Alternating Current (Brannon Boys)

4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Garrett

T he following week was decidedly less hellish, weatherwise.

And yet part of me hoped for another air conditioner issue in a certain tenant’s apartment.

I finished the quick plumbing fix on a leaky sink in a ground-floor apartment, eager for the day to be over. While I was down here working, my mind had been wandering back to last week, when Kyle had stormed into my life, completely upended my foundation, and then—after decreeing that he was sleeping over—left me with a kiss on the cheek the next morning. He’d followed it up with a text no less than a half hour later.

Thank you, Repair Daddy.

Except I’d never responded.

I hemmed and hawed on whether or not that was a text you were supposed to respond to. After three days, the idea of reaching out felt ridiculous. I’d clearly missed my window, and besides, he was out of my league. Yet the comfort between us, even as we sat on my couch casually ribbing each other while watching Is This Cake? , was better than some relationships I’d been in for years.

Not to mention that had been some of the hottest sex I’d had in a long while. The way Kyle melted in my arms, his enthusiasm, his gorgeous sounds all stoked my coals. And the fact that he was vers too? Fuck. His cock had been a nice length, and the thought of taking it deep within me definitely appealed. Except he was young, had the pick of whoever he wanted, and had such a bright, explosive personality that it had been a little like staring at the sun.

My thrilling Saturday nights weren’t spent at clubs or bars but at a D&D game I was in with a few friends. Maybe chilling back and watching a Phillies game with friends. I tightened the fitting on the plumbing and pushed up. My knees creaked, an ever-present reminder that I sure as fuck wasn’t getting any younger. Probably time to start asking around with contractor teams. Try to get some higher-paying work.

I checked the water flow from the sink, which seemed to be working better. Satisfied that things were in good repair, I gathered my supplies, popping a few tools in my work belt, and headed out of the apartment. I made sure to lock up on my way out.

The sun was hazy this time of day, that golden hour between late afternoon and evening, and I soaked it in. Maybe tonight I could kick back with a beer and continue with Is This Cake? Apparently, I’d gotten addicted to the show. And maybe a little part of me was trying to hold on to everything I could from my night with Kyle.

When I stepped out onto the sidewalk, a red Honda Civic pulled into one of the nearest spots.

The driver’s side door opened, and a too-familiar man stepped out.

Kyle was still dressed from work, in a blue button-down and charcoal slacks, all of which fit him far too well. His brown, wavy hair was styled, and the sun highlighted his smooth olive skin. The sight of him struck me square in the chest, and I almost wobbled where I stood. The man was temptation incarnate, and lust burst through my veins.

When he glanced up, our eyes met.

He offered a tentative wave as if he wasn’t sure of my reception. Right. Because I’d left him on read, like an asshole.

Fucking hell. I’d done enough dithering. I sucked in a sharp breath and walked toward him. My mind had already made itself up with what was coming next, and my legs were carrying me over to him even if I hadn’t quite summoned enough nerve.

Kyle’s eyes brightened, and that cinched it for me.

“Hey,” he said, his voice as warm as I remembered. My mouth dried at being this close, at feeling that electricity spark between us, at the scent of his sharp, woodsy cologne. I wanted to strip him down and get filthy with him all over again.

“Go on a date with me.”

The words leaped out of my mouth with zero finesse, and I squeezed my nape. Guaranteed he was going to tell me to get lost. It had been a fun evening, and I was clearly making it into something it hadn’t been.

“When?” Kyle asked, those blues lightening even more. My heart thudded hard. That wasn’t a no.

“This weekend, if you’re free,” I offered, my mind already spinning. This gorgeous man taking a chance on me was more than I could’ve hoped for, but if he was willing to go on a date, I wanted it to be memorable. Someone as bright and as effervescent as him deserved that.

“I can be.” He struggled to bite back his grin. “You tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there.”

I licked my lips, and his gaze zeroed in there. His nostrils flared, and all too easily, his desperate sounds when I’d railed into him came back to me. How fucking delicious his hole had been. I sure as fuck wouldn’t mind a repeat of last week, but I wanted a repeat of all of it—not just the sex.

I wanted to watch dumb shows with him and listen to the commentary. I wanted to learn everything I could about this man.

“I’ll message you.” I forced myself to step away before I closed the space between us and claimed those lips. Maybe we were doing things a bit backward, fucking first and then going on dates second, but all I knew was that I hadn’t gotten nearly enough of this man.

“I’ll be waiting for it.” His voice traveled from behind, but I didn’t turn back. Instead, I headed around the building to deposit my tools in the basement for the day. However, the moment I slipped out of sight, I pulled out my phone.

This time, I wouldn’t leave him waiting.

Saturday at six p.m. I’ll come pick you up.

I stared at the words I typed, hesitating a moment but then adding a few more.

Can’t wait to see you.

Saturday arrived far too fast.

I’d been second-guessing my idea for this date a thousand times over, but at the end of the day, I was a take-me-or-leave-me sort of person. And either Kyle liked what I had to offer, or we parted ways.

The fact that he’d been sending me flirty texts the rest of the week hadn’t hurt. And the memory of our night together had played on repeat ever since it had happened. Maybe that night had been a flash in the pan, but I’d never know if I didn’t give it another try.

And fuck, I wanted to try Kyle every which way.

I tightened my grip around the small bag I carried as I creaked my way up the stairs to his apartment. Sounded like they needed WD-40. Someone should fix that shit.

Right, my job.

It felt odd walking through the apartment building and not heading to repair something. My skin prickled as if a tenant was going to flag me down and ask me to fix the clog in their sink. But I was on a mission right now—pick up the hottie who’d had the audacity to hit on me during the job.

And who’d become a fixture in my fantasies this past week.

I reached Kyle’s apartment and checked my phone. A few minutes before six. I knocked on the door and waited, my palms sweating. I shouldn’t be this nervous about going on a date at thirty-two, but here we were.

The door swung open, and I almost swallowed my tongue.

Kyle was wearing a V-neck linen shirt with a lace-up that dipped low enough to showcase his tan skin. His jeans looked worn and soft but still hugged his slender legs firmly. He’d styled his tousled hair, and those gorgeous blue eyes with the long lashes had me ensnared. I was tempted to step inside and take him apart with my mouth, but I genuinely wanted to learn everything that made him tick.

“Prompt. I like it,” he said, his gaze sparking with mischief. “You ready to go?”

I handed over the bag, a little heat rising to my cheeks. “For you.”

He tilted his head to the side and opened the bag. My nerves hummed, and I was already cursing myself for a stupid idea. Except then he lifted the specialty cat treats from the bag, and a brilliant smile dawned on his face.

“For Meowella,” I said, squeezing the back of my neck.

“You…” He grabbed me by the front of my shirt and tugged me toward him. His mouth landed on mine.

I wrapped my hands around his waist as I deepened the kiss. He tasted sweet, like strawberry chapstick, and I licked into his mouth. He let out a whimper that pumped my blood hotter, and I brought our bodies together, loving the way heat bloomed between us. The electricity dancing down my spine was rare, and I reveled in how it woke up my synapses. He was hungry and hot in my hands, and I was fast becoming addicted to this man.

However, we were also making out in the hallway of the place where I worked.

Reluctantly I pulled back, but not before stealing one more kiss. “Ready for our date?”

Kyle’s grin lit up my world. “Born ready.”