Painted On My Heart

“I honestly get what you’re saying. What John does, reflects on you, even though you aren’t together.”

“What about you? Do you have someone special in your life?” Kellus asked when a moment of silence grew between them. Arik’s gaze narrowed before turning an exaggerated critical eye toward him as he chewed and swallowed his food. The whole look caused him to laugh. “What?”

“Did Gage share that picture with you?” He lifted his fork and pointed directly at him like Kellus knew some sort of secret.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Kellus responded, lifting a hand, giving his oath as he continued to laugh at the discomfort on Arik’s face.

“Are you guys finished with this?” the waitress interrupted, pointing to their now empty plates.

“Are you?” Arik asked him, dropping his fork on his plate, pushing it back away from him.

“I’m absolutely stuffed,” Kellus answered.

“I’ve been picking, but not too stuffed for dessert. Hell, there’s always room for dessert. Can I see a menu?” Arik asked.

“Sure thing.” She cleared the dishes away, leaving their drinks, and Arik didn’t miss a beat. Right back on subject, which was great because he really wanted to know the answers.

“Gage and I give each other shit all the time. He’s been busting my ass over that commission—”

“I left another check for him,” Kellus interrupted.

“I swiped it. Gage didn’t sell that piece. You did. You deserve that money. But regardless, we give each other shit, so when he shows you a picture of the last guy I…” Arik looked around, then leaned in closer across the table, and whispered, “Fucked. Just know it was a momentary lapse of judgment. And knowing Gage the way I do, the only reason he hasn’t shown you that picture is because he’s waiting for what he sees as the perfect opportunity.”

“That bad, huh? Okay, now I really need to see it.” Kellus laughed at the intensity of scorn on Arik’s face. The waitress stepped up to the table and handed Arik a menu. He nodded toward her and laid the menu out on the table in a way that allowed Kellus to look also.

“My cousin will eventually show you. Especially once he finds out he auctioned my personal suite off to a large family with small children, and I’m in the adults only section of the resort—no children allowed. He’ll be purchasing their suite with his own money if they plan to stay.”

Arik found that funny. He laughed so hard, he couldn’t really get the words all out. He seemed pretty tickled at the turn of events. After he looked over the menu, he pointed to a particular item. “I normally like chocolate, but the bread pudding and ice cream looks amazing.”

“I’m stuffed full. I usually eat really clean foods. I think my body’s in shock. I don’t want anything,” he said.

“I can’t eat dessert in front of you.” Arik looked almost hurt.

“Sure, you can.”

Arik pegged him with this crazy look.

Kellus wasn’t at a point that he could read him, so he smiled. Neither man broke eye contact for several long moments. Arik’s face changed into something sensual as he reached across the table, not taking Kellus’s hand, but laying his close enough to brush against it. The tip of Arik’s forefinger skimmed across his skin, sending an unexpected jolt up his spine.

“I’m going to be completely honest with you. I don’t date, nor have I been interested in having a boyfriend. I’ve been dedicated and incredibly busy building my business, and in all honesty, no one—that is, until you—has piqued my interest enough to explore the idea of building a relationship. I’m glad someone was productive this week, because I haven’t been. My mind’s been stuck on you.”

Their gazes locked, and the air around them charged. Kellus couldn’t force himself to look away, not from the beautiful amber eyes that held him captive. At the same time his heart soared, anxiety crippled his thought processes. Those words coated his heart with some much needed kindness, but Arik didn’t even know the half of it.

“Decide on anything?”

“I think we need the check. Are you up for a stroll to Dude, Sweet?” Arik asked. Kellus nodded completely caught by surprise when Arik’s hand covered his, then fully closed around it. Kellus’s heart fluttered wildly in his chest as the grip tightened and Arik’s thumb found his palm and began leisurely caressing his sensitive skin. With the warmth flooding his body, he knew his cheeks were probably as red as the stop sign on the corner of the street. He should end this right now. Kellus should remove his hand and tell Arik the truth. If he were as honorable as he liked to believe, he would certainly explain the exact reason this could go no further, but he needed this moment. Needed someone to want him. He didn’t want to feel so alone. His confidence had been sorely shattered. He had accepted the fact he’d be alone for the rest of his life, but for just a little while longer he could allow himself this small indulgence.