“I’d like to have a date with you.”
“And now you need to work.” Santino watched Orsen roll his eyes, but he settled and did the work Santino had assigned him. A new case arrived, and Santino lost track of time as he worked his way through the case notes and began the financial analysis. It was only when Orsen gently nudged him that he stopped staring at the monitor.
“What is it?” He smiled, seeing Orsen duck his head.
“You promised me pizza.”
“Is it that time already?” Santino glanced at the clock on the wall. “Two already? You should have come to me before.”
“You looked busy and I could wait.”
Santino stood and stilled. He furrowed his brow at the strange need to kiss Orsen, who was still seventeen. Sliding a hand through Charlie’s fur when he came over, Santino said, “Let’s order now.”
“You wanted to kiss me.”
“I did, and how did you know?”
“You swayed closer, your pupils dilated, and you, er, with your lips. You know, stuck them out a little.”
“Pursed.” Santino sat on the edge of his desk. “You’re good at reading body language.”
“I had to be. I had to learn when Ambrose would go after me. I guess I started to do it all the time.”
Santino breathed deeply, watching Orsen. They had said they would be honest with each other. “I did consider kissing you.”
“Why did you stop?”
“You’re seventeen, and it doesn’t feel right.”
“I’ll be eighteen in a few days.” Orsen smiled. “I’ll come for my kiss then. I can see you’re trying to do the right thing.”
Santino arched an eyebrow, then pointed to the door. “Let me place our order.”
Orsen grinned, bounced on his feet, then skipped out of the room. Santino followed at a more leisurely pace, his mind going over their conversations. Orsen did intrigue him. One minute childlike, then the next far too mature for his age, but he had a good read on the situation. Santino did want to kiss him. Still wanted to, but Orsen was still seventeen, even if for only a few more days. Would he feel different when Orsen had reached eighteen?
Santino knew he would, and, in the meantime, they could get to know each other better, because Santino liked being around Orsen. He had a unique way of viewing the world, and Santino wanted to show him what he’d missed out on.
“You have the menu on your fridge.”
“Don’t tell my mamma. She’d go nuts if she knew how much takeout I eat.”
“Is she mean?”
“No, but she’s Italian and taught us all how to cook. Me buying pizza is a sacrilege.”
“Something you shouldn’t be doing. I won’t tell her, but I demand a kiss in return.” Orsen smiled. “When I’m the right age because you have… morals.” Orsen tilted his head, then grinned. “I’m going to ask Cody about man-on-man porn.”
Santino spluttered. “What?”
“It’s called gay porn. I overheard Cody talking about it to TJ. TJ reacted like you and Cody laughed. A lot.”
“That’s because gay porn isn’t like real life. In porn they just stick it in.”
“You sound so funny. Stick it in.” Orsen giggled. “Not like you at all.”
Santino put his hands on his hips and scowled at Orsen. “You seriously want to watch gay porn?”
“I don’t know. Kids my age watch it, so maybe I should. Would that be living my life the way I should?”
