by K. C. Wells
Speaking of which….
The book from the other night sat on the counter, and Xavier had no qualms about picking it up and thumbing through it. He said I could browse, didn’t he? Xavier’s initial suspicions appeared to be well founded: the book had seen a lot of use. He skimmed through it, until he got to a sex scene. He wanted to see how the book did with regards to dealing with the BDSM element.
Holy hell. It was much hotter than Xavier had expected. Byerley was someone who could inspire any number of scenes. Xav especially liked the crop he used on his stable boy’s arse, and how the boy arched his back and begged for more. Xav reached down and adjusted his erection. God, how long had it been since he’d gotten laid? Nearly a year? Maybe more?
Then another thought occurred to him, and he smiled. Oh Heath. You and I are going to get along just fine.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and he hastily put the book back down before moving to the table of new releases. He picked one up without even looking at its title.
“All set.”
Xav turned, and thoughts of dinner went out of his head. Heath looked good enough to eat. He’d put on a tight blue T-shirt that hugged his lithe form. His hair was even messier than before, but that made it all the more adorable.
Xavier took a closer look. “You changed glasses.” Gone were the round specs, and in their place was a pair of tortoiseshell glasses. They made Heath appear more studious, like he’d just left university. Xavier loved the way Heath transformed from business owner into young man out for a night. The look suited him.
“Yeah, different prescription. These are my nighttime ones for when the light is lower. I know they make me look dorky, but—”
“Dorky? Pfft. You look gorgeous.”
Heath’s cheeks pinked. “Says the man who looks like he stepped out of GQ magazine.”
“If I’m honest, I’d rather wear what you’re wearing, but I stopped here after work, so I didn’t have time to change.”
“On a Saturday? Why were you working so late?”
“I’m part of a big project, and I want to make a good impression on the bosses. But I don’t want to talk about work. I want to hear about your day.”
They left the shop, and Heath locked the door before leading the way, with Xavier at his side. He liked how Heath chatted with his hands. They always seemed to be in motion, whether he was talking about the young man who delivered pastries or if they were going to get rain.
I could watch him for hours.
Heath paused at a door. “And here we are.” He hesitated. “I know it’s a little dark inside, but they’ve got good food. If you prefer, we can go elsewhere.”
Xavier peered inside. The place was more than a little dark. It was more dimly lit than the group room at the club. There weren’t a lot of people inside, but the smells were enticing.
“Can I smell burgers?” Not to mention onions, garlic, bacon…. Xavier’s mouth watered. “Oh my God, I smell bacon. Okay, we’re staying.”
Heath laughed. “Well, that was easy.” He led the way into the pub, set up with tables and booths, a bar running along one wall, with a kitchen at the far end.
From beside the bar, a redheaded woman called out to them. “Heath! It’s not your usual night. How are you, love?”
“Fine, Mer. Got room for me and my friend?”
She eyed Xav, and her brows shot up. “Friend, huh?” She winked at Heath. “You’ve got good taste in friends.”
Even in the dreary room, Xav caught the way Heath’s cheeks flared up, and he couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled out of him.
The woman grabbed two menus from the bar. “Is your regular table okay, or do you want something more… intimate?” She pursed her lips.
Oh, this one is a pistol. Xav liked her brassy attitude.
Heath sighed dramatically. “Xavier, this is Meredith. Please excuse her—she has no manners.”
Meredith’s lower lip went out. “Oh, love. You’re so mean to me.” She snickered. “What about your table?”
“My regular one is fine.”
Xav wondered if Heath’s voice squeaked that way when he was nervous, because it increased his cute factor by ten.
Meredith escorted them to the table, then handed them each a menu with an overzealous flair. “I’ll be back in a few to take your order.”
Xavier didn’t even bother looking. “What do you recommend?”
For a moment Heath seemed a little flabbergasted. “Uh, the cheeseburgers are good.” Then he grinned. “They come with bacon too.”
