KAI SAW THE object of his obsession leaving the lecture hall and stroll towards one of the small cafés he’d seen him at a couple of times. It was where he’d first laid eyes on him, over three weeks ago. Sometimes, Luca went in to buy a coffee on his way to class. Often, Kai knew he’d stay there for hours, slaving over his books, and observe. He never sat or walked with anyone, always alone. It broke Kai’s heart a little each time but it made his affection for him increase, and the urge to make contact even greater.
Kai couldn’t imagine how it was to always be that alone. Most of his life he’d been surrounded by family and friends, and he loved that. So, when he noticed Luca he immediately wanted to become his friend. If he admitted it to himself, which he did easily, his interest went beyond wanting to be friends. He was attracted to him like crazy. However, unlike him Luca was shy; Kai knew approaching him would have to be done with care.
Kai followed at a safe distance as he didn’t want to be caught, at least not until he was ready to be seen. Today he was making his move, he was going to introduce himself but it needed to be at the right moment.
Kai had been in Gothenburg, Sweden, for almost four months and loved it. He missed home but it had been the right decision to go to Europe for a semester and get the experience. It would be something he’d never forget. The Swedes, in general, were mostly open-minded people and friendly, and the country itself was gorgeous—so different from back home. Nearly everyone spoke English really well, so, even though he was away from home, he still had the comfort of making himself understood. It was great. He was majoring in agriculture and only had his thesis left. Writing had always come easily to him, so being here wasn’t a hardship.
He’d been fascinated and completely taken off balance the first time he’d seen the Swede. He assumed he was; he had that look to him. There was something fresh faced and healthy looking about the Scandinavians. All Swedes seemed to be quite a bit taller than the average American. Luca had well sculpted but not I-go-to-the-gym-and-lift-weights-six-times-a-week leg muscles, a fit body, and a nice set of shoulders.
Kai wasn’t the least bit vain, but he’d often been told how good looking he was. Girls asked him if he really was gay, and some were put off when he answered yes. Some truly thought it was him blowing them off, even though he was never seen around town with any girls, at least not in a way that could be interpreted as dating. Personally he didn’t think he was that special in the looks department, it was the fact that he wasn’t available at all for some that made him shine extra bright to some. Luca on the other hand was stunning.
Watching the handsome Swede, he could appreciate the physical attraction, too, even if he was built nothing like him.
He was at least a couple of inches taller than him. His legs seemed to go on forever. The sweet bubble butt, which put a slight curve in the long, lean runner’s body, looked good enough to make any man walk right up and cup those globes purely to cop a feel. The narrow waist and torso matched the rest of his lean physique. It was easy to say he was every gay cowboy’s version of a Swedish Bikini, or—in this case—Speedo team.
The day he first saw him, Kai had been in a hurry to meet his friends for a late lunch but he’d stopped dead in his tracks as this absolutely gorgeous person appeared before him. He’d been so taken aback; he’d been locked in place right there on the open street, ogling.
Luca was an odd mix of ravishing and, for lack of a better word, beautiful. Large blue eyes—the same color as the ocean—with eyelashes so dark and full that, when he looked at you, it almost felt like you were drowning. He’d been lost. Luca’s blond curls were wild and untamable and gave him an innocent look. They framed his delicate face accenting his high, defined cheekbones in a way that made you hold your breath. And the way he moved…at least, when he didn’t think anyone was watching! It was easy, almost like he was gliding. The smile that usually painted his face when he looked like he was busy daydreaming made his entire face light up.
When Kai had finally been able to collect himself enough to go on, he’d been happy he was in an open-minded country like Sweden. Ogling as he’d done wouldn’t have flown—no matter the gender but especially not same sex—if he’d been in Texas.
Kai thought Luca had this odd but adorable behavior about him. He walked around almost lost in his own thoughts, talking to himself, not loud enough so it made him weird but he seemed completely unaware of the world going on around him. His behavior wasn’t overly odd, merely enough to make him stand out, and in Kai’s eyes become even more appealing. He was always so wrapped up in his own thoughts he’d never once noticed Kai watching him.
