Page 65 of Deep Down
Alex snickered. “Seriously?” He shook his head. The longer he was with Heath, the more laughter he seemed to find. It must be contagious.
“What? Do you deny those monikers?” Heath’s eyebrows rose, daring him to argue.
“I deny mine, but yours can stay.”
“Tough. I’ve confirmed them now.” Heath smirked. “And I think you’re hot, so there.” He stuck his tongue out.
“Just because we’re at a bowling alley doesn’t mean you can revert to a teenager, Mr Vet.” Alex snickered.
“MrHotVet, thank you very much. I have it in writing, after all! And why not be a teenager?” Heath cocked his hip, crossed an arm on his stomach, resting his other elbow on it and inspecting his nails with a put-upon sigh. His perfect imitation of a teenage strop made Alex consider whether Heath was around the age group on a regular basis.
Alex cracked up. “Oh my god. Are you an adult pretending to be a teenager or a fifteen-year-old pretending to be an adult?”
Heath guffawed. “You’ll have to find out.”
Alex perused Heath from head to toe, the sexual undertones to the statement sending waves of heat through Alex until a brick settled in his stomach. His muscles tensed, and he refocused, heading towards the lane. Taking a deep breath, Alex swung the ball down the lane where it rolled to the right and hit three pins. He wheeled around with a fist bump in the air.
“Three is better than none!” he proclaimed.
“Well done, you.” Heath squeezed Alex’s shoulder as he returned. “I’m sorry if I went too far with that comment. I’ll tone it down.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m a bit out of sorts. You’re fine.” Alex felt bad. They hadn’t done more than kissing—awesome kissing, mind—and he knew, eventually, Heath would want more. Alex had to get in the right frame of mind first. “Go. Show me your skills, Hot Vet.”
Alex watched the sway of Heath’s hips as he sashayed to his place. He unashamedly checked out Heath’s ass when he bent to send the ball trundling down the lane; the way those jeans hugged his ass? Mwah. Once again, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. He felt like he was cheating on Craig by being with Heath, but he felt like he was cheating on Heath when he was thinking about Craig. He needed to let one of them go. And with how things were with Craig, it seemed like it would end up being him.
The bowling carried on until Heath was declared the winner, to Alex’s chagrin. Heath kept apologising, but Alex waved him off. Alex wasn’t bothered who won or lost, he had enjoyed the witty banter they had all evening—Heath was a great storyteller. Dinner was at a Chinese restaurant not far from the bowling alley. Alex had thoroughly enjoyed himself, despite the conflicting emotions barraging his body.
“Would you like to talk about it?” Heath asked.
Alex flicked his gaze to Heath’s. “Talk about what?”
“What has you distracted tonight?”
Strolling hand in hand towards Alex’s house—Heath had wanted to make sure Alex got home alright—their soft footfalls and occasional road traffic the only noises around, it felt like they were enclosed in a bubble.
“Sorry. Honestly, I’m fine. I’m sorry if I’ve not been paying attention to you.”
“No! That’s not what I meant. I…like you, Alex, and I think you like me. I want to help if I can.” Heath’s hand squeezed his, and Alex felt worse.
“Thank you. I do appreciate it. It’s…a work thing, which I can’t talk about,” Alex lied. “But thank you all the same.”
“Okay. Well, you know where I am if you need me.”
They stopped outside Alex’s front door, and he shifted towards Heath. “Thank you for a great night. I enjoyed myself.”
“Good.” Heath paused and slowly raised his hands to cup Alex’s jaw. Drawing Alex closer, their lips met in the gentlest kiss Alex had ever received. Heath caressed Alex’s lips with his own before swiping his tongue across Alex’s bottom one, requesting entry. Alex opened, greeting Heath’s tongue with his own as the kiss deepened. Wrapping his arms around Heath’s neck, Alex took a step back, bringing his spine to the front door and allowing him more leverage.
They explored each other’s mouths as they had before. Heath’s hand moved up the back of Alex’s head, gripping the longer strands on top as Heath’s intensity increased. He plundered at Alex’s mouth, pressing their lips together hard. Alex retreated to bite Heath’s bottom lip then returned, tilting his head and opening his mouth wide, allowing Heath entrance once more.
Alex smoothed his fingers across Heath’s head, the shorter strands making them impossible to grasp. Alex felt light-headed and pulled back, needing air. Heath’s mouth descended to Alex’s neck, nibbling bites down to his shirt collar and back up.
Alex gripped Heath’s head, bringing their lips in line again. This time, slower and softer. They pressed their lips together, not moving before Alex pulled back. He rested his forehead against Heath’s, their breaths intermingling as they tried to calm.
“Goodnight, Alex.” Heath pulled back from their embrace, kissing Alex’s forehead and stepping back.
“Goodnight, Heath.” Alex watched Heath walk away, a hand pressed to his swollen, sensitive lips. Alex dropped his head back against the door and closed his eyes. He sighed a wish to be able to give Heath everything but knowing, deep inside, that he couldn’t.
