by BLMorticia
Pure Fluff
BLMorticia
Cover Art: Fantasia Frog
Copyright (c) 2020
Published by Triad Literary
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Your non-refundable purchase allows you to one legal copy of this work for your own personal use. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload, or for a fee.
Disclaimer: This book may contain explicit sexual content, graphic, adult language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable which might include: male/male sexual practices and multiple partner sexual practices.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.
Contents
Thanks!
Dedication
Time to Make the Donuts
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Smooth Like Latte
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Love Voodoo
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Son of a Preacher Man
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Author Sharita Lira's personal note
BLMorticia
Thanks!
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Dedication
And as always, for Mack and Scottie!
Time to Make the Donuts
Chapter One
Mornings suck ass.
Especially when you phone rings nonstop after seven a.m.
Good think Chris was in the coffee business for the living. The smell of fresh grounds was as good of a reason to get out of bed at the butt crack of Clyde as ever.
Getting up, rain, snow, or shine to run the family business might've been a chore to some, but for Chris it was his life. His Uncle Jayson saw something in Chris when he was a boy and he was determined not to let him down.
The little unfranchised coffee shop stood in the bustling area known as Lakeview. Among the hoity toity shops, overpriced bars and restaurants, Rainbow Brew remained a staple on the north side of town. Formerly called Donuts to Go, Chris had only made slight upgrades to the place to make things more efficient while not losing its charm. The nineteen sixties decor reminded people of times gone by, but the equipment was state of the art.
Being a neighborhood staple, Chris could afford to keep the special hours his uncle had in place. Rainbow opened at eight and closed at three every day to accommodate breakfast and lunch crowds. They only did coffee and pastries, not bothering with lunch or dinner because that wasn't what Jason would've wanted. Not to mention, the limited menu kept operating costs to a minimum.
"Yo dude, you look like you haven't sleep in weeks." Jesse, Chris's right hand woman, smacked him on the shoulder, nearly making him waste his precious morning drink.
You could time Jesse walking in the door. Dressed in her trademark blue black dungarees, with a work shirt and suspenders, Jessie looked the part of assistant manager without the title.
"Gee, thanks." Chris frowned, attempting to catch his bearings. "That place is still trying to convince me to sell. Obviously, didn't they get the message." He took another sip, enjoying the taste of newly brewed. Never decaffeinated, because what was the point of that? Java without the drug was like peanut butter without the nuts.
"Apparently not. They been calling ya at home?"
"No, on my cell. They went out of their way to employ one of my former workers just to get secrets or learn something about me or the restaurant. Didn't they know I brainwash my former employees?" Chris laughed.
"Hmph. You're smart not to share anything important. Now me on the other hand..." Jesse rubbed her hand on her shirt and cocked an eyebrow. "I could be an asset if they swayed me to leave."
Christopher stopped moving the cup towards his mouth and glared at her. "You'd never."
She drew up her lips. A few seconds passed and she chuckled like a hyena, playfully smacking him again. "I'm just messing wicha. I'd never leave your side. The day Jayson died I promised to help you run the place till we couldn't. You know I'm a rebel at heart. I couldn't go anywhere and work for "the man" and feel comfortable. I ain't wearing no suit and tie for nobody."
Christopher choked a little from the slap and released a small sigh of relief. He didn't know what he'd do without Jesse. Good thing she had a good sense of humor. And because he liked her as his second in command, he vowed never to piss her off if he could help it. They'd had a couple of run-ins, but most of the time the two of them would come to an agreement.
"Well I'm glad about that." He put his cup down and straightened his tie. "I need you here, Jess. Most days, I'm not sure what I'd do without your intellect."
She blushed. "Aw, Chris, I swear if I didn't like women and you didn't like men, we'd be a match made in heaven, right?"
Chris sighed, not wanting to remember his was painfully single. "Yeah."
"Aw sweets, c'mon, perk up a little bit will ya? How about an arm wrestle for old times?"
Chris vehemently shook his head. "No, naw, that's o[?]"
"Come on, babes. Let me see if that gym membership is doing you any good." Jesse grinned.
"That's when I get to go." Chris hadn't taken full advantage of the exclusive membership Excel Fitness had given him. Mostly because after t
he shop closed, and he did the books, he was too tired for anything. Chris never should've accepted such a gift. It was going to waste on him.
"Well that's on you." She said, leaning on the counter. "C'mon, Chris."
