Songs of Love : Books 1-3

by M J Calabrese

  “Vince, the cook?”

  “You got a problem with that? The guy works hard, so what if he’s a cook. I respect that. Plus, I found out last night he’s gay. I helped him out of a tight spot. He said he owed me a favor, so I’m going to call it in and ask him out on a date.”

  Ray shook his head in dismay, “I don’t know…, he’s way out of your league.”

  “What? Are you saying he’s not good enough…?” Martin grimaced, his sleepy brain actually understanding what Ray said for the first time. “Wait! Why do you think I’m not good enough for him?”

  “I go there a lot to eat, Marty. If you fuck this up, I’ll have to order in all the time. With your track record it could get messy.”

  “I really like him, Ray. I get a good, kind of stable vibe off the guy. I just want to go on an actual date and see what happens. Just go down there and very discreetly get the info for me. Okay?”

  Ray sat down in the chair across from his boss. “Can I give you some advice?”

  Martin shrugged.

  “Let him choose where you go the first time. It will make him feel important and you can meet some of his friends. Also, no sex on the first date.”

  “Oh, you really don’t know gay men.” Martin laughed.

  “All I’m saying is that you are looking for a long term relationship. You’re looking for a Mr. Right, not a Mr. Right Now.”

  Martin frowned as he considered his friend’s words. “What about on the second date?”

  “I would say on the second date, again, let him chose what you do and where you go and no sex. You want to get to know him as a person, not a sex toy.”

  “Awww, fuck!!” Martin flopped back and threw his arm over his eyes. “What about the third date?”

  “If you make it to the third date, you plan it. Do something grand. Listen to him on the first two dates. Ask him his dreams. Ask him about places he’d like to see before he dies, then fulfill one of his dreams. That’s when you have sex.”

  “I could do that.”

  “Fuck, yeah! And if it goes to the fourth date…. Well, let’s just say, you might have found your Mr. Right.” Ray got up, brushing unseen lint off his suit. “Now you need to get changed. I know you have a clean suit in your executive washroom back there. Get your head in the game for that meeting in….” Ray checked his watch. “Thirty minutes now. I’ll grab you a protein bar and some coffee. Chop! Chop! We got money to make, boss.”

  *****

  It was early afternoon when the sound of his door opening made Martin glance up. His executive assistant walked in with an expression on his face that was a cross between amused and irritated.

  “Next time you want something like this, get a private detective, okay?” Ray handed his employer a single sheet of paper.

  Martin logged out of his emails, “What happened?”

  “Well,” Ray took a seat, crossing his legs. His perfectly manicured fingers grasped the arms of the chair. “I ran down to the diner and Vince was miraculously still there. So I asked him for his number. He looked at me and very nicely, but firmly, pointed to my wedding ring and told me he doesn’t go out with married men. In my book, that’s definitely a point in his favor, but then he left. No number.”

  Ray leaned back and smiled. “I came back up here for that meeting and to do some work, then I went back down later and had lunch. I had to bribe one of the waitresses with a hundred dollar tip to give me his full name, number, work hours, and address.”

  Martin fought to keep the grin off his face, but lost. “So it cost you a hundred dollars to get the information?”

  “No, it cost you a hundred dollars. I took it out of petty cash. I also did a background check on him. I emailed it to you. You can read it when you want to. So, the rest is up to you.”

  “Is he a serial killer?”

  “If he is, he’s never put anything on his Facebook or Instagram page about it.”

  Martin stared at the paper in his hands. “You know, it’s funny.” He glanced up at Ray with a frown. “I know I’m doing the right thing. I have a good feeling about Vince, but, dammit, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about doing this. I feel like I’m thirteen and I’m asking someone out for the first time. Like I’m embarking on something completely alien to me and I haven’t got the vaguest idea how to do this.”

  “Well, you know one thing for sure about him.” Ray got up and headed for the door. “He doesn’t date married men.

