AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes travel across the bonfire and find Pierce. He's talking with his hands, so he resembles a ninja as he regales his friends with some amusing story.
I've never met anyone like Pierce Owen. He's energetic and out there. Confident, bordering on cocky. Fun. Genuine. Warm.
I've also never paid much attention to another guy's appearance before, but with him, I do. I'm drawn to little details, like the intricate design of his tribal tattoo that runs the entire length of his left arm, or how his hair is constantly falling down the side of his face forcing him to tuck it behind his ear, or the dimples that pop up whenever he smiles.
Until I met Pierce, I did identify as straight.
But now… Now I'm not so sure.
Working at an LGBT resort, I'm surrounded by hot guys all day every day. I've been hit on a bunch, and yet, I've never once had the impulse to act. Never even come close to being tempted. Objectively, I can see when a guy is attractive, but no one has had a physical effect on me.
Pierce, on the other hand, does things to me.Allthe things.
As if knowing I'm thinking about him, Pierce turns and our eyes meet. It's too dark and he's standing too far away for me to see the warmth in his light-brown eyes, but we've spent enough time together these past few months for me to know that it's there.
My chest flushes with heat as he nods and lifts his beer at me. I smile and do the same.
Someone tugs on his arm, but his gaze lingers on me for a while longer until eventually, he turns away and joins in with whatever they're talking about. I gaze down at my arm. My hairs are standing on end.
The funny thing is, even though I've never been attracted to a guy before, I'm not actually thrown by my feelings for Pierce.
What does tip me off balance is how hot and cold he can be.
Like the time after our week-long hike, when we got back to work the next day, he was…distant. A small paranoid part of me thought he might have been avoiding me.
We go through periods where we talk and text and send each other stupid memes all day long, then other times I'm the one who has to reach out because unless I do, I don't hear from him for days.
I know he was badly burned by his last partner. He's told me he doesn't trust easily, and he always has his guard up. I get that. I'm the same way. Trust is something that's earned, not freely given.
But his relationship ended over a year ago.
Besides, why would that impact the way he is with me?
So yeah, while there is something between us, I'm not sure it would lead to us being a thing, as Firass seems to think.
I stare at the flickering flames and let out a massive yawn. "Guys, I'm beat," I say, getting up as a wave of exhaustion rolls over me. "Gonna call it a night."
"No worries, man." Firass looks up at me. "You okay?"
I take one look over the fire at Pierce goofing around. "Yeah. I'm fine."
And with that, I take off.
2
Pierce
"Hey. Wait up!" I jog the final few feet to reach Marnus, kicking up sand behind me. "You're leaving?"
He stops walking and lets out a massive sigh as I reach him. "Yeah. I'm tired."
I flick his nipple.
"Ow." He steps away, almost falling back.
I grab his forearm to steady him. "You okay?"
I scan his face. It's kind of a mean-boy face. Intense eyes. Lips set in a semi-permanent scowl. He looks low-key irritated, but then when he smiles, it's like a fucking sunrise or some sappy shit, and he looks so goddamn happy.
