Page 6 of Primary Seduction
Trent nodded at him but didn’t say anything as they headed for the lift. Pressing level three, Trent stood watching the numbers, while Max watched Trent. He didn’t know what to think about Trent’s invitation but was going to take it as platonic unless something else happened. Trent didn’t seem the type to not know his own mind or body, but you never knew.
Trent fumbled with the lock on his front door when they arrived, then hesitated again before opening it fully. “It’s not much.”
Max entered to see an open space area housing the living room, dining area and kitchen and a hallway leading further into the apartment, which he assumed went to the bedrooms and bathroom. Looking closer, his designer eye noticed a minimalist look, although looking again, Max realised this was probably not the look Trent had purposefully aimed for. The furniture looked worn and there didn’t seem to be any personal effects except for three photos of his kids.
“Like I said, it’s not much.” Trent’s voice sounded defensive, and Max realised he’d taken his silence for disgust.
“It’s a nice open space with lots of natural light. It must be cosy when that fireplace is lit.” Max tried to make his voice soothing and enthusiastic without going overboard; Trent would close down on him if he thought he was being insincere. He didn’t know him well, but he knew him enough to know that.
“Hmm.” Trent walked towards the kitchen area. “Do you want a drink? Beer?”
Max had had enough alcohol tonight. “Coffee? Is that too much trouble?” He saw Trent’s shoulders relax slightly and knew then he was probably as glad as Max was that they weren’t mixing more alcohol with whatever this was they were doing.
“Sure, coffee is fine.”
He wandered around the space to the background noise of Trent bustling in the kitchen. Max noticed nothing was out of place—Trent must be a neat freak. He looked at the view out of the window and saw the building on the opposite side of the road, not exactly a scenic look.
“The view’s not great, but the rent is affordable.” Max jumped at Trent’s voice being so close behind him. He turned slightly, seeing Trent within a few feet of him, holding out a steaming mug.
“Thanks.” He took a drink, even though it scolded his mouth. “So, do you like it here?”
Trent walked over to the couch, sitting down and resting an ankle on his opposite leg. “Yeah, it’s okay. Like I said, the rent’s affordable and the security makes it safe for the kids, so as far as I’m concerned, everything else is irrelevant.”
“Where are all your personal belongings?” Max asked, then cringed when he realised that came out sounding like an inquisition. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”
****
Trent
Trent hesitated. He didn’t know how much to tell Max, who was essentially still a stranger. They had met through Sean and Asher and had been out in a group several times over the past year, but they had never been alone long enough for a proper one on one conversation like this.
“I didn’t take much from my ex-wife’s when I first left. Since then, she has refused to let me take anything else that belonged to me or the kids.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal, but itwasa big deal to him. There were several photographs and artwork he would have loved to take with him, but Trish had been an evil bitch about it from the beginning, so he had given up the fight.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to replace anything he’d once had, so he’d had to go without.
“Wow, what a cow. Sounds like you’re well rid of her.” Max came over to the sofa, sitting down and turning towards Trent so his knee rested on the cushion.
Trent still had no idea why he’d asked Max up to his apartment. He was confused about his motives because, even though he thought he wasn’t gay, seeing Asher and Sean earlier had gotten him so aroused his cock had become a very uncomfortable bulge in his jeans. He had tried to find some relief by adjusting himself but didn’t want to bring attention to it.
Staring into his mug, he asked, “Do you enjoy designing?” He would be the first to admit he knew nothing about interior design, and he was going to be a total asshole here, but he never realised men did it as a job, he had always assumed it was a woman. Not that he cared, he just hadn’t realised.
“Yeah, I love it. Being given a blank canvas and bringing a client’s dream to reality is an amazing feeling. I can’t explain what it feels like. I’ve known some clients to cry when I’ve finished because they are so grateful.” Max chuckled. “Then on the other hand, you have the ones who swear and bitch all day about everything, and you never get the time of day once you’re done. But at least you get paid.”
Trent chuckled. “Yes, you can put up with a lot so long as you get paid.”
“What about you? Do you enjoy teaching?” Max took a sip of his coffee, eyes closing a little as if it were nectar.
Trent cleared his throat. “I love it. Don’t get me wrong, some of the kids I teach are a nightmare, and I would call any teacher a liar if they denied that. But the high that you get when a child who has been struggling with something, say maths, finally understands what you’re teaching? Nothing can compare to that. It makes everything else worthwhile.” He hesitated. “Well, maybe not the paperwork.”
They both laughed. “That’s where you met Asher, isn’t it?” Max continued.
He nodded. “Yeah, I teach the eight-year-olds. Asher taught the nine-year-olds—class next door.”
“Wow, difficult age.” Max’s eyebrows rose with his wide eyes. “You’re braver than me.”
“They’re not too bad, to be honest. It’s difficult for them because age eight is when kids get a hormone surge, so they don’t know how to react to things, and everything gets confusing for them. I try to be understanding when conflicts happen, but obviously still be the ‘teacher’ when I have to be.”
“A friendly teacher,” Max supplied.