  *****

  Martin stared at the phone number in front of him. He’d underlined it six or seven times and for some reason had drawn a tiny heart next to it. He had his iPhone in his hands, thinking about what he was about to do. He was about to ask a man on a date. He hadn’t had a date in years, hook ups, yes, but not a date, and for some reason this was causing him some anxiety. You run a multinational corporation, for God’s sake. What the fuck is wrong with you? What’s the worst that can happen? That he says no? But for some reason it did matter. He set the phone down and rubbed his sweaty palms on his thighs. Martin knew that if he wanted to talk with Vince before he went to work, he’d have to call now. But, then again, I could go down there and talk to him face to face. He shook his head and picked up his phone. No, rejection would be easier to take on the phone than if the guy was standing right in front of you. Before he could over think it anymore, he dialed Vince’s number. It rang three times before a deep voice answered.

  “Speak to me.”

  “Vince? This is Martin Kull. Your fake boyfriend from last night?”

  There was a moment of silence. “Marty! Oh, yeah. I didn’t expect to hear from you. How did you get my number?”

  “I bribed one of your waitresses. I did call for a reason.”

  Vince waited, but Martin remained silent. “And the reason was?” He prompted.

  “Oh, yeah. I wondered if you’d like to go out with me? I know you’re off Thursday and I’d like to get to know you better. I mean, I really thought you were nice and really good looking, so….”

  “Good looking? Really?” He could hear the smile in Vince’s voice. “So, what do you have planned? I gotta tell you, I don’t own a tux.”

  Martin laughed, “No, no tux needed. I thought I’d let you choose what we do. I’ll pay and I’ll pick you up for our date. You just tell me what to wear and what time to be there.”

  “You want me to choose where we go?” In his mind, Martin could see Vince’s eyebrows reach for his hairline.

  “I do. I think that’s one way to get to know you better, maybe meet some of your friends. We could talk, have a beer or a drink somewhere.”

  “Then go back to your place for sex?”

  “No, no sex. I have it on good authority, I shouldn’t have sex on the first date if I’m trying to get to know someone.”

  “Whoever told you that isn’t gay, right?” Vince laughed, then seemed to get serious. “Am I part of your ‘gonna change my life’ program? I’m not really into being a lab rat for you.”

  “You’re not a lab rat. I will be honest. I’m looking for a long term relationship. If it all works out, maybe marriage one day and, I don’t know, I get a feeling you might be into that as well. Hell, Vince, you’ve known me for, what, eight years?” Martin snickered, “You know I have a regular job.”

  “I don’t know, Marty. You and me, we got a beautiful thing going here. Do we really want to screw it up with dating?” Vince teased.

  “Come on, man. Where’s your sense of adventure? I might be the Thelma to your Louise, you never know.”

  They both burst out laughing at that. Once Vince could speak again he cleared his throat. “Okay. I’ll take you out for a spin. Kick your tires. See if you’ve got a few more miles on your old chassis.”

  “Yes!” Martin pumped his arm in triumph, “What time Thursday?”

  “Pick me up at seven pm at….”

  “2416 Delbeck, right?”

  “Did Millie give you that, too?”

  “
Hey! I paid a lot of money for that information. See you at seven, Thursday. What should I wear?”

  “I’ll text you when I figure things out.” He grew silent, when he spoke again it was so soft Martin could barely hear him. “You’re not messing with me, are you?”

  “No, Vince, I’m not messing with you.”

  “Good. See you Thursday.”

  Chapter Two

  Martin knocked on Vince’s townhouse door. It was an older place, but the little garden out front seemed to be well kept. Low maintenance evergreens were trimmed and the window sills had been recently painted. He waited, checking out the street. It was already getting dark and he’d had to park a block over. It made him a little nervous leaving his Range Rover unattended, but he had to trust nothing would happen. If it did, there was always the outrageously priced insurance he carried on the thing.

  He was about to knock again when he heard a voice from inside yell for him to keep his shirt on and the sound of boots coming down a flight of stairs told him he wasn’t the only one worried about how he looked. The door flew open and a slightly flustered Vince grinned.

  “Hey!”

  “Hey.”

  Vince stepped back, “Wanna come in for a minute? Sorry, I just got off the phone with my daughter. She’s getting over a bad breakup with her boyfriend and needed to talk.”

