Blake
BLAKE
After two days back at work, thought maybe he could have used a little more time off. The day after coming back to Port Dale, he was thrown into a half-assed deal that apparently no one else could manage. What should have been a simple transfer of ownership between a prospective bar owner and the former proprietor had turned into a battle of wills and, ultimately, money.
As he finished the last discussions with the former owner, he felt his phone vibrate. glanced around the dimly lit bar before pulling his phone out of his pocket. The soon-to-be former owner had retreated temporarily to his office.
The text was from Sean.
Still wanting to strangle greedy businessmen?
chuckled softly, index finger tracing the message unconsciously. Things between him and Sean could have been awkward after their shared weekend. Hell, had had things go even more awkwardly with women who were supposed to be friends with occasional benefits after one wild night. But Sean? Sean didn’t seem content to let what had transpired between them get in the way of a good friendship.
Which was honestly glad for. Sean’s dry sense of humor, combined with his ‘We take what comes at us as it is, no less or more’ attitude, had proven to be a boon for . It shaved the sharp edges off the sudden rush of work thrown at him and occasionally made him laugh when he needed it most.
I think I might have worn him down with my charm . shot back.
Somehow, I don’t think charm is the word that should be used.
If it works, then it’s charm.
You keep telling yourself that.
You seem to enjoy it.
As he waited for Sean’s reply, leaned back against the bar behind him and frowned thoughtfully at his phone. As easy as it was to see Sean as someone he could be friends with, there was more to it than that. Both flirted with the line between friends and something more just as much as they flirted with one another.
He never would have thought he would be so playful, so flirty, with another guy. And yet, he found himself trying to egg Sean on, bring out the side of him that was less controlled and patient and more assertive and dirty. It left him wondering if his sexuality hinged on just finding one guy who could trigger whatever hormones once lay dormant in his brain, with only a knowing smirk and a raspy arousal that could remember all too fondly as Sean’s hands had worked him expertly.
I do , came Sean’s reply.
smirked at his phone, tucking it away as he heard a door open in the nearby hallway. The client hurried toward him, arms swinging. Mr. Newman jerked his head up to look into ’s face. “We’ll consider the latest offer.”
gave him a warm smile. “Excellent. I’m sure the buyer will be pleased to hear that. If you should choose to accept or have any further questions, you know how to get a hold of us.”
Mr. Newman nodded, not offering his hand. “I’ll do that.”
“And a good day to you, Mr. Newman,” said, shoving his hand forward before the man could walk off.
That earned him the same look he would have expected if he’d forced a lemon into the man’s mouth. wasn’t normally the pushy sort in his line of work. Still, he took pleasure in watching Newman reach out, begrudgingly taking ’s hand and giving two perfunctory shakes.
Feeling a little better about himself, strolled out of the bar and onto the sidewalk. He’d been in the bar for hours, and the sun was already disappearing behind the buildings that made up what everyone in Port Dale casually referred to as the business district. Not the most original title, but had always been a sucker for simplicity.
Smiling, he pulled out his phone and prepared to call a ride. He strolled past a few people as they went about their business and someone sitting on a shining motorcycle.
“Howdy stranger,” the rider said to him.
stopped, turning on a heel and staring at…Sean. “Holy shit, I didn’t even know that was you.”
Sean sat astride what knew to be some sports bike, though he’d always known them as ‘crotch rockets.’ It was sleek, and was amused, though not surprised, to see that the classic red and black color scheme was replaced by black and metallic purple. Clad in blue jeans, heavy-looking leather boots, and a motorcycle jacket that matched the color scheme of his bike, Sean looked good. Even had to admit that.
“It’s been two days since you last saw me, and you’ve already forgotten what I look like? I’m wounded,” Sean said, smirking.
Was there knowing in that smirk? Did Sean know was distracted by the sight of him in denim and riding leathers? Or was just taken aback by the sudden flush rushing through his body and projecting it on Sean? He was sure the psychiatrist could answer the question for him, but like hell was he going to ask.
“I’ve never seen you on a bike,” said.
“Is it that shocking?” Sean asked, raising a brow.
It was then realized he’d been standing in the middle of the sidewalk, his phone still held out before him. Clearing his throat, he shoved his phone away and approached Sean so he didn’t look like a complete moron.
“How did you know where I was?” asked.
Sean shook his head. “You mentioned the bar when you complained about dealing with the soon-to-be former owner.”
“Oh,” said. That made sense. He’d gone on quite the tirade when Newman had disappeared to make a phone call halfway through the meeting. “But what are you doing here?”
Sean tapped the bike, still smirking. “I thought I might offer you a ride, if you’re done for the day, that is.”
It was ’s turn to raise a brow. “I am. You want me to...ride on that thing with you?”
“Well, I’m not leaving it downtown while we share an Uber.”
“Will I even fit on there with you?”
“You’ll have to hold on and lean forward, but you’ll fit.”
snorted. “Is this how you hit on people? Get them on your bike so they have to hold onto your waist?”
“Doesn’t have to be my waist, my middle works just as well. So maybe I should be asking why you’re thinking about holding onto my waist,” Sean said, dark eyes twinkling impishly.
“I just assumed that was the position you had to ride in,” sputtered, inwardly cursing as he felt his face warm.
“Or you were just thinking really hard about having your arms, and maybe hands, on my waist,” Sean said, cocking his head.
He hadn’t, but he found himself thinking about it rather quickly. There were only a few reasons he could think of for having his hands on Sean’s waist, and they were not the sort of images he wanted standing on a public sidewalk while wearing slacks.
