Melbourne Heat (3 page)

“They’re really good,” Charles agreed. “And the people are quite friendly too, once they start to recognize you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

Although his stomach had stopped growling in hunger, Spencer eagerly ate some more. He finished it all and had to resist the impulse to go back and order another focaccia. Come to think of it, the roasted capsicum salad Charles had nearly finished looked damn good too.

Maybe he’d grab one of those to go, later.

“So I never did ask, where do you work?” Spencer said, then took a long drink of water. He refilled both their glasses and sat back with a little sigh of pleasure. He felt wonderful, both with his belly full, and being with this intriguing man.

Charles finished his food in two quick bites, chewing and swallowing before replying. “I’m a spark, an electrician. I work for a tiny contract company. Dave owns the business and trained Geoff and myself years ago when he opened up. Dave’s missus runs the books and keeps us organized. It’s not much, but it’s interesting and I meet a huge range of people. Keeps me out of mischief.”

Spencer chuckled.

“I can’t imagine anything keeping you out of mischief,” he insisted. “So what do you like to do in your downtime, when you’re not running around the Gardens that is, shooting your mates with a paintball gun?”

“Oh!” Charles sat up suddenly, jostling the table. “Thanks. You reminded me.”

He unzipped one of the pockets on his camo pants and pulled out a smartphone. As Charles tapped on the screen, the phone clicked, indicating that he was typing a text.

“Ran into someone. I forfeit this game. Food and drinks on me next time. Cheers,” Charles read out as he went along. With a final press he sent the message and put his phone back.

“Right,” he continued. “On the surface I’m just a regular bloke. Love my footie—go Tigers—but I also love ducking into the pub when I’m bored on the weekend. Maybe have a few drinks with the guys. I’ve been known to get up at dawn to go running, hail, rain or shine. Any other hobbies, I might leave for exploration later. I don’t want to admit to all my sins at our first meal.”

“Really?” Spencer murmured. He lifted an eyebrow, intrigued.

“What about you? Any extracurricular activities?”

“Well.” Spencer paused, feeling unusually shy for a moment. He could feel the weight of Charles’ gaze on him, steady and patient. Charles’ shaggy brown hair was mussed, either from his earlier exertions playing paintball, or perhaps from when he’d removed the woolen beanie.

His gaze was like melted chocolate. Spencer could happily stare forever. Despite the longish hair and liquid eyes, no one would ever mistake Charles for anything other than pure man. His body was hard, corded muscle, and the black stubble was sexy enough to have Spencer wanting to wake up with a rash all over his body from the abrasions.

Impulse had him wanting to reach out, thread his fingers through those silky-looking strands of long hair. He resisted, though, embarrassed at how quickly his body reacted to the man opposite him.

He cleared his throat and dragged his mind back onto Charles’ question.

“My work takes up a lot of my time,” Spencer started. “I bring plenty home with me, too. And while I want to steal your tantalizing comment of leaving some mysteries to explore later, I will admit to loving photography.”

“You take photos?” Charles clarified. He tilted his head and moved forward a little. He seemed genuinely interested. “Of the city? Like an urban photographer? Or the older architecture? Or portraits?”

“When I’m wandering around with my head in the clouds I’ll take a photo of almost anything,” he said. “But I really enjoy taking nature shots. Trees and gardens, hills and the varying colors out in the country. I’ve got some great landscapes and seascapes, particularly from the Great Ocean Road.”

“I’d love to see them sometime.” Charles’ enthusiasm was either the best act Spencer had ever seen, or totally legitimate. Spencer shrugged and smiled a little shyly.

“I’ve got a couple of my best shots framed at home. But don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not one of those people who can just point and snap some amazing picture and win awards—it’s strictly a hobby, one I probably don’t indulge in often enough.”

“I’ll wait till I see a ton of your work before I make any judgment calls, but I’d wager you’re better than you admit to,” Charles said. He moved back on his seat, relaxing into the conversation. “Are you a selfie man? Actually, no, I can’t see that in you. I bet you enjoy taking pictures of people when they’re engrossed in something else, though, don’t you?”

