Fight For Your Rights – Starting Line by Jade Buchanan

Happy 4th for everyone celebrating it today!

Starting Line by Jade Buchanan

©2010 Jade Buchanan, all rights reserved.

Brad glanced around, captivated by all the different people who had come out here this morning. Singles and families, serious runners and what looked like more casual participants. He wasn’t sure where he fit in all of this but he was definitely looking forward to finding out.

If his eyes kept glazing over at all the half-naked men, hopefully no one would notice.

Maybe he should get in a few more stretches. Looking around, he spotted a piece of grass and started to make his way over. There was already someone staked near his intended spot, but Brad figured there would be enough room for the both of them.

The man was standing on one leg while he stretched the other behind him. Muscles rippled, capturing Brad’s attention. Wide-eyed at the sight, Brad nearly ended his race early when he tripped on a curb that practically jumped in front of him. Stumbling, he managed to right himself but now he had the guy’s attention. Mr. Muscles turned his head, smiling slightly.

Whoa… wait a minute…“Chris? Chris Mitchell?”

A wrinkle appeared in Chris’ forehead before his eyes widened in recognition. “Brad Kish?”

Brad hoped he wasn’t drooling. He held out a hand, stepping closer to Chris. “Yeah, how are you?”

A beaming smile split Chris’ face. Damn, the man was gorgeous. Always had been but this was ridiculous. He’d definitely aged well since high school.

“I’m doing really good. Busy, but can’t complain. What have you been up to?”

Was it his imagination or was Chris checking him out? Brad hoped he liked what he saw. “Just working. I don’t think I’ve seen you since high school.”

“Yeah, I took off right after that. Joined the army, did a tour and got out. I actually just got accepted to the police academy here.” Chris shrugged.

“Wow, that’s amazing. Man, I haven’t done anything like that. I’m just a regular old mechanical engineer. I work in an office, nothing exciting even. But, that explains why you look so good. More than good, really. Uh, I mean, the physical activity must…umm.” Oh, shit. Damn, why’d he blurt that out? Brad resisted the urge to cover his mouth. It would only make things worse.

Chris grinned, his gaze moving down and then up. “You’re looking really good yourself,” Chris said.

Oh, yeah, definitely checking him out. Brad had to resist the urge to flex his muscles in the tank and shorts he was wearing. Okay, so maybe his verbal diarrhea wasn’t such a bad thing.

Blushing, Brad ducked his head. “Yeah, if you haven’t seen me since high school then I bet I look different. I lost 120 pounds and managed to keep it off too. The running helps.”

“It certainly looks like it.”

Hmm, well… Brad wasn’t sure what to say when Chris was looking at him like that. “Uh, do you run many races?”

“Not that many. My sister convinced me to enter this one. The whole family is waiting at the finish line so we can celebrate with lunch after.”

“Ah. That sounds great.” And there went Brad’s opportunity to ask Chris to spend some time with him after the race.

“Do you have any plans for dinner?” Chris smiled widely.

“Oh… oh! Yes, I mean no… no plans. You?”

“Well, I’m kind of hoping I have a date.”

“Oh. That’s great. For you, I mean.”

“With you, Brad. A date with you.”

Brad hung his head, certain his blush could be seen from space. “Oh, right. Umm… yeah, that would be… awesome. Fantastic. Definitely more than doable.” And he was the biggest dork in the history of Dorkville.

Chris’ shoulders shook, but he manfully held his laughter in. Brad appreciated the thought.  Chris must have decided to let his dorkdom go unnoticed. At least, he didn’t retract the date offer so that was good. Brad tried to think of something else to say but he was too tongue-tied. Plus, he really didn’t want to come off as even more lame than he already did. Come to think of it, Chris did know him in high school. Maybe that counted for something.

“I guess I’m lucky we already know each other or you might think I was a nut job.”

Chris shook his head, reaching out and brushing his hand down Brad’s arm. “I think it’s cute, and I happen to know you’re not a nut job.”

Well then. How about that? Brad grinned. “Cool.”

He was about to ask Chris about the date when the loudspeaker went off announcing the 10 km race was about to start. Chris started to move toward the mass of runners. Brad’s gaze dropped to the seat of the tiny shorts Chris was wearing. Chris stopped suddenly, turning back to him.

“You coming?”

