Pure Fluff: A Limited Edition Valentine's Day Bundle

by BLMorticia

  "I told ya you could've. I can handle this place in your absence. I'm more than capable. I did it when Jayson fell sick." Jessie responded, coming through the kitchen door.

  "I know you can, I just... well shit, Jess, I felt guilty and stupid missing work because of a hangover."

  "And how many drinks did you have?"

  "Two margaritas with double shots of tequila." Chris couldn't believe he'd made such a fool of himself in front of Andre. To his credit, he only dropped him off at home. He even remembered the words Andre said about not taking advantage. Chris wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't call again.

  "Yeah, yeah, I can do that in my sleep, ya' lightweight. You wanted to show off for Prince Charming and instead, he ends up carrying you home because you're too wasted."

  "Right, yes, thanks for the reminder." Chris pulled up a stool and sat there with his hands over his eyes. "I embarrassed the hell out of myself. He probably doesn't want to see me again."

  "Ah, you're being too hard on yourself. There are plenty of people who've gotten drunk in front of someone they liked or fallen in love with. I have and she's picked my fat ass up each and every time."

  Chris opened his eyes again and ran his hand through his hair. He smiled and recalled the fondest memory of waking up in Andre's arms. "Yeah, and he picked me up too. Carried me upstairs, put me on the couch. He said the sweetest thing. I wanna make love when you're sober."

  "Aww, he is a gentleman," Jessie laughed and slapped Chris on his back.

  Chris grimaced and rolled his shoulders. His flesh stung from her heavy hand. "Um, yeah. I hope he forgives me."

  "I'm sure he--"

  Chris's phone ringing interrupted Jessie's response. He plucked it from his pocket and smiled when he noticed Andre's name. "Hello?"

  "Hey, sexy. How are you feeling?"

  "I'm good. My head is hurting, but I made it in today. You?"

  "I'm fine. Missing you something fierce. I wanna see you again tonight. How about we go to one of my favorite places for dinner?"

  Thank God!

  Hearing that, Chris looked at Jessie giving her the thumbs up.

  Jessie walked out of the kitchen, smiling without saying a word.

  "Chris? You still there?"

  "Yes, yes, sorry. I'd love to. What time?"

  "How about seven thirty?" Andre's drop his voice an octave.

  Chris closed his eyes, wishing Andre was right next to him. His deep tone made his toes curl in a good way. "That's perfect. I'll be ready. Um, you're not stopping by to get any doughnuts today?"

  "No, I wish I could, but I've got a meeting with the higher ups. They're giving us a meal. No worries, love, I'll see you later on."

  Chris sighed heavily and shrugged, "All right. I was kind of hoping I'd get to see you before tonight, but I guess its business before pleasure, right?"

  Silence, then Andre released a breath through the receiver. "Not always, but today, yes, business before pleasure."

  After hanging up with Chris, Andre turned around in his office chair and tossed his cell on the desk. He exhaled and leaned back, wishing he could run away to the farthest place on the earth and take Chris with him.

  Why me?

  Coming into this, he thought he'd be able to complete the task without any problems. Of course, that was before he met him in person.

  Damn!

  Andre slapped the arm of his leather chair and straightened himself, to focus back on work. "Papers. Yeah I got plenty of those to distract me. I'll keep working until the meeting starts." He picked up a stack of accounts Latasha asked him to investigate for further takeovers. She always had something for him to do around the office even when they didn't have a potential shop or restaurant in mind.

  Like her husband, Latasha believed in her employees earning their pay. It was no wonder the two of them were a happy couple.

  Andre put the documents down and thumbed through them. He glanced at the clock on the wall.

  "Only three hours until go time," he nodded and continued to look over his papers.

  "Andre? Hey, can I come in a see you a moment?"

  Latasha's voice sounded through the door, making Andre cringe. He knew what this conversation was going to be about. "Um, come in."

  Latasha ambled into his office, wearing a smirky grin. Her black pencil skirt and matching blazing hugged her slender frame like a glove.

  "So, how's everything going with Mr. Wettlon?"

