Xavier urged him back to his feet and claimed his mouth. This kiss was different. Almost lazy. It tempted Dean to stay all night. “Stay a little longer,” Xavier said, sounding like a siren luring Dean to his death.
“Okay.” Dean heard his agreement like it came from a distance. He didn’t recognize himself. Being with Xavier was the most surreal experience of his life. Dean didn’t want it to end. Even though he knew all good things must come to their inevitable conclusion, this had been this best night of Dean’s life. He would never forget it, but he also wouldn’t repeat it.
Two
Brett: Coffee at The Back Porch at 9?
Dean: I’ll be there.
Since Dean had gone from seeing his brother almost every day to not seeing him at all in the past month, he couldn’t ignore a coffee date with him. Plus, The Back Porch had a great selection of brews. Not to mention, he had always liked the people who frequented the popular coffeehouse, even though he never went there unless he was with Brett. Dean ended up being ten minutes early. Sometimes, gauging L.A. traffic was impossible. As he walked through the door, Dean realized this would be his first time stepping inside alone. Heads turned his way. A few familiar faces smiled and nodded. Dean returned the gesture. He nearly breathed a sigh of relief as the manager, Dawson, approached him.
“Hey. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your brother.”
“He’s on his way.”
Dean had always thought Dawson looked like a nice person. He had sweet-looking brown eyes and he focused on people when they spoke to him—like he cared what they had to say.
Dawson was no different today. He nodded. “I have a small table, perfect for two, open in the back corner. Will that work?”
“That’s perfect. Thank you.”
With a nod, Dawson led him to the only open table in the place. “Here you go. Would you like to go ahead and order or are you waiting on Brett?”
“I’ll wait for Brett. How have you been, by the way?” Dean asked as he sat and set his helmet on the table.
Dawson shrugged. “Not bad. I’ve been working a lot more since Wrecker got married, so there’s that.”
Dean’s eyebrows tried crawling to his hairline. “Wrecker got married?”
A bright smile lit Dawson’s face. “How did you not know that? Even I saw it on the news and I never watch TV. Plus, the wedding was here, so it wasn’t like I could miss it.”
Discomfort had Dean trying hard not to fidget. “Like you said, I’m never here without Brett and he’s been busy, so I miss a lot.” Dean had no idea if the part about Brett being busy was true. He had avoided Brett’s place like it was haunted by a poltergeist since his night with Xavier. Dean couldn’t chance running into the too-hot-to-handle chef. Once was a good time. Twice was a recipe for looking desperate on Dean’s part. He did not want to end up on the news for stalking.
Dawson motioned toward the empty chair across from him. “Do you mind if I keep you company until Brett arrives?”
“Of course not, but I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
With a snort, Dawson sat. “Don’t worry about that. Wrecker needs me. He doesn’t care what I do as long as this place keeps running efficiently in his absence. May I ask you a question?”
Dean felt like nothing good ever started that way, but he could hardly say no. “Sure.”
“Is there a reason you never come here unless you’re with Brett?”
A smile snapped to Dean’s lips. “It’s definitely not because I think you’ll bite, if that’s what you’re thinking. This place is way out of my way. I live across town.”
Dawson’s eyes swam with laughter. “I definitely do bite, but I’m glad to know that’s not what’s keeping you away. It’s too bad we’re out of your way. I like seeing you around.”
There was no missing the interest in Dawson’s voice. He was nice. In fact, Dawson possessed all the qualities Dean should be looking for in a man. Dean let a hint of interest show in his tone too. “Maybe I’ll try to make the drive a little more often.”
“Hey guys. Am I late?”
Dean’s gaze snapped to his brother as Brett appeared beside the table. As usual, he was dressed like pimping wasn’t easy, making Dean smile. “Nah. I was early.” He glanced Dawson’s way for a second. “I’m glad I was.”
With a blush, Dawson stood so Brett could sit. “What can I get started for you two?”
“Black coffee for me,” Brett said as he claimed the seat Dawson vacated.
“Same,” Dean said when Dawson’s gaze slid his way.
“Two easy-to-please men. I like that. I’ll be right back with your order.”
Dean flashed Dawson a grateful smile before he got away and then focused on Brett. “How have you been? You look great.”
Brett’s dark blue eyes flashed with irritation. “I’m glad to see you still think flattery solves everything when I haven’t heard from you in a month.”
Dean hid his guilt by turning the tables on Brett. “You have my number and know where I live. I haven’t heard from you either.”
“Not true. I texted you this morning. Plus, you know what I’m getting at. I know you get busy at your shop and I never want to interrupt an appointment. But, for a while there, I saw you every day, and then you just stopped coming around the minute Roman asked me to marry him. Do you feel unwelcome now or something? It’s still your home.”
Shit. Dean hadn’t thought of the timing. Roman had asked Brett to marry him on the same day Dean found himself inside the most beautiful man on the planet. Dean’s stomach cramped with desire at just the thought of Xavier. If he was this big of a mess after one time with Xavier, he couldn’t imagine what seeing the man again would do to him. Dean scrambled for a plausible lie. “I’ve been busy trying to keep the shop afloat. By the time I close up every day, it’s too late to drive all the way across town for a short visit before making the trip home.”
Brett didn’t look appeased. “You’re the one who wanted the house and shop on the other side of town. I tried buying you a place in the same neighborhood, or hell, you never had to move out. It’s not like you need to work. I’m glad you do, and I’m proud of you, but you’re the one who chose to move as far away from me as you possibly could while staying in the same town.”
Dean fought the urge to rub his temples. He shouldn’t have brought up the distance between their homes. Dean hadn’t been thinking. This had always been a sore spot for them. When he had decided to move out three years ago, at first, Brett had been hurt. Once he had accepted that Dean wanted to be independent, he had tried buying Dean a home in the same neighborhood worth millions. Dean didn’t want that. He needed to make his own way, but he had also realized he needed to compromise with Brett. So he had let Brett buy him a tiny house in a regular people neighborhood on the other side of town. Brett hadn’t given in easily. Now, Dean realized too late, he shouldn’t have used the distance as an excuse. Before he could find a way to backpedal, Xavier appeared.
“I apologize for my lateness. Two guys stopped me in the parking lot. I’ll admit they made me a delicious offer, but I’m much more tempted by what sits at this table.” He grabbed an empty chair from the closest table without asking if it belonged to anyone. The three guys at the table didn’t stop him. They were too busy staring at Xavier, openly star struck. Xavier set the chair as close to Dean as possible, trapping him. He filled the seat, draped his arm across the back of Dean’s chair, and settled in like claiming his place. “Hello, sexy. You’ve been hiding from me.”