...Emilien walked back into the kitchen. He looked at Tash, his eyes sad. “And how exactly is it with us, Tash?”

She looked away. “I made a fool of myself tonight. Can’t you see how embarrassed I am?”

“But there’s no need to be embarrassed about human desire.” Emilien took a step toward her. “Look at me.” He put his hands on her shoulders, turning her around. “The greatest gift you can give someone is letting them know they are desirable. I don’t think less of you because of tonight, and you don’t need to run off in order to confirm how much I care about you. I do care about you, or I wouldn’t be here. Don’t you realize how dangerous it is out there for you? Don’t you ever do that to me again!”

Tash nodded. Her eyes were full of tears. “Okay,” she whispered, pulling away from him, “but just give me some time on my own right now. I just want to be alone.” She brushed by him and went into her bedroom.

Emilien hung his head.

Carl put his mug in the sink. He turned to Emilien, who hadn’t moved. “Why didn’t you?” he asked.

“Why didn’t I what?”

“Take her to bed…many men would have.”

“What makes you think I’m the kind of man who does what everybody else does?” Emilien raised an eyebrow. “And I think you know that I’m gay.”

“And what about Montreal? Tash seems to think there was something between you?”

“There was nothing between us…not sexually.”

“Okay, you’re gay, so let me ask you this then. If Tash had been a man who tried to seduce you tonight, what then?”

Emilien narrowed his eyes. “Why are you asking me this?”

“Curious, that’s all,” Carl commented.

“Curious? Are you curious, Carl, about me?” His eyes were intensely dark all of a sudden.

“Why do you do this?” Carl demanded. “Turn questions around and throw them back at me?”

Emilien looked down at the floor. “The answer to your question is ‘probably.’ An invitation from an attractive man might be just what I need right now.”

“I see.”

“Okay, your turn to answer my question. Are you curious about me, Carl?”

“It depends on what you mean.” Carl gave him a smug smile.

“You want me to spell it out? Okay. Are you curious about me sexually and otherwise?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I don’t need to…” He trailed off.

“Why don’t you kiss me and see what kind of reaction you get?” Emilien invited, moving closer.

Carl was just about to step out of the kitchen. For a moment, he thought he had misunderstood him. He froze, his breathing deepening, and he felt his cock stir.

“Unless,” Emilien said, “you’re afraid.”

He stood still, glued to the spot.

Emilien spoke again. “You are afraid.”

“Afraid?” he managed. He turned, looked at him. “What would I be afraid of, Emilien?”

“Yourself. Maybe you’re afraid I can move you in a way Steven can’t. Maybe you’re afraid to find out”—Emilien paused, his voice strained suddenly with emotion—“afraid to find out just how desperately I want you right now.”

Carl’s legs began to shake. He put one hand on the doorframe for support. He ran his gaze over Emilien and reached out as if to touch him. He was filled with a deep physical craving for him but he had no words for it. How did one put words to such intense feelings of desire? Emilien was practically a stranger and yet, at this moment, Carl felt as if he could completely abandon himself to him…giving him everything.

Emilien took a deep breath. “Well, at least Tash will have company tonight on the rejection list.” He walked to the back door and opened it, but hesitated for a second, waiting for Carl to say something.