Chapter 2: Chapter 2

“If you wanted cream and sugar with your coffee, all you had to do was ask.”

I jumped from the sudden voice. The coffee splashed up and over the sides of the mug. I didn’t have to turn around to know whom the playful voice belonged to. I smiled and looked up at him as he took a seat on the arm of the wing-backed chair. He clutched a white towel in his hand. My face became eye-level with his armpit. I could smell the intoxicating scent of his deodorant, mixed with his muskiness, drifting from the opening of his shirt.

“You left before I got your name. I’m Alan.” He ran his fingers through the reddish-orange curls of my hair. “I’ve always had a soft spot for ginger men.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. “Tell me, is the rest of your body hair this color?”

“Would that be better to discover that answer yourself?” I sipped on my coffee trying to be playful. “I’m Joe.”

“Is that an invitation to find out?”