Page 30 of Tastes of Him

Mr. Davis had phrased the statement plainly, but I felt myself start to sweat. I wasn’t sure what Rod had told them about our trip, and I wasn’t sure what to say without revealing just how much fun we had.

“We did,” I said, hoping my voice was level. “I was a little worried as we went through some of the places, but we played it safe. Denver was a blast, and the brisket in Dallas made me not want to leave.”

“I practically had to drag him back to the truck,” Rod said, startling me slightly as he came up behind me. I turned and gave him a grateful smile. He looked even better the second time around with his crisp collared shirt and dark wash jeans. If we weren’t in a room full of people, I might have tried to pull him into a dark corner somewhere to catch another glimpse of just what lay under that fabric.

A hand on my back had my breath catching, and I froze. It wasn’t an unfamiliar touch, but things had changed. I couldn’t have his hands on me without remembering just how much pleasure those hands could bring me. Something in me broke at the knowledge that there was no going back. There was no going back to before our trip when I could ignore the feelings his touch invoked in me. I had been a fool to think that I could have a taste of him and go back to just being friends.

Everything is different now.

“Sean?”

I came out of my own thoughts to see Rod and his parents looking at me with concern. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

I blinked quickly as I tried to come up with a cover for my uncharacteristic silence. “I’m fine. Today was just a hectic day at the café, and I probably should have made myself a coffee for the road.”

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Davis said, reaching out and placing a hand on my arm. “I should have planned this on a different day.”

I shook my head and gave her a reassuring smile. “No, it’s okay. Just about every day at the café is a busy one right now. I’m fine, really.”

“Son, why don’t you get Sean a coffee? We still have some of those special beans from Colombia you brought us.”

Rod nodded. “Great idea. I’m pretty sure I saw Cameran make herself one earlier too.” He looked down at me, brown eyes drawing me in, and even though we were in front of his parents, I found myself falling. Something in them shifted, and I wondered what had gone through his mind.

“You really don’t have to go through the trouble.”

“It’s never trouble for you.”

Goddamnit. How can he be this smooth in front of his parents?His words had me melting inside, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. I didn’t need my heart to be bleeding out on my sleeve where everyone and their mama could see.

I thanked Mr. and Mrs. Davis and promised to come for dinner over the weekend before following Rod into the kitchen. It was quieter here, and I wandered over to the large island, sinking down onto one of the bar stools as I watched him move with familiarity and ease.

“You still know where everything is?”

Rod glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “I don’t think my parents have ever rearranged their kitchen, so yes.” He took his time grinding the beans, and I didn’t fight my grin as I realized he was using all of the equipment I had given his parents over the years.

Despite the unresolved situation with us, I felt comforted by the familiar sights and sounds in the kitchen. Growing up, I was often here at the Davis house, watching Rod as he made Cameran and me a snack. Sometimes his friends would be here too, and then I would try to make myself scarce, but regardless, he would always talk with me. Not once did he make me feel like I was his kid sister’s annoying friend. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized just how rare that could be.

“You sure you’re okay?”

A steaming cup was set in front of me, and I looked down at it. I wasn’t okay. Not really. I was confused and a little annoyed still. I hadn’t appreciated being surprised at the café today. No, that was a lie. If it had just been Rod, I would have been fine with it. But the fact that he brought Kevin, the same guy who clearly had it bad for him, was damn near unforgivable.

“Where’s Kevin?”

Rod blinked, his eyebrows drawn down in confusion. “Um, he’s somewhere out there, I guess. I wasn’t really keeping tabs on him.”

I hummed and looked back down at my drink. “Oh? I thought you two looked pretty friendly earlier. It was interesting that he decided to move to Atlanta too.” I couldn’t help the bitterness that seeped into my voice. Not only had Kevin gotten Rod for four years, now he had followed him home. “Seems odd he would do that for no reason, though, if he isn’t from here.”

“He has family here, apparently.” I heard Rod come closer, but I refused to look up. “Sean, what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I lied before taking a sip of my drink. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and it almost angered me that Rod knew exactly how I liked it. It was an irrational anger, but one that kept me from spitting out anything incriminating.

“Sean, what—”

“We should go back out there with the others,” I said, not letting him speak. I didn’t want to answer any more questions. I was already feeling raw enough as it was. I slid from the stool, leaving my nearly full cup on the counter and intending to walk around him, but a hand reached out and stopped me. I looked down at it before following it up to Rod’s face. He was staring at me with that same confused frown, and my fingers twitched with the desire to straighten out his brow.

“You’re acting strange.” His look went probing, and I wasn’t ready for that. There was too much for me to think about for him to be asking me questions. I did the only thing I could think of and used his hold to pull him closer before capturing his lips in a kiss.

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