Vince raised an eyebrow and put an arm under Martin’s, gently pulling him toward the other side of the room. “Come on, Marty, let’s grab a booth before the crowd gets any rowdier.”
Martin looked around, amazed at the number of people starting to fill the bar, but few seemed under the age of thirty. They headed to an open booth and sat across from each other, both men cradling their beers in their hands.
“So, Marty, tell me about yourself?” Vince took a swig then focused his blue eyes on the man on the other side of the booth.
“Oh…, okay. My legal name is Martin William Kull. I am forty-seven years old for a few more weeks, then I turn forty-eight.” He laughed and took a drink, “God! That sounds so old.”
“Then think how I feel, I’m fifty. So what’s your sign?”
Martin gaped with surprise, “You look damn fine for fifty, Vinnie.”
Vince smiled and nodded at the compliment, then tipped his bottle toward Martin, encouraging him to go on with his story.
“November tenth, so I’m Scorpio. Does anyone really care about such things anymore? Sounds like a cheesy pickup line.”
“I need to know if we’re compatible. Promised my daughter I’d find out for her.”
“Okay, uh, I’ve never been married. No kids. Did have a very short relationship with a girl in college.”
Vince shrugged, taking another swallow. “Didn’t we all. Parents, siblings?”
“Born and raised in Sacramento, California. My father died a few years ago. Two sisters and a brother who is twelve years younger than me. We don’t talk. My old man kicked me out when I was seventeen when he caught me in my bedroom giving my friend a blowjob.”
“Oh, not good.” Vince grimaced.
“Yeah, I was already at UC Davis in their computer software program. I thought I’d create games or graphics or something. Two of the older guys I had classes with had an apartment and they took me in. I had a full ride scholarship, but had to pay rent, food, etc. I had a bunch of odd jobs. Finally, I started developing this program for GPS. I don’t know why, just did. Got my roommates in on it and the rest is history. I made my first million by the time I was 20. I had a billion by the time I was 32. Bought my partners out when I was 35 and here I am. Your turn.”
Vince nodded, taking it all in. “Okay, my legal name is Vincenzo Giuseppe Nicolo Pirelli. Half Italian, half Irish. I have one brother, six sisters. Think we’re Catholic?” He laughed and set his beer on the table. “My father died about 15 years ago and my mother died about 3 years ago. I went to Harvard.”
“Harvard?” Martin frowned.
“Yeah, Harvard. All us kids went to Harvard or Notre Dame. I have an MBA.”
Martin cocked his head, “Then why are you a cook at Kitty’s?”
“Now, that’s another story. I got a girl pregnant when I was 18 my first year in college. Turned out she was a druggie. She came to our house and dumped Jessie on my front door, literally. My Dad wanted to get rid of the kid, but Mom wouldn’t have nothing to do with that. So, they helped me get an apartment and Mom helped raise her until I graduated. I had a fancy degree and I was supposed to go into the family business.”
“Which was?”
Vince hesitated, scraping the paper off his beer with his fingernail. “Uh, waste management.”
Martin stared at his date, “Pirelli, oh, god, you’re….”
“Nope! Nope!” He waved a hand at Martin, “I don’t have anything to do with the business anymore. I decided to come out when I was twenty-five and my Dad went crazy. Threatened to disown me and everything, but Mom talked to him. I was the oldest. I was supposed to take over, but then it shifted to my brother, Giovanni. He was better suited for it anyway. A lot of bad family shit happened but in the long run, my old man gave me a figurehead position on PWM’s board, pays about $200k per year. Made my brother promise him on his deathbed never to fire me, so he hasn’t. I took the money, invested it, eventually bought the building that houses Kitty’s.”
“That’s a ten story building. You get the rent on all those offices?” Martin sat up a little straighter. He hadn’t bothered to read the background check Ray put on his desk. He was just realizing how little he knew about his date.
“Yeah, well, my kid has her real estate license and she manages it.”
“But, you’re the night cook at Kitty’s.” Martin couldn’t keep the incredulous look off his face.
“And….”
“And, why?”