  Andre looked away, avoiding her gaze. "Good. We went out to dinner, and um... we had a great time."

  "And what did you discuss?"

  "Oh, just things about our families, likes. We both love jazz."

  Latasha frowned, seemingly irritated. "Okay. And is he looking to sell the place?"

  Andre dropped the documents and inhaled sharply. Despite what Latasha had said yesterday, she was mostly about business. The business of making money for DD&G.

  "I ... I haven't gotten that far yet."

  "And why not," she purred, raising an eyebrow.

  "Latasha, have some patience, will you? We just met. That's nothing I would ask a person so soon."

  "Well, I was thinking you'd want to get the ball rolling so you can get on with it. I noticed the way you stared at that picture, Bro." Latasha sat on the corner of his desk and folded her arms. "You wanted him the moment you laid eyes on him."

  Sure, the hell, did.

  Andre grimaced and stood up from his desk. "That's true, but I need time."

  Latasha's grin turned upside down. Her eyebrows fused together in the center of her forehead. "How much, Andre? I wanna make the move before the fiscal year ends. If he signs over the rights now we can start making subtle changes and cashing in just in time for Christmas. Time is money. The more time you take getting him to agree, the less we'll make. And you get what that means, right?"

  "Yeah, I do," Andre responded, making fists at his sides.

  "Right, so, the understanding has been that if you didn't fulfill your duties in a certain amount of time, we'd start trimming some of the perks. We can start with the car. Then you'd be taking the train to work instead of the new certified Benz."

  Andre shoved his hands in his pockets and plopped back down in his chair. "Yes ma'am. I'll get right on it."

  Latasha smiled, "Good. I mean, Andre, I just expect you to work quicker. You had the last company ready to sell in less than two weeks. By getting things going now, you might be able to tie or best that record. And then, you and Chris can live off the money we'll be giving him for selling to us. You can get married, have that big wedding on the lake--" she waved her arms.

  "There will be no wedding on the lake. Can you please just give me some space? I've got paperwork to do before the meeting."

  "Yes, sir. I like that in you, Andre!" Latasha patted his hand and hopped off the desk. "Oh, um, by the way. Lunch is Italian from Perzetti's. I know that's your favorite." She turned around to walk out.

  "Yeah thanks." Andre sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. Before this conversation, he was hungry. Now, instead of being happy about the meeting meal choice, Andre no longer had an appetite.

  Chapter Six

  "So, that ended up being the worst date, ever." Chris laughed, toying with his food on the plate. He cleared his throat and put his fork down. "Andre? Is something wrong?"

  "No. I just love hearing you talk." Andre took a long sip of wine.

  Chris wasn't convinced, but he ignored it. He chalked it up to Andre being bogged down at his job. "Well, if you don't stop me, I'll talk your ears off."

  Andre reached across and grabbed his wrist. "And that's fine because I like your voice, your smile. Everything about you is great. I wanna know more."

  Chris's face flushed and his jeans were suddenly uncomfortable in the crotch. "Um, well thanks, but other than the favorites, I hardly know anything about you. What about your immediate family?"

  "My family is ... my family. Nothing special. I told you I work with my bro
ther and his wife--"

  "What about your parents?"

  "Oh, their, uh, we're not close. They didn't accept me being gay so, we haven't talked in years."

  Hearing that, Chris gasped, wishing he hadn't asked. "Oh damn, I'm sorry."

  "No, no, it's fine, really. If they can't be happy for me, then that's on them. My brother and his wife accept me as I am, and that's good enough."

  "Well, I agree with you. Unfortunately, I lost both my parents early which is why Jayson and his wife raised me. I wish I would've gotten to know my folks, but, I supposed it just wasn't in the cards." Chris bit on his bottom lip, trying not to let the emotion show too much.

  Andre patted his hand. "Well, you were lucky your aunt and uncle took care of you. And because of your uncle's business, you're set for life."

  Chris quickly looked up. He was confused by that comment, but he let it go. "Yeah, I am, but it means nothing if I don't have someone to share it with."

  "True. Actually it's hard work, right? I mean, getting up at the crack of Clyde to make some pastries, opening that place at six. Have you thought about taking some time out for yourself?"

