by Shea Balik
His joke elicited a genuine smile from Gabriel and Lakyn’s heart skipped a beat to know he’d put it there. “Now,” he said as he stood up and pulled Gabriel up with him. “Let’s eat, then we can see if maybe we can’t find the rest of your wish list.”
Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to Gabriel’s lips. “The chemistry is there. We’ll have to see if love will follow.”
The amber flecks in Gabriel’s eyes turned liquid, telling Lakyn Gabriel felt the attraction, too. It wasn’t love, but then again, it was too soon for that emotion. But they had nothing but time to see if there was something more between them.
“Come on.” He tugged on Gabriel’s hand. “I’m famished.”
Too bad it was for more than just food. With all these people around, he couldn’t exactly just tackle Gabriel to the ground and have his way with him.
Chapter Ten
“Are you sure we haven’t done this already?” Jesse asked, as if Gabriel hadn’t already answered that question at least ten times.
Gabriel sighed, ready to give Jesse what he wanted and let him go. Only Gabriel’s determination to finish stopped him. “Jesse if you’d just work with me this would be done already.”
But why must we do this?” Jesse whined as he banged his forehead against the table dramatically.
This time Gabriel counted to ten in order not to yell at his boss. Jesse really knew how to be a pain in the ass when he wanted to be, and right now he was being especially difficult. If Gabriel hadn’t seen for himself how good Jesse was at working with people and solving logistical problems for the community, he never would have believed Jesse should be mayor.
The guy was as flighty as they come. Yet, when it mattered, Jesse had a gift. If only Gabriel could figure out how to harness Jesse’s insatiable need to know everyone else’s business into making a list of priorities he wanted to campaign with for mayor, they would have been done in minutes.
As of yet, Gabriel hadn’t come up with a way to gain Jesse’s interest in the process. Even though this was to help Jesse become mayor, Jesse couldn’t have been less interested than if Vicar had come in with a tray of teas for them to try.
Frustrated and out of ways to interest Jesse, Gabriel decided to try being straightforward. “Is there a reason you are being so stubborn about making this list?”
Jesse lifted his head with an eyebrow raised up high on his forehead. “You’re kidding right?” Jesse deadpanned. “This has to be the most boring thing ever.”
Gabriel didn’t think so. “How can you say that? This list represents what changes you want to make to Cedar Falls.” He pointed in the general direction of City Hall. “That statue you want to put up of Bigfoot, or the building you want to replace that the tornado destroyed.”
Suddenly an idea came to him. Grabbing his tablet, he said, “Come on. Let’s go for a walk.”
Jesse jumped to his feet, the excitement of getting out of the office evident on his face. Taking the stairs down the back of the building, they exited behind Nice ’n’ Rosy. It was better that they had moved the office to over Jesse’s store, but it was also obvious Jesse hated being cooped up in an office.
How he planned on managing the town’s affairs when he couldn’t stay still more than five minutes at a time was anyone’s guess, but that wasn’t Gabriel’s problem. He needed to find ways to give Jesse what he wanted, while working on the issues at hand.
Leading the way around the building, Gabriel did the one thing he’d been warned never to do by every single person he met. “Let’s go over to Sweet Buns for a coffee. Then we can walk through downtown.”
Jesse was practically vibrating with anticipation. Gabriel should have listened to all those warnings. The next thing he knew, Jesse grabbed his hand and practically dragged him across the street, completely ignoring the vehicles driving straight for them. Horns blared and curses were shouted at them as tires squealed and the smell of burning rubber assailed them.
But instead of apologizing as he should, Jesse waved and smiled. It was like Jesse believed those angry drivers were saying, “Hello,” instead of yelling at him for nearly causing an accident.
Next time Gabriel had the impulse to strike it out on his own and run a small town mayoral race, he was going to check himself into a mental hospital, for he had to be insane.
“Oh no you don’t, Jesse Grant,” Zane said as soon as they entered Sweet Buns. Zane was the owner of the bakery and one of Jesse’s best friends. “There is no way in hell I’m giving you more coffee, no matter what excuse you give.”
