Kate Sherwood - Dark Horse 2.2 - Head Shy Read Free Page A

first, that's cool."
    Dan doesn't say anything. He can't really disagree with Jeff, but that doesn't mean that he knows exactly what to say. Or even roughly what to say.
Jeff lets it go for a few minutes, then starts again. "I could use a break. You want to try talking now?"
     
Dan groans. "Jesus, Jeff, I'm not mute! I can just talk , I don't have to try to talk."
     
"Yeah? Okay, prove it, hot stuff. Talk. You know what I want to hear about."
     
Dan rolls his eyes. "Yeah, okay…." Jeff looks like he's thinking about coming over, but he stays at the easel instead, busying himself with his brushes… Dan's not really sure what he's doing, but he's just as happy

Head Shy | Kate Sherwood
Jeff isn't insisting on closeness right now. "I just… I mean, I said I'd do it! It's not my fault you two got all… whatever."
    "Yeah, well, call me a romantic, but I think it'd be nice for everyone if you were actually a part of the event, not just closing your eyes and thinking of England." He pauses. "I don't know if I've ever said it straight out, Dan, but I honestly don't care if you ever bottom. Seriously. And Evan… well, I'm sure he'd like a little ass access, but I can mix it up with him, take turns more than I do now. And we're both…I mean, the sex has been pretty spectacular. There are absolutely no complaints. It's just…." Jeff shifts around the easel, but keeps his distance. "If you don't want to do it because you don't physically enjoy it, like, you've got an underactive prostate or… whatever… that's one thing. It just…." He sighs, and takes a couple steps closer. "It seems like you're… not scared, but… you know, anxious. Or uncomfortable. Mentally, not physically." He's next to Dan now, looks like he might be going to sit down on the end of the couch, and Dan really doesn't want him to. Jeff seems to sense that, and stays still. "So that's what I'm concerned about. I don't like to think about you worrying or freaked out by… well, by anything, really, but especially not by something like this."
    Jeff's done talking, it's pretty clear, so now it's Dan's turn. But it's not like he's got anything to say. He pulls his feet towards him and swings them over the side of the couch. He stands up, and wishes he had more clothes on. He doesn't bother asking for Jeff's permission before going over and looking at the work on the easel. He waits for something to happen, anything, but nothing does, and Jeff just waits him out.
"Okay, I said I'd do it. And I'll try to be more… involved, or whatever. Okay?"
     
Jeff shakes his head. "Dan, come on. You were listening, and you

Head Shy | Kate Sherwood
understood what I was saying. Don't pretend you didn't."
    "Well, I don't know what you want from me!" He sounds a bit desperate, even to his own ears, and he takes a deep breath, turning away from the easel and Jeff, looking towards the pictures leaning against the wall. "I mean, it's not enough that I'll do it, I've got to want to do it? Well, sorry, man, I just… don't. I don't…." He can't say he doesn't like it. That's not quite right. "I don't want to. Not…."
    Jeff waits for the rest of the sentence, but when it doesn't come, he tries to start Dan again. "Not what, Dan? Not yet? or Not with us? Not this way?" Dan doesn't really have any answers for that, either, and Jeff sighs in frustration, then takes a deep breath of his own. "Okay, can we… can I just ask you some questions? I mean, I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark, here."
    Dan shrugs noncommittally, and Jeff's laugh is a little sharp. "So, what, you're going to be emotionally removed from every part of this?" Dan stands still, facing the wall, but he can feel Jeff coming up behind him, and he doesn't move away. Jeff's hands come forward, resting so gently that they're barely touching Dan's hips. "Come on, man, help me out." He puts the slightest of pressure on one side, not even a suggestion, just the ghost of an invitation for Dan to turn around, and