Roman’s smile said he knew Brett’s game, but he didn’t call him on changing the subject. “Adonis.”
A smile exploded across Brett’s face. For some reason he couldn’t explain, happiness overwhelmed him. “I’ve never heard a more fitting name for anyone in my life. Did you choose it?”
“No. The day I interviewed for the job, my boss, Ken, said he’d been looking for an Adonis. So that’s me now. I’ve been working there for so long that I answer to both names.”
“Adonis,” Brett said again, testing the name on his tongue. He liked it.
Roman chuckled like a funny thought hit. “If you joined me there, you could be Midas. Everything you touch turns to gold.”
Without thought, Brett rolled his eyes. “No one would pay to watch me strip.”
“I would.” Roman looked too serious. His heated expression made Brett’s heart skip a beat. Before Brett could feel uncomfortable, Roman switched topics. “Tell me all about everything you’re currently working on. I don’t want to miss a detail of you.”
Brett shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs in his brain. Roman always managed to weave such a spell over him. His lips moved, spilling every minutia of his life while his mind churned with confusion. He hadn’t expected this. The coffeehouse cleared as people headed off to their jobs. Only a few people lingered as time slipped away from him. Roman wasn’t who Brett thought him to be. Brett didn’t want him to leave. On some sub-level, Brett recognized he should be running for the hills. He wasn’t, because Roman sat still and listened to him talk. In fact, he looked like he couldn’t get enough of hearing about Brett’s life. Brett wanted to know every detail of Roman’s life too. Something expanded in Brett’s chest. Some unfamiliar emotion bloomed as Roman toyed with his hand and stared into Brett’s eyes. Brett wasn’t scared, even though he knew he should be terrified. He didn’t know how to feel.
Six
Giving credit where credit was due, Roman had to admit that Brett had grit. He fought valiantly to stay out of bed for as long as possible. Unfortunately, sitting too long at breakfast without his foot elevated had been a mistake. The horrible swelling and pain had ended with Roman carrying him to the car while some dude named Dawson followed them out carrying Brett’s new scooter. Despite being worried about Brett’s health, Roman couldn’t complain about hanging out with Brett in bed all day. It had been nice. They behaved like teenagers, ordering takeout and getting crumbs in the bed while playing video games and talking all day. Roman wished he could stay longer. He didn’t darken the mood by saying as much.
“I never pegged you as the type to scream obscenities at the TV while gaming.”
Brett’s eyes swam with laughter. “That one statement proves you’ve never watched my YouTube channel. Back when my channel was nothing but me gaming with my friends, that’s all I did was yell.”
Roman shrugged. “Considering I’m at least ten years older than you, I think it’s a generational thing. I never really got into watching YouTube videos. I’d rather play than watch other people.”
“Ten years is not a generation.” The heavy laughter in Brett’s voice had Roman smiling so hard, his cheeks hurt. “Plus, there’s no way you’re ten years older than me.”
“I’m thirty-nine.”
Brett’s eyebrows shot up. He visibly tried hiding his reaction. “Okay. So maybe you are. I’m twenty-seven.” Brett looked thoughtful for a minute. “Are you serious, though? You don’t look anywhere near thirty-nine.”
Roman shook his head, trying to hide his laughter. “It’s awful cheeky of you to assume that people look old at thirty-nine, but yes. I’m positive of my age.”
Brett slid his hand up Roman’s arm, taking his time as he outlined Roman’s muscles. “I didn’t say anything about thirty-nine being old. You have that fresh out of playing college sports body. That probably doesn’t make sense to you.”
“Yeah. I can’t say I’ve spent too much time fucking athletes.” Even Roman heard the bitterness in his voice. He couldn’t think of any way to take it back, so he didn’t try. Plus, Brett didn’t look offended.
“You sounded so possessive just now.” The heat in Brett’s stare had Roman’s mouth going dry. “What possible reason could you have for being jealous?”
Roman wanted to beat his chest and stake a claim, but he had no right. Instead, he slowly dragged Brett from where he sat leaned back against the headboard until he had the man flat on his back. Then he straddled Brett’s body. Brett stared up at him—like he silently begged to be touched. “I envy anyone who’s touched you.”
“I’m right here.” The softly spoken words held a challenge Roman couldn’t miss, but Brett didn’t know him. Not really. In most cases, Roman didn’t give a shit about that. This one time, he cared. He didn’t want to become an embarrassment to Brett. Brett was strong. Roman needed to make him proud. Brett wouldn’t be proud if he knew the real Roman.
“Is it okay if I kiss you?”
A bright smile lit Brett’s face. “You still have one kiss left that you can claim at any time, so yes.”
Roman shook his head. “I want to save that one for later.”
Brett expression turned serious—like he recognized Roman wanted to be a permanent fixture in his life. “I would very much like for you to kiss me.”
With Brett’s permission in place, Roman lowered his head. He lightly kissed Brett’s cheek before moving to his mouth. This kiss wasn’t like the ones they had shared before now. Roman found himself settling in for the duration. This wasn’t about going further. This kiss was about staying put. They softly brushed lips and stroked tongues. Roman savored Brett. He knew he couldn’t stay. Roman understood this wasn’t his life. They were temporary. For a moment, though, he got to pretend. For the past week, he had been allowed to enjoy a life totally opposite to his. He had been important to someone amazing. Kissing Brett, stroking him, was a lot like being in heaven. It had been a long damn time since anyone enjoyed his company without seeking sex. The way Brett kissed him left no doubt that this would be their night, savoring each other without removing any clothes. It was the perfect end to his L.A. trip. In fact, this was the best outcome he could have hoped to achieve. They would part as friends. As a pleasant memory. Roman would never have to see Brett’s expression turn to distaste when he learned all of Roman’s truths. To him, they would always be the chance at a real life that he had let slip away, but he cared. He felt too much for Brett to be more than this. He just hoped Brett didn’t hate him in the morning.
Brett stretched. A mound of covers weighed him down while a stack of pillows kept his foot elevated. The ache and stiffness reminded him he had slept through the night and forgotten to take his pain meds. Oddly, he didn’t feel too bad. A smile tugged at his lips. Brett had a feeling that was mostly due to Roman. They had spent the whole night kissing, making out, and snuggling like a pair of teenagers until he had fallen asleep. Brett covered his face with both hands, hiding a ridiculous smile.