...Derek didn’t know which was more cumbersome to maneuver into the bus—his equipment cases or the erection that bulged in his jeans. Only one thing was going to make it go away. Too bad he didn’t have time to take care of it. He was torn between wanting Brad to notice it and praying he wouldn’t.

Once inside, he blinked his eyes to adjust from the bright sun. Light pecan paneling covered the walls. That was really the only unique thing he could see about the area. Everything was decorated in utilitarian shades of cream and brown. Variegated brown carpet skipped to matching tiles in the kitchen. A door to his right led to the front—Brad’s area. Despite the boxes and suitcases around the area, the shared space was open and appeared comfortable. A sectional sofa hugged the wall and was the only seating in the living room. A long table with a small bowl of green M&Ms in the center hugged it.

That smile he’d fought burst through. Unless he missed his bet, the candies were a contract “ploy,” similar to the ones Derek had used. Since the candies were there, Brad and his agent knew Alpha had read their stipulations carefully.

The kitchen contained a U-shaped booth across from a counter with built-in appliances that would be the envy of any homeowner. The door beyond led to his room.

Hard strides took him in that direction. The bus didn’t so much as rattle—very solid construction. He set down one stack of cases and shouldered open the door. The décor didn’t change—still creams and browns. The appearance of comfort hadn’t changed either. A full-size bed with a bookcase headboard was centered against the far wall. Two large Snickers bars were on the pillows. Derek’s smile widened. Alpha had definitely read the contracts thoroughly. He’d tuck the candy away for his kids. They looked forward to the treat each time he had a job.

A door in the corner opened to the bathroom. There was little maneuvering room around the bed, but as long as Derek had a place for all his gear he didn’t care. And that space was right before him. Easy and ready access was going to be a cinch.

He set down his load, then pivoted to leave…and ran right into Brad.

They stood there frozen, gazes locked, chest to chest, and a hair’s breadth from being crotch to crotch. He watched Brad’s deep blue eyes slowly sweep his face, settling on Derek’s lips.

Damn everything! Derek wanted him, wanted to feel those lips on his, their tongues twining while their hands roamed each other’s body. Everything about them matched, right down to the aftershave they used—Old Spice. Would it be so wrong to indulge…just this once? If he was on guard, warned his heart this could go nowhere, wouldn’t that be okay?

Even as he thought it, Derek dismissed the notion. His heart always got involved. It was part of who he was. He’d never been smart enough, or coarse enough, to stop the emotion that went with sex.

“Excuse me,” they said in unison as they side-stepped one another and walked on.

It was all he could do not to spin around and tumble the other man onto the bed beckoning beyond. He’d loved to see Brad naked on the sheets, his bronzed body Derek’s to explore and taste.

No! He shook his head hard. I don’t fuck models. I don’t fuck models.