Page 38 of Fire Me Up
“A picnic?” Gael’s eyebrows shot up. “You packed us a whole picnic?”
“It’s just food.” I busied myself arranging everything, avoiding his eyes. “We’re hiking. People need to eat when they hike.”
“Uh-huh.” He set the carrier on its base, and secured the door open, so Bacon could come and go as he pleased, holding the leash while the cat investigated my picnic blanket. “And I suppose you bring elaborate homemade picnics on all your non-dates?”
I flipped him off. “Just sit down and eat your damn sandwich.” I pulled out a small bottle of wine, then dug through the backpack, frowning. “And… I forgot the corkscrew.” I blew out a frustrated breath, then looked up to find Gael laughing.
“Don’t laugh. I’m forgetful sometimes. Though I swear I had it.” I dug through the bag again.
“I’m not laughing because you forgot the corkscrew. The only thing that matters is spending time with you. I’m laughing because you packed wine for a hike that you keep vehemently insisting is not a date. Wine.”
My cheeks were hot as I quickly put the wine back in the bag. He was right. It did feel like a date, and that was a little terrifying. But I hadn’t been able to focus on anything but picking him up since I’d bolted awake at the ungodly hour of five in the morning, so who could blame me for killing the time with a little preparation?
That’s all it was, right?
Gael settled beside me on the blanket, close enough that our knees touched. He took a bite of his sandwich and groaned with pleasure. The sound sent blood rushing to all the wrong places.
“This is amazing,” he said. “Did you make these?”
“Yeah. It’s nothing fancy.” I focused on my food, trying to ignore how his approval made something warm bloom in my chest, even as worry surged about my growing attachment.
“Uh huh, like how that cat carrier rack in your sidecar was just simple welding.”
“If you know how to weld, those things aren’t a big deal,” I lied, cheeks heating.
“All I’m trying to say is that you’re a sweet and thoughtful person, Dylan. There’s no reason to be embarrassed by it.”
As we ate, Gael’s flirting grew bolder. His hand on my knee when he laughed at something I said. His shoulder pressing against mine as he reached for a cookie. His fingers lingering when I passed him a water bottle.
Each touch felt deliberate, electric. I tried to play it cool, to act like this was all part of our casual arrangement, but inside I was a fucking mess.
I packed up the remnants of our lunch, watching Gael zip Bacon securely into his backpack carrier. The cat had curled into a tight orange ball, dead to the world after a snack of cheese from our sandwiches. Gael’s movements were careful, almost reverent, his broad hands gentle as they tucked the sleeping cat in. Those same hands had been all over my body, desperate and demanding. The memory made my cock twitch in my shorts.
“He’s out cold.” Gael turned to me, leaning back on his hands, his legs stretched out in front of him. “So.”
“So?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I was thinking.” He bit his lower lip, eyes never leaving mine. “I might need a little more classroom experience with the sex stuff.”
Heat shot straight to my groin. “What kind of experience did you have in mind?”
“Well,” he said, shifting closer until his knee pressed against mine, “I think I need more practice with my oral skills. My technique could use some fine-tuning.”
I nearly choked. “Right here? In the woods?”
“There’s nobody around for miles. Just us and a sleeping cat. Perfect classroom environment.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m a dedicated student.” His hand landed on my thigh, fingers tracing idle patterns that inched higher with each circle. “Very eager to improve.”
“Is that so?” I tried for casual, but my voice came out strained.
“Absolutely.” He shifted even closer, his breath warm against my neck. “I want to be the best you’ve ever had.”
The words sent a jolt through me—both arousal and something deeper, more dangerous. Before I could overthink it, Gael’s mouth was on mine, hot and insistent.
Unlike our previous kisses, he took control immediately—one hand cupping the back of my neck, the other sliding up my thigh to palm my rapidly hardening cock through my shorts. I groaned into his mouth, my hips bucking up instinctively.
