Gambling On Maybe by Fae Sutherland (romantic love story reading txt) 📕

"I'd say I got held up at work, which is sort of true, but it'd mostly be a lie. I stayed late on purpose."

Zach's brows lifted and he smiled a bit. "I admire your honesty. Most guys would make excuses. Not that I get stood up often, just so you know."

Stephen shook his head. "No, I bet you don't. I'm a special breed of stupid, I know."

The almost smile became a full smile and damned if Zach didn't have beaming down to an art form. How did he even maintain such wattage?

"Well, since you're aware of your problem and all, I should be supportive, right? My Officer Hotness, recovering dumbass." Zach stepped back a bit and waved him inside. "Is there a twelve step program for that? Shall I learn the daily affirmations?"

Stephen chuckled as Zach shut the door behind him.

"You're quick, aren't you? Always with the perfect comeback, huh?"

Zach grinned, tilting his head with a slight shrug. "I try.

Want a drink?"

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Gambling On Maybe

by Fae Sutherland

Stephen shook his head. "No, thanks, I don't drink."

Zach looked somewhat surprised, then shrugged and plopped down cross-legged on the futon. "Well, come, sit.

Hungry? I could reheat dinnerE"

Stephen winced, sitting down on the futon. The apartment was very much how he'd expected it. Smaller, maybe, because he hadn't expected a studio. But colorful. White walls, white carpet, and white furniture, but everywhere were vivid splashes of color from lamps to art to rugs and pillows.

"I'm sorry. You didn't actually cook, did you? Tell me you didn't so I don't kick my own ass even more."

Zach laughed and shook his head. "God, no. It's one thing I have in common with Carrie Bradshaw. I keep sweaters in my oven."

He didn't know who Carrie Bradshaw was or why one would keep sweaters in their oven, but Stephen was glad Zach hadn't gone way out of his way for him.

"SoEwhy didn't you want to come?"

Zach's question, blunt and to the point, caught him off guard. The young man had a knack for it. Stephen wondered if Zach even knew how to bite his tongue on what he was thinking.

Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to be a little more honest himself. SoE "It wasn't as though I didn't want to."

Zach's smile was back to knowing. "It was because you did. I see."

Stephen wondered, but probably Zachary Middle-initial-L-for-Lucas West could see right through him. "What do you see?" he blurted, curious. Morbidly curious, more like.

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"Men who want to be straight are afraid of me as much as—sometimes more than—men who are straight. I know you're not the latter, Stevie, right? So are you the former?

Because if so, maybe you shouldn't be here with meEit can't look good for you if anyone found out, right?"

Zach was right. It wouldn't look good. He'd spent a lot of years being just one of the guys. Dating a woman here and there and developing a reputation as a confirmed bachelor so no one asked anymore why he wasn't married, why he didn't settle down. Instead, they ribbed him and joked and clapped him on the back like it was some kind of accomplishment.

So why was he here now, sitting in this very flamboyant apartment with this very flamboyant young man who could bring the tenuous structure of his identity down around his ears with one flutter of his mascaraed lashes?

"You said you knew I liked you. You were right. Are right."

Stephen let his gaze wander where it wanted to, landing, not surprisingly, on Zach's mouth. Soft, pink, lushEit was a mouth a man shouldn't let himself taste. Because he just knew it was sweet and willing and giving, and he'd be addicted with the very first exposure. Like some kind of candy drug.

Zach didn't say anything at first. The light in the apartment was dim, just a small lamp beside the futon, but it was enough to see the play of expressions across his face.

Zach was so expressive. He didn't hide anything he felt or thought.

What must it be like to live that way? So free?

Then Zach's expression changed, and he gave Stephen one of those knowing smiles. Without a word, Zach moved, sliding 24

Gambling On Maybe

by Fae Sutherland

over to straddle Stephen's thighs, slim arms winding around his neck. Big brown eyes locked on his, as if waiting to see if Stephen was going to toss him off and bolt, or stay and see where this led.

Like he didn't know where it was going to lead. And, oh, he wanted to go there so much he could almost taste it.

Before he even finished the thought, Zach must have read his mind because the next instant they were kissing, with a warm mouth against his own, a soft tongue teasing his lips.

For a long second, Stephen froze. There was no turning back after this. This was ground zero, so to speak. Point of no return.

His hands made the decision for him, sliding up Zach's slim back, one cupping the nape of his neck, the other sliding back down to splay at his waist, holding him close as, with more confidence than he truly felt, he kissed the most beautiful young man he'd ever known.

It was like someone had lifted the gate and all those things Stephen had been holding back, hiding, refusing to acknowledge, came rushing out in a tumble. Passion, desire, needEall spilling from him, and Zach held on tight, seeming to tell him silently it was okay to let go, to let himself feel it all.

With a groan, Stephen turned, stretching Zach out beneath him and sliding his hands down, then back up his sides, this time under the young man's T-shirt, pushing it up as he went.

The kiss broke long enough to remove the garment, and Stephen's breath caught, staring down at him.

His skin was smooth and pale, his waist narrow, the belly button pierced. The little blue jewel nestled in the center 25

Gambling On Maybe

by Fae