Zane’s protests didn’t even faze Jesse. “It’s not for me. Gabriel here is practically falling asleep at his desk and wants two cups of coffee. One caramel macchiato and one vanilla latte.” Jesse glanced back at Gabriel, his eyes silently urging him to agree.
Since he needed Jesse’s cooperation, Gabriel didn’t have much of a choice even if he was starting to regret his impulse to get him another coffee. “Yeah, Jesse was assuring me his drink is better, so I want to do a taste test, to see if he’s correct.”
Zane stared at Gabriel, clearly not believing a word he was saying. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he muttered after a full minute of silence. Then, much to Gabriel’s relief, Zane turned to start making the drinks.
“So what bet did you lose?” Zane asked.
Even though the question wasn’t directed at either of them in particular, Gabriel knew Zane was talking to him. He glanced at Jesse, who was hopping from foot to foot as he watched Zane make his caramel macchiato. He reminded Gabriel of a little kid needing to go to the bathroom. “I need Jesse to work with me on building a list of platforms for his campaign.”
“Oh.” Jesse’s eyes got really big as he stuck his right foot out to show off his shoes. “Speaking of platforms—did you see my new pink rhinestone shoes? They even have rhinestone hearts on the sides. See?” Jesse then lifted up his foot so they could see the side of the three-inch platform. One thing Gabriel had learned about Jesse, the man had no balance.
Jesse let out a screech as his arms went flailing to find purchase, but there was nothing but air within reach. Gabriel tried to grab him, but he was a step too far away. Jesse went tumbling down to the ground. Gabriel still wasn’t sure how Jesse ended up face down with his ass sticking up in the air, but it made for a funny sight.
“Don’t tell me,” Ethan said laughing as he walked into Sweet Buns with Kyler, the manager Jesse hired for Nice ’n’ Rosy while he ran for mayor. “You fell again.”
Jesse scowled up at his friend. “No, I didn’t. I just thought the floor could use a hug.”
“Right,” Ethan said. “And the Pope isn’t Catholic.”
“Wait.” Kyler tilted his head to the side, confused. “I thought the Pope had to be Catholic. Isn’t he the head of the Catholic Church?”
Ethan stared at Kyler like he’d grown two heads. “Of course he’s Catholic, that’s the point.”
But Kyler was clearly still confused. “Huh?” Kyler had trouble understanding sarcasm. Most people would have made fun of him and treated him like an outsider, but the people of Cedar Falls had embraced Kyler’s quirkiness and made him a part of their group.
As Ethan explained what he’d meant, Gabriel worried this wasn’t a good sign for the rest of his day. He’d had great hopes of walking around with Jesse, discussing the things that Jesse wanted to change about Cedar Falls.
“Your drinks are ready,” Zane told Gabriel.
That was all Jesse needed to hear to hop up off the floor and head to the counter as if nothing had happened. “Here,” Jesse said, grabbing the caramel macchiato. “Let me hold this for you.”
Zane rolled his eyes as he ran Gabriel’s credit card through the machine. “You really know how to help, Jesse.” Then Zane looked at Gabriel. “Just keep him away from here for the rest of the day, got it?”
Gabriel nodded.
“Wait,” Ethan said. “You’re giving Jesse another macchiato? Are you insane?�
�� he asked Gabriel.
“No, I just need him to work with me on his pla…” Gabriel remembered what happened the last time he said platforms. “The issues he wants to cover in his campaign.”
“And you thought coffee would help?” Ethan asked dubiously.
In hindsight, Gabriel might have made a mistake, but it was too late now. Jesse was already pushing open the door. “Come on, Gabriel. You wouldn’t want the coffee to get cold.”
After saying good-bye, Gabriel followed Jesse out, praying this would work.
They weren’t more than a step beyond the window to Sweet Buns when Jesse stopped and took a sip of his macchiato. “Ahhhhhh,” Jesse said. “All right, get out your tablet thingy and let’s get this list done so I don’t have to hear about it again.”
