“Let’s get this over with,” Chaz said then opened the door to my truck. He kept looking over his shoulder as he unlocked his door. “I give them ten minutes. It depends if they’ve changed out of their nightgowns yet.”
He started making a pot of coffee while I glanced around the small, but tidy house. Chaz had explained that he rented the house from his aunt after his uncle passed away. He must’ve thought the arrangement was temporary because there wasn’t a single piece of Chaz Hamilton’s personality anywhere to be found in the overly feminine furniture and décor.
As I sat waiting for Chaz, I heard a buzzing noise of some kind. Chaz looked up at the clock and snorted. The noise got louder and sounded like it was getting closer. Then I realized it wasn’t buzzing at all, but three overzealous women talking over the top of one another.
“Eight minutes,” Chaz said on his way to the door. He had opened it before the ladies had a chance to knock. “I think this is your personal best time.”
“Dear God in heaven,” his grandmother said, making the sign of the cross over her chest. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Chaz looked down at the leather pants he still wore. “Damn it!” He pivoted and glared at me. “You took me out to eat at the diner looking like this?” he asked.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
“I look like a trick you’ve picked up someplace,” Chaz replied.
“Oh no, baby,” his mother cooed, “you’re definitely a treat.”
“Clara, he means he looks like a male prostitute,” his aunt said. She plastered a smile on her face and looked at me. “How are you this morning, Kyle?”
“I’m fine, Mrs. Talbot. Thank you for asking.”
“Oh, none of this Mrs. Talbot stuff,” she said waving her hand. “I haven’t been your teacher for a very long time. You can call me Sandra or Sandy.”
“Okay. Thank you, ma’am.”
She narrowed her eyes and said. “Ma’am is worse than Mrs. Talbot.”
“Did you fellas have a nice night?” Grandma Gertie asked. “You don’t look like you slept very much.”
“Mom,” Mrs. Talbot and Clara said.
“I did a lot of wicked things, Grandma,” Chaz said, dropping a kiss on her wrinkled cheek.
“I taught you well then,” his grandmother said then winked at me.
“Come on in and have a cup of coffee,” I said to the ladies.
The table was small, so it was a pretty tight squeeze for the five of us, but we managed. I felt Chaz’s tension rolling off of him and placed my hand on his knee hoping to calm him a bit. I wasn’t worried about anything the women might say or questions they could ask. They were Chaz’s family, and I wanted to get to know them.
Chaz told them that we had attended Josh and Gabe’s Halloween party and had gone as Ross and Chandler from the show Friends. Sandra said she spent the evening playing bingo at the Catholic church while Clara said she and Chaz’s father, Denver, watched the ID channel.
“It’s not healthy to watch all those killing shows unless you’re writing a book like Chaz,” Grandma Gertie said.
“It’s about as unhealthy as you polishing the wood floors at your age,” Clara replied.
“Bullshit!” Grandma Gertie yelled. “It keeps me young.”
“Is that why you hobbled over here like you’ve been riding a horse for a week straight with no break?” Mrs. Talbot teased.
Chaz placed his hand on top of mine, and I turned to look at him. The smile he gave me warmed my heart because it was genuine and free of strain. I reacted in a way that felt natural to me. I pressed my lips to his for a quick kiss, earning an even happier smile. I was about to go back in for another kiss that was longer and more satisfying, but the happy sighs coming from around the table reminded me that we weren’t alone.
My mom pushed her chair back suddenly and stood up. “Time to go,” she announced.
“What? We just got here,” Grandma Gertie groused. “I only had two sips of my coffee.”
“Mom, you’ve already had three cups. All that caffeine probably isn’t good for you at your age,” Aunt Sandra said.
“What the hell is it with you girls harping at me about my age? For crying out loud, I’m only sixty-nine years old. Wanda Honeycutt was killing people at seventy!” Grandma rolled her eyes like she’d been saddled with the two biggest dimwits for daughters. “Besides, it’s just starting to get interesting over here.”
