Unexpected, p.8
Unexpected, page 8
“That’s good. Sometimes we don’t need to think. We only need to feel.”
“What I’m feeling is annoyed. I don’t care if you’re interested in Reuven. You can do what you want. I’m here to work for you, and that’s all.” He ran his fingers over his lips. “I’m not interested in being another notch on your bedpost.”
“Okay. Message received.” He waved his hand casually, but there wasn’t anything casual about that kiss. He could still feel the pressure of Colin’s mouth on his and the soft slide of his tongue. Sex he’d had plenty of—this was something different.
Somehow that thought didn’t send him running. It enticed him. Intrigued him. He needed to figure out this prickly, cautious man who didn’t tick any of his boxes: Colin was uptight, judgmental, and not sexually free—the complete opposite of his usual bed partners. At this point, he should tell the driver to take Colin home, but Walker kept silent. If that kiss was any indication of the passion Colin held banked inside, Walker wanted more, and he knew he’d have to work for it.
The car let them out in front of Bases Loaded, and Walker wasn’t certain Colin would be following. “Come on. I promise to keep my lips to myself.”
Colin’s brow furrowed, but he jerked his head in a nod. “As long as you understand boundaries.”
“I do.”
Didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try and push them. But the next time, he’d make sure Colin came to him.
As the door shut behind them, he noted the place was crowded, as expected for a Friday night. There was a game at the Barclays, and both the Yankees and Mets were at home, so lively conversation rose around them in a steady hum. He touched Colin’s arm. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“Walk-Off, how the hell are you? About time you dragged your sorry ass in here,” Evan called out and waved to him. He returned it with a huge smile, seeing his friend and his wife. If anyone could make Colin feel at home, it would be Shelly and Evan.
“How’s it going?” He clapped Evan on the back and leaned over to kiss Shelly on her soft cheek. “Hello, gorgeous.”
“It’s good, but I’m thinking it’s going even better for you. Am I right?” she murmured, her gaze sliding over to where Colin stood, unhappy, stiff, and looking out of place.
“Not particularly. I may need your help.”
“Yeah?” Her lips curved upward and her eyes sparkled. “I’ve only been waiting for years.” She slipped off her barstool and straightened her skirt. “Leave it to me.” With a flip of her long waves, she passed him and walked over to Colin, hand outstretched. “Hi, I’m Shelly, Walk-Off’s friend.”
“Hello. I’m Colin.” They shook, and Shelly turned on her considerable charm. She could melt an iceberg with her natural warmth.
“Nice to meet you, Colin. Come over and join my husband, Evan, and me.” She tugged his hand. “Have a drink with us.”
“Uh, okay.” Throwing him a look, Colin allowed himself to be drawn over to the bar, and Walker stayed quiet as Evan introduced himself.
“Hey, Colin. What’ll you have?”
“A ginger ale will be fine.”
Evan’s brows rose, but he merely said, “Walk-Off, get him a ginger ale.”
“Okay, Boss.” Chuckling, he circled around to behind the bar, as Robbie was busy helping a crowd on the opposite end. He squirted the soda in a glass and slid it over to Colin, who accepted it with a muttered, “Thanks.”
“How did you two meet?” Shelly began the interrogation, even though she already knew the story of the inadvertent luggage switch. Walker knew it was her way of easing Colin into the group.
“We first met when our luggage got switched, but now it seems that by some crazy circumstance, my firm is going to be planning the charity event Walker is throwing here.”
“That is some coincidence.” She sipped her wine and smiled up at Colin. “Some people might call it fate.”
Colin remained silent, and Shelly nudged Evan. Walker ducked his head, hiding his grin. Evan sighed and shook his head, but it was useless to resist. He knew the drill.
“Are you from New York, Colin?”
“Yes. I grew up near here.”
Walker knew that but was hoping Colin would reveal more about himself, so he pretended innocence. “Really?”
Colin turned those big eyes on him. “Yes, really.”
The disdain was obvious, but Walker had been talked down to by bigger people than him. People he’d looked up to as heroes and role models but who wanted nothing to do with him once they discovered he was gay.
