Page 20 of Survival Game

I’ll have to empty my savings to buy that. Shit, why didn’t I take more notice of what the fuck I was drinking?

He hadn’t realised he wasn’t breathing until she spoke.

“You’re in luck. It’s the bog standard one.” Her grin flashed and she put the bottle down. Kyle let out a sigh of relief. “But I knew that. God, you are so gullible.”

“You bitch,” Kyle sputtered. “Why would you do that to me?”

“I had to sleep in a smelly club on a sofa where guys banged each other all night. I’m probably covered in all sorts of disgusting stuff. You deserved it.”

His eyes narrowed. “You stepped over a line, there, Missy. I will get you back for that one. You made me hurl.”

She stood up and came over to flick his nose. “Nuh-huh. That was all on you, pretty boy. You and that bottle of whisky.” Her voice softened, but there was an edge to it he recognised. “God knows what made you drink so much. Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?”

He crossed his fingers. In the past, he’d never been able to keep secrets from her. She’d read him like a book. It was just as well, or he’d most likely be dead right now at the hands of his ex-lover. “Give it up, Sherlock. Can’t a man get drunk, pass out and have his lady friend take care of him?”

Lucinda’s face shadowed. “Yeah, it’s just that…”

Kyle knew what she was thinking. It’s just that every time you did that in the past was after Mario had hurt you, and you chose solace in booze and hid away like a cornered animal.

Kyle had never worried that his self-despair would turn into alcoholism. The one and only thing he’d had control over back then was his drinking, and he’d been damned if Mario would take that away from him as well.

He struggled to his feet, giving a startled yelp as his head buzzed with dizziness. “Honest, I’m good.” He sniffed himself and grimaced. “I need to shower though. We’d best get to my place. Unless you want to go back to your hotel?”

Lucinda slid off the edge of the desk. “I’ll come home with you, make sure you get there all right. Then I’ll probably get a taxi back to the hotel and have a shower myself. I stink of spunk.”

She stuck out her tongue and he couldn’t help a tired laugh. She was amazing and he missed her so much when she wasn’t around.

“Fine. Let me hide the evidence of my self-indulgence and we’ll get a taxi. I know it’s not far but I don’t think I want to walk home looking like this.”

Chapter Seven

Eric tapped his fingers on the bar top, picked at the beer bottle’s label, then drew a long pull as he glanced towards the restaurant’s entrance. Seven-thirty. Kyle should be here any minute.

The butterflies in his stomach intensified as the minutes ticked passed. There was something about Kyle that brought out all Eric’s protective instincts. He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, an ex perhaps, hadn’t treated Kyle well. He was edgy, skittish and…oh my God, the man was gorgeous.

Eric took a deep breath as Kyle walked in the door. His fluid motion was a thing of beauty as his amazing long legs carried him into the restaurant. When he spotted Eric at the bar, Kyle’s face burst into a wide smile, and Eric imagined he was the only person in the room enjoying its warmth and radiance.

God, I’m really into this guy.

Kyle’s shock of purple black hair was covered with a grey beanie, giving his face an elfin appearance. His dark burgundy jeans were offset with a tight V-neck white tee-shirt, and covered with a casual black jacket teamed with a funky brown and red patterned scarf. He looked stunningly casual and elegant at the same time.

Eric looked down at his brown chinos with his black button up shirt and felt a little dowdy. But when Kyle’s eyes lit up at the sight of him and roved down Eric’s body, hovering in a frank, groin-warming inspection, he felt marginally better.

“You look edible,” Kyle murmured. “You are red-haired all over, it would seem.” He reached out and caressed the chest curls poking out of Eric’s shirt. “Of course, I speak from experience.” One eyebrow lifted teasingly, the one with the barbell piercing.

Eric felt his face flame at the reminder of that hot, dirty blowjob at the club. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t thought that getting another was on his To Do list tonight, first date or not. “Um, yeah, same colour all over.” Eric laughed as the waitress behind the bar gave him a knowing look. “You look really good too. That beanie suits you.”

Kyle chuckled. He reached up and tugged it off, running fingers through his hair to tame it. “It itches,” he complained. “But it keeps my ears warm. I feel the cold sink into me from head to toe.”

Eric touched Kyle’s arm. “Do you want a drink at the bar, or do you want to go straight to the table?”

Kyle’s eyes gleamed. “Table sounds good,” he murmured. “A little more private than here.”

Eric cleared his dry throat. “Sure.” He gestured to the waitress who was smiling like a Cheshire cat. “Could we be taken to our table please?”

Settled at a small table for two in the back corner, drinks in hand, Kyle looked around in interest. “It’s the first time I’ve been here.” He scanned the room as he drank his white wine. “It looks incredible with this décor, and the ambience is great. Really puts you at ease.”

Eric nodded. “Yeah, I’ve been in restaurants where you feel a bit out of place, and can’t relax. This one is different. Makes you feel welcome.”