“They’re croissants,” Tobin said with a laugh. “And yes, this is what I do. Would you like to try one?”
There was no way Sergio could say no to Tobin’s hopeful expression. Plus, they smelled delicious. “Yeah. Why do you think I’m standing here in the buff? The promise of food pulled me from my sleep.”
Tobin shook his head, but his smile never wavered. He grabbed a napkin and set a fresh roll on top before sliding it Sergio’s way. “Don’t eat it yet,” he fussed before quickly turning away. Sergio’s gaze ate Tobin alive as he turned away and dug something from the refrigerator. He wore a long T-shirt and short workout shorts. His blond curls were a mess and Sergio couldn’t look away. Tobin headed back Sergio’s way and set a small open container and butter knife by the roll. “Try a bite with and without the strawberry preserves.”
Sergio nodded, since this seemed to be important to Tobin. Before he could take a bite, Tobin held up his hands. “Wait!”
Sergio blinked. “What?”
“You don’t have any food allergies, do you?”
With a snort, Sergio took a bite. The flakes melted in his mouth. Honey and butter seemed to explode across his taste buds. “Dios mío.” It was amazing. Sergio scooped some of the strawberry preserves onto the next bite and found himself in heaven as he chewed. “Holy shit. You should marry me right now. Like, what would it take to get you to say yes?”
Tobin snorted, but he didn’t stop smiling. “Would you like some coffee or something to go with it? You’re welcome to as much as you want. I always make extra in case any of my customers need a bigger order when I get there.”
“Coffee sounds good. Do you need some help?”
Tobin shook his head and turned away. Sergio went in search of his boxer briefs before claiming a stool at the bar. He enjoyed watching Tobin move around the kitchen, boxing up pastries. It was homey—like a normal life. Sergio had gone from the streets to being a millionaire seemingly overnight. He hadn’t really gotten to experience this kind of life since his mom had passed away. It felt good in his chest. As he stared at Tobin, the emotions stirring inside of him had him noticing other things about Tobin—like the fact that Tobin moved slow, as if in pain. There were dark marks under both his eyes, making him look like he had lost a fight.
“I think I kept you up too late. If I had known you get up this early, I might have made you go to bed earlier.”
Tobin flashed him a tight smile as he poured Sergio a cup of coffee. “Don’t worry. After I finish all my deliveries today, I can come home and sleep all day. It evens out. Sugar or cream?”
Sergio nodded. “Please.”
Tobin passed him the cup before passing along a sugar shaker and creamer container. He kept up the conversation while Sergio doctored his coffee. “I’m still sorry I woke you up. I didn’t know if you needed to be up by a certain time, but I didn’t figure you had to be up as early as me.”
Sergio tossed a quick glance around the room. It was creeping closer to four. He had practice this morning, but not until eight. “What time do you have to start your deliveries?”
“In about an hour,” Tobin answered as he went back to boxing up the rolls. “I pretty much have my route down to a science, so it doesn’t take as long. Damon comes in to accept beer and liquor deliveries around ten. I usually make it back by then and deliver to him last. Full circle,” he said, talking with his hands. “Of course, I don’t charge him. We have a deal worked out where I use part of his storeroom space and he gets baked goods for free. I’m pretty lucky to have this place.”
Sergio worked on downing another roll. He spoke around his bite. “If you ask me, he’s the lucky one. That marriage offer is still on the table.”
Tobin chuckled. It was a soft and sexy sound. “You strike me as a popular guy. I don’t like to share, so it’s probably best I decline.”
Even though he had been joking about marriage, Sergio was oddly disappointed. He liked Tobin. Sergio found himself confessing things he had never said aloud. “I’m not popular among people who actually know me.” He chose his words carefully, picking through each one while trying not to reveal too much about himself. Sergio liked that Tobin didn’t know him. “The people I spend the most time with don’t like me very much. They think I’m too cocky and conceited. So I think they work extra hard to take me down a peg, but the harder they work at it, the faker and more obnoxious I get. That probably doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Tobin held a coffee mug between his hands and stared at Sergio in silence while listening to every word Sergio said. After a moment, he shrugged. “Fuck ‘em.”
A laugh burst from Sergio. He didn’t know why, but Tobin’s words shocked him as much as amused him. Sergio had expected Tobin to have some magic advice because he seemed so much more adult-like than Sergio felt. Sergio didn’t feel equipped to handle as much as he had on his plate most of the time. Mostly, he just felt like a tired joke.
Tobin didn’t laugh. He set his cup aside and circled the bar. Sergio turned in his seat. Tobin held Sergio’s stare as he moved to stand between Sergio’s knees. His hands ran up Sergio’s thighs, but his gaze never wavered from holding Sergio’s. “I’m one hundred percent serious, so listen to me. Life is short.” Sergio couldn’t explain it, but he hung on every word. Tobin looked like he had all the answers as he held Sergio’s stare. “It’s way too brief to care about other people’s opinions. Don’t fake at being insufferable if someone doesn’t like you for you. Be obnoxious for real. Fuck their feelings. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who has to live with your thoughts and feelings, so live your life and be happy. I promise you they’re not thinking about you when you’re not around, so don’t give them your headspace either.” Tobin’s mouth lifted in one corner. “If it helps or matters at all, I like you—cockiness and all—and I don’t like many people.”
Sergio found himself tracing the line of Tobin’s jaw. A thousand thoughts crowded his head. He had never met anyone like Tobin. Tobin was beautiful and passionate. He was obviously used to grinding it out every day for his money. Tobin wasn’t like the men who usually chased Sergio. He made Sergio want to be the one doing all the work.
The timer started beeping again, pulling Tobin’s attention away from Sergio. As much as Sergio wanted to keep Tobin right where he was, he couldn’t ruin Tobin’s hard work. Sergio let Tobin rush away. He went back to drinking his coffee and watching Tobin move around the kitchen. Sergio would keep seeing Tobin. He had his own hustling to do today, but this wasn’t over. They were starting something here. Sergio looked forward to seeing where things went. They had time, and Tobin definitely had his attention.
Two
After getting up at three a.m. to bake, finishing his deliveries for the day, and visiting his doctor, Tobin was beyond exhausted. He was at a point where it literally hurt to hold his eyes open. His body felt heavy—like he dragged himself through wet concrete. He was on his way to bed when the knock landed on his front door. Tobin moved to the window to look out. He peeked through the sheers and spotted Sergio at the door. Tobin’s heart skipped a beat. It had been over a week since their night together. He looked really sexy today and he held a bouquet. As Tobin looked on, Sergio swiped his hand over his hair, as if checking to make sure it didn’t stand on end. Tobin bit his bottom lip, trying not to smile. Sergio knocked again. Tobin wanted to answer, but he looked like hell and Sergio was supposed to be a one-night thing. He didn’t understand why Sergio was back.