Roommates

by Valerie Reyes

  "My next move?" James was taken aback. So He had no idea what he meant by that. "What is this, a game of chess?"

  "Do you play chess?" he asked, changing the subject.

  "I know how to play, but that's not what I was asking." James crossed his arms and looked at him. He didn’t know what he was up too, but he seemed to be avoiding the direct question. "Why me?"

  "Because you're interesting. What kind of answer are you looking for? I don't want to lie to you and I'm not sure what you are really trying to ask." Cesar shrugged. His phone started beeping, and he took it out of his back pocket and looked at it. "I have to go, work emergency. But don't think this conversation is over between us."

  He left James standing there. Watching him leave, he felt confused, irritated, and turned on all at once. Something about Cesar just made him want to lick him from head to toe like the ice cream cones they just ate. The other part of him wanted to strangle him for being so evasive with the questions. Yet, another part was absolutely fascinated by his confidence and how easily amused he seemed to be.

  Shaking his head, James checked his phone and realized he still had time to catch a movie if he wanted to. Deciding to do that, he put Cesar from his mind for the next couple days. He didn’t go out of his way to message him.

  Chapter 3

  James was working when the bell on the front doors of the diner started to ring as someone opened it and walked through. He was busy putting in orders for the table so he didn’t pay any attention to it. Unless they seated the people in his section, he didn’t need to worry about them.

  "Pssst, James, get a load of the hunk who just walked in. He's in your section, lucky dog," Martin whispered as he walked back with her orders and nudged James.

  "A hunk, huh?" James asked him and grinned. Martin was always looking for husband number three, though James wasn't sure why since Martin never wanted to keep the same man around for more than a few months. James always thought maybe it was just the chase and the challenge that Martin enjoyed, and once he caught them he lost interest. James grabbed a new pad for orders from under the counter on his way out to the table. The 'hunk’ had his back to him, and all he could see was his dark shirt and slacks from behind. He had wavy hair and he was well muscled. When James walked over to ask him what he wanted, he stopped mid-sentence, realizing it was Cesar sitting there.

  "What are you doing here?" he hissed at him, trying not to blush. It was one thing to meet in a public place and banter with each other. It was another entirely for him to show up at his workplace.

  "Am I not allowed to buy myself a cup of coffee?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "I do get a menu, right? “James snorted and handed him a menu and then brought him back a cup of coffee. He gave Cesar an expectant look. "Do you know what you want?"

  "You?" Cesar grinned. "Okay, what's good here?"

  "Pies are good. Coffee's acceptable. We make a killer Bloody Mary. I would recommend the burgers, but the fries are so-so. I'd consider getting a different side if you eat a burger," He told him honestly. He didn’t lie to customers, even customers who looked like they'd rather eat him for lunch than anything on the menu.

  "What kind of pies do they have?" he asked as he browsed the lunch menu further.

  "Apple, chocolate, peach, and cherry, “He told him, and then added, "We also have homemade donuts, cookies, brownies, and bagels."

  "A bagel sounds good actually. Do you have cream cheese?"

  Nodding, he wrote down the order, and when James was about to walk away Cesar reached and grabbed his wrist to stop him for a moment.

  "What?" He asked him, looking confused.

  "I want you to go out with me again tonight. This time something more date-like, something where I can take you out to dinner and maybe enjoy a little mood lighting. We are supposed to get a meteor storm tonight. We should be able to see the shooting stars," Cesar told her.

  "I never would have pegged you for a science geek," James muttered, but then nodded. "Okay, I'll text you my address and you can pick me up."

  As James walked into the back, Martin jumped on him for details.

  "You know that man?" Martin asked her. "I'd eat that man for breakfast if given half a chance. Is he single? “James laughed. "Yes, he's single, sort of. I kind of know him. He just asked me out, again."

  "He came here for you?" Martin looked disappointed, but then bounced back. "Well, if you decide you don't want him, send him my way when you are done with him."