Vince grimaced and took another sip of his beer before he answered, “I needed to stay busy. I don’t mind hard work, then I started making friends. I don’t sleep well at night when I’m alone.” He glanced back down at the table. “Avery was my first real relationship. We were together for a couple of years. I thought it’d be forever, but then he decided he wanted someone younger and richer.”
“But, if the math in my head is right, you’re rich.”
Vince chewed on his lower lip. “I think it was the age thing, more than the money.” He shrugged. “You’re a good looking guy. You obviously take care of yourself. I like dark hair and dark eyes. You got a great voice. Very sexy. I always liked listening to you when we’d talk at the diner. So when you said you were looking for a real relationship and not with some young guy, I thought, why not. Give this a shot.”
Martin reached out and took Vince’s hand. He looked down at his thumb as it caressed the soft skin on the back of the other man’s hand. “I’m really glad you are giving me a chance.” He looked over at all the people hanging out at the bar, pool table and the dart board. “I like this place. I like your friends and I’d like to go out with you again, if you want.”
Vince turned his hand so their fingers entwined, “So when do we get to have sex?”
“Third date.”
“Damn!” He snorted, “Okay, any more questions?”
Martin shook his head, then he stopped and looked Vince in the eye. “How good are you at pool? I win, I buy the next round for you and your buddies. You win, you do.”
“You sure you want to lose your money, Marty?”
Martin grinned, “Who says I’m going to lose?”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Vince stood and held out his hand. Martin looked at it for a brief instant then took it and let Vince help him up.
Three hours later and two more rounds on Martin, the two decided to call it a night. Walking hand in hand down the darkened street to the parking lot, they couldn’t stop talking. Martin learned that Vince’s granddaughter was twelve years old and a piano prodigy.
“Plays like an angel.”
“My goddaughter has a dance recital in two weeks. My presence is demanded. Would you like to go with me?”
“Only if you go with me to my granddaughter’s recital this weekend. Maybe we could consider that date number two.”
“Only if you let me take you and your family to a nice restaurant afterwards.”
Vince turned and pulled Martin to him, “Only if I get something more than a little peck on the lips right now.”
“No sex.”
Vince shrugged and grinned, “No sex. Just kissing. I like to kiss.”
“I thought you said you liked dick.”
Vince groaned and wrapped his arms tightly around his date. “I love dick.” He gave Martin a quick peck. “I love to suck it.” The next kiss was a bit deeper and more passionate. “And I love to be fucked.” Then he grimaced, “Guess I should’ve asked, you a top? Or a bottom?”
Martin looked down as his grin broadened. He slipped his cold hands into Vince’s jeans’ back pockets and pressed his hips tighter to the man holding him. “Well, I guess, this is your lucky day, Vince. I tend to like to top, but I can be versatile if I need to be.” This time Martin took control of the kiss. He loved the feel of Vince’s stubble against his skin as his lips met Vince’s soft, warm lips. Tongues danced and intertwined. He tasted of beer and nachos, salt and lust. There was no better flavor in Mart
in’s mind. He moaned into Vince’s mouth before he placed a hand on the other man’s chest and pushed back.
Vince shook his head, “Hell, Marty, we keep going like this, we ain’t makin’ it to the third date.”
“Yes, we will. I’m determined to make this work. I don’t want to scare you off, but I’m finding out that I’m really attracted to you. I want you so bad right now I could scream, but I don’t want a one-night stand. I want long term. I’m getting too old to be fucking around. I want monogamy, Vince. If that’s not what you want, then sure, let’s fuck, kiss each other goodbye in the morning, and call it good. But for once in my life, I want more. I want you to be that forever guy, Vince. I really do. This, whatever this is, feels good. So, tell me, Vince. What do you want?”
Vince sighed and rested his forehead against Martin’s. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re right. I want this, too, so we do it your way, but on that third date, be warned, Marty. I am going to bring a large tube of lube and a shitload of condoms and we are going to fuck like we are nineteen again, okay?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Vince stepped back, “Take me home, Marty, before I rethink all of this. I gotta date with my right hand in the shower tonight.” He leaned in and stole one more kiss and as he pulled back his eyes narrowed. “I really, really like you, so make me a promise. If this isn’t working for you, you say so, okay? I’m afraid you could end up breaking my heart. Just sayin’.”
