Sparks

by Talia Carmichael

  Tomas pulled out his wallet and handed him a hundred.

  “So, you’re making a move tomorrow. More money for me.” Ramirez rubbed his hands together.

  “No money for you. That’s to bet on never,” Tomas replied.

  “You’ll just hold out to make all of us lose, you stubborn bastard.” Ramirez frowned.

  “Oh, yeah. There’s nothing between me and the kid.” Tomas smiled.

  “He’s not a kid. Or an obligation. He’s a man, one who sooner or later will make your stubborn ass see he’s more than that.” Ramirez grunted, slapping Tomas on the shoulder.

  “The same goes for you. Harper doesn’t need you treating him like a child,” Tomas said.

  “Harper doesn’t know what he needs,” Ramirez growled.

  “And you do?” Bernie’s voice asked.

  Tomas shifted, looking at him.

  “I know more than you do. Who the fuck do you think you are, hanging up on me?” Ramirez went over to Bernie, getting in his face.

  “I know he doesn’t want to be treated like he’s motherfucking broken,” Bernie growled low.

  “You don’t know shit,” Ramirez gritted out.

  Tomas started over, but stopped, eyes wide, as Bernie pushed Ramirez while he spoke.

  “I know more than you. You’re so busy treating him like an obligation, you don’t—no, won’t—let him breathe. He needs that to find his feet again and learn to live without Provenza.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to help him do,” Ramirez said.

  “No, you’re not. You’re smothering him. Back off,” Bernie hissed.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Ramirez crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Oh, really?” Bernie smiled, a nasty curl of his lips. “You might think you own the world. Well, you can control some people, but not me, and not Harper. Let the man have some say. Stop being an ass and controlling everything. He’s not an obligation.” Bernie pushed Ramirez back with each word. “He’s a person who needs a friend, not a keeper.”

  Tomas opened the front door and stepped out of the way. Bernie pushed Ramirez out the door. He glanced at Tomas, his pale green eyes fierce.

  “I’ll see you for poker tomorrow. Now, get out,” Bernie growled.

  “I’m going. You really should lock your door.” Tomas smiled, going out the door.

  “I will from now on, to keep some folks out.” Bernie glared at a sputtering Ramirez. Then he slammed the door in their faces.

  Tomas started to laugh. He had never seen Bernie pissed before. As he’d cursed Ramirez, a blush reddened his cheeks, while his voice became a deep growl. It was entertaining watching him manhandle Ramirez out the door.

  “You need to check your man,” Ramirez said.

  “The kid isn’t, and never will be, my man. I’m putting my money on it. You’re gonna lose that bet. Boy, that kid sure told you. Wish I had it on tape.” Tomas smirked.

  “He’s not a kid. More like a typhoon. Never knew he had such a temper.” Ramirez scowled.

  The lights on the porch turned off. Tomas laughed again and turned to Ramirez.

  “Come on. Let’s go before he calls the police.”

  “I am the police!” Ramirez cried.

  “And you don’t want your fellow officers to come find you here on this porch, then have to explain why you didn’t leave when asked.”

  “He wouldn’t call the cops,” Ramirez scoffed.

  “I wouldn’t be too sure of that. The kid seems to be doing a few things we don’t expect. Bernard is turning out to be more than he portrays.” Tomas looked at the closed door.

  Chapter Three

  TOMAS observed Bernie as he laughed with Robert and Alex. Bernie glanced back at him and blushed, looking away. Tomas raised his beer to his lips to hide his smile. Since he had picked Bernie up for the poker game, Bernie had been acting all nervous. He’d caught Bernie four times to keep him from falling, and that was just leaving the condo. Bernie’s clumsiness had shown Tomas something else about who he was coming to realize was a complicated man. He thought back to all the times Bernie had seemed to fall over his own feet. In each instance, it was when Bernie had seemed nervous. He didn’t even think Bernie realized it. And Tomas was going to keep that little tidbit of info to himself.

  “Are you ready to play, or are you gonna ogle Bernie all night?” A hand rested on his shoulder.

  “Just waiting my turn,” Tomas replied.

  Turning his attention from Bernie, he glanced at Alejandro, his oldest brother. Spotting his other brothers crowding around him, and a few of his cousins, Tomas stifled a groan.

