the free food, which I guess could never be discounted as a reason, it looks like you made a whole whack of customers today.”
“Maybe. Honestly, after today, I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t all that quick.”
When Spencer had walked out, Will had thought owning Bloom Box was the worst bit of luck. He thought everything would remind him of what he’d lost, the hurt he’d suffered, but he found that there were fewer remnants of Spencer in the place than he’d thought. Looking around, all he could see was Milo, and the thought of handing it off to someone else left him feeling strangely empty.
He had no idea what was happening between them, but the more time he spent with Milo, the more attached he became. He didn’t know how he would ever say good-bye. Logically, he knew they were not going to be forever. Milo was too young. Hell, he’d barely experienced life at all. Still in college, and so much left to experiment with before he settled down. Asking him for more than something temporary, something casual, was asking for far too much. For now, Will would be content with whatever Milo was willing to give.
Chapter Eight
Will swallowed hard as Milo took a step forward to set his cup down on the counter and close the space between them. The air thick with expectation. The way Milo was moving reminded him of a predator stalking prey, and Will knew without a doubt he was the one being hunted.
Sliding his hands along Will’s cheeks, Milo stroked Will’s temples with his thumbs before leaning forward to kiss him again. He tasted of sweetness and champagne, and Will closed his eyes and gave himself over completely. He liked when Milo took charge. It was so easy to let himself get caught up. Pulling Milo closer, Will groaned when the hard ridge of Milo’s erection ground against his own.
“Upstairs,” Milo gasped, breaking their kiss just long enough to speak before his mouth covered Will’s once more, and then Will was pulling Milo with him toward the staircase. Will stepped back, tripping as his heel collided with the bottom tread. Milo fell forward with him, Will breaking his fall and cushioning Milo’s body with his own.
“Maybe my clumsiness is contagious,” Milo laughed.
“I love your clumsiness. I’ll catch you anytime you need.”
“I like the sound of that.” Milo braced himself on the stairs and pushed himself up before helping Will back to standing. Blood pulsed through his body and Will felt dizzy as Milo spun him in his arms, facing Will away from him. Will let his head fall to the side to give Milo better access to kiss his neck as they walked forward and up the stairs.
When they reached the apartment, Milo stepped forward and gripped the bottom of Will’s shirt, lifting it. Will lent a hand, tugging it up and over his head. His chest bared, Milo leaned into him, pressing an openmouthed kiss against Will’s sternum.
“Lie back,” Milo commanded with more gravel in his voice than he’d had just minutes before.
Again, Will did as directed, lowering himself onto the bed.
Time stretched out between them, and it felt like an eternity before Milo’s hands were on him again. Will wanted to weep with relief as Milo used his fingertips to trace lines over the ridges and hollows of Will’s chest and stomach.
He didn’t know when he’d become so unwaveringly addicted to Milo, but the simple touch had him slipping into pleasure. Will waited to see what Milo would do next, his muscles jumping when Milo slid his hands lower to unclasp Will’s belt, then button, then zipper. Disbelief that this was actually happening warred with reckless desire. At least for tonight, Milo was his.
His.
And then Milo was sliding his pants down over his hips. Will planted his feet on the bed and lifted his ass, allowing Milo to remove them completely.
“You too,” Will said.
Milo looked at him, his eyes unfocused, his lips parted slightly. He nodded, then with blessed efficiency, pulled
Learning to Kill: Stories