  "Okay, Martin. If we don't work out, he's all yours," James said as he put in his order.

  "Do you like him?" Martin urged.

  "I don't know yet. I'm just getting to know him. There's something about him that I can't put my finger on. I feel like I've seen him before, but I don't know where." James shook his head. "Either way, I have agreed to dinner and, I guess, stargazing tonight."

  "Do you know what you are going to wear?" Martin asked, looking excited. Martin loved clothes and fashion. If you got him started it was hard to get him to stop.

  "I have a few things in mind. I have to take care of my other tables now. Try not to drool too hard, will you?" James laughed and patted Martin on the shoulder. His friend had a heart of gold and meant well. He just had different priorities in life than James. James was chasing men in his life, but it was because he wanted to find a mate. The right mate, not just any old mate. Bringing Cesar some fresh coffee when he brought his food out, James wondered if he was going to be the right man.

  When he smiled, he felt like he could get lost looking at him. The way his lips curved up at the sides and his eyes crinkled. He was relaxed and acted like nothing in the world could faze him. James found that appealing in him.

  He wasn’t quite sure how he'd handle his bossy, domineering side full time. He wasn't mean about it. It just seemed like he had a take-charge personality. He acted like he was used to getting his way. It's not that James wanted to play hard to get, but he’d never been very good at being told what to do in life.

  "Thank you for the meal, James. I will see you tonight," he said. James nodded and brought him his check. Cesar was gone by the time he got to the register and opened it up realizing he'd left a hundred-dollar bill in there. Gasping, he stared at it. Cesar’s bill had been nine dollars after taxes.

  "Whoa," Martin said when he saw the money. "Is that thing real?"

  "It sure is," James said as he took a pen to it to test its authenticity. Musing about what kind of job this man had that would allow him to drop a hundred-dollar bill for a nine-dollar meal. He wondered if he was into illegal activities or if he had a legitimate job.

  For the first time since meeting him, he was really worried that he knew so little about him. He decided to dig further if he was going to get involved with him. Starting with his last name.

  Texting him, James was blunt and asked him why he'd left a hundred-dollar bill and what his full name was.

  He texted the information back. Cesar Ellis was his full name. It was because he didn't have a smaller bill and had to get back to work.

  Ellis. Where had he heard that name before? Pulling up his phone’s search engine, James put in his name. When Ellis Enterprises showed up, he just about dropped his phone.

  "Are you okay?" Martin asked, looking concerned when he saw James's face and his shaking hand.

  "Do you know who that man really is?" James whispered, feeling suddenly way out of his league. What would a man like Cesar want to do with someone like him?

  "No, do tell though," Martin said, leaning forward on the counter and looking curious.

  "You've heard of Ellis Enterprises, right? That was Cesar Ellis," James informed his friend as he slid his phone over the counter to show Martin.

  "Yes, he owns one of the biggest software companies in the valley right now. He also makes like half the apps that are on the most phones. Why?" Martin looked down at the phone and gasped realizing what James was saying. "That man in here, the one who's interested in you? The one who aske
d you out is that Cesar Ellis? Oh my god, honey, you can’t blow this. He's worth billions."

  "Why would he want a server from Montana?" James asked, feeling suspicious. "I feel like this is a prank. It does explain how he kept getting unblocked when I blocked his profile on that dating app. He had access to everything. I don't know if I'm flattered that he liked me that much, or if this is some awful prank and he's just doing it to mess with me."

  "Oh, this explains a lot,” Martin said. “I keep reading that he is never seen out with a woman on his arm. It only makes sense. Honey, I think you need to disregard what Cesar does for a living, and get to know the man. He may surprise you. Very few men care about our backgrounds, or where we were born. If they find us attractive and interesting, that's enough to spark their desire. It makes them take the time to get to know us. If it goes further, great. If not, just enjoy the ride," Martin said, and then got up to go help his tables. "Just be open minded, you may be surprised at how this turns out. I doubt a man who has people falling all over him constantly would put so much attention into someone if he didn't actually want them."

