More interestingly and to his delight, Kellus came alive while showing him around town, and from the response they’d gotten, people were genuinely excited to see Kel. That was when Arik learned firsthand of Kellus’s self-imposed exile over the last year. The best Arik could tell, shame seemed to be the biggest culprit keeping Kel at a distance, but today, he saw that his guy was well liked and very personable. Store clerks stopped what they were doing to greet Kellus and take the time to catch up on his life. They gave Arik a critical eye, showing him they were a protective bunch. He’d have to earn his right to stand by Kellus’s side. A task he was more than glad to tackle.
Arik had happily gone along with everything until Kellus tried to choose a vegetarian restaurant for their dinner. Arik had firmly put his foot down. And by foot down, he meant he’d played along until he’d read the menu located on the outside wall of the restaurant. Then he’d quickly scanned the street, spotting the Yucatan Taco Stand & Tequila Bar and saying he’d always wanted to try the place. Yes, an utter lie, but one his stomach required he make.
Kellus held to his very strict diet. Last night at Pier 247 must have been a freak occurrence, and Arik was willing to try the healthy alternatives. He just needed to take baby steps, because he truly loved his food and, by nature, was a terrible eater.
Luckily, the restaurant didn’t disappoint. He even managed to talk Kellus into taking a couple of shots of tequila, which did wonders in taking his guy’s good mood and making it a great, fun time. Those shots affected Kellus more than they should have, giving Arik another clue that Kellus didn’t indulge in alcohol that often. He also turned chatty over their meal. Kellus had chosen a large salad for dinner, but didn’t eat much. Instead, he talked, going into great detail about the process of creating his art. Since the topic was interesting to Arik, and less intense than the intimate discussions they’d had over the last twenty hours, he listened intently, asking questions designed to keep Kellus talking while he ate his dinner and then ordered their dessert.
“I’m rambling,” Kellus apologized, sitting back in his seat when the waitress reached for his plate. They’d opted to sit inside as opposed to outside in the cool night air. Although the place was packed—clearly a local favorite—Arik had managed to get them a primo spot along the inside window, in a back corner. Their barstools were pushed close together and caused them to bump elbows as they ate.
At the end of the meal, Arik turned in his seat, sliding one leg between Kellus’s parted thighs. The proximity made it possible to easily run a palm across Kellus’s thigh while completely ignoring all of the people who sat around them.
“Are you kidding? I love listening to you. You’re so creative. I want to see your studio. Do you let people watch you work?”
“I’ve been told it’s like watching fishing. It’s boring. No one sticks around too long,” Kellus responded, then slid his fingertips across the top of Arik’s hand, before threading their fingers together.
“I don’t think I’ll see it like that. I’m betting it’s sexy as hell to watch you work.” Arik looked down at their joined hands, glad for Kellus’s bold move. Arik tightened his hold until his guy realized what he’d done and twisted his hand out of his grip.
Two steps forward, one step back. That was okay, he had nothing but time.
“Here’s your Mexican coffee,” the waitress said, reaching between them to place two mugs on the bar. A plate of churros followed. The waitress pointed to the small cups on the plate she placed between them. “The dipping sauces are chocolate, dulce de leche, strawberry, and pineapple jam. If you like one more than the others, let me know. I can get you more.”
“Mmm, thank you,” Arik said, reaching for one of the churros. “You need to try this.”
“There’s no way you know if those are any good. Besides, I’m full. I shouldn’t be drinking this coffee,” Kellus said, letting the cup sit there.
“I’m driving and I want you to come home with me tonight,” he said, dipping one of the churros in the chocolate sauce, then directly in the strawberry jam.
“You have to be sick of me.”
“I’m not at all. Quite the opposite.” Arik extended the churro toward Kellus’s mouth. He moved the palm of his other hand underneath to catch anything that might drip while waiting for Kellus to open. “I’m certain it’s outstanding. Try it.”
Kellus did, and Arik fixated on that opening mouth as Kellus’s tongue slipped out to guide the bite inside. His dick took notice too and became achingly hard. He could watch that mouth all day long. He had a serious attraction to Kellus’s lips. He envisioned all sorts of pleasures could come from a mouth that sexy. Fuck, he had to stop this line of thought; he didn’t need to start dwelling on how amazing those lips, combined with that uber sexy beard, would feel against the inside of his thighs. Damn, that visual did it. He was rock hard inside the confines of his tight-fitting jeans.