by Carol Lynne
“You’re not peeking, are you?” Erico asked, coming into the living room.
Jay touched the tie Erico had secured over his eyes. “Nope, no peeking.”
Erico set the bowl down and quickly took his clothes off once more. Jay, on the other hand, was still gloriously naked, sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the fireplace. Once again undressed, Erico grabbed the bowl and sat down in front of Jay.
He scooped a teaspoon into the ice cold creamy goodness and held it up. “Okay, open your mouth.”
With a soft chuckle, Jay complied. The simple gesture of trust meant a lot to Erico.
Erico fed the bite of ice cream to Jay and waited for his lover’s reaction.
“Mmm,” Jay moaned and opened his mouth for more.
Erico gave him another spoonful. “Good, right?”
“It’s amazing.” Jay reached up and tore the blindfold off. “Do you have another spoon?”
Erico handed him the extra one he’d brought in with him. “Guess what this is made of?”
Jay took another bite. “Hmmm, milk and sugar, of course. Vanilla. I’m assuming eggs.”
“You’re right so far, but you’re leaving out the most important ingredient.”
Jay’s brow wrinkled as he took another bite of the ice cream. He seemed to be mentally running through the list of ingredients. “What else is there?”
“Snow!” Erico laughed.
“No way,” Jay said, pushing against Erico’s chest.
“Yes way,” Erico continued to chuckle. “You know what the best part about snow ice cream is?”
“The flavour?” Jay guessed.
Erico shook his head. “You have to eat it all really quickly before it melts because you can’t freeze it.”
“In that case pass the bowl back over here.” Jay started to giggle. It had been a long time since Erico had heard such open joy from a man.
When the bowl was empty, Jay lay back on the carpet and rubbed his stomach. “I’m not gonna be able to eat for at least a week.”
Erico set the bowl aside and pulled the blanket over them. He ran his hand over the small bump on Jay’s stomach and grinned. “I’m pretty sure you’ve gained a couple of pounds after that.”
Jay’s body stiffened. He reached down and tried to remove Erico’s hand from his stomach, but Erico refused.
Scooting closer to Jay, Erico looked him in the eye. “I thought we’d already gone over this, but I can see we need to do it again. I love your body. Every dip. Every ridge. And, yes, every fucking bone. Don’t push me away because you believe otherwise.”
Jay stopped trying to shove Erico’s hands from his abdomen. “I’ve always been made fun of for the way I look.”
After they’d returned from playing in the snow, they took a shower together to warm up. Erico wanted to say something at the time about how different Jay looked without his makeup. Not worse, just different. He wondered if it would be a good time to bring it up. The last thing he wanted was to make Jay feel more self-conscious.
“Can I ask you something?” Erico propped his head on his hand and stared down at Jay.
“I don’t know. Depends I guess,” Jay answered truthfully.
Erico reached out with his free hand and ran a fingertip under Jay’s eye. “When did you start wearing makeup?”
Jay’s expression clouded. “You don’t like it?”
Erico shook his head. “Didn’t say that. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have been attracted to you in the first place. I was just curious.”
Jay was silent for several moments before he finally spoke. “When I was little, my nana lived with us. She babysat me while my parents worked.”
Erico noticed the utter look of peace on Jay’s face when he spoke of his nana. He knew from talking to Jay earlier that his grandmother died when he was barely thirteen, one year before he’d been kicked out of his parents’ house.
“I remember sitting on the bathroom sink as she applied her makeup. I asked her why she did it and she told me what God didn’t give her, Maybelline did.” Jay looked at Erico and grinned. “My nana was funny.”
“Sounds like it,” Erico agreed.
“According to nana, makeup was invented to help people feel better about themselves. Even at the age of four, I knew I wanted that. I asked her one day if she would put some on me. After studying me for several seconds, nana told me I should always concentrate on my eyes because they would always be my best feature. She outlined them for me and added mascara.”
