Page 107 of Pretty ’n Peak

And there was no way that they’d love to meet him. Some blind white guy who barely knew Mateo and hung around after his show? Not to mention that Mateo was still in the closet. It wasn’t like they were dating or anything, but… that part of things sounded awkward, too.

Still, if it meant seeing a little bit more of Mateo… Maybe they could carve out some time to chat?

Austin: Sure. I’d love to.

It was a lie. He’d love to see Mateo and he’d tolerate the rest. But Mateo probably already knew that.

There was an even longer pause. Was that it? When they’d talked in person they’d never run out of things to say, but their texts were impersonal and halting, like driving over potholes in a road.

Austin finally decided that was it and called a Lyft when his phone dinged again.

Mateo: It’s a long way back late at night. You could spend the night if you wanted.

After that, there was nothing that could keep the grin off his face.

He didn’t even know if Mateo was talking about another scene or just sleeping on his couch, but either way, Austin would take it.

Austin: Thank you. I’d like that.

Mateo sent him back a smiley face.

Was that an It’ll be cool to catch up? Or I want to wear that naughty outfit you got me while I kneel at your feet and beg to suck your cock?

Austin found that he’d be happy with either. Well, more pleased with one than the other, but both felt good.

Both felt really good.

Mateo: I know a great breakfast place for the morning.

What was that supposed to imply? Or, hell. It didn’t even matter. He’d get to see Mateo again.

Austin: I can’t wait.

Austin had to admit that he spent the next three days daydreaming.

Taja reminded him that kinky relationships formed fast—but so did pseudo-relationships where you felt closer to someone than you actually were. New relationship energy she called it. She agreed with him that it might be difficult to figure out whether he was actually attracted to Mateo, or just ready to step into kink again.

But Mateo was always on his mind.

The lush curves of his body. His ready laugh. The way their hands felt, intertwined.

Austin admitted that he might have developed a little crush.

When the day finally came, he was buzzing, like his whole body was filled with happy little bumblebees, drifting from flower to flower.

Work couldn’t end soon enough.

The second the clock hit six, he shut down his terminal and grabbed his overnight bag.

He’d gone back and forth a dozen times when he packed it, finally settling on casual clothes for himself and all of the kink gear he could easily fit in. It was tucked away into a second bag with a zipper, so if his expectations were wrong, at least Mateo would never know.

And then he’d gotten Mateo a little gift. But it folded up so small that he wouldn’t even have to show it if he’d gotten things wrong.

He was going to get the boy flowers, though. Wasn’t that what you did for someone’s big performance?

He felt like a teenager on a second date, those bees humming so loudly he could scarcely hear the world around him.

All of that came screeching to a halt when Ryan’s voice cut in. “Hey Austin. Where are you going?”