Kai had started to feel dumb, stalking Luca without introducing himself. But he hadn’t been able to help himself, he’d been so much fun to watch. He was taking his time to make contact since he seemed skittish, almost scared to talk to people. Kai had watched him avoid people he knew several times, even when he seemed to want to reach out and talk to them. It was enough to make Kai wary on how to approach him without scaring him off or making too much of a fool of himself.
To Kai it was fascinating that someone so absolutely stunning seemed to be so unaware of the draw he had on people.
Kai wasn’t anything like that. Growing up on a ranch in Texas with an older brother, younger sister, and his parents, he’d learned from an early age to make himself be seen. His brother Kit was only a year older than him, and they were close. In some ways, he was Kai’s best friend and, all through life, they shared practically everything. The same thing went for his dad. His pops was, to put it mildly, the best damn dad anyone could have, always supportive, always there with time to listen. Kai loved his family and they returned the love.
Being gay had never been an issue to them; he’d had a good life and still did. Coming to Sweden to study had actually been his father’s idea. He wanted him to know for sure what he wanted to do with his life, not merely settle for the ranch without knowing what else was out there. Through his school, he’d found this exchange program and had happily come to the home of the smorgasbords and beautiful blonds. And Luca in particular.
He guessed—if he was going to be honest, which he tried to be as a rule—if he had a type, he usually went for jocks. Big, well-defined, types of jocks who liked it a bit rough. Smiling to himself, he could see the look on his family and friends’ faces when they found out he was infatuated with someone like Luca, who was quite the opposite to his usual type. But Kai thought he was breathtaking and beautiful—watching him made him smile.
Besides, Kai hadn’t chosen him, it was the other way around.
From the moment he’d seen him, he’d been hooked and wanted to find out more about him. Luca wasn’t like any of the others. The often repeated and misquoted, “I just want to be left alone,” by Greta Garbo, reminded Kai of the object of his obsession who preoccupied his mind more than anything or anyone at the moment. It was apt that this café seemed to be a favorite of his.
Kai watched as he crossed the street and walked down the narrow stairs into the coffee shop. It was time and he didn’t want to let another opportunity pass him by. His friends, when he asked them about Luca, didn’t know much but Axel had told him Luca’s name, and that he’d seen Luca participate in a large discussion during a seminar. It was easy to see Luca had been confident and outspoken but, as soon as it was over and time to mingle, he’d pulled away and walked off on his own.
This could have been mistaken for arrogance but one of the first things that made Kai aware of him had been the sad look in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. He always smiled and talked politely with people but when he was alone, the sadness would cloud his eyes again.
All of Kai’s instincts had made him want to take Luca into his arms and hug him till the sadness went away. He’d been so completely captivated by him that he couldn’t stay away, and that in itself was something new for Kai to experience.
Back home in Texas, Kai was never without a date or roll in the hay if that was what he wanted. Not that he cared about that, because the most important people in Kai’s life, besides his parents, were his friends. Kai was damn well aware of how lucky he was to have such great people around him. They never once judged him and always had his back. Living in Texas wasn’t exactly the gay man’s number one paradise, but it was home.
Kai let a tram pass before he crossed the street and half ran up on the sidewalk. He steered himself after Luca and toward Garbo. Kai actually felt nervous about approaching him, but he couldn’t keep creeping around in the bushes any longer. If Luca ever found out, he’d most likely be weirded out and, to be honest, Kai was kind of creeping himself out.
It had always been easy for Kai to make new friends and first contact. He enjoyed talking with, and meeting, new people, but this was quite different. His interest in Luca was personal—very personal—he was more attracted to him than he should be, since he’d never even talked to him. But, he couldn’t deny the stir of emotions or the massive amount of butterflies fluttering in his stomach every time he saw him or even thought about him.
By pure accident, he’d bumped into him once outside class. He’d been lucky and caught Luca on one of those rare occasions where he’d actually stayed behind to talk to people. Kai couldn’t remember what they’d been talking about or if he’d even heard any of the conversation because Luca had smiled, and it had changed everything.
One of his favorite things about observing him was seeing those smiles of pure joy. They never lasted long but his face became alive. Then, all too soon, he’d pull back into his shell. It was as if he realized he was living and had to stop himself. You could tell from a mile away that Luca felt insecure with attention if it ever surrounded him. There had been numerous times when Kai had to restrain himself to not walk right up to Luca and rescue him, like some damn idiot with a “knight in shining armor” complex. But the desire had been there from the first day. Whatever urges Kai had, he’d resisted them, so he could find one perfect moment to make Luca’s acquaintance.