  Martin walked in and couldn’t help but check out his surroundings.

  “Yeah, she listened to me whine when Avery dumped me, so turnabout is fair play. Ya’ know. Asked her if she wanted me to go over and beat the crap outta the bastard, but I was only joking,” He smiled, “Sort of. Thank goodness she knows not to take me too seriously.” Vince laughed, then looked down at the floor, suddenly shy. “Sorry, rambling. Uh, hey. You wanna go? Or can I get you a beer or something?”

  Martin stepped close and gave Vince a chaste kiss. “Relax, Vince. Is that what you like to be called, Vince?”

  Vince smiled, still some shyness in the larger man’s eyes. “Yeah, that or Vinnie. My friends call me Vinnie. I thought there wasn’t supposed to be any sex on this date?”

  “If you consider a no-tongues kiss sex, man, you have been without way too long.”

  Vince wrapped his arms around Martin and the smile grew into a grin. He pressed his already hardening cock against his date’s hip. “Well, a little kiss can lead to more than a little kiss, can lead to…, I don’t know. Maybe not going on a date at all?”

  Martin looked down and shook his head. He stepped back, giving them both time to cool down a bit. “No, I don’t want a hook up with you. I want to get to know you, really know you. Are you okay with that?”

  Vince tilted his head and heaved a big sigh, “Yeah, I want that, too. So…,” he reached for his jacket on the back of a chair. “You ready to meet the guys?”

  “The guys? Your friends?”

  “You may as well get your feet wet if you’re looking for a commitment. It’s like with my family, hell, they are part of my family. We’re a packaged deal.” He held out his hand, motioning for Martin to lead the way.

  *****

  As they parked down the street, Martin kept looking for the gay club Vince was taking him to. They stopped outside of a bar. Eddie’s Tavern was a nondescript, little hole in the wall. From the outside it looked like a working man’s hangout with a brick façade and blacked out windows that provided some anonymity for its patrons.

  “Eddie’s Tavern?” Martin raised both eyebrows in surprise. “This is where all the hot, gay men hang out?”

  “Hey, never judge a book by its cover, Marty.” Vince smiled as he reached for the door handle and pulled it open.

  The place was old Boston working man at its finest. Everything from a heavy dark oak bar that dominated the center of the tavern with numerous beer pulls in old English styling. Bar stools with tattered leather and hobnails. Booths lined one side of the room, as two pool tables took center stage, and vintage K.D. Lang crooned in the background.

  Heads turned as the two men entered.

  “Fuck, Vinnie! We started without you.” Willie waved from the far side of the room, darts in hand.

  “Yeah, man. Who’s the new twink on your arm?” A massive bear of a man approached waggling an eyebrow at the new guy.

  Martin couldn’t help himself, he broke out in laughter. He brushed away a tear and thought to stick his hand out for a shake. “Martin Kull and I’ve been called many things, but never a twink.”

  “You may not be a twink, but Vinnie’s definitely a cougar. Rowr!! Doris Connors.” The six foot, dark haired woman with large hands put an arm through Martin’s and pulled him toward the bar. “Whatcha drinkin’, handsome?”

  “Hey, Marty, grab me a Sam Adams. Doris, hands off! He’s gay and he’s mine.”

  Doris leaned toward him and whispered, “You know, Vinnie and I used to date way back. He’s still a good friend, but he has a little problem with this.” She waved her hand over her front. “Especially when I, you know, had my reassignment surgery. He really likes sucking dick.” She grinned, “and he’s really good at it.”

  Martin chuckled, “I’m sure he is, but I haven’t had the pleasure, yet.”

  “You haven’t had some of that, yet? What’s wrong with you?” Eddie Riley, proprietor of Eddie’s Tavern, grinned and wiped at his bar top for no reason at all. He just wanted an excuse to talk.

  “We’re trying to really get to know each other. No sex until the third date. Coors Lite for me and can I buy a round of drinks for everyone?” Martin turned back, watching Vince’s perfect dart thrower’s stance. He liked what he saw. Tall, relaxed face with lines that meant he had some life experience. Flat stomach, with six pack abs not hidden beneath the right, not tight, fitting Henley that still stretched a bit over Vince’s impressive biceps and jeans covering working man’s boots.

