Island Heat (6 page)

“How about I do my best to leave you alone until after opening weekend?” Eli suggested. The way Eli's thumb wandered along the back of Kevin's hand was thoroughly distracting.

Kevin frowned to himself. It was only Thursday; waiting until Monday seemed like a long time. Suddenly, he was starting to understand the way couples ditched their friends to spend every waking moment together. He'd only been talking to Eli for a few minutes, but holy shit, he wanted to learn
everything
about him. “Well... you could come to the opening.”

Eli smiled, glancing around the place. “Of your dessert bar here? You wouldn't mind?”

“No, I'd like that,” Kevin insisted. He wanted Eli to see what he did. This was a dream he'd had for years; what better way to show the man himself – his true self?

“All right,” Eli agreed. “What time?”

“We're open from five PM to three AM,” Kevin answered. He didn't yet know when it would be busiest – his mentor, Rube, had ideas, while he and Troy had other ideas, but nobody knew until the fateful first night.

“I'll come around midnight,” Eli promised. “Maybe one or two at the latest. I know Dean – my best friend – has me committed to events earlier, but I'll get here before you close.”

Kevin smiled, swinging his legs off the high stool to stand up again. The handsome man opposite him mirrored the move. “Great. I'll see you then...” He accompanied Eli to the door of the dessert bar, still tingling with uncertainty on what he was supposed to do. He wished more than anything he'd had dates in high school or since then so he knew what came next.

As they reached the door, Eli turned to face him, his back to the door, and reached out to run the backs of his fingers lightly down Kevin's arm. “Thank you for inviting me in for a chat despite your schedule.”

“Er... you're welcome.” Eli was so polite and... well, hot. God, Kevin was smitten. People had always said “you'll know when the time comes” and he'd never believed it until now. Now, he knew exactly what they meant. He physically ached to reach out and touch Eli.

Eli hesitated for a moment, then told him forthrightly, “I haven't done this for a while, so forgive me if I make anything awkward.”

“O-Oh. I thought you must... well, be more... I don't know,” Kevin chuckled, unable to look away from those beautiful blue eyes. They were bright and nervous, but Eli's presence was still such that he would never be able to ignore Eli if he were in the room.

“Experienced?” Eli supplied, grinning. “Have my claws in more than one guy?”

“Oh, god,” Kevin groaned, which made Eli tip his head back and laugh richly. It was an echoing, warm roll of a laugh that shook Eli's shoulders. It was Hollywood levels of sexy. “If you have to say it that way...”

Eli winked, his cheeks rounded and perfect pink lips set in a mischievous expression. “Well, I thought I'd let you know anyway.” He paused, his glance wandering for a moment to Kevin's lips.

Kevin still wasn't completely certain
what
he was feeling, but it was stronger and more sensual than he'd ever felt for another person, and his instincts told him to signal that somehow. He didn't want Eli to walk away thinking he was putting up with his attention.

He decided to follow his instincts.

Kevin leaned in, pressing his lips against Eli's. Instantly, he knew this was nothing like the two or three innocent grade school or drunken college kisses that had left him certain he wasn't interested in wasting his life on dating.

Now, it was different.

The warmth of Eli's lips, rather than being strange and stifling, ignited his own lips with a gentle burn that encouraged him to press closer until his hand rested on the muscled, shirt-covered chest in front of him. Eli tipped his head to the side a little to deepen the kiss, his lips gently parting and brushing skillfully against Kevin's until Kevin's knees felt weak. Kevin felt warm breath escape from Eli's lips before Eli's lips closed around Kevin's lower lip, and holy
fuck
, Kevin wanted to--

Kevin's head spun as he stepped back, nearly stumbling, to let Eli go. He wasn't sure what an appropriate length of time for a kiss was, but he was certain it was a little less time than they'd just spent. He knew his cheeks were burning with a blush. “Oops...”

Eli was grinning breathlessly back at him. One of Eli's hands was somehow on his shoulder while the other rested on his waist. They must have ended up there while Kevin was focusing on trying to kiss Eli properly. “I'm looking forward to seeing you, too, soon,” he murmured from mere inches away, those long lashes flickering across blue eyes. When Kevin nodded, Eli let his hands slide away from Kevin and turned to pull open the shop door.

