long to clean their plates. Cheryl, their server, had dessert in front of them practically before they had set down their forks.
“The pie is still warm enough to melt the ice cream. Woody threw the à la mode in for free, to welcome our new librarian,” she added with a grin directed at Liam.
“Thank you—and please tell Woody ‘thanks’ as well,” Liam replied.
If watching Liam eat chicken sent all kinds of naughty thoughts to Russ’s cock, apple pie with ice cream made those ideas even more explicit. Liam licked the creamy white dribbles of melted ice cream off his lips with a flick of his pink tongue, and the expressions he made at the taste of the pie, as well as the way he let his head fall back to expose his throat as he swallowed, had Russ painfully hard in his jeans.
He had been so busy taking in the show—and he had the feeling Liam knew exactly what he was doing—that his own pie remained unfinished.
“Go ahead. It’s too good to waste,” Liam said with a smile, watching Russ with equally rapt interest that made him feel both desired and self-conscious.
When Cheryl brought the bill, they both reached for it, and once again, Russ felt a tingle race from where their fingers met all the way up his arm. From the look on Liam’s face, he felt the same thing.
“Let me,” Russ said, not moving his hand away. “Since I was the one who asked, and I stood you up this morning.”
Liam tilted his head, sending a lock of red hair into his eyes, which made him look like his fox. “If you insist. But I get the next one.”
Russ’s heart sped at the idea of there being a “next one.” “Sounds good to me.”
He settled the check, and they headed back into town. When they reached the bungalow’s porch, Liam gave a shy smile. “Would you like to come in for a beer? I picked some up when I got groceries.”
Russ might have been completely exhausted, but he wasn’t going to turn down Liam’s offer. “I’d love to.”
They left their boots and coats in the front entranceway, and Russ followed Liam into the kitchen. The Arts and Crafts style of the outside carried through to the details on the inside, helping to make the small house both charming and cozy.
“Apologies if Black Bear Brewing isn’t your first choice, but I thought I should work my way through the local brews, and it was the pack I saw first.” Liam pulled out a bottle, popped off the cap, and handed it to Russ, unmistakably brushing their fingers together. He readied a bottle for himself and led Russ into the living room.
“Are you kidding? It’s one of my favorites.” Russ followed Liam to sit on the couch, close but not too close, taking his cues from his host, although Russ would have preferred to be pressed together from knee to hip.
“Really? Oh, good.” Liam said with a bright smile. He took a long drink, once again giving Russ a great view of his neck and the way his throat moved as he swallowed, which conjured up plenty of ideas. He licked the foam from his lips, meeting Russ’s gaze. “That is pretty awesome.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Russ said. “And I’m very glad you’re here in Fox Hollow.” He cleared his throat. “Look, I know you haven’t been here in town long, and you’re just settling in, but…I’d like to see you again.”
Liam hesitated, and Russ’s heart sank. Then Liam seemed to settle his internal debate, and nodded, with a touch of that shy smile Russ found so endearing. “I’d like that.”
They chatted as they drank their beer, and Russ thought about how comfortable it felt to be here, like this, as if he and Liam had known each other forever. He had always disliked dating, hating the awkwardness and the disappointment, but with Liam, things just felt right.
“You’re easy to talk to,” Liam said, finishing off the last of his beer. “That’s…nice.”
Russ’s bottle was already empty, and he leaned forward to put it on the coffee table just as Liam did the same. That brought them close enough to bump shoulders, with their faces only inches apart. They stilled; gazes locked.
“I really want to kiss you,” Russ breathed. “May I?”
Liam nodded, never breaking eye contact. “Yes,” he murmured, barely above a whisper.
Russ leaned in and brushed his lips against Liam’s, gentle and careful. Liam moved to deepen the kiss,