Page 18 of Primary Seduction
“I’m sure you would’ve.” Trent watched Max as he washed and stacked the dishes before wiping down the counter and setting everything to rights. When he picked up the tea towel, Trent intervened, “Leave them to drain. I’ll do it later.”
Max glanced over his shoulder at him, then nodded, replacing the towel on the hook.
“How is Frederick?” Trent winced as the name came out in a tone associated with a curse word. But Max just laughed.
“He’s fine. Glad to have the weekend free if what he told me of his week was anything to go by.”
Trent decided to steer clear of the Frederick subject, he didn’t know why he brought it up anyway. “What are your plans for the weekend?”
“I have work to catch up on, quotes to prepare, trinkets to buy, materials to source, blah, blah, blah. My usual weekend.” Max laughed without humour. “I don’t usually do much else on a weekend. Except meet you lot for nights out when they’re arranged. Other than that and my usual nights out, I don’t do much except work.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I have plenty of work to keep me occupied, which I should really be doing now, but there is no way I’ll be able to concentrate at the moment.”
Max cocked his head. “Hey, how about we go for a walk. Some fresh air might do you good.”
Trent knew he should say no. He didn’t understand his sudden fascination with Max, or Frederick, or guys kissing, but he knew he shouldn’t encourage it. On the other hand, it would be nice to get to know Max better, add another friend to his list. Even though he knew better, he nodded. “Let’s do it.”
Forty minutes later, Trent had showered—slowly—and gotten dressed for the supposedly chilly morning, and they headed out the door. He kept the pace slow, not wanting to push himself too much to begin with. Max led the way, and Trent followed like an obedient dog. He chuckled.
“What are you laughing about?” Max asked.
“I’d just had a thought that I was following you like a dog would.” He laughed again. “Like an obedient puppy.” He glanced up at Max just in time to see his gaze darken and him lick his lips. Trent’s heart began to race, and he looked away. He had no idea what that was about.
Max cleared his throat. “Am I going too fast?”
“Nah, it’s okay. You were right, my head is clearing a little. It’s just so damn cold.” Trent pulled the collar of his coat upright to deflect the chill from his neck some.
“Yeah, sorry. I should have warned you.”
Trent spoke the truth when he said his head was clearing of the hangover. The cold had helped, but the closeness of Max brought a different type of confusion to his thoughts. He didn’t remember having any kind of leanings towards men in his past, he didn’t know why he was suddenly having these ideas. He shook his head, trying to banish the scenes running there.
“What’s wrong?” Max asked.
Trent looked at him and blinked, coming back into the present. “Oh, nothing.” He changed the subject. “Where are we heading?”
“I thought we’d walk a couple of streets to the café. Get some real coffee. Not that crappy stuff you have.” Max laughed. “Sorry, but it’s disgusting.”
Trent glared at him playfully but agreed with a shrug. “Yeah, well, it’s hot. What more do you want?” He huffed. He noticed Max slide a look at him, but he ignored it. “How did you know about the café here? You don’t live around here, do you?” He glanced across at Max, seeing him wince.
Max didn’t say anything for a moment. “I…kinda…researched it before I came over this morning.” He bit his lip.
Trent laughed. “Was the coffee I gave youthatbad?”
Max joined him in laughter. “Sorry, but yeah. I have a more refined palette, don’t you know.”
We might disagree on that,he thought as his mind returned to Frederick. Max can’t be that refined. Trent shook his head.That was bitchy, Trent.
They crossed the road and entered the little corner café. Max asked Trent what he wanted, refusing his offer to pay, and ordered for them both. They made small talk while they waited and doctored their drinks when they were ready. Exiting the café, Trent realised he felt much better.
“Thanks for this.” Trent didn’t look at Max as he said it but hoped he conveyed his meaning.
Max bumped his shoulder, making Trent glad he had a lid on his coffee. “You’re welcome.”
They walked back faster, the cold beginning to seep into his bones.
“Do you have any other siblings? Other than the two lawyers?” Max’s question came out of the blue. “We’ve not really talked about families.”
“Yeah, I’m the second of five.”
