Chapter Three

Milo had changed his clothes three times since he'd gotten out of the shower. He wanted to look good for Colt, but at the same time, he was going to work after their coffee. Not a chance Milo was showing up to his job in nice clothes. Not when he was always dirty by the end of his shift. He had to find a balance between casualwear and something he didn't mind getting dust and food on.

Which was the reason for changing his clothes numerous times in the past forty-five minutes. Milo started to change again, unhappy with the jeans and the almost-dress shirt he had on, but he forced himself to stay away from his drawers and closet. It wasn't as if he had a lot of choices in the first place, and the only thing he would end up doing was putting back on the clothes he'd already discarded.

"You're heading out earlier."

Milo's uncle leaned a shoulder against the doorframe as he sipped his coffee, his other hand tucked in his front pocket. Too bad Eric's good looks didn't match the man's violent personality. His hair was as dark as Milo's, but he kept it cut short. His eyes were a yellowish-green that Milo had always found strange, but pretty, and he was lean with muscles. His uncle was also a good foot taller than him.

"I just have some things I have to do before work." So far, Dan hadn't called Eric. Milo knew this because his uncle was being pleasant. Eric wasn't a jerk twenty-four-seven. Most of the time he was somewhat decent. It was when he either drank from that red bottle in the living room or was pissed off about something that he turned his sights on Milo.

Most of the time Milo hadn't done anything wrong, but when Eric was in a foul mood, he always found something to nitpick to justify his anger toward his nephew.

"Bring some groceries from work." Eric walked away, leaving Milo to put away the clothes he'd decided not to wear.

Then Milo stood in front of the mirror and twisted the ends of his hair, trying to look his best. The clothes he had on weren't his most flattering, but there was nothing he could do about that.

Grabbing his wallet and phone, Milo headed out. Since he didn't have a car, he would have to walk to Bluebird Café, which meant he had to leave now for his meetup with Colt if he wanted to make it on time.

The only vehicle parked off to the side of the house was Eric's beat-up red truck with two large rust spots on the back. Milo would have asked for a ride, but if his uncle gave him a lift, that would mean getting to town way too early. Besides, Milo tried his best to interact with Eric as little as possible.

The day was warm, and the sun was beating down, making Milo sweat like crazy by the time he made it to the café. Screw a coffee. He wanted something cold to cool him off. Something with plenty of ice sounded perfect.

The walk had also taken longer than Milo had expected. Now he wouldn't have an hour with Colt like he'd hope for. He would only have half that time before he had to head to work.

As soon as Milo stepped inside the quaint coffee shop, the cool exterior dried the sweat, making his skin itch. Colt was already there, leaning his hip against the counter as he talked with Ajax, the owner of Bluebird Café.

Milo was still as wildly attracted to Colt as he'd been last night. Just like the night before, Milo had an overwhelming urge to touch the guy, to trace Colt's muscular arms and chest, to feel the guy's beard under his fingers.

Colt's jeans hugged his backside, accentuating its roundness. Milo thoroughly appreciated a nicely shaped ass. Colt wore a soft gray T-shirt and stylish black Trento boots, which Milo recognized because he had always wanted a pair but could never afford them.

His gaze slid back up Colt's body, lingering on his ass once more, and then continued to the man's muscular torse. It wasn't until Milo reached Colt's gorgeous face that he realized both men were staring at him.

He'd just been caught ogling Colt's sexy physique. Heat erupted over Milo's face and ears as he cleared his throat and walked to the counter, praying neither man said anything to him about his lustful appreciation of Colt.

"Good morning." Colt's smile brought an immediate softening to his features. Or maybe it was the fact of seeing him during daylight hours instead of at night. Whichever the reason, Milo found himself falling under Colt's spell once again.

"Hi." Milo returned the smile, hoping it wasn't too wide and cheesy looking.

"What can I get you two?" Ajax asked.

