“Thanks. This is a wonderful event.” The lawyer glanced around them. “So do I talk to you or someone else about purchasing a couple of paintings?”
“I’d be happy to help you with that.” Aud took a long drink of his wine. “Which pieces were you interested in?” He glanced at Leo and flashed a sad smile.
Leo patted his hand and stayed at the refreshment table as Aud walked with the lawyer to see the items he wanted.
“At least Randal didn’t disrupt things here too much.” Heather filled several fancy-looking plastic flute glasses with wine.
“Yeah, that would’ve been bad.” Leo didn’t feel like going back to looking at paintings without Aud on his arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Heather handed him a corkscrew. “We’ve got another dozen bottles of wine that need to be opened. If you pop the corks, I’ll pour.”
“I can do that.” Leo felt better with something to do, so he set to work opening bottles and trying to get Randal out of his mind. I wonder if he was the one who knocked over the grill that night and not a raccoon. Do I want to get involved with Aud if he’s going to be hanging around? I don’t need the drama of a stalker in my life. He glanced up as Aud talked with the lawyer. The dark look on his features that had been there earlier was gone and he was relaxed, almost happy. Aud’s a really great guy, the nicest I’ve ever managed to go out with. So what if they had a fling in the steam room? I’ve had a few similar encounters over the years. I really want to see if Aud and I can make something special. I like him a lot.
12
AUD SIGHED as he locked the door to the gallery. A chilly wind whipped around him. He pulled up the collar of his lightweight blue jacket and smiled at Leo. “So, what did you think of your first gallery opening?”
“It had its moments,” Leo replied.
“That doesn’t sound very enthusiastic.” Aud walked down the sidewalk. “What do you say we go relax a bit?”
Leo cocked an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
Aud took Leo’s hand as they strolled along. “We were interrupted the other night. Maybe we can pick up where we left off.”
A warm, sexy smile spread across Leo’s handsome face. “That sounds interesting. My place or yours?”
“If you feel safe, we could go to my place again. It’s closer.”
Leo stopped at his car. “That’s fine.”
“Do you mind if I ride with you?”
“Sure. Is this going to be an all-nighter?” Leo opened the car door for him. The move looked awkward on him.
“It could be.” Aud smiled as Leo closed the door.
Leo hurried around to the driver’s side door. “Then I can drive you back in the morning.”
“That would be great.” Aud’s heart picked up its beat in anticipation.
AS SOON as they walked into Aud’s house and he closed the door, he caught Leo in his arms. The lust that welled up in him was stronger than any he’d ever felt. He kissed Leo’s sweet lips. His heart beat faster. Leo felt so good in his arms and on his lips that he was tempted to stand there in the entryway and kiss him for hours, but he wanted more.
Leo sighed as their lips parted. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”
“Me too.” Aud took his hand and led him farther into the house. “So are we ready to go get comfortable?”
“I am if you are.” There was a slightly shy note in Leo’s voice. It brought a huge smile to Aud.
“Up to you: couch or bed?”
“If I’m going to spend the night, I think we can forego the couch and head straight to the bed.”
“Good.” Aud paused and swung Leo back into his arms for another passionate kiss. “A great opening always gets me turned on.”
Leo laughed. “Then you need to have more great openings. Okay, that didn’t exactly come out right. I’m sure all your openings are great…. That was worse.”
Aud joined him in laughing. It felt so good to have someone around he could laugh with. “I know what you’re saying.” A wicked grin spread over his face. “Although I’m happy you think my openings are great, and you haven’t even seen all of them… yet.” He kissed Leo again and pulled him into the bedroom.
Pausing at the foot of the bed, Aud pressed his lips to Leo’s again. “Another choice for you: lights or no lights?”
Leo caressed Aud’s arm. “Is candlelight or soft lights an option? I really want to see you, all of you, but don’t want to completely blow the mood by having things too bright.”
“Then luckily my lights are all on dimmers.” Aud let go of Leo and strolled over to the switch by the door. He pulled it up to quarter power. It provided enough light to make out the details in his four-poster bed and the starburst quilt that served as his bedspread. “How’s that?”