“I’m not sure that’s a standard you should try to live up to,” I told my grandmother. Mrs. Honeycutt was my former Sunday school teacher who spoke with a soft voice and always had a kind smile. She baked cookies, volunteered at the library, and killed her former employer after she was forced into an early retirement. We learned that small, sleepy towns often hid large, dark secrets.
“I’ll be sleeping with one eye open from now on,” Aunt Sandra said. “Come on, Mom. Let’s give Chaz and Kyle some privacy.”
“Fine, but I want all the juicy tidbits later, Charles Bailey. You know you’re my favorite grandchild,” Grandma said as she reluctantly headed to the front door.
“I’m your only grandchild,” I reminded her.
Luckily, Kyle laughed during the entire exchange instead of bolting for the door. I looked over and smiled at him. “They mean well,” I told him.
“Yes, they certainly do.”
We stared at each other awkwardly for a few heartbeats before we closed the distance between us. “Kyle, I want to kiss you now.”
“Okay then,” Kyle replied. We might’ve been starting over, but I was glad we kept our familiar little phrase.
I leaned in slowly to savor the moment because in many ways it felt like it was our first kiss all over again. I had read many kissing scenes in books over the years and even started writing some of my own. There were only so many words a person could use to describe the tempo of a kiss or so many places for a man to put his hands. As vast as the English language was, only a handful of adjectives worked well. Knowing those words and living them were two different things though.
I seriously thought I was going to melt on the spot when Kyle slipped his tongue into my mouth and teasingly flicked it against the tip of mine. I tried to suck his tongue deeper into my mouth, but he pulled it back with a chuckle. Always before, Kyle kissed me like he thought I would disappear, but that morning he kissed like a man who believed I was there to stay. He took his time exploring and tasting me, sending butterflies into flight inside my stomach and fireworks exploding behind my eyelids just like I’d read in books. He made my blood hum, my heart pound, and my body crave his touch. Yet, I’d discovered new adjectives I seldom used, or read, to describe the art of kissing and they were all a variation of the word consume.
I wasn’t just kissed by Kyle; I was immersed in him. I didn’t just partake, I imbibed. I became inebriated from Kyle’s mouth quicker than the time I stole a sip of my granddad’s moonshine when I was thirteen. I knew there were prettier words to describe the emotions Kyle made me feel, but the only one I could muster after our kiss ended was, “Wow.”
“I’ll say,” Kyle said breathlessly. “Um, you better get a move on with your laundry.”
Neither one of us wanted to stop kissing and touching for laundry, but our bond still felt tenuous. I wasn’t sure how far to push things, so I leaned forward and pecked his lips briefly before I went to my room to gather laundry.
“You need any help?” Kyle yelled from the kitchen.
“I don’t think we’re at the stage in our relationship where we launder one another’s underwear,” I hollered back.
“Too soon, huh?” Kyle asked from the doorway.
I clutched my chest and spun around to face him. “Damn, you move fast for a big guy.”
“Like a ninja,” Kyle replied. “Did you say you didn’t want me to see your underwear? Are you hiding something embarrassing or cute?”
“You’ve seen my underwear,” I scoffed, trying not to let on how close he was to
the truth.
“I’ve seen your underwear twice,” Kyle clarified. “You probably played it safe on the off chance I might see them. I bet you only wear the good stuff at home.”
I turned back to my clothes basket and said, “No, don’t be ridiculous.” Damn it!
“Oh my God!” he exclaimed loud enough for my grandmother to hear at her house. She probably thought we were fucking. “I’m right! I had only been kidding, but now I know I was right.”
I turned back around to face Kyle with my hands on my hips. “It’s no big deal.”
“Then why are your cheeks so red?” Kyle asked. “I showed you my nerdy comic book collection and my geeky glasses.”
“Yes, but I’m still trying to get back into your good graces.”
“Then you’ll show me your fancy underwear,” Kyle said, crossing his arms across his broad chest. He wasn’t going to budge—either from the topic or my room.
