TRASK WALKED into his favorite coffee shop, struck by the scent of roasting beans, an aroma that evoked a sense of comfort and home. The large roaster sat in the window, its wide stirrers moving gently through the browning beans. Perk it UP was usually quiet on a Friday night. Most of the people who came here to hang out and enjoy a cup were at a bar right now, as Felipe had suggested. There were a few college kids studying in a corner booth, some hipsters and aging hippies scattered around, and the two loner gamers who came most nights. Trask fit right in.
It was probably not Felipe’s dream first date. But Trask had vowed never to step foot inside a bar again. Besides, this place had a kind of quirky charm that Trask enjoyed, and he thought Felipe might appreciate the vibe too.
He decided to wait for Felipe to arrive before ordering and turned toward the array of low-slung couches covered in cushions of various hues and the retro tabletop arcade games. His favorite, Galaga, was free and had a clear view of the door. As he sat down, he wondered, not for the first time, what he was doing. Felipe and he were worlds apart despite having many of the same interests.
It was crazy, but Trask couldn’t deny how he felt whenever Felipe breezed by the booth for a hello and few words and flirt. Seeing Felipe was like that first sip of a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. It woke him up and made him take an interest in everything else around him.
The chime of the door sounded over the murmur of low conversation and the digital noise of games. Trask glanced over and stood as Felipe entered. The button-up white shirt emphasized the richness of his skin tone, and the rolled-up sleeves gave him a casual, gorgeous air. Trask felt incredibly awkward. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a date, probably before Ryan met his lady. Which would make it a sad almost two years.
Felipe spotted him, and the crooked grin that crossed his face was full of delight. He strolled over to Trask with no hesitation or shyness and brushed his lips over Trask’s cheek. Then he stepped back, gave Trask a once-over, and winked at him. “Sexy. I like your look.”
“Me too.” Trask found himself reaching for Felipe’s hand for a warm squeeze. He nodded toward the counter that led to the kitchen. “Hungry? They have pretty decent food as well as coffee and tea.”
“Yeah, actually that would be awesome. I was trying to start this project for school, and I haven’t had anything since a late lunch.” Felipe plopped down on the couch and moved in closer as he pulled out the menu. “Have you tried the veggie flatbread?”
“Many times. It’s good. So’s the black bean nachos. I can’t vouch for the meat items, but based on everything else I enjoyed, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.” Felipe’s hair smelled faintly of citrus, and the warmth of him near Trask felt right. He slipped his arm across the couch behind Felipe.
Felipe set aside the menu. “Nachos it is. They are a weakness of mine. And a latte with whole milk. I don’t believe in denying myself one bit. So waistline be damned.”
Trask looked Felipe over. Those silver shorts Felipe had worn at the con had not left much to imagine. He didn’t think Felipe had anything to worry about. “Your waistline is just fine. I doubt that either the nachos or the whole milk will make a difference considering the amount of energy you expend.”
Many might consider Trask’s philosophy on life as entirely different from Felipe’s. That he denied himself everything, but he didn’t see it that way. He looked at the way he lived as a conscious choice, to live the best life that he could. Instead of thinking he was making some kind of sacrifice. Attitudes like that had led him right back into bad habits.
And now he was completely overthinking the symbolism of a whole-milk latte.
Shaking his head, Trask went and put in the orders for their food and came back carrying Felipe’s latte and his own coffee. Felipe had turned to the game and was firing away at the alien ships swooping toward his digital fighter. “Thanks, man,” he said as Trask set the coffee down. “I haven’t seen one of these games since I had braces. My orthodontist had one in his waiting room. It’s the only reason my mom was able to get me through the door.”
Trask took the seat opposite him and fired up his own console. “Somehow I cannot picture you with braces.”
Felipe flashed him that crooked smile. “Oh yeah, I was an awkward teenager, braces, acne, and a gay geek who liked to sew? About the only friend I had in middle school was also my rival. But don’t tell her I consider her a friend. We have a complicated history. Our rivalry makes us better.”
