A Likely Story: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology (22 page)

Instead, he opened his Maltesers with as much noise as possible and took out his phone. The perfect time to check and see if anyone had texted him.

While he scrolled through the screens on his phone and muttered under his breath, Will was too preoccupied to notice the shuffling and huffing from behind him until a hand was placed on his shoulder. The smell of mint wafted over his face.

“You’ve talked to yourself and commented the whole way through this movie, until now. Is this part so boring for you that you have to stop and play with your phone? It’s quite distracting.” The voice from behind him was deep and smooth as velvet, and a tingle ran down the whole length of Will’s spine.

Regardless of the effect from the voice, Will didn’t know this man from Adam. He shrugged the hand off his shoulder. Without turning around, he huffed, and then explained.

“The movie is great so far. I like the action and the plot. I just have no interest in seeing this part. But I’ll keep it down from now on, okay?”

The hand was back on his shoulder and that velvet voice was closer to his ear. “And why, specifically, don’t you want to see
this
part?”

Will closed his eyes as the whisper induced another shiver. He had to shift in his seat as his cock was beginning to thicken in response.

Hmm. How was he to answer that? Did he necessarily want to out himself to a complete stranger? Maybe he could be delicate about it, get his point across without actually saying the words. You never know how someone will react.

“Personally, I would prefer to see him with a strong, tougher character for the love interest instead of a petite, dainty-in-distress type.”

There. Let’s see what he has to stay about that
. He didn’t particularly say masculine, and you can certainly have strong, tougher female characters, so he thinks he’s covered it pretty well.

Still close to his ear, the voice again whispered, “Are you saying you would prefer to see him with a man?”

Apparently Will didn’t cover his meaning as well as he thought. Oh well. Might as well be honest now.

“Yes,” he replied, plain and simple as he turned to look at the conversationalist. Their eyes met and Will gasped out loud.

The other man’s mouth tilted up into a smirk and he leaned even closer to Will. “Hmm. I’d like that, too.”

“
Holy shit
!” escaped Will’s mouth before he could even think clearly. “You’re… but, you’re… what???”

“Shhh, it’s okay. No one knows I’m here. Let’s not draw attention to that fact.”

Will nodded his head in agreement, not trusting his voice. He’d already had trouble containing his thoughts while watching the movie, and that was before he knew just
who
was sitting behind him.

“Since you’re so vocal and opinionated about my movie, maybe you would like to discuss it and
other
plot points with me. We could, say, go back to your place and have quite a discussion?” He raised his left eyebrow quizzically, awaiting Will’s answer.

Will’s mind raced.
What the hell am I meant to say to that? FUCK YES!! But that might make me look too anxious. Though, seriously. Tom Kent is sitting behind me in the movie theatre, watching his own new release, asking me if I want to go back to my place with him and discuss my point of view of his film. SERIOUSLY??? Um, how can I say this without looking like a complete fanboy?

“HELL YEAH!” Will shouted, and at the replies of
shut up
from some of the other patrons, he realized he’d done exactly what he hadn’t wanted to do. He dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head while mumbling “Idiot,” to himself.

A deep, throaty chuckle met Will’s ears, followed by a gentle lick, then the words, “I’ll meet you at the entrance to the alleyway next to the cinema in five minutes. Okay?”

Too stunned to respond, he nodded his head in agreement. But by the time Will gathered his thoughts, Tom had disappeared.

Quickly looking from left to right, Will frantically searched for him.
He must be here. There is no way I could have imagined that! I felt his tongue on my ear. HOLY SHIT!!! I just had Tom Kent, the impossibly hot and perfect action movie star, licking my ear, and he wanted me to take him back to my place!

Will pocketed his phone and grabbed his rubbish to take with him to throw away as he left the cinema, and then made a hasty dash to the exit.

At the top of the alley next to the cinema complex, Will waited as he was instructed to.

Five minutes passed and no sign of Tom. Will started to replay the conversation in his head again, just to make sure he’d not misunderstood. Another shiver ran down his spine at the memory, and he knew he was not mistaken.

