Wes managed to restrain himself on the elevator ride up to his apartment. While he didn’t mind the prospect of being caught on camera—the security guard on duty was free to stroke one out at his leisure—there was something to be said for keeping a partner in suspense. He’d all but mauled Kyle on the way there, and one glance at the man was enough to tell Wes he expected similar treatment as they slowly ascended the floors. But Wes just smiled, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and acted like he wasn’t tenting the fabric with his very painful erection.

He didn’t say a word, even when the doors parted on his floor. He simply stepped out and strode toward his apartment, fishing out his keys at the last moment. Despite the touch of “I’ve never done this before” nervousness, Wes could feel the anticipation rolling off Kyle in waves—the man was practically vibrating with it. He was wound as tightly as he could be, and Wes’ lips curved as he thought of just how fun it would be to finally snap him.

He stepped inside first, waiting for Kyle to cross the threshold and close the door behind them. The instant it shut, Wes’ calm, confident demeanor suddenly flared into pure hunger. His hands gripped Kyle’s wrists and he pinned the man back against the door, the length of his body covering Kyle’s. Hard lines met in heated motion, Wes’ lips claiming his in a bruising kiss. Kyle moaned against him, the sound of a man who was utterly lost and just dying for someone to show him the way.

His tongue thrust into Kyle’s wet, eager mouth, tasting the hint of alcohol and some other sweet flavor that seemed unique to the man. It would have been easy for Kyle to let him take control; to surrender and just let Wes do everything in his power to make them both feel good, but Kyle had more agency, more fight in him than that. His arms flexed under Wes’ grip, and when he realized he wasn’t going to get free on his own, he lifted his ass away from the door, his hips meeting Wes’ in a desperate bid.

Wes growled, biting down on Kyle’s lower lip just enough to let him know he was in charge. But Kyle didn’t submit. Like a smaller wolf challenging the alpha, he pushed back, grinding his hard cock against Wes’, driving him to distraction with that simple motion.

Afraid he might just give in and fuck the man only a few steps into his apartment—even if that wasn’t an undesirable outcome—Wes pulled back. His lips tipped into a smirk as he looked at the half-lidded Kyle before slowly releasing his hands, and then turning to walk deeper into the apartment as though nothing had happened.

“Drink?” he asked nonchalantly, moving to the kitchen.

Kyle was very obviously dazed, but he shook off the feeling in record time—enough to make a substantial quip. “You’re kind of an asshole, aren’t you?”

Wes wore an amused smile, but he kept his back to Kyle as he poured them both two fingers of whiskey each. Crossing the room, he handed one glass to Kyle and raised the other to his lips with a devilish smile. “I’m hurt that you underestimate me. I’m every bit an asshole, and if you didn’t like it, you wouldn’t be here.”

Kyle considered that a moment, then just shrugged as if accepting his fate. Wes nodded toward the couch, and the two of them took a more comfortable position. As comfortable as could be managed when Wes constantly had to adjust himself.

“This place is a lot fancier than anywhere else I’ve seen in Hidden Creek. Don’t tell me you’re some corporate CEO?”

Wes let out a low sound of amusement, then took a sip of whiskey. The smooth amber liquid burned all the way down his throat, and his eyes closed as he appreciated the sensation. “Much more important than that. I save lives.”

Most of the time, at least. Wes knew he was a difficult man to work with, but he made up for it by having one of the best save rates in Texas. Considering Hidden Creek had limited resources, he’d always prided himself on his ability to quickly read a situation and make split second decisions. But even he wasn’t infallible, and Adrian’s gentle face kept playing through his mind. Beautiful and full of life one moment, ashen and still the next.

He swallowed down another sip and forced the thoughts from his mind, steel grey eyes focusing on the man who sat beside him, seeming amused by his arrogance. Wes’ first thought was that he enjoyed that bratty little smirk, but he’d also like to find some way to alter it. A kiss would do the trick easily enough, though there were far more interesting ways to go about it. Ways that would make that smirk a distant memory as Kyle’s lips parted and his eyes rolled back.

His gaze trailed down the man’s body, imagining the warm skin that lay beneath. Would he have chest hair? A perfectly formed trail that started just below his navel and pointed the way to his cock? Just looking at the bulge in the man’s pants, Wes could tell he was a decent size. Not unwieldy, but large enough to give his mouth something to do.

Would he be cut or uncut? Thick in girth, or more on the long side? Wes’ mouth practically started to water as he imagined the intoxicating scent of sweat and musk, and the salty taste of another man’s precum as he teased mercilessly. He’d take just the head of Kyle’s cock into his mouth, run his tongue over the slit and beneath the crown, sucking lightly until Kyle begged him for more. The man might try to demand it, his hips rising off the couch, but Wes would hold him down if he had to, exploring as he desired, and only giving in when Kyle was a writhing mass of pure need.

“Something you want to share?” Kyle asked, interrupting his thoughts. That smirk was still in place, and it only grew at catching Wes daydreaming.

But he was hardly going to apologize. Nor would he play coy. Kyle had asked, and he’d get a solid answer.