Chris eyed her, thinking it was a bad decision. It would make his day if he could finally beat Jessie in a match. On the other hand, he'd be in pain from her larger palm grappling his.
Sometimes he felt like such a wuss compared to her. No wonder he had issues getting a date.
Who would want a 176 pound weakling?
"Oh, all right, fine." Chris pinned his elbow onto the countertop and waited for Jessie to grip his hand.
She did so immediately with a smirky grin. "All right ready?"
"Yeah." Chris grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes, waiting for the signal to go. He inhaled sharply, willing himself to win.
"Go!"
Jessie gripped his hand tighter and pushed.
Chris held his own, grimacing with every move. His hand felt like it was going through a meat grinder, but he refused to give up.
"You're there, almost there, yep... uhh!" Without too much effort, Jessie slammed Chris's hand down on the counter.
Chris blew out a ragged breath and slumped. "So much for that membership, huh." He shook his hand out, feeling the discomfort in his hand and wrist.
"Aw boss, you're a lot better than when you first re-opened this place. Remember I used to do it in a lot less time four years ago."
"Yeah, and Uncle Jayson would root you on, too. The old coot." Chris laughed, thinking about the man who practically raised him. Uncle Jayson had given him the shop and his apartment when he died. Chris couldn't have been more grateful for those, meaning he already had a job and a place to live when he finished college.
After losing his parents at such a young age, Chris's only parental unit was his Uncle Jayson and Aunt Myrna. If it weren't for them, he might've ended up being a child in a disorganized adoption system.
"Yeah, he was a wonderful guy. I sure miss him, but hey, I gained a brand new boss who like just as much." Jesse winked.
"Well thanks for that... I think." Chris nodded and spun on his heel. He picked up his coffee to top it off. "Let's get out there to help. It's a little past opening time."
"Yeah, I suppose we should stop pussyfooting around. No offense, boss."
"None taken." Chris finished his coffee and shoved the kitchen door open. The minute he did, Wanda walked past him with several bags of donuts in her hand.
"Let me help you with that." Chris grabbed six of them and started calling out names. "Cynthia, Sherry, Tabatha."
All three women walked up in a line and grabbed their orders.
"Thank you for coming to Rainbow Brew. Have a great day." Chris smiled at all three and continued calling more names. As he did, several more people made their way through the entrance, filing in the single line behind the ropes. Others asked the Laura, the hostess, for a spot to sit and have coffee along with their pastries.
After handing out the rest of the bags, Chris couldn't help but beam with pride looking at the amount of foot traffic. Despite the hard work along with sleepless nights needed to run it, he'd kept the place going just as his uncle wanted him to.
"Chris, hey man. You good?" Geoff slapped his shoulder.
"Yeah, I am." Chris nodded at the man and grinned. "Just thinking how great everything is right now."
"Cool man. You looked like you were in deep thought a minute there."
Chris turned back around and grabbed more bags from Wanda. "I was, Geoff. With everything so good, I was thinking where the heck do I go from here?"
"You wanted to see me, Latasha?" Andre stepped into his sister-in-law's office, closing the door behind him. The meetings with Latasha hadn't been one of his favorite things to do. With every conversation, she was always demanding something.
Latasha's office at DD&G was a textbook example of a modernized workspace. The long well-crafted desk, a large ergonomic business chair with a gorgeous panoramic view of the city in back. It looked like the quintessential office to suit a boss from any profession.
Being the co-CEO, his sister in law was the epitome of pristine and gorgeous. Though Andre was unapologetically gay, admittedly his brother had picked well.
"Yes. We've got a new job for you since you did so good on your last one." She smiled and rose from her desk. "By the way, are you still seeing the guy that ran the small coffee shop we bought out?"
Andre shook his head and forced both hands into his slacks. "No. To be honest, he wasn't really my speed."
Latasha spun around with a file in her hand. "Aw, that's a pity. You know me and Rick want you to get married. With the supreme court making it --"
Andre grimaced and held up his hand to stop her. Although she meant well, Andre didn't want the lecture. None of these hookups were supposed to be his forever dude.
While his brother and sister-in-law got the business, he got some ass. That's all he ever wanted too. The all-American postcard of happily married with white picket fence didn't suit Andre. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm in no rush. I want to find, someone...eventually."
"Aw." Latasha reached across her desk and pinched his cheeks. "I just want you to be happy, that's all. I can't wait to fit you and your groom to be in tuxedos and throw a bachelor party with some scantily clad male strippers. Whew!" Latasha fanned herself and plopped back in the chair.
