Free The Christmas Top by Christi Snow Page B

Collins.
    So why would he pretend to be his date? Could this be some sort of cruel gay-bashing joke? Mark had never given him a hard time in high school like some of the other guys, but after what happened to Jon, he wanted to be careful.
    He still stared at the confounded man. “I’m sorry. You look like someone I used to know and it threw me. Hi, Mark. I’m….” He faltered. Mark didn’t act like he recognized him. And Jason had no intention of changing that, not until he figured out Mark’s plan.
    Jason cleared his throat. “Sorry, I’m nervous. This is the first time I’ve done this type of thing. I’m Sidney.” He could manage to answer to his middle name.
    His weak explanation seemed to satisfy Mark, who relaxed with an easy grin. “That’s okay. It’s nice to meet you, Sidney.” He nodded his head toward the bar. “Do you want to get a drink or would you like to go on into the dining room for dinner?”
    “I’d love to order a drink, if that’s okay with you.” He gestured down to the drink in Mark’s hand as he puzzled over his possible motivation. He seemed genuine, but that didn’t make sense. “It looks like I need to catch up. Grab us a table and I’ll go order from the bar. Do you want another?”
    “No, this one is fine. Thanks.”
    Mark walked toward the cluster of tables, his fine ass flexing. If only this could be a real date . More muscular than the guys he normally considered to be his type, Mark had a typical football player’s physique. Jason enjoyed watching them flex under his jacket as he walked away. He had an incredible sexy quality. Imagining him bent over so Jason could drive into his tight ass already had his cock begging. Definitely sex-on-a-stick, but that didn’t change the fact Mark played for the other team. No pun intended.
    The bartender approached to take his order. Subtly pulling his jacket closed, he hid his rock-hard erection from her.
    She watched Mark, too. “You’re a lucky guy. He’s hot.”
    “Yeah, he is, but, unfortunately, he’s not gay, so that means he’s not my type.”
    She quirked an eyebrow. “Yeah, he is. You should have seen his face when you walked into the room. He’s completely into you.”
    “You think?” How was that even possible? How could Mark be gay? But Jason couldn’t deny his body wanted that to be true. Jason’s erection pulsed with just the possibility. It had been so long since he’d had that kind of instantaneous reaction to someone else. Not since Jon died. That had to mean something, right?
    “Definitely. What can I get you?”
    “Do you have Budweiser in a bottle?” He considered drinking something with more kick, but he still didn’t trust Mark’s motives. He wanted to keep his wits and reflexes about him. Besides, being from St. Louis, drinking a Bud equaled drinking water to him.
    “Yep.” She reached inside the fridge below the bar, pulled one out, and popped the top for him.
    “Thanks.” He handed her a ten. “Merry Christmas.”
    “Same to you. Enjoy your date.” She sent him an encouraging wink.
    Reality set in. A date with Mark Cummins meant living all his teenage fantasies. In high school, he’d spent many a night lusting after Mark and his jock physique. Even back then, he’d been incredibly hot and from what Jason could see, he’d only gotten better with age.
    At six-foot-three, the guy dwarfed most guys yet still managed to gracefully relax in one of the lounge chairs. He met Jason’s gaze across the room with a definite gleam of interest.
    Feeling more confident, Jason worked his way toward the little round bar table where he sat. God, Mark had loosened his tie a bit and Jason’s fingers itched to slowly slide it off him, explore the slight scruff on his chin, and trail along the planes of his chest.
    Mark watched him and even from across the room, the intense heat of his stare bore into him. Mark nodded at his beer as he arrived at the table. “Budweiser, it’s a choice beer. Have