Page 146 of Pretty ’n Peak

Austin stroked the collar, then dipped his finger underneath it. “How do you feel wearing it?”

“Excited? It’s probably not too feminine, but it’s not exactly masculine either?”

Austin’s finger traced down the front, leaving a burning line between the three buttons he’d left open. “Then it sounds perfect.”

Someone honked behind them, startling them both into a laugh.

“Alright, we really better get going,” Mateo conceded. “I’ve still got your address on my phone.”

It turned out Austin’s work and his apartment were only seven or eight blocks apart, and he had to circle around two of them to find a parking spot.

When they hopped out, Austin held his elbow like usual, then slipped his hand down until their fingers joined. Their elbows were still bent, and their hips almost touched.

“Is this alright?” Austin asked quietly.

It was only the most amazing thing ever.

Mateo looked around. There were dozens of people on the street, but no one gave them a second glance. Or if they did, it seemed to be noticing Austin’s white cane and then giving them a couple extra feet of space.

He even saw, across the street, a smartly dressed man who he was certain was gay. He was walking his tiny dog wearing itty bitty shorts and a very sharp collared shirt, with perfectly coiffed hair. He talked on the phone with exaggerated hand motions. No one looked at him twice, either.

Mateo let out a breath. “It’s fine.” He squeezed Daddy’s hand. “I mean, I like it.”

Austin squeezed a little closer. “Good. Me too.”

They kissed again in the elevator. And then again when Austin unlocked his door. Deep, hungry kisses like Austin couldn’t get enough of him.

This was… it couldn’t just be mentoring any more, could it? Were they dating?

It wasn’t until Austin reluctantly stepped back that Mateo got a chance to look around his apartment.

It was very simple. Clean. There were no nicknacks on the shelves, no art on the walls. Nothing on almost any surface at all. The living room furniture was a matched navy-blue set, separated by a few feet from a dining room table with four chairs. On the other side, a desk with two wide monitors sat to the left of a sliding door leading out to a balcony.

At first glance, the space seemed bleak and impersonal.

But then, what use would Austin have for art he couldn’t see and clutter that would get in his way?

Then Mateo looked a little closer. On the otherwise spartan desk were three smooth, round rocks. Did they have some particular significance? Did Austin hold them when he was feeling stressed? A little, plastic monster perched atop one of the monitors. That was cute.

The couch had a blanket folded at one end that looked luxuriously soft. Good for snuggling up in and running your fingers over.

Through the glass doors, he could see two plants on a balcony table with a tiny watering can beside them. Their leaves were glossy and abundant, making him think that Austin took excellent care of them.

“Your place is really nice,” he said, honestly. The light wood of the floors made it feel open and airy. The couch looked comfortable. He could envision them cuddling up there.

“Thanks.” Austin looked like he’d been worried.

“I’ll show you around. The kitchen’s over here. Just help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

There was a coffee pot on one counter, the bag of coffee, a scoop, and a canister of sugar, set precisely beside it. The other counter held a toaster, three bananas in a bunch, and a ceramic container with a half-dozen spoons, spatulas, and whisks. Otherwise, the counters were empty.

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to put everything back where I found it,” Mateo promised.

Austin shot him a look of pure gratitude. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

Austin’s bedroom was equally simple. A queen-sized bed. A dresser with exactly four items on it. A night table with a lamp. A single chair with a white bag sitting on it.

Though he did notice that Austin’s bed had a metal footboard and headboard with wide, sturdy bars.