by K. C. Wells
Heath had always figured Dave for a flighty kid, but he was a lot more put-together than Heath had ever suspected. But what came to mind was Xavier. How Heath had wanted to keep Xavier in his bed, to lie there, to wake up in the morning, then spend the day together. It wasn’t about the absolutely amazing, oh my God, harder, deeper, faster sex. It had been the look in Xavier’s eyes. The one that said Heath was… what was the word? Precious. He’d never had that look from anyone before.
And yet there was more. Xavier was offering to be Heath’s guide in a world that, until now, had only existed in the pages of a book. What would it be like? And why, disconcertingly, when Heath looked at the cover of his book, did he see Xavier as the model? Dressed in period costume, his shirt ripped open, displaying that broad chest, the hair, the….
God, Heath had to get himself under control. He couldn’t imagine Dave’s reaction if he palmed his cock in the middle of the shop. He cleared his throat. “So what are you going to do?”
Dave looked up. “Hm? Oh. I’m going to wine and dine her. I’m going to take her places I think she’d enjoy. I want her to see she’s special, and that I’m a guy she can depend on to be there for her. Even if it’s only as a friend, I want to be the guy she calls when she has good news, or when she needs to go out and get a hot chocolate because it’s been a shit day.”
Heath gazed fondly at him. “Who knew you had such a gentlemanly side?”
Dave shrugged a shoulder. “Have you ever met someone who was worth it? I mean, someone you knew deep down was the one, and that you’d do anything to see them smile? That’s how I feel about Daria.”
Memories of Xavier after sex, his expression unguarded, his eyes filled with what had looked like… wonder.
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
Dave drained his paper cup and dropped it into the bin. “I’ve got to get going.” He paused, then coughed. “Sorry to dump all that on you. Just… I guess I needed some perspective.”
Funny, Dave had given that to Heath as well.
“No problem. I’m going to wish you the best of luck with Daria. She’s… special.”
Dave nodded eagerly. “That she is.”
A few more words, and then Dave dashed out the door, leaving Heath alone with his thoughts. That didn’t last long, however. The doors opened and customers streamed in. Pride Week had begun, and from now until the weekend, Heath would be run ragged.
He couldn’t wait.
BY THE time he was ready to close, Heath was happily exhausted. The stream of customers had continued most of the day, with a lull around lunchtime, then right back at it until closing. Heath had stayed open an extra hour because the shop was filled with customers. He didn’t need to look at the receipts to know this had been an amazing day. Tomorrow he’d need to get up early so he could restock the shelves, clean, vacuum, and otherwise put the shop back in order so the whole thing could start again.
He turned the sign around, then flicked off the lights. Everything else could wait until morning. He reached under the counter for his book, then frowned as he gazed upon its cover. Gone was the customary thrill of anticipation that always filled him as he contemplated an evening’s reading. It wasn’t difficult to work out what had changed.
Xavier.
He’d started Heath on a new path, one of self-discovery, and that somehow made the stories pale in comparison. And now, Heath wanted what Xavier offered. He wanted to be the willing student to Xavier’s tutelage. He wanted it all.
Heath’s heartbeat raced as he paused at the bottom of the stairs, pulling out his phone. He tapped on Xavier’s contact, then wrote out a text to him.
What you said about discussing limits and things? I want that. I want you to teach me.
He hit Send, then slipped the phone back into his pocket. He was halfway up the staircase when there was a knock at the door below. Ordinarily he’d ignore it, but for that one tiny spark of hope that said it might be Xavier. But that was ridiculous. Xavier would be home by now. They weren’t seeing each other until the—
Oh, fuck it. Heath turned around, went down into the shop, peered toward the front door—and froze when he made out Xavier’s unmistakable silhouette.
Heat rushed through him as he hurried to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open. Before he could say a word, Xavier pushed him back into the shop, closed the door behind them, then crowded him up against the wall and took his mouth in a blistering kiss.