“S-See you,” Kevin answered, taking the door to hold it so Eli could leave, despite his urges to make Eli stay a little longer. His cheeks hurt from grinning. He raised a hand to push his hearing aid mold back into place. It was starting to be pushed out by how hard he was grinning.

“Friday night,” Eli promised, reaching out to adjust Kevin's collar slightly as if he wanted one more little excuse to touch Kevin.

Kevin was glowing not just with embarrassment from his enthusiastic kiss, but also with pleasure. He didn't care if Eli saw it. “Friday night.”

He raised his hand in a little wave, watching Eli walk away towards the waterfront through the early morning. The light caught his hair and every part of his silhouette – even his backside, through trousers that were fitted
just
right, and the curve of his back where the strap at the back of his vest pulled it tighter. Kevin wanted his hands in those two places.

He stepped back into the shop and let the door swing shut, then leaned heavily against it. Friday would tell him whether Eli was on the same page.

It took Eli no time to remember why he was so excited as he woke up that Friday morning with a smile on his face. It was a little ridiculous for him to be
this
excited just to see Kevin – there was no guarantee they'd even have time for a proper chat, go home together, or set up another, proper, date...

But somehow, Thursday had seemed to pass quickly after his meeting with Kevin. Even Dean had noticed that he was brightening up, though he'd attributed it to the hot, bright weather on Ember Isle.

“You're still looking awfully perky there,” Dean commented over lunch as they relaxed and ate a breakfast menu for lunch, courtesy of their chef. Dean was in shorts and a designer t-shirt, sunglasses pushing his hair up and out of the way.

“Like I said, the weather does a miracle on you,” Eli answered casually as he crunched his toast. He'd practically devoured his breakfast, which was a feat after the past few weeks of barely eating.

“Mm,” Dean answered, not looking entirely like he believed him. “So tonight, there's an interesting little meeting going on at nine. In a private room at the new Latin place, uh...”

“La Sol,” Eli supplied. He'd walked up and down Main Street a few times to see the finished window displays, banners, and signs above the new storefronts while waiting for Kevin to come in on Thursday morning. He'd resisted the urge to do it again that morning, instead choosing to sleep in and wait for this meal.

“Thanks. At La Sol, in the private room. We're invited. Only billionaires,” Dean told Eli. “Maybe a few of the richer millionaires, though.”

Eli's interest was piqued. “Oh, really? How come?”

“Must be something big going on. There's been a rumor for a while about the island being bought...”

Eli snorted. “That's always been bullshit,” he disagreed. “People have been saying for years.” He swallowed a few sips of his fruit juice and gestured with the glass. “Bill's never gonna sell, it makes its own weight in money for him every year.”

“Not necessarily. He's not getting any younger. If he can ditch it for a high enough lump sum, he'll come out
way
ahead in stress levels.”

Eli shook his head. “You think he's trying to find a buyer tonight? At the beginning of the season?”

“Gives us the chance to see what we'd be missing out on for the next few months... take bids in September, sell it, not have to deal with it this winter if there's another hurricane...”

“I don't know,” Eli still shook his head. “We'll see.”

As they lapsed into conversation about the restaurants they planned to visit, Eli made mental notes: the beach lounge at six to meet school buddies, La Sol at nine for that meeting, the bright party club Chrome for schmoozing with a few of the guys whose assets Dean wanted (in one way or another), and then... he'd sneak off to Sweet Nothings. He didn't expect Dean would follow him there, not when there was a party full of potential hookups to be found more easily at Chrome.

Not that it was a secret, but... he didn't know how Kevin was going to feel about being outed to anyone else if he had told management here that he was straight. Dean was sleeping with the guy's best friend, so Eli didn't feel right telling him yet, even though he was sure Dean would keep it secret.

Plus, there was one other thing: the chance he might get his heart broken. Until he was sure Kevin was interested in him, Eli wasn't going to give Dean false hopes for him.
But holy shit, did he ever seem interested when he kissed me like that...

