Sweet Topping CV3 (5 page)

A soft moan escaped Gill’s throat as Kyle’s finger circled a dark brown nipple. The sound pleased Kyle more than he could say. The two of them hadn’t gotten into any real petting since they’d started dating. He was beginning to think Gill saw him more as a pity project than a real man.

His answer was there, in the heavy lidded gaze Gill was aiming his way. Kyle took a chance and squeezed the hard nub between his thumb and forefinger.

“Feels good, baby,” Gill moaned again and leaned back further on the couch. “Touch me.”

Kyle’s fingers worked their way over Gill’s smooth chest, outlining every dip of the sculpted abdominal muscles. “You’re so gorgeous,” he whispered as he bent to lick one of Gill’s aroused nipples.

Gill buried his fingers in Kyle’s hair and held him in place. “Bite it.” Grinning at the pushy bastard, Kyle took the nub between his teeth and bit down just enough to make Gill groan. Relaxing his jaw, Kyle affixed his mouth around the sensitive nipple and sucked, hard.

Gill’s thighs started to spread apart and Kyle was almost dumped on the floor before he was caught. “Sorry,” Gill apologised. “You made me forget.” The feeling of utter joy filled Kyle’s heart. He wrapped his arms behind Gill’s neck and pushed his tongue passed those beautiful full lips. When he pulled back, he rubbed Gill’s nose with his own. “That was the nicest thing you could’ve ever said to me.”

“You know, we wouldn’t have this problem at my house. My family room has a couch wide enough for both of us.”

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

25

Oh, look at his Gill, trying to tempt him into leaving. “You can show me after work. I still haven’t gotten to see the inside of your house.”

“Yeah, really? You’ll come over and stay the night with me?” Whoa, he hadn’t said he’d spend the night. He was about to set Gill straight when he was given the big brown puppy dog eyes. After only two weeks, Gill knew Kyle couldn’t say no to those eyes. He chuckled and shook his head.

“I have a lot of supplies I’ll need to bring if I stay over. Are you sure it wouldn’t be easier to just stay here?”

“No offence, Kyle, but I’ve seen your bed. Hell, I’ve taken a nap in it, and I’m here to tell you, it sucks.”

“What? My bed sucks?”

“Well, not really. The mattress is comfortable enough. It wasn’t made for a man of my size. Put the two of us together and I feel like I’m laying on a two by four.”

“My bed wasn’t purchased with big strong, ex-football players in mind. I figured I’d always be sleeping alone.”

“See, even you admit it doesn’t work for the two of us. I’ll help you pack stuff up and load it into my SUV before I go to work. Then I’ll just swing by at closing time and pick you up.”

“That’s okay. I can meet you at your house. I have the van and I’ll need to be back here at four a.m.”

“We’ll see,” Gill said on a yawn.

“Why don’t you lie down and get a few hours of sleep. I get off at two, so there’ll be plenty of time for me to nap later.”

Gill wrapped both arms around Kyle and kissed him, lingering over their combined tastes. “I want to watch you bake. Besides, I need to protect you from Eric when he comes to pick up his order. I just don’t trust that guy.”

“Eric’s harmless. Besides, I think you intimidate the hell out of him. He knows we’re dating.”

“Hasn’t stopped him in the past.”

“I don’t think he’s ever tried to take on someone of your size and strength before. He may be a player, but he’s not stupid.”

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

26

“Good, but just to make sure, I’ll accompany you downstairs and give him the famous territorial stare.”

Laughing, Kyle tweaked Gill’s bruised nipple in retaliation. “Just don’t piss in the corners.”

While Kyle mixed a batch of dough in the industrial mixer, Gill cleaned up the glass from the broken window. He’d looked up the number for a security company and planned to call them as soon as they opened. Kyle had finally relented and agreed he could use a security system, complete with bars on the back windows.

“I draw the line at anything messing up the front though,” Kyle had stated firmly.

When Gill had questioned Kyle on why he didn’t already have an alarm system in place, Kyle laughed. “It’s a bakery for God’s sake. I don’t have anything of real value other than my equipment, and I’d like to see someone try and lug one of these mixers out of here.

Besides, I close at two and take the day’s cash to the bank during daylight hours. The only money kept here is a hundred dollars in change and small bills for the register.” Dumping the dustpan of broken glass in the dumpster out back, Gill tried to figure out who would be tormenting Kyle. It obviously wasn’t about money. Ryan had been right about that.

Going back inside, Gill stopped to watch Kyle drizzling frosting over his famous cinnamon rolls. “Have you pissed anyone off since you’ve moved here?”

“Huh?” Kyle asked, head popping up from his task.