“Fine, but you’re not allowed to laugh at me,” I huffed, “and I’m showing you the clean ones in my collection.”
“Oh, a collection.” Kyle waggled his brows comically while he rubbed his hands together in glee.
I took a deep breath for courage then crossed to my dresser and pulled open my top drawer. I pulled out the first pair I happened to come across and held them up for Kyle to see.
“Oh God,” he placed his hand over his heart. Kyle’s cheeks flushed a deep red from lust—or so I hoped. “I want to pull those off you with my teeth.” I looked at the pair of Captain America briefs that happened to be my favorite pair. I should’ve known that comic-loving Kyle would approve of my silly collection. “Are you wearing a pair now?” he asked.
“Not really, but they’re silly,” I replied. “I thought the underwear would help me get into my role as Ross.”
Kyle narrowed his eyes and closed the short distance between us. He snatched the Captain America undies and tossed them back in the drawer before he unbuttoned and unzipped my leather pants. Kyle tugged the pants down to mid thigh and stared at the secret he revealed. “Dinosaurs,” he said then hooked his finger in the waistband and tugged me closer. “You’re so fucking adorable that I don’t know what to do with you sometimes.”
“I have a few ideas,” I said suggestively, “but they better wait until after dinner at Josh and Gabe’s house. Hell, we’re probably in trouble for missing out on their Halloween party.”
“I think you should pack an overnight bag and bring the Captain with you to stay at my house,” Kyle said.
“We’d like that,” I answered.
Kyle started backing away from me. “I’m going to go out in the living room and wait for you. I don’t trust myself in your bedroom right now, nor do I trust that your family isn’t outside listening.” As much as I wanted a sample of things to come later that night, I knew Kyle was probably right, so I didn’t stop him from walking away.
I rushed through a quick shower after I started the laundry, but I could’ve taken my time. Kyle was sprawled on my couch fast asleep with his Kindle lying on his chest. I hadn’t asked him how much sleep he had the night before, but I doubted it was much since he was awake before me and at least halfway through my book. I wanted to run my fingers through his soft hair and rejoice that I hadn’t lost him after all, but I didn’t want to risk waking him up.
While he slept, I got out my laptop and made some plot notes for the next story brewing in my mind. Once I finished, I checked my email to see if my editor, Peaches, liked the revisions I’d sent her. I didn’t see an email from her, but there was one from a name I recognized immediately. I knew it had to be a prank, but that didn’t stop me from opening the email.
Hello, C.B.,
I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve recently read your book and I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. It had everything I love in a book—intrigue, sharp dialogue, two hunky men who fight their attraction for one another, and sex scenes hot enough to melt my tablet. Kudos to you!
I hope you don’t find me presumptuous or rude, but I sent a copy of your book to my literary agent, Jennifer Sugarbaker. Jennifer isn’t just an agent; she’s the best literary agent in the business. Honey, you are going places, and you’re going to need her help. I’d be happy to talk to you about the services she provides anytime. I hope to hear from you soon!
XOXO
Agnes Simmons
I read the email at least three times before I so much as blinked. Agnes Simmons was my literary idol. I loved every book she’d ever written, and her praise meant more to me than I could put into words.
“That email must be something else.” Kyle’s comment snapped me out of my trance. “Is everything okay?”
I don’t know what made me do it, but I’ll blame it on nerves or the devil. “Some douchebag named Drew is trying to hook up with me.”
“Don’t make me slap your ass again,” Kyle said with a slight growl to his voice, sending an electric zap of lust straight to my groin.
“It’s an email from my favorite author,” I told him. “She’s read my book and forwarded it to her literary agent. She thinks that I’m going places and need representation.”
“Chaz, that’s really exciting. What are you going to do?” Kyle asked.
“I’m going to fanboy over it for the day then try to think of intelligent questions to ask her,” I replied. I glanced up at the clock and noticed the time. “We better get going, or Josh will string us up by our balls.”
“Are you packed and ready to go?” Kyle asked. I was happy to hear he hadn’t changed his mind.
“Yep.”
