came out, it was always bright and warm.
“No, I think I can figure out the explicit bits on my own,” Tyler assured him. “I meant, I know we can’t stay at your place, and we can’t at mine because like hell am I doing anything with Clay and Elliot in the house.”
“Oh,” Nathaniel said, feeling his face warm. “I imagine a hotel room would do us just as well.”
Tyler nodded. “But not one in your name.”
Nathaniel winced. “No, probably not. I know for a fact my father is watching my expenses and I don’t think there are any hotels accepting cash anymore.”
“None you want us to stay at,” Tyler said. “Don’t worry, there’s a place not too far from here we can stay. I’ll cover us.”
“Tyler,” Nathaniel began to protest.
Before he could continue, he felt himself pushed against a nearby group of small buildings. He had a moment to think that they were more shower stalls before Tyler’s mouth against his completely wiped out all conscious thought.
Tyler pressed close, kissing him hungrily. One thick leg came between Nathaniel’s knees, forcing him to spread them to keep his balance. Pleasure, sharp and hungry, shot through him as he felt Tyler’s large body press him tight against the building, pinning him there. Nathaniel couldn’t help the moan that escaped him, torn between the feel of Tyler’s mouth against his, the power of his body, the hardness of it, or the stirring he could feel against his leg from Tyler’s crotch.
“I’ll cover us,” Tyler whispered softly, slowly breaking the kiss.
“Jesus, God in Heaven,” Nathaniel whispered, feeling a quiver in his legs.
Tyler smiled, kissing the corner of Nathaniel’s lips. “You and me tonight, remember?”
“Yes, I remember,” Nathaniel managed between shaky breaths.
“Then come on,” Tyler said, stepping back and taking Nathaniel’s hand in his.
That little display was more than enough to occupy Nathaniel’s thoughts as they walked up the beach toward the street. He’d known that he’d missed a few years of Tyler’s life and a few bits of development. Of course, he’d thought that development had mostly been physical. Apparently, Tyler had discovered a few more things about himself that Nathaniel had never expected.
Not that he was complaining.
They walked in silence, and it wasn’t until they reached the hotel that Nathaniel realized he’d been holding Tyler’s hand the whole way without a thought. There had been plenty of people to witness them as they walked up the beach and then down the street. Yet not once had he considered pulling his hand away, disassociating himself from what was happening. Tyler’s grip had remained firm, even as they walked through the double doors and to the front desk, only letting go while talking to the professionally friendly woman at the front desk.
Nathaniel had been terrified for years at displaying even the slightest hint of who he was, who he was attracted to. Ever since his father had learned about Nathaniel’s attraction to men, through an intermediary, of course, it had been the bane of Nathaniel’s life. Since then, he had been careful to keep that aspect of himself hidden from the world, making sure that no one could ever construe something he was doing as being gay.
And yet, without a moment’s hesitation, he had kissed another man in full view of anyone who might have wandered by. Then had allowed himself to be pinned, and subsequently seduced in the next breath, all while allowing himself to be led away, hand in hand.
Tyler glanced at him. “Hey, you think you can wait here to get our room key while I make a detour real quick?”
Nathaniel blinked, jerked from his musing. “Uh, of course. Is something wrong?”
Tyler chuckled. “No, but I figure a stop at the pharmacy next door might do us a bit of good.”
Nathaniel’s cheeks warmed. “Ah, right.”
And without any pretense or hesitation, Tyler kissed his temple, pat his butt, and walked off. Nathaniel jumped at the gesture, staring after Tyler and wondering if he was supposed to be scandalized or aroused.
He quickly turned to the woman behind the counter. “I apologize.”
She looked up. “For?”
Nathaniel glanced at the doorway where Tyler had just walked out. “Him.”
She gave a soft laugh, tapping away at the computer. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, sir. I’ve seen far worse things than someone being a little friendly with their boyfriend.”
Nathaniel winced. “I don’t know if I should commiserate for you having seen worse or if I should point out that we’re friends.”
The woman chuckled. “If a man looked