by Hayes, Lane
“A pleasure, I’m sure.” I held my hand out in a royal gesture, noting the hint of eyeliner and the mascara on Kevin’s long lashes. He was unexpected. Wasn’t he supposed to be a closet case?
“Thank you. Rico has told me a lot about you. I love the recipes you’ve flagged from Levi’s old cookbooks. The menu is really coming together,” Kevin commented.
“Kev here is a chef at Sol House in LA,” Rico intercepted. “They do Spanish fusion too. Have you been?”
“No, I haven’t. It’s wise to seek an expert opinion though,” I remarked.
Kevin chuckled. “I’m more of a chef-in-training. Rico is the real expert. I’m not sure if Levi mentioned it, but I was originally going to be his chef until I realized I’m not ready to run my own kitchen yet. I was in over my head before the remodel even began. My sister is the real talent in my family. I’m still learning.”
I inclined my head politely, unsure how to respond. “That’s nice” seemed remote and uninterested, and the opposite was true. I was all kinds of curious about what was happening here because Kevin was a conundrum. I hadn’t thought much about him, but for some reason I assumed Levi’s ex was more…butch. This guy had the unmistakable air of a queen in training. He was pretty, elegant, and bold. Under different circumstances, I might have offered a tip or two on how to highlight his gorgeous green eyes. Now…I wasn’t so sure.
“Best of luck. It was lovely to meet you. I’m going to lock up and head home, gentlemen. I have a face mask to apply and some trashy reality shows to catch up on.” I met Levi’s gaze before turning to grab my bag from behind the bar.
Suddenly everyone was talking at once.
“Wait up, Geord,” Levi said, following me to the bar.
“Try the flautas first,” Rico insisted, glancing at Kevin then Levi. “Then let’s go out for a drink…the four of us. We have a lot of great ideas to discuss for La Vid, and you’d be doing me a big favor, Geord. I hate being a third wheel. What d’ya say?”
“Perhaps another time.” I slung my bag over my shoulder and dug around for my keys.
Levi blocked my exit at the end of the bar. He shoved a flauta in my hand and strategically cornered me. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. Eat this damn thing, and tell him it’s amazing so we can get the fuck out of here,” he growled.
I bit into the flauta like a carrot and pushed past Levi. I was flustered, and my mood had plummeted so fast I felt dizzy. If I didn’t get away quickly, something dangerous might happen. I was a walking time bomb.
I hummed with pleasure as I made my way to the front door. “Darling, these are divine. A daring dinner treat!” Ds done, I moved on to the next alliteration that came to mind. “Or an astonishing appetizer. I’m an insta-fan! I insist you leave the rest with me. I’m determined to discover every spice you sampled on my own.”
“Okay, awesome,” Rico agreed with a smile. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll call you tomorrow. What time does your flight leave, Kev? Maybe we can do coffee in the morning.”
“I have an early flight, but next time for sure,” Kevin said.
At least he was cooperative, I mused as I held the front door open. “Absolutely. I can’t wait.”
“Levi, you’re coming with us, right?” Rico asked.
He shook his head. “No, I’m—”
“Oh my gosh, is this Kara’s scooter? I can’t believe it!” Kevin gushed, hurrying to Valentina’s side. “I rode this thing in Laurel Canyon. Remember when I hit a rock out of nowhere? I scraped my leg up badly and…”
That was my cue. I waved before shutting the door and bolting the locks. I moved through the tasting room, methodically turning off lights as I headed for the arched doorway leading to the herb garden. I set the alarm before stepping outside. Then I sucked in a gulp of fresh air, held my chin high, and walked down the gravel path and rounded the hedge leading to Mike’s secret garden. Twilight had descended. I glanced up at the sky to gauge how much time I had before full darkness set in. Then I flopped onto my bench and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees.
“What am I doing?” I whispered.
No one answered. And for once, I didn’t really expect it. Mike wasn’t here. I was on my own and while it wasn’t my preference, I was doing okay. Or so I thought. Fuck, I wished I didn’t like Levi quite so much. I wished I was capable of neutral, uncluttered affection. Hot sex, friendship, and no strings. But I was jealous.