“Huh,” Sean said, squinting at him. “Now that emotion I caught. You were thinking about something fun.”
“And thinking about how I’m having a very surreal week,” muttered. “Getting turned on by another guy is a little different.”
“So you’ve said,” Sean said casually.
Changing the subject, hedged one more time. “Aren’t you supposed to wear a helmet when on a bike?”
Sean reached to his other side and drew two helmets up. “I do, and so would you.”
took the one offered to him, sighing. “This is probably not a good idea wearing a suit.”
“I’ll do my best not to crash and send us flying,” Sean said, jamming his helmet on.
He couldn’t decide if he was happy or not when the helmet fit as he pushed it on. When Sean scooted forward to allow room, he hesitantly threw a leg over the bike and sat down. After another moment’s hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Sean’s middle. The jacket was thick, but he could still make out the firmness of Sean’s stomach and chest as he found a grip that didn’t feel awkward.
“Hold on,” Sean called, voice muffled by the helmet.
And then the bike roared to life, making flinch. He wasn’t scared of the bike, and he trusted Sean, otherwise, he would have never gotten on the thing. It was, however, his first time riding one.
He was distracted by the way the bike vibrated and how it leaned as Sean drove them out onto the road. noticed they were headed toward the seaside, where a four-lane road ran parallel to the beach that made up one side of Port Dale. Besides that, he glanced around uncertainly as Sean expertly moved the bike between lanes and along the streets.
Once they hit the main stretch of road along the beach, Sean picked up speed. It was still the in-between hours for traffic, and the road was relatively clear. found himself peering around. The city on one side and the beach on the other whirred by at the same speed as in a car. The difference was that he could feel the wind rushing over him, ruffling his clothes, and there was no glass and metal to protect him from the world.
Traffic grew thinner as Sean turned them out of the main part of the city and along a road had never been down before. The smell of salt became stronger as they drove, and trees grew thicker on either side. He had no idea where they were, but he trusted Sean.
When the bike finally stopped, saw the road had also ended. Sean leaned, slapping down the kickstand and turning the bike off. leaned back, easing himself off the bike and pulling off the helmet.
“I thought you were taking me home,” said with a chuckle.
“I will,” Sean promised once his helmet was off. “But I like coming here when the sun is setting.”
“Where is here exactly?” asked, looking around to see nothing but trees and hearing the sea somewhere nearby.
“It used to be a popular viewing spot, but I guess people just forgot about it. Probably found somewhere else they liked, but I think it’s unique, so I come here when I can,” Sean said, setting his helmet on the bike and unzipping his jacket.
Sure enough, spotted a small break in the trees, a makeshift trail leading into the woods. “What, now you’re going to make me hike?”
Sean laughed, tossing his jacket over the handlebars. He wore a thin shirt underneath it, the collar low enough that could see his collarbone peeking up from the hem. “It’s only about thirty feet in. I’m sure you’ll survive.”
followed him, pushing through several branches Sean was short enough to duck under. “You know, taking someone out into the middle of nowhere is how most horror movies start.”
“Are you worried about both of us being murdered or me murdering you?” Sean asked as they walked.
“You know, I was going with both of us, but I’m a little unnerved that you jumped straight to you being the murderer.”
“Would it make you feel better if I promise not to wander off alone to investigate a strange noise?”
“That’s not comforting. That’s just common sense.”
Sean chuckled softly as they stepped beyond the trees. The ground was clear of everything but long grass and wildflowers waving in the wind. realized they were atop one of the cliffs that dotted the outskirts of Port Dale. This one looked out where the sun was slowly easing beneath the horizon with an aura of brilliant orange and yellow. But it was on the other side that realized why Sean liked this spot so much, especially at sunset.
“Oh,” said, staring out.
They had the perfect view of not only the ocean but the city as well. The beach spread out miles along the seashore, whitecaps glistening in the sun's fading light. The buildings of the business district towered behind it, all metal and glass, catching the light of the setting sun and glowing. It looked like the entire city was made of golden glass and molten metal.
“That’s beautiful,” said, stepping toward the edge carefully.
He peered down the cliffside at the ocean dozens of yards below him. Spray splashed through the air as the waves crashed into the rock wall, filling the air with the smell of brine and salt.
“I stumbled across it while driving aimlessly around the city a few years back,” Sean said, plopping down in the tall grass.
“Is that what you do with that bike? Wander?”
“Eric likes to make out as though I do daredevil stunts on it, but I really don’t. Well, maybe I appreciate the speed it can go, and I like the feeling of the wind on my face and the bike between my legs, but I’m not an idiot.”
glanced back at him, grinning. “So, not an adrenaline junkie, you just like powerful things between your legs.”
Sean smiled. “I knew as soon as the words left my mouth, you’d take advantage.”
dropped down onto the grass beside him. “So you’re just going to pretend you didn’t say it on purpose?”
“I did no such thing,” Sean said, utterly unconvincing.
“Sure you didn’t,” said fondly enough.
Then, to his complete surprise, Sean leaned against him. The man lay his head on ’s shoulder, letting his arm rest on his leg. It wasn’t the first time someone had done it, Blaine had done it more than once growing up, and he’d even had a couple of male friends lean against him in a moment of bonding. had never thought twice about it.
Yet, with Sean, there was something altogether different. It was affectionate, but there was also an intimacy to it, the sort had never ascribed to another man before. It didn’t stop him from slowly wrapping an arm around Sean’s waist and holding him there as they gazed out on the horizon, watching Port Dale as it was bathed in burning light.
He could live with this.