Balance

get Nando to tell him what he wanted, but another part of him was afraid that Nando was telling him he didn’t want anything more to do with him. There was only one way to find out.
    Cooper squeezed Nando’s wrist, which was still contained in his hand. “Nando, I still want to get to know you better,” Cooper started a little hesitantly. He cleared his throat, because he didn’t want to give Nando the idea he doubted anything he was saying. “We can take it as quick or Balance | Zahra Owens
    29

    as slow as you like. It’s up to you. You set the pace, but I just want a fair chance.”
    “I’m not who you think I am.”
    Cooper smiled nervously. “That’s why I want to get to know you.”
    Nando shrugged.
    “The guy I met is quite a talented tattoo artist.
    Adventurous too. And a hard worker.” Cooper wanted to keep talking, hoping it would make Nando stay. He was pleasantly surprised to feel Nando relax little by little, although he was still staring at the restaurant’s front counter. “We had a pretty amazing time that night at the club, but I don’t expect it to be like that every time. In fact, we can just talk, or go for a drink one night, or to dinner. If I’m in the neighborhood, I could probably swing a quick lunch, too, if you don’t mind being seen with me in my work suit.” Cooper chuckled, thinking about how different he looked during the daytime.
    “You don’t want to have sex with me?” Nando asked out of the blue, turning toward Cooper and fixing him with his deep brown eyes.
    Cooper wasn’t sure how to answer Nando’s question, but the way he was looking at him made him think on his feet, and quick answers were easier if he kept them close to the truth. “Of course I do, but—”
    Nando didn’t let him finish. He leaned forward and kissed Cooper full on, pushing his tongue past Cooper’s lips.
    Cooper let him, and after a few moments, kissed him back.
    Nando crawled on Cooper’s lap, straddling him as he Balance | Zahra Owens
    30

    squeezed between Cooper and the table, his groin rubbing against Cooper’s belly. To Cooper’s surprise, he felt Nando slowly relax. He stopped kissing Cooper but didn’t take his lips from Cooper’s mouth. It seemed like forever as they continued breathing the same air, their foreheads touching.
    “Do you still want to have sex with me if I ask you to fuck me?” Nando asked suddenly.
    Cooper moved his head back as far as he could so he could look at Nando. Although Nando refused to meet his gaze, Cooper could see he meant what he’d said.
    “Come home with me, and I’ll show you.” Nando kissed Cooper again, and Cooper could almost taste the desperation. He wanted to ask Nando some questions but feared he wouldn’t get a straight answer anyway, so he remained silent as he led Nando to his car and drove him home.
    Nando didn’t speak, but the tension didn’t rise as high as Cooper had expected. He tried telling Nando that if he had anything to say, he would listen, but Nando ignored his soft plea.
    “I just need this right now. If you can’t give it to me, then just drive me back to the shop so I can take my bike home,” was all Nando would say.
    Cooper understood need very well and reached out to touch Nando’s hand, but Nando didn’t let him. His attitude changed once they entered Cooper’s house, though.
    Nando barely took the time to acquaint himself with his surroundings. He pushed Cooper against the door as soon as Cooper closed it and kissed him again almost violently. They Balance | Zahra Owens
    31

    knocked into each other as they both rushed to get out of their clothes. Just before Nando discarded his jeans, Cooper saw him pull out a condom and a small packet of lube.
    Although Cooper knew he would be expected to top, there was no mistaking who was in charge, but he didn’t mind. If this was what Nando needed, he was more than happy to give it to him, so he conveniently forgot his aversion to one-night stands and silently hoped it would become more than that one time.
    In the living room, Nando turned around in Cooper’s embrace and pushed his ass against Cooper’s groin. “Fuck me.”
    Cooper kissed his neck. “Need to prep you.”
    “Fuck prep,” Nando answered breathlessly. “Need your cock inside me now.”
    When Cooper hesitated, Nando returned to face him and sank to his knees, unzipping Cooper’s jeans and wantonly looking up at him as he wrapped his mouth around Cooper’s erection. “Hang on,”