Free Under My Skin by M. L. Rhodes Page A

Sebastian's perspective as best he could when he wasn't even sure what the man was getting at.
    Trying a different approach, and keeping his voice as calm and even as possible, he said, “What is it about you being a smart guy that bothers you. Do you think people treat you differently?”
    Sebastian sighed. “I know they do. And I wasn't implying you aren't smart. You just... you wear it differently than I do. You're good-looking, sexy as all get out with your hot body and your tattoos, and it's obvious everyone likes you. I suspect you could have any lover you wanted— in fact I'd stake my life that you've never had a shortage of them. Whereas I seem to radiate some kind of energy that tells everyone, ‘Look at me, I may not wear a pocket protector, but I'm still a geek.'” He gave Dylan an angry glare not unlike the ones he'd flamed him with over the past few weeks each time he'd come into Rad Tattoos to lodge a complaint. “Most potential lovers don't really find that a turn-on.”
    Dylan stared at him.
    Jesus, what had happened to the man to make him think such a thing? Someone at some point in time had done a real number on Sebastian to lower his self-confidence like this, and it pissed Dylan off in a big way. Had someone given him shit for being brainy and well-educated? Told him he wasn't good-looking or sexy? Whoever it was had been an asshole of the first order. Yeah, Sebastian came across as being a pulled-together intelligent man, bookish even at times, but there was nothing remotely geeky about him. And it sure as shit wasn't a turn-off.
    “Look,” he said, taking the two steps that separated him from Sebastian and pulling the man's beautiful body against him. “I can't presume to know what's happened in your life to make you doubt yourself or your appeal. But I sure as hell can show you that I don't agree. I damn well can't even look at you without this happening.” He grasped Sebastian's hand and brought it to his groin, where his dick was already getting stiff again.
    A soft, surprised gasp escaped Sebastian's full, parted lips, and his eyes glazed over. His fingers curled around Dylan's girth and squeezed lightly.
    “Your intelligence doesn't turn me off in any way.” He kissed Sebastian's stubbled jaw line, his neck, bit at his earlobe. “I told you, I think it's sexy as hell. You're sexy as hell,” he breathed into his ear. “So fucking sexy you're all I've been able to think about for weeks. So fucking sexy I could barely walk when we got to the bar tonight because I had a hard-on the size of Texas from having you pressed up against my back as we rode.”
    “I had the same problem,” Sebastian whispered, his voice shaky with what sounded like barely restrained desire.
    “Oh, I know.” He rolled his groin against Sebastian's. “Just like the one you have now.”
    He brushed another kiss over Sebastian's lips, and rubbed his palms up and over the man's sleek chest, intentionally dragging his thumbs over the copper-colored nipples. “I'm thinking with a drawer full of condoms and a bottle of lube in the nightstand, my bed is exactly where we need to go right now so I can show you in as many ways as possible just how damned hot and delicious you are.”
    Sebastian's eyes closed and he let out a soft huff of breath as he nodded. “I won't say no to that idea.”
    “Good. Let's take food to bed with us,” Dylan said. “We never ate anything at the bar and you're going to need your strength.”
    Sebastian's eyelids fluttered open to reveal a heat that seared straight to Dylan's groin. “As long as we don't have to go anywhere to get it and it doesn't involve having to take time to cook it.”
    Dylan grinned. “My thoughts exactly. Do you do Chinese? I have leftover take-out from last night.”
    “Perfect.”
    “A man of my own heart.” Dylan let Sebastian go, and missed his heat the moment he did. He scooped Hennessy off the counter and set her on the floor, washed his hands, then