Shinji rubbed his palm over Teruo’s thigh, very close to his groin. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you relax.”
The touch sent a hot thrum down Teruo’s abdomen and he sighed, deciding to let go of all the other thoughts and enjoy this evening with Shinji. Whatever would follow, he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.
“Take a right there,” Teruo instructed.
“This place is beautiful.” Shinji leaned forward to get a better look.
Teruo had intentionally chosen a house on the outskirts of Suginami Municipality in Tokyo, in a less crowded area full of tall trees, traditional houses with beautiful green gardens and a few modern houses, like Teruo’s. No noise from the hectic city life bothered him and everyone minded their own business.
They entered a narrow alley leading to the tall stone fence of Teruo’s house. He stretched his hand and pressed the remote to open the garage door. The lights turned on Shinji parked the car inside.
“A two story-house and a huge yard,” Shinji said, looking out the garage’s window. “Consider me impressed.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Buying the house had been a big expense, but a worthwhile one even if living alone wasn’t exactly what he had envisioned when he initially bought it. He offered Shinji a pair of slippers and led him inside a small hallway then into the living room. A large mint-green sofa and two armchairs stood in the middle, a low coffee table between them. The TV was mounted opposite them, a media cabinet underneath it with old consoles he’d brought from his apartment when he moved and which he didn’t use anymore.
The walls had various types of cat shelves leading to the large wall-to-floor windows viewing the yard. Mochi and Dango—his two black cats—loved climbing the shelves and checking out birds from inside the house. They were now spread out onto the sofa, tucked between cushions. Their little yellow eyes opened and they snapped at attention when they saw the new guest.
“You have a great house—oh! Cats.” Shinji dropped the plastic bag he was carrying into Teruo’s arms then dashed straight to the sofa and carefully picked up Mochi. “Hey, cutie.”
Teruo stood rooted in his spot, his stomach doing a somersault at the way Shinji cradled Mochi in his arms, scratching her neck and belly, eliciting loud purrs of approval. Teruo smiled, but forced himself to look away before other thoughts invaded his mind—thoughts which had no place being there. He put the bag on the coffee table and headed to the kitchen.
“Wine?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” Shinji said. He’d made himself comfortable on the sofa with the cats who were now curiously examining him. “What are their names?”
“The one you’re holding is Mochi. The other is Dango.”
“You named your cats after food?”
“After sweets ‘cause they’re sweet.” Teruo returned with two glasses and a bottle of red wine, setting them on the table.
Shinji grinned. “Aw, you’re a softie.”
Cheeks flushing, Teruo gave a grunt. “Not really.”
“Yeah, you are. You just don’t want to admit it.” Shinji turned to Dango who was stretching. “Are they mixed with Maine Coon?”
Teruo nodded. “Got them from a shelter. Had no idea until I realized they didn’t plan to stop growing.”
Shinji laughed, patting their soft and fluffy fur. The cats wandered off toward the wall shelves and Teruo picked up the glasses, offering Shinji one, then sat down beside him.
Shinji clinked his glass with Teruo’s and took a sip. “This is good wine.” He took another one before placing the glass back on the table.
After taking off his suit jacket and tie, he put them on the back of the sofa and moved closer to Teruo, wrapping an arm around Teruo’s shoulders, the other resting on his leg. Teruo held his breath for a second, before exhaling slowly. He tried not to think of the fact that this was his coworker.
We’re both off duty. Relax.
“You feel tense,” Shinji said.
His palm skimmed up Teruo’s abdomen and chest, then down again close enough to his dick, but not quite touching it, just brushing the tip of fingers around the growing bulge in his pants. Teruo let himself enjoy Shinji’s teasing. He’d had the impression Shinji intended to fuck quickly, then leave. He barely wanted to admit he was happy that wasn’t the case.
He snaked his arm around Shinji’s waist, pulling him closer. “Didn’t get any time to breathe between my other case and this one.”
“Is it usually like this in Tokyo?”
“Nah, it’s just that I’m first on the list of detectives for peculiar homicides. If I can answer the call, then… no break. Can’t refuse the call for an investigation without a good reason.”