  “Gorgeous.”

  Martin turned and looked at Eddie who was looking at him. His face blushed as he smiled and looked away. “Bold move, Eddie. Kudos. But I think I’ll stick with that.” He pointed at Vince with his glass before taking a sip of his beer. He turned back to the group against the far wall.

  “How long have you known him?” Doris took her beer from the growing group on the counter.

  “Truth? Eight years, but I just got my head out of my ass and decided to ask him out.”

  “So you were around for the Avery drama. That’ll be $56.97.” Eddie held his hand out.

  Martin dug out his corporate credit card and handed it to Eddie, “Only the most recent incident. Vince never really talked about anything personal.”

  A much younger man, probably in his early thirties, stepped up to the throwing line, but he faltered just as he was about to throw. Vince stepped up behind him and took his hand, guiding the younger man’s hand up and back, directing his throw.

  Martin frowned. Not that he had a claim on Vince. Not yet, anyway, but he didn’t like the way the younger guy was leaning back into his date. “Got a tray for these drinks?”

  A minute later, Martin was balancing the large tray laden with beer toward the group.

  “Alright, Marty!” A man about his age came up and took the tray from him, placing it on a nearby table. “Max Zuto and…,” he pointed to the twink leaning on his date, “that’s my husband, Kevin.”

  When Martin looked at Max, he realized from the other man’s smile he wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his surprise. “Yep, that sweet bit is mine, all mine. What he sees in an old coot like me, I’ll never know.”

  Kevin stood about six inches shorter than his husband as he slid up against the older man’s chest. Rising up on tiptoe, he kissed him before turning back to Martin. “Kevin Brezinski, so, you’re Vinnie’s newest.”

  “Has he brought a lot of guys here?”

  “Actually, no one except for Avery, who hated us and this place.”

  “Not posh enough for him.” Max sneered, but squeezed Kevin a bit tighter and kissed his husband’s neck. “He’s never broug
ht any of his dates here.”

  Martin felt Vince’s hand on his hip as he reached around to grab a beer from the tray. “That’s because Marty’s special.”

  “Ooohhhh!!!!” His crowd of friends cried out, clapping.

  Eddie stepped up and handed Martin his card. “Thanks.” But Martin looked up when the bartender didn’t release it immediately. He leaned in and whispered, “I thought I recognized you. You’re the Martin Kull, aren’t you. Bestrek? That billionaire?”

  “Eddie,” Vince’s deep voice sent a warning, “go find your own date.”

  Eddie shrugged and smiled, “Got any friends who want a Daddy and they’re rich?”

  Martin took his credit card, “I’ll check around. See who I can find.”

  “Let me formally introduce these clowns, that’s Kevin and Max.” He pointed at the twink and his husband. “That’s Willie. Watch him, he gets handsy when he gets drunk.” Willie, the large bear who’d been the first to welcome him, waved just as he made his next shot. “That’s Pete and his boyfriend du jour, Johnny.”

  “Hey, he’s the current love of my life, Vinnie. Have some respect.” Pete laughed, throwing his arm over Johnny’s shoulder.

  “You already met Doris.” Vince smiled, “She probably told you we dated a while back and it’s true, but she was Dave then and still had a dick.”

  Doris put her hands on her ample hips, lips thinning into a straight line of irritation, “Hey!”

  Vince raised his hands in surrender, “You know me, Doris, I like dick.”

  Doris shrugged and looked at Martin, “It’s true. He can’t get enough.”

  Now it was Vince’s turn to look irritated, “Hey! Now you’re making me sound like a slut.”

  “If the stiletto fits, darling.” Eddie called out from the bar.

  Quiet Johnny finally spoke up. He held out his hand, “I dated Vince a few times. You got yourself a great guy.”

  “What?” Pete stared at his boyfriend. “You dated Vince?”

  “I didn’t know you knew him and it was before I met you, babe, really.”