“I’d rather show than tell, but since you asked, I was thinking about working your dick with my mouth until you beg me to stop.”

He looked right at Kyle, right into the man’s eyes as he said it. To his surprise, Kyle’s pale skin flushed a lovely shade of pink, and that smirk was swept away by an obvious expression of want. Determined to forget about the day’s failures, Wes took that as enthusiastic consent. He took one last sip of whiskey then set the glass aside before reaching for Kyle’s. The younger man just watched, transfixed. Fingers brushed, an electric spark arced through the air, and Wes had to compose himself as he set the other glass aside.

Leaning over the couch, he moved one hand behind Kyle’s head, his fingers sliding through thick, messy hair and curling tight as he brought the man closer. Whiskey was fresh on lips and tongues, a delicious burn that only added to the kiss as their mouths met. Kyle kissed with the fervor and energy of a man who’d been rejected far too many times, but who wasn’t willing to simply cower and accept second best.

And Wes would reward him for that, to the point where he’d forget all about his ex-fiancée, at least for a night. It wasn’t a long-term solution. Wes had never been very good at those. But it would give them both the distraction they were looking for, and they could figure out tomorrow when the sun’s early morning rays slipped through his window.

Moving his free hand down Kyle’s chest, he followed the planes and lines like they were a roadmap, all of them drawing down toward his real goal. He’d take the time to explore later and develop a better appreciation for the entirety of his partner’s form, but those fantasies had stoked a fire in him, and he needed to feel the other man’s cock pulsing greedily in his hand.

So his hand didn’t stop at the waistband of Kyle’s pants. He searched out the belt buckle and undid it, a thrill shooting through him at the sound of the metal clinking. Long, dexterous fingers—a surgeon’s fingers, one of his professors had told him—fiddled with the buttons, pushing them through the holes before he went to the man’s zipper.

Either Kyle hadn’t noticed yet, or he wasn’t bothered by it. His focus was still on the kiss; on trying to win a battle of wills that Wes would never let him—or anyone else—win. He’d only ever let one man dictate the terms of his sex life, and while he’d found a certain kind of enjoyment in it, the circumstances were far different from any casual fling.

He’d loved Adrian and he would’ve done anything to please him.

Kyle was a stranger, though. A newcomer to town who was at his mercy. Wes would show him the time of his life, make him come at least two or three times, and then they’d part ways. They’d see each other again. It was inevitable in Hidden Creek. But with any luck, the encounter would be a one-time thing. Best remembered at the peak of enjoyment, not the misery that came from a long-term engagement.

He gripped the zipper between two fingers, sliding it down just enough to get his hand into Kyle’s pants. Soft, silky fabric greeted him, and he pressed on, looking for the opening. A small snap was undone, and Wes’ palm rested over the ridge of Kyle’s erection, his fingers curling as he gripped him through the fabric.

His partner gasped into his mouth, which Wes took as a sure sign of his pleasure. But then Kyle drew back, and his hand shot down to grab Wes’ wrist.

“Wait,” he said, breathless.

Wes stopped immediately, his fingers uncurling, Kyle’s cock woefully untouched even though he could still feel the molten heat emanating from the man. His eyes met Kyle’s mossy green ones, and it was easy to see the man was nervous; uncertain.

“I’ve… never done this before,” he admitted, blowing out a breath. “With another man, I mean.”

That had been easy enough to guess from Kyle’s surprised reaction to him. There wasn’t any need to point it out and bruise the poor boy’s ego, though. Instead, Wes just leaned further over him and murmured, “I’m a fantastic teacher.”

In the bedroom, at least. Medical students locked themselves in their cars and cried after spending the day with him. Or so he’d been told.

He claimed Kyle’s mouth in another hungry kiss, his hand staying where it was until he felt the man relax, even if his thighs were still insanely tense. Wes massaged gently, then moved inward again, more than ready to reveal his prize so he could at least get answers to some of his question.

But then Kyle pulled away, shifting in a way that better hid his arousal. Wes sat back and observed the man. He was blushing adorably, but there was something in his eyes that spoke of more than just inexperience. He wasn’t ready for this step. Wes was moving too fast, this encounter was too casual, and Kyle hadn’t had the chance to process what he wanted.

Ice water coursed through his veins, putting a sudden and painful end to his anticipation. He leaned back, returning to his cushion, and picked up the glass from the end table, offering it to Kyle. The younger man took it and drank gratefully.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, seeming genuinely bothered by his reaction. “I wanted something different. I guess I’m just… not ready for that big of a change.”

His eyes cast to Wes’ sheepishly, and Wes set his own needs and desires aside long enough to offer an understanding smile. He knew what it was like to flail about helplessly, not knowing what exactly you wanted and what you were ready for. It’d happened in high school for him, years and years ago, but that didn’t make Kyle’s realization of his queerness any less substantial.