“Same here. We’re old enough with enough mileage that we can be honest with each other. No lies, no cheating. If it’s not working, we say so.” Martin drew in a deep breath then slowly let it go. “I guess I better get you home. I think I have an appointment with my right hand, as well.”
The drive back to Vince’s took ten minutes at that time of night and they held hands the entire way. Neither wanted to let go, but with another quick kiss, Vince reached for the door handle. “I’ll text you the time and place for the piano recital.” He looked over at Martin one more time. “Can I tell my daughter we’re dating?”
“Sure. She may be my daughter-in-law one day. I just hope she’ll like me.”
Vince smiled, “She will, because I do. Sweet dreams, Marty.”
“You, too.”
Vince stood at his front door watching Martin drive away. A look of longing softened his gaze, “I gotta good feeling about you, Marty.”
Chapter Three
“I think Jess will be here any minute, then we can take our seats.” Vince turned to Ray, holding out his hand. “I want to thank you and your wife for joining us. Every bit of support we can give to Jilly will be appreciated.”
“Well, Martin said he’d blackmail you into returning the favor next weekend for Chrissy’s ballet recital.”
Vince raised an eyebrow and glanced at the man beside him, “Oh, he did, did he?”
“Hey, Dad. Sorry, but I had trouble finding parking.” Jess Pirelli gave her father a kiss on the cheek. A girl about 4 inches shorter than her mother stood back a few steps.
“Come here, princess.” Vince held out his arms and his granddaughter melted into them. They pulled back and the smile on her grandfather’s face spoke volumes. “You look great! And your hair, wow, your Mom did a wonderful job.”
“Thanks, but it’s not what I wanted to wear. Mom said it had to be this. I wanted to wear my ripped jeans and put some purple stripes in my hair. She never let’s be do anything I want, Papa.” Jilly’s lower lip stuck out a mile.
Again, Vince pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Do a good job tonight and I’ll talk to your Mom about the purple hair, okay?”
The girl’s eyes lit up. “Really?” She looked past her grandfather to the man standing next to him and Vince noticed.
“Oh, Jess? Jilly? This is Martin Kull. He’s my….” Vince looked at Martin for help.
Martin held out his hand, “I’m his date for tonight. I’ve heard so much about the two of you. I’m glad to finally meet you.” He pointed to Ray and Carrie, “And these are two of my friends who love music.”
Vince noticed Jess looking around, “What?”
“My date should be here somewhere.” She stopped and Vince noticed her eyes light up. “Rich, over here.” She waved to get the handsome young man’s attention. The sandy haired man came over and gave Jess a quick kiss before turning to the others standing nearby.
“Rich, this is my Dad, Vince Pirelli.” As the man leaned in to shake her father’s hand, Jess mouthed the word, Behave. “And this is Mar….”
“Oh, my God, you’re Martin Kull.” The younger man’s eyes widened, “I’ve been trying to get in to see you for weeks and here you are.”
Martin shook his head, “And you are?”
“Oh, Richard Wiseman.”
“He’s got a property on Helsinger his company wants you to buy.” Ray interjected. “It’s me you’ve been dealing with, Mr. Wiseman. I….”
“Set him up an appointment to see me Monday morning, Ray.”
“But….”
Martin’s smile disappeared as he looked at his Exec. “Monday, please, Ray?”
“You’re the boss, Mr. Kull.” Ray didn’t bother to disguise his irritation as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through Martin’s appointments. “How about 9 am Monday, Mr. Wiseman?”
“I’ll be there, thanks.”
“Shall we?” Vince motioned for everyone to go in, but he held back, taking Martin’s arm. “I swear to you, Marty, I don’t know this guy. Jess said she was seeing someone, but you didn’t have to do this.”