Gabriel had to admit to being a bit surprised that Jesse was actually cooperating. Hopefully, it would last long enough to actually finish. With one hand holding his coffee and the other holding his tablet, Gabriel called up the list with his thumb.
“We have several items already listed, like the reconstruction of the building on Peachtree, along with two proposed sites for new buildings. I have made a side note that at least one, if not more, of the buildings would be used to bring artisans back into downtown.”
“Don’t forget refurbishing some of the spaces over the shops for apartments,” Jesse mentioned. “After talking with Parker, we won’t be able to do apartments above the shops if there are artisans who use power tools, as they will be too disruptive, so I’m thinking of using that space for other artisans, like painters and sculptors. We can also have storage for the artisans.”
As Jesse talked, Gabriel made notes. His thumb moved constantly until he finally threw out his coffee in order to be able to type faster. Just like with that farmer, ideas seemed to flow from Jesse about improvements to Cedar Falls that were well thought out and easily implemented.
There would be some that would require addressing the budget, but most of them included getting the community involved with little money needed from the town itself.
Once more, Jesse astounded Gabriel with his knowledge of this town and its people. He may end up needing an assistant who would pay attention to details in order for anything to actually get done, but Jesse would make a great mayor for Cedar Falls.
Not paying a lot of attention to where they were going, Gabriel was surprised to find them standing in front of Happy Endings. “Now, I have made you another appointment with Lakyn.” Jesse took the tablet Gabriel had been furiously jotting down notes in.
“Wait. What? Why?” Gabriel asked.
Jesse rolled his eyes and stomped one of his platform shoes to the ground. “Because I didn’t waste all that time bringing you two together for that barbecue to end up with no plans for more.” Jesse shook his head, his dark hair fanning out around his shoulders. “I swear, it’s like I have to do everything for you couples to get your heads out of your asses,” he muttered.
Then he jabbed a finger against Gabriel’s chest. “Don’t make me tie you up like I did with Tyge.”
Huh?
“Now I expect a real date planned after this massage.” Jesse narrowed his mascaraed lashes at Lakyn. “Don’t disappoint me.” Then he flounced—it was the only word that seemed appropriate—away.
Gabriel had no idea what Jesse had meant about tying Tyge up, nor was he sure he wanted to. Turning around, Gabriel faced the door to Happy Endings and took a deep breath. He may not have understood everything Jesse said, but he was right about one thing, it was time for Gabriel to ask Lakyn out on a real date.
Chapter Eleven
“Ow,” Mayor Murphy shouted. “Are you trying to put holes in me? Because if you push any harder your fingers are going to break right through my skin.”
Lakyn was barely touching the sensitive mayor, but he wasn’t surprised at the tirade. The man’s muscles were so tight, Lakyn was surprised they hadn’t snapped. “You need to find a way to relax or you’re going to end up injured.”
“How am I supposed to relax when this town is being overrun by gays?” the mayor snapped. “Did you know there are even several lesbian couples who live here? Like I don’t have enough trouble with too many gay men.”
Lakyn had to grit his teeth not to tell the bigoted jerk off. He was beginning to wonder why he bothered. Rent. That was why. He might be able to scrape up enough to pay the bills, but it would leave nothing left over for things like food at the end of the month.
“If this town isn’t careful, we’ll become overrun with their kind,” the mayor spat out hatefully.
Then again, who needs to eat? “Look, while I understand everyone has their opinions, I would appreciate it you could keep yours to yourself. There is nothing wrong with being gay but I wouldn’t expect someone like you to comprehend that.”
Mayor Murphy sat up with eyes wide. “Don’t tell me they’ve infected you with their ways.”
“That’s it.” Lakyn inwardly winced at hearing his voice raised in anger. He was normally a calm, rational person. Getting angry wasn’t in his DNA. Yet, when it came to Mayor Murphy and his bigoted ideas, Lakyn just couldn’t seem to help himself.
He walked to the door and opened it. “I won’t charge you for this session, but I expect you to leave as soon as possible and never return.”
