Page 117 of Pretty ’n Peak

The last bit he only added for any ears potentially listening. His body already tingled with the idea of what would happen once they were alone.

“Thanks for letting me stay over,” Austin commented, continuing the charade as they stood and said their goodbyes, then made their way to the car.

The night was warm and balmy, but starting to cool. It had long-since fallen dark, so Mateo offered his arm to keep Austin from tripping. His skin buzzed at the contact.

“I wish you could see the stars,” Mateo commented, out on the street. Even surrounded by people, it felt like they were alone in the universe. Just the two of them.

Austin leaned into his ear. “Tonight, all I want to see is you.”

19

Austin

Austin followed Mateo up the unfamiliar steps. The whole house smelled like the amazing food they’d been eating all evening. Syncopated Latin beats still throbbed through the walls. Even though Mateo had a separate door on the side of the building with its own flight of stairs, it was clear he was still right in the mix.

Mateo had timed their entry so that no one would see him carrying the giant bouquet, which made Austin’s chest hurt for the boy, even if he understood.

If Mateo lost his family—this large, joyous mass of people who loved him—he’d lose everything. Home. Work. Support system.

Still, it was a little bit funny smuggling flowers up the stairs. “I feel like we’re teenagers sneaking into your parents’ house.”

Mateo laughed. “I know. I really do apologize. I feel ridiculous.”

“You’re so naughty, leading strange men up to your room,” Austin teased.

He’d meant it as a light joke, but Mateo took it up with a sassy, seductive tone. “Maybe that’s the kind of girl I am.”

That was new. Not just the words, but the confidence that Mateo had found. Austin figured it was probably Jamie’s doing, if the two of them had been texting a lot, but he couldn’t help a small surge of pride.

Confidence was sexy.

“So are you my pretty girl tonight?”

Mateo paused on the stairs, and Austin almost bumped into him. “Is that weird?”

Now the nerves were back. Mateo was still so fragile in his confidence. So hungry for approval.

Austin squeezed his ass, unwilling to let him get into his head. “It’s hot. The question is, are you the cute girl next door, or the naughty sex kitten? Maybe the pampered princess?”

“God.” Mateo huffed out a laugh. “I thought I was ready for this but I still feel like my brain’s going to explode.” He continued walking, more slowly. “I mean… you’re gay so… you’re attracted to men?”

Austin crowded up behind him as he reached the top, capturing him in his arms. “I’m attracted to you.”

It was the first time he’d said it. Or maybe the first time he’d admitted it to himself. He’d told Mateo a thousand times that he was desirable and beautiful. That he was a good boy and a sweet sub.

But the thing was, Austin truly was attracted to him.

It couldn’t be more clear than it was right now.

Mateo just did it for him.

It didn’t mean, necessarily, that Austin was ready for dating. Especially not when Mateo was still figuring out so much about himself and Austin knew that he had a lot of personal work to do.

But he could admit that the passion was just as heady three weeks later. Especially when he could sense Mateo’s humble flush of pride at his art show, and the way he clearly loved his family. Everything with Mateo just felt… good.

Even when Mateo was working through something, like he clearly was now. His body was stiff, the bouquet still held awkwardly down at one side.

“OK, well… I’ve been thinking that maybe I’m more… non-binary, maybe? Ugh. I wasn’t going to tell you this until later.”