Shelly continued on. “My mom was a teacher at the elementary school on Pacific Street. Where did you go to school?”
“That’s where I went.” He drank his entire glass of ginger ale.
Why was he so nervous? Walker pretended to polish the bar top as he listened in.
“Did you have Mrs. O’Reilly? She’s my mom. She taught fourth grade.”
Colin’s jaw dropped. “Yes. I did. That’s crazy.” He gazed into his empty glass. “She was a great teacher,” he said softly.
Shelly nodded. “She loved teaching. Every kid was ‘hers.’ She’s retired but still lives here in Brooklyn. She also has a place in Florida, so Evan and I go see her in the winter.”
A genuine smile curved Colin’s lips. “Next time you speak to her, tell her hello from Colin Brightman. If she remembers.”
Walker watched in silence as the conversation unfolded, his mind working furiously. The neighborhood around the bar had only recently begun to gentrify, but twenty years earlier it wavered on the edge of property values exploding as people from the city had discovered the brownstones were nice or nicer than ones in the already overpriced areas of the borough, and snapped them up for bargain prices. For decades before, Downtown Brooklyn was a dangerous place, with drug dealers inhabiting the brownstones and in control of the streets. Crime ran rampant in the projects, with nightly shootings and drugs sold openly. From the article he’d read, he knew Colin had grown up in the projects, and those hard times he’d lived in set him in a different light than Walker initially thought. His rough beginning might’ve made him wary of people and life.
“Oh, she’ll remember. Trust me.”
“So you’re an event planner?” Evan asked. “You must have some crazy stories.”
“It can be interesting. Most of our clients are wonderful people, and we’re happy to help them plan the important events of their lives.”
Evan held a wing aloft. “As I see it, the food is always number one. If you’ve got good food, no one complains too much. Right?” Evan took a bite and followed it with a gulp of beer.
“For the most part. Obviously, a wedding is a total experience. But Walker’s event will be a marriage of sports figures, professional organizations, and donors, so we need to make sure items for sale are properly prepared for viewing, donation channels are set correctly.…Multiple elements need to come together.”
“I’m ready to help with whatever you need. We all are. Me and the guys, we do it year-round for them.”
“Really?” Colin raised a brow and shot Walker a quick look. Walker took off his jacket and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.
“Yeah. We do. Evan’s a sportscaster for SiriusXM, and he’s got a mentoring program for kids who want to go into sports journalism or radio. Shelly’s got a group of her teacher friends to help with after-school tutoring.”
“Don’t forget us.” Sean and Tim joined them.
“Colin, this is Sean and his husband, Tim. Sean works at a bank that’s one of our major sponsors, and Tim’s a pharmacist. Guys, Colin Brightman. He’s the event planner for the benefit.”
“Nice to meet you. Walker, two Stellas, please.”
“Already on it.” He handed them their glasses. “You two went out for dinner?”
Sean leaned on Tim’s shoulder, directing a tender smile at him. “Yeah. It’s the anniversary of our first date.”
“Aw, drinks for everyone on the house. Colin, come on. Have something besides ginger ale.” He so wanted the man to loosen up. “I’ll make you something sweet.” He winked. “Like me.”
Colin rolled his eyes. “Hardly.”
Walker decided he liked annoying the man. It was fast becoming one of his more enjoyable pastimes. Remembering from the first time they met, he made him a Tequila Sunrise and handed it over. Then Walker raised his glass. “To Sean and Tim.”
They all raised their drinks, and he watched as Colin took a tiny sip and licked his lips. “It’s good,” he said almost begrudgingly and drank some more.
Transfixed, Walker couldn’t stop staring at Colin’s mouth, and his dick hardened. Damn. What was it about this prickly guy that got under his skin? He could’ve been having a good time with Reuven right now if he’d given the man the slightest indication that he was interested. God only knew Reuven had dropped enough hints throughout dinner.
