The crowd in the hotel bar were engaged in friendly chatter. The small tables, each surrounded by horseshoe shaped red leather chairs, were all full as were the ten or so stools at the bar. People talked in couples or groups. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and at ease with their surroundings.
Yanik closed the black leather folder he had in front of him and loosened his tie. His companions had left just a few minutes earlier and, no longer needing to take up a table that seated six, he got to his feet and made his way to the bar, relieved his final meeting was over and he could relax. Seeing a stool being vacated, just to his left, he slid the folder onto its cushion, hoping that would stake his claim.
A handsome young man with deep blue eyes and a very short haircut looked at Yanik as he moved in front of the stool and smiled.
"Is this seat taken?"
"No, no, it's not. I wondered how long it would be before it was though. By my reckoning that was about two seconds." The younger man held out his hand. "I'm Nathan, or Nate, which conference are you here for?"
For a moment Yanik wasn't sure if he wanted to engage in conversation but there was something endearing about his companion, an honesty that appealed to him, and so he lifted his folder onto the bar and felt his fingers envelop a soft and smooth palm as he spoke.
"Green Accounting." Yanik managed to resist the temptation to pull a face as he sat down. He had been one of the main speakers and organizers, but still had to admit it had been pretty hard going in places.
"Oh, right, I have no idea what that means. So, are you an accountant or an environmentalist?" Nathan took the final swallow of his drink, and waited for the reply.
"Accountant, but I have to admit I'm getting greener by the minute. I guess you could describe it as taking the effects of production and consumption on the environment into account when implementing any financial or economic measures. So, if you wanted to build a new factory, I would advise you on what would make sense economically as well as environmentally." He paused and then spoke again, "You can let your eyes glaze over now!" Yanik signalled for the barman, realizing he might enjoy chatting with handsome and engaging company for a while, especially as he'd had the good grace not to look too bored. "Gin and tonic please, with a slice of lemon, Nathan?"
"The same thanks." Nathan raised his now empty glass in salute and they both watched as their drinks were prepared. "I didn't get your name." The younger man looked up at deep brown eyes and felt himself being drawn in.
"Yanik, Yanik Fitzpatrick, I'm pleased to meet you, Nathan."
"Well, cheers, Yanik, I'm pleased to meet you too."
For a minute or so the men nursed their drinks, the silence between them neither heavy nor lengthy enough that they felt the need to break it. Yanik, taking a third sip from his tumbler, absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair.
"I used to be able to do that." Nathan looked on almost wistfully and then smiled as Yanik laughed.
"I'm told I do it a lot, I'm not really aware of it so I guess it's a habit." Yanik's hair almost touched his shoulders, it was dark brown, almost black in places and, accountant or not, he had no intention of having it cut. It fell in waves, and the only time he would let scissors anywhere near it was when those waves began to straighten with the weight of the hair. If it was short it became almost unruly, the curls twisting in all directions, and so, unless he too had a buzz cut like his companion, shoulder length was the best choice for him. "I'm sorry, I sort of let my mind wander then." Yanik realized Nathan was speaking and began to refocus.
"That's ok, I just said this is long, compared to when I first had it cut I mean." He ran his hand across the bristles, showing just how fine his blond hair was.
"Hey, Nate." A greeting was called out from by the bar door and Nathan turned, a smile on his face, as he recognised the voice.
"John, how's it hanging?"
"Long and low, my man, long and low." The man waved his hand as he walked on past, through the doors towards the restaurant, and out of sight. As he did so Yanik noticed another guest also wave at his companion.
"This is my local, I live just down the road. It's far better than the pubs in the area and I like to spend at least one evening a week here." Nathan explained his sudden popularity, looking a little embarrassed.
"So you aren't here for one of the other exciting conferences that have been taking place then?" There had been a welcome board up in main reception directing people to various areas. Yanik had noticed venues for the women's institute, a national childbirth organisation and a bird watching association mentioned there.
"Um no, although when I was younger I used to work here occasionally to help out when things got busy. Those ladies from the women's institute seriously know how to party!" Nathan grinned, enjoying the way the dark brown eyes of the man next to him seemed to sparkle, as he realized he'd made his new friend laugh.
"What do you do for a living now? Is it as exciting as being an accountant?" The self-depreciation was evident in his voice as Yanik spoke and Nathan considered a moment before replying.
"Media I guess would be the umbrella term. I work in the film industry."
"Oh, right. I've had some clients who are in that field. So, are we talking blockbuster movies? Should I ask if I've seen you in anything?"
"Yes-ish and no. Yes, movies, but not blockbusters, and no you won't see me looking like this in front of the camera." Nathan blushed as he spoke, much to Yanik's surprise but he said nothing although he noted how sexy the younger man looked with a flush to his face.
"There's a table free down there, I was going to order a sandwich or something, would you mind if we moved over to it?" In the five minutes or so the two men had been talking a large number of the bar's occupants had either left altogether or moved into the restaurant. There were now a few free tables and bar stools around the place. Yan had planned to eat in his room but was enjoying the company and so changed his mind.
"No problem. I might join you, the bar food here is pretty good." Nathan slid down from his chair and moved in front of Yanik. In spite of himself the older man found himself checking out the tight butt in faded and frayed blue jeans and then looking up at the pristine white t-shirt, which stretched slightly, over muscular, tanned upper arms. Nathan had the tips of a tattoo peeking out of the neck of his top. It looked like some sort of Celtic symbol in dark blue ink with a red outline. Yanik wondered what the rest of the tat would look like and then shook the image off as he sat down; there was no way the beautiful younger man would be interested in him.
The evening passed quickly. Yanik was finding himself more and more attracted to Nathan as they chatted. He watched the younger man's every move, the way he ate, how he used his hands when he talked, the fact that he seemed in no hurry to end their time together, and realized he was wanting more than just words.
Yanik's previous relationship had gradually run out of steam. Neither of them had cheated on the other or changed in any marked way; instead they had both realized, at about the same time, there was no future for them together and so, quite amicably, had parted a little over six months earlier.
Yan, still winding down from the business of the past few days, felt nicely relaxed as he listened to Nathan chatting amicably about a hundred and one different things. Finally, just before eleven, he checked his watch and exclaimed in shock.
"Wow, where did the evening go? I have to drive home early tomorrow, Nathan, but it's been fun. I ... maybe we could meet up again?" He stood wishing their time didn't have to end. He had become very enamoured of his companion as the night had worn on and felt a definite attraction he would like to take further. He was disappointed they would have to say goodbye.
"I should be getting back too, at least it's the weekend coming up." Nathan got to his feet, smoothed his t-shirt down, and was aware of Yanik's eyes looking him up and down. He knew he had been watched all evening. It hadn't been an unpleasant feeling and now his groin began to tighten as he realized that not only did he like the attention but also he didn't want it to end. "I'll walk out with you, if that's ok?"
"Um, yeah, fine." Yanik mumbled his words, conscious of the fact that his body had begun to betray him. He was staring now but, knowing they were about to go their separate ways, didn't want to look away. Together they walked towards the elevators in the main lobby and Yanik pushed the call button. As he did so he felt a hand cover his own.
"I don't have to go home you know."
The words were as soft as the skin against him and Yanik turned, feeling his cock harden in his suit pants as he spoke.