Page 279 of Labor of Love

“No problem. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Thank you.”

We finished our meals and a second round of margaritas, and when Magnus came by to pick up our empty plates, I pulled out my wallet.

Magnus waved it away. “This one’s on the house. Welcome to Key West, Milo.”

“Thank you.” I wanted to protest, but I had a feeling Magnus wouldn’t allow it, and I didn’t want to cause a scene. I pulled a few bills from my wallet anyway and shoved them into the tip jar. Magnus laughed, a booming happy sound, then turned to take care of another customer.

I followed Noah out onto the sidewalk where we stood awkwardly for a moment. The evening had felt like a date, there was no denying it, and even though I’d made it clear I justwanted to be friends for now, I still wanted Noah to hold my hand and kiss me goodnight.

Shaking my head, I tried to shove those thoughts away.

“Thank you for bringing me here. The food and drinks were excellent, and Magnus is great.”

“They are, and he is. I think you’ll find there’s a lot to love about Key West.”

“I think you’re right.”

Noah held out his hand. “Here, give me your phone so we can exchange contact information. I’m free after five most nights, except Tuesdays when I have the late dive, and we don’t finish until seven.”

I pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and passed it over. Noah did the same, and I entered my contact details.

“Call or text anytime.” He pocketed his phone again. “Can I drive you home?”

I shook my head. “Thanks, but I think I’d like to walk.” The truth was, getting back into Noah’s car surrounded by his heady alpha scent would tank my resolve to just be his friend, and right now, I needed a friend more than I needed a hookup.

“Okay.” He held out his hand, and I shook it, trying desperately to ignore the spark of desire that came with touching Noah even like this. “Text me when you get home so I know you didn’t get lost.”

I nodded. “Will do.”

We both stared at each other for a moment, neither really wanting to leave, then I turned on my heel, taking my first step away from him.

And if I looked over my shoulder to watch him walk the opposite direction toward where he’d parked his car, that was my own business.

And if when I got home and immediately jumped into the shower and jerked off, letting the fantasies I had about Noah onhis knees sucking my cock while I pulled his hair play through my brain in vivid detail, no one but me needed to know.

4

NOAH

Iwas totally fucked.

The second I met Milo, I felt something click together in my soul like I’d found the missing half of myself. Milo was mine. I knew it like I knew my own name.

But he only wanted to be friends.

Which sucked, but I’d made a silent vow to be the best damn friend I could be, even though I couldn’t get the scent of his arousal out of my nose. He thought I hadn’t noticed he’d been hard and leaking slick at the bar the first night we hung out at the Ice House, but I’d definitely noticed, and when I’d caught the scent of his slick on the air, it had been all I could do not to hoist him up onto the bar and eat him out until he was dripping and begging me to fill him with my cock.

I’d almost jerked my dick raw in the two weeks since, Milo’s beautiful eyes, pupils blown wide with pleasure, always the visual that pushed me over the edge, my cum painting my fingers and his name falling from my lips.

I wanted Milo in my bed and in my life so bad I ached with it, but he’d moved to Key West with something to prove, and until he told me differently, I’d keep him however I could.

So for now, we were friends.

Taking a breath to clear my head, I pushed open the gallery door. Music played from a small Bluetooth speaker on the counter at the front of the space, the indie rock I’d learned Milo loved echoing a little in the empty space. Milo’s phone sat next to the speaker, so I knew he was here somewhere.

“Milo?”

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