Jay started to chuckle. “I remember she said it was incredibly unfair for a boy to have the long lashes so many women would kill for.” Jay shrugged. “I didn’t wear it out of the house, of course, but whenever the two of us were alone, she let me have what I needed to feel better about the way I looked.”
Erico brushed his hand over Jay’s cheek again. “You know you’re gorgeous with or without it, right?”
Jay shrugged again. “I was in the seventh grade when nana got sick. I went into her room every morning before school and made up her face for her.” Jay gazed into Erico’s eyes. “It made her happy.”
Erico leant in for a soft kiss. “I’m sorry she had to leave you.”
“Me, too. After she was gone, I’d go home after school and put her clothes on and make up my face. We looked a lot alike, and at the time I still felt she was with me when I looked in the mirror. My parents never understood me anyway.”
“Did they catch you? Is that why they kicked you out?” Erico asked.
Jay shook his head. “Not right away. I remember going home and dressing up like I usually did after a bad day at school. My brothers were in the other room, they didn’t get me either,” he said, shaking his head.
“Anyway, I heard them start to fight. Like a real fight, not just arguing. I ran out to the living room and was trying to break it up when my dad came home. He took one look at me all made up in my makeup and nana’s dress, wrestling with my two brothers and just exploded.”
Jay sighed. “And that was that.”
Erico could tell Jay had had enough of reliving his past. He kissed his lover again and smiled. “And for the record, I think your lips are your best feature.”
Jay grinned and pursed his plump lips. “Oh you do, do you?”
Erico rolled over to lie on top of Jay. “Yeah, I do,” he said before delving in for a deep kiss.
Chapter Five
Jay stretched his arms over his head and yawned as he woke to the sound of a blender. He rubbed his eyes and smiled. Tossing the covers off, he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the big bed.
As he stood, his body tried to protest the movement with blissful aches and pains, reminders of the previous day’s activities. Even though Erico admitted his body wasn’t at full capacity, Jay knew he’d never find another lover who could compete with Erico’s intensity in bed.
He found a thick terrycloth robe in the en suite and shrugged it on, not bothering to belt it. One of the main things that set Erico apart from Jay’s past lovers was his need to see and touch Jay’s body.
Jay wandered into the kitchen to see what the chef was cooking up for him. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched the master at work. Erico was busy making eggs Benedict, his skill as a chef apparent in every easy move he made.
“You know, I’d have settled for toast and coffee,” Jay said.
Erico spun around and smiled. “This is probably the last time I’ll get to make you breakfast for at least a week. I thought I’d make it special.”
Jay walked towards Erico, his body protesting each step he took. He hated to be reminded of the crazy week ahead of them. When he’d tried to question Erico further about his procedure, Erico had quickly shut down the conversation. Jay could tell Erico was more frightened than he was letting on, but didn’t feel it was his place to call him on it. Theirs was a sexual relationship, nothing more.
As he walked into Erico’s embrace, he sighed. Although Erico was in no way a
big, muscular guy, his arms made Jay feel safer than he’d ever been. He wondered if Erico had ever hit anyone out of anger. He wanted to ask, but once again, it wasn’t his place.
Jay ran his hands over the smooth skin of Erico’s back. He wished his lover hadn’t put on pyjama pants, but at least he’d left his chest bare. “Mmm. You feel good.”
With his hands inside Jay’s robe, Erico lightly trailed his fingertips up and down Jay’s back and ass. “Not half as good as you feel.”
Erico turned slightly and reached for the stove. “If I don’t finish this it’ll be ruined.”
Jay released Erico with a quick kiss. “I’ll let you work.”
Erico glanced over his shoulder. “It’s not work to me. I love cooking.”
Jay closed his robe and sat on one of the island stools. “What time do you have to pick the French guy up at the airport?”
Erico glanced at the wall clock. “Francois’ flight gets in at eleven. He’s renting a car and driving down on his own.”
Jay leaned against the black granite surface and rested his chin on his hand. “Is he hot?”
