Fast and boring.
All of Quinn’s experiences with sex so far had been with either inexperienced teens when he was a teen himself, or later, some pretty un-fucking-forgettable bad lays. And he hadn’t had all that many experiences either. Sex was something he enjoyed more by himself. The last time he’d tried with another guy hadn’t been anything to write home about, so he just figured it wasn’t worth the effort. That had been over a year ago.
Didn’t mean his body didn’t still react to the right stimulation and Shane seemed to trip all his triggers. When Shane cleared his throat, Quinn jumped, hoping the hot guilt burning in his cheeks wouldn’t be as noticeable as it felt. He turned to find Shane leaning against the doorjamb, his crooked grin telling Quinn his wish was not to be. His cheeks probably looked like he’d popped his head into an oven.
“There’s a toaster in the cabinet under the microwave,” Shane said. “Ethan and I both prefer toasted bread for our sandwiches, so it was easier just to store one here.”
Quinn reached into the cabinet and pulled out the toaster. He plugged it in and arranged it on the counter. He fiddled with the cream cheese packets and picked up a plastic knife. “Thanks for the bagels,” he murmured. “I’ll have to get you lunch.”
“Sure, if you’d like. But it’s not necessary.” Shane came farther into the room and dug through the bag and pulled out an everything bagel. “Love these things despite the fact that I hate getting the poppy seeds stuck in my teeth.” He grinned. “You’ll tell me if I do, right? You won’t just sit there, silently laughing at me with black shit in my teeth?”
That surprised a laugh out of Quinn. “Nah, I’ll tell ya.” He stopped the microwave and toasted his bagel.
When it was done, he settled at the small table against a wall and took a big bite. He chewed and watched Shane get his own breakfast ready. When the man sat across from him, he couldn’t help but notice those brown eyes stayed steady on him as always. What the hell did the man see to make him stare so hard and so often? Quinn fought the urge to squirm under that all too probing look and keep his eyes on his food.
“So tell me about yourself. What do you do besides perform computer wizardry for Rowe?”
“Read, game—the usual stuff.”
“Have a boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Haven’t found anyone good enough or are you the type to play the field?”
Quinn looked up. “Like you? That was quite the practiced brush-off you gave Baden. Why didn’t you want to go out with him again?”
Shane shrugged. “I might. We just hooked up once, had some laughs.” He winked. “And a good time. Those tattoos cover everything, if you were curious.”
“I liked them. Can’t imagine having that many, though. He must be a pain junkie.”
“Or he likes the art. Whoever works on him is pretty talented. He’s got this stunning, detailed tiger face covering his entire back. Stares right up at you.”
Quinn choked on his bagel.
Laughing, Shane got up and grabbed a bottle of tea out of the refrigerator. He twisted off the cap and stuck the bottle in Quinn’s hand. “Here. Drink.”
Quinn coughed then gulped down the tea and grimaced. “Ugh, what is this?”
“Berry flavored. I love it.” Shane took the bottle back and drank out of it, his eyes still locked on Quinn.
“I like my sweet coffee in the morning, but this is a bit much. Need your daily intake of sugar all at once, do you?”
Shane snorted and sat back down to his bagel. “It’s my one indulgence. Don’t worry, I work out enough to offset it. Wanna see my abs?”
Quinn just stared at him for several long moments. “Are you ever serious?”
“Yeah, when I need to be.” Shane leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table. “But I get the strongest feeling you need more laughs in your life.”
He did, but he wasn’t about to admit that. Instead, he cautiously took another bite of his bagel.
“I’ve never met a man who blushes like you do,” Shane murmured, propping his chin on his hand. “It’s instantaneous at times.”
“It’s the curse of having such pale skin—turns colors for lots of reasons. Sometimes, I just stay a little red. Especially if it’s cold or I’ve been out in the wind. Mostly my cheeks turn red when I’m overheated.”
“It’s not hot in here now.”
Quinn begged to differ. With Shane in the room, how could it not be? Again, his reaction to the older man surprised him. He needed to get them talking again. “So what do you do when you’re not digging into people’s lives?”
“You make what I do sound so sleazy. It’s not that different from what you do.”
“True.” Quinn nodded.
“I’m a pretty boring guy. I collect art, read a lot. I even have a cat. Norma Jean is my best friend.”