Xavier threw his hands up in the air. “Well, that’s me done.” He glanced around, taking in the posters of seventies rock bands and the sound of Genesis playing in the background. “The decor needs work, but the food smells amazing.”
“Not half as good as it tastes, I promise.” Heath placed his menu atop Xav’s.
“You know this neighborhood pretty well?”
Heath nodded. “There are some amazing little shops and eateries around here. Well, there were. Sadly, with the gentrification of the surrounding areas, a lot of them are being forced to close because they can’t afford the higher rates. I’m going to guess McKenzie’s will be one of the next to go. Years ago, when I was still in school, this place was crawling with people. You had to be on a waiting list to get a table. Now?” He shrugged. “They’ve already lost a coffee shop along the street from here, where you could get a full breakfast for a few quid. And why? Because a Starbucks opened around the corner, and the more upwardly mobile types went there to dish out exorbitant amounts of money for overdone beans. Even the coffee shop I started out at has struggled to find a way to hold on.”
Xavier felt for those people, he really did, but he knew you had to change with the times or you’d get left behind. The whole point of his job was to—
No, now was not the time to think about work. Not with Heath sitting opposite him.
Meredith came over. “What are you thinking about?”
“It’s going to have to be a cheeseburger with bacon. They smell delicious, and Heath says they’re amazing.”
She smiled. “Heath is our biggest fan and best customer.” She turned her attention to him. “Heath?”
“Make that two burgers. Don’t want to strain the cook.”
She snorted. “I won’t tell him you said that.” She regarded Xavier for a moment. “The cook is my husband. We’ve owned this place for close to thirty years.”
“Well, I’m glad Heath brought me. I can’t wait to sample the food.”
“You’ll love it, I’m sure. I’ll be back in a bit with your dinners.” She regarded them both. “What are you drinking?”
“I’ll have a bottle of raspberry and lime cider, please.” Heath gave him an inquiring glance.
That sounded… intriguing. “Make that two, please.” As Meredith walked away, Xavier relaxed into his chair, his focus back on Heath. “What do you do for fun?”
The shift in conversation seemed to confuse Heath for a moment. “I don’t do a lot of things outside of work. If I’m not in the shop, I’m trying to figure out how to get more business.”
“So you don’t go out? At all?”
Heath looked down at something on the table and dragged his nail across it. “I haven’t been out in a long time.” He glanced up, his gaze imploring. “I want to make my bookshop a success. I want people to rediscover the love of reading. Too many people now seem to think they don’t have time, or….” His face tightened. “Do you know, 70 percent of adults haven’t read a book in the past five years? That’s appalling. Books offer something to discover, to open your mind and free your imagination. They—” He softened his voice and dropped his gaze once more. “Sorry. I have a tendency to run off at the mouth.”
There was no way Xavier was going to let Heath get away with such self-deprecation. “You have nothing to be sorry about,” he said firmly. “You obviously have a passion for what you do, and that’s never a bad thing.” He grinned. �
��I’m all for passion.”
Heath swallowed but remained silent.
Xavier let out a sigh. “Okay, I’m going to admit something here. I’m one of the 70 percent. Not because I don’t like to read, however. I just don’t have time. From the moment I get out of bed to my head hitting the pillow, I’m like you. I push myself to do more, to do better. When I get home at night, I fall into bed, and I’m usually asleep thirty seconds later.”
Heath gave him a speculative glance. “What kind of books did you like? When you had the time to read?”
“All kinds. I read comics when I was a kid, then graduated to mysteries and thrillers, and from there, whatever took my fancy. Then I got my job and that all came to a screeching halt. I have to say, I regret it. Especially when you describe the joys of reading. It makes me ache that I can’t find the time now.”
A slight smile crossed Heath’s lips. “At least you have a good excuse.”
Xav opened his mouth to reply, but Meredith came over, tray in hand. She set the plates down, then placed two bottles and glasses in front of them.
