This Charming Man (Queen City Boys Book 1) by Ajax Bell

Author:Ajax Bell [Bell, Ajax]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Gay
ISBN: 9781939423283
Publisher: Jugum Press
Published: 2014-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

24.

An Artist and a Mad Scientist

“SO, IS IT TOM OF FINLAND over there that you’re all worked up about?”

Steven glanced in the direction Ryan indicated, his eyes widening. “Nope, but holy shit, is that guy real? He literally looks like he stepped out of the comics. I’ve never seen anyone like that, even at a gay bar.” Steven turned back, trying not to notice what John was doing on the other side of the room.

“Okay,” Ryan said, dropping voice and leaning in. “If your man is tall, handsome, and slightly older, then I think he’s headed right for us, right now.”

Steven, keeping his face neutral, fought the urge to turn around. He dropped his empty plate in a nearby trash can and shifted hands with his drink.

“You must be Steven,” a tall, dark, severe-looking man said, holding out his hand. Steven felt Ryan’s curious look while he shook the man’s hand.

“Yes. Hello, and you are?”

As the man looked him over, Steven remembered the rake of those eyes from the first night he’d seen John at the bar. “Shane,” the man said, releasing Steven’s hand and turning to Ryan.

“This is Ryan,” Steven said.

“Ryan Ikeda.” He shook Shane’s hand.

“So you’re John’s computer genius friend, right? And are you the roommate?” Shane smiled like a prowling tiger. Steven felt consumed, judged and spit out.

Ryan looked confused for a second, and then said, “Actually yes, I was a roommate, though Steven moved out several weeks ago. But maybe you’re thinking of Adrian?”

“Are you the boyfriend then?” Shane asked.

“Nope, just came for the food.” Ryan lifted his plate to prove it.

“So you’re both single?” Shane’s tiger smile became pleasantly solicitous.

“Yes,” Ryan said, “though very recently for me.”

“Excellent. So, Ryan, what do you do?”

“I’m an art student, and I work at Nordstrom.”

“Perfect. An artist and a mad scientist.”

“Mad scientist?” Steven wasn’t sure what was happening.

“Computer genius, whatever.” Shane waved his hand. “Smart, anyway. And arty and both so very nice-looking.”

“I’m sorry,” Ryan said, picking another stuffed mushroom from the buffet. “Who are you exactly?”

“Shane.” The scold in John voice’s resonated through Steven, the roughness making him shiver. John approached from the left and joined their group with another man, the bearded giant from that first night at Neighbours. “You aren’t trying to recruit our friends into your matchmaking schemes, are you?”

“You excuse my partner,” the other man said, with a distinct Russian accent. “He collects pretty young friends, but he means no harm.” He reached a hand to Steven. “Sebastian Kamenev. You can call me Bash.”

Steven shook his hand. “Steven Frazier. This is my friend, Ryan Ikeda.” Ryan put out his hand politely.

“Ah, I don’t know why I assumed you’d met before. I’m sorry. Yes, this is Shane and Bash,” John said to Steven. He turned to Ryan. “I’m John Pieters. Hello, Ryan. Welcome to our party.”

“Nice to meet you, John. Thank you for having us. This place is beautiful.” Ryan glanced to Steven as he released John’s hand, his eyes searching, reading Steven. Finding what he wanted, he grinned at Steven and turned back to John.

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