Page 5 of Hammer and Hops

“Nice to see you. Mitchel, right?”

“Yes.” He stuck his hand out to shake, and I immediately took it, enjoying the feeling of butterflies as they flitted through my stomach at the skin-to-skin touch, even if it was only sweaty palms. “Mitchel Harlen. I think we had a few classes together, right?”

“Oh, yes, I think so. What are you doing here?”

“Probably same as you. I started a brewery. Har-Banger Brewery, we’re making SlapShine. Heard of it?”

I had, and it wasn’t very good. “Yeah, I’ve tried it.” I tried most microbrews in the area, but I hadn’t realized that one was his.

“Cool. So, what’re you doing?”

I was relieved it hadn’t asked for my opinion. “Getting something started out of town, actually, looking to capitalize on a different market.” I nodded toward the next equipment booth, ready to make my escape.

“Oh? Hmm…that could be smart, but Greater Sacramento has to be a larger market, right?”

I shrugged and started walking. I wasn’t going to review my marketing points with him, especially now that I knew for sure he was a competitor. He followed me to the next booth anyway.

“So, out of town, does that mean you’re only here for the convention?” He stood a little too close, but all it did was get both my heart rate and my cock up.

“Um…I’m in the middle of moving out there. A few things are still up in the air.”

“Oh, okay…”

I grabbed a random brochure and started reading it to distract myself. It didn’t help much. Mitchel started rambling on about equipment and ingredients, but my mind wondered what was in his pants. It was just like sophomore year all over again.

“Did you ever get that project off the ground? Where you’re engineering your own hops?”

That got my attention, since that was what had started me down this road in the first place. I didn’t want to tell him everything, but it was one of my favorite subjects, making it hard to resist. “I’ve been steadily working on it. You know it’s a long process, especially since I’m not using genetic modifications.”

“I think you said something about that being the easy way out?”

“Yep. But also, the hard way, because some people wouldn’t accept it, and there could be unintended consequences.” This theoretical debate raged on in many circles, but I took what was practical and applied it.

“You’re super smart, Everett. I always thought that. You know?”

“I didn’t think you ever thought much of me at all.” The words tumbled out all on their own. Thanks, mouth.

“Wrong.” He bumped his hip into my side. Of course, he was taller than me, so he hip-checked my ribs, but I wasn’t complaining. “I was preoccupied for sure, but I noticed you.”

I wasn’t sure I believed it, but he was certainly friendly enough with me now. “I noticed your boyfriend.” There. Score another one for the mouth.

“Yeah…” He looked down and blushed. Really? I kind of liked a bashful Mitchel. “He’s not preoccupying me anymore.”

I heard the old record player scratching as my world came to a halt. “N-No?”

He shook his head and licked his lips as he glanced down at my body, then back up. “No.”

My dick was interested before, but now, with his bold flirting, it was on a mission. “Good to know.”

I moved to leave the area, so hot under my collar that I was sure my brain was ready to melt, but he grabbed my arm. “Don’t go…” Oh shit. Soft words and a plea from the plump and sexy lips of Mitchel Harlen. I couldn’t resist.

I was going to do whatever he wanted. “Okay…”

“I’m finished here.” He flipped his hand in the air. “Are you?”

I pulled my list out and looked. I had the biggest things checked off at least. “Sure.”

“Then let’s go back to my place and get, uh, reacquainted.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.