“I know.” He stared at Mick. Up close, he noticed the flecks of amber in Mick’s dark eyes and the fullness of his lashes. Giddiness filled him, but he relaxed. He wanted to keep Mick talking. “Did your last boyfriend leave you because of your job?”
“He did. He got into trouble with the law—had a DUI—and wanted me to get him out of the ticket. I refused because I can’t get him out of those things. I also refused because he’d never learn if there weren’t any consequences. I won’t lie for him or anyone else,” Mick said. “He comes around every so often, but it’s a closed Chapter in my life.” He paused. “What about you? Did you have someone special?”
“I was put together with women and had to lie. I was told gay wouldn’t sell and I wanted to be a country music singer, so I pretended to be straight. Maybe being myself would sell. Maybe not.” He held Mick’s hand a little tighter. “I wasn’t ready to be out, but why hide? I’m not going on the road any time soon and my career is more or less over.”
“You sound so fatalistic.” Mick frowned. “You could do local stuff. What about updating your work on the internet?”
“I guess there are ways to keep my music going.” He hadn’t considered using the internet or trying to play local clubs. “I could use some legal representation. After my manager dropped off my bag, he decided he wasn’t thrilled about my living situation. We argued and I fired him. I’m on my own because they didn’t think I would need them if I wasn’t going to work.”
“If you scale back, you might not need a huge team, but I know nothing about the music business.” Mick smiled. “But I’d love to help.”
He inched closer to Mick. A dusting of freckles spread across Mick’s nose and cheeks. Fine lines had been etched at the corners of his eyes. When he smiled, he warmed Evan to his core. Evan wanted to write music about Mick. He needed to be out and loved. “I’m glad you came over.”
“Yeah?” Mick curled his fingers under Evan’s chin. “Because I’m a lawyer?”
“Are you glad you’re here because I used to almost be famous?”
“Touché.” Mick grinned.
“I’m happy because you understand.” He leaned into Mick and kissed him. The sweetness, tenderness and first blush of passion washed over him. He loved the feel of Mick’s mouth under his. “Because we’re in this together.” He pushed the kiss deeper, nudging Mick to open for him. He slid his hand over Mick’s thigh. He wanted to unwrap him. To learn everything. He tugged Mick onto his lap and kissed him. Each connection sent shivers down his veins and made his synapses misfire. He wrapped his arms around Mick, loving the feel of Mick’s body next to his. The scruff on Mick’s cheeks abraded his mouth. He sucked on Mick’s tongue and ground against the bulge in Mick’s trousers.
Mick broke the kiss and panted. “Damn.”
“Damn, indeed.” He patted Mick’s ass. “I want you in my bed.” He hadn’t been this bold in so long, but he saw no other logical step. He wanted Mick. Why not take him?
“I want to be there.” Mick nipped at Evan’s mouth. “Show me the way.” He stood, then offered his hands. “Please?”
Although part of him wanted to rush, Evan forced himself to stay under control. Why go fast when he could enjoy this moment? He held Mick’s hand and led him up to the second floor to the guest room.
Mick pushed Evan against the wall in the bedroom, catching him between his body and the plaster. He mashed his mouth down on Evan’s, sucking on Evan’s tongue.
Evan bit back a moan. It’d been so long since he’d been with someone. He slid his hands along Mick’s sides, then yanked his shirt free from Mick’s trousers. Power and desire flowed through his veins. He whimpered into Mick’s mouth as he trailed his fingertips over Mick’s ribs.
A moan rumbled in Mick’s throat as he ground against Evan. He rubbed the bulge in his trousers against the matching one in Evan’s jeans. He continued to kiss Evan, scattering Evan’s thoughts.
Evan brushed his nose along Mick’s cheek as he made his way to Mick’s earlobe. “Need you,” he whispered. He moved Mick’s shirt up and out of the way, baring Mick’s chest. “I want to see you.”
Mick backed up long enough to remove his shirt, then flexed. The muscles of his abs tightened and his nipples beaded. “Like what you see?”
“I do.” Evan licked his lips. He trailed his gaze over Mick’s upper body. Heat thrummed through him. Mick was everything he wanted physically from a man—little hair, muscled, polished and sexy.
Mick grasped Evan’s hands and dragged him to the bed. He climbed on top of Evan as he tumbled to the mattress. A wicked gleam shone in his eye.
Evan rolled them over until he pinned Mick beneath him. “Let me explore.” He touched Mick all over, learning the curves and dips of his body. He kissed Mick’s throat, loving the sound of his moans and the feel of Mick’s pulse against his lips. He panted between kisses. Pleasure filled his mind. He could be himself with Mick. No hiding or lying. He relaxed. Time to enjoy himself.
Evan sat back on his heels and whipped his shirt over his head. His cock throbbed and his balls tingled. Damn, he couldn’t think straight. The intensity of his need for Mick increased. He ground on Mick. The freedom of the act, plus the tenderness in Mick’s eyes, spurred him on.
Mick laced his fingers with Evan’s and tugged him down. Skin on skin, sweat slickened their joining. He breathed Mick in. The man smelled so good, like sin and the woods. He tasted even better. He rubbed his nipples against Mick’s and electricity shot through him. Mick raked his nails