  “Come on.” Alejandro made a gesture with his head while shifting his hold on his shoulder.

  Tomas found himself being led to the kitchen with his brothers falling in behind him. He shrugged out of Alejandro’s hold and walked over to the island, standing between Miguel and Hector. Tomas pushed his shoulder first against Miguel, then Hector. Both were sitting at the island.

  “Hiding out in here waiting for the interrogation to start?” Tomas asked.

  “More like Alejandro telling us to sit here and don’t interfere.” Hector laughed.

  “Since it’s his house, we decided to humor him.” Miguel rolled his eyes.

  “I’m the oldest, so I get to do what I want. Right, little bros and cuzes?” Alejandro raised an eyebrow and leaned against the other side of the counter.

  “Sure” and “whatever” echoed throughout the room. Then they all chuckled.

  Alejandro snorted. “I get no respect.”

  “Oh, you poor thing. Want a tissue?” Malik made a rude smacking sound with his lips.

  Alejandro made a swipe at Malik, but he danced out of the way. Alejandro shrugged, then turned his attention to Tomas.

  Tomas spoke before Alejandro could. “I know all about this bet, and there is nothing going on between me and the kid.”

  “Bernie isn’t a kid, no matter how much you try to use that to keep him at a distance.” Alejandro’s rich brown eyes, so much like Tomas’s, were patient.

  “I don’t do that. Calling him a kid is a term of affection. And I have no reason to keep him at a distance. Nothing is going on.” Tomas frowned.

  The men looked at each other, then back at Tomas. Alejandro had that smile on his face, the one that made him such a great doctor. It was his “I’m here with you, and will be here no matter what happens” smile. Tomas sighed and rubbed his fingers down the bridge of his nose.

  “Okay. You don’t have to worry. I’ll be careful and not get hurt.”

  “Hell, we’re not worried about you getting hurt. We want to ensure that if you do go there with Bernie, you don’t hurt him.”

  Tomas lowered his hand, looking at Alejandro in shock. He glanced at the other men, and they all nodded. Tomas couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “You all are warning me away from Bernie?” he asked in disbelief.

  “No. We’re warning you that if you do make a move, you better be sure about it,” Hector stated.

  “Really? ‘Make a move.’ Are you a teenager? Just say it. If you plan on fucking around with Bernie, literally and figuratively,” Malik said.

  “Christ, Malik. Can’t you say it better than that?” Miguel asked.

  Malik flipped him the bird. “You all are pussyfooting around it. Just be real.”

  They started to bicker. Tomas shook his head, stifling a laugh. His own family was more concerned about Bernie than him. A warm feeling filled him. He couldn’t even be mad. It showed they all already saw Bernie as family. He was already one of their own.

  “Shut up. You all are losing sight of what this is about. Tomas and Bernie.” Alejandro gestured to Tomas, and then the next room.

  Tomas put his arms on the island. “Look. There is nothing between me and Bernie. There never will be.” He was firm.

  “You really believe that, don’t you?” Alejandro studied him, and then he started to laugh.

  The
other men in the room joined him. Tomas scowled, not understanding what was so funny. Alejandro sobered and shook his head. The others slowly stopped laughing.

  “He really has no idea,” Hector pointed out.

  “It’s his stubbornness. Once he makes up his mind, it takes a sledgehammer to the head to change it,” Malik added.

  “But once he does, he’s going to be all in,” Alejandro said.

  “As long as it’s not today. I can’t take Ramirez gloating if he wins another bet,” Miguel stated.

  “Can one of you start making sense?” Tomas growled.

  Alejandro looked at him, a soft smile on his face as he replied, “You have the same look Hector and Miguel had when they found Simon and Robert.”

  “You all need glasses.” Tomas snorted.

  The other men chuckled. Tomas flipped them off. Miguel shoved his shoulder, and Hector poked him in the side. Tomas swiped at them.

  “What the heck is going on here?” Robert demanded, entering the kitchen.

  “They’re probably warning Tomas to treat Bernie right. Well, that and waking his stubborn ass up that Bernie is not a kid,” Simon answered.

  Tomas glanced at the two men as they stood close to the door. Robert frowned at Simon.

