Not wanting to stay in the workroom, Koby convinced himself he needed some more supplies from the engineering department. He turned off the torch for a while and trudged over the college campus, feeling hollow. It didn’t matter how many times he told himself that this wasn’t a surprise – Vince was straight, after all – and Koby wasn’t interested in straight guys who would be leaving town soon again anyway. He kept coming back to the fact he felt like he’d abused Vince’s trust and tried to take advantage of him.

That went against everything that Koby stood for. He wouldn’t blame Vince if he never wanted to see Koby again. That thought made Koby even more dejected, but it was nothing more than he deserved.

Luckily, someone else was working late in the engineering workshop. A pleasant young woman covered in grease called Lily was more than happy to point him to the box of junk they had lying around. Koby found some interesting-looking coils and washers, as well as a hubcap he felt like he could repurpose for a specialist item on his stall.

He got a brief high from finding some useful bit and bobs. But by the time he was back in the art department, he was nauseous again, worrying where Vince had gone and how he was feeling.

Gritting his teeth, Koby took his anger and frustration at himself out on the sculpture. He hefted the larger pieces around, starting to secure them together with the welding torch. Before long he was sweltering under the protective visor, thick apron and rubber gloves, snarling as he used the blow torch to affix the torso to the legs, making sure the larger-than-life model was stable and secure.

Goddamn it. Why had he gone and ruined everything? Why was Vincent Russo so determinedly in his head, messing with his thoughts? It wasn’t really Vince’s fault. It was all Koby, putting unfair expectations on him and thinking with his damn dick instead of his brain.

The welding torch combined with the pitiful ceiling fans the art department had meant that by the time Koby pulled off the protective gear he was dripping with sweat. There was no one else around, so he irritably yanked off his Henley as well, feeling marginally better in just his kilt and boots. He ran his fingers through his thick, damp hair, sweeping it away from his face and clenching his jaw as he sourced a hammer and pliers to attack some of the finer details of the sculpture.

He banged and clanged, every strike cutting through him as he recalled Vince’s alarm after Koby had leaned in to kiss him.

The truth was that as much as Koby was furious at himself for making a move, he was starting to realize just how cut up he was that Vince had rejected him.

He wanted Vince to want him.

Even though Vince Russo broke his fundamental rules with men – no one bigger than him, no one straight – Kody still fucking wanted him.

Because Vince was sweet and inquisitive and fun and Koby couldn’t have him.

Koby bitterly threw his hammer down and gripped his hair with his hands, letting out a frustrated shout. He squeezed his eyes, feeling the hot tears lurking there, wanting to fall and smudge his eyeliner. His bare skin prickled with goose bumps as a bead of perspiration ran down his spine. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so messed up over a fucking crush. This was pathetic. He needed to get out of here, head home for a shower and crawl into bed.

Maybe that way he’d wake up and forget all about Vince Russo and his gorgeous smile. The way his skin had felt under Koby’s hands. The deep rumble of his laugh. The way his eyes had lit up when he’d talked to Koby. There was no place in Koby’s head for Vince anymore. Koby wasn’t worthy of letting him in.

The only trouble with that line of thinking was that when Koby turned around to start packing up the workroom, Vince was standing in the doorway looking at him.

Koby froze, his heart leaping into his mouth, suddenly aware of how naked he was. Vince was holding on to the doorframe, his brown eyes wide and locked on Koby.

On his bare torso.

After a few seconds, Vince’s eyes flicked up to meet Koby’s gaze. He swallowed, making his Adam’s apple bob, and licked his lips. “I’m sorry,” he rasped.

Koby blinked and shook his head just a fraction in confusion. “I’m sorry,” he countered.

Vince took a step inside the room, then another, the door swinging shut behind him. “I left.”

“I shouldn’t have done…what I did.” Koby couldn’t bring himself to even say the word ‘kiss.’ “I crossed a line.”

“I made you uncomfortable.” Vince took another step closer. His large chest was rising and falling in his tight, white T-shirt.

