Page 9 of Survival Game

Kyle nodded as he collected his satchel and slid his arms into his faux Hugo Boss padded hoodie.

“That’s fine. I could do with the exercise.”

“You don’t look like you need exercise,” Eric murmured. “You look pretty fit to me.”

Oh, he was flirting now, was he? This evening promised to be enjoyable.

The walk didn’t take long and while they didn’t say much weaving through streets teeming with people, it was a companionable silence. Before long they were settled in a quiet corner of the pub, enjoying the local ale.

Kyle may have been a top-notch mixologist and sought-after casino host in Vegas, but at heart he was a simple soul with a love for good beer and rum.

Eric sat back, legs akimbo, beer in hand and regarded Kyle lazily. “So, Ryan and Mango were getting it on when you walked in on them then?”

Kyle laughed. “Yep. Ry was delivering what looked like one helluva blowjob and Mango looked as if he wanted to deck me for interrupting.”

Both men chuckled and took a sip of their drinks. Kyle looked at Eric questioningly. “So, tell me if I’m overstepping the mark. You and Ryan tried dating but it didn’t work out? What happened?”

Eric shrugged, his long fingers wrapping around his beer bottle as he gestured toward Kyle. “Oh, you know. We thought there were sparks, but there weren’t, and it turned out we were better off as friends. Ryan hadn’t got over Mango, and, frankly, I thought it was a matter of time until they found their way back together.” He grinned. “I’m glad I was right. Those guys deserve each other.”

Kyle raised his bottle in a salute. “Amen to that.”

He couldn’t help noticing the line of Eric’s throat as he drank. There was a certain spot—just there—that begged to be licked. Kyle saw himself leaning over the table and dragging his tongue up the stubbled throat then finding Eric’s plump lips in a kiss that—

“Earth to Kyle.” Eric regarded him with amusement. “Do I have something on my face?”

The warm flush that suffused Kyle wrapped around his body. “Erm, no, sorry. I was thinking of something else.”

Eric raised an eyebrow, which Kyle found mouth-wateringly sexy. “Anything I should know about? I almost felt like you were getting ready to serve me up with a slice of lemon and eat me.”

Kyle couldn’t resist it. “I’d love to eat you,” he murmured. “It’s one of my favourite things to do.”

Eric’s eyes widened, and the look of lust that overtook his face left Kyle breathless.

“Oh yeah?” Eric shifted in his seat. “We’ll have to try that one night. Now that you’ve offered, you can’t take it back.” He grinned and settled back in his chair. “I’m sure I could return the favour.” His gaze smouldered as he stared into Kyle’s eyes.

Kyle’s arse clenched at the thought of Eric’s tongue licking his hole, getting deep inside him. His cock was enjoying the idea too.

They were interrupted by their waitress, which probably was just as well. Kyle was sporting a hard-on that threatened to blow. She plunked down their plates of chips, asked if they wanted anything else, barely waited for their head-shakes, and then left.

Kyle lathered his in brown sauce, ignoring Eric’s grimace, then popped a hot chip in his mouth and gave a deep groan. “Oh, that tastes good.” He licked the sauce off his fingers, while watching Eric’s face.

Eric shook his head, and gave a soft laugh. “I see what you’re trying to do,” he muttered. “God, you are such a tease.”

Kyle smirked. “Well, thank you, kind sir. I do try.”

Their conversation turned to football, politics and some animated discussion about who was the best James Bond when Eric asked a question that Kyle wasn’t ready to answer.

“So, Ryan tells me you used to work in Vegas as a croupier? Must have been fantastic. Sounds glamorous. What made you come back to the UK?” His head was cocked to one side and his expression was one of true curiosity.

Shit, Eric, did you have to go there now? We were having such a good time.

Kyle gulped down the rest of his almost finished drink then shrugged. “I got tired of it all. It’s a cutthroat business, and believe me, it looks like a beautiful lifestyle on the outside, but inside it’s dirty as hell. Not everything shiny is good; sometimes it’s just the dark tarnish that makes it look so inviting.”

Especially when that dark tarnish is your ex-boyfriend.

Eric huffed. “Wow, profound. I get where you’re coming from. Sometimes people say things like, ‘It must feel wonderful saving people in your job.’” His tone was laced with bitterness, face shadowed, and for the first time, Kyle got a glimpse that there were demons lurking within Eric Kirby. “It’s the not saving people that churns your gut and gives you nightmares.” He looked at his plate for a moment then lifted his head with a strained smile. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to put a downer on the evening.”

Kyle waved a hand. “No problemo. We all have our crosses to bear.” He reached around into his jacket pocket. “I did learn a few parlour tricks over there, though. Wanna see a card trick?”