Page 5 of Riding Pine
With a deep breath, he enters his handstand, and even from where I’m standing, I notice how his butt flexes following my advice. When his T-shirt slides down, I get another very good look at the most beautiful oblique muscles I’ve ever seen. He tests the rocking motion, and when he bends his elbow, he loses his balance, and I lunge for his legs to ease his fall.
We tumble together in a heap, and the guy is solid muscle, knocking the wind out of me for a few seconds.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I wheeze, and once I catch my breath, his hand on my abdomen registers. It’s large and searing hot through my shirt. His wide eyes lock on mine, and we both lick our lips. Yep, I’m attracted to this guy, and there is definitely something happening here.
Lukas scrambles up first and offers me his hand. When I take the offered hand, he pulls me up with superpower strength, almost making my feet leave the ground. I lose my balance, smashing into his chest.
His very hard and wide chest that my face just met intimately. He smells of Tide and the outdoors. His hands grab my shoulders, gentle despite their size, as he licks his lips and steps back.
Jeepers.
If this is foreplay, I’m here for it.
His eyes burn bright in the park’s darkness, and I swear he wants to kiss me. Instead, he gently brushes the hair off my forehead, lets me go and says, “So, how about that hotdog cart you promised?”
two
Lukas
How lucky am I to have met the hottest guy ever just because I suck at handstands?
Finally, the gods have listened. He’s cute, fun, and doesn’t appear intimidated by my size in the least. This night might not be a mistake after all.
“So, this hot dog cart. You go there often?”
Ben flashes a smile, and a single dimple pops. Of course he’d have to be even cuter when he smiles likethat.
“Hardly ever. I always want to stop and never do. But it’s the best as far as hot dogs go.”
The aroma of fried onions and searing meat fills my nose, and I’m suddenly famished. When we round the corner, the cart appears, and other bar hoppers seem to have the same idea as us. The line snakes down the sidewalk, and we join it.
Ben chatters about how nice it is to see people lining up for street food on a chilly night, but he’s not just chatting to fill the space as we wait.
He’s checking me out with all the subtlety of an elephant in a china shop. Damn if that doesn’t make me want to puff my chest with pride.
“I’m assuming you aren’t seeing anyone, right? Maybe I should’ve asked you that before leaving with you,” I ask.
Ben smiles and laughs. That damn dimple pops — he’s so damn cute — and he bites his lip. “Not unless seeing you naked later counts.”
My jaw drops at Ben’s sly grin and his no-nonsense approach. I’m not used to men being so candid. “Oh, it counts.”
Sometimes you meet someone and there’s an instant spark, but with Ben, it’s an instant five-alarm fire. The air practically crackles between us, and I’m consumed with the need to have him naked and hear my name on his lips.
My facial expressions must give me away because Ben moves closer and places a hand on my hip.
“Lukas, we’re on the same page. My roommate needs me out of the apartment, and guess what?” He stretches on his tiptoes, and I still have to bend down closer. His breath across my ear sendsshivers across my skin, but his words send all my blood to my dick. “I’m really bendy.”
Well then.
Clearing my throat, I gaze down at him. “How badly do you want this hot dog?”
“Are you talking about the food or is that what you call what’s in your pants?”
With a huff, I shake my head.
“Are you always such a smart ass?”
