Slow Dreaming Read Free Page A

spots. He zipped up his jacket, pulling himself upright, letting his feet swing against the wall and back again in an uneven rhythm. It wasn’t music that had brought him here today, although that song was still constantly changing and evolving in the back of his mind.
    Jason.
    Sean felt his lips form a smile at the memory of the conversation they’d shared the day before. It was more than Jason’s looks that drew Sean to him, although he was very easy on the eye. He swallowed. God, the thoughts he’d had last night about the guy. Imagining what it would be like to touch him and be touched. He’d always had a thing for blonds… and redheads. Jason had short blond hair; the stubble on his face was a pale red. His eyes, green with a fleck of brown, reflected a keen intelligence that showed in the way he spoke. Yet there was wariness there, sadness, almost. No, not sadness but resignation.
    It had been a long time since he’d felt like this toward someone. This was more than physical, although that had given him the courage to make the initial approach. Sean wasn’t in the habit of trying to pick guys up—he’d learned from experience that it wasn’t always a great idea. He sighed, remembering his last attempt, six months ago. Note to self: straight guys do not like being hit on by other guys. Damn, he’d been so sure the guy was gay. His flatmate, Leilani, had given him hell over it later, and then thrown him a packet of frozen peas for his eye.
    Okay, fine, but how was he to know the object of his then desires played for the local rugby team and had the right hook from hell?
    Jason had seemed safe. After all, he’d started it by eyeing up Sean first, and they were in a cafe surrounded by people he knew. Oh, fuck, he’d picked up a guy in front of people he knew. No wonder Ruth had that grin when he’d left. Work tomorrow was going to be such fun. She’d tease the hell out of him and then ask for details.
    What details? Sean snorted and shoved his hands in his pockets. The conversation had been good but it had ended all too soon. He’d arrived home only to realize they hadn’t even exchanged contact details.
    Come to think of it, for a so-called Canadian, the accent wasn’t there, either. Jason didn’t really have one, just a few words here or there pronounced a little differently, but that was it.
    A dog barked. He lifted his head, looking around for the source of the noise. A couple of teenagers were walking along the beach, throwing sticks for a lab. Above him, seagulls circled, calling to each other, their lonely cry speaking to him, pulling at the emptiness in his own heart.
    He snorted. This song was really getting to him, to the point where his thoughts were starting to sound like lyrics, and depressing ones at that. He had friends, he was happy with his life. He didn’t need a boyfriend or a significant other to be complete.
    “Hey, is this seat taken?”
    “Only for the moment.” Sean didn’t bother to look up. “I was just leaving.” He’d walk along the beach for a bit, kick some shells, skim some along the water before heading home.
    “Damn, and I only just got here. Guess my timing kind of sucks.” The guy sounded familiar, almost amused.
    Something clicked. “Jason?”
    “Last time I looked, yeah.” Jason sat down next to Sean but kept a respectable distance between them. “You come here often?”
    “That’s the same line you used yesterday,” Sean felt the need to point out. What was Jason doing here of all places? After yesterday, it seemed too much of a coincidence.
    “It worked, I thought.” Jason shrugged. “So I figured why not use it again?” He smiled, his face lighting up, but there was still that not-quite sadness in his eyes.
    “I’m just about to go for a walk along the beach.” Sean offered the invitation on impulse. This time he’d do it right, find out where Jason lived and make sure there would be a next time. “We can talk and walk if you