“Was she awkward-looking in middle school too?” Trask found it easier to talk when he was half concentrating on the game. He didn’t have a chance to overthink every word.
Felipe made a disgusted sound. “She was adorable from birth and knew it. I was a pretty cute kid, but man, puberty was rough.”
Trask glanced at him and decided he’d have to have picture evidence to believe that. “So what turned you from the ugly duckling into the swan?”
Felipe grimaced. He had a wide range of grimaces, this one self-deprecating. “Manual labor. My dad’s a contractor. There is always construction going on in my county. One summer spent sweating in the sun, drinking gallons of water, and working my tail off made vast improvements. It didn’t hurt that the braces were gone by the time I went on to high school. How were your school days? Did you hit that awkward stage, or were you as sexy then as you are now?”
School had been a series of suspensions, hazy memories, sex, and fights. Trask had looked exactly as he’d been nicknamed, Trashy Trask from the other side of the tracks. “Actually, I dropped out.” Trask met Felipe’s shocked gaze. “I ended up getting my GED later.”
“And now you own a successful business,” Felipe said and to Trask’s surprise, didn’t try to pry further. “Which just goes to show there are many paths. I tried working for my dad for a couple years after high school. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it seemed like a good option while I figured out what I did want. I hated every minute of it. If I want to sweat, I’ll go to the gym or have sex.”
Trask couldn’t help the chuckle. He never knew what would come out of Felipe’s mouth. “Did you figure it out? Is that what you’re studying in school now?”
“Well, I always knew I wanted to turn my hobby into a career. It got to the point where I was so wiped out from work I didn’t have the energy to work on my costumes. So I quit Dad, got a job with the DOT, and started taking classes in business at the local college.” Felipe looked down and shook his head at the sound of an explosion from his console. “The aliens skewered me.”
“Me too.” Trask sat back with his coffee as the serving man came by with their food and a couple small plates. One of the things Trask appreciated about the place was that they didn’t skimp. The nachos were piled high, smothered in cheese, black beans, scallions, and peppers with a healthy dose of sour cream and guacamole on the side. The flatbread was easily big enough for two people and loaded down with vegetables and cheese from one end of the crust to the other.
“Oh man.” Felipe eyed the food with a greedy expression. “Halvsies?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Trask put a portion of each on a plate and handed it to Felipe. “Some guys don’t want to share a taste.”
“You won’t have to worry about that with me. I’m all about the communal food.” Felipe sat back as Trask served himself. “So what made you change your mind about the date? The last time we talked you were big on rules.”
Trask ate a nacho as he considered his answer. He wasn’t entirely sure what had prompted him to suggest this when Felipe hit him up. He did have his rules and he had them for a reason, but he’d also learned that some rules were outgrown and no longer needed. Maybe it was loneliness. Hell, he didn’t know. He glanced at Felipe, who waited with an air of quiet patience that he was sure wouldn’t last. “I wanted to see you smile.”
He felt like an idiot for saying something so sentimental, but the grin that blossomed across Felipe’s face quelled that emotion. When Felipe smiled like that, with his whole being, it was like a light dawning. “That has to be one of the best answers I ever heard.” Felipe leaned forward and brushed his fingers over the back of Trask’s hand. “You mean that?”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it,” Trask replied gruffly, and to his surprise, Felipe glowed even more. “What’s got you so happy? I’m sure you’ve heard better lines.”
“I’ve heard just about everything.” Felipe shrugged. “Most of the time it’s just words and said just to get me naked. You meant it. Nothing more, nothing less, and that’s rare. I appreciate honesty.”
“I promise I’m not trying to get into your pants.” Maybe that sounded churlish. Trask would have to be a monk not to appreciate the thought of getting into Felipe’s pants, and he wasn’t that much of an ascetic. “At least not tonight.”