He distracted himself from thinking too much about Kevin by suggesting they head to the beach for some jet-skiing before the parties began that night. If he stumbled and wiped out once or twice just because his mind was on the gorgeous baker and bar owner's full downturned lips... only he had to know.

***

Socializing that night was difficult as always, especially when his well-meaning friends and acquaintances asked how Tom was doing on set and expressed their condolences on how far apart they must have felt.

Eli mostly brushed it off with phrases like “he enjoys working with Jon” while spitefully thinking of that skinny young bastard, or simply telling them “I've gotten used to it” before changing the topic. It wasn't going to be long before people noticed. Tom must have already been getting the same kinds of questions, but his reps still hadn't announced it. Eli had to get in touch to ask him when they were going to make it public, but he hadn't talked to the cheating asshole since the day he'd caught him... and he didn't really want to start now.

Throughout the meeting in La Sol's private room, he found it hard to keep his mind on business matters. Bill was discussing the merits of buying a smaller, more private island with a little less of the structure that he felt was starting to burden Ember Isle, but he wasn't talking about selling Ember Isle like Dean had thought.

“I don't know,” Dean told Bill at last after a few hours of tapas plates, cocktails, and healthy debate. “It's not going to be as much of a tax shelter as you think.”

Bill shook his head. “When you get to my age you'll take anything you can get. In more than one way...” He slapped Dean's shoulder lightly. “You've been coming here for years and you've never gotten a partner yet. Isn't it time to settle down soon?”

“I don't need a boyfriend. I'm dating my bank account,” Dean declared, which was the same thing he always said. He rose to his feet.

“Be careful what you wish for,” Bill answered with a smile and shake of his head, standing up to shake hands with him again. “I suppose you're off to date your bank account all night in someone's place?”

“Oh-ho,” Eli couldn't help but guffaw, covering his mouth when Dean mock-glared at him and coughing. He wasn't the only one to have chortled, though; the other men who were beginning to disperse for their rental homes or other, livelier destinations joined in.

“At
least
one place,” Dean agreed as he grinned. “Good to see you as always, Bill.”

“You, too, kid.” Bill wasn't much older, in his early fifties, but he called everyone who wasn't older than him
kid
. It was one of the endearing things about him.

Eli followed Dean out of the restaurant at an easy amble, quite aware that Dean had already had several drinks. “See?” he told him when they reached the street. “I told you it wasn't anything that big.”

“It could still happen,” Dean insisted, shoving Eli's chest with a finger. “I'm predicting, next five years.”

“Right. I'll hold you to that. How much do you wanna bet?”

“One buck.”

“
One
?” Eli laughed. For them, the novelty of the bet was enough; a little money like a few thousand dollars going back and forth wouldn't mean anything.

“And a kiss.” Dean bumped their shoulders together and grinned.

“What?” Eli snorted with laughter. He didn't take Dean seriously; Dean wasn't interested in
him
. “Why?”

“Believe me, I don't want to kiss you any more than you wanna be kissed, but if it'll get you out of your funk...” Dean sighed. “I'll volunteer.”

“I'll take care of getting my own, thanks,” Eli laughed.

“Okay, then find a guy to kiss you if I win.”

Oh, my god. He has no idea.
Eli tried hard not to grin at the thought of poor Kevin being told to kiss him in front of what would likely be an audience of their friends. “Okay, fine. Happy?”

“Yep.” They stumbled together – or rather, Dean stumbled more while Eli steadied him – into Chrome.

It wasn't just alcohol making the time fly by; as the hours passed in Chrome, Eli found himself genuinely enjoying being around guys they'd seen every summer for the past few years, many of whom were friends from school or other social circles. It was a relatively tight-knit bunch of men who were rich, interested in men, and commitment-free and could come here and let loose.

When he checked his watch and found that it was already two, he was quick to find Dean. His best friend was eyeing up a hot young thing on the dance floor and starting to dance his way closer, so he caught him on the way. “Hey, man, I'm out.”