  “How could you possibly know that?”

  Simon shrugged. “Once you’ve been in this crazy family long enough, you’ll get to know how these Neanderthals think.”

  “Maybe, but since Miguel and I have already had this conversation, and Miguel agreed not to get involved with whatever is going on between Bernie and Tomas, that can’t possibly be what’s going on. Right, Miguel?” Robert looked pointedly at Miguel.

  “Ahh… querido, would I do that?” Miguel asked as he stood and walked over to Robert.

  “Yes,” echoed around the room.

  “Traitors.” Miguel gave them all a dirty look.

  “Come on,” Robert growled.

  He grabbed Miguel’s hand and pulled him toward the back deck. The men standing between them and the door moved out of the way. Robert yanked the door open and pulled Miguel outside, closing it. Tomas shifted so he could get a better view out the bay window. He noted the others who couldn’t see out the window had shifted to get a view too. Robert paced back and forth as he talked and gestured. Miguel leaned against the railing.

  “How long you think Miguel is going to let him get worked up before he grabs him and kisses him?” Malik asked, sitting on the seat vacated by Miguel.

  “Right about… now,” Alejandro said.

  Miguel moved, snagging Robert’s arm. He tumbled him into his arms and kissed him. Even from here, Tomas could see the blush on Robert’s face. He seemed to relax against Miguel’s body. Miguel withdrew slowly from the kiss. He looked up at them and waved. Robert turned quickly. He flushed even redder and smacked Miguel, who was laughing hysterically. Robert stomped toward the door. He yanked it open.

  “Perverts,” Robert said.

  “Yep” and “proud of it” echoed through the room. Robert sighed, shaking his head.

  “You’ll get used to it. These Neanderthals behave like boys when they get around each other,” Simon said.

  Tomas looked at him. Simon was snuggled up against Hector.

  “God. Get a room already,” Tomas groaned.

  “Remember that when you’re all over Bernie.”

  “There is nothing between me and Bernie,” Tomas stated again.

  “There’s medicine for denial.” Simon patted him on the shoulder.

  “It’s the truth.” Tomas pushed his hand away and stood, walking toward the kitchen doorway.

  “Miguel, I really didn’t believe you when you said Tomas didn’t have a clue. But he really is oblivious,” Robert said.

  “I forgive you for doubting me, querido. Don’t worry. When he does face it, he’ll be really entertaining to watch,” Miguel said.

  The men all started to laugh. Tomas ignored them and went into the other room. He took a seat at the table next to Bernie.

  “Why did all of your family go into the kitchen? What are they laughing at?” Bernie asked.

  “They have a case of the stupids.” Tomas met his pale green gaze.

  “Ah… ribbing each other again. Who are they picking on this time?” Bernie smiled that crooked grin.

  Tomas studied his lips, not really registering his question. An elbow hit him in the side. Tomas turned.

  “Did I hit you? So sorry.” Mackenzie smiled at him innocently.

  Tomas gritted out, “Do it again and I’ll break it.”

  “You can try,” Mackenzie said cheerfully.

  “I think Tomas was the one they were messing with this time.” Alex sounded a little too happy.

  Tomas turned his attention on him. Alex smirked. Tomas looked around the table, and the other men had similar expressions. From their looks, he knew they all knew what his brothers and cousins had told him in the kitchen.

  “Why are they picking on Tomas?” Bernie’s tone was sharp.

  Tomas glanced at him in surprise. His cheeks were flushed, and his fingers tapped against the table. Tomas put his hand over Bernie’s, stilling it. Bernie’s startled gaze met his. Tomas squeezed his hand.

  “It’s okay. They were being Neanderthals.”

  “Oh… he’s using big words,” Hector said, gripping his shoulder.

  “That’s not the only thing I’ll use upside your head,” Tomas replied.

  He winked at Bernie and released his hand. The others came into the room, and they rejoined the game or went to watch TV. Talking, laughing, and heckling started as they played poker.

  Later, Tomas followed Bernie up the steps to his condo. He caught Bernie as he tripped on the top step, righting him and smiling indulgently. Bernie flushed and hurried to open the door. Then he turned, standing in the doorway.

