Max’s chest clenched in understanding. The feelings Sean elicited might be hard to articulate, but at least now they finally made sense—or at least they did to him and his whiskey-sloshed brain. The reason Sean was always able to penetrate Max’s walls was because he’d always been able to penetrate his darkness. Evidently, on some level they were one and the same, and Sean held the universal key.
Something that typically would send Max snarling toward the hills. Tonight, his drunk ass just found it fascinating. Wonder instead of anger. Felt nice for a change. Maybe he should stock up on Jameson.
Max smiled a tipsy smile and pressed Sean closer.
Sean grinned and searched his face. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
“Don’t be nosey.”
Sean laughed and pinched his ass.
Max jerked with a start, bumping two hot mamas walking by. They paused and gave him a once-over, then looked at Sean—and froze. Presumably because he wasn’t some chick to compete with.
Sean smiled with a shrug. “We love dick, too.”
Both girls lifted a brow—intrigue twinkling in their eyes—did another heated once-over, then moved along.
Max smirked and shook his head. “Say it loud, say it proud.”
Sean grinned. “That’s how I roll, Sir.”
“Good to know.”
Because it was. And another reason Max suspected Sean sparked his happy. Not that they’d been out in public together often. But the few times they had? Sean never hesitated to show Max open affection. A gift Kevin had never once given him.
Max fisted Sean’s hair and pulled him close, gave his lobe a feisty nip and kept grinding.
Sean moaned and clutched Max’s sides.
Max grinned and palmed Sean’s ass.
And just like that, they were back inside their bubble.
The songs swapped again, then again after that, until a thin sheen of sweat covered Max’s body. He slowed his pace, ready to grab another beer. All this bumping and grinding was killing his buzz.
Sean smiled, looking notably damp himself. “You’re a pretty great dancer, Sir.”
“Glad you approve.”
“Wish we could do this every weekend.”
Yeah. So did Max. At least he did in this moment. The second he was back to sober, though? Not so much.
He cleared his throat. Nodded. “Yeah. Nice thought.”
Sean’s smile ebbed. He pressed closer. “I graduate soon.”
A smaller nod. “I know.”
“Only a few more weeks left.”
Ugh. Max didn’t want to think about that shit. It made him anxious. And edgy. Not happy.
“Then I’m off to Australia. Will be gone for a month.”
Max frowned. Couldn’t help it. But again, he nodded. “That’s awesome, Sean. You’re gonna have an amazing time.”
“Will you miss me?”
“Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Well, it’s possible, but not probable.”
Sean laughed and shoved him, then yanked him right back. “Admit it, Max. You’ll miss me.”
“I never admit anything.”
Sean’s cheery glow dimmed.
Max tamped a grin. “Fine. I’ll probably miss you a little.”
Sean’s lips twitched. “You’re such an ogre.”
Max chuckled and glanced away.
“Come with me.”
Max stilled. Looked back at Sean. “What?”
“Come with me. To Australia.”
Every muscle straight-up tensed.
Sean laughed. “Don’t make that face. You know it’d be awesome.”
Was he nuts? “No, it wouldn’t.”
“Yes, it would.” Sean grasped his shirt again. “My parents will pay for everything. And you already get summers off. Think about it, Max. An all-inclusive, fully-paid vacation… to Australia.”
Max’s sobering brain spun. Even his heart picked up speed. Shit. That would be awesome. Not because of the free ride, though. Or honestly, even the location. But because he’d be spending a month with Sean. Away from reality. Away from the whole fucking world. God, he could imagine it. Imagine it so clearly. The two of them together, exploring, discovering. Taking in new wonders side by side…
Sean pressed even closer, brought his mouth to Max’s ear. “Come with me, Max.”
Max swallowed. Sean’s proposition was crazy. Ludicrous even. Not to mention, completely inappropriate. Max had rules, for fuck’s sake. Boundaries. Strict guidelines. No way in hell he could ever—
“Please. Just think about it.”
Max’s blood pounded faster. No, he wouldn’t think about it. That’d be cruel to even himself. Because he’d love to go. And goddamn it, the conditions were perfect. Wouldn’t have to take off work, or drain his hard-earned savings. Talk about the chance of a lifetime. Sean shifted against him. Then his warm breath kissed Max’s neck. An occurrence that would happen for a good bit of summer if Max would just accept Sean’s invitation.
“Will you think about it?”
Max groaned and closed his eyes.
“You’d have fun. I know you would. We’d make the perfect team.”
Of that, Max had no doubt.
His conviction wavered…
“You and me, against the world. The ultimate adventure.”
Max nodded, pulse racing—then suddenly froze.
Adventure? Oh, God. Max’s blood chilled fast.
The last time he’d planned an adventure with someone, his whole world came crashing down around him. Erupting into flames. Incinerating his future. Stripping him of all that fucking mattered.
His stomach pitched. His chest constricted. All fog vanished from his brain. Holy fuck. He’d actually just considered saying yes. Had nearly broken his biggest cardinal rule.