  "Yes, but what does he intend to do with me if he gets me?" James asked, his left eyebrow arching up as he asked the question.

  "What any man would do. You are a strong, opinionated and can hold your own. You didn't know he had money when you started talking, and were interested in him as a man. I would bet that had a lot to do with his interest in you. When people throw themselves at a man for his money, it makes it hard for him to know if they like him for who he is, instead of for the money in his bank account. You met him before knowing who he really was. You probably scored major brownie points in his book."

  "You know I'm going to confront him about this," James said as Martin left the counter.

  Martin looked over his shoulder and shrugged. "That's up to you, but if I was you, I'd just enjoy the time he's offering and spend it with him like he’s any other man, and worry less about his career, position, or how much money he has. “James nodded, but in the back of his mind, he realized what was bugging him about Cesar. It wasn't so much that he was one of the richest men James had ever met, or one of the hottest. It was the fact he didn't tell the truth from the beginning about who he was. And when asked why he was interested, he kept avoiding the question.

  James would get answers. Tonight. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer. If Cesar wanted to keep seeing him, he had to give him something. He needed to be able to trust someone he was going out with, and trust that this relationship had the chance to be real.

  Chapter 4

  James got ready, pulling the pale blue linen shirt over his head he peered into the mirror. He liked wearing this color because of the way it brought out his eyes. Also the Indian-inspired collar accented his collar bone and neck area. James examined the reflection peering back at him. He had always had a small frame which did him no favors back in Montana, especially since it was clear from a young age that he was... different.

  . Looking at himself in the mirror, he decided a little bit of hair gel was all that was missing.

  Realizing Cesar said he wanted to stargaze, he eyed his brown cowboy boots in the closet and shrugged. They went with everything. Putting them on, he smiled. Now he felt like himself.

  The doorbell rang and he answered it. Cesar glanced over him and grinned.

  "Well, this is refreshing," he said as he offered him his arm. "You look adorable."

  "And you look overdressed. Where are you taking me for dinner?" James asked him. Cesar had on a suit, and James suddenly felt underdressed for the occasion.

  "I have reservations at my favorite Italian restaurant, but it's not that fancy. I just didn't have time to change after work. I had a business meeting that required dressing up for. I didn't want to be late, so I didn't have time to go home. I'll take off my jacket before we go in," He said and then reached out to touch James’ cheek. "You are full of surprises. I like this. It's honest, and suits you."

  "When were you going to tell me who you really were?" James asked him as he opened the car door. He slid into his black Mercedes SUV and gave him a look that said he wouldn’t let it go until Cesar answered.

  He walked around the car and slid into the driver's seat, starting the car before turning.

  "Would you have been more or less likely to go out with me if you knew who I really was from the beginning?" he asked quietly as he pulled out from in front of the condo and onto the street.

  "Probably less, to be honest." James realized that, had he known, he probably wouldn't have said yes. Rich and famous lifestyles had never appealed to him. He just wanted a quiet life with a shifter, one who left him aroused and wanting to be around all the time, one he yearned to keep company and be in love with. He wasn’t sure he could handle the fast-paced life of being in the public eye all the time.

  "Exactly. If people know who I am, it's either a major turn off to them or they want me for my money. I wanted to get to know you as myself. As the man who likes to walk and eat an ice cream cone by the water, sit in my backyard and watch shooting stars go by. I didn't come from money, James. My company may have made me rich, but I prefer to live quietly and privately. I sometimes have to pose for publicity shoots for my company, but these days my investors are pretty safe. The company's doing well enough that I don't have to stay involved in the spotlight as much anymore. I'm at a place where I can settle down, have a life on my terms." He looked at James and grinned. "And while I don't know what your agenda is, you were looking for a shifter. I'm that, too. I don't know where the two of us will end up, but I took one look at you and wanted you. I don't know if you are my mate, or if I just want to take you to bed and not let you out for a week. But for me, that's enough. I wanted to find out what you will end up meaning to me. I'm glad you agreed to do this with me."