Colt looked at Milo to allow him to order first. He was standing so close that Milo could have reached out and grazed his fingers over the guy's chest.

Don't you dare start touching him again. He was nice about it last night, but squeezing his thick guns might come off as intrusive and needy.

"A large strawberry lemonade with ice." Milo reached for his wallet, but Colt held up his hand.

"I invited you, so it's my treat." Colt turned his gaze toward Ajax. "Give me the same."

"I'll bring your drinks to your table," Ajax said.

Colt glanced down at Milo. The guy really was tall as hell. "Do you want to sit on the patio or stay inside?"

"Outside is fine." The patio was shaded from the sun, and now Milo was a bit chilly from the central air circulating inside. Besides, there were people in the café, and Milo preferred to have Colt all to himself.

As the two headed for the glass patio door, Colt rested his hand on the small of Milo's back. Then Colt held open the door for him, allowing Milo to go first and choose what table to sit at.

"After the chaos with Dan and me being rude to you last night, I didn't think you would show, especially since you were running late." Colt sat across from Milo at a back table. He would rather have had Colt sit next to him, but now Milo could gaze at the guy's rugged features and pretty green eyes.

"It took longer to get here than I anticipated, and we cleared up our rudeness toward each other last night," he said. "If you recall, we ended our conversations on the subject of wolves."

Colt's dark green eyes sparkled. "That's not something I'm going to forget. Have you ever seen one in real-life?"

"When I was six, my mom took me to the zoo. That's when I fell in love with them. We went back a few times during the summer each year until I was ten." Milo looked up when Ajax brought their drinks out, along with napkins and two wrapped straws.

"Thank you," Milo said.

"Let me know if you guys need anything else." Ajax walked away, leaving them alone again.

"So, you've been fascinated with the majestic animals since you were a kid." Colt took a sip of his drink, minus the straw, and Milo caught himself licking his bottom lip, wishing he was the rim of that glass. He was dying to know what Colt's lips tasted like and if they were as soft as they appeared.

Leaning forward, Milo whispered, "Don't tell anyone, but I have a wolf tattooed on my right shoulder blade."

Colt winked. "Your secret is safe with me."

"I went to this reputable tattoo parlor after researching the ones closest to Midnight Falls. Tattoos are forever, so you have to not only really consider what you want but pick the right place."

"Without a doubt," Colt replied.

"After I saved up enough money, I made an appointment. I can't tell you how scared I was of getting one. I heard it really hurts, and it felt like the needle was piercing bone."

Milio wasn't going to admit that he'd cried a few times during the session and asked the artist for a break more than once so he could have a breather.

Colt's chuckle was deep and mesmerizing. "I wouldn't know since I don't have any. My brother is covered in them, though. When did you get it?"

"Three weeks ago," Milo said. "I don't regret it. Rob did an amazing job, though it's hard to see it since it's on my back. I have to twist and turn just to get a glimpse. Thankfully Rob took a picture of it with my phone when he was done, so I don't have to always contort my body if I want to look at my ink."

"Do you mind if I see it?" Colt asked.

"Now?" Milo glanced at the large glass window next to them and saw that the customers had left. Only Ajax was inside, but he had his back turned, doing something behind the counter. Still… "I don't want to take my shirt off in public."

Guys did it all the time in the summer, but Milo was modest and a bit shy. He didn't have ripped abs or guns like the topless men he'd seen around town.

Colt got up. "I'll stand right here and you move in front of me. I'll block the view so anyone who comes into the café won't be able to see you."

"I just don't want anyone to get jealous of my skinny, pale chest." Milo stood, unsure if he should do as Colt asked. "I worked hard at not doing any exercises to maintain the lack of definition."

"I love your sense of humor." Colt placed his hands on Milo's hips and moved him until the interior of the shop was no longer in view. Milo stood there for a moment and simply stared up at Colt, lost in the guy's eyes as he reveled in having Colt's hands on him.