Ugh. That useless emotion was beneath me. I knew better than to covet what wasn’t mine. Levi and I were friends and business associates too. He hadn’t seemed thrilled to see his ex but if he wanted to rekindle something, it was my duty to stand aside. Or was I supposed to fight? I felt like a ridiculous teenager and worse, I’d acted like one. I probably owed him an apology, I mused as I stood to leave.
I stopped short when I reached the hedge leading to the main path. I turned back to look at the statue when it occurred to me that for the first time in years, my mind wasn’t consumed with grief and loss. Or Mike. Sure, jealousy sucked, but it somehow rooted me in the present. I might be confused about my feelings for Levi, but I felt something for him. He was alive and well and healthy and sexy and smart, and he made me feel. And for now, that might be enough.
I set my fingers over my lips and blew a kiss toward the statue then turned up the path and headed home.
The light from my front porch glowed like a beacon in the distance. I hummed a Gershwin classic as my thoughts drifted to important topics like the test I had coming up. Of course that reminded me of Valentina and then the handsome twink who came before me. Damn it, Kevin was cute. And likable. And probably a good ten years younger than me. No, it was better to think about what to make for dinner. Maybe a salad. I had some spinach I could spruce up with avocado and—
“Where the fuck have you been? I’ve been up and down this road ten times. I banged on your door, no answer. I called your cell, no answer.” Levi shoved a helmet at me and gestured at the space behind him. “Let’s go.”
“I think I can handle the walk from here,” I said stubbornly. “Thanks any—”
“Don’t argue with me, Geord. Just do it,” he growled.
I crossed my arms and drank in the sight of him. With his furrowed brow, rigid posture and a fierce, no-nonsense expression, he looked imposing. Rather an impressive feat when straddling a pink Vespa.
“Why are you angry?” I asked.
“I’m not.” When I gave him an “Oh, please” look, he added, “I’m frustrated. Not angry. There’s a difference.”
“Do I frustrate you?”
“Is that a trick question? You drive me fucking crazy,” he snapped, pushing the helmet at me again.
I took it this time and slowly lowered it over my head. “Then why are you here?”
Levi let out a rush of air and pursed his lips thoughtfully before replying. “Because I can’t stay away from you. Trust me, I’ve tried. For two seconds, I actually thought about going out tonight with my newly hired chef and an ex-boyfriend I hardly recognize. But I couldn’t relax knowing you’d jumped to all the wrong conclusions.”
“About what?”
“Kevin.”
“So you decided to set me straight and fix me,” I said sarcastically.
“Wrong again. I’m barely capable of fixing myself. I wouldn’t pretend to know how to fix anyone else. Especially not you.”
“Especially?” I arched my brow and tapped my foot on the gravel irritably.
“Yeah. You’re a high-maintenance diva, Geordie. You speak in riddles, and you act like you don’t care if anyone can figure you out, but you’re disappointed when they give up too easily. So here I am. I didn’t give up. That means I’m interested. That means I give a shit. That means I don’t get you, but I’m trying to. Now get on the back of the fucking bike so I can take you home.”
My nostrils flared. I was equal parts pissed and pleased by his speech. His sheer audacity was compelling. How dare he claim to be on to
me like I was a freak puzzle he was determined to solve? I couldn’t be solved. And yet I couldn’t help feeling oddly thrilled to have his full attention.
“Say I let you take me home…then what?” I asked in a huskier than normal tone as I inched closer.
Levi tugged my belt loop and grabbed my ass. “Then I’m gonna fuck you.”
I swallowed hard as my cock twitched against my zipper. I opened my mouth to argue but really, there was no point. The air between us crackled and buzzed with a primal electricity. The palpable tension required release. I fastened the strap on the helmet then hiked my leg over the seat and molded my chest to his back.
And he was off.
