Page 6 of The Suspicious Mate

Noa couldn’t stop staring at Kallan. He was beyond good looking. He actually was stunning with a face that was perfect square jaw, pert nose, lips lush and red, and his hair black as the night. It was straight and swept across his forehead, just touching his perfectly shaped brows of the same color.

He stood about five foot eight inches and had the slim, muscled body of a fashion model. Noa felt his heart beating faster the closer he got to their table. He managed to tear his eyes from Kallan and looked over at Mac, who was his usual relaxed, fun-loving self.

Mac had no idea the panic that was encompassing Noa. He needed to fix this and get on Kallan's good side, and why was his bear going fucking nuts all of a sudden. He pushed him down hard, not wanting to accidentally expose his inner self, at least not yet.

Kallan looked at him, and his eyes were absolutely mesmerizing. Noa wanted to stare into them for hours. He set the drinks down and took a seat between them at the small round table. He had Mac to his left and Kallan to his right. There were a few warm-up comments about business and weather, and then Noa got down to the purpose of the visit. He needed to get this out and present himself as a better man to Mac's baby cousin.

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed of my behavior during our first contact. I didn't know you were on the phone and could hear me, but that is no justification for the hurtful and unwarranted things that I said. I won't make excuses, for there are none that are adequate. I only ask that you try to look past the man of that moment and give me a chance to show you that I am much better than that." His mind was swirling with what to say and how to say it, but nothing seemed right, and even as he spoke, he could feel the words were not right.

"I'm sorry, truly sorry, and would like a second chance to make a first impression." He said the basics and hoped Kallan was feeling charitable enough to extend a modicum of forgiveness. He took a sip of his drink and then sat there silently and waited.

"You didn't know I was listening, so that is in your favor. I would have a hard time dismissing the comments if I thought you knew that I was listening. Such conduct would not be forgivable in my mind." His words were tearing Noa apart. He wanted to hear understanding but was only hearing categorization of his actions, which could very well lead to no allowance for his behavior. Kallan was so handsome, and he smelled like hot chocolate, rich and smooth. Noa wanted so desperately to touch him again.

“I say we put it behind us and accept that you and I will never be particularly attracted to one another, but we can still get along." Kallan ended with a smile and reached his hand out to Noa. The first part of his sentence was perfect, but the ending left Noa oddly upset, and his bear was once again attempting to take over. This had never happened to him before. His bear was rarely interested in anything other than a good fight.

Noa looked at Kallan’s hand and took it in his holding it and experiencing again the lovely vibration the touch elicited. He wanted Kallan more than he’d ever wanted anyone, but the roadblocks were many. “Let us put the unpleasantness behind us.” He agreed but did not repeat the other part of that sentence.

Mac laughed and slapped the table. "I knew you two would get along eventually." He abruptly pushed away from the table and stood. "I'll get us another drink." He was gone, and Noa still had not released Kallan's hand. He noticed Kallan staring at their hands, but he was not pulling away, so that was something, at least. Then the moment came when he had to let go or risk looking strange, but it was a slow sliding release because he so badly wanted to stay connected.

"I apologize for Mac. I know he probably browbeat you into this, and although I appreciate your words, you don't have to be friends with me." Noa was suddenly shocked out of his belief that things were going well. He began to subtly panic as Kallan continued. "I heard you on the phone, and I know that you and I are lightyears away from each other in terms of interests and desires. I'm not a go-getter or pretty boy or out for a good time. I like to read books, watch tv, and enjoy doing basic renovations. I drink very rarely, and honestly, I will probably never return to this establishment. It's not who I am."

Noa didn't know what to say, which had been his plight this entire evening. Noa stared into those dark blue eyes knowing that his next words needed to be perfect. "I'd like to be your friend Kallan. If you're anything like your cousin Mac, your friendship is solid and valuable. We may be different in some ways, but that does not negate the possibility of friendship." He watched Kallan consider what he'd said quietly, taking in every aspect of the man who sat before him.

"I don't see a lot of hope for us, but if Mac likes you, then you can't be all bad." Kallan laughed and glanced around the room while taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly.

“I’m not all bad.” Noa stated as Kallan smiled gently, and doubt clouded his expression. Noa breathed in the sweet chocolate scent that filled the air between them. Nothing had ever smelled so good. Mac returned at that moment, handed out the drinks, and sat down.

"I'm so glad we worked that out. I hated that the two of my favorite people weren't getting along, and it was all my fault leaving the call open." Mac shook his head and took a sip of his drink.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Both Noa and Kallan said at the same time.

"Okay, enough, no more talk of my abhorrent behavior. Kallan agreed to let it go and be friends, so we start fresh from this point." Noa pushed the positives that were gleaned from the meeting and ignored the less-than-positive.

"Friends." Mac toasted, and they all joined in.

“How was your interview?” Noa asked, wanting to look interested in Kallan, which he most certainly was. "Mac said you were scheduled to meet with someone from his company."

"It went well enough, but I don't think I'm what Pete McPherson is looking for," Kallan responded in a friendly tone that Noa really liked.

"He wants a personal assistant, and I'm not prepared to be at his beck and call all hours of the day and night." Kallan took a short ship of his drink. "I appreciate you setting it up for me, Mac, but that guy is extremely high maintenance." Mac nodded his understanding.

“What sort of job are you looking for? Mac said you worked in the oil fields.” Noa had connections around town and thought he might be able to help him out.

"Not exactly in the fields, but I worked data processing and operated as an assistant to the field managers when called upon to do so. The oil business was all that was available in our small town." Kallan spoke quietly, giving Noa the impression he didn't like talking about himself.

"There's plenty of data processing available, but maybe you should look into something else, something more in line with your desires." Noa wanted Kallan to tell him more and tell him his desires, but Kallan just smiled softly. "What is your dream job?" He decided to be blunt and see if he got an answer.

He got an answer, but it was from Mac. “Kallan’s dream for as long as I can remember is to have his own antique/vintage/architectural salvage business. He has storage units back home packed full of the stuff but as yet has not taken the plunge into actually starting a business." Kallan gave Mac the side eye, which he casually ignored.

"I'm sure he will when he feels the time is right. Nothing beats planning when starting a business." Noa felt compelled to support Kallan and was happily greeted with a genuine smile for his effort. "Cincinnati would be a good place to start your business when you're ready. There are a few antique shops around, but there's room for more, especially if you include salvage art pieces."

CHAPTER FOUR

Kallan had entered the Club with the full intention of accepting Noa's apology but then making it clear there was no room for any further relationship between them. Now somehow, he'd agreed to be friends and accept this man into his life. Noa was charming and seemed genuine, but Kallan would not open himself up to an obvious operator like Noa Bentley.

He would admit that the guy was extremely attractive, and given different circumstances, Kallan wouldn't mind getting to know him better. But what he saw so far did not endear him to the large man. Noa was huge over six-five for sure, and maybe more it was hard to tell. There was also something about his eyes that was mesmerizing, like there was something beneath it all fighting to get out. It was hard to describe but added a wild excitement to his good looks.

His interest in Kallan’s job search and goals seemed genuine and also thoughtful. He didn't try to tell him what he needed but rather supported the things he said, or, rather Mac said. Mac had a habit of running off at the mouth when silence would have been Kallan's preference, but he did it with the best of intentions, so it was impossible to be mad at the man.

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