Koby was the one to swallow and lick his lips now, his throat tight and dry as he turned over Vince’s words. Yeah, guys like him usually did make Koby want to panic and run away.

“You make me feel safe.” Koby’s voice was little more than a whisper.

Vince stopped walking. “I wish I hadn’t run,” he said. He rested one hand on the desk next to him, the other hung by his side. His fingers twitched. He was only a few feet away from Koby now, his expression pinched in concern. “I wish I’d stayed. I wish…I hadn’t pulled away.”

Koby stopped breathing. For the longest moment he and Vince just looked at each other. Then Vince took another step, closing the gap between them even more.

“I was going to kiss you.” Koby felt he needed to make that clear. He had to know that Vince was fully aware of what he was saying. “That was wrong.”

“Why?” Vince asked. He was close enough now his breath ghosted across Koby’s skin, skimming his lips, his chest. Koby didn’t move. He scarcely breathed.

“I overstepped your boundaries,” Koby said. He was slightly turned away, looking at Vince to his side. “You’re straight. I should have had more respect for that.”

Vince wasn’t moving either, his eye blazing with an intensity to rival Koby’s welding torch. “Am I?” Vince asked.

For several seconds, Koby didn’t move, didn’t breathe. “Are you?”

Vince blinked a couple of times, then dropped his gaze down Koby’s body. “Can I touch you?” he asked, mirroring Koby’s request whenever he had wanted to move Vince during their modeling sessions.

Koby’s cock had started to throb in his briefs under the kilt. His skin felt like it was on fire. “Yes,” he uttered stiffly. He had no idea what Vince intended to do, but Koby braced himself, ready.

Vince took that last step to bring them next to each other. He carefully lifted his right hand, like he had when he’d delicately picked up Koby’s art at the market. He brushed the back of his knuckles against Koby’s stomach, just above where the kilt sat on his hips, running his fingers up the middle of Koby’s chest.

Koby felt the shudder throughout his body, but he did his best not to move. He was terrified of spooking Vince. But honestly, by the time Vince reached Koby’s throat, it didn’t feel like he was going anywhere this time.

“I think…you’re beautiful,” Vince said with only a small amount of hesitation. “And so smart. And awesome.”

“I think you’re beautiful and smart too,” Koby said before he could lose his nerve. Vince’s hand was resting lightly on the side of his neck. With the rise of every breath, his pecs were almost touching Koby’s right shoulder through his T-shirt. Koby could feel his intense gaze looking down at him, but he was too afraid to look up and meet his eyes. “I didn’t think that you would like me, though.” The words heavy on his tongue. “Not like…this.”

Vince breathed in and out several times. Koby let him, not moving, just feeling the slight pressure of his palm and fingers pressed against the side of his throat. Koby teetered on the edge of panic, unsure if he was really okay with this kind of touch. But Vince’s fingertips caressed his sensitive skin slightly, sending little quivers flurrying across Koby’s body.

“I don’t know how I feel,” Vince uttered. “I don’t have the words.”

“You don’t have to,” Koby said gently. “You don’t need labels. You’re safe with me.”

Koby felt more than saw Vince’s smile. “I said I’d protect you,” he said softly.

Koby took a shaky breath, then looked up into Vince’s eyes. “How about we look after each other?”

“Koby…” Vince’s gaze didn’t shift or falter. But there was a slight pleading edge to the word.

“Don’t overthink it,” Koby murmured. He turned his body so he and Vince were chest to chest. “It doesn’t have to mean anything or be a big deal. Does it feel good?”

“Yes.” Koby’s heart skipped a beat at Vince’s immediate reply.

This time Koby wanted to do this right. He didn’t want to have even a flicker of doubt.

“Do you want to kiss me?” he asked, taking control of the situation by giving Vince the choice.

There was a slight pause. Koby couldn’t help but drop his gaze to Vince’s throat.

Vince’s fingers touched his chin, tilting his head back up so their gazes met.

“May I?” Vince asked, the perfect picture of Southern manners.

“Fuck, god, yes,” Koby rasped, feeling like the perfect picture of fucking decadence.