In a dimly lit corner of the only city center gay pub, in Sheffield an older man sat nursing his half-pint of lager. His eyes darted around the room in a predatory sort of way, watching the usual mix of after-work patrons and those just beginning their evening in the City. The atmosphere carried the scent of stale beer and the faint smell of rain that clung to the coats of the newcomers. Leo watched the older man from the other side of the room and felt invisible amidst the chatter and laughter, his slender frame swallowed by the shadows. Leo's gaze kept returning to the older man who, despite his slightly protruding belly and stubble, exuded a raw, unshakable confidence. Leo thought he looked like a steel worker on his way home. The older man looked determined to go home with anyone.
Leo's heart thudded in his chest, the rhythm echoing the bass of the pub's background music. The man was tall at around 6' 2", with broad muscular shoulders that filled his worn leather jacket. His hair was a bristly mess of gray and brown, a stark contrast to the youthful faces in the pub that surrounded him. This was a venue that attracted youth. There was something about the way the older man held his head high, it made him seem both approachable and untouchable despite his strong features. The older man's eyes met Leo's and for a moment, Leo felt seen, really seen, a mix of embarrassment and excitement ran through him.
The older man took a small swig of his drink, his adam's apple bobbing in his thick muscled neck. He caught Leo's stare and smirked, a knowing look that sent a jolt through the younger man's body. Leo had seen that look before in the dark corners of his fantasies, where young men like him were desired and wanted. The man leaned over the bar, whispering something to the barman, who nodded and slid a fresh half-pint across the worn wooden bar. With a nod of thanks, the older man picked up the glass, his eyes never leaving Leo's and he sat back on the same seat. The simple gesture felt like a challenge, a silent invitation that sent Leo's pulse racing.
Leo took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He was used to being overlooked, his lack of self-esteem a cloak that shrunk him to insignificance in his own mind. Tonight was different. Leo had come to the pub with a purpose, a burning desire that had been festering for weeks. Leo's eyes trailed down the man's body, noticing the hole in his sweater. It was a small almost imperceptible imperfection that made the stranger seem more human, more attainable, more desirable. With a surge of courage, Leo pushed his chair back, stood up and approached the bar. The buzz of anticipation louder than the clacking of pool balls in the adjacent room.
The older man's gaze followed Leo, a smoldering heat in his eyes that sent a thrill down Leo's spine. Leo ordered a cheap low calorie fizzy drink, his voice quivering slightly and then took a seat real close to the stranger. The man's knee brushed against his and Leo felt an electric current run through him. Leo took a sip of his drink, the cool liquid doing little to quell the fire in his belly. They exchanged pleasantries, their conversation a dance of unsubtle innuendos and glances that grew increasingly bold.
The man's big hands rested casually on the table, fingers tapping out a seductive rhythm as if he was just killing time. The air grew thick with unspoken desire and the tension between them was palpable. When the man leaned in, his breath warm and beery, Leo could feel the weight of his stare like a physical touch. "You wanna come back to mine?" he murmured with a definite Sheffield accent, his voice a rough caress that sent shivers down Leo's spine. Leo's eyes widened, his heart hammering against his ribs. Leo nodded, unable to find his voice, the excitement and fear melding into a potent cocktail that made his head spin.