Spencer let his mouth fall open a bit in surprise. He snapped it shut then nodded.

“I’m not quite sure how you guessed that, but yeah,” he admitted. “I rarely go out walking with the intention of people-snapping. Sometimes, though, I’m walking along somewhere, taking photos of the leaves, or maybe getting a frameset to show off the contrast between the green of a lush tree and the blue of the sky, then I notice someone sitting down, utterly absorbed in their book. Or maybe someone sketching, oblivious to the rest of the world. There’s a whimsy in being so encompassed like that, and I enjoy capturing the image.”

“You’re a bit of a romantic, aren’t you?” Charles said with a grin. Spencer flushed, but Charles continued before he could say anything. “No, that’s not a criticism. I like how you can see the wonder and beauty in the world around you. That’s important.”

“I’m not feminine.”

As Spencer heard the words come out sharply, there was a defensiveness in them that made him want to cringe. A previous partner of his, one whom he’d hoped to learn something about submission from, had liked his slender body and in particular his hair.

The relationship had ended poorly after attending a BDSM club, and Spencer had defiantly cut his hair very short afterward. Only months later, when he’d licked his wounds, did he realize that he
liked
his hair almost touching the collar of his shirt. It was stupid to keep it short when his preference was otherwise, and so he’d grown it out again. Some labels, though, he was still touchy over.

Feminine. Bottom. Submissive.

That wasn’t him, or not in total.

Charles lifted his hands in a pacifying motion.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Believe me, when I look at you, I see a man. Your shoulders are strong and wide and from what I can tell with your clothes on, your chest is impressive. Your scent is deliciously masculine, and I’d never mistake you for anything other than male.”

“It’s me who should apologize. Baggage. I’m guessing you’re out?” Spencer changed the subject as gracefully as he could.

Charles seemed willing to follow his lead, thankfully.

“Part of my misspent youth was dabbling with both men and women—or boys and girls I should probably say, considering we were in our teens. I can look at a woman and see why she’s attractive, or sexy. I just found it’s men where my tastes lie, really. There’s nothing more sensual to me than running my hand over a flat, hard, muscled chest, or the way my partner’s sac tightens just before he’s about to come. That hot moment just before I plunge into his ass, that gripping heat makes my eyes roll back. It’s addictive and something I can’t let go of. As I got older I noticed I wasn’t really sexually interested in women anymore, only men.”

Spencer found his mouth dry, the explicit description touching something in his core.

“I tested the waters,” he said when he found his voice. “As a kid, the way you do. But while all the other guys in the locker room were raving about the wonders of breasts and female curves, I found what they were describing wasn’t quite what I experienced personally.”

Charles nodded.

“And then when I grew up,” Spencer continued, “I found there are some things a man could take better, that guys are more wont to appreciate. Rougher things.”

Spencer hesitated. For the first time since they’d walked out of the Botanical Gardens his gaze skittered away from Charles. For a second, Spencer had the fancy that he stood on a precipice. This was a make or break moment. Flashes of embarrassment mingled with furious resentment flickered across his mind—memories he didn’t want to let ruin an otherwise wonderful evening.

He was stronger than that.

“I’ve been curious in the past,” he said, the words feeling like he had to drag them out. Still, he couldn’t manage to meet Charles’ eyes. “But… But I tried a few things and it didn’t turn me on like I thought it would. The situation didn’t work for me.”

“Or maybe the Dom didn’t work for you.”

Charles’ tone was so gentle, so soft, Spencer couldn’t help but look at the man again. Spencer believed Charles was going to great pains to appear as non-threatening as possible. Which was nice, though a little strange. Why would he think him a threat? It wasn’t as if the man could lift him up and start fucking him right here over the table. Or as if he’d bring out a flogger and maybe some cuffs and have at it immediately.

Heat tingled at the base of Spencer’s spine, ran along his nerves and started to dance a little in his balls. Despite the fact that Spencer knew exhibitionism wasn’t his thing, the thought of Charles losing control and doing something as risky as that to him got his blood pumping.

