Page 51 of Primary Seduction
Trent laughed. “I am definitely stubborn. And also right.”
Max sat back in a huff. He wanted more alcohol. He sat forward again. “Let me get past, please.”
“Why?” asked Trent.
“I need more alcohol if I’m going to deal with all of you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes. I. Do.” With that, Max pecked him on the lips and squeezed past. It was only when he was walking to the bar that he realised what he’d done.Shit, shit, shit.He grimaced, not daring to look back at what he knew would be a Spanish inquisition aimed at Trent.Sorry, Trent.
****
Trent
Well, fuck.As much as he liked the fact that Max was happy to kiss him in public, he had just outed him to the whole table. Trent looked around at the shocked faces—all except Zak, who looked smug and Asher, who already knew—and decided to be honest.
“A couple of days ago, although I’ve been confused for a while. It just happened. No, I don’t know where we’re going. We’re still working things out. I have no idea what I’m doing.” He paused, looking down at his hands. “I like him.” He waited a beat, then looked up. “Does that cover all of your questions?”
Everyone was silent for a minute, then burst out laughing. It was Trent’s turn to be shocked then.
“It took you long enough,” Logan said, clapping him on the back. “I thought Max was going to an early grave with all the pining he was doing.” He handed Trent his beer. “I think you’re going to need this tonight.”
Trent tried to wave it away. “I’m driving.”
Logan pushed the beer back. “Get a taxi, pick up your car tomorrow. There sorted.”
He blew out a breath and downed the beer. “Thanks,” he said as he wiped his mouth. “I should’ve got Max to get a whole round.”
“You must be psychic then,” said Max as he brought a tray with enough drinks for everyone, including Trent. “I saw you down Logan’s beer, so thought you’d be off driving duty now.” Max squeezed across to get to his seat. “I am so sorry I kissed you. I didn’t think—” he began, quietly.
Trent kissed him to shut him up and garnered a few catcalls from the table’s occupiers. He didn’t care. Now it was out in the open, he felt freer in a way. He was still a little confused about what it all meant, but he liked Max, a lot, and he wanted to make sure he gave it his all. He didn’t want to mess Max around or hurt him.
As he pulled away, Max leaned into him. “Is this a coming out party now?” he said, chuckling.
Trent laughed. “I suppose in a way it is. But let’s not tell anyone, I don’t want to steal Charlie’s thunder.”
They spent the next few hours drinking, laughing and being with their friends and each other. They stole the odd kiss here and there, touched hands or legs occasionally and looked at each other often. Trent had never felt so relaxed.
Charlie came over as the night ended to thank them for his gift. The friends at the table and Tom and Ginny had all banded together to get him a long weekend break in the Lake District and he was over the moon with it. Charlie was also very drunk, much to his boyfriend’s amusement. Josh told them Charlie didn’t drink very often as he was always the one behind the bar instead, so he was going to enjoy Charlie’s hangover tomorrow. As they were about to leave, Charlie caught sight of someone and called them over.
“Johnson! Hey, come over and meet my friends!”
Trent laughed at his exuberance. The guy came over, smiling and gave Charlie a hug before moving his attention to the table.
“Hey, nice to meet you all,” Johnson said.
Josh made the introductions, and Trent noticed Johnson’s eyes widen when they got to Max. He looked over at Max and saw Max with a similar look.
“Everything okay?” Trent whispered in his ear.
Max nodded. “I’ve seen him around before.” Which Trent took to mean in the BDSM circuit.
Trent listened as Logan talked to Johnson about work when Johnson’s mobile rang. “Sorry, let me just answer this. Won’t be a second. Hey, Adam…Yeah…Seriously? What the hell, man. You know you can…Yeah, all right…text me the details…See ya. Sorry about that.”
“No problem. Everything okay?” Logan asked.
Johnson blew out a breath. “Yeah, my best mate is coming to town. Not seen him for ages. He always just drops by unannounced. I never know his whereabouts from one day to the next.” At Logan’s puzzled look, he expanded, “He’s a photographer, so travels a lot.”
