I laugh at that, unable to keep the sound from falling from my lips. “Super gay.”
“Super,” he says confidently, and I feel an odd sense of . . . pride? Is that the right word? I don’t know, but the fact that he can say that so easily, so freely, is a beautiful thing. He eyes me now, taking a step closer. “Is that a problem for you?”
I’m taken aback for a moment. “What? Why would it be?”
He chuckles and then looks absently down the hall where Hailey’s room is and then back at me, shrugging.
Oh.
Yeah. Most people see me, a single dad, and instantly think I must have been in love with a woman at one time. Or at least been in some sort of sexual relationship with a woman. “I’m gay.”
He lifts his brow in question, and I’m shocked that the words left my mouth so easily. Not that I’m ashamed of my sexuality. Not that I’ve hidden it for a really long time. But it’s not something I usually say. I just let people think whatever they want to.
“You are?”
I nod, and he again looks back at the hallway then back at me. His gaze is confused, but I don’t want to explain it. I don’t like talking about my past. No part of me does. So instead, I blame the sleep deprivation and hook my arm behind his neck, pulling his body flush with my own, unable to fight this attraction anymore.
At first, I press my lips to his softly, reverently, giving him a chance to push me away. But he doesn’t. He whimpers against my lips, and that’s when I press harder, our lips crashing together with a fierce hunger I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced. When my tongue finds the seam of his mouth, he opens for me, letting me in to explore.
My back hits the wall as he kisses me back, sucking on my tongue, his hands threading through my hair and directing our kiss. I let him control it for a minute before I grasp his hips, spinning us so he’s pushed against the wall. My hard cock grinds against his erection as my fingers dig into his hips.
His hard body feels incredible. His hands slide down to my nape and then my back, under my shirt. Feeling his hands on my bare skin lights me on fire, and I can’t get enough.
I’ve wanted to do this since I first laid eyes on him, not used to that sudden attraction at all but going with it now. I untuck his dress shirt, moving my hands to the top button, but his hands grab mine as his mouth pulls away. “I can’t do this.”
“W-what?” I stare at him, panting with desire.
“I’m sorry.” His hand brushes over my cheek, his thumb dragging over my lip as he stares at my lips like he wants to eat them.
“Why?”
“You’re Hailey’s dad.”
Oh. Right. I grab his hips, pulling us together again. “I won’t tell anyone.”
He groans and then swallows tightly, letting his forehead touch mine, looking down at where we’re both still clearly hard and aching for one another. “I can’t.” He pulls back, looking into my eyes, and I see the regret in them. “I’m sorry. I really can’t cross that line.”
I chuckle humorlessly. “I think we’ve already done that.”
He grins and steps back, out of my grasp. “How would we explain that to Hailey if she came out here?”
My eyes snap to the dark hallway, dread filling me. She could have easily walked out here and seen us kissing. Jesus Christ. I never, ever let my guard down. That was stupid as fuck.
I’m startled by the touch of his hand on my chin, redirecting my eyes to his. “It’s okay. She didn’t.”
“She could have.”
“I know.” He takes a deep breath and drops his hand. “I should go.”
“We could go to my room.” I hate the desperate needy feeling inside me, clinging so tightly to him. But it’s been so long since I’ve hooked up. I’m beyond horny and, without question, have an attraction to this man.
He groans again, heading for the door. “You’re killing me.”
“Me?” I point to my chest. “I’m more than willing to help you with that.” I nod to his crotch, nearly drooling seeing how his slacks are still tented.
He shakes his head but has that sparkling smile on his face. “I have to go. If you need help . . .” he looks at my crotch too and then back up at my face, “with anything else, let me know.”
I’m painfully hard and would give anything to drag him back to my bedroom, but even barely knowing Nolan, it’s still clear to me that this isn’t happening. “I appreciate your help tonight. It won’t happen again.”
He bites his bottom lip, still puffy from our bruising kiss. His eyes shifting to the hall and then back to me. “No. If you need me to watch her, I can. She’s a good kid, and you’re doing this all on your own. Just add me to your list. Every parent needs a list of people who can help.”
My eyes widen, shocked at what he’s offering. But he just quietly slips out of my apartment without another word.
I can’t help feeling relieved and frightened by his offer.
* * *
I can’t believe I told him to add me to his list. I mean, I can. The guy needs help or, at least, he deserves a little help, but still. What the hell was I thinking?
I’m usually level-headed.
I am.
Unless it comes to someone needing my damn help. Then, I’m a lost cause because I can’t stop doling out help to, well . . . lost causes.
Not that Rafe is.
I don’t see him that way, but to be honest, I never do. I get swept up in the helping part and get lost in that person, not realizing I’m sinking with them instead of doing any real good.
But Rafe?
He’s not that. He can’t be. I don’t see any signs of wanting to be taken care of. Of being someone who takes advantage. No drug use apparent. He’s just a single dad trying to make ends meet. There’s nothing wrong with being his friend.
With watching Hailey like I am tonight, two weeks later because Rafe was offered another shift filling in at Glitter.
He needed my help. I offered, and he has my number now because, of course, I had to leave mine there next to the one he wrote down for me.
This is totally fine.
And that kiss? Yeah, it’s totally fine that I’m in my student’s home where I totally mauled her father a couple of weeks ago. Where I got a quick peek at just how firm his body is and that I was right about his lips—that they’re strong and firm, yet soft.
God, the man can kiss.
Commanding and pliant at the same time. I’ve never experienced give and take like that in a kiss.
I take a deep breath, scrubbing my eyes with my hands as I glance at the clock. The door opens only a few minutes later, and then Rafe walks in, a smile on his face when he sees me on his couch. He’s carrying a white paper bag and sits next to me, the delicious smell already attacking my senses.
“Is that what I think it is?”
He grins. “Burger. You won’t let me pay you, so I thought the very least I could do is bring you home one of the best burgers in the city.”
I smile, trying not to stare into his blue eyes as he opens the bag and hands me a foil-wrapped burger. “Thank you.”
He grabs his own hamburger, unwrapping it. “How was tonight?”