Cut and Run 7 - Touch and Geaux

cigarette just a little too much. He could tell Ty was feeling guilty that they were here, and part of that was knowing what the atmosphere would do to Zane. Ty hadn’t known what they were getting into down here, though, and none of the others knew Zane was an alcoholic. It was no one’s fault, but Zane was still growing annoyed by it all.
    The longer he fought the pull of all that alcohol, the meaner he would get.
    A man strolling along the sidewalk bumped into him as he leaned against the wall. Zane peered around the corner of the alcove as the stranger turned. His hand reached for Zane’s waist as if to steady himself.
    “I’m sorry, love. I didn’t see you there,” he said, patting Zane’s side in an overly friendly gesture. His British accent was pleasant, and it immediately reminded Zane of Ty and the Christmas cruise they’d shared. He was handsome, with blue eyes that Zane could just barely see in the dim light, scruffy blond hair, and a smattering of rakish stubble. He had full lips that Zane’s eyes were immediately drawn to, and though he was half a foot shorter than Zane, he was fit and muscular.
    Zane gave him a second look over, appreciating the view. He nodded. “Don’t worry about it.”
    The man was patting his pockets, an unlit cigarette between his lips. He grinned. “I see you suffer the same vice.”
    Zane held up his cigarette. “Guilty. I can’t say I’m suffering though.”
    The stranger laughed. “Filthy habit, I’m told. And the company is often lacking. I can’t say that’s true tonight.” He stuck out his hand. “My name’s Liam. Liam Bell.”
    Zane offered his hand and his name, finding himself growing warmer with the overt flirtation. Liam’s hand was rough and strong, and Zane liked the feel of it as he gripped it.
    Liam continued to pat his pockets, a frown creasing his brow. “I seem to have misplaced my lighter; you wouldn’t mind if I nicked yours, would you?”
    Zane placed his cigarette in his mouth and searched his pockets for his new lighter, but all he found was the pack of cigarettes and his wallet. He glanced around the brick wall to see if he’d set it down on a ledge, but it was nowhere to be found.
    “Slippery buggers, aren’t they?”
    Zane snorted. “If I hadn’t just lit up, I’d say my boyfriend stole it like he usually does.”
    “Oh dear, that’s unfortunate.”
    “What is? That he disapproves of smoking?”
    “To say the least, yes. That you have a boyfriend at all is distressing.”
    Zane choked on a laugh, growing warmer still.
    “I’m sorry, I forget you Yanks are more coy than I’m accustomed to.”
    Zane dismissed the apology with a wave. “It’s okay. I’m just sorry I don’t have a light now.”
    Liam looked down at the cigarette in his hand and sighed. “Well. I suppose it won’t hurt me to miss one.”
    Zane had a free pass for the weekend; he sure as hell wasn’t going to miss any. He was going to have to buy another lighter. He glanced over the crestfallen look on Liam’s face and shook his head. “We can’t have that.”
    Liam arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smirk. He placed his cigarette in his mouth and stepped closer to Zane. Zane had to duck his head to place the tips of both cigarettes together, and Liam’s hand came up to cup them, brushing Zane’s face. Zane put a hand on Liam’s shoulder, holding him still. He had to close his eyes, because being that close to the man made his stomach flutter, and no one had done that to him since the last time he’d kissed Ty.
    He sucked on the cigarette, stoking it enough to heat Liam’s and start it burning. Liam stepped away, nodding his thanks as Zane’s hand dragged across his shoulder. He blew smoke away from Zane’s face and winked. “Best chance encounter I’ve had tonight.”
    Zane laughed uncomfortably and licked his lips, putting the cigarette in his mouth again so he wouldn’t have to say anything.
    They stood together, enjoying their cigarettes and the warm night, watching the different sorts of people passing. A man in a top hat and cape strolled by, clicking a walking stick on the pavement. A woman rode the other way on a bike, fairy wings and ribbons fluttering behind her.
    “It’s an odd sort of place, yeah?” Liam commented. Zane laughed. “That’s a big son of a bitch right there,” Liam added. He nodded toward the intersection as a man walked across the street. Zane’s eyes followed. It was unusual to encounter