“Already?” Dean exclaimed, but rolled his eyes and clearly accepted it without a fuss. “I didn't think you'd be out this long anyway. You did good,” he praised.

“Some of us get up before noon and don't even wear sunglasses indoors,” Eli grinned but clapped Dean's back. “See you tomorrow. Have fun.”

“You, too. Good night.”

Dean didn't even seem to suspect a thing as Eli excused himself and headed out the door. He'd been going home from parties earlier for years – especially ever since dating Tom. Getting out of those situations
before
men were drunk and coming on and scandals hit the news had become more important since dating an A-list actor.

But he was fucking
free
to do what he wanted now, and all he wanted was to walk down the street and see one certain man a few doors down.

He walked quickly down Main Street, weaving around small groups of men who were laughing, drinking, even dancing in the street.

Sweet Nothings looked quieter, which made sense since it was a smaller, different kind of lounge from the other bars he'd visited that night. The dessert bar was less of a party spot. It was the kind of place he would go to catch up with friends... or perhaps a date.

The thought made Eli smile as he pushed open the door and looked behind the counter.

“Welcome!” called out the handsome, dark-haired man who had to be Troy from the bar, but Eli's eyes weren't on him. He had eyes only for the brown-haired man who was pulling an incredible-looking slice of pineapple cheesecake from the display cabinet.

“Thanks,” Eli answered with a smile, glancing around the room. There were a few tables with men sitting and swaying towards each other, and several sat at the bar and talked amongst themselves, but it wasn't crazy-busy. The dessert cabinet was mostly empty, though, so he guessed there must have been a flurry of activity earlier.

“Hi,” came a softer, more personal greeting.

Eli grinned as he spotted Kevin and nodded. “Hello. Where should I sit?”

“Wherever you like is fine,” Kevin told him, smiling as he balanced the plate on one palm and picked up the bright, layered cocktail Troy handed him. “I'll be with you in a minute.”

As he went to drop the dessert and drink off at another table, Eli chose a seat in the window with a table or two between him and the next-closest customers.

Sure enough, moments later, Kevin approached him, his hands folded neatly behind his back. He wore a black shirt with embroidered strawberry on the chest. Eli really wanted to reach out and touch it, but he resisted. “Hi,” Kevin said again. “Glad you made it.”

“Sorry it was so late,” Eli answered. “I missed the rush. It's already, what, two? Two-thirty?”

“Just as well. I wouldn't have had time to talk,” Kevin laughed breathlessly. He was glowing like he was on a high from that night, which must have meant good things business-wise. “We got slammed.”

“Oh, great,” Eli smiled. “I'm glad. Must be a relief.”

“It sure is. The menu's here...” Kevin reached over the table to get the plush menu and unfold it, handing it to Eli as he stood at the table.

Eli only had to glance down the menu once to know exactly what he wanted. He tried not to grin too obviously and read the rest of the menu, but nothing stood a chance compared to the first pairing to catch his eye.

“May I have a French Kiss, please?” Eli requested in a slow drawl that was thick with innuendo. He grinned at Kevin. The combination of a great-sounding cocktail made with French champagne and Meyer lemon custard-filled treats was irresistible; even more so was the chance to make Kevin blush.

Predictably, it worked. Kevin cleared his throat. “Er, of course... I'll be back in a minute.”

Eli touched Kevin's arm to stop him before he left and leaned in to murmur, “You could hold the French until later...”

“You
like
seeing me flustered,” Kevin accused in an undertone, but he was glowing at the attention from Eli. He was flirting much more naturally now, his eyelashes flickering as he glanced at Eli from half-lidded eyes.

“I do. I'm a bit shellfish... er, selfish...”

Despite his characteristic eye-roll in answer, Kevin seemingly couldn't stop himself from grinning as he turned away from Eli.

Eli's heart thumped as he watched Kevin head back to the bar. Something about Kevin was bolder since that kiss, and he liked it. If he inspired Kevin's boldness, he wasn't sure they could hold off on testing their chemistry.

The sparks between them were impossible to ignore any longer. He wanted to see how hot they burned.