Entering the small café, Kai took off his baseball cap. Leaving the Stetson off was hard enough; not having a hat at all was a no-go. Spinning his hat in his hand, exactly like he’d do with his Stetson, he let his eyes adapt to the dimmed light. He quickly searched for the object of his affection, his lips curling into a soft smile when he saw Luca by the register. He was fumbling with his backpack; it insisted on gliding down his arm as he struggled to pick up his utensils. Kai’s smile got even wider, watching him, and he took a few steps forwards to introduce himself and be the gentleman his momma raised him to be.
* * * *
FEELING LESS PANICKED over his current epiphany about becoming like his father, Luca realized he was next in line to order. Taking the few steps closer to the counter, he had to make a decision on lunch. He chuckled at his own indecisions but, in his defense, Garbo’s meat pie selection was legendary.
They always had several different kinds. Today it was spicy Mexican minced meat and broccoli pie, ham and cheese, and a Greek pie with feta cheese and olives. He licked his lips, eyeing the pies, all encased in buttery, flaky pastry. His eyes wandered over the big selection of gourmet sandwiches. The choice of the day was lasagna and a sandwich cake.
He wrinkled his nose—sandwich cake was a misnomer; it was topped with different kinds of potted herring. How people could eat that was beyond him and he was a Swede. He was supposed to like cold, raw fish. Using a type of Swedish flatbread—a little thicker than normal flatbread—the filling wasn’t too bad, it was usually sour cream mixed with garlic, red onion, and some of the juice from the herring. However, the nasty mustard or tomato sauce covered cold fish—they were disgusting. An involuntary shiver rippled through him. He shuddered. Yuck!
Finally, his turn, he bit his lip as he made a snap decision. He ordered the homemade minced meat pie, instead of the original chicken he’d had in mind, with a side order from the salad buffet, and a large latte. As he paid, his book bag slid down his arm again. Why was he even surprised? He was so preoccupied with trying to grab his coffee and food, as well as getting his bag under control, that he didn’t notice the person standing behind him until he turned around and slammed right into him, spilling coffee all over the floor and the stranger’s hands.
For a moment, all he could do was stand there, staring at the coffee dripping off the man’s hands.
Oh, please! Please! Pleeease… Don’t let this be happening to me. No more.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he silently begged for him to be gone when he opened them again, but he wasn’t that fortunate. The only thing he was grateful for was that his damn book bag had slid down between them; otherwise, he would’ve had coffee all over his massive chest. Luca fumbled to place his items back on the counter, and tried to grab for some napkins. The girl behind the counter helped him out by handing him a towel and a small ice pack for the bloke’s hands.
“Hell, I’m so sorry! Did you burn yourself? I’m such a klutz.” He babbled as he let his backpack slide off his shoulder and drop to the floor by his feet. Of course, all the stuff from his bag conveniently slipped out, spreading across the floor in front of them. He sighed internally, rolling his eyes. This was his typical felicity; he couldn’t seem to catch a break.
Luca reached for the stranger’s hands, drying them off quickly, taking a good look to make sure he hadn’t burnt him. Because of his father, he had a little more knowledge than most pre-med students when it came to basic medicine, his father had made sure of that. So, he knew what he was supposed to be looking for but didn’t find any serious damage on either of his hands. A couple of spots were a little red and might sting for a bit, but they should be better in a couple hours.
He applied the icepack to the red spots on the hand. “I can’t begin to express how sorry I am. I’m clumsy. I’m so sorry!”
How could I have been this careless? Sure, I’m a little stressed out, the pressure of always having to be perfect affects me but still, I’m not usually this much of a mess. What the hell is wrong with me?
Realizing he hadn’t been paying attention to the man standing in front of him, Luca looked at his hands, which he was still holding on to. He let them go instantly. Jesus! Could this day get any weirder!
