Chapter 33

An amused chuckle made him look up.

“You…uh…have something…” The blond smirked and tapped his index finger against his upper lip.

“Oh.” Elliot’s hand flew to his mouth, rubbing the mustache at the point the man had indicated, and looked at his fingers. Whipped cream. Heat crept up his cheeks, and he grimaced. “Sorry.”

“No worries.” The blond reached his hand over the table. “I’m Harry.”

“Elliot.” He smiled and shook the offered hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” With the pleasantries out of the way, Elliot turned his attention back to the book but was interrupted again a few moments later.

“You’re awfully cute.”

Elliot arched an eyebrow.

“Come on, no straight guy would be caught dead in a shirt like that.”

He looked down at the garment in question. It was the one Mick had given him as a gag gift for his birthday last year. Elliot had a closetful of plaid, flannel shirts in all available nuances of blue, and Mick used to tease him and say he’d probably been born in one. When Elliot had opened the gift bag and stared at the pink, purple, and turquoise plaid, Mick had laughed and said he needed to wear other colors.

But even if it had been meant as a joke, Elliot adored the shirt. It was soft and warm, and he loved the pink—even if he’d never admit it to anyone. Least of all Mick.

“If you say so.” Elliot shrugged. “Thanks,” he added, realizing he probably sounded impolite. He started reading again, but the blond—Harry—couldn’t take a hint.

“I haven’t seen you here before. Are you visiting anyone? Family?”

Elliot smothered a sigh, closed the book, and put it down next to his cup. He took a closer look at the man, letting his gaze sweep over broad shoulders and bulging muscles stretching the fabric of the sweater so tight, Elliot was afraid it might burst at the seams. He had a deep chin dimple and an accompanying cocky smile that told him Harry knew he was good-looking.

“No, I’m renting a cabin from a friend.”

“Here? In the middle of nowhere? Why would you wanna do that?” Harry leaned back in his chair, spread his legs, and slid his ass further down on the seat, wiggling a little.

Elliot pretended to scratch his nose to hide his smile behind his hand. Subtlety, thy name isn’t Harry. He swallowed a giggle.

“I grew up here,” he answered when he’d gotten himself under control.

“Really?” Harry rotated his hips in the chair, and Elliot couldn’t help himself. He looked. Harry’s face broke out in an arrogant smile, his white teeth almost blinding Elliot.

Elliot squirmed in his seat, feeling unsettled. In the city, he was hit on all the time, and he was used to it. But he hadn’t expected to be this blatantly propositioned in this tiny little town at the edge of civilization. Clearly, the people here had made progress compared to ten years ago, when he’d left the small-minded folks behind without looking back.

He nodded and took a big gulp from his rapidly cooling coffee. Harry’s eyes followed the cup and zeroed in on Elliot’s mouth. Elliot shifted under the intense gaze and looked away as Harry licked his lips. He felt a little uncomfortable with the blatant lust shining from Harry’s eyes, but he couldn’t stop his body from reacting. He hadn’t felt the touch of another man in months.

He crossed his legs, doing his best to hide the growing bulge in his pants, and looked away.

“You busy this afternoon?” Harry rasped.

Elliot closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. It was a tempting offer. He missed being pounded hard into a mattress or bent over a table. But as he opened his eyes again, he was disappointed. Harry’s smile was all wrong. Both corners of the upper lip curled up, making it look almost disdainful. Nothing at all like a quirky question mark.

“Look, I’m flattered, but—”

“I’ll make it worth your while.” Harry’s hands fell to his thighs, framing his hard cock, making it even more obvious.

“I’m sure you would, but…” Elliot cleared his throat. “I’m involved with someone.” At least he hoped he was.

“You sure about that?” Harry made a point of staring at Elliot’s legs, and his overconfidence effectively killed any arousal Elliot might have felt.

Elliot uncrossed his legs, showing he had nothing to hide. “I’m sure.”

“Too bad.” The edges of Harry’s mouth turned down as he pushed away his unfinished coffee and stood. He pulled on his coat with a frown and turned around to walk away, but apparently changed his mind. He fiddled with something before turning back to Elliot and threw a business card on the table. “Call me when you reconsider,” he said and strutted off.