Not letting the mayor respond, Lakyn left the room, shutting the door firmly behind him. The anger that had risen inside was still there, and Lakyn knew he desperately needed to calm down or he wasn’t going to be able to keep his next appointment.
Losing one client was bad enough. He didn’t need to lose another just because he was having a hard time getting his emotions under control. Stalking to the front, Lakyn went right for his appointment book to see if he could reschedule.
“I hope it’s not me that has upset you.”
Lakyn whirled to the sitting area to find Gabriel sitting there. “Gabriel,” he whispered. Just seeing him had the anger melting away like magic. “What are you doing here?”
Gabriel stood up and said, “Jesse said he made another appointment for me in hopes it would end up with the two of us going out on a date.” A pink hue spread across Gabriel’s face. “So would you like to go out on a date? Maybe a night at Utopia for dinner and gambling?”
Just like that, what happened with the mayor disappeared and Lakyn’s day had just become good once more. “That depends,” he said as he walked over to Gabriel. He didn’t stop until their bodies were just barely touching. “Are you asking because Jesse told you to, or because you want to go out with me?”
The amber flecks in Gabriel’s eyes turned liquid as he stared right into Lakyn’s eyes. “Well I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for Jesse, but I really do want to take you out. Get to know you. Kiss you,” he whispered at the end.
They both leaned forward, their lips merging on a soft kiss that had Lakyn’s pulse speeding up.
“I knew it,” Mayor Murphy yelled. “They did turn you.”
Like the flip of a switch, Lakyn’s anger surged within his veins once more. “I wasn’t turned, mayor,” Lakyn snapped. “I’ve been gay my whole life. Now get out of my store before I call the police for trespassing.”
Mayor Murphy’s face went as red as a lobster. “What?” the mayor screamed. “You touched me when you were gay? I’ll sue for molestation.”
Lakyn was ready to bodily throw the man out, which wouldn’t be easy since the man had to have at least fifty pounds of fat on him, but Lakyn would gladly try at that point just to shut the man up. Thankfully, Gabriel had a more level head. “That might be hard to prove, since you paid for him to touch in a professional capacity. And then there is the fact that you kept returning for further appointments, which could be used to confirm that you wanted Lakyn to continue touching you.”
The mayor’s face went from bright red, to dark red, to what could be called purple. For a moment, Lakyn feared the man was going to have a heart attack right there in the fron
t of his store and then Lakyn would have the misfortune of having to save the miserable jerk’s life.
Just when he was about to pull his cell phone out to call 911, the purple color disappeared to return to the bright red it had been. “You haven’t heard the last of me,” the mayor shouted. “By the time I’m done with you, no one in this town will have anything to do with you.”
The door slammed against the front of the building as the mayor stormed away. Lakyn feared the man would do exactly that. If he lost his clientele, how was he going to make a living? He should have just kept his mouth shut.
“I’m sorry,” Gabriel said. “If you want I can go after him and say I forced you to kiss me.”
He may not want to lose his business, but in no way was Lakyn going to deny the best kiss of his life. Well, until the mayor had rudely interrupted, anyway. Still, he was touched that Gabriel would offer to do something like that for him.
“Thanks,” he said, once more looking into those honey-brown eyes he was starting to really fall for. “But not necessary. It is about time I told that pompous windbag off.” He drew Gabriel closer and gently kissed his mouth. “Plus, I already had fired him as a client before coming up here. That’s what I had been angry about earlier.”
Gabriel leaned toward him and gave him another soft, too brief kiss. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Lakyn grinned. “You could take me out for that date you promised.”
Gabriel returned his grin. “Really? Would you rather go somewhere else that’s less public? I would understand if you don’t want to be seen on a date with a man until things with the mayor die down.”
How had Lakyn gotten so lucky to find someone so sweet and understanding? “Thank you, but no. Like I told you the other day, I’ve never hidden my sexuality. I’m definitely not about to hide the fact that a sexy man is taking me out on a date.”
Gabriel pressed a kiss to his lips once more. “Good,” he said against Lakyn’s mouth. “What about the massage?”