"Thank you," Colin said, producing his keychain from his pants pocket. "I'll be sure to tell Gwen that you saw me to my door. I ... do mean that, by the way. I appreciate it."

Grady edged around the front of the bike, removing the final barrier between them. "Does that mean you're not going to give me the evil eye any time I walk by from now on?"

"I can't promise that. But on Monday when I make the Starbucks run, I'll ask if you want something."

"Even better." Another step closer. Colin wasn't shying away. In the pale porch light, his eyes were dark pools, unreadable and oddly hypnotic. Grady took another step. "Thank you for the dance, by the way."

"It ... wasn't terrible." Colin tilted his head closer by just a fraction of an inch and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "God, I bet you lure a lot of unsuspecting boys into your clutches."

"Only the willing ones," he murmured. Reaching out, he dared to finally run his thumb down Colin's jaw, ending at the corner of his mouth. The beard was softer than anything should be, and his taste buds prickled at the question of what it would be like to lick along the strong lines of Colin's face. He swallowed hard. "Though the ones who make me work for it always end up being the sweetest."

Colin licked his lips, the tip of his tongue barely touching the edge of his thumb, and Grady knew he was staring but he just couldn't help himself. Colin's lips looked full and soft -- Grady ached to know if they tasted like the lime and salt he'd been sucking on all night.

"I really shouldn't let you do that," Colin murmured, the corner of his mouth just moving beneath Grady's thumb.

"You probably shouldn't let me do this, either."

He kept his eyes open as he leaned forward, ready for Colin's first sign of protest. He expected one. Colin had thrown up every wall possible from the moment they met. But Colin remained motionless, his breath quickening, washing hot and salty across Grady's parted lips.

The first contact sent a tingle straight to his cock, and any thought of keeping the kiss simple vanished. A groan escaped him as he sealed his mouth over Colin's, his hand slipping behind the man's neck to hold him firmly in place.

Colin didn't resist the caress or Grady's grip. He was warm and malleable, his body fitting against Grady's, his tongue dipping into Grady's mouth. Grady's other hand went to Colin's hip, pulling him closer, like they were dancing again. There was the taste of lime on his lips, and the darker, sharper hint of tequila when Grady swept his tongue through his mouth. Colin moaned and reached up to fist Grady's shirt, fingers curling into the material, nails scraping across his chest.

It was more exhilarating than anything he'd dreamed, more satisfying for the strength of Colin's response. He nipped at the tender flesh of Colin's lower lip, then soothed it over with a lick that left both of them shivering. Another bite, another swipe, and his head was swimming, his flesh hungry for more.