Stage Two

by Ariel Tachna

  “No, it’s not something to be ashamed of,” Blake agreed, “but it is something private, and that’s not something I share well. Give us all time to get used to the adjustments that go along with being the family you described. It’ll come in time. And for the record, I may not be ready for you to lure me to bed when the boys are around, but I don’t mind if you kiss me. A nice, family-friendly kiss. Not a ‘prelude to dragging me off to bed’ kiss.”

  “Can I kiss you that way when the boys aren’t around?” Thane asked.

  Blake paused for a moment to listen for footsteps in the hall. When he heard nothing, he grabbed Thane’s hair and pulled him down until their lips were almost touching. “I’ll be very upset if you don’t.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Six months later

  “KIT, the timer’s going off. Get the cookies out of the oven and put the next batch in, will you?” Blake called. “Then you can help Phillip with the salmon for dinner. Your uncle will be home in half an hour, and we want to decorate the tree after dinner.”

  “Sure,” Kit replied as he headed toward the kitchen.

  Blake finished setting out the Christmas decorations he’d taken from his storage unit. They’d have to see what Thane had of his own as well as from Lily so they could decide how best to combine three sets of traditions this year. They’d come so far in the past year.

  “Ow, shit!”

  Okay, maybe not in every area. Blake set the box down and went to see what had caused Phillip to curse.

  “Sorry, Blake,” Phillip said as soon as Blake walked into the kitchen. “I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into the hot cookie pan. Everything is fine.”

  “Good. Did you get the marinade for the salmon done?”

  “Yes, it’s in the fridge waiting for the oven to be free,” Phillip said. “Kit thought we ought to make couscous to go with it.”

  “Like you did a couple of months ago,” Kit added. “With the prunes and almonds and stuff in it. Uncle Thane really liked it.”

  Blake smiled. “Do you need help making it?”

  “No, we’ve got this,” Phillip said. “You can finish with the decorations if you want.”

  Blake thought about it for a moment. It would certainly be more efficient to finish working on the decorations, but Thane and the boys had reminded him that there was more to life than just efficiency. He’d much rather be in the kitchen with them than in the living room by himself. After Thane got home, that might be different, but for now, this was exactly where he wanted to be. “Why don’t I chop the almonds for you while you take care of the cookies? That will speed things up later.”

  “Sure, Uncle Blake,” Kit said. Blake froze. Uncle Blake. When had Kit started thinking of him as an uncle? He wasn’t complaining, not at all. He’d spent more time at Thane’s house than his own apartment over the past six months, and they’d already decided to let his lease lapse at the end of the month, but hearing those words out of Kit’s mouth drove home how much he’d come to love them all.

  He forced his hands to work like Kit hadn’t just upended his world. Kit didn’t seem to even realize what he’d said, and Blake didn’t want to embarrass him by making a big deal about it. If Kit wanted to call him that, Blake wouldn’t say no—on the contrary, he’d jump for joy—but he wouldn’t ask for it or expect it. That was entirely up to the boys.

  He had finished almost a full cup of almonds when he heard the door to Thane’s truck slam outside.

  “Are the last of the cookies ready to come out?” he asked.

  “They should be.” Phillip opened the oven and slid out the cookie tray. “What do I set the oven on for the salmon again?”

  “Two seventy-five,” Blake said. “We don’t want it to cook too fast or too much. It’s supposed to be served rare.”

  Phillip adjusted the temperature on the oven and got the salmon out. Thane walked in as he was putting it in the oven. He’d taken off his boots and was only wearing his socks.

  “Hi, how was your day?” Blake asked.

  “Fine,” Thane said as he crossed the room to where Blake was working. “The homeowner came by with some additional details for the upstairs, but we aren’t there yet so it shouldn’t put us behind.” He leaned in and kissed Blake tenderly. “How was your day?”

  They both studiously ignored Kit’s and Phillip’s gagging noises. Thane had talked with them early on to make sure they were teasing and not actually bothered by any affection between them. Blake had taken his word that their reactions were teasing, not serious. “Good. Today was the last regular day before Christmas break. We have exams next week, so things should be quieter for me.”

  “Good. Kit, Phillip, have you studied for your exams?”

  “Uncle Blake already asked us that,” Phillip said.

  “Uncle Blake?”

  Apparently Thane wasn’t going to let that pass unnoticed. Blake sighed and hoped this wasn’t going to be a problem.

  “That’s… that’s okay, isn’t it? I mean, you two are practically married. He’s moving in here at the end of the month. It seemed… politer than just calling him Blake.”

  “It’s fine with me,” Blake said softly, although it was really Thane’s call.

  “Of course it’s okay,” Thane said. “I just hadn’t heard you use it until now.”

  Blake slumped back in his chair in relief. If Thane was okay with it, then the only other concern was making sure they meant it. “You’re both nearly adults. You don’t have to call me uncle just because you feel like it’s polite. I know I was an unexpected addition.”

  “None of that,” Thane said even as Kit and Phillip came around the table.

  “Kit and I talked about it,” Phillip said. “The thing is, whatever part of all of this is you and Uncle Thane and whatever part is you and us, it’s all mixed up together. You didn’t help us out with the bullies because you were falling for Uncle Thane. You hated Uncle Thane at first, and he felt the same way. You helped us because you cared about us. And maybe you’re here for dinner so often so you can see Uncle Thane, but you didn’t spend hours helping me through Algebra II this semester because you thought it would make things easier between you. You did it because I needed help. So if he’s our uncle and he does all these things for us, and you do all these things for us, and you’re together, then it makes sense that you’re our uncle too.”

  Blake blinked back tears of pure joy. He wouldn’t embarrass them all by crying, but he had to hug his nephews. His nephews, not just Thane’s. He couldn’t think of many things that would make him happier. Kit and Phillip tolerated his hug for a few seconds before squirming away.