Erico finished off the plates and carried them to the island. “Francois? Yeah. But I’ve already told you I’m not interested in him.”
Jay noticed the remarkable difference between his eggs Benedict and Erico’s egg white omelette. It was yet another reminder of Erico’s ill health. “Will you tell Frenchy about us?”
Erico paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. “I can, but I thought you didn’t want anyone to know.”
“You’re right. I did say that,” Jay was quick to amend.
“I’d be more than happy to tell him. You know that, right?”
Jay hated the feelings of jealousy he was experiencing. He was afraid it meant he was starting to care for Erico more than was wise. Falling for a love-em-and-leave-em kind of guy wasn’t a smart thing to do. He cut into his breakfast and took a bite. “Oh, hell, this is good.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Although Erico smiled, Jay could tell it was somewhat forced.
“You can make this for me anytime you want.” Jay took another bite, allowing the rich Hollandaise sauce to coat the inside of his mouth before swallowing.
“Don’t make statements you aren’t prepared to back up.”
Even though Erico tried to say it in a teasing manner, Jay could see the seriousness in the man’s eyes. Jay wiped his mouth and reached for the glass of juice Erico had also set out. He decided to change the subject. Getting into discussions about their future together was something Jay refused to do. As far as he was concerned life should be lived on a day to day basis. Wishing for things only led to disappointment.
“So who taught you to cook?” he asked.
Erico took another bite of his omelette as he seemed to ponder the question. “Well, I guess my earliest lessons were at the hands of my sister, Anna. My dad was always sick so Mom had to work. Anna was in charge of dinner every night. I guess I was around eight when she decided it was time I learn to help.”
Erico took a sip of his water. “It seemed natural to enrol in cooking school after graduation.”
“My nana taught me most of what I know. The rest I picked up working in the diner back in DC.” Jay rarely shared personal information about himself. It surprised him he was doing it with Erico.
Erico set down his fork and reached over to lay a hand on Jay’s arm. “I know your parents kicked you out of the house when you were young. Was it because you were gay?”
Jay pulled his arm away, breaking the connection. “Partially I guess. They didn’t understand a son who liked to sneak his mother’s makeup. They said I was a pervert, and they were afraid I’d try something with one of my little brothers.”
Jay got up from the island and carried his half-eaten breakfast to the sink. He couldn’t believe he’d just said that. There was only one other person, outside his family, who knew exactly why his parents had kicked him out of the house. That person was his ex-boyfriend. Randy had used the information against him on numerous occasions, going as far as to threaten to go to the cops and tell them Jay had molested his own brothers. It wasn’t true of course; he would never have laid a hand on his brothers.
“Hey.” Erico wrapped his arms around Jay’s waist from behind. He placed a soft kiss on the side of Jay’s neck. “I’m sorry they did that to you.”
Jay shrugged. Compassion wasn’t something he was comfortable with. He turned around and kissed Erico before he could say anything else. Like every time they kissed, their passion soon took over and before Jay knew it, his cock was hard and in Erico’s hand.
“Mmm,” Jay moaned and hiked his leg up to wrap around Erico’s hip. Jay’s robe was roughly pushed off his shoulders as Erico’s free hand began to wander to Jay’s ass. Although exquisite, the first touch of Erico’s finger to his hole made Jay flinch.
Erico withdrew his finger and broke the kiss. “Help me with the dishes?”
Jay nodded. “Sure.”
* * * *
Erico was sitting at the bar drinking a big glass of water, when Ellen, his hostess, came into the room. “Francois is on the phone for you. Line one.”
“Thanks.” Erico stood and went around behind the bar. “Francois?”
“Hello, Erico. I’m heading into town and wondered if I should come by the restaurant or go directly to your place and drop my stuff there?”
“Actually, I reserved a room for you at the Apple Valley Inn and B&B.”
“Oh. I understood that I’d be staying with you until I found a place of my own.”