Another six minutes and Will was doubting the interaction again. He took a step in the direction of his apartment, but was stopped by a large hand placed on his shoulder. He was spun around and came face-to-face with Tom Kent, who was standing close, wearing a breathtaking smile.

“You were going to leave me here?”

OMG, he’s actually pouting,
Will gasped internally.
That has to be one of the sexiest things I have ever seen. Hmmmm what I would love to do to that protruding, plump, bottom lip.

Will shook his head to clear his thoughts and tried to answer Tom’s question.

“Well, I really didn’t want to, but the longer I stood here, the more I convinced myself that it didn’t really happen. You couldn’t possibly have been there and said those things to me.” With a shy smile and a slight shrug, Will hoped that Tom understood.

Tom released Will’s shoulder. He traced his forefinger in a line down Will’s bicep, and continued to trail farther down his forearm. Gently, Tom hooked his finger around Will’s pinky.

“Oh, you heard correctly. I was getting rid of my driver. Now lead the way to your apartment, um. … “. Will noticed the quizzical lift to Tom’s left eyebrow and realized he was asking his name.

“Will.”

With a smile and a nod, Tom continued. “… Will, so we can discuss the scene that
you
would like to see in my movie.”

Luckily, a Yellow cab was heading up the street in their direction. Will hailed the cab, and when it stopped he opened the door and they both jumped inside. He gave directions to the driver.

Will couldn’t help himself while in the cab and he turned his attention to Tom. Wouldn’t you know it, Tom was looking directly at him.

OMG OMG OMG! I cannot believe this is happening!
On the inside, Will was beside himself.

Completely absorbed in each other’s gaze, neither noticed the cab had stopped until the driver cleared his throat and asked for the fare.

Once the money was handed over, they stepped out and Will led Tom through the entry doors of the building to the industrial-sized, metal-cage elevator. Will placed his key into the third slot and pressed a button.

A loud, metal clunking sound startled Tom, and the elevator started to move upward.

“Well, this is interesting,” Tom commented.

Nervous excitement clearly came through Will’s voice when he squeaked, “Yeah.” He swallowed and tried again. “This old warehouse had been abandoned for many years. I guess someone saw potential and bought the property, and turned it into studio apartments.”

Finally all the noises stopped and the old but reliable elevator came to a halt at the third floor. It was also the top level of the old warehouse, although in no way could it be referred to as a penthouse suite. It was too rustic and old to ever be called that. Will just hoped that Tom was ok with slumming for a couple hours.

Will reached past Tom to unlatch the safety bar and pulled the metal grate open. The elevator entered directly into his main living space. As with all the apartments in this building, they were largely an open floor plan, except for the bathroom; although the bedroom in the studio was on the higher level, and therefore partially enclosed.

Will walked out first and threw his keys into the multi-colored glass dish that sat on top of a low-rise book shelf adjacent to the opening. He turned to Tom and spread out his arms in a wide, sweeping motion.

“Welcome to my little slice of the world.”

Tom followed him in and looked around, immediately drawn towards the paintings that hung on the far right wall.

Nervous as hell, Will didn’t know what to do. What was the normal thing to do when you had a movie star in your apartment? He decided a drink might be his best option, so he headed to the open galley kitchen and browsed his liquor cabinet, wondering what to offer.

“Would you like a drink? I have bourbon, rum, gin, red, and I’m sure there’s white in the fridge, and some beer.”

Without completely turning away from the paintings, Tom looked at him from over his left shoulder. “I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he said with a wink.

Two bourbon and cokes it was, then.

After fixing the drinks, Will looked up at Tom, who seemed to be taken by the paintings. Will took a moment to really check him out, and OH MAN, the camera did
not
do Tom justice. He was way more beautiful in person.

Will walked over and handed him his drink. “You seem to like these.”

“Yeah. They’re interesting and beautiful. Where did you get them?”

“Um. …”, Will hesitated for a moment. He had never been shy about his work before, but then again, he’d never had anyone of Tom’s stature interested in his art. He took a deep breath. “I didn’t buy them. I painted them.” His throat was suddenly dry and, eager to see Tom’s reaction, he lifted his drink and took a much needed gulp.

