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)
That seemed to surprise Kellus. “You’re fit. I can’t imagine you eating too much or over-indulging in pie.”
“Let’s just say I work out in order to indulge.” He waggled his brows and took another drink, transfixed by the bright smile he got back. “Don’t tell me you stick to a strict diet.”
Kellus schooled his features, becoming serious as he nodded and lifted his coffee. “Flat white, and it’s only justified because I haven’t been sleeping well, I needed the boost.”
“Caramel macchiato, extra caramel, heavy on the whipped cream, also because I haven’t been sleeping well.” He resisted the urge to add that the fault of his lack of sleep rested right on Kellus’s broad shoulders. “Really, if you have an hour to kill, come show me around.” When Kellus began to shake his head, Arik pushed on. “I’m your biggest fan, give me an hour to listen to you talk about the industry.”
He sounded desperate, yes, but it was also effective. Kellus rose, then picked up his book and coffee. “My van’s right around the corner. Let me put my book inside.” Arik followed behind him. Kellus wasn’t kidding. In this packed area, Kellus had managed to park in a primo parking spot right to the side of this restaurant in a blocked off area.
“You must have the hookup to get to park right here,” Arik said, following him to the passenger side where he left his book.
“It’s a judge’s perk.” Kellus grinned, slamming his door shut and locking it with his key fob. “Anything special you want to see?”
You naked…
Shit, had he said it out loud?
Since Kellus hadn’t bolted or stripped, he decided his uncontrolled desires might have remained inside his head.
“I’ll follow your lead,” he answered and took another drink of his coffee. He was so attracted to this man that he wanted to move in closer. He wanted so badly to take Kellus’s hand in his when they walked down the sidewalk. As if Kellus knew the train of his thoughts, he tucked his fingers in the front pockets of his snug jeans and started back toward the row of covered tents.
“I like this place. It’s one of my favorite spots. The city has put a lot into making this area safe. We have another one developing right past the bridge to nowhere.” Kellus chuckled, looking over at Arik, a big grin splitting his full lips. “Actually, it’s the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. But people who live around here call it the bridge to nowhere because when it was finished, it just dumped people off into an older, rougher neighborhood. It’s changing though. It’s got a cake place you’d like if you like sweets. And a chocolate store with hand-painted truffles.”
So began the tutorial. Kellus took his job seriously, and they walked and talked for a solid hour. Arik’s attentions were torn between the art and listening to Kellus talk and open up about his life, but he also never gave too much away. Every once in a while, he’d mention his childhood, that he grew up about fifteen miles south of the area, but those slips would halt his dialogue. He’d turn quiet. Arik made a mental note to push for and explore that information later. Much later, because he sensed pain.
Arik paid enough attention to make sure he could steer the conversation to keep Kellus talking. They walked up and down the rows of the tents, dividing their time between the stores they passed and the art displays. It wasn’t until Kellus had guided them back to the main booth of the event that Arik had seen how sly Kellus was. He’d talked about everything, all the different artists’ styles. Introduced him to many, but never even hinted to what he thought was the best and why.
Whatever. He didn’t need to know who’d won; he didn’t care in the least. The hour had been as magical as he’d thought it might be. No way he wanted this to end. “The area goes on for several blocks. All the streets have cool, different stores. Dude, Sweet Chocolate is over that way.”
“Chocolate is a true favorite of mine,” Arik confessed, chuckling as he looked down the direction Kellus pointed.
“I figured,” Kellus added, laughing along with him. An overhead announcement called the judges to the main booth, causing a small panic in Arik. He hadn’t done anything to extend their time together.
“I should go,” Kellus said. Arik quickly lifted a hand to Kellus’s chest, stopping him from walking the few steps toward the judge’s tent and away from him.
“Wait, before you go behind the table. I’m starving, where should I go?” he asked and bit at his lip. That question hadn’t come out exactly right.
“My favorites over here are El Corazon and Pier 247. I haven’t been to either in about a year, but one’s Mexican food, the other seafood. They’re both on Davis. The street you probably came in on,” Kellus replied, pointing Arik in a direction as he started to skirt around him.