“Are you okay? How are your hands? Do you want me to take another look? I’m a medical student.” He grabbed one hand again for another inspection, then snapped his mouth closed as he realized he was babbling. Come on, where the hell had that come from? Like it mattered. What did being a medical student have to do with anything? He must think I’m a complete moron with no self-control.
Luca heard him chuckle and forced himself to stop his internal scolding to look up and meet his eyes. The world came to a sudden halt, as did Luca’s breath.
“Oh.” The word wasn’t any louder than the softest whisper. The most amazing brown eyes he’d ever seen mesmerized Luca. They were a deep, warm, golden brown and, when you looked into them, it was as if they were smiling. For several moments he stood there with the stranger’s hand in his, staring into them, forgetting everything else. Luca couldn’t say for how long he stood there, as time faded away. It could have been anywhere from one minute to an hour. Not until he cleared his throat and Luca felt the touch of his hand on his arm, did he finally snap out of his daze.
He was mesmerized when he looked down at the large heavy hand on his arm and back up into those eyes, still taken aback and slightly shocked by his own reaction. He’d been caught staring. As if on cue, Luca blushed bright-red from embarrassment. He wanted nothing more than the earth to open up and swallow him whole.
His eyes flickered to his feet and the mess on the floor. I have to get out of here before I make an even bigger ass of myself than I already have. Taking the opportunity to not look back up, Luca bent down to get his backpack and started to shove things back into it, mumbling to himself what a complete dumb-ass he was making of himself.
THE COFFEE HAD been hot as it ran over his hands but Kai was too preoccupied watching Luca to notice much. Besides, it was worth the small ache to have Luca touch him. It was like an electric current zinging through his hands. He smiled as Luca started to speak quickly, apologizing. Kai had picked up enough Swedish over the past months to understand the major things he was saying. And, whatever he missed, he didn’t bother trying to decipher in his head. listening to his voice was good enough for him. He was adorable in the cutest guyish way a man his age could be.
He hadn’t had a thing for so-called pretty boys like Luca in the past but he was completely and utterly sold on this one. Reaching out, trying to get Luca to stop and see him, their eyes locked for the first time and everything around them went quiet. He could feel the connection between them. Luca must have felt it, too, if the look on his face was anything to go by. Kai knew he was right.
The moment lasted longer than he thought Luca would let it but, in his defense, Kai thought he was probably a little shocked, not only because he’d been startled as he bumped into him but also with the thing passing between them. He couldn’t help smiling. If his brother had been there, he would have taken him aside and told him to pull on the reins, hold his horses. Back off a bit, let things take their course and not rush or push things too much. His brother Kit always said he was very much like their sister when it came to pushing too much, too soon.
Kai knew Kit was right, not that he’d tell him that, but Kai saw something and then, bam, he decided right then and there what he thought. After he’d made up his mind, it took something huge to make him change his point of view. Luca was like that to him. Knowing him or not, the minute he’d seen him, he knew he wanted him. All he could do now was pray for fate to be good to him, and make sure he was as gay as he was.
“Let me help you,” Kai said, hunching down, his knees cracking. Luca jumped a little as he spoke, dropping the book he’d only recently picked up. Kai knew his voice was quite deep but he didn’t think that was why Luca had reacted the way he had. A shiver went through Luca’s body when his fingers grazed Kai’s as they reached for the same book making his skin prickle at the simple and soft touch.
“YOU’RE AN AMERICAN.” His voice was barely audible. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…or I would have spoken to you in English. Are you all right? I’m awfully sorry,” he said again, stammering a little, looking into the pretty man’s eyes.
Pretty? Jeez, where did that come from? Luca let himself look a little closer; he was handsome with dimples and kind eyes. That’s okay, right? It’s facts. Anyone could see he was handsome and would agree with him. He felt himself smiling back, being drawn in deeper, and it was such an easy thing to do.
He couldn’t stop looking. It wasn’t until the skin on his hand felt like it was being charged with tiny electrical pulses that he looked away. He gasped, his fingers twitching from the light touch of this stranger’s hand slipping on top of his. He didn’t know what to do with the odd feeling starting in the pit of his stomach and slowly moving like a wave of warmth through his entire body.
“I’m fine, it aches a little, but I’ll live. I startled you, so it’s my own fault.” He smiled and Luca matched it with one of his own. “And you apologize way too much. No need.”