Tom’s eye’s finally left the paintings and he turned to Will, raising an eyebrow in question. “You’re an artist?”

Suddenly all his confidence returned and Will smiled proudly. “Yep. All the paintings and drawings you see in here are mine.”

“Wow. Do you have anything that you’re working on right now? Can I see it?” Without waiting for a reply, Tom walked farther around the studio apartment, hoping to find something in progress.

Will was completely unprepared for the request. He usually didn’t show anyone his work until it was finished, but to be fair, no one had ever asked to see anything in progress before. His small client base was quite happy to wait to see the finished product.

Will took another gulp of his bourbon before he placed it down on the rustic chest that served as a coffee table. He rubbed his hands on his thighs, and then walked toward Tom, grabbed his hand and led him to the other side of the studio. The left corner of his home was made up of glass walls from floor to ceiling, providing fantastic natural light. This was one of the reasons Will had wanted this top level apartment. The two studios below him didn’t have this feature, and it was perfect for his work.

“I don’t usually show my work until it’s completed, but since I’m trying something new and I won’t get this chance again, I’m going to show you. But on one condition.” Will took a deep breath while waiting for his response. At Tom’s nod, Will continued. “I’d like your honest opinion—good, bad, or creepy.”

In the corner standing next to the glass wall was an easel, with a large calico cloth hanging from the top that flowed down almost to the floor. This cover was for protection. Hesitantly, Will took hold of the bottom and lifted the sheet off, throwing it over the back of the stand to reveal the incomplete, charcoal drawing of a man. Only the basic outline of the head, neck and one bare shoulder had been sketched so far.

Tom was standing in front of the piece, his expression not giving away any of his thoughts.

Will nervously stood back and watched him intently, waiting for Tom’s realization and reaction.

Tom took a step closer and reached out a hand, almost about to touch the work, but thought better of it at the last second. His hand hovered in mid-air, his finger pointing directly at the mouth of the man on the paper.

He tilted his head slightly to side. “Will, would you like to continue the drawing now? I could sit over there for you.” Tom nodded his head in the direction of the single-seat couch, situated near the easel.

“Well that
is
an offer I can’t refuse.” Will was not going to pass up
this
opportunity. He turned and rushed to the cupboard where he stored his supplies, found a handful of charcoal and was back in front of his easel within a moment.

“Tom, take your shirt off and lounge back on the couch, please.” A huffing noise escaped Will as he muttered out loud again. “That is one sentence I never thought I would say for real.”

Never one to be shy about his body, Tom happily obliged and took off his shirt, dropped it on the floor and plopped down on the single sofa. His left arm was bent at the elbow and resting folded on the arm of the chair. His whole body was slouched towards the left, and his right leg was draped over the other armrest.

Will stood still for a moment and just soaked in the sight of the shirtless Tom Kent, lounging in a chair in his apartment, willingly posing for him.

After licking his lips, Will focused on the job at hand. “Hope this doesn’t bother you, but I never work with a shirt on,” Will voiced while removing his own shirt, tossing it on the floor with Tom’s. Then he chose a piece of charcoal and stepped closer to the easel.

Silence encased them as Will started to fill in the finer details of the facial features. He was captivated by Tom’s lips and wanted to make sure he drew them as perfect as they were on Tom’s face.

“Argh, you moved your mouth. Now it’s changed your whole face. You want to take a break?” Will asked as he stepped away from the easel. He turned to head to the kitchen to grab a couple bottles of water for them.

“Sure. Um, can I use your bathroom? And sorry for moving.” A sheepish smile graced Tom’s face.

“No drama. The bathroom is up the stairs, over there,” Will said as he pointed toward the staircase at the corner of the kitchen.

Tom nodded and stepped in that direction, but stopped. “You have a slide attached to your staircase. That is so cool!”

Will chuckled to himself. Most people had the same reaction when they noticed it. That was the other reason he wanted this particular apartment. Such a great way to start the day. Sliding down always helped him start off on the right foot.