Read Online Gold Digger by Aleksandr Voinov - Free Book Online Page A

flavors spreading out into savory and salty and sweet at the same time, and the creamy and grainy, the dry and juicy textures tripping out his taste buds.
    Henri laughed, holding half of a date between his fingers and gesturing at Nikolai. “That’s what a foodgasm looks like.”
    “Wow. These are incredible.”
    “Yep. Wish I could say I found this place, but I didn’t.”
    “Who did?”
    “An entirely forgettable ex. Best thing he ever did.”
    “Ouch.” Nikolai shook his head. “Hope you won’t be saying the same about me a few weeks down the line.”
    Henri stared at him, then chuckled. “If I ever got into the privileged position to call you my boyfriend, I’d make damn sure you wouldn’t turn into an ex .”
    Damn. Damn. It was so sweet and so awkward. Not bad awkward. He just didn’t want to hurt Henri. And this was banter, right? The man would hardly think that a blowjob and a handjob made a good basis for anything.
    Though you’ve slept with women who ended up your girlfriends, Nikolai. Those usually started with a romantic meal, too.
    Henri winked. “Sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “You’re embarrassed. Don’t worry, I know what I’m getting myself into.”
    “I’m just not very good at talking about this. I don’t want to create any expectation that won’t work out. You’re a nice guy, Henri, I think you deserve better than a hit-and-run.”
    “You make it sound like I’m roadkill.”
    Nikolai laughed out loud and tamped it down when a few other patrons turned to look at him. They were too polite to glare, but he suddenly was aware of all those people around. Privacy, space was always the most precious commodity, from his time on the freighters to the years spent on oil rigs. “Touché. Roadkill. That’s really funny.”
    Henri smiled at him and indicated the menu. “Dessert?”
    “I’m good. I can’t imagine anything’s going to top that date.”
    Henri gave him a weird, amused grin. “Personally, I thought they looked like bottoms crying out, ‘take me, take me.’”
    Nikolai chuckled. “Let’s not discuss the sexual preferences of fruit.”
    “But?”
    “Go somewhere more private?”
    “Ah, that kind of dessert.” Henri waved to the waiter, who produced the bill and took Henri’s card in the time Nikolai needed to finish his glass of wine. On the way out, Nikolai grabbed one of the business cards from a brass bowl positioned in the entranceway and slipped it into his back pocket. His father would love this place, and he enjoyed traveling, so it was entirely possible he’d get to try the dates, too. Restless feet was one of the things they shared.
    He settled back in the car, Henri driving (he’d barely had more than half a glass of wine), and tried not to be nervous.
    “So how did you like the mezze ?”
    “Loved them, thanks.”
    “And the other dish?” Henri started the engine and placed both hands on the wheel.
    “Which?”
    “The anticipation?”
    Oh, that. Yeah, he was slightly turned on, mostly from knowing there would be sex, and from the easy banter. And the memory of the first encounter. He’d be in good hands for the rest of the night, and he liked the guy. Henri was easy to talk to, and he had that wicked sense of humor that could snap like a whip. He made this all feel easy, natural, and maybe it was. They would just go and have a good time.
    “The anticipation worked, too.”
    Henri flashed his teeth. “You’ve never fucked a guy?”
    “No. Virgin territory, so to speak.”
    Henri laughed. “Anal sex?”
    “Um, yeah. I’ll be okay. I’ll . . .” He blew out a breath because, damn, his jeans were much tighter now. “I want to try.”
    “Do it or don’t, there is no try,” Henri mocked.
    “Don’t put me in mind of weird-talking green aliens.”
    “No.” Henri pulled out of the parking space and gunned it. The car leaped like something wild and dangerous, though Henri slowed down when they hit the main road. It was exhilarating, all