“Enjoy your dinner. If there’s anything else you want, just give me a wave.”
That was an end to the conversation for a while. The burger practically melted in Xav’s mouth, a thick beef patty, with at least four strips of bacon and a slab of melted Red Leicester nestled in a roll dusted with oats. By the time the food and cider were gone, Xavier was feeling comfortably satisfied. Heath was charming and passionate, if a bit shy until he got going. Xavier had wanted to get to know Heath better before their dinner—that desire had only increased by the end of it.
“I’d intended taking the day off tomorrow,” Heath said quietly as he examined the bill Meredith had deposited on their table. “Now? I’m not so sure. With Pride coming, I’m guessing—well, hoping—that we’re going to see a lot more people on the streets. Maybe I should open tomorrow.” He raised his head and smiled. “I had a great night. Thank you for asking me.”
Xav stood at the same time as Heath. “The night’s not over. I still get to walk you home.”
“Oh, it’s just around the corner. I’ll be fine.”
Xav didn’t want to waste a minute of time he could spend with Heath. “I’m sure you would be, but maybe I want to walk with you. Ever think of that?”
“Oh.” Heath ducked his head. “Okay.” When Xavier picked up the bill, Heath opened his mouth, but Xavier shook his head.
“Don’t even think about it. I asked you out for dinner, remember?”
Heath mimed zipping his lips.
They stopped at the bar to pay the bill, and Xav ensured he left a sizable tip for Meredith. She gave him a smile and knowing nod as they left. Out on the street, heading for the shop, Xavier slipped his hand into Heath’s. “Is this okay?”
The hitch in Heath’s breathing made words superfluous, but after a moment, he squeezed Xavier’s hand. “Yeah, this is… perfect.”
The trouble with eating locally? They were back at the shop in no time, and Xavier felt robbed of precious time. He let go of Heath’s hand with reluctance as they stood before his front door.
“I had a great time. Thank you again.”
“Thank you for the company. I hope we can do it again.” Xavier intended to make sure of it.
Heath blinked. “Really? I’d like that.”
They stood staring at each other for a moment, and then Xavier leaned in and pressed their lips together. As much as he wanted to ravish Heath’s mouth, to claim it, he kept the kiss gentle. He wanted Heath to think about him that night, just like he’d be thinking about Heath.
When he stepped back, Heath’s eyes were wide. “I… I… um…. Good night, Xavier.” He moved toward the door, then turned back, grabbed Xavier’s shoulders, and pulled him down for another kiss.
Oh yes.
Xavier sensed the need in Heath, the urgency. He moaned softly when Xav brushed his tongue over Heath’s lips, and his grip on Xavier’s shoulders tightened. Eventually, Heath let go as he broke the kiss.
It took a lot of restraint for Xavier to pull away. “Good night, Heath.”
“Good night.”
This time Heath got as far as opening the door, and just as he was about to step inside, Xavier couldn’t resist a teasing last word or two.
“Dream well of lords and stable boys.”
Then before Heath could reply, Xavier hurried away down the street. He was determined to keep Heath on edge as long as he could.
The game had just begun.
Chapter Five
WHEN THE alarm went off, Heath was prepared to throw it out the window. Sleep had proved elusive, thanks to Xavier and his parting comment. How the hell did he know? Then it came to him. That first visit to the shop. Xavier had noticed the book and had made a passing mention of it. Now that Heath thought more about it, there had been a smirk on his face that night.
And now this? What on earth does it mean?
By the time he was heading down the stairs to open the shop, he was severely torn. He wanted to open, but…. Let’s face it, I only get one day off, and I’m always doing something on it—usually for the shop. Sometimes his day got eaten up searching for new books or trying to acquire special orders for people. Not that he minded. His customers appreciated his efforts, which was why they kept coming back to him. Today, however, his stomach felt all twisted and his mind was anywhere but at work.
