Page 46 of In Step

He shook his head fervently. “I... can’t. What if...? You’re only here for six weeks and—”

“Shh.” I pressed a finger to his lips. “Just think about it. Yes, I’m only here a short time, but whether that’s important is something only you can decide. I’m okay with it. It’s kind of all I have. You know the life I lead—I’m all about short-term relationships. It’s all I can manage. So this can’t be anything more, we both know that. But I am here now, and I like you, and I think you like me. As for the HIV? I’m on PrEP, and it’s not my first rodeo, Kane. I know the drill. It’s hardly an unknown in my industry.”

His gaze jerked to mine. “You’ve had other positive partners?”

“Yes. It’s not a problem for me.”

He huffed. “You say that like there’s nothing to worry about. But it’s not like that, Abe. Not to the person who’s positive. I’m positive, and believe me, it’snotnothing. It’s a very bigsomethingwhen you have to live with it.”

Shit.“Fuck, I didn’t mean to diminish it for you. I can’t imagine what it’s like to learn you’re positive. All I meant was that I understand the risks. If you’re undetectable, the chances of you passing HIV to me, even without a condom, are infinitesimal to a big fat zero. But you need to think about it, maybe talk to someone, and then we can discuss it. Tomorrow?”

His eyes bugged. “Tomorrow?”

I grinned. “When I come back for another lesson. I’m only here for six weeks, remember? How does eight suit you?”

His gaze narrowed. “I thought we weren’t practising again until Thursday.”

I licked my lips and stole a kiss. “Mmm. Way too long to wait.” I tapped the spot between his eyes. “I think your concerns are in here, not in the facts. Doesn’t mean they’re less important, just that you need to decide if they’re enough to hold you back. I like kissing you, Kane. I like it very much. And kissing is very definitely on the HIV-positive free-ride list, along witha lotof other things if you’re undetectable—from blow jobs to rimming.”

The dip in his brow reached a scowl. “Exactly whose list are we talking about? There may be nothing on my list at all.”

I did my best to look contrite. “I stand corrected. Although—” I brushed his lower lip with my thumb. “—that would be a damn shame. These beauties deserve some attention, and I think I’m just the man for it.”

He arched a brow, fighting a smile. “You seem very sure of yourself.”

“Not at all sure, just... charmed.”

Kane’s mouth curved up in a slow, sexy smile that curled my toes. “You are quite the smooth talker, aren’t you?” He slid a hand up my jaw and pulled me into a leisurely kiss before running his nose up the side of my cheek. “I love your scruff,” he hummed, scratching his fingernails through it. “But you really have to go, before my dick is cemented permanently to my sweats.”

I laughed and kissed him quick before gathering my things.

He walked me to the door and held my gym bag while I put my shoes back on, then shot a quick look at the dark homestead before he kissed my cheek. “Thank you. This was the best night I’ve had in a long time.”

I slid my fingers through the mess of blond waves on the side of his head and he leaned into the touch. “See you tomorrow at eight.”

Kane rolled his eyes. “Let’s leave it open. That way you don’t have to text or anything if you change your mind.”

I shook my head and put my lips to his ear. “Tomorrow.”

I kissed him quick and ran down the stairs, wincing with every pull in my nether regions, thankful the guys had left the outside light on. I slipped into the hushed house, noted the band of light under Leroy and Fox’s door, and practically ran for the shower. The last thing I needed was curious questions.

Peeling my cock from my dance tights was an experience I wasn’t keen to repeat, but the hard spray of steaming water that followed was heaven on my aching muscles, not to mention an opportunity to relieve the throb in my surprisingly resurgent dick. I felt fifteen, not forty-four, and I shook my head at the stripe of come that painted the shower tiles, breathing hard as I rinsed it to the floor, because I needed the complication that was Kane Martin like I needed a hole in the head.

The two of us made no sense whatsoever.

And yet he was intriguing. Intriguing, beautiful, and sharply honest, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Because whether he was in my arms on the dancefloor or lying on his bed, when he let me see behind those walls, it felt right. Hefelt right. And because when I was with him, I came alive in ways I couldn’t explain.

I stepped out of the shower and stared at the mirror. “Get a grip, Abraham. This wasn’t in the plan.”

But that plan had been fraying around the edges for a while.Shit.I was having a fucking mid-life crisis, wasn’t I? My stomach clenched.

“Stop.” I stabbed a finger at the mirror and breathed deeply, absorbing the details of the reflection staring back at me. Older? Yes. But I was doing okay. And I wasn’t about to be scared off by a few lines and a softer belly,ora few life adjustments, if needed.

I straightened my back and ran my hand over my scruff and through my hair, both of which needed a trim. Nowthatwas something I could fix.

“I love your scruff.”

I smiled at the memory. So, maybe just the hair then.

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