“Yeah. Umm… yeah.” Brad hurried to catch up. He wasn’t about to tell Chris he’d been too caught up in staring at his ass. Although, judging by the grin on Chris’ face he may have noticed where Brad’s gaze was. He wasn’t apologizing, the man had to know how hot he was. Brad wondered if he could bounce loonies off of Chris’ ass. Mmm… what a thought.

Standing together amidst the other racers, Brad couldn’t wait for this race to be over so he could be a few hours closer to their date.

“See you at the finish line?” Chris asked.

“Just try and stop me.”

***

“I still think you took a shortcut somewhere.”

Brad laughed, throwing his head back. He was feeling a lot more comfortable now than he was this morning. Could have been the endorphins from the race, or the beer he’d already downed. He figured it had more to do with how easygoing Chris was, though. Kind of made him wish they’d been better friends – or more than friends – in high school.

“Just admit that I’m clearly in better shape than you.” Brad snickered, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know how I beat your time. Not by much, though.”

Chris snorted. He lifted his beer, toasting Brad. “Well, whatever it is, I’m impressed.”

Leaning forward over the table between them, Brad grinned. “It was fun. I’m surprised I did so well. Wasn’t expecting that. Although I trained pretty hard coming up to this.”

“Hey, I said it before… you’re definitely looking nice and the training paid off. Although, you never did say how you lost the weight. Running?”

Brad shook his head. “Seriously? Man, I could barely walk up a flight of stairs back then. No, the running came after.”

“You still haven’t told me what you did.”

Damn. He could feel the blush coming on. Thankfully they were sitting in a booth in the back of the restaurant and the lighting wasn’t that good. Leaning back, he rubbed his hand over his chin. “You promise not to laugh?”

“Oh, man. You can’t say something like that and not expect me to laugh. Come on. Go easy on me.” Chris raised his brows, tilting his head to the left.

“I don’t think I’m going to tell you now.”

A foot slid against his under the table. “Come on, you know you wanna tell me.”

Brad moved his foot, pressing back against Chris. “What will you give me if I tell you?”

“What do you want?” Chris’ voice lowered an octave, raising goosebumps along Brad’s arms.

“No no. We’re not playing that way. You tell me what you’re willing to give up.”

“A surprise, then. You tell me and I’ll give you something we both want.”

Intrigued, Brad stared back into Chris’ gaze. “Promise?”

“Cross my heart.” Chris lifted a hand, sketching an x over his chest.

“Richard Simmons,” Brad blurted out.

Chris blinked. “Beg pardon?”

“I sweated to the oldies.”

Lifting his hand, Chris covered his mouth but not before Brad saw his smile.

Brad couldn’t stop his own grin. He fully realized how silly it sounded but the damn program had worked for him so he wasn’t going to feel bad about it. “Pay up. I told you my dirty secret and now I want my surprise.”

“Well, a deal is a deal.” Chris placed both hands on the table. “Come here.”

“What?”

Chris simply arched a single brow. Brad chuckled, deciding to play the game. He leaned forward, not a bit surprised when Chris grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. His ass left the booth seat and his lips squarely met Chris’ own.

Sliding his mouth over Chris’, Brad held back his instinctive moan by some miracle. Damn, Chris tasted sweet. Chris ran the tip of his tongue along the crease of Brad’s mouth and he wasn’t able to hold back the moan this time. Chris’ grip on his shirt tightened and for one short moment Brad thought Chris might just pull him right over the table and onto his side of the booth.

Chris must have thought the same because a moment later he opened his hands and sat back.

Backing up a space, Brad blinked open his eyes. He wasn’t even sure when he’d closed them. Shit. What the hell was that?

Chris exhaled in a puff of air. “Well then.”

“Yep.” Brad sat back down, staring at Chris in shock.

“Wanna come back to my place?”

“Oh hell yes.”

Chris lifted his hand for the cheque without taking his eyes off Brad.

Brad tried to get his brain to work again, which wasn’t an easy feat with Chris staring at him like he was two seconds from taking Brad’s clothes off. “You don’t think we’re moving too fast?”

“Oh, hell no, baby. We’re just getting started.”

Written by Jade Buchanan

Jade’s writing is as eclectic as her reading tastes, with over thirty erotic romance tales currently published. She’s also been known to accept writing challenges from friends and family just to see their reactions. She’s a firm believer that love and romance are universal concepts, no matter a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Originally from Northern Ontario, Jade has lived in British Columbia and the Sultanate of Oman in the Middle East. Jade currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she’s hard at work on her next story. Jade loves to hear from readers! Send her an email at jade.buchanan@yahoo.com.
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