Instead, he stood here, being shot down at every turn and willingly asking for more. Maybe it was because the more time he spent with Colin, the more those layers were slowly getting peeled away, and Walker itched to get to that inner core the man so carefully guarded and find out why. And in the process figure out why he wanted to in the first place, when no other man had become so much as a forgotten memory.
“You’re looking at him like he’s a steak on the grill and you ain’t eaten in a week.” Jimmy nudged him, and Walker pulled his gaze away to meet the older man’s amused face. His blue eyes danced.
“You’re crazy. I brought him here to meet everyone, since he’ll be the point person for the charity event. I’m not interested in dating him.”
“You never are. That’s the problem.” Brushing past him, Jimmy joined the group. “How’s it goin’, folks?” He turned to Colin. “I think we met once. I’m Jimmy. Hear you’re gonna be working with Walk-Off for the event.”
“I am. I’m Colin Brightman. And I remember you. When I came about my suitcase. I think you felt you had to protect Walker from me.”
“We get lots of groupies who come in here hopin’ to meet him, maybe get a picture or something more. I been with him for almost twenty years and seen it all.” Jimmy cackled, but Colin remained frustratingly unreadable.
“I’m sure you have. Just not with me, since I don’t really know who he is. I don’t follow baseball.”
“That so, huh?” Jimmy rubbed his chin. “Might be a good thing,” he said under his breath. He peered around Colin. “Sean. You want something to eat?”
“No, I’m fine, Jimmy. Thanks.”
“Nice meetin’ you, Colin. Walk-Off, I’ll bring out some stuff for the bar. I don’t care what Sean says. He always gets hungry.” He left a bemused Colin, and Walker abandoned his place behind the bar and sauntered over to the group.
“You doing okay?” he asked Colin, whose brows drew together.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Walker leaned on the bar and folded his arms. “Probably because you seem to dislike crowds and meeting new people.”
Colin’s face flamed. “That’s not true. I just don’t like being forced into situations. I enjoy most people.” His pointed reference had Walker chuckling.
“Present company excluded?”
For the first time, Walker saw a true smile on Colin’s lips.
“We’ll see.”
Chapter Nine
He’d forgotten how exhausting being in a crowd could be. Never one for the bar scene to begin with, the divorce had been a great excuse to hole himself up in his apartment night after night, venturing out only when work made it necessary. That was why dinner with one set of strangers and now meeting this second group had already taxed him to the limit.
And yet…
He did enjoy sparring with Walker, and kissing him—despite how he’d protested earlier in the car. The man’s lips and tongue were made for kissing, and he’d used them too damn well. Mouth dry, Colin gulped the rest of his drink but held on to the empty glass, unwilling to let it out of his suddenly shaky hands.
Shit. It must be the alcohol that made him stare at Walker’s mouth and want to kiss him again. That was why he rarely drank. He’d had plenty of meetings with clients and never once imagined having sex with any of them.
Think, dammit. What can you say to get your mind off getting naked with this man who’d only use you and cast you aside?
“So did you play ball with all these guys? Sean and Tim too?” He drank some of the melted ice water and crunched a few cubes.
“Why are you so nervous?” Walker asked, leaning in close. “Is it because of the kiss?” Walker nudged him. “It was pretty fucking awesome, wasn’t it?”
“Shut up,” he hissed. “I don’t need anyone to find out. It’s unprofessional, and it’s not who I am.”
“Yeah? Who are you, then? Because it seems like you’re hell-bent on me not finding out.”
Stubborn asshole. “That’s because there’s nothing to find out. And I don’t need to give you my life story to work for you.” He set his glass on the bar. “I think I should go.”
But before he could leave, Sean and Tim surrounded them.
“So you’re the man whose luggage Walker took? Sounds like something he’d do.”
“Hey,” Walker protested. “It wasn’t my fault. They looked exactly alike. Right? Tell them,” Walker appealed. “It was easy to make a mistake.”
“I mean, I usually check the tags. You were in such a rush to leave, you almost knocked me down.” He decided to do a little digging of his own, as Walker had never answered his question. “Did you play with Walker too, Sean?”
