“So you ever going to tell me what happened with your chef?”
“Caught him kissing another guy,” Seth announced with a shrug.
“Screw him! What you need is to find a guy tonight that can make you forget him,” Damon with a smile.
“Yeah, that’s kind of what I think, too.” Seth looked around and saw the place filling up. Men of all shapes and sizes covered the room. Several he found attractive, yet he also found himself comparing them to Chris.
“Stop it,” Damon warned.
“What?”
“I know what you’re doing. You’re comparing men to your ex.”
Seth laughed. “How do you always know what I’m thinking?”
“Because I’ve known you for five years. And because that’s what I do.”
The band began to warm up and more people moved to the dance floor. Techno music poured from the speakers, but Seth wanted to wait for the band. Once the live music started, Seth would get out there and dance. Forget all about Chris.
“You need to get laid,” Damon said, his eyes sweeping the room. “There are some gorgeous men here, baby.” He let out a low whistle. “Hot damn, do you see what I see?”
Seth glanced around, not sure who Damon was looking at.
“The bear in the tight jeans and gray T-shirt. Over by the stage. Just to the left.”
Damon had a thing for bears. He followed his friend’s line of sight and found the guy. Dark curly hair popped out of the neckline of his shirt. He wasn’t Seth’s type, but he fit Damon’s to a T. As if the guy could feel them staring, he turned and locked eyes with Damon.
“Holy shit,” Damon whispered as the man began walking their way.
“Play it cool,” Seth advised, knowing his friend wanted to climb the guy already.
When he arrived at their table, his eyes were glued on Damon. “Hi. My name’s Mike.”
“Damon.”
Seth almost laughed at the way his friend’s voice squeaked.
“Wanna dance, Damon?”
“Yes,” he said, jumping up and grabbing the guy’s hand. He turned to grin at Seth. “OMG,” he mouthed.
Seth smiled. He was glad for Damon and hoped he would have fun out there, but he didn’t like sitting at the table alone. Finishing his beer, he went to the bar to grab another and turned to watch the band as they started their first set.
They were good. Alternative rock. Good beat. He felt himself begin to move and downed his second beer ofthe night so he could join the dancers.
Damon and Mike were already dancing pretty hot and heavy, but when Seth got near, Damon waved him over. Mike seemed okay with it, so he stepped in next to them and began to sway with the crowd.
He loved dancing. Loved the rush. The release. The more he danced, the more lost in the music he got. By the third song, he was in the zone, and when he felt someone move up behind him and dance close, he rocked his hips, eager to be pressed against another man.
An arm came around his waist and tugged him closer. Seth let his head fall back as he enjoyed the sensualway they moved together. The guy was definitely fit. And taller than Seth. Funny, but when he breathed in, he swore he smelled Chris. He swiveled his head, his gaze sweeping the dancers, but he didn’t see him.
“You are so sexy,” the guy holding him whispered in his ear.
Fuck, now this guy sounded like Chris. Maybe he wasn’t ready for this. He twisted around to say that this was a mistake, but the guy held him tighter.
“Don’t run again, Eggplant.”
Hot breath blew against Seth’s ear, and he shivered. This guy was good and—
Wait…Eggplant? What the fuck!
He tilted back his head and found himself looking at Chris. Shit. He tried turning, and Chris wouldn’t let go.
“No! These last few weeks have been hell and you’re going to listen to me, Seth! I did not kiss Joey. He came on to me, but I pushed him away,” Chris swore.
“Whatever,” Seth said, raising his voice to be heard over the music. Chris held tight as Seth wiggled to get loose, but the only thing he succeeded in doing was pressing his ass against Chris’s hard dick. Which made Seth hard. “Fuck!”
“Later,” Chris said.
“You’re an asshole.”
“No. I’m crazy about you and you’ve broken my heart. But I’m done standing by waiting for you to forgive me for something I didn’t even do.”
Seth sagged a little. I broke his heart? Did he mean it? Is it possible Chris is telling the truth?
“Now, if you’re ready to listen and not run, let’s go somewhere we can talk without shouting over themusic, okay?”
Chris’s voice brooked no room for argument, and Seth shivered again. He loved a man that took control and Chris was definitely doing that. He nodded, and Chris held tight to Seth’s waist as he led him outside to the parking lot.