Beautifully Moved (Candied Crush #5) - Charity Parkerson Page 0,1
Which reminds me, I don’t think I’ve heard what you do.”
“I’m a tattoo artist,” Dean said, accepting the plate.
Laughter filled Xavier’s eyes, making them twice as gorgeous. “That explains all the ink on your hands. Did you do those yourself?”
Dean glanced at the clocks tattooed on the backs of his hands and the word “time” that was inked across his knuckles. “Yeah. I get bored sometimes.”
“And you have time on your hands,” Xavier said with a laugh, proving he understood the humor behind the designs.
Dean chuckled. “Yeah. They’re a solid opening for a bad joke whenever anyone asks me for a favor.”
“You don’t laugh enough,” Xavier said, jumping topics and taking Dean’s breath. “It’s a nice sound.”
To hide his discomfort, Dean took a bite of his food. Flavor exploded across his tongue. Dean hadn’t known what to expect, but it was delicious. “Wow. This is amazing.”
Xavier sipped his wine while watching Dean eat. There was so much heat in his eyes, Dean felt a bit subconscious. It didn’t help Xavier wasn’t eating. He simply watched Dean’s every move with an intensity that had the hair standing on the back of Dean’s neck.
Xavier set his glass aside. “May I ask you a question without you running for the hills?”
Dean’s brow furrowed. “Why would you expect me to run? Do I strike you as skittish?”
“Not skittish. More mulish, I suppose. You don’t like me, so I worry if I ask a question you consider untoward, you might wash your hands of me.”
Dean pushed his plate aside and polished off his wine. This conversation had taken a turn and needed his full attention. “It’s not that I don’t like you. I guess I just don’t think we have much in common and I think of you as being more my brother’s friend than mine. That doesn’t mean I don’t like you.”
“Good.” Xavier drained his glass. His stare transformed, making Dean’s heart beat a little faster. “Have you ever kissed a man?”
“I’m sorry. What?”
Xavier motioned at Dean’s body in general. “You are very much a man’s man, which lends itself to a general vibe that you’re straight, but I don’t think you are completely set on women. So, have you ever kissed another man or not?”
Dean blinked several times, trying to wrap his mind around Xavier’s claims. He wasn’t used to people being so blunt. Dean also couldn’t decide if he was meant to be insulted or not. “Um. No.”
“But you’ve considered it, right?”
“You’re very straightforward with your questions.”
Xavier pulled a face like Dean confused him. “Why wouldn’t I be? Prudishness is a very American trait. I’ve lived here a long time and still haven’t adjusted to that aspect of society. Like clothes, for example. I’m in the comfort of my home. Why should I dress? Everyone is always so covered at the beach. Why? It’s hot. I don’t understand why everyone is so ashamed of their bodies. It’s just skin. As to sexuality, so many people here think it’s one way or the other. Either you’re straight or gay. That’s ignorant. Life has so many fun shades. Why do Americans shy away from their desires? It’s baffling.”
Even though he found Xavier’s approach a bit abrasive, he had to agree. He hadn’t ever dated a man, but that didn’t mean he was opposed or didn’t find other men attractive. Dean just didn’t think he would appeal to men. He didn’t look like his brother. Dean wasn’t tiny and perfectly styled. He was thick and hairy. Dean tried to stay decently clean cut, but he had hair on his chest and liked to eat. He didn’t fit with a certain crowd, or any crowd, for that matter. Dean was just some guy. Still, he didn’t like being thought of as prudish. That wasn’t true.
“Yeah. I’ve thought about kissing men.”
Xavier cocked his head to one side and eyed Dean. “You’re what? Twenty-five? Why haven’t you tried it before now?”
Dean’s mouth went dry. “Before now?”
Xavier circled the island. Dean found himself turning on his stool to face Xavier, unable to take his eyes off the man. His heartbeat thumped in his ears as Xavier moved to stand between his knees. His hands slid up Dean’s thighs while his gaze never wavered from holding Dean’s stare. “I said what I meant. Before now.”
All Dean could do was watch and hold his breath as Xavier inched closer. As he spread his knees farther apart, making room for Xavier, Dean realized he had already decided his fate. When his hands