Page 58 of Light Up
Corey looked at the half-drunk mojito in his hand. “I need to drink this more slowly. I’m terrible at resisting temptation. I’ll try harder with the next one.”
Tal leaned against the bar. “Are you going to play your guitar in the talent show?”
That was the first time Corey had heard him speak as though they’d still be around. “That or the piano. I’ve not played the piano for a while though. The last time was at St Pancras Station when I went…”Oh God. Don’t think of that, of Raj and Gabe and what had happened.
“What would you play?”
“I probably ought to go for something Christmassy likeWhen Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney. Not Hosier’sTake Me to Church.”
“You like that one?”
“Yep. Do you have something you can do?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“Nooooo,” Corey whined. “I am not good at waiting. Let me guess. Contortionist? Juggler? Hula-hoop artiste? Ventriloquist? Pole dancing? Stripping? Reciting Beowulf?”
“None of the above.”
“I give up.” Corey sidled closer to him. “Change of topic. Have you been thinking about our conversation in the hot tub?”
“Yes.”
“Me too. Can we talk some more?”
“Yes.”
Corey emptied his glass. “Upstairs now. Bring your teeth.”
Thirteen
Tal put down his half-finished drink on the bar and took off his hat. Corey glanced at Tal’s glass, then finished the mojito.
“Really?” Tal gaped at him.
“Why did you let me find out how good they are?”
“You’re blaming me?”
“What if I like all cocktails? I’m doomed, I tell you! Doomed!”
Tal picked up his hat and followed Corey to the stairs wondering if the touch of drama was down to nerves. They needed to talk. Corey was right. Though Tal didn’t think Corey was going to like what he intended to say. He’d done a lot of thinking while Corey lay sleeping after they’d… Something Tal shouldn’t have allowed to happen. He knew he should leave Corey alone. He’d taken advantage. That wasn’t like him but… Damn it, he wanted more of Corey. What the hell was he going to do?
By the time Tal closed the door of their room, his pulse was racing and his cock was rock hard. He’d had Corey’s backside right in front of him as they’d walked up the stairs and the little tease had not only walked slowly, but had wriggled his arse—twice. So much for Tal’s willpower.
But… Of course there was abut. This wouldn’t last beyond the snow, Tal knew that. A thaw could come at any time, as could a snowplough. Corey was from another world, a different dimension. He was young and fun, fresh and happy. Everything Tal was not. Corey’s interest in him would wane. He’d get bored. Like Dorian. Just as Tal would be thinking that his life could be different, he’d lose him.
Tal put his cowboy hat on the side table, headed for the chairs by the fire and sat down. He knew what message that was giving. No following his wayward dick. No trying to removeclothes with his teeth. Was that even possible?I want to be made to see if it’s possible.A thought that caused him to shiver.
Being sensible had to come before anything else, for Corey’s sake.
“We need to have a chat,” Tal said.
“Are you worried about your teeth falling out?”