“Well, I’m definitely trying to get in your pants.” Felipe gave an airy wave as he picked up a slice of the flatbread. “But not tonight.” His dark eyes twinkled wickedly. “We’ve got to save some things for other dates.”
Other dates…. Just how far did Trask plan on taking this with Felipe? One date and coffee did not make a commitment. Felipe had been hounding Trask for a few months now. He had to give him points for persistence. Planning another date so soon might give the imp ideas that Trask wasn’t ready to tackle. Still, Trask couldn’t deny that he wanted to see Felipe again. He enjoyed the hell out of their conversations.
“You’ve gotten awfully quiet on me,” Felipe said with a shrewd look. “The thought of more dates have your tongue tied up in anticipation or terror?”
Trask smiled faintly. “Maybe you can come down early, before our game in a few weeks,” he suggested. He definitely wanted to see if this zing he got when they were together had a little more chemistry than just attraction. He wasn’t going to jump all over a man twenty years younger than him for fleeting hormones. “We’re not getting together until the afternoon. Ryan’s watching the store in the morning. We could do something.”
Felipe tapped a finger thoughtfully against his lips. “That depends on two things.”
“Okay, one.” Trask raised a finger.
“How do you feel about puppies?” Felipe asked, cocking his head.
“I like puppies just fine,” Trask said slowly, mystified. “Why?”
Felipe blew out his breath and ran a hand through his hair. “My old girl had her last litter. I’m going to miss her babies. She’s always had the best. Super-smart sweeties. I’ve been taking care of them until they’re old enough to go to new homes. I’d like to bring one of them down to give to Jaydon, Brett and Daphne’s son. I’d trust one of my puppies with him. If we make a day of it, I’d like to bring my favorite too. By then most of the rest of them should be adopted. But Waldo shouldn’t be alone all day until Jaydon claims him. And Sophie’s really special.”
“You’re not trying to talk me into one of them, are you?” Trask hadn’t had a dog since Spaz died years ago. He didn’t have it in his heart to replace the guy. Spaz had been with him through the worst. There had been times when he hadn’t left Trask’s side even to eat. Trask still missed the silly, overactive mutt.
“No, I just don’t want to leave Sophie all day and half the night. My mom’s working at the hospital that day, and Dad’s taking my sister to DC for some nerd thing. I suppose I could ask my grandparents to keep an eye on them, but… don’t laugh; these puppies will be gone soon, and they’re the last. Could I bring them with me? They will have had all their shots. They’ll be weaned. They’re learning to go outside. If I bring their box and their toys, they shouldn’t be a problem.”
Felipe was serious, and the pleading look he sent Trask’s way would’ve been hard for anyone to resist. Spaz used to come with him to the store, Trask remembered with a smile. He’d loved it. He had his own dog bed behind the register and his favorite customers who stopped by just to see him. Trask had even built a little fenced-in yard out back and a doggie door so he could come and go.
“If you keep an eye on them, I don’t mind. We can go for a walk by the river, wear them out before the game.” There was a little spot in the back room where they could put Felipe’s box. “Though you might have plenty of adoption offers before the end of the day if they’re as cute as you say.”
Felipe whipped out his phone and brought up a picture of an adorable rust-colored pup with lively eyes. “That’s Sophie. She’s got a lot more of the Irish setter in her than the others. But she’s the smartest one of the bunch.”
“What else is in their mix?” Trask asked, picking up the phone. His heart tugged at the sight of those eyes starting up at the camera with bright curiosity. Oh, she was going to be a heartbreaker.
“They are mutts through and through. Mom’s an Irish setter, golden retriever mix, the dad’s German shepherd and black Labrador, though there may be something else in there as well.” Felipe made a face. “He’s getting on there in years too.”
“They are going to be big dogs.” Trask handed the phone back. His Spaz had been part Jack Russell terrier. He’d had to be inventive to keep up with him, give him things to do or else his dog got bored. And when Spaz had gotten bored, he’d lived up to his name. He could see from the expression of pride on Felipe’s face that he loved his dogs as much as Trask had loved Spaz.
