A Kind of Honesty Read online

  “Water is fine.” Phoenix gave me a lopsided smile, then spread his arms to encompass the open-style space. “Your place is nice.”

  “Thanks. You were here last week, remember?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t notice much.”

  The two-bedroom apartment was actually pretty standard for the neighborhood. We had high ceilings and plenty of natural light from the bank of windows opposite our small kitchen. The decor was student chic, but nice. The focal point was the large flat-screen TV in front of the comfy sofa.

  I handed him a water bottle before moving into the adjoining living area and flopping gracelessly onto the sofa. “Wanna play a game?”

  “A game?” Phoenix perched on the cushion next to me and narrowed his eyes. “I thought you wanted to…”

  “I do, but you’re nervous. You’re biting your lip.” I pulled him against me and rested my arm over his shoulder before grazing my thumb across his mouth.

  “Hmm. Maybe I am.”

  “Video games help me relax. Do you play?”

  “I played Mario Kart when I was little. Does that count?”

  I gave him a speculative once-over then nodded reluctantly. “I want to say no, but it’s a classic. And I happen to own it. Let’s play.”

  “Now?”

  I shoved a controller in his hands before rummaging through my games to find my battered copy of Mario Kart 7. “You’re probably gonna kick my ass here. It’s been awhile, but the game doesn’t really change. It’s a racing game. There’re some cool features like hang-gliding and underwater racing. Oh, and you can customize your vehicle too. So, check this out…”

  Within ten minutes, we were completely engrossed in the game. Okay, that’s a lie. I had a hard time concentrating. Phoenix downplayed his skills and his competitive side. He was ruthless. He leaned against me when he turned corners or made wild jumps. When he passed a level, he whooped with joy and when he slipped on banana peels or crashed into oil cans, he growled in frustration.

  “This game is rigged,” he griped, sliding the controller on the coffee table and then crossing his arms like a cranky ten-year-old.

  I barked a quick laugh and pulled him against me before waging a full-on tickle war. “Take that back,” I warned.

  “Max!” he giggled, batting my hands and wiggling out of my hold.

  I went suddenly still when his leg grazed my crotch one too many times. I was sporting serious wood now, and he was panting and looking at me with twinkling eyes and…

  I cupped his neck and drew him closer. “Hey.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can I kiss you?”

  He nodded once, then leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. I tried to be gentle, but Phoenix had other ideas. He shifted to a kneeling position and straddled my thighs, never breaking the connection. Once he settled over me, he deepened the kiss, gliding his tongue alongside mine before pulling back to nip my bottom lip. I ran my hands over his shoulders and down his sides before finally resting them on his ass. We sucked and licked at each other with a growing sense of urgency. It took a fuckton of self-control not to flip him over and grind myself shamelessly against him. But the second I tilted my hips and felt his obvious erection, I was done holding back. I had to have more.

  About the Author

  Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were First Place winners in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

  *Be sure to join Lane’s reading group, Lane’s Lovers, on Facebook for immediate updates!

  Also by Lane Hayes

  A Kind of Truth

  A Kind of Romance

  A Kind of Home

  Starting From Zero

  Out in the Deep

  Out in the End Zone

  Out in the Offense

  Out in the Field

  Leaning Into Love

  Leaning Into Always

  Leaning Into the Fall

  Leaning Into a Wish

  Leaning Into Touch

  Leaning Into the Look

  Leaning Into Forever

  Better Than Good

  Better Than Chance

  Better Than Friends

  Better Than Safe

  The Right Words

  The Wrong Man

  The Right Time

  A Way with Words

  A Way with You