Colt didn't say anything as he gazed down at Milo. Just like last night, it was as if Milo was in a trance. What really blew his mind was the fact the wolf's eyes on his back were green.

The same dark hue as Colt's.

It had been a last-minute decision, and Milo still wasn't sure why he'd made the change from blue to green eyes.

"Tattoo, right." Milo gave Colt his back and then pulled his shirt over his head, clutching the fabric in his fists. "Be completely honest. What do you think?"

The tattoo covered Milo's entire shoulder blade. It depicted the same scene that was on his phone case because Milo loved that image so much. Only he'd asked the artist to make the wolf appear lost and heartbroken. Rob had exceeded Milo's wildest expectations, making the wolf's eyes appear as if the creature had a tortured soul.

He shivered when Colt's finger ghosted over his skin, almost as if tracing each line. "It's beautiful, Milo," he said softly. "The artist did an incredible job. He captured the loneliness and heartache in the wolf's eyes perfectly."

"That's why he charges the big bucks." Milo closed his eyes, goose bumps breaking out all over him as Colt continued to trace the ink. He could stand there for hours letting Colt's finger glide over his bare skin. Never in Milo's life had he felt such a deep connection to anyone else, as if he'd known Colt forever.

"Do you mind if I take a picture of it?" Colt hadn't stopped his featherlight touch when he asked.

"I don't mind." Milo wasn't sure why Colt wanted a picture, but a feeling of excitement shot through him knowing the guy would have the pic on his phone.

He could sense Colt digging his phone from his pocket, but his finger never let Milo's back until he snapped a few photos at different angles.

"Even though you can't see my face, don't post those on some weird fetish site," Milo joked.

"I've never been on a fetish site," Colt replied, his voice still seeming in awe of the tattoo. "If I want to satisfy a kink, I handle it myself." The guy's deep chuckle slid over Milo. "That came out all wrong."

Instead of just his face and ears, heat flushed through Milo's entire body as an image of Colt, naked and spread out over a comforter, pleasuring himself, filled his mind.

It was the most erotic scene Milo had ever imagined in his head.

"Put your shirt on, shorty. Some customers just walked into the café."

Milo thought about how upset he'd gotten last night when Colt had referred to Atlas as a shrimp, but truthfully, the word shorty almost sounded like a sweet endearment.

After sliding his shirt back over his head, they sat. Milo checked his phone for the time and saw he had twelve minutes left before he had to walk to work.

The time had gone too dang fast. "Thank you for asking me here this morning. I've had a really good time."

"Me, too." Colt leaned his forearms on the table. "I don't want you to think I'm being clingy, because that's not my style, but I'd love to take you to dinner once you get off work. Nothing fancy. We can enjoy a meal at the diner."

How sad was it that no one had ever taken Milo out on a date? Was it a date? He'd been in two relationships in the past, but his former boyfriends had never taken him out. Adam had been the laziest guy, always crying broke and never wanting to go anywhere. Then he started hitting up Milo for money and had become pissed when Milo said he didn't have it to give.

Adam also fought a lot with his mother, cursing at her and breaking things. Milo quickly dumped him.

Then there was Keith. Milo's last boyfriend had so many hangups that he should have been on medication. He refused to make any left turns when driving, freaked out a few times when Milo had accidentally kicked over the edge of the rug in the guy's apartment, and thought anyone female with a tattoo was a slut and any guy with one was garbage.

Those three things had only been the tip of the iceberg. By the time their relationship ended, Milo felt like he was the one who needed some damn medication. Keith had even been annoying as fuck when it came to correct body posture and using proper English. He had despised slang as if it was a filthy language.

Milo wished Keith all the best at finding anyone who would put up with his ridiculous idiosyncrasies.

Did Colt have any hang-ups or baggage? He'd said something at the reception about his mom being was a cruel, heartless bitch who'd derived pleasure out of torturing him.