I clutched at his shirt to avoid falling when he sped around the corner. Then I rested my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his waist and then lowered my right hand to his crotch. Holy shit. He was rock hard. I gripped him through his jeans and wiggled my pelvis, rubbing my erection against his ass simultaneously as proof I was in the same state. Thank God, my house was close. When he pulled into my driveway, I took off the helmet and dismounted. Levi caught my wrist to steady me when I lost my balance. Then he drew me forward and unbuckled my belt.
“You can’t do that out here,” I said in mock admonishment.
“Do you want me to stop?”
The question was obviously rhetorical. He knew what I wanted, and he wasn’t stopping. He worked the leather through the buckle then unzipped my trousers and yanked my briefs down to release my aching cock. I dropped the helmet with a groan when he closed his fist over me and then stroked me from base to tip. He pushed his free hand under my shirt and splayed it over my stomach then on my hip before resting it on my bare ass. I held on to his shoulders for support and pumped my hips while he jacked me roughly. When he traced my crack and nudged a single digit at my hole, any semblance of control slipped.
“Inside,” I croaked.
Levi nodded and let me go. I stepped backward to give him room to climb off the Vespa. Then I dug my keys from my bag and hurried for the door. I flung it open and set my bag on the bench in the entry before turning down the hall toward the master suite. The lanterns in the great room over the kitchen island cast enough light to guide him, but he’d been here often and knew his way around my house by now. I heard the front door close as I moved into my room and flipped the reading light on over my bed.
My room was decorated in the palest shades of green on a stark white background. I’d removed most of the personal photographs when I remodeled and replaced them with botanical prints. The tasteful black frames and mahogany furniture provided a contrast to the muted colors. Like my home in the city, this room was designed for optimal relaxation. But as I kicked off my shoes, unbuttoned my shirt, and pushed my pants down my legs in a rush to be naked before he rounded the corner, the last thing I wanted to do was relax. I folded the covers back and jumped with a start when I heard his hum of approval.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” Levi said in an awestruck voice.
And damn, so was he. I sat on the edge of the mattress and watched him move into the room. I may have been taller than Levi, but he took up space. He had broad shoulders, a muscular physique, and a commanding presence. Since the first day he’d walked into the winery, I’d been aware of him and more than a little nervous at how I responded to him. I’d grappled with fear and sorrow and did my best to control my feelings. But I didn’t want to anymore. I wanted to let Levi in. All the way in.
He unbuttoned his shirt, shrugged it off, and tossed it somewhere near the chair in the corner. I studied his abs and the hint of fur leading south as I grabbed my thick cock and stroked myself. I spread the precum pooling at the tip with my thumb and tried to keep a slow pace and maybe put on a little show when I noticed his gaze locked on my shaft. His fingers seemed frozen on his zipper, and while a sexy man wearing unbuttoned jeans and nothing else was the epitome of hot, I was on fire. If he didn’t speed things up, I’d combust in seconds flat.
“Let me help you with that,” I said in a lusty, low tone.
I moved to his side and set one hand over his right pec and the other on his zipper. I squeezed his nipple and bit his jaw playfully as I worked on his jeans. Levi crashed his mouth over mine when I slipped my fingers under the elastic of his briefs and pulled the fabric back so fast his dick bounced off his lower abdomen. I jacked him for a moment then both of us together while we made out with dueling tongues and urgent sighs. I broke for air then bent to tease his right tit between my teeth.
“Fuck. That’s hot.” Levi pulled my head back and covered my mouth in a greedy connection that felt more like a sex act than a kiss.
I pushed away for air and then dropped to my knees and swallowed him whole. I sucked and licked while he praised my superior cock-sucking skills with colorful language that brought to mind a raunchy porno. The kind set in a beautiful location with impossibly attractive actors with nasty mouths. My favorite, I mused, stroking myself furiously as I sucked his balls, flicking my tongue between them to drive him wild.
Levi was in a sensual zone already. When he held my head still and rocked his hips, I was afraid this might be over before I got what I wanted. I pulled back and stood then kissed him briefly, letting him taste himself on my tongue before I spun around and bent over the bed.
“Fuck me.”
