Chapter 30

Maybe, Dan thought, he’s been burned, too, and he’s ready to be more specific about the type of relationship he’s looking for. He’s really attractive.

Dan felt his cock begin to respond to the man’s picture and admonished himself not to think about sex until the proper introductions had been made.

After contemplating Steve’s note and picture for several minutes, Dan decided it was just too iffy. There was something about Steve that didn’t feel right. However, Dan didn’t send the automated ‘Thanks but no thanks,’ reply. Instead he made up his mind to sleep on it.

* * * *

Sleeping on it ultimately changed the whole situation. As soon as Dan got into bed and was relaxing into sleep, his mind brought up Steve’s picture. In only a few minutes Dan was finding all sorts of reasons to contact the man as his rhythmic stroking created fantasy images of him and Steve moving beyond friendship to the realm of mutual sexual gratification.

The contact phone call had been made the next day, and a few days later Dan was waiting anxiously for Steve’s arrival. Steve had been more than happy to make the drive from the city to meet Dan. They planned on having drinks and then going out to dinner in Taylor. Dan explained his culinary skills were sorely lacking. If they wanted more than scrambled eggs, hotdogs, or a hot and ready pizza delivered to the house for dinner, eating out was the better option.

Dan had struggled to keep his hands off his cock during his shower. He’d fussed over which clothes to wear. Dan changed twice, rejecting both a tight sleeveless red tee and a form fitting black one. He finally decided on a short-sleeve, blue, button-down Oxford shirt worn untucked, and tan cargo shorts. For some reason Dan found it important that Steve find him as physically attractive as Dan did Steve.

When Lad and Lady’s bugle barks informed him a car had pulled into the drive, Dan went to the oval mirror beside the door, made sure his hair was in place, nothing obscene was stuck in his teeth, and his shirt was open just enough so there was no doubt Steve would see Dan had hair on his chest—something Dan remembered from Steve’s profile was a turn on for him.

Dan opened the inside door and watched through the screen as Steve got out of his car and made his way up the drive to the walk. Dan immediately regretted he had not relieved his sexual tension in the shower and had chosen to wear a pair of boxers instead of briefs. By the time Steve was smiling at him through the screen, his steel blue eyes mesmerizing Dan, Dan was almost completely hard.

Dan opened the door, trying to find a way to keep his situation from showing. He might as well have not tried, for as soon as Steve crossed the threshold, Dan was pulled into a tight embrace. He could feel Steve was as excited to see him as he was to see Steve.

“Whew,” Steve said, taking a deep breath when the men separated. “Didn’t quite expect to do that. Sorry.”

“S’okay, I’m as surprised as you are. Come on in and meet the family,” Dan said, glad for the distraction the dogs provided.

Lad and Lady were obediently lying side by side next to the door, waiting to be told it was their turn to greet their guest.

Steve stepped inside and Dan closed the door.

“Steve, these are my kids, Lad and Lady.”

At the sound of their names, the dogs’ tails began to sweep the floor.

Steve squatted down. Dan nodded and the dogs politely got up, walked to Steve, and sat down. Steve gave them each a good scratch.

“What breed are they?”

Dan laughed. “That was the sixty-four dollar question. I ran their DNA at the clinic. Mom was definitely full beagle. Dad, on the other hand, was as Heinz 57 as you can get. Had to be something scruffy in there though.”

Steve turned to look back at the dogs. “Well, I think you’re both beautiful.” The dogs responded to his compliment with a barrage of kisses.

“I’ve got a golden. He’s papered.” Steve said over his shoulder. He turned back to Lad and lady. “His name’s Midas, and even though he’s a pureblood, he sure could use some training in manners like you guys have.”

“Bet the three of them would have a great time together. You should bring him out next time you come,” Dan said. Then he realized he might be moving things along too fast, so added, “if you want to, that is.”

Steve smiled and nodded as he stood up.