“I’ll give you that the Dom mightn’t have known how to introduce me into it,” Spencer said. “Not that I think I’m high maintenance or anything along those lines. Until now I just figured there were some things that others consider standard that didn’t agree with me and it soured me for the experience. So I left without looking back. It’s barely been in the last week or so I’ve been tempted to test the waters again.”

“What are you interested in?” Charles asked in a low, smoldering tone.

Spencer shivered, turned on and nervous at the same time. He glanced around, making sure they weren’t being overheard. A group of four girls had entered the café while they’d been chatting. He hadn’t even noticed them. In short, slinky, sequined dresses, they all wore platform or stiletto heels. He reckoned they were having a quick bite to eat before going out for a night on the town. They chattered, somehow managing to talk to each other and tap on their phones simultaneously. When they laughed, it created a din Spencer knew meant Charles and his quiet conversation couldn’t be heard.

“I know better what I’m not interested in,” he admitted. Scooting closer to the table, sitting on the edge of his seat now, he lowered his tone even more. “I know for certain I’m not into exhibitionism. I’ve learned I want to keep my private life private. I’m also not sure I’m a hardcore submissive. I’m not the sort who will blindly obey, or let someone take advantage of me.”

“That all seems fairly understandable to me,” Charles said after Spencer had stopped to sort through the mixture of his emotions. “Will you feel better if you make some hard rules immediately, or are you willing to trust me and follow my lead for now?”

Spencer looked Charles over carefully. Internally, he debated if he wanted to do this at all. Heaven knew he lusted after Charles. The man had a body to die for. Spencer would happily find a secluded spot right now, lock the door, and bend over if Charles threatened to walk out on him. But something told Spencer that Charles wasn’t looking for a quick fuck. A one-night stand, possibly, but the large man didn’t give off the feel that he was looking for something short, dirty and nasty. There was more here, Spencer could sense it.

“If you’re suggesting we go back to your place—not a club or somewhere public—then yes, I’m willing to trust you,” Spencer said. His stomach lurched a little when he said the words, but he meant them. He could feel nerves sing through his body, but there was excitement there, too. Anticipation.

“Fantastic,” Charles said. Crumpling his napkin, he then picked up his bag as he stood.

A little surprised by how quickly this was moving now, Spencer didn’t think about it. He stood and slipped his backpack on. Charles led him out of the café and walked back out of the alley.

“I live in Richmond,” Charles said as they headed back toward the Botanical Gardens. “So I’m only a few kilometers away, but I drove tonight. If we’re heading back to my place I’d prefer to pick my car up. I can drop you off anywhere you like either later tonight, or preferably tomorrow morning. Does that suit you?”

Spencer thought quickly. Even at this hour of the night it would hardly take fifteen or twenty minutes to get almost anywhere in Richmond. And early tomorrow morning it would be less than that. He didn’t have a change of clothes, or any personal effects, except for his laptop in his bag, but would he need them for a night of debauched sex?

Probably not.

Live a little dangerously for once,
he insisted to himself.

“That sounds perfect,” he agreed.

Charles reached out and squeezed his shoulder. Spencer felt proud for having taken the plunge. His nerves abated somewhat and the anticipation grew in him. His cock stirred, eager at what might await him at Charles’ house.

Chapter Three

Charles pulled onto the side of his street just a few houses down from where he lived. Parking the car, he then switched it off. He turned in his seat to face Spencer. They’d talked idly for the short drive, each seeming to settle into the choice they’d made. Charles looked carefully over Spencer’s face once again, searching for any hidden doubts or any indication that the man had changed his mind.

He couldn’t see any.

Charles hadn’t realized he’d been worried until a tightness in his chest loosened.

“I want to state up front that you can tell me to stop at any time tonight and I will,” he said. “I might like to get a bit rough, to have some kink with my sex, but I want you willing and with me every step. Okay?”

Spencer merely nodded. Charles noticed his hands clutched at his backpack as if it were a life preserver.

“Hey,” he said in a softer tone. Charles reached out and cupped Spencer’s jaw. He stroked his thumb over the sharp angles of the young man’s face, caressing him. “I mean it. No matter how carried away I might seem to be, rape isn’t my thing. I want you active and enjoying this.”