Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 3

be. "You're an idiot," he mumbled to himself. "Time to move along the bus." He grabbed his phone off the table and dialled Gee. Casual company to refocus the mind.
    "Hello, stranger. I thought you weren't interested in catching up, too busy waiting for some hot mystery man to fall back out of the sky."
    "Very funny. You want to get together or not. I'm horny, and you're on the menu."
    "Can't argue with that. I'm free now, or do you–"
    "Now. I'm climbing the walls here."
    "I'll call round in about an hour. Your place okay?"
    "Perfect. See you soon."
    That was easy. It was also a relief. No more stressing over a guy that would never show and Gee was hot in his own way. They'd always been good together. Maybe Gee would be ready to make it a regular thing again. Jesse gathered his things together. Phone, keys, Kindle, not that he'd been able to read a word sat there wishing every bloke that walked past would morph into Omar, but it had at least made him look less of a loser and more like someone out for peace and quiet.
    One more glance around the supermarket. "I don't fucking believe it." Jesse let his jaw drop open. His hand rose automatically to return the wave from the opposite end of the aisle. Omar. Exactly as Jesse remembered him. Coy smile, sparkling eyes, killer good looks and, damn, what a body. Jess felt his jeans tighten around his thickening cock. Best of all, Omar was heading straight for him.
    "Hey, Jesse." Omar kissed Jesse's cheek, brushed soft fingertips over the back of Jesse's hand. "How have you been?"
    "Good." The silence that hung between them was alive, teaming with need and unspoken words, and Jesse wanted that kiss he could feel suspended in time. It was so close. If he really concentrated, maybe he could pull it right out of the air. "I didn't expect to see you again."
    "I wasn't sure it would be appropriate. Work is crazy at the moment. I'm not always around."
    "But today you just happened to be here." On the day I finally decide to move on.
    "I was hoping to bump into you. Maybe have coffee."
    Maybe ruin my chance of getting laid. He couldn't blow off Gee on the hope of a chance encounter turning out better than the last time. Could he? "I'm actually done here. I was just on my way home." To meet someone that isn't you and try to forget how you taste.
    "Oh. Another time then. I just thought…"
    "Thought what?" Why was he even asking? He didn't want to know. He didn't. This ship had sailed and Jesse had decided not to board. Gee would be waiting.
    Omar shrugged, his brow furrowed. Jesse's heart stopped for a whole second as Omar took his hand and pressed it against those perfect, soft, pouty lips, leaving a trail of fire on Jesse's skin. "It's not important. You're busy. I'll see you around?"
    "But you're not around very often."
    "Never mind."
    "You could come to my place." What the..? Nice going, moron. Gee's going to love that. "If you want to hang out."
    And there was that smile. Hells bells, it was like he'd never been gone. Jesse's heart thudded hard against his ribcage. His face flushed. His knees trembled. His hand still burned from the touch of Omar's lips. How could he possibly get it on with Gee when he was so consumed with the man right in front of him?
    "I'd love to hang out with you." Omar squeezed Jesse's hand. "Do you have any plans? We could go to the cinema."
    "I'm supposed to be meeting a friend. Let me call him to cancel."
    "He can come too. I don't mind."
    "I think he might." Because he's not expecting a threesome. Because I'm an asshole and he deserves better.
    Omar covered the phone in Jesse's hand. "Is he a boyfriend? I don't want to intrude. You shouldn't cancel him for me."
    "Not a boyfriend." Jesse tried to smile, to cover up any hint of what Gee actually was. "An old flame. We can get together another time."
    "Great, I'll give you some space to call him."
    ****
    The evening passed in a blur of laughter and simple touches that left Jesse reeling. He hadn't had as much fun in a long, long time and it felt so genuine. No agenda, no pretence, just the two of them hanging out. There was something magical about the way Omar saw the world. He painted everything so fresh and exciting. Pulled back the top layer of the mundane world and showed a secret side to life where popcorn was a miracle and sharing an ice cream a forbidden pleasure.
    Light played across Omar's face making his eyes shine even brighter than usual. Jesse reached out to stroke Omar's cheek. "You're so