Midnight Encounter

Henry had to admit, Paul had thrown one hell of a party. He turned up his collar and picked up his pace. The air was brisk and he knew a rain cloud when he saw one, even if it was midnight and dark as pitch. It was more what he couldn’t see—the stars—that gave away the clouds, and it just felt like rain was coming.

He turned down a path that would take him through the park. The crunch of his footsteps sounded loud as he hurried along the shortcut toward his apartment.

As he scurried through the dim light of the streetlight illuminating the picnic area he heard a voice. “Hey! Henry, isn’t it?”

He didn’t recognize the voice but stopped and turned toward the spot where it had originated. A shadowy figure stepped into the light. Henry didn’t recognize the man. He took a step back and looked both directions down the path. Empty. Shit. How had the man known his name?

The man spoke again. “Yeah, you’re him. You were at Paul’s party.”

Relief flooded through Henry. Paul knew the guy. Now that he mentioned it Henry did remember seeing him earlier on at the party. The man had left soon after Henry had arrived, though.

“How’d you know my name? We weren’t introduced.”

The man smiled. “Asked Paul about you.”

“You did?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Thought you were cute.”

Cute? Fuck that. “Cute” wasn’t exactly the look he was going for. The guy cocked an eyebrow, waiting for Henry to speak. “Paul didn’t mention it.”

“I told him not to.”

Why? Apparently the look on Henry’s face asked the question for him.

The stranger laughed. “Wanted to surprise you.”

“Surprise me? Here? In the fucking park? How do you know Paul anyway, and what’s your name?”

“Work, Josh, and calm down little fella, I don’t bite—well, not unless that’s what you’re into.”

‘Little fella’ wasn’t going to get this guy any further than ‘cute.’ The fact that Henry was horny as hell and Josh was hotter than fuck might, though. “Not into biting.” Figured he’d get that cleared up right away.

Damn Josh had a killer grin. “So what are you into?”

“With assholes who waylay me in the fucking park at midnight? ’Fraid that’s one scenario I’ve never encountered before.”

“Too bad. It’s fun.”

“Didn’t say I wouldn’t consider it. Just haven’t done it before.”

“How ’bout we just keep things simple then.” Josh cocked his head, beckoning Henry toward the darkness.

Shit. Josh was a friend of Paul. But still ….