Levi moved behind me. The feel of his hairy legs against my thighs sent a thrill down my spine. He caressed my ass then traced my crack and tapped my entrance with his thumb. He reached sideways to grab supplies from my nightstand. I felt a cool gel on my ass cheek. Levi rubbed lube on his middle finger and then pushed it inside me, in and out, in and out. Within a minute, I begged for another and soon after, I just wanted him.
He added more lube then pushed his thick cock in my hole. He went slow, but he didn’t give me much time to adjust. I didn’t mind at all. I wanted something rough I’d feel tomorrow. I wanted to think of him all day, remembering how fucking incredible it felt to have this man moving inside me.
Levi ran his hands along my sides then kissed my shoulder. “Is this what you wanted, baby?”
I nodded profusely and reached for my dick. “Yes. Fuck me harder. Please. I want to—oh, yes!”
He bucked his hips deliberately then spread his legs on either side and gave me what I asked for and more. I gripped the sheets and lowered my head in surrender as he thrust forward, fucking me from behind with abandon. We moved in carnal harmony, groaning in unison to the steady beat he set. I wasn’t surprised when he slowed down and then pulled out altogether and motioned for me to lie on my back. I wordlessly obeyed, trembling with pleasure when he slid inside me again. I expected him to continue where we’d left off with rough, driving strokes and a race for the finish line. Instead, he went completely still.
He waited until I looked up at him before he began to move. The frantic fuck session became something else entirely with the tender slow roll of hips and soft kisses along my jaw and down my neck. It threw me off guard. I stared into his eyes, intending to ask him to move faster, but the words wouldn’t come. I was in awe of the moment and the way he seemed to know exactly how to hold me and how much space to give me.
“Are you okay, Geord?”
“Yes.”
I snaked one arm around his neck and the other over his ass and lifted my hips in a desperate attempt to get closer to him. To pull him farther inside me and fuse him to me in every way possible.
“Yes, what? Tell me,” he demanded gruffly.
I cocked my head and tried to refocus. His tone had an edginess that made it clear my response mattered. I bit his stubbled chin then licked his lips.
“I’m fabulous, Levi, my love.”
His radiant smile took my breath away. He was so damn lovely, and the look of absolute adoration in his eyes was humbling. I felt it like a physical thing wrapping itself around me, soothing and reassuring me. I hadn’t asked for it. I wanted sex. Hard, fast, rough…he’d given me that, but n
ow he was changing the game. He was offering me a glimpse of something new. It was just within reach and mine to be taken whenever I was ready.
I traced his eyebrows, framing his face in my hands gently and held his gaze, hoping to wordlessly communicate appreciation and affection and maybe something more. Levi turned his head to kiss my hand; then he brushed his nose against mine and surged forward. And he didn’t stop. He pushed his hands under my ass and allowed me enough room to jack myself while he changed the angle, hitting my sweet spot at each pass. The combination was too much. I cried his name as my orgasm pulled me under. Levi was right there with me. He buried his face in my neck and let go, pumping his hips wildly before losing his rhythm and falling apart.
We lay entwined for a while longer before heading to the bathroom to clean up. We didn’t speak. We danced around each other, passing soap then stepping aside to share the water spray before drying off and redressing.
I flipped on the overhead light in the kitchen and moved to the refrigerator. Levi opened a nearby cabinet, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water at the sink. I chuckled when he gulped the contents greedily then refilled the glass and did it again.
“Someone’s thirsty,” I remarked with an indulgent smile as I piled ingredients onto the wood-topped island.
“You take it out of me, Geord. Literally.”
“Shocking. You’re younger than me. Shouldn’t I be saying that about you?”
“I think we established that I’m not that much younger. You seem to like the mystery, so I don’t actually know that for a fact but—”
“I’m forty-three. I’ll be forty-four in September. If I haven’t sufficiently scared you away, please grab two chopping knives, and let’s get to work.”
Levi set his glass on the counter then grabbed a couple of knives and joined me at the island. “That wasn’t hard, was it? If you ask me, we’re both spring chickens. What are we making?”