Gill walked over and pulled another stool up to the work bench. “Ryan said he thought the break-ins were more personal in nature. Like you said earlier, you don’t have anything of real value in here. So why are they targeting you?” Kyle shrugged his shoulders and tried to laugh it off. “Maybe someone doesn’t like my pastries.”

Gill couldn’t help what he was thinking. “Or maybe someone likes them too much.”

“What’re you getting at?” Kyle put his spatula back into the frosting bowl.

“Maybe someone wants you to close down the shop? Who would want that? Perhaps a certain restaurant owner who wants you to come to work with him?” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

27

“Stop it, Gill. I won’t have you pointing fingers at my friends. Eric would never stoop so low. You’re just jealous, and for no good reason I might add.”

“Then who?”

“I don’t know. If I did, I’d tell the police.” Kyle leaned over and gave Gill a kiss. “Look, I’m getting the bars and alarm system. Can’t you just be happy with that?”

“It’s a start, but I won’t be happy until this fucker is caught.” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

28

“Hey, is anyone here?”

“I’m in the back, Nate. Come on in.” Kyle pulled the heavy door down on the dishwasher and turned it on.

“Hey, buddy. Heard you had more trouble overnight.” Nate walked in and sat on the stool at the end of the work counter.

“Yeah,” he gestured to the back of the building. “Guys are here now fixing the window and putting bars up.” Kyle rolled his eyes. He still hated having bars placed on the windows.

“Makes sense with all the trouble you’ve had lately.”

“That’s what Gill says. I’m afraid the folks around town will think I don’t trust them.

There was a guy from Sheridan here earlier talking to Gill about an alarm system.”

“Now that’s the smartest thing I’ve heard you say. Bars are one thing, but I don’t think anyone would blame you for a security system. Hell you live upstairs. You have more than your business to protect.” Nate shook his head. “You’re too independent for your own good sometimes.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been talking to Gill, haven’t you?”

“Nope,” Nate said too quickly.

“Liar.”

Nate gave him a boyish grin. “He called earlier. He’s worried about you.”

“So he asked you to come in and brow beat me into getting an alarm system.” Shrugging, Nate stood and walked towards the front of the shop. Kyle heard the display case open and shut moments before Nate came strolling back in with an éclair. “I’ve missed you. Maybe I wanted to do some catching up of my own. Mmm, damn these are good,” Nate said finishing off the pastry in three bites.

“I’ve missed you, too. How’ve you been?” Kyle saw the look in Nate’s eyes. “Yes, you can get another éclair.”

“Thanks, man.” Nate disappeared momentarily before coming back with not one but two more pastries.

Kyle rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you weigh five hundred pounds?” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

29

Nate’s brows did a happy dance as he grinned around a mouthful of food. “My guys work it off me every chance they get.”

“Okay, that’s enough talk of your amazing sex life.”

“Speaking of…how’re things going with Gill?”

“Subtle.” Kyle laughed. Of course that was one of the things he liked best about Nate.

His friend never filtered his comments because of Kyle’s disability.

“Yeah, and you still haven’t answered. I assume you can have sex, right? I mean you’ve told me you had some feeling in your lower half.” Feeling a blush creeping up his neck, Kyle nodded. “I have some sensation but not enough to come.”

“And you know this how?” Nate prompted.

“Fuck, Nate, are you trying to embarrass me to death. I can’t jack off, okay? I’ve tried and nothing happens.”

“But you haven’t tried with Gill? Why?”

Kyle shrugged. “He seems to be content with kissing and light petting.” Nate shook his head and groaned. “You two really need to talk. Maybe he doesn’t want to put pressure on you. You ever think of that? Gill looks to be a virile man. I’m sure he’s been forced to go home and jerk off after every date.” Biting his bottom lip, Kyle had to admit he’d never thought of that. Gill always seemed so in control. “What if I make my move and end up disappointing him? I’ve really enjoyed having him in my life. I’m not sure I’m ready to risk it.” Nate put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “I have a feeling the two of you can work through anything as long as you’re upfront and honest with each other.”

“Can I tell you something that I haven’t told anyone else in town?”

“Not even Gill?”

“Especially not Gill.” Kyle wiped at a scratch on the work table. “When I went back to California over Christmas, I was re-evaluated.”

“And?”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever told you, but my spinal injury was incomplete. It’s damaged but not severed.”

“And?” Nate prompted once again.

“They think I can learn to walk again with enough therapy.”

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

30

“That’s fantastic.” Nate slapped Kyle on the back. “So when do you start?”

“I’m not.”

“What? Don’t be an ass.”

Kyle shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to walk again. I just don’t want to do what it would
take
to walk again.”