'd caught Cameron having a quick glance already.

Cameron looked good: a light blue collared shirt with the top few buttons undone and a zip-up black sweater with pressed trousers. Noah approved of the effort he'd put into it, even if he itched to try a few brighter colors on him. Cameron definitely pulled them off. His hair was short and looked touchable the way it was brushed neatly back.

The waiter came to collect their drinks order before Noah got himself into trouble by leaning across the table to indulge his desire to touch.

“So, how's the hockey exhibition going?” Cameron asked once Noah had chosen their glasses of wine and a matching cheese plate. “Not to stress you out or anything...”

Noah laughed. “Oh, things were hairy for a bit, but it's gonna be good. There's a few custom pieces I'm excited about, and I think all the loans I wanted are solid. I'm commissioning several more to appease people who don't think it's local enough. Then everyone should be happy. Please, God,” he mock-prayed, rolling his eyes and flourishing with a hand.

Cameron laughed. “It sounds like it'll be good.”

“Which reminds me – did you want to come with me to the opening night? It's not for a while, of course, but...” Noah fidgeted with the menu against the table.

“Yeah.” Cameron reached across the table to press his hand over Noah's. His palm was broad, callused, wonderfully warm... “I'd like that.”

“You like hockey?” Noah asked, glancing down at their hands with a smile. He turned his palm over to touch each other's fingers. The first few dates were supposed to be full of unresolved chemistry, but he'd be happy to climb into bed with Cam tonight.

Cameron's fingertips hesitated where they rested on his palm, close to the gaps between his fingers. Then, he trailed his fingers down into those gaps, lacing their hands together. “Yes.”

“Well, I've got a ball hockey league... it's only casual. I'm sort of the co-organizer. We're doing an intercity game with some other guys we know running casual clubs this summer.”

For the first time, Cameron's confidence turned into a nervous expression as his lips pinched together.

Does he get performance anxiety?
Noah tried not to giggle at the thought. “Hey, you don't have to... but it wouldn't be a big deal. We're casual. We all go out for beer afterwards, win or lose. And you'd get some new buddies out of it...”

Still, Cameron hesitated, his gaze rising to pierce Noah's again. Those dark eyes pinned Noah to the spot, but long seconds later, Cameron smiled. “Sure. As long as they're as low-key as you promise. I could use buddies out here. But if it's at all stressful, I can't do it. I don't want it to be a big deal, you know?”

“Yeah, you've got enough on the go,” Noah nodded. “It's not, I promise. Just a bit of running around and sweating. We did it briefly over the winter indoors, but then we got kicked out of the arena.”

“That's a shame.”

“Yeah,” Noah nodded, sliding his fingers out from between Cameron's to pick up his wine glass and sip. “Oh, hey... I told my uncle about you.”

Cameron's eyes widened comically. “Which bit?”

“
Not
what an amazing kisser you are, don't worry.” Noah gave a flirtatious smile to Cameron.

The tough guy's cheeks flushed, and he sat back and averted his gaze a little like he couldn't accept the compliment.

Noah laughed and added, “About being interested in helping him with carpentry or beekeeping.”

“Oh. That's great. Thanks,” Cameron nodded, glancing back at him and swirling his wine glass around. His eyes scrunched a little each time he sipped the glass of wine, like he was trying to get used to it. He ate cheese between each sip.

Noah tried not to laugh at Cameron's palate adjusting. “He wants to see you this weekend if you're back in time.”

“I'll... barely be back,” Cameron nodded, his shoulders sinking in relief. The stress from moments ago was gone, replaced with a hopeful glow. “But yeah, I'll be driving back before then. That'd be fantastic. I mean, the new mortgage will take time...”

“You guys got the houses? Oh, man, congratulations,” Noah smiled. “You like them?”

“Yeah. They'll need a bit of work, but they're in decent shape already. Just gotta live with my brother until the deal closes.”

Noah nodded, then reached out to choose a piece of blue cheese Cameron had been avoiding. “You should try this.”

Cameron looked suspicious.

Noah leaned forward to pop it between Cameron's lips, and Cameron was so startled he parted his lips. Then, Cameron's eyes crinkled with amusement as he chewed.

When he hesitated, Noah held his breath, but Cameron kept going and swallowed. “Actually, that's not bad.”

“Told you so,” Noah teased. “I know a thing or two.”

“I know... a different thing or two.”

“Mm. I'd love to skill-share,” Noah winked, letting his gaze flick down to Cameron's chest. It rippled with muscles under the collared shirt and Noah itched to see it.

Cameron licked his lower lip, then bit it as he gazed at Noah. After a moment, he nodded. “It can't hurt.”

Noah hesitated, trying to read that response. “If it's too new for you--”

“No,” Cameron said firmly. “I didn't want
you
thinking it was weird. I don't want you feeling like you're a rebound.”

Noah sat back as he swirled his wine glass, then shook his head. “I dated someone in high school who was terrible for me. By the time we'd broken up, we'd... been broken up for months.” Cameron looked relived, his shoulders sinking as he nodded. “I get it.”

“Oh. Great. Phew.”

“A man of many words, all of them multisyllabic,” Noah pretended to swoon, finishing his glass of wine and the last piece of cheese from the tray.

“I'm sure you have some single-syllable words I'll find.” Cameron said it in a meaningful purr, his voice catching in a slight growl, and Noah lost his breath for a moment. “Shall I walk you home?”

“Please,” Noah agreed. His breathing was heavy as he signaled the waiter to request the bill, but Cameron nabbed it. “No, you don't have to--”

“My pleasure, in exchange for the education I've already gotten on...
blue
cheese,” Cameron answered, grinning at the waiter. “It was surprisingly good.”

“Good on you for trying it,” the waiter answered, swiping Cameron's credit card. “A lot of our first-time guests don't.”

“I made him,” Noah smirked. “It only looks gnarly. The gnarlier something looks, the better it tastes.”

Cameron's head was still down as he watched the screen, but his head turned slightly towards Noah. He gave Noah a meaningful sideways glance.

Noah nearly burst out laughing.
No. Not in front of the waiter.

The transaction went through swiftly, and less than a minute later they were out in the cold again. “You know,” Noah shook his head, “you're a handful.”

Cameron's rich laugh echoed down the street. He slid his arm around Noah's shoulders, keeping his hand carefully on Noah's other shoulder. Those extra few inches made it feel like Cameron was tucking him into his side as they walked down the street.

Noah didn't hesitate to slide his arm around Cameron's waist in response. As they waited for the “walk” signal, he leaned up to press a kiss against Cameron's lips.

I could get used to this.

***

The ten-minute walk to his apartment took fifteen at their slow pace, but pressing close to Cameron for an extra few minutes was nothing to complain about. Cameron was warm against him, warding off the spring chill. More than that, heat had been simmering under Noah's skin since they'd kissed hello.

Noah kept his arm around Cameron's waist as he led him up to the front door. He fumbled to hold open the screen door while unlocking it.

Still close behind him, Cameron chuckled quietly and let his arm drop from around Noah's shoulders to hold it.

“Thanks.”

As the door swung open, Noah stepped inside and kicked off his shoes. He toed them into the corner and stepped out of the way for Cameron to follow him inside. As Noah leaned in the living room doorway, he shrugged off his coat and hung it up, then waited for Cameron to slip his shoes and jacket off.

“You live by yourself?”

“Yep,” Noah chuckled. “No awkward roommate moments ever again. Want something to drink?”

Cameron nodded. “A glass of water would be great,” he agreed. As Noah led him to the kitchen through his cozy living room, Cameron followed. “Cute room.”