Yes, Wesley Monroe was an asshole of the highest order. He claimed that title with pride. But he wasn’t the kind of guy who would force anyone into doing something—especially this. He’d never believed the “first time should be special” rhetoric, but it—and every time after—should be Kyle’s choice, not just something he coerced himself into doing because of a bitter breakup.

“You don’t have to apologize. No one should make you do something you aren’t ready to do,” Wes said simply. Kyle just stared at him, evidently convinced those words could not possibly have come out of his mouth. Wes’ lips twitched into a smirk. “What? Do I really come across as that much of an asshole?”

“Would you blame me for saying yes?”

He laughed, some of that tension easing in him. It didn’t hurt that he’d taken another sip of whiskey, too. “Not really.”

“It’s just, you seem like the kind of guy who does this all the time, and I’m… not. Not with women, not at all,” Kyle admitted, curling up on his corner of the couch.

There was no need to ask what “this” was. Wes would happily admit he was the kind of guy who would take home a different man every night if Hidden Creek had that wide of a selection on offer. After the first time, there were only a couple years in his life where he’d stuck with one partner. All through med school and residency, he’d made the most of his limited free time by seducing any man who looked like he might be fun for a night.

“You’re hurting. I get it,” Wes said, setting his glass down. “If you’re worried you’ve hurt my feelings or anything like that, don’t be. I’m a big boy. I can take it.”

He winked at that, and Kyle’s attention was instantly drawn down to Wes’ crotch. Though he wasn’t aching as painfully anymore, he was still hard, and he shifted proudly, having not an ounce of shame. Kyle’s cheeks burned.

“It’s not for lack of wanting to. I’ve never really been attracted to men before, but tonight…”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Wes said.

“It is.” There was a hunger in Kyle’s voice, tinged with a sadness that said hunger wasn’t going to be eased. Not tonight, anyway, and not with Wes. “I just need time to think. I mean, I’m in my mid-twenties.” A little younger than Wes assumed. Interesting. “I never expected to start questioning my sexuality.”

“There’s no expiration date for queerness,” Wes said with a smirk. “I realized I was gay when I was fourteen and having my hand on Becky Felton’s tit did nothing for me.” Kyle snorted at that. “I’ve met men who didn’t realize it until they were in their thirties or forties. Some even later than that. Your life and your experiences are yours, Kyle. Live them the way you want. If that means finding someone to engage in awkward teenage pawing with you for a while until you’re comfortable with more, then…” he lifted his glass as if in toast.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s what it means.” His tongue darted out, sweeping over his soft lips. If Wes didn’t know better, he would have thought he was being taunted. “I just need some time to come to terms with it all, you know?”

“I do.” Wes flashed him a grin. “I can’t count how many porn clips I watched before I felt comfortable sucking a guy off.”

Kyle had his glass up to his mouth, whiskey past his lips when he suddenly coughed and sputtered and turned beet red again. Wes could have lied and said he hadn’t done that on purpose, but where was the fun in that?

“Is that your recommendation, then? Hours of gay porn?”

“More like days,” Wes said without missing a beat.

Kyle laughed, a hearty, unashamed sound. It made him smile and seemed to work as just as much of a balm as fucking him would have. Seeing this man relaxed and enjoying himself—unafraid of being forced into something he wasn’t ready for—it made Wes feel strangely warm. Almost like he was looking out for someone; passing along courtesies he’d never really been given.

“Do whatever works for you, though it is a relatively safe space to explore what turns you on,” he finally said, his tone sobering. “And if we ever see each other again once you’ve figured things out…”

The rest of that statement hung in the air, a promise Wes hadn’t intended to keep. There were other men out there, and no reason to wait around for Kyle to be at the same stage he was. But some part of him leapt at the challenge of showing the man what he’d been missing. So much so that he was sure he mirrored the heat in Kyle’s eyes.

The younger man swallowed his whiskey heavily, then set the glass aside and stood. A playful smile tugged at Wes’ lips as he realized something Kyle had forgotten.

“You may want to do something about that,” he said, inclining his chin to indicate Kyle’s undone belt and pants.

“Jesus,” the man muttered, doing up zipper and buttons quickly, then fumbling with the belt. “That would’ve been awkward. Not really something I want to explain to my brother…”

Wes almost asked about Kyle’s brother, who was inevitably the other man he’d seen at the bar. He almost asked about what Kyle was planning on doing now, if he had a job lined up, where he was living. Things he had no business asking someone who hadn’t even been a one-night stand. Something about Kyle was painfully endearing, though, and that was why he needed to get the man out of his apartment.

“The Lyft driver would’ve told you,” he transitioned smoothly, “do you want me to get someone?”

“No, thanks. Brandon was supposed to swing back by, which I forgot about when I followed you out of Bottom’s Up…” Kyle ruffled a hand through his hair, his nerves seeming to grow by the moment. Wes just remained on the couch, lounging as non-threateningly as he could manage. “I’m gonna head out. Thanks for… well, not being as much of an asshole as you could’ve been.”

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” Wes lobbed back.

Kyle laughed again, shook his head, and then let himself out of the apartment, leaving Wes alone with his thoughts—and his disappointments.