Andre forced a grin. He never understood women's fascination with gay men or strippers for that matter. In his mind, if he couldn't take the man home with him, he didn't need to see it.
"Thanks for that, but I'm sorry. The day I commit to someone won't be soon."
Latasha waved her hand and smacked her lips. "Well, my dearest brother in law, promise me you won't wait too long, all right? Need I remind you you're kicking the hell out of thirty?"
Andre eyed the ceiling. "I'm well aware my thirtieth is coming around the corner. Can you tell me what my next assignment is so I can get to work?"
"All right. There's a donut shop in Lakeview that changed hands. The former owner died almost five years ago and gave it to his closest living relative, Chris Wettlon." She placed the file in front of him and slid it across her desk. "The place makes good money...real good. It's a direct competitor with our own DD shop on Addison and the neighborhood Starbucks. Despite having a limited menu, they're off the charts in profits."
"Really?" Andre picked up the file and opened it. "So, you want me to get in good with the--"
Noticing the picture clipped to the side, Andre stopped talking.
Latasha plopped her black stilettos on the desk. "We want you to get close with the owner and convince him to sell. By it being so close to the train station, Rainbow Brew sees thousands of customers a day. He keeps it small. One counter for customers to sit at and about ten tables. Chris's little haven attracts tourists, celebrities, politicians, from everywhere. Being a landmark, it can't be closed down, but we can convince him to give us the rights."
Andre carefully pulled the photo from under the paper clip. A perfect model face framed by full eyebrows and lush lashes. He had high cheekbones and thin lips. Curly brown locks nearly kissed his shoulders, light hazels. Chris Wettlon was definitely a sight for sore eyes.
"Andre?"
"Yeah, sorry." Andre's face flushed and he cleared his throat. He didn't want to stop looking at the picture. "So, you want me to get cozy with him?"
"I do and maybe, after you convince him to hand over his precious shop, the two of you can see a future together, right?"
Andre checked Chris's picture again and looked back up at Latasha. He gulped hard and swiped his tongue over his top lip. "Who knows? What's most important is I get him to give his business to DD&G, correct?"
Latasha nodded and flashed him a seductive smile. "It is, Andre, but remember, I also want to see you happy."
"Of course." Andre laughed nervously and rose from his chair. "I guess I need to get to work then." He
buttoned his suit jacket and shrugged. "By the way, why haven't you tried to get at him before now?"
"Oh, we have. Let's just say Chris is a very hard nut to crack. You know we only save you for the special jobs anyway. When nothing else worked, I knew this assignment would be perfect. Oh, and if you're stopping by there before the meeting, bring me and the crew some donuts. Strawberry creme for me, please."
Andre chuckled to himself while he turned the doorknob. "Sure, boss lady. Anything for the company."
Once Andre cleared the threshold of Latasha's office, he reopened the folder to stare at his new assignment. The snapshot fell on the floor and he knelt down to pick it up. "Yeah, anything for the company, Latasha, but I will make sure I have my fun first."
Chapter Two
When the breakfast rush ended, Chris and his crew finally had a few moments to breathe. Around this time, Chris usually ordered more supplies, but today, he sent Geoff to do that while he stayed up front handing out orders and thanking people. He loved interacting with customers, especially during tourist time. Chris enjoyed hearing what people thought of Rainbow Brew's recipes as well as their customer service.
"Another batch out." Jessie yelled and shoved the tray of eclairs through the slot. "Chris, shouldn't you be in back doing something?"
"I sent Geoff. I'm giving him more of the administrative duties, so I won't have to do them."
"Why? That's been yours or my job since Jayson left you the place."
Chris shrugged. "I need a break from the numbers."
Jessie shot him a glare and within a few seconds the double doors opened. She stormed out, hands on her hips, snarling like a bull staring down its target. "Chris, what's wrong?"
Chris looked down at his feet. "Nothing."
"Yeah it is. Step back into my office." She turned quickly and walked back through the doors.
Chris sighed. "Wanda, you and Perry can handle it for a few?"
"Sure. Not too busy now." She flashed him a smile.
"Okay." He wallowed through the double doors and turned the corner into Jessie's tiny little office. It used to be a storage room, but once Jayson put her in charge while Chris was learning the ropes, she made it her own. A small table with a rolling chair took up most of the space. Pictures of her wife Sheryl along with her pitbull Casey lined the walls, making it very cozy and just for her.