When he broke away, Xavier’s eyes were huge, and something deep in Heath’s belly unfurled. He came back.
Heath did his best to sound natural. “Wow, that was some kiss.”
Xavier chuckled. “I swear, all I was going to do was stop by and say good night.” He caressed Heath’s cheek. “One look at you, and apparently I had other ideas.”
“Have you only just finished work?”
Xavier nodded. “Long day. But I didn’t want to not see you.”
No one had ever made Heath feel like that. No one.
Xavier took a step back, and Heath hated the break in connection. He caught hold of Xavier’s hand. “Come upstairs. I’ll make us some tea.”
“I should go.”
The way Xavier held on to his hand gave out another message entirely, and Heath was emboldened. “Yeah, you should.” He reached down and cupped Xavier’s cock, reassured by its hardness that he was on the right track. “But I’m sure you could stay a little while, right?” It wasn’t like Heath to be this… aggressive, but Xavier’s almost black eyes were further evidence that he was reading the situation exactly right.
Xavier leaned in close. “You’re playing a dangerous game, you know. There’s a reason you don’t wake the beast.”
Heath wanted to punch the air in triumph. “And there’s a reason the beast needs to come upstairs and let me give him a blowjob, then fall asleep next to me.”
“But I have to—”
“Work in the morning, I know. I could wake you early enough that you could go home and get dressed.”
The slow smile that spread over Xavier’s face made Heath’s stomach flutter. Xavier released him and bolted the door. “Well, I do have an extra suit at work….”
Heath locked the door and removed the key before taking his hand. “Then come on up, and we’ll see where the night takes us.” As he led Xavier through the shop, his heart was dancing. He’s staying the night.
Xavier in his bed.
Nights didn’t get better than that.
Chapter Nine
XAVIER’S GAZE strayed to the computer’s clock again. He could have sworn it had stopped, because it didn’t seem like it had moved in the last hour.
“Cal, is this the right time?”
Cal Peters didn’t even look up. “You know it is. Why?”
“I have plans for tonight, and I need to be somewhere by six.”
This time, Cal did shoot Xav a glance. “You’re kidding, right? We’ve still got a lot of work to do, and since your assistant decided she didn’t want the job, that leaves it all on you.”
Xav grumbled quietly. When he’d walked into work and Beatrice had told him the woman decided to take a different job, that had left him in the lurch. Bea’d offered to help as much as she could, but Xav already knew the workload she had, and told her he could deal with it. Only….
Xav sighed. Lately he was growing a little tired of working his arse off all the time, for very little reward beyond his salary. Was it wrong that now he wanted to reap the benefits of his hard work and spend some nights with Heath?
God, just thinking about Heath sent flutters through Xav’s stomach. He’d been at Heath’s place every night for the past week, even though he knew he should have gone home. So much for staying away. He reasoned it wasn’t his fault. Each night he’d get in the car, point it in the direction of his flat, and somehow he ended up at the bookshop.
Personally, he blamed the car.
“And the work will still be here next week. These plans can’t be cha
nged. We’ll get it done by the deadline, even if I take off a little earlier than usual.”
Cal muttered something and put his head back down, focused once more on his monitor. Xavier aimed a glare at him. Fuck it. Just because Cal was married to the job didn’t mean he had to be, right? He’d come in early all the following week to make up the time he was losing, but tonight he had plans involving a cute-as-hell bookshop owner, a BDSM club, and a private room where they could try out their first role-play scene.
After their discussion of limits, Xavier couldn’t wait to get started. They’d spent a couple of evenings going through the list, and Xav was pleased that Heath was taking it seriously. He loved how Heath’s breath caught when he saw some of the activities—especially when it came to spankings and the like—and how his eyes widened at others.
“People actually do that?”
“Yes, quite a number of them. Why?”
Heath shook his head. “I’m not one to judge anyone else for their choices, but seriously? Ouch.”