  “I don’t know why you walked me to the door. You usually just drive off,” Bernie rattled off in one breath.

  “I need a drink,” Tomas said, stepping toward him.

  Bernie backed up and tripped. Tomas caught him again before he could fall. Stifling a smile, Tomas set him on his feet and wandered to the kitchen. He flicked on the lights, went to the fridge, and opened it. He bent over and took out a bottle of water. He also snagged one for Bernie. A low sound came from Bernie. Tomas straightened and glanced at him. Bernie averted his gaze and sat on the stool by the island. He played with the place mat. Tomas walked over, placing the water in front of him, and leaned next to him.

  “Thanks,” Bernie said softly.

  He opened the water and raised it to his lips. Tomas stared at the long line of his neck as his Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. Clearing his throat, Tomas glanced away.

  “You’re welcome. Did you lock the door? You really should keep it locked. When Ramirez and I came by last night, it was unlocked. That’s not safe, kid.”

  “I’m not a kid. And don’t tell me what to do,” Bernie growled, his hand slamming against the counter.

  Tomas looked back at him. Bernie’s looked furious. His lips curled in a snarl. He shifted, almost vibrating. In that moment, it hit Tomas. He put down his water and started to chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” Bernie snapped.

  Tomas sobered and watched him intently. “Damned if Ramirez isn’t going to win the bet.”

  “What about the bet?”

  “You know about that?” Tomas asked, shifting closer.

  “Yeah. And it seems as if you do too. I bet on it.” Bernie looked uneasy.

  “Who and what did you bet, Bernie?”

  “Ummm… on no one, and for never. You called me Bernie.” Bernie looked baffled.

  “Yeah. That’s your name.” Tomas shifted to stand in front of him.

  Bernie turned automatically to face him. Bernie’s T-shirt hung on his lanky frame. The baggy jeans pulled, cupping his cock. Bernie pushed his shaggy hair back from his face with one slender hand. Tomas held back a groan.

  “I bet
never too. But, Bernie….” He trailed off, staring at Bernie’s face.

  “What?” Bernie asked, trepidation in his tone.

  Tomas said nothing, just continued to stare. A blush crept up Bernie’s cheeks. He licked his lips and shifted nervously. Bernie stood abruptly, then tripped. Tomas caught him and pulled him against his body.

  “We’re both gonna lose the bet,” he whispered close to Bernie’s lips.

  “What? Why?” Bernie sputtered.

  “Does your blush go all over?” Tomas asked.

  “I… don’t know. Let me go… Tomas,” Bernie whispered.

  The soft tone went straight to Tomas’s cock. He pulled Bernie closer and closed the distance between their lips.

  “Later… much later,” Tomas promised.

  “Wh—”

  He closed his lips over Bernie’s, cutting him off. Bernie gasped, opening for him. Tomas deepened their kiss, suckling his tongue fiercely. Bernie stiffened, and then relaxed. His arms came up, and he gripped Tomas’s hair. Tomas moaned into his lips. Bernie whimpered and moved against him. The feel of his body against Tomas’s drove all thoughts except one from Tomas’s mind. He wanted Bernie. Now.

  Tomas changed his hold, cupping Bernie’s ass. He lifted him up. Bernie wrapped his long legs around Tomas’s hips.

  Without breaking their kiss, Tomas stepped back and strode to the kitchen doorway. He grunted as his shoulder hit the frame. Tomas continued on, putting one foot after the other. Bernie ground against his aching cock. Cursing into his mouth, Tomas gripped his ass, pulling Bernie against him. Turning, he pressed him up against the bedroom doorframe. He thrust against him. Bernie let out a wild moan. Tomas took the sound down and licked along his tongue.

  Straightening, Tomas staggered and righted himself. He strode forward and lowered Bernie to the bed. He settled over Bernie, rocking against him. Tomas hissed at the friction against his hardened shaft. Gasping, he pulled his head back and thrust against Bernie. Bernie’s face was flushed, and he whimpered. Tomas leaned down and bit against the side of Bernie’s throat. Bernie arched and moaned, and then he stiffened, pushing Tomas back. Tomas growled and locked gazes with his.

  “This isn’t because of obligation, or pity sex, is it?” Bernie was hoarse.