Page 5 of Hard as Steel

“Nu-uh. You’re sitting up front. Tory and I want to cuddle and make you two really uncomfortable.”

Tory cackled as she climbed into the back seat.

All Steel could do was shake his head. The pair were made for each other.

Steel did as told and got in the front. He buckled his seatbelt. While he always wore one, Steel had a feeling this car would not be moving until everyone was properly strapped into their seats. Sandy was obviously a hard-ass in the disguise of a jokester.

Once behind the wheel, Sandy rubbed his hands together. “Okay, guys. I have a few rules in my car. No one pukes on my leather seats. There’s a fine for that.”

“I won’t even ask.”

At his under-his-breath comment, Sandy held eye contact as he started the car. His too-happy persona didn’t dim at all. “Rule two: smartasses buy dinner.”

Steel blinked. Had he just been hit on? Sandy was baffling. Either way, Steel played the oblivious card. He shrugged while keeping his expression neutral. “You might want to add a drive-thru stop to your route, then. I’m not likely to stop.”

Sandy threw his head back and laughed.

Nova drunkenly sat forward. “Oh. Oh. Oh.” She slapped Sandy’s arm on every exclamation. “You know what we should do?”

“Taco Stop.”

“Fuck yeah,” Nova cheered. “You’re a mind reader.”

Nova sat back, and Sandy locked eyes with Steel. “Every drunk person is the same.”

He backed out of his parking spot.

Steel realized he was actually smiling and meant it. It was possible romance wasn’t what he missed. Maybe what Steel really needed was friends.

Chapter Three

If Krystof was good at one thing, it was pretending he wasn’t nervous. In his family, people weren’t gay. They were the height of refinement with zero scandals. No one in the energy industry wanted to attach their business name to outrageous and unstable majority holders. They were all things bland. Actual life didn’t matter. Happiness wasn’t even half a consideration. Money was power. Power was everything. That meant always toeing the line, so that—hopefully—one day, everything would be his and he could be free.

Sitting alone at a table inside a fancy restaurant was as familiar to Krystof as brushing his hair. He was always alone whilst in America. It was nice in some ways. No one knew him here. Krystof could be anyone.

Steel came through the door. Krystof only knew because he hadn’t looked away from the entrance since he got there. His gaze swept the room before landing on Krystof. Steel looked over at the hostess and motioned his way before heading toward the table. Their gazes held for every second. Even after Steel sat, their gazes never wavered.

“You showed.”

A smile exploded across Krystof’s face. “You called.”

They shared a grin. The air lightened. Tension drained from Krystof.

Steel opened the menu that had been waiting for him. “You know, I’ve never eaten here. I don’t even know what they serve.” Before as much as glancing inside the menu, Steel snapped it closed and focused on Krystof. “You know this is a date, right? Like romantically.” The question came out sounding strong with a hint of nervousness.

Krystof bit back another smile and dipped his chin. “We’re on the same page.”

Relief filled Steel’s features. Until that moment, Krystof hadn’t noticed the difference. Steel looked softer. “Good.” He picked up the menu again. “Now, what do they have here?”

“It’s your typical American steakhouse.”

Steel nodded with his eyes still on the menu. “I’m not sure a three-hundred-dollar steak is typical.”

Krystof cocked his head to one side and studied Steel. He was maybe five years younger than him and likely nowhere near Krystof’s financial level. It occurred to him he maybe should have chosen something cheaper.

“It’s fine. I intend to pay.”

“Yeah.” Steel dragged out the word. “No, you’re not.”