Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

against Scott, Devon licked a stripe down his neck. "I'm sure we can figure it out."
    "Now or after we go out?" Scott was ready for now, later and repeat, but he supposed he should wait for Devon's answer before he starting ripping the clothes from his body. The hungry growling of Devon's stomach made the decision for the both of them.
    "Sorry," Devon said, chuckling under his breath as he rested his head against Scott's. "We could rustle something up from the fridge or get something at the club. Your choice, babe."
    Somehow Scott managed to stay upright, the shaking of his knees at the endearment threatening to send him reeling into Devon's arms like some old-fashioned damsel in distress. He'd never been called babe before, or any other form of nickname. At work he was Scott or Mr. Weston and his family had never gone the nickname route, not even Scottie (which Scott deplored anyhow). But babe … babe was special and loving and—oh-my-fucking-God—a name you called someone you were not only attracted to but considered more than just a quick fuck, at least in Scott's mind. It wasn't as though Scott knew absolutely anything about relationships or endearments or exclusivity, but oh-my-fucking-God Devon had called him babe.
    "Scott? You're doing that zoning out thing again. You okay?"
    Scott sucked in the biggest gulp of air he could manage, swallowing it down with the lump that had been lodged in his throat and threatening to choke him. "No, I mean yes, I'm um… probably just hungry too."
    "Club then?"
    "Yeah. Just let me change." He pressed his lips to Devon's one last time, letting Devon's taste and scent surround him, loosening up the rigors of the day, before heading to his bedroom. Devon snagged him again before he got too far.
    "Leave the suit on," Devon said, brown eyes so full of mischief, determination, and lust Scott thought he would happily drown. "Please?"
    Scott averted his eyes, forcing the want in Devon's chocolate pools from his mind. "Nobody wears a suit there, Dev. I'd feel like everyone was looking at me."
    "I'll be looking and loving what I see."
    Scott's heart thudded to a halt or at least that's certainly what it felt like. "But won't you be embarrassed to be seen with…"
    Devon swallowed Scott's last words, his lips firm but tender and undemanding against Scott's. It was a kiss to soothe or reassure, not turn on or amp up. When Devon pulled away his eyes were gentle, soft, full of concern. "I'd like to get my hands on the guy who made you so insecure."
    "There was no guy. I've never been with anyone long enough for them to hurt me." The sentiment was appreciated, but Devon was so far off base Scott wasn't sure he'd ever be able to understand the insecurity that haunted him. He couldn't really expect Devon to ever get it, and he certainly wouldn't want him to ever feel the same way. Scott's insecurity didn't revolve around anyone mistreating him or any one thing anyone had said. It was just how he was—it was just Scott.
    "Then why?"
    Scott untangled himself from Devon again, stepping away but not turning to leave the room. "Someone like you would never understand." He regretted the words the moment they left his mouth.
    "Someone like me?" Devon asked, posture quickly on the defensive; arms crossed over his chest, head cocked to the side, his legs shoulder-width apart in a sort of challenge position. "What exactly is someone like me like ?"
    "I didn't mean it that way," Scott said. "We're just different, like two totally opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to lifestyle and attitude and looks."
    "I never expected you'd be someone who judged people on looks alone."
    "I don't. But you have to admit our experiences in life are partly based on our appearances and how we handle ourselves."
    Devon shook his head. "People are too hung up on appearances. One person's beauty is another person's beast. People judge me because I have tattoos and ride a bike, which automatically means I'm dumber than a post and have no intellect at all. That's just wrong."
    "I agree. You're smarter than most people I know." Scott smiled gently, trying to ease the mood out of confrontation and back into comforting, but obviously Devon hadn't gotten the memo.
    "But you think because you have a sensible haircut, wear a suit, and work as an accountant that makes you unattractive?"
    "It's the geek status I've been accustomed to since I was in grade school."
    "But don't you see that's just another label that is neither