Martin turned and ran his fingers under the lapels of Vince’s dark blue, pinstripe suit coat. He looked up into Vince’s eyes, happy to see a bit of concern and anxiety there. It showed him that Vince was telling the truth. “I don’t mind. Really, I don’t. I didn’t say I’d buy the property. I just said I’d talk to him. It’s easy to see this is his first big job and someone sent him on an impossible mission. If he gets in to see me, even if I don’t buy, it’ll give him a little more cache in the company.” Martin glanced down the aisle and watched Wiseman look at Jess with real affection. “First impression? He seems like a good guy.”
Vince frowned, “I don’t know. I wonder if Jess told him you’d be here.”
“I don’t think so. He seemed genuinely surprised to see me.” On impulse, Martin pulled Vince to him and gave the older man a quick kiss. “Like I said, I’m buying dinner tonight, so don’t argue. I want to get to know your family and, well, Ray and Carrie are the closest I have to family.”
“You mean, we’re on date two and I’m already meeting my in-laws?” Vince laughed and leaned down for another quick kiss.
“Hey, you two. Recital’s about to start.” Ray tapped Martin on the arm. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to keep him from seeing you, but the Helsinger property is crap.”
“I know, but still give him the appointment. I want to know what his intentions are concerning my future daughter-in-law.”
Ray raised an eyebrow, “Future what?”
“This is date number two.” Vince grinned, placing a broad hand to the small of Martin’s back. “I want to have sex with him so bad, Ray. I can’t wait for date three.”
The trio laughed as they headed down the aisle to their seats.
The evening was filled with the okay, the bad, and the truly awful but when Jilly Pirelli sat down at the piano, Vince sat up a little straighter and fixed his eyes on the girl. With the opening chords, the recital hall was filled with Mozart. Beautiful, melodic, and insane. Martin sat in his seat, awed by her long, thin fingers attacking the keys and bringing forth the best performance of the night. By the time Jilly Pirelli played the final notes, people were already on their feet with shouts of “Brava”. Like the consummate professional she one day would be, Jilly stood, smiling at the crowd as she took her bows.
“She learned that in one week.” Vince whispered to the man beside him.
“Good Lord, she is a prodigy.”
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Vince nodded proudly as the next student took the stage, not realizing that anything else that night would all be subpar.
About an hour later they met at Veritas. There was a line extending halfway down the block, but Martin led the way into the lobby, pointedly ignoring the frowns and stares.
“Marlene.” He kissed the middle aged woman at the podium on each cheek. She smiled broadly, brushing back her long, raven hair from her pale skin. “Thank you for getting us a table at the last minute.”
“Emilé and I look forward to your visits. Come this way.” She wove her way around waiters and tables, finally stopping at one near the far wall. Two waiters appeared from nowhere and assisted in getting everyone seated. Playing host, Martin smiled and addressed them both by name. Menus in hand, drink orders taken, Martin took Vince’s hand under the table and squeezed it. “I’m buying, so please, everyone get what you want.” Then he looked over at Jilly. “If you don’t see anything you’d like, Emilé, the chef, will cook you a burger or anything you want. He’s famous for his take on everyday food.”
Jilly’s eyes lit up, “Can I have a burger and fries?”
Martin nodded, “Of course, but it may be the best burger and fries you’ve ever had. You’ll be spoiled for life.”
Drinks arrived and the conversation was lively. “I have a question for all of you.” Martin pushed the conversation in the direction he needed. “If you could go anywhere and do anything for a long weekend, where would you go and what would you do?” Martin looked at Ray to start.
Most of the people at the table wanted to go someplace tropical, except Jilly, who had her eyes set on Hogwarts at Universal Florida. She was obviously proud of the fact that she was a massive Harry Potter fan. When it came to Vince, he seemed to get shy and refused to answer.
“Come on, Dad. Tell him. If you don’t, I will.” Jess prompted.
Vince sighed, “Alright, alright. My big dream is to go to Paris. I’ve always wanted to see the City of Lights. My Mom dragged me to Ireland to meet relatives about 5 years ago. We were so close, but she wouldn’t go. I’ve been to southern Italy with my father, but there’s just something about the place. I always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, drive down the Champs Elysees, Montmartre, hell,” He laughed. “I just want to see it all.”
Songs of Love : Books 1-3 Page 20