“That’s a loaded question,” Walker answered with a smirk as Sean rolled his eyes. “I guess you could say yes. It all depends on how you look at it.”
“Oh, shut up. You’re like a child, I swear.” Sean huffed. “Ignore him, Colin. Walker and I were together for a little while years ago. Before his injury.” At Walker’s nod, he continued. “We figured out we were better friends than lovers, and then I met Tim.” He cast a tender glance at his husband, who took his hand. “We’ve been together for three years and married for two.”
“You and Walker were…together? Like a couple?”
To say that surprised him was an understatement. He’d never imagined Walker in a relationship.
Sean’s expression was reflective. “I guess you could call it that, but not really.”
Darting a quick look at Walker, he caught a hint of sadness in those blue eyes and wondered what had gone wrong. Did he miss Sean and secretly wish they were still together?
Christ, he was letting his imagination run rampant—a direct result of too many late nights watching Pride and Prejudice and lusting after Darcy. A man like Walker didn’t need to be alone and most likely wasn’t.
“My one and only attempt at coupledom. Sean and Tim are perfect for each other. Whatever happened between Sean and me is well in the past, and we’ll always be friends.”
“That’s a very mature outlook.”
A hint of a smile curved Walker’s lips. “You sound surprised. I can be mature when I choose.”
“Which isn’t very often, I’m gathering,” he shot right back and was rewarded with Walker sticking his tongue out. “Case in point.” He grinned at the laughter behind him. When did he start enjoying this childish banter?
“I see you’ve met someone who doesn’t put up with your bullshit either.” Sean clapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the club, Colin. You’ll find Walker often annoying and occasionally amusing, but the man has a big heart, which is hard to come by in this world.”
“Gee, thanks. I think,” Walker growled.
“Uh, I don’t know about any of that. I’m just here to work on his project. If it’s okay with you, Walker, I’d like to walk around the space and see what I have to work with. Take some pictures as well.”
“Be my guest. My place is your place.” Walker spread out his hands, and Colin took off, walking the length and width of the space, using his phone’s camera and taking notes of measurements and the placement of windows and doors. Eyes narrowed, he stood at the entrance, surveying the entire restaurant, picturing where to place tables and music. They’d start with the step and repeat outside, then—
“Planning a quick escape?” a voice whispered in his ear, making him jump. Walker stood at his shoulder, dark hair tumbling over his brow, his face bright with laughter, so alive and dangerously sexy, Colin found it hard to catch his breath. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes glowed with unashamed interest.
“Oh, I think you did. You look like you live to shake people up.”
Brow raised, Walker leaned in closer, his lips so near, Colin could feel them on his cheek. “Oh, yeah? What would it take to shake you up? Another kiss?”
Shockingly, he yearned to feel Walker’s mouth on his. He’d never been one to test a finger to the flame, but now Colin wanted the heat. Walker made him burn with a lust so unexpected it rocked him to the core. And because of that, he lashed out, harsher than usual, overcompensating for his carnal thoughts.
“Stop it. That was a mistake. It—it’s never going to happen again.”
“Why?” Walker crossed his arms. “I’m attracted to you, and I think it might be mutual. There’s nothing wrong with a fling.”
“I told you. I don’t do flings.”
“Why not?” Walker’s brow furrowed. “With no expectations comes freedom to enjoy and explore.” His voice lowered. “I’d love to explore every inch of you.”
A vision flashed before him—Walker naked in his bed, kissing and touching him. Then he recalled seeing Brad with Anthony, and his desire shriveled and died. Colin took a step back, and another, until he hit the door.
“I-I just don’t, okay? And I don’t appreciate being pushed.”
“I think we’d be great together. I’d love to get the chance to see.”
“I’m sure you would. But not with me. We’re very different people. Besides, we’re strangers.”
“Sometimes that’s the best.” Walker stepped closer. “It could be a journey of discovery.”
He should laugh in Walker’s handsome face and leave—he’d bet any amount of money that the man had never been turned down—but his feet wouldn’t move.