  "Yeah, I have. I was just saying how I had this and not a lot to show for it. But, Jessie whipped me back into shape. I can do this, and eventually have a life. Hey, I could have her start running it along with Geoff if I liked. The kid is coming out of college in two years. I could make him manager so I can have more fun."

  Andre nodded, "Or you could sell the place for double the money and live without the headache."

  Chris cocked an eyebrow. "Um, sell? No, I'd never sell my Uncle's place. He'd haunt me for the rest of my existence if I even contemplated that. Well, I mean, I'll be honest, I have, but ... I couldn't. This place is in my blood. I love it too much."

  Andre grabbed both Chris's hands and brought them to his lips. "Yes, and with all that love comes a lot of hours spent on work when it could be on something more important."

  "Which is?" Chris's eyes narrowed at Andre.

  "Traveling, falling in love with ... someone special."

  Chris drew up his lips and pulled his hands away. This talk wasn't going in the right direction even though the part about special someone sounded right. "I can do that being the owner who makes visits every other day, too. I love meeting customers. Besides, if I wasn't there, we wouldn't have run into one another."

  Andre took both again and placed a small peck on the back of one of his hands. "True, but, now, I wanna take you back to my place to make love all night and we have to watch our time so you can get up to make the first batches of donuts. If you didn't have the place, someone else could do it, right?"

  Chris's breath hitched in his chest and he slid his hand away from Andre. "I ... I have a solution to this. Excuse me a moment." He lifted his cell to his ear and pushed speed dial one, not taking his eyes off him. "Um, hey, Jess? Do you think you can open the shop tomorrow?"

  Andre kept one of Chris's hands, squeezing it tight, flashing his pearly white smile.

  Chris returned the grin. "Thank you, Jessie. Yes, I am having a very, good time with Andre. No, no, not telling you anything, especially not right now. I need to go. Give Sheryl my love, will you? Bye."

  Chris quickly hung up the phone and slid it back in his pocket. "Now, with that all taken care of, I won't have to get up early after all."

  Despite Chris's suspicions about Andre's comments, he couldn't help but be excited to spend the night with him. Jessie's words about getting laid crossed his mind and he nodded in agreement with those sentiments.

  "Good deal. Have you enjoyed your dinner?"

  Chris flashed Andre a sly grin. "I did, thank you. What do you say we go back to your place for dessert?"

  Andre bowed his head slightly and licked his lips. "I'd love to, as long as you're the dessert."

  Chris whimpered at that comment, feeling his cheeks heat. "No problems with that my man. None at all."

  Chapter Seven

  The ride from the restaurant was eerily quiet, but Andre did his best to keep the flirtation going any chance he got. He stopped mentioning the ideas about selling because he noticed Chris getting irritated. The last thing he wanted was to mess up any possible thing they could have for the not too distant future.

  Once they arrived at his condo, he put the car in park and turned to Chris while he grabbed his hand. Wanting him, he brought it to his lips and lightly kissed his knuckles.

  "Ready?"

  Chris smiled sweetly and nodded in agreement.

  "Good, because I've been wanting this since last night."

  "Me too."

  Andre squeezed his palm then jumped out of his car. He handed the keys to the valet and led Chris to the front door of his building. He opened it and waved him inside just to watch the way Chris's buttocks moved in his slacks.

  Man.

  Andre moistened his lips and followed Chris.

  Chris appeared to be in awe of the lobby.

  "Whoa, very fancy Mr. Bentley. How long have you lived here?"

  "Oh, about eight months. I used to share an apartment in the south loop with an old friend."

  "Really?"

  Andre reached around him and pushed the button on the elevator. "Yeah. When I told him I was moving up here, he was pretty impressed. My brother runs a very lucrative firm in River North. One of the perks of working for him, I suppose."

  "Must be nice," Chris responded, walking onto the lift.

  Andre pressed button five and pulled Chris backward to lean against the paneling with him. "Yeah, but, like you said, it doesn't mean anything if there's no one around to share it with."

