Description
Stepping Out – Shayne Carmichael & Mychael Black
Fresh out of a controlling relationship, Todd Jacobs decides he needs a night out for once. The moment he sees Loren Spears, he is smitten. What starts as a hook-up quickly grows into something far more. Can Loren’s out-and-proud personality help Todd finally open up?
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EXCERPT:
Todd Jacobs stared at the clock and followed each incremental movement of the second hand, mentally counting each tick. Five hours ago, the front door had slammed behind Elliot. Six fucking years had just walked out, and Todd didn’t know why. Over the last several months, Elliot had become increasingly morose and uncommunicative — not that he’d ever been much of a conversationalist — but it had definitely worsened. No amount of cajoling and attempts to talk worked. Elliot had effectively brushed Todd off like an annoying speck of dust.
Todd finally hauled his ass out of the chair to get a shower. What he needed was a good binge and he knew the perfect place for it. Besides, a little rebound sex never hurt anyone, right? A couple minutes later, stripped naked in front of the mirror, he inspected himself with a critical eye. He didn’t look that bad… did he? He studied his reflection: a man in his early thirties, clean-cut, average. He wasn’t kinky or wanton, but he knew what he wanted in a man. Or so he thought.
He managed to convince himself of two things: yes, he needed this night out, and, no, he wasn’t cheating. Elliot walked out, gone forever. There was no one to cheat on. Todd turned away from his bout of self-scrutiny and went to the bathroom. He started the water in the shower, then stepped under the spray, eyes closing as the warmth seeped into his skin, his bones. Yeah, he needed to get out.
Half an hour later, dressed and wearing a smile that didn’t quite reach the inside, Todd walked out of his house, ignoring the almost overwhelming sound of finality when he closed his front door behind him.
The Backdoor, despite the somewhat nefarious name, was surprisingly upbeat with a good mix of customers. Todd didn’t bother driving, opting instead to walk the four blocks. Living downtown had its advantages, he supposed. On the outside, the club looked like a storefront, though the windows had been tinted enough to appear almost black. He hadn’t been here in, well, ages. It wasn’t exceedingly busy, which allowed Todd to walk in without really being noticed. He stopped at the bar to get a beer, then headed for a booth in a dark corner, content to sip and watch.
Before he knew it, he was on his fourth.
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