The Merger – 20

 

Feeling elated, Josh leaned back in Mike's arms. Afraid he was grinning like a fool, and not caring, he teased, "Nope. I kiss all my dance partners like that."

Mike obviously got that he was kidding, swatting Josh's ass as he replied, "Why don't I believe you?"

"Because it's not true?" Josh kissed him quickly. "And to reply to your question, yes, I do like you. I think you feel the same." He stared into Mike's eyes. "At least I hope you do."

"I believe that's a rhetorical question—now." Mike shook his head. "There goes our never-get-involved-with-someone-you-work-with policy."

Josh sobered. "I know. It can make things tough if it doesn't work out." He smiled, then. "Still, it's worth finding out if it can, isn't it?"

"You better believe it."

They kissed again, quickly since the music changed to something fast and pounding. They went with it, rocking the beat, bodies pressed tightly together.

"We'd better go sit down," Mike said breathlessly, halfway through the dance.

"Do not tell me you're getting tired, already."

"Nope. I just need to…to hydrate?"

Josh had been so wrapped up in the music and being held by Mike—and the memory of their kisses—that it took him a second to realize what the real problem was. As they broke apart, he glanced down and smiled to himself. There was a definite bulge in Mike's jeans, matched by a slightly lesser one in his own.

"Yeah, hydrating would be a good idea," Josh replied. "It'll give us a chance to cool down." Which we'd both better do before we embarrass ourselves. By the time they'd made their way back to the table, their problems had subsided. But not my emotions. Damn. I knew I was interested in him, but now…

Mike picked up his bottle, set it down and waved to the waiter. When the man arrived, Mike ordered fresh drinks. Josh understood why, and was impressed by his caution. When his beer arrived, Mike took a long pull then tapped it to Josh's. "To us?"

"To us," Josh replied, hoping Mike could hear him above the noise. He must have, because he leaned over to kiss him.

They danced some more before the evening ended, sharing a few more kisses in the process. Then, tired but happy, they decided it was time to call it a night. Once again, after leaving the bar, Mike offered to give Josh a ride home—and Josh declined.

"What are you hiding from me," Mike asked with mock seriousness. "You don't really have a home? Or you're living in sin with three other men?"

Josh laughed. "Not even. I like walking, but… Sure, I'll take a lift. All three blocks. Then you can see that I really do have an apartment."

Mike grinned. "I honestly never doubted it."

Five minutes later they pulled up in front of Josh's apartment building. "See?" he said, pointing to a window on the third floor. "That's mine."

"Nice building."

"Older, but classy," Josh replied.

"Like you," Mike teased.

Josh snorted. "I'm younger than you."

"By two years." Mike looked at him for a long moment before leaning across the console with a grumbled "I hate these things" to kiss him. The kiss deepened before they broke apart. "I should let you go," Mike said. "You have to be up at the crack of dawn."

It took Josh a second to realize what he meant. "Yep. If I miss escorting my client to the bank, it would probably be the one time someone decided to rob him." He opened the door to get out. "I'll see you Sunday morning?"

"Yep. Same place?"

"That works for me."

Mike grinned. "And this time, I'm going to win if we race."

Laughing, Josh replied, "As if," before walking up the path to the front door of his apartment building. He turned to wave at Mike. Mike waved back before driving away.

He does like me. And I like him. Now to see if that continues. If not… Josh unlocked the door. Stop being a naysayer, he chastised himself. It will work. It might take time, but I think it's what we both want. I know it's what I want.