  "Nope, it feels kind of ... empty, right?"

  Andre lowered his head and leaned into Chris. He drew his hand back and caressed the side of his face. Andre's finger lingered there a while until he wrapped it around one of Chris's long strands.

  Andre inhaled deeply. His insides twisted and turned, wondering if he should make the first move. Honestly, he couldn't figure out why when he was used to being the aggressor.

  Chris inched closer, not leaving much space between them. His hot breath tickled Andre's nose.

  "Do you want to kiss me?"

  Fuck yes!

  "Sure do. I only--"

  Cutting him off, Chris crushed his mouth with Andre's, nearly knocking the wind out of him. He settled his hands on his shoulders and pressed hard into Andre's body.

  Oh God.

  Chris's kiss was bruising, frantic, but Andre loved every minute of it. Feeling Chris so close, his skin immediately heated, and his mind went blank. He returned it with even more of the same passion, gripping Chris's ass through his trousers. Andre could hardly keep his control with so much going on.

  Reluctant to pull away, Andre lightly pushed him off, just in time to hear the ring. "Damn, babe. I nearly stripped you right here, but I didn't want to give my security people a show."

  Chris's face appeared flush and his lips swollen from their embrace. He curled one strand of hair around his ear, looking sheepish. "I ... I swear, I've never done that before, but a big, burly girl birdie told me to take a chance on lust. So, I did."

  "You're so freaking cute you know that?"

  Andre kissed Chris as he led him off the lift, to the second door on the right. He could barely walk after that exchange but made it despite the haze in his brain.

  "I hope you don't mean like a puppy."

  "No." Andre laughed in response while he unlocked the door. He pushed Chris inside and flicked the light switch.

  "Wow, what a view."

  "I could say the same thing."

  When Chris spun around, a big smile crossed his face. "You're such a charmer. I can't believe you were scared to make the first move."

  "It was all a ploy." Andre lied, sliding his arms around Chris's waist. He forced his tongue into Chris's mouth, probing, tasting him thoroughly. The minute he did, tingly sparks hit just about every part of his body.

  Chris gro
aned into Andre's kiss, holding Andre close to him. He reciprocated the feeling, sucking hard on Andre's lips.

  "Jesus, Chris. I need you ... now in bed." Andre pushed him back towards the bedroom while they remained in a tight liplock.

  Chris wrapped both arms around his shoulders, still dominating the kiss.

  Andre gasped from the feeling. His erection poked the seam of his pants, wanting to break free.

  Honestly, Andre desired to make love instead of fuck, but his cock had other ideas.

  When they finally made it to his bedroom, he lightly shoved Chris backwards, keeping him close to break the fall. Their bodies crashed on top of the mattress together, making them both laugh.

  "Mm, just the way I wanted to fall into bed." Chris grinned.

  "Me too." Andre sucked Chris's bottom lip into his mouth while tugging at the buttons on his shirt.

  Chris pulled away. "Want help?"

  "No, I wanna enjoy this." Andre finished and yanked Chris up just enough to discard the shirt.

  "My turn."

  Andre swatted Chris's hand and captured his lips again. "No, I want you fully naked first. I gotta see the beautiful body I've been staring at all night."

  "No fair," Chris chuckled and pulled Andre in for another lip lock.

  Andre accepted. He smoothed his hands down Chris's hairless chest, dragging his fingers over his taut abs. When he reached his stomach, Andre broke their kiss and pushed him again.

  "God you're so beautiful." He whispered.

  Andre leaned in and pressed a soft kiss onto his navel while he continued to caress every muscle and crevice on his torso. He took full pleasure in touching his new lover.

  Chris writhed under his affections and arched his back. "Andre, damnit, you're taking too long!" He grabbed the back of Andre's head.

  Andre ignored him and licked the landing strip there while he fiddled with the zipper and button on Chris's pants. He opened them, revealing Chris's bulge pinned under his tight, black boxer briefs. Then he tugged his underwear until they were off his legs and tossed them aside.

  Chris gazed at him. His cheeks pinked and his hazel eyes glazed over. His chest rose and fell, seemingly in one motion.