  "Well, it's a free meal and I like stars, so..." James joked lamely, absorbing his words and letting them sink in. He’d let it go for now. He could understand his reasoning, yet the mention of life long plans had him considering running scared. He wasn’t sure he was ready for such a serious commitment yet. He needed time to think about it first.

  "I'm not in a hurry to make any long term plans, by the way. I'm just not getting any younger and knew if I wanted it, I had to start working that direction," he said. Reading James expression, he wanted to reassure him he wasn't going to push him into anything before he was ready.

  "It's weird to hear a guy talking about finding a partnership so openly. Is it like that with all shifters, or are you just special?" Then he reached out to touch his arm, speaking the question he really wanted to ask: "Can I watch you shift sometime?"

  "Let's see how the night plays out, and we can talk about the shifting," he said, grinning. He was glad James wasn't intimidated by it. When people found out he was a shifter, they either overlooked it due to his money, or were freaked out and lost all interest. "I was a single child, it made me determined to have a big family when I was ready to settle down. Of course it wasn't enough that I was a shifter. I realized early on that I was attracted to boys, which brings its own set of challenges. I just had to get to a place in my life where I was ready for it all of the challenges it would bring."

  "I guess having a billion-dollar company doesn't hurt," James said tartly.

  Laughing, Cesar nodded. "No, having a lot of money doesn't hurt. But it does make it hard to find the right partner. You'd think having money would make it easier, but I think it makes it harder."

  "So tell me, why stargazing?" James asked him, changing the subject. He was getting close to the place where he was taking them for dinner. As he pulled up to the valet, Cesar just smiled.

  "I'll tell you over dinner." Getting out, he helped James out of the car.

  They went inside to enjoy their meal, and James was glad that no one noticed the two of them. One of his biggest fears of being with him in public now was someone knowing who he was and bugging them. Men of Cesar Ellis' caliber didn't jus
t go unnoticed most of the time.

  "Do you have people chasing after you to get your attention or take your picture?" James asked him while looking over the menu after they'd been seated.

  "Occasionally, but it happens less often than you think. I don't strip naked, do drugs, or any of the other things that often get attention. I just leave that for the rock stars." He grinned and winked before ordering a glass of wine and offered him one. He nodded and thanked the waiter when he brought it.

  "So, you were going to tell me about the appeal of stargazing." He grinned at him as he sipped the glass of wine.

  "Well, honestly, I was hoping to do more James-gazing than stargazing, but I'll settle for stars if you decide not to let me seduce you tonight." The waiter brought the food a few minutes later and he let James digest his intentions.

  He was flattered Cesar wanted him; he even appreciated his honesty and bluntness. The fact he had a backup plan to enjoy their evening if James said no to him tonight was refreshing. Cesar was a smart man, and it showed in every decision he made.

  "What will you do if I say yes?" James asked him, leaning against the table slightly, lowering his voice to closely watch his reaction.

  "I will peel off every inch of your clothing and take you to heaven and then when you crash back down to earth, I'll do it again." He grinned and started eating his pasta like a man who was starved. James ate his meal in relative silence while he pictured the man’s tongue on his body, his large hands stroking his naked skin under the stars. The mental images he was entertaining made him wonder if the fantasy would compare to the reality.

  Finishing up their meal, Cesar asked if he wanted dessert. He shook his head no; he was too stuffed after garlic bread, salad, and pasta. It was a delicious meal and good conversation. When James offered to pay for his half he looked offended.

  "James, I asked you out. That means I'm paying for it," he said and gave him a stern look. "Unless we are just friends, you let me pay for the things that I want to pay for, okay?"