Milo hoped Colt didn't have any deep-seated issues because he really liked the guy. He'd never felt so overwhelmingly attracted to someone before. Not like this. Not to the point that he became enthralled whenever he was near Colt.

"I don't get off of work until seven," Milo said. "I don't have to work Tuesday. We could meet up for lunch."

He was always exhausted after work, and Milo didn't want to be too tired to enjoy Colt's company. All he ever wanted to do after a long day was go home, shower, and chill in his room.

"Two days." Colt rubbed his bearded chin as he looked as if he was thinking it over, though there was a playful glint in his eyes.

"We can talk on the phone and text until we meet up again," Milo suggested. Two days seemed a long time to him, too. He wanted to hear Colt's voice before then and get to know the guy through calls and text messages.

"I'd really like that," Colt said. "It won't be the same as being with you in person, but I think I can suffer through forty-eight hours without seeing you."

Milo grinned. He liked that Colt wanted to spend time with him. That meant he hadn't bored the guy today. "You have my number, though I can't be on my phone at work."

"You tell me the hours I can't contact you, and I'll make sure that I don't." Colt stood. "I know you have to get going. I'll walk you to your car."

"I don't have a car." Milo got up and grabbed his glass. He was going to ask Ajax to put his drink in a to-go cup. It was too good to waste.

"Do you live in town?" Colt pushed his chair in, and so did Milo, hating that their time together had ended.

"I live off of Bask Road."

Colt's dark brows furrowed. "You walked here? That has to be a good ten miles, shorty."

"I don't mind walking." Milo skirted around Colt and headed for the glass door. "I'm used to it, and it's good for my heart."

"At least let me drive you to work." Colt held the door for him, and Milo ducked under his arm, loving that he'd felt cocooned for five seconds. Whatever cologne the guy was wearing smelled so good that Milo wanted to shove his nose in Colt's neck and get a lungful.

"The grocery store is a fifteen-minute walk from here." Milo went to the counter and asked Ajax to transfer his drink into a plastic cup. He could do fifteen minutes with ease.

"Please." Colt rested a hand on Milo's upper arm. "I would really like to drive you there."

Since it would give him a bit more time with Colt, Milo nodded. "Okay, but don't make a habit out of chauffeuring me around. My feet might get used to being pampered."

When they were outside, Colt led him to a burnt orange Range Rover that gleamed under the rays of the sun. "This is yours?"

"My tastes are simple." He hit the fob and unlocked it. "Hop in, handsome."

Milo was mindful of his drink as he climbed into the passenger seat. The interior was burnt-orange and black, and there was a large touchscreen on the dash with a ton of buttons below it.

It even smelled brand-new. Milo had never been inside a luxury truck before and was nervous about spilling his drink. "This is really nice," he said when Colt slid into the driver's seat.

"Thanks." Colt pushed a button to start it, and Milo noticed how quiet the engine was. Eric's battered pickup made a lot of weird noises and smelled like burning motor oil. The seats were worn and ripped in a few spots, and his AC didn't even work. It definitely wasn't as clean as Colt's truck, either.

Colt reversed from the parking space then drove forward, the car moving effortlessly down the street.

Too soon they arrived at the grocery store. Milo usually liked going to work to get away from his uncle. But now he sat there wishing he could stay with Colt for a few more hours.

"Let me drive you home after work. You shouldn't be walking those back roads." Colt's gaze made butterflies erupt in Milo's stomach. The thick lashes only made his eyes appear more seductive.

Shoving those thoughts aside, Milo concentrated on Colt's offer. He didn't want Colt to see the sad state of his house. He also didn't want Eric knowing about Colt. His uncle didn't care that Milo was gay, but he had a tendency to embarrass his nephew in front of others.

"My coworker gives me a ride home," Milo lied. "I'll see you Tuesday."

He reached for the handle as Colt said, "Call or text me when you get home so I know you made it."

With a nod, Milo jumped out and headed inside the store.