I could have kicked myself, but my eyes shot straight to his belt buckle. If it wasn’t clear, I was into him before, I think staring at his crotch most likely got that message across to him.
I let out an embarrassed chuckle before I stood. The arena was starting to empty now, but as we climbed the steps with Freddie in front, I wasn’t ready for tonight to end just yet. Entering the lobby, I grinned when I saw his two lady friends making their way over to us. They were both pretty and I watched as the short one jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his cheek.
He rolled his eyes at her before he reached back and grasped her by the upper thighs, securing her weight.
“Did you enjoy the game, Luke?” She smiled over at me politely.
“It was good.” I nodded my head at them. “My friend back home is a huge fan of the Knicks.”
“I’m Chrissie. And this one is…”
“Isobel.” The short one shot her hand out with a beaming smile on her face.
We all laughed when she did that before I reached over and grasped her hand.
“Nice to meet you.” I tucked my hands into my jean pockets. “Do you ladies work at the hotel as well?”
“We work the Reception desk,” Chrissie answered.
“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it. I’m sure you have plans.”
I had only taken a step away from them before Isobel’s voice rang out. “No! You’re okay.” She kicked her legs, hinting at Freddie to let her down. Her small height dropped to the ground. “Me and Chrissie actually had plans anyway.” She widened her eyes at Chrissie, but her friend was already nodding her head in agreement. “Freddie here,” Isobel continued, “can show you around some bars.” She winked at Freddie. “See you later, boys.” They linked arms and walked away, leaving us alone.
“They were subtle,” I joked.
“Like a hole in the head,” Freddie quickly remarked. “They are good friends, though.”
“Yeah.” I walked toward the exit and as we fell into sync, I decided to share some info about me. “I have one like that.”
“Yeah?” He grinned at me. “What’s her name?”
“Nina. She’s just gotten married.” I smiled as I thought back to James and her. “Her and James had a rough start, but they finally made it.”
“And that’s what you’re doing over here?” he asked as we approached the exit doors.
“Yeah. My friend and business partner Thomas has gone back to Britain as his wife is ready to pop any day now. Charlie and Alex are going back as well. They have a couple of kids.”
“So you’re the single bachelor out of the group, then,” Freddie stated.
“Pretty much.” I held the door open for him and as he pressed his hand against the pane of glass, sparks shot out from where our fingers touched. I quickly moved my hand, not wanting to freak him out. “So, uh, what bars are good around here?”
“There’s a few further up the block that uh…”
I frowned at the silence that descended on us as I walked ahead of him. I turned around, wondering what was wrong, but as I turned, I grinned when I saw him checking out my arse. I could see a blush on his cheeks and it was sexy as hell. I didn’t meet many men who blushed.
“So, are you gonna show me some of the bars or what?” I asked him. I grinned as his eyes flicked down to where the ink on my arms was peeking out from beneath my sleeves. “Well?” I slid my hands into my jean pockets and waited. “You coming or what? I might let you drink me under the table.”
“Sure.” He walked toward me and I couldn’t help but watch the way he walked.
A lot of men had a strut or cockiness when they walked. Freddie was different. He looked sexy when he walked. Fuck me. I had a problem with this man. I was coming to realize that I was starting to find everything he did sexy.
“It’s just up ahead.” He began walking at my side, and we quickly fell into sync with each other as he led me up the block.
* * *
Iknocked back the last of my scotch and grinned over at Freddie. I was an asshole to him tonight. We’d hit a couple of bars before we had arrived here, where I had proceeded to drink him under the table. I should have been a gentleman and told him that being a bar manager had conditioned me to have a high tolerance for alcohol but as the scotch flowed, I was an asshole and used my high tolerance to attempt to get him to loosen up a little.
In all the times we had spoken, I felt like Freddie had a wall up around him. Like he was afraid to be himself, maybe. Hanging out with him tonight though—here and at the game earlier—I was more resolved than ever to get him to loosen up with alcohol. I just didn’t realize how quickly it would take him to get as drunk as he currently was.