“Okay then,” Kyle replied.
Josh was waiting for us when we arrived at his house. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. “Where’d you two get off to so fast last night?” he asked as soon as we were alone. “Hell, I didn’t even know that Kyle had shown up until I started asking where you’d gone.” Josh waggled his brows, leaned closer, and lowered his voice. “Did he really throw you over his shoulder and smack you on the ass?”
“Yep,” I answered calmly.
“And?” Josh prodded.
“Did I ask you what went on between the sheets with you and Gabe?” I asked him huffily.
“So, you’re confirming there was action in the sheets?” Josh asked hopefully.
“I will neither confirm nor deny,” I told him. I enjoyed watching him beg for information. “Why were you looking for me last night?” I asked.
“I have huge news,” Josh said. His voice broke and his eyes teared up, but his blinding smile promised me that everything was okay. Besides, he’d already had one stalker and two psychopaths hell bent on killing him. He’d survived all three and came out stronger on the other end.
Meredith rushed into the room. “Me too! I have big news!”
“I bet my news is bigger than yours,” Josh said sassily.
“Like your ego,” Mere shot back. Mere looked at me and waved her hand like she was dismissing Josh. “Do you believe this guy?”
“OH MY GOD!” Josh and I yelled at the same time because Mere’s big news was on display for us to see.
“That’s a huge diamond,” Josh said in awe.
“Fit for our queen,” I said.
Then we had a group hug and cried sappy tears. Josh and I fired one question after another about the proposal and when she planned to get married.
“Well, you saw that Harley and I dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming last night, right?” she asked us. We both nodded our heads. “Well, he dropped to his knee at the stroke of midnight and asked me to marry him.”
“Awwww,” Josh and I both said at the same time.
“Chaz got spanked by Dr. Do Me, and Mere got engaged,” Josh said. “You’re gonna be tough to top, but I can do it.”
“Honey, you sound like you’ve used those words before,” Mere teased. “Now come on, share your big news with us. Please don’t say that another person is trying to kill you.”
“I think the coast is clear now that Jimmy De Soto has been apprehended.” Josh held us his hands in prayer and looked beseechingly toward heaven. “Gabe and I are flying to Miami tomorrow to meet the potential mother of our children,” Josh said then bit his lip while he waited for our reaction.
“What?” Mere and I said at the same time. “Children?”
“Twins!” Josh said excitedly. “A boy and a girl.”
“Oh my God! That’s amazing!” I knew that Josh and Gabe were planning to adopt, but I thought they had planned to wait a year so they could go on a road trip across the country. It looked as if life wasn’t going according to Josh’s plans once again, and judging by the smile on his face, he couldn’t be happier.
“Baby, that’s wonderful,” Mere said. “When did this all happen?”
“Yesterday,” Josh said. “Gabe’s mom called us in the middle of an argument over me not allowing Gabe to have a water pistol to use as a prop for his Ricardo Tubbs costume.” I snorted when I remembered how ridiculous Josh and Gabe had looked dressed like Crockett and Tubbs from Miami Vice. Their ridiculous wigs made them look more like Lionel Ritchie and Joe Dirt. Josh narrowed his eyes at my interruption and continued to tell us how the call went. “It’s just like Gabe’s adoption,” he said when he was through. “Martina and Al knew Gabe’s birth mom from the neighborhood, and it’s happening all over again.”
“When will you be back?” I asked Josh so I could mentally prepare myself for the phone calls I would need to make to reschedule his appointments.
“We’re flying to Miami and back tomorrow, so you don’t need to worry about calling my clients.” He took a shaky breath then said, “The babies are due to arrive mid-January.”
“Oh wow, that’ll be here before you know it,” I said.
“Yes, and I’m trying not to panic,” Josh answered. “I’m going to fly to Miami tomorrow and wow the fuck out of this potential mom then fly back to be ready for the interviews for the new stylists and receptionist for Curl Up and Dye on Tuesday.”
Unscripted Love (Road to Blissville, #1) Page 17