The man was a delight. And although Xavier had intended to wait until Sunday to take him to Secrets, the desire to get started proved too infectious. So here he was, at the end of a long Friday, more than ready to shrug off his day and play a little.
Xavier slipped his phone out of his pocket and held it under the desk to send Heath a text.
What are you wearing tonight?
The reply came back seconds later. I was thinking of a smile. Hopefully.
And fuck, if Xav’s cock didn’t thicken at the thought of that.
Thanks for that image. Now you’ve got me hard—at work.
No problem. It’s what I do.
Xavier tried to keep himself from grinning, but it was useless.
“That smile had better be related to your work.” Cal’s tone was sour. “And you know you’re not supposed to have your personal phone out on company time.”
That was it. Xavier was done. He slipped the phone back into his pocket, put his computer on standby, and stood. “Okay, I’m out of here.”
“Out? It’s only been—”
“A ten-hour day so far for me. You can stay here and work by all means, but not me. I’ve got plans, and I won’t change them for anyone.”
Cal folded his arms across his chest, his expression smug. “Mr. Church isn’t going to like this. You know he wants all this done and dusted in the next week or so.”
Xavier liked working for Mr. Church. The company was very LGBT-friendly, and people, from Bea to Xavier, were welcome. Every year Church gave to a charity of the employee’s choice. Last year it had been Positively UK, a London-based AIDS information and advocacy group. But while he didn’t discriminate, he did expect the best from everyone in his employ, even if that meant late hours.
“And we both know it will be.” Xav sighed and dragged his fingers over his head. “Look, I need this more than you can know. How many nights are you out of here before me? At least five times a week, I’ve sat here until nine or ten. I go home, sleep for a few hours, and then I’m right back at it. I work from home most weekends. So I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but I’m taking one weekend for myself.” He frowned. “Doesn’t your wife ever want you to come home at a decent hour?”
Cal snorted. “I don’t think she much cares if I’m there or not. The money I make means she can have the lifestyle she wants. That’s what matters to her.”
Xavier was not going to end up like that.
“I’ve pushed away friends for this job, simply because I wanted to climb the corporate ladder. But what has it got me?”
Cal curled his lip, and Xav couldn’t tell if it was in anger or disgust. “Go, then, but don’t blame me when Mr. Church gets upset.”
Xavier chuckled. “I’m an adult. I take full responsibility for my actions. If Mr. Church has a problem with me leaving, then he can tell me himself on Monday. For now, I’m out of here. Have a good night.”
Cal muttered again, something about it being on Xavier’s head, but Xavier wasn’t going to be guilted into staying. Not now that he was reclaiming a part of his life he’d neglected for far too long. The thought made him smile internally.
Heath thinks I’m introducing him to the lifestyle, but it’s thanks to him that I’m rediscovering it.
He took the lift down to the parking garage and climbed into his car. He put his Bluetooth on, then started the car. As he was pulling out, he told Siri to call Kyle.
“Xav! Hey. I was going to call you and ask how your friend liked the club.”
“He really liked it. In fact, we’re going there tonight.”
Kyle snorted. “Oh my God. Pardon me while I faint. Xavier James has finally remembered there’s more to life than work. Except I’m a fine one to talk. I’d be there, too, except I’ve got a last-minute tattoo. I’d have liked to talk to him. We didn’t get much of a chance last time. I want to know more about this guy who has you all tied up in knots.” He chuckled. “A bit of BDSM humor there.”
“Yeah, you aren’t nearly as funny as you think you are.” Xav sighed. He’d missed this more than he thought he would. He and Kyle used to talk four or five times a week. Then Xav began working for Church Developments and things just started falling through the cracks. “Seriously, though, it’s good to talk to you. Lately, it’s seemed like there’s never time to do that.”
Kyle groaned. “Yeah, I know. When we’re kids, we can’t wait to be grown up so no one can tell us what to do. Except once we discover what the real world is like, we’d do anything to get back to being a kid. Work, bills, work, bills…. The only thing good about being an adult? No one can tell me I can’t have ice cream for breakfast.”
