Winter's Gamble by Mechele Armstrong

clothes folded neatly. Not that Phil could see the clothes, but he’d put everything away. A small nightstand with a black clock. The lamp was the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz . Madonna’s face glimmered down at them from the single poster on the wall. The bed was made with hospital corners, covered in a black-and-white comforter and similar-looking sheets. There were several black-and-white throw pillows on the bed.
    “You’re neat.” Phil slipped off his shoes and left them by the edge of the black rug that covered almost all of the room. Hardwood floors were cold in the morning on bare feet.
    “You knew that. From before.” Neo hadn’t changed much since Phil had known him.
    “Yeah. I’d forgotten. I’ve seen Rose’s dressing room. It always looks like a stripper exploded.”
    “Oh, I know.” Neo slipped off his boots. He’d never be able to live that way. He set his bottle of rum along with the salt and sugar on the nightstand. He grabbed an end of the comforter and brought it to the foot of the bed.
    After a moment, Phil set down the tequila and brought the other side of the comforter to the end too. “I do have to ask. Got lube and condoms?”
    Neo went to the drawer of his nightstand and pulled them out with a flourish. He’d checked before the date to make sure they weren’t past the expiration. He hadn’t used them in a long time.
    Yet you weren’t sure this was going to happen. You weren’t even looking forward to the date.
    He hadn’t been sure what would happen or if he’d have fun. Yet this all felt right. And somehow he thought more of Phil for asking that. Phil had always liked to be prepared. So many men would have gone forward without making sure.
    He didn’t like that he appreciated that about the other man. And it didn’t mean anything.
    “Phil?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I’m still not sure where this is going. I don’t know if I can get past what happened before.” Neo lowered his knee to the bed and climbed in. Best to be honest about this relationship.
    “I know that. I’m not looking for anything guaranteed yet. Just that you’ll give me a chance.” Phil still stood at the side of the bed. “That’s all I can ask you to do.” He put his arms behind his back.
    “Long as you understand that.”
    “I do.”
    “Then come here.” Neo patted the bed beside him. He’d gotten the air cleared. Now it was time to do this. His mouth watered like it did before a big meal. Course Phil was a big meal in his way…
    Phil slowly clambered up on the bed. He looked at Neo with eyes that burned with desire. The entire night had been for Neo and Neo alone. He’d fended off countless men who’d wanted to come over to Neo, and Phil hadn’t gotten cranky once. He’d treated Neo like a person, getting to know him, and not like a conquest.
    That was how Phil had acted before. Why he’d intrigued Neo so much. Why it had hurt so bad when it had seemed Phil had been like the others.
    Phil reached across and caressed a gentle hand down Neo’s face. “Neo.” His voice was so soft that Neo almost missed the comment.
    “Yeah?”
    “We gonna fuck or sit on the bed all day?” His cheesy grin was huge and glowing, probably due to the intent behind his teasing comment.
    Not what he’d expected from the man. Guess he was full of surprises. “Fuck.” He stared pointedly at Phil’s crotch. “Why don’t your clothes come off? Then we can have rum and tequila the best way.”
    Phil jumped from the bed and seemed to hesitate before he reached up to pull off his shirt.
    “Slowly.” At Neo’s voice, Phil let go of the shirt and let it fall back around his waist. “Why don’t you strip for me?” Neo settled back against the pillows behind him.
    Phil arched a brow. “You’re the stripper. Not me.”
    “Hey now. I’m a dancer .” He managed to sound outraged. “And I never take it all off.”
    “Point taken.”
    “But I take enough off.” He waggled his brows, making Phil