He picked up the last book, placing it gently back into his book bag. It gave Luca a chance to look away because he could feel his cheeks heating in embarrassment. He always did that, apologize for everything and blush furiously, too, when he thought about it. He had the worst poker face ever, his face was like an open book, and he knew it.
“It’s all good,” he said, most likely to reassure him again.
“I can be such a klutz sometimes, today isn’t my day. To be honest, I’ve felt like this humongous dumbass all day, failing miserably at living,” Luca said with a laugh, trying to lighten the sudden tension with a joke.
He was blushing again, he hated it that it was so easy for him to do, but blushing he did, always and often. Pretending nothing of it Luca kept his eyes on the bloke before him.
“Not a dumbass at all. From my where I’m standing, it looks like a mighty fine ass to me.” He joked, making Luca mouth fall open for a second. He swallowed hard, blushing even more. Oh, for the love of God can I stop with the blushing already! I should have stayed in bed today. I realize this now.
Luca’s sighed, dropping his gaze immediately, looking at a very interesting spot on the floor but couldn’t help studying the coffee guy from under his eyelashes. Luca couldn’t help to wonder why he was still standing there, it was as if he wanted to say and talk to him.
What was even more amazing was that Luca didn’t mind, he was fascinated and would like to talk to him a little more. There was something about him that made Luca want to find out more about him. From the look of things, coffee guy was observing him as much as Luca was observing him.
Luca was having a hard time breathing, his breath had been stolen from him. Good God, why was he so nervous? Shaken. He was weak in the knees, for crying out loud. If this guy didn’t stop watching him, he’d have to run away screaming. Sliding his gaze over him, taking in his entire form, Luca thought it would help to focus his eyes. On the contrary, his pulse sped up to where he thought it was going to beat a hole through his chest. The way the man’s jeans molded onto his hips and thighs, you’d think someone had sewn them on him. It was as if he’d walked out of one of those girls’ magazines where there was always some sexy mystery man on the cover. Not that he’d worked hard to notice, of course; it was obvious.
Luca’s tongue flicked out to lick his suddenly dry lips, studying the American man’s face. High cheekbones, full lips, hair curling around his ears. Unable to resist the urge, he had to let his eyes roam over his strong body again. Eventually, Luca forced himself to look away, scolding himself. This is starting to become utterly ridiculous! If I didn’t know better I’d say I was standing here eyeing him up, like I was actually attracted to him. Which I’m not…right? Of course not, I like girls, not any of the girls I’ve met so far.
“There you go, it’s all back in there.” The stranger stood up, holding his bookbag out. Luca took it, still a little shaky and his heart beat slightly too irregularly. But he took a deep breath and smiled.
“Thank you and I’m awfully sorry for all of this.” He rolled his eyes inwardly, how many times was he going to repeat himself? He should have gone home right after the lecture. This obviously wasn’t going to be one of his better days.
“That’s okay. No harm, no foul.” His smile grew wider, showing off a dimple in his right cheek. He opened his mouth to speak again, Luca was sure it was to say goodbye and leave but he couldn’t let that happen.
Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, “Please, let me buy you lunch as a thank you for being such a good sport and helping my fumbling bum out. I insist.” Luca’s eyelids closed abruptly in a reflex reaction. Oh God, he could have kicked himself for that comment. He didn’t ask strangers to have lunch with him but he just had. This had to be what possession by aliens felt like. There was no other explanation for the awkward mess he was making.
“You have a very expressive face. Everything you’re thinking shows like a silent movie. It’s fun. I like it. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing fine, and as for the spilt coffee, that should teach me not to sneak up on people.” He smiled and held out a hand. “I’m Kai, Kai Kelly.”
Taking his outstretched hand, Luca returned his friendly smile. If the Kai hadn’t left by now, he probably wasn’t going to and it couldn’t get any worse than this. No way. He took Kai’s hand and shook it. The warmth of his skin made his body tingle again but, for once, Luca managed to keep his reaction hidden. At least he thought he had. “I’m Luca. It’s very nice to meet you, Kai.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, too, Luca. If you meant what you said about joining you for lunch, don’t mind if I do. I’m starving.”
* * * * *