This time Xav laughed, but it was strained. Kyle had nailed it. His life sucked. Okay, so his job was challenging, and there were times when he really did love it, but…. It said something when going to the club on a weekday for a bit of play was a novelty. When had Xavier’s life become so… unbalanced?
Except he knew the answer to that. Seven years ago, the day he signed his contract with Church Developments, Xav had been thirty-seven, with something to prove. Most guys his age didn’t get a chance at a job like this one, and Xav had been determined to show the bosses they’d made the right choice in hiring him. He worked in an office with men just out of college, who were like he was—eager to show they had what it took to do the job, cutthroat enough to keep it, and mercenary enough to kick anyone trailing after them back to the bottom rung of the corporate ladder without a twinge of feeling.
That was how it started out, at least. Then the job got more demanding, and Xav’s free time dwindled, until there was almost nothing left. One look at his flat told the story. All the items he’d bought before the job—colorful objects that made him smile or feel good—were boxed away. As he started working his way up, they’d been replaced with things that were stylish or functional. Now his apartment was austere, harsh, and, if he were honest, pretty dark.
Heath was breathing fresh life into Xav’s dreary world, opening Xav’s eyes to what—and who—he’d given up. Now the desire to reconnect with friends had unfurled in Xav’s belly, stoking a fire he thought had long gone cold. He couldn’t wait to see people again, but….
It’s all very well thinking this way now. What happens when the demands of the job take over? Because Xavier knew they would. And that made him wonder. Would whatever he had with Heath last the course?
Xavier sighed. He didn’t want this… relationship with Heath to be yet another item on his list of regrets. Surely there had to be a way to keep his job, his friends, and Heath? Frustration bubbled up inside of him. He knew he had to figure it out, because one day, and probably sooner than he would like, Xav would have to make a choice.
And he wasn’t looking forward to that day.
HEATH WAS doing his best to be patient, but Mrs. Smithson was taking forever to make up her mind. It was the same old problem: several books had caught her eye, but she only had enough money to buy one
. Retired teachers had to watch their budgets.
“All right. I think I’ve narrowed it down to two,” she announced at last. “I like the cover and blurb for this one.” She held aloft Sue Brown’s latest, Slow Dating the Detective. “But this one sounds racy.” Her cheeks pinked when she showed him the cover for BA Tortuga and Jodi Payne’s Wrecked. “Which do you think I should buy?”
Heath adored her. Mrs. Smithson had a penchant for MM romance. Her son was gay, and she was always telling Heath how much she loved reading stories of men falling in love. What tickled him most was when she’d declare that the sex scenes got her blood pumping.
“I’ve read them both, and if I’m honest, you can’t go wrong with either one.” Inspiration hit him. “You know, we had a big sale here last week for Pride.”
Her lovely face fell. “I know. I was sad I missed it, but I didn’t have the money then.”
“Well, you are one of my favorite customers. How about if we say we extended the sale a bit, and you take both and we’ll call it buy one, get one free?”
Her eyes lit up for a moment, but then her smile faltered. “But I couldn’t—”
“Couldn’t say no,” he said gently. “You’ve been one of my best customers since I opened the shop. So why can’t I do something to show how much I value such support? Hmm?”
Her lip trembled. “Mr. Snow—”
“Heath, remember?” he reminded her as he keyed her purchases into the till. “And you are going to let me do this for you, aren’t you? How can you refuse me?” He winked. “Especially when I turn on this rakish charm you keep insisting I possess.”
She giggled like a little girl, and the pink in her cheeks darkened to a lovely shade of crimson. “You know, that’s no way to run a business,” she scolded, but Heath knew he’d won. She sighed. “Too many other places in the area are closing, and I don’t want Wordsmith to be one of them. I love it here.” She reached into her purse and drew out some notes. “Thank you for this. I’ll be back next month, and I promise to have enough money to buy two books.”