What did that smirk mean? Does Xavier think I’m a joke? He’d taken Heath to dinner. Hell, he’d kissed him. But then he’d made that comment about lords and stable boys and….
Heath didn’t know what to think.
A rumble of thunder pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced through the window and caught his breath. The sky was lit up by jagged bolts of lightning that flashed among dark, pendulous clouds. Heath pulled the front door open and smelled the ozone in the air. Considering how hot it had been, he should have known a storm was brewing. It was enough to bring him to a decision. The shop would remain closed.
He locked and bolted the door and went back upstairs. Heath sat in his armchair, his laptop open, and tried to focus on his work, but his mind was as scattered as the rain. Every thought led back to Xavier and his comment—and that damned grin of his.
He slammed the computer shut and pushed it away. He couldn’t think, couldn’t focus, and it was all Xavier’s fault. Heath had to know what was going on in Xavier’s mind, and there was only one way to do that. If only he had Xavier’s—
Heath’s gaze alighted on that slip of paper, the one with the party address Xavier had scribbled down for him. He grabbed it, turned it over, and—Xavier’s number. Heath let out a triumphant whoop. He pulled his phone out and dialed the phone, his fingers trembling. The thought of hanging up occurred to him briefly, but he pushed it aside. He had to know.
“Hello?” Xavier’s low voice set off fresh tremors in Heath’s belly, but he ignored them.
“What the hell was that comment all about last night?”
A wry chuckle filled his ears. “And good morning to you too, Heath. Do you know what time it is?”
“I don’t give a damn about the time. I want to know why you said… what you did.”
Another chuckle. “Maybe that was me saying ‘sweet dreams.’”
What?
“Would you like to join me for breakfast?”
Heath stared at his phone in disbelief. He’s asking about food? The man was unbelievable. “Never mind about breakfast. Are you going to tell me I’m a freak or something?” His stomach quivered.
“What? No, of course not. Why would you think something like that?”
Heath swallowed. “Because of… what I was reading.”
“Oh no.” Xavier’s response was swift. “Absolutely not. In fact, that’s part of the reason I’m asking you to join me for breakfast. I’d like to talk with you about your book… and other things we seem to have in common.”
Other things? “What other things?”
<
br /> “Well, come and have breakfast with me, and you’ll find out. But let’s get one thing straight right now. I definitely don’t think you’re a freak. In fact, I downloaded that book last night—Master and Servant? Oh my God, that was hot.”
What disturbed Heath was that he couldn’t tell if Xavier was being serious or not. Tell me this isn’t a joke.
“I know there are many people out there who are more than happy to paint BDSM in a negative light, but—listen, just say you’ll meet me, okay? I promise, if you feel at all uncomfortable, I’ll take you home right away, no questions asked.”
Thunder boomed overhead, and the lights in the shop flickered. “It’s raining.”
“Yeah, it is. Are you afraid of getting wet? What are you—a Gremlin?”
A nervous laugh bubbled up out of him. “Not that I’m aware of, but it’s probably best not to feed me after midnight.”
“Breakfast. That’s all I’m asking. Please.”
The plaintive edge to Xavier’s voice finally broke through, melting Heath’s resistance. “Okay. I have to get ready, though.”
“That’s fine. I’ll get a taxi and come to the bookshop. I assume you know a good place we can go?”
“I do. We can get a croissant and coffee at the shop where I used to work.”
“Perfect. I’ll be there in thirty minutes. See you soon.” He disconnected.
Heath sat there for a moment, his mind in disarray, before he realized time was ticking. That was enough to send him speeding to the bathroom.
WHEN HEATH opened the front door, he struggled with his sense of déjà vu. Xavier’s tight black curls were beaded with raindrops.
“Still raining, I see.”
Xavier speared him with a look that only made him want to laugh even more. “Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” Then he gave Heath a beseeching smile that turned his insides into mush. “Wouldn’t you rather stay in and have coffee?”