Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
The happiness of the moment was so foreign. It had been a long time. Actually, he couldn’t remember ever feeling this way. Maybe during high school. That seemed so long ago.
Kellus decided he’d give himself through their visit to the chocolate store, then he’d tell Arik the truth.
Kellus withdrew his hand from underneath Arik’s to reach for his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans. When he brought it forward and started to pull out his credit card, Arik put a hand on top of his open wallet.
“What are you doing?”
“Paying for my dinner,” Kellus said, confused.
“I’m buying this. When we go out, I’m buying. You’ve brought all these chivalrous instincts to the forefront while I’ve been trying to find the right tactic to pursue you. You’re a hard man to read, Kellus Hardin.”
Again, Arik’s words caressed him in such a way that his heart began to physically mend its breaks, pulling itself back together. It had been so long since anyone had insisted on doing something nice for him. He tucked his wallet back in his jeans with a nod.
The stroke of midnight was coming, but he’d allow himself the fairytale until the very last chime.
Chapter 11
The sun had set and the night had settled in, bringing a whole new crowd to the Bishop Arts area. The sidewalks teemed with people who just seemed to be enjoying the night. Music played from every direction, giving the neighborhood a festive atmosphere.
They walked to the corner of Davis Street and North Bishop Avenue. Arik followed Kellus’s lead, dashing across the street right as the light began to change. They walked in a comfortable silence, one where Arik contemplated the victory of their dinner. Who would have thought honesty would be the way to help break all the barriers Kellus kept placing between them?
Thank God he’d followed through in coming out today. With that thought in mind, he didn’t want to lose any of the momentum he’d built. They walked along the sidewalk, shoulder to shoulder, and Arik boldly reached out, entwining their fingers. Well, his fingers wrapped around Kellus’s. Kellus just looked down at their joined hands, then back up to Arik who walked with his face forward, acting like this was the most natural thing in the world. After a second more, Kellus’s hand tightened around his. Arik looked over; Kellus was still staring at him, and he gave a wink and a smile.
Time after time today, he’d gotten the impression that Kellus wasn’t used to people being nice to him. Dinner confirmed that theory, but made absolutely no sense at all to him, because it was all he wanted—to be kind and generous with Kellus. It wasn’t a long walk to the chocolate shop, but he didn’t want it to end. The ambiance of their surroundings only made it all the more romantic. The dimly lit street, with twinkle lights hung from the trees that covered the walkway, added a feeling of intimacy. The smells of fresh baked goods floated on the evening breeze. The weight and warmth of Kellus’s hand in his as they strolled down the street made the moment surreal. He wanted more reassurance than just the hand-holding. He wanted a taste of Kellus’s lips, and he wasn’t at all certain he’d be able to hold off his desires much longer.
The store was located on the backside of the district. Arik stepped inside Dude, Sweet and fell in love as the smell of chocolate beckoned him deeper into the small shop. It was exactly his kind of store. From the clerk with dreads and the handsome silver-haired man standing behind the counter, to the exposed bricks on the walls and all the chocolate in between, he needed this retail location inside his resorts. It fit his vision perfectly.
Unwilling to let go of Kellus’s hand, he had them walk the entire length of the store, stopping here or there to read the ingredients. When he found the box of chocolate-coated skulls, he immediately picked it up. “This is awesome. Have you had any of these?”
“No, but I sent those out last Christmas to my clients. People loved them,” Kellus replied.
“You don’t eat chocolate?” He hadn’t truly believed that could be a truthful option.
“No, not usually. Now if you were to tempt me with that drunken nut pie from Emporium Pies down the street, I’d be all in.”
“We can go there instead,” Arik offered. He set the chocolates back on the shelf and started walking toward the door.
“No, stay. I’m good. Really,” Kellus said, staying rooted in his spot. There was a moment of indecision on Arik’s part until a row of syrups caught his eye. Tunnel vision had him pulling Kellus in that direction, chuckling once he got close enough to read the labels. “Love Potion, Break-up Potion, One Night Stand, and Summer Lovin’ chocolate syrups. That’s amazing.”