Page 16 of Spark
A faint line forms as his brows draw together. "I’ve never been there."
My heartbeat increases. This is my chance. The museum with indoor and outdoor spaces completely covered with mixed mosaics is one of my favorite places in Philly. “I think you’d really like it. We should go together sometime."
Finlay slowly leans back and resumes his cross-legged position. In the absence of his hand, my shoulder is suddenly cold. "I…"
I suck in a breath, lay my hand on his knee, and go for it. "We talked about being direct, so here goes: I like you, Finlay. I want to get to know you better."
Under my fingers, a muscle in his thigh jumps. He stares at my hand on his leg for a long moment and then lays his hand on top of mine. "Mateo."
As good as my name sounds on his lips and his hand feels, I have to keep going, I need to get it all out. "If you don’t feel the same, I’ll understand. We could still go to the museum as friends, or not go at all. No hard feelings. No pressure." I slip my hand from under his and lower it to my side, then I shift back a bit so our knees are no longer touching. I want him to know that I mean it. That I’ll give him space. That I’m not going to push.
"It’s not that." His tongue darts over his lips, but the disheartened expression on his face chafes at any optimism I have. "I am interested. I just… Look, I have some baggage."
"Who doesn’t?" The air flows freely into my lungs at his admission. He’s interested. That’s amazing. Anything else, we can work through. "The baggage part doesn’t sway or scare me. We all have complications, issues, and things weighing us down."
Sagging against the climbing wall, he drops his chin to his chest. His eyes are lowered, so I can’t tell what he’s thinking, which is a kind of torture I never knew existed. When he finally meets my gaze, his jaw is fixed but his eyes are apprehensive. I can almost see the internal debate taking place in his mind. "I’d like to see the Magic Gardens with you. When would you like to go?"
In all my excitement, I neglected to think about the frustrating limitedness of my free time. For the past year and a half, my schedule has been a deterrent to my social life. "I work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the club, and have rugby games on Saturday afternoons. I’m free on Sundays."
"Okay."
"All daySunday." I emphasize. "And Monday and Tuesday nights, once I’m through at a job site."
Finlay is smiling wider now. "What about Wednesdays?" Then that wattage dims once more. "Wait, I can answer that one. Rugby practice, right? Cam always leaves work early on Wednesdays."
"Yeah. But we could have a late dinner or drink after practice." I’m ready to do everything I can to show him how much I want this. "Have you heard the phrase,if you want to, you’ll find a way, if not you’ll find an excuse?"
"Of course."
I shift closer to him, so our knees are touching once more and lay my hand on his thigh. "My schedule isn’t great, and won’t be great for a long time, but whatever free time I do have, I make it count. And for you, Finlay, I want to, and I’ll find a way."
For a moment he seems to be immobilized, as if my words have stripped him of the necessary muscle movement to breathe, blink, or swallow. Slowly, he blinks and the column of his throat bobs. He takes my hand and holds it in both of his. The pads of his fingertips caress my palm, sending sizzles of sensation all the way to my dick. "What time do you want to meet on Sunday?"
Earlier, I’d been smoothing ruffled feathers when I told my sister I was indestructible, but now, the way he’s looking at me, and the fact that we’re actually going to see each other again? I feel invincible. I want nothing more than to be wandering one of those mirrored mazes with him, getting lost in each other’s eyes and arms. "How about eleven, when the gardens open?"
"It’s a date."
Chapter Five
Finlay
Iemergefromtheparking garage and cross South Street to the Magic Garden for my date with Mateo. Today’s weather forecast matches my mood. Sunny and in the low seventies, it’s the perfect day to spend outside. Based on the number of people on the streets, Philadelphians agree. The happy squeal of a baby collides with the sound of tires bumping over a manhole cover. A dog barks. The rays of the sun heat my shoulders through my light-weight sweater. All of it adding to the anticipation that has been building since last week.
As I approach, I wipe my hands on my pants and scan the small gathering of people waiting for the gate to open. When I spot Mateo, I slow my pace. Partly to decelerate my heart rate, which has gone into overdrive upon seeing the stunning man, and partially to take him in while his attention is focused on the family of tourists talking to him.
The teal, long-sleeved tee accentuates his muscled arms and broad shoulders underneath. The jeans, distressed in all the right places, mold his beautiful bubble of a butt to perfection. And, don’t get me started on those thighs…
My cock twitches.
Before I can talk my dick down, Mateo glances over his shoulder, his eyes affix to mine like the strongest of magnets. His expression explodes into one of excitement, so powerful I wobble before coming to a standstill. He says something to the family then quickly makes his way to me. The dark stubble does nothing to hide the cleft in his chin. The same cleft I want to lick. Among other things…
“Hi.” He leans in as if to kiss me but seems to think better of it and pulls away.
A rush of disappointment assails me even as I question why I agreed to go on a date with someone who plays a sport as dangerous as rugby. Determined to enjoy the moment, I shutter all negative thoughts away and extend my hand for a shake. “Hi.”
The corner of his mouth ticks up, doing an adorable twitchy thing before he grasps my palm.
At six feet, I’m not a small man. I work out and have a decent build, but Mateo’s large, calloused hand wrapped around mine makes me feel puny. He takes a step closer, keeping hold of my hand for longer than is customary. Tilting his head to my ear, he says, “I’m glad you could come.”
