Painted On My Heart

“I’m excited. I haven’t been to Dubai. I was reading that we can’t be out as a couple there,” Kellus said as he placed the laptop case in the back cubby before getting inside the car.

“I haven’t ever experienced anything like that. I think it might depend on who you are and what you do in public. On my property, we operate differently. I would never open a business anywhere that I couldn’t be who I am. The doors would close immediately if those restrictions were put in place,” he said, starting the engine.

“That’s what I thought when I was reading some of that.”

“Did you bring your passport?”

“Yes,” Kellus answered, pulling it out of the inside pocket of his jacket. “I got it when I was fresh out of college. I wanted to travel the world. John wouldn’t ever get his.”

Arik came to a stop at a red light just outside his building, took the small book and thumbed through it. It was completely blank. “We need to fill this up.”

“I’d like that,” Kellus said, grinning at him.

“Ah, man, I like that look.” Arik growled and pulled Kellus to him for a kiss. He paid no attention to the light until a car honked loudly behind him. He quickly looked up at the green light, then scanned both directions, shifted gears, and darted across the intersection as the light turned yellow then red, stopping those behind him.

“I hope the girls are on time today,” Arik said, taking the entrance ramp on to Central Expressway. He’d carved out just enough time to swing by the cheerleading gym, watch the girls perform, then head straight to the airport. Any delays would throw a wrench in his entire schedule.

“One of my little nieces did little-league cheerleading. She was always so excited. It’s good you’re going,” Kellus said, initiating a hand hold. Arik looked down at their joined hands and then up at Kellus who was acting like this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Have you thought about contacting your family, tell them we’re dating?” Arik asked, tightening his fingers.

“No. I try not to think about them.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, navigating the heavy traffic on the highway. When Kellus didn’t answer, he took his hand and brought it to his lips, giving Kellus a little more time. “Why’s that, babe?”

“What they did hurt me to my core. When they walked away, it only made me cling tighter to John. I didn’t deserve for them to just turn their backs on me. I was always a good, respectful son to them,” Kellus said as he stared out the front windshield.

“What you were going through had to be hard to watch. It’s hard for me to see it happen to you, and I’m at the end of it.”

Kellus turned toward him. He wore the sadness of the situation not only on his face but in the slump of his shoulders.

“But we were family. What they did destroyed me as much as John has.” When Arik didn’t respond, Kellus turned his head back to look out the window. “I know it doesn’t make sense.”

“No, it does. I guess I hadn’t ever thought about it like that. Did you take John around them?” Arik asked, hoping to keep him talking.

“Never. They didn’t like him.”

“I’m sorry that happened to you. I honestly can’t see how you deserve any of this. You’re a good guy.” Arik stroked his thumb along Kellus’s hand.

“You’ve helped me see a lot of things differently,” Kellus said, turning back to him, that engaging smile back, lighting his handsome face.

“You’re being really nice to me today,” Arik teased.

“I’m not nice every day?” Kellus quipped.

“You are, but you’re being more agreeable, I guess. It’s a nice change,” he said, taking the exit to the George Bush Turnpike.

“You’re a lot to handle,” Kellus shot back, and Arik busted out laughing.

“Not the first time I’ve heard that,” he replied honestly, still laughing. “I’m still in the sweeping-you-off-your-feet part of our relationship. You could at least pretend I’m being successful.”

Surprisingly, Kellus lifted his hand, bringing Arik’s knuckles to his lips. Arik looked over, watched Kellus’s lips touch his skin, and the sensation shot straight to his dick.

Damn, he was in trouble. Kellus had been a force when he was keeping his distance. Having his full attention on Arik may just be more than he could stand.

“I want to take you dancing again. We move well together,” Arik said as the soft directions of the GPS guided him off the highway.

“I’m not sure that counted as dancing.”

“Probably not, but I enjoyed myself.”

“Me too.” Arik made a quick U-turn under the highway, then pulled into the crowded parking lot of Cheer Dynasty. The parking lot was full of vehicles. Lack of spots forced Arik to park out along the service road.