Erico rolled his eyes. He’d not offered any such thing, and Francois knew it. “No. I told you I’d come up with a place for you to stay, but I didn’t mention my place.”
Francois chuckled. “I guess I just assumed…”
“I’m sorry, but you assumed incorrectly.” Erico gave Francois simple directions to the B&B. “Addie’s expecting you, so why don’t you go there first. The lunch rush is due to start any minute, so it would be best to meet after that anyway.”
There was a brief pause before Francois answered. “Okay. I’ll be there in a couple of hours then.”
“Sounds good. See you then.” Erico hung up the phone and glanced at Troy who had a big grin on his face. “Shut up.”
Troy continued to wipe down the bar top. “I didn’t say a word.”
“You were thinking them though,” Erico said with a grin.
Troy held up his hands in a sign of surrender. “Seriously, boss, you can’t blame the guy for assuming.”
Erico bit his tongue. He knew Troy was right, but it didn’t make him feel any better. He was the only one responsible for his reputation and he knew it. Just one more thing to despise about all the years he’d been young and stupid.
He drained the rest of his water. “Take care of that glass for me, will ya?”
“Sure.”
Erico walked back into the kitchen and picked up the phone. It rang several times before going to Jay’s voicemail. “Hey, baby. Francois will be here in a couple of hours. I was thinking it might be a good idea for you to come in and meet him since the two of you will be working together off and on this week.” Erico shuffled his feet. “So…uhh…either give me a call back or just come in. Thanks.”
He hung up the phone and sighed. He hated that he’d promised Jay to keep their relationship a secret. Jay may classify them as merely fuck buddies, but Erico knew it was starting to go beyond that, at least for him. Maybe he could give Francois hints as to what was going on with Jay without actually telling him?
* * * *
Jay was spread out on Ethan’s couch watching one of his favourite old black and white movies when his cell phone rang. He dug it out of his pocket and grinned when he saw Erico’s name appear. He turned off the ringer and shoved it back into his pocket.
“You’re not going to answer it?” Ethan asked, coming into the room with a fresh bowl of popcorn.
Jay had made th
e decision earlier in the day not to out-and-out lie to Ethan about his relationship with Erico, but that didn’t mean he wanted to open a conversation he wasn’t ready to have. “It was Erico. He has to go into the hospital for something this week and asked if I’d keep an eye on his new sous chef. The guy was supposed to come into town today, so Erico’s probably just letting me know he’s here.”
“Erico? Since when do you talk to him?” Ethan asked, throwing himself into the recliner.
“I went there for dinner a couple days ago. That’s when he told me about the procedure he has to have done. I guess it’s the reason he’s been trying to get me to come to work for him.” Jay shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Sean won’t be back until next weekend, so it’s not like I have anything else to do.”
Ethan took a handful of popcorn and shoved it into his mouth, his eyes still narrowed. Jay prayed his friend would drop the subject.
“You know he’ll try to get into your pants,” Ethan said, his mouth still full of popcorn.
The way Ethan said it, made Jay wonder… “You think he’s trying to get into my pants? Is that why you hate him so much?”
Ethan broke eye contact and started watching the movie.
“Ethan? Are you going to answer the question?” Jay prompted, sitting up on the couch.
Ethan’s face went red with anger, something Jay had rarely seen in all the years he’d known his friend. “I hate him for trying to get into your pants via my asshole.”
Jay’s stomach clenched. “What?”
Ethan leaned over and tossed the popcorn bowl onto the coffee table, spilling kernels all over the table and floor. “He fucked me, okay? I thought he liked me, but then I found out it was you he liked.”
The news was so shocking to Jay he couldn’t say anything. He sat with his mouth open, stunned. It made a hell of a lot more sense to him why Ethan hated Erico so much, though. His best friend had a crush on the guy Jay was currently fucking. Shit.
“How long did it go on?” Jay asked. He suddenly didn’t feel so bad for keeping his affair from Ethan. It seemed they both had secrets.