“No lie there,” Felipe said easily, “but eager to please and easily trained. I’m really working with them now to get the basics down before they leave. A dog like that, with that much energy, will get into anything out of sheer curiosity.”
Trask was taken in by that picture of Sophie, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready for another dog in his life. Spaz had left a hole when he passed, old and full of his dignity. “It’ll be good to have a dog at the Den again, even if just for a day. The place felt empty without my boy.”
“You had a dog there once?” Felipe’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Yeah, he passed on about five years ago.” Trask pulled up a favorite picture of his, of Spaz sitting on the stool behind the counter, looking as if he was ready to have a conversation. “That was Spaz.”
Felipe took the phone and grinned at the picture. “I imagine he kept you hopping.”
“You’d imagine right.”
Trask’s worries about knowing what to talk about faded as the evening continued. Felipe was never at a loss for things to say, and he drew Trask in without leaving him feeling like he was being interrogated. They traded pet stories as they finished their meal, and then Felipe bought another round of coffee before they attempted to one-up each other in their Galaga scores.
When the after-bar crowd came in, Trask realized with a pang how late it was. “You going to be okay getting home?” he asked as Felipe rose and stretched.
“With the amount of caffeine I have pumping through my veins, I’ll be wired until I hit the bridge. My house isn’t far beyond that.” Felipe held out his hand and tugged Trask to his feet. “Walk me out to my car?”
“Yeah.” Trask left extra tip money on the game top and headed out with Felipe. The night air was a cold slap in the face after the warmth of the coffeehouse, and Trask slung an arm around Felipe’s shoulders. The parking lot was dark, the dim streetlamps on the corner providing little illumination, and the lot needed to be repaved, which was a common enough sight around the city.
Felipe paused by a battered, used four-door sedan with a dog bed in the back seat. “Does your Lady give you sad eyes when you take off without her?” Trask asked as he turned toward Felipe. They were almost the same height, and when he slid his arms around Felipe’s waist, he fit against him like he belonged there. Once again Trask wondered what the hell he was doing, but then Felipe’s strong arms wrapped around his neck, and Trask told that nagging voice to shut up.
“Every damn time,” Felipe breathed before his lips were on Trask’s. It was like a shooting star, a burst of bright light on the horizon and then a long streak of fire. Trask pulled Felipe closer, learning every nuance of Felipe’s generous mouth. And underneath the fire of that kiss was the realization they were both holding back. Any more and he suspected they’d scorch each other.
The night air ceased to be cold as Trask eased back with reluctance. Kissing Felipe was an experience he’d remember for a long while. “You never mentioned the second condition for our pregame date.” It was a stall, and from Felipe’s smile, he recognized the tactic.
“Next weekend is the last weekend for the Renaissance Faire. You should meet me there.” Felipe’s gaze dropped to Trask’s lips. “I’m going with some friends. That will take the pressure off it being a date, and we still get to see each other.”
Trask hadn’t been to the Faire in Maryland in years. He’d always had a good time, though. “I’ll think about it.” It was a long drive, and he’d need to make sure the store was covered. But he hadn’t taken a full day off since last Christmas, so he doubted Ryan would mind. “What about your puppies? They going to be fine by themselves?”
“I won’t be gone as long, and I’ll get Mariana to entertain them. She’ll love it.” Felipe caught Trask’s lower lip and gave it a friendly nip. “Don’t disappoint me.”
“Can you be an absolute brat if I do?” Trask asked, still holding Felipe close to him. He had missed this, a touch of the hand, a close embrace. And the thought of a bratty Felipe was more amusing than off-putting.
“Absolutely.” Felipe brushed his mouth across Trask’s, leaving him wanting more. Then he slipped away. Trask watched him back out of the parking lot, his lips still tingling as he half smiled. Well, at least Felipe was honest. And if Trask were honest with himself, he’d admit that he’d dearly love to see Felipe again before their game.