  “We don’t want the salmon overcooked,” Kit said.

  Blake turned to Thane, who pulled him close and held on. “We have some pretty amazing nephews,” Blake said against Thane’s chest.

  “Yes, we do.”

  Blake took a deep breath and started to step back, but Thane kept him close for another sweet kiss… right up until the bit of tongue he slipped in at the end. Blake didn’t squawk in surprise, but it was close. Thane never kissed him that way when the boys were around.

  He looked up at Thane from underneath his eyelashes. “Hold that thought until after we put the tree up.”

  Thane cocked an eyebrow at him. Blake just smiled. “I’m moving in at the end of the month. I didn’t see any reason to go home tonight.”

  The other eyebrow jumped to join the first. “Not that I’m complaining, but….” He gestured toward the boys.

  “They’ll just have to get used to the idea that their uncles have a sex life.”

  “Get a room,” Kit crowed before Thane could reply. Blake thought they’d spoken too quietly for the boys to hear over the sound of cooking. Hopefully they’d just stood close for too long. His cheeks burned, but he couldn’t back down. This was the one hurdle left.

  “We will,” Blake said. “After we eat and decorate the tree.”

  “Ewww,” both boys chorused.


  Blake laughed. He could grow to like making the boys cover their eyes and ears.

  Thane joined in half a beat behind him and hugged Blake tighter. “I love you,” he whispered.

  Blake grinned up at him. “I love you too.”

  When ARIEL TACHNA was twelve years old, she discovered two things: the French language and romance novels. Those two loves have defined her ever since. By the time she finished high school, she’d written four novels, none of which anyone would want to read now, featuring a young woman who was—you guessed it—bilingual. That girl was everything Ariel wanted to be at age twelve and wasn’t.

  She now lives on the outskirts of Houston with her husband (who also speaks French), her kids (who understand French even when they’re too lazy to speak it back), and their two dogs (who steadfastly refuse to answer any French commands). The cat pretends they’re all beneath her, no matter what language they’re speaking.

  Visit Ariel:

  Website: www.arieltachna.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArielTachna

  E-mail: arieltachna@gmail.com

  By Ariel Tachna

  Dreamspun Desires

  LEXINGTON LOVERS

  #8 – Unstable Stud

  #19 – A Matchless Man

  #33 – Stage Two

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Now Available

  Unstable Stud

  Lexington Lovers

  By Ariel Tachna

  Horses were his passion, until he laid eyes on his boss.

  Eighteen months ago, tragedy struck Bywater Farm when a riding accident killed Clay Hunter’s lover and traumatized his prize horse, King of Hearts. Clay and King lingered in limbo, surviving but not really living, until a breath of fresh air in the form of Luke Davis, a new groom in the stud barn, revives them both.

  When a fall from King’s back sends Luke to the emergency room, Clay watches the shaky foundation of their budding relationship tumble down. Can Clay really love a jockey again, or will his fear of losing another man he loves keep them apart for good?

  A Matchless Man

  Lexington Lovers

  By Ariel Tachna

  None of the matches caught his eye as much as the matchmaker himself.

  Growing up poorer than poor didn’t leave Navashen Bhattathiri many options for life outside of school. All of his concentration was on keeping his scholarships. Sixteen years later, he’s fulfilled his dream and become a doctor. Now he’s returning home to Lexington and is ready to prove himself to the world. In doing so, he reconnects with Brent Carpenter—high school classmate, real estate agent, all-around great guy… and closet matchmaker.

  Brent makes it his mission to help Navashen develop a social life and meet available, interesting men. Unfortunately Navashen’s schedule is unpredictable, and few of those available, interesting men value his dedication like Brent does. Brent’s unfailing friendship and support convince Navashen he’s the one, but can he capture Brent’s heart when the matchmaker is focused on finding Navashen another man?

  Coming in June 2017

  #35

  Breaking Bonds by Ari McKay

  The Walker Boys

  From the frying pan into the fire.

  After a critic’s review attacks both Chef Liam Walker’s culinary skills and his personal life, Liam can no longer take the heat of the cutthroat New York City restaurant scene. He needs to get out of the kitchen—at least long enough to cool down and regroup.

  At the Overlook Resort in North Carolina, Liam meets owner Carter Galloway. Carter has a passion for the hospitality business to rival Liam’s own, and it’s not hard to see where their shared interests—and attraction—could lead. But Carter has no interest in a fling, and Liam has no intention of walking away from the career he fought so hard for. If they want a taste of happiness together, they’ll have to find the courage to break the bonds threatening to pull them apart.

  #36

  Romancing the Ugly Duckling by Clare London

  Is this the makeover of a lifetime?

  Ambitious fashionista Perry Goodwood lands the project of his dreams—track down a celebrity family’s missing brother in the Scottish Highlands and bring him back to London for a TV reality show. But first, he must transform the rugged loner into a glamorous sophisticate.

  Greg Ventura has no use for high fashion. He lives on the isolated island of North Uist to escape the reminder that he’s nowhere near as handsome as his gorgeous brothers and avoid the painful childhood memories of being bullied.

  Greg wants nothing to do with city life, and Perry’s never been outside London. When Perry’s stranded on North Uist, this conflict seems insurmountable. But Greg is captivated by the vivacious Perry, and Perry by both the island and his host. However, Perry’s one heartfelt wish remains: that ugly duckling Greg fulfills his potential as a swan.

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  Published by

  DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Stage Two

  © 2017 Ariel Tachna.

  Cover Art

  © 2017 Bree Archer.

  http://www.breearcher.com

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-63533-148-6

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-63533-149-3

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2016913745

  Published May 2017

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America