Like a Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

enough to scare anyone off,” Rupert joked to cover the
slight awkwardness. He regretted mentioning Josh now. It was stupid. Josh was
never going to be boyfriend material, and Rupert needed to get that very clear
in his head before he saw him again.
    Georgina
chuckled. “Your mother does sound as if she needs careful handling. Oh hell,
look at the time. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
    “Hot date?”
    “Nothing
very exciting. I’m meeting a girlfriend to go to the cinema, but I’ll be late
to meet her for drinks first if I don’t get a move on. I’ve put the wedding on
my calendar, but I still think you should ask your Josh. He can always say no.”
    “He’s not my Josh.” Rupert’s stomach clenched as
he remembered Josh was probably with another man right now.
    “Whatever.
Okay. Bye, Rupe. Let’s meet for coffee soon. I’ll text you.”
    “Yes. Bye.”
     
     
    As the week
passed, Rupert got increasingly twitchy as he waited to hear from Josh.
    He kept
telling himself it was ridiculous to be stressing over it when Josh wasn’t his
date. This was a business transaction, for fuck’s sake. It should be like
waiting for a call from a plumber or an electrician. Josh wanted his money.
He’d get in touch. But somehow that didn’t help matters.
    He found
himself looking out for Josh around the university, hoping he might catch sight
of him around campus. But he didn’t.
    Josh
finally texted him on Friday afternoon.
    U still up for tomorrow evening? What time
suits?
    Rupert’s
heart thumped as he replied.
    Yes. Anytime from 8pm.
    Can we make it 9?
    Sure. Where shall I meet you?
    Same hotel. I’ll text you the room number once
I’ve booked.
    Damn.
Rupert should have suggested a drink first, but it was too late now. He didn’t
want to appear too pushy.
    Okay, c u then , he typed. Then added as an afterthought. Make sure you get an early night tonight ;)
    You’re never going to let me live that down are
you? Josh replied.
    Nope.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Josh had
mixed feelings about his forthcoming appointment with Rupert.
    On the one
hand, he was looking forward to the sex. He was undeniably attracted to
Rupert—he’d been a great fuck last weekend. But on the other hand, Rupert
had been on his mind too much this week, and Josh wasn’t comfortable with that.
    The
anticipation fizzed through him as he got ready to go and meet Rupert. He had
to jerk off in the shower because just thinking about Rupert got him hard. Then
after, when he fingered himself with a little lube in his room, one foot up on
the desk, he got a semi again even though he’d only come ten minutes before.
    Josh
arrived at the hotel ten minutes early and tried to combat his jitters by
taking control of the situation. He pulled the curtains and turned the lamps
on, adjusting the dimmer switches until he was satisfied. He took off his shoes
and socks and lay on the bed, trying to slow his breathing and relax, but it
didn’t work. So he got up and paced instead.
    He hadn’t
been this nervous about meeting a client since the first appointment he’d
booked through his website. What the hell was wrong with him?
    The soft
knock on the door made him jump like a startled cat. His heart sped up and
didn’t slow as he went to let Rupert in.
    “Hi.” Josh
smiled seductively, putting on his best veneer of cocky confidence. He’d
trained himself to never show his nerves in front of clients.
    “Hi.”
Rupert’s genuine smile disarmed Josh, sending his excitement fluttering and
swirling in his belly like confetti in a breeze.
    Josh stood
aside to let him in, and when Rupert stepped close and kissed him on the lips,
it felt like a greeting from a date, or even a lover. The kiss was slow and
lingering, the promise of something more.
    “Haven’t
you forgotten something?” Josh said teasingly when Rupert released him. “Money
up front, remember.”
    Rupert’s
face remained carefully neutral as he pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket.