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)
Kellus stayed silent, just staring at him for longer than a breath. He didn’t know him well enough to know what that meant. One thing for certain, Kellus wasn’t ready to pick out curtains, and Arik was forced to take another mental step back. He needed to keep things light. And honest to God, he was trying. It just wasn’t in his nature to leave what he wanted sitting on the table.
Somewhat frustrated, Arik rose from his position and went to the nightstand on his side of the bed to reach for the landline telephone. He pushed the housekeeping button and waited for someone to answer.
“Good morning,” a singsong voice answered.
“I’m awake and we need coffee.” Arik looked over at Kellus and asked, “You drink coffee?”
Kellus only nodded, the sheet now tossed across his lap. That was a little disappointing because he rather enjoyed ogling the guy’s body. “And breakfast?”
“I’m hungry,” Kellus said, his hand going to his belly, drawing Arik’s eyes down. He could feel himself stirring to life. Kellus’s body was amazing. He couldn’t begin to understand the hours required in the gym to make that happen.
Focus, Layne. Breakfast.
“Bring us something light. We’ll need a tray for two,” Arik instructed then listened as she confirmed his request. When done, he put the phone back on the hook and went for the drapes, pulling them open. The sun filtered inside the room as Arik stared out across the city, speaking from his gut.
“I’m not sure it’s the HIV that’s the issue here. I think it’s more your head that’s the bigger obstacle.”
“Maybe.”
“Then how do we get past that? Better yet, how do we get you past that?” he asked very directly. He glanced over his shoulder, before pivoting and going back to sit beside Kellus.
“I have a lot going on with my life. It’s too much, Arik. You don’t want in my mess. Trust me on that. Even the people who have loved me my whole life can’t handle it,” Kellus explained honestly, if not somewhat cryptically.
“I understand you feel that away. You’ve made it abundantly clear, but I’m not sure you’re giving me the credit I deserve. I haven’t seen anything that involves you that I can’t handle.” Arik hoped Kellus was reading between those lines. He certainly didn’t want to be the one to bring up the addict who’d shown up uninvited to the gallery opening. Arik cocked his head, watching closely as Kellus stayed quiet again. His face spoke volumes even if no words were said. “It’s important to me that we find a happy medium. So let’s start small. Stay the day with me. Show me around this town from a local’s perspective. Let me get to know you,” Arik suggested.
“I need to go home and change.”
Not a yes, but definitely not a no.
“We can do that, no problem. Then show me some of the places you like to hang out. Let’s see how well we do together before we try and tackle each other’s worlds.” The knock on the bedroom door had him rising, going to the closet for his robe. Proud of himself for finding an easy balance between the both of them. He’d won this round, and he would take the small victory for what it was and enjoy his time with Kellus.
~♥~
The house was sparsely decorated; Kellus hadn’t exaggerated that point at all. Arik sat on the sofa, listening to the faint noises coming from the bedroom as he looked all around the living room. The place was small, not a picture on the wall, no television, and not a single decoration in sight. He picked up a very distinct sense of sadness radiating from the walls. Interesting from a man who created some of the most magnificent art he’d ever seen.
Curiosity got the best of him. Arik rose and moved the few steps toward the kitchen to stick his head around the corner. That room was as clean as the rest of the house, not a speck of dust on any surface, but the kitchen had the same dull, not-lived-in feel as the living room. Nothing sat on the counters. Not even a toaster or cutting board. Nothing but a refrigerator, sink, stovetop, and dishwasher to fill the area.
“Do you need something?” Kellus asked, startling him from behind.
Arik spun around, looking back at Kellus. He had cleaned up and looked incredibly handsome in his vintage pair of blue jeans and psycho bunny T-shirt. He wore a cross necklace on the outside of the shirt and a watch at his wrist, with nothing else adorning his arms. He’d styled his hair so those long pieces in front stayed off his face, but Arik knew from experience that wouldn’t last too long.
“You caught me. I was looking around your place,” he said, giving Kellus a guilty grin.