“Well, you know how I’ve worked behind a bar most of my adult life?”

Logan’s brow rose, and when his lips curved into a smile, Tate wondered what he was thinking. He didn’t have to wait long though, because he told him.

“Yes, I seem to remember frequenting one just to see you.”

Tate narrowed his eyes and reminded him, “You were going there long before I showed up.”

“I used to go in once a week, maybe twice. I didn’t start hauling ass downstairs every day until you arrived.”

Tate dropped his eyes down to Logan’s fingers, which were still tapping against his jean-clad thigh, and then he raked them over his bare torso and lightly-haired chest. “I used to watch the door for you.”

“Did you?”

“Yes,” Tate admitted. “At first, I thought I was looking for the man who gave me a nice tip, but now…”

Logan shifted his arm across the back of the couch—an invitation Tate couldn’t resist when it came to getting closer to all of that naked skin.

“But now?”

“Now, I know I just couldn’t wait to see you.” He watched Logan’s thick lashes sweep against his cheeks as he blinked, and then he leaned over to place a kiss by his ear. “I’m so glad you kept coming back. Did I ever tell you that?”

“You’re being very sweet to me this morning. Not that I’m complaining,” Logan laughed, turning his head so their noses practically touched. “But stop avoiding the issue and talk to me. Tell me what you want to do with your life so I can be a part of it.”

Tate put a hand on Logan’s chest and took his lips in a slow kiss. As his mouth parted, Tate slid inside and groaned at the way Logan’s tongue tangled with his. The kiss was unhurried; it was familiar. And when Logan’s fingers came up to graze his cheek, Tate relished the heat that simmered just beneath the surface. With Logan, it was always there, always the same, even when the emotion behind the action was different, and Tate wondered how he’d ever lived without it.

Reluctantly, he pulled away and put his head against the arm Logan had resting along the back of the couch. He then looked up into the blue eyes watching him and said, “I’ve always wanted to open my own bar.”

He waited, almost expecting Logan to laugh even though he’d already told him he wouldn’t.

“I know it would be a lot of hard work and probably more expensive than I could ever imagine. But I got my business degree specifically for that reason. I’ve always wanted to run my own place.”

As Logan remained silent, Tate started to feel self-conscious. He didn’t know what Logan was thinking. Since he worked closely with and likely represented people who owned such establishments, he probably realized what a pipe dream it was.

He probably thinks I’m crazy.

“I think you’d run a fantastic bar,” Logan finally said, shocking the hell out of him.

“You do?”

The genuine smile that crossed Logan’s lips had Tate returning the gesture.

“Yes, I do. You’re incredibly personable, and I, for one, have seen what a good rapport you have with customers. Have you looked into it at all? Owning your own place?”

Tate knew he must have looked stunned because Logan laughed.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I—”

“Tate?” Logan interrupted, grabbing him and pulling him into his arms. “I think you could do whatever you put your mind to, but this? I can definitely see you doing this. By the way, how did I not know you went to school for business?”

Tate shrugged. “It never came up, I guess. I didn’t want to go to a university straight out of school, so I got a full-time job and then paid my way through night school. When I turned twenty-one, I got a job at a local pub, and the rest is history.”

“Huh. Any other secrets you’re hiding away?”

Tate pretended to think it over. “Hmm. Not that I can think of right now.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yep.”

Logan settled deeper into the couch, drawing Tate down with him.

“So, you really think I could do this?” Tate asked, tracing his finger across Logan’s chest and swirling it around his nipple. “I mean, I’d have a lot to research before I could even consider it plausible. Loans, licenses, properties… It would be a huge undertaking.”

“It would be,” Logan agreed, playing with his hair. “If you wanted…” he started but paused as if he weren’t sure whether or not what he was about to say would be welcome.

Tate pushed up a little and asked, “If I wanted…what?”

“I was just going to say if you’d like some help, I’d be more than happy to, you know, help in any way.” Logan gave a nonchalant shrug as if he would be fine either way, no matter what his answer was.

But somehow, Tate knew that Logan wanted to be more involved than he was letting on.

“I’d like that,” he told him, and the expression that came into Logan’s eyes was well worth all the nerves and any embarrassment he’d felt in telling him what he wanted to do with his future.

Logan couldn’t help the grin he knew he was aiming Tate’s way. When he’d finally told him what he’d been thinking about, Logan couldn’t have been more excited for him.

He knew that Tate would make an excellent proprietor of any bar, pub or even restaurant he decided to open. The only question that remained in Logan’s mind was if he would want to do it all on his own or if he would be open to some help.

My help.

But when Tate nodded and told him that, yes, he would be, Logan just about tackled him down under him on the couch.

“You would, huh?” Logan finally answered, trying to play it cool.

“Yeah. I mean, only if you want to, of course.”

Leaning down, Logan kissed his lips. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.”

Tate put both hands on his chest, shocking Logan by pushing him back on the couch so he could crawl over him. “You honestly think this is a good idea? You’re not just saying that?”

Logan settled against the leather, placing his head on the armrest as Tate wedged his hips between his bent legs. “Yes, I really do. You know, I happen to be pretty good friends with a couple of people who know a thing or two about this business.”

Tate tilted his head to the side, and Logan continued.

“You happen to be also. Especially one pregnant woman in particular who I know would be dying to talk your ear off about this.”

As if it hadn’t even occurred to him, Tate’s eyes widened when he made the connection. “Rachel. I didn’t even think about that.”

Logan chuckled. “I know. But I can’t think of a better person to ask since she and Mason run one of the hottest restaurants in Chicago.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want them to think they have to help me because—”

“Tate. You’ve met Rachel. Do you really think she would A: ever do something she didn’t want to, or B: not be offended if you didn’t ask her? She’d kill me if she knew you were doing this without talking to her.”

Tate leaned down and kissed his chest. “Hmm, you might be right,” he told him, and then he flicked his tongue over his nipple. “I should call her.”

With Tate’s mouth whispering over his naked flesh, Logan was starting to lose the thread of the conversation. “Huh?”

Tate lifted his head and met his eyes with a smile. “I should call her.”

“Yes. Good idea,” Logan agreed absently, and arched his hips when Tate opened his mouth and gave his pec a gentle bite. He was about to tell him that he should call later, but Tate pushed away and got off the couch. “Wait. You’re going to call her now?”

Tate walked into his bedroom, calling out, “Yeah. Maybe she’ll be free tomorrow, since I’m off.”

Logan sighed in frustration as he sat up and pressed a hand to his jeans.

Me and my big mouth. Couldn’t have waited until I had him naked and under me for my brilliant plan, could I?