Forgive and Forget(39)

Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a vacation. He didn’t know why he was thinking of these things now. He loved what he did, so time off wasn’t something he ever felt he needed. Then again, it had been a long time since he had anyone to enjoy a vacation with.

As they sat and had breakfast together, Joe couldn’t help but ask. “How are you doing, Tom?”

Tom glanced up from his coffee and paper. “How do you mean?”

Joe motioned around him. “Here. In general. I know this isn’t the most exciting life.”

“I beg to differ,” Tom replied with a naughty wink. “I’d say last night was pretty damn exciting. Good thing no one lives downstairs, or we might have had a few complaints about the noise.”

Joe’s face went up in flames, and he playfully kicked Tom under the table. “That’s not what I meant. Also, I’m not the one with the dirty mouth.” Thoughts of last night made Joe fidget in his seat. Tom had woken him up some time before dawn, ravishing Joe and driving him to the point of reckless abandonment. It was also when Joe discovered Tom’s penchant for dirty talk.

Tom wriggled his eyebrows. “And I know what to do with it. Admit it, you love my dirty mouth.”

“Oh for goodness sake. You’re incorrigible.” Joe was in serious danger of getting hard at the breakfast table. The man had no shame. He also wasn’t wrong.

Tom chuckled and put his paper down. He leaned in, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Can you blame me? The way you move is absolutely sinful, Mr. Applin. You keep that up and you’ll never get rid of me.”

Joe swallowed hard. If only. Joe had opened his mouth to reply when his cell phone buzzed. He checked it and sighed.

“The shop will be open in fifteen minutes. We should finish up. Thank you so much for making breakfast, and, um, for last night.”

Tom finished his coffee and stood. He leaned in and gave Joe’s cheek a kiss. “Believe me, it’s my pleasure.” He took Joe’s earlobe between his teeth, sending a shiver through Joe. “I think I might be hooked on the taste of you, Joe. I hope you’re prepared.”

Joe didn’t quite know what to do with himself. What would Bea do? Joe grimaced. It was far too early to be terrified. He turned his face and kissed Tom, surprising him. Tom was always the first to initiate an intimate moment. Maybe it was time for Joe to be a little bolder. He took hold of Tom’s face and kissed him deeply, then slipped a hand under Tom’s T-shirt to tweak a nipple, making Tom suck in a sharp breath.

“We’ll see who’s prepared,” Joe murmured, nipping at Tom’s stubbly jaw.

Tom groaned. “Looks like I’ll be spending the day thinking of all the terrible things I’m going to do to you tonight.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Joe purred, before getting up to clear the table. He’d never flirted so brazenly before. It felt… wonderful.

Joe was still a little worried Tom might get bored working the kitchen of the little café, but the man never complained and went about his duties with a smile. He looked happy. Joe hoped that by this point there was enough trust between them that Tom would confide in him if he wasn’t happy.

Downstairs Tom helped Bea in the kitchen while Joe took the helm with Elsie at his side and Donnie took orders at the tables. The moment they opened the doors, they greeted the morning rush of customers in dire need of caffeine. Joe understood them perfectly. Nothing got done without a hefty dose of java. It was nonstop until after noon, when most folks were out to lunch. Many stopped by for some pie to take back to their offices or to save for later. The next rush would be in after most folks got off work. They’d drop by on their way home and pick up something for dessert, or they’d stop in for coffee with friends and to chat. The college kids and tourists were in at all hours. Once things slowed, Bea made Tom and Joe a small picnic and sent them into the garden for a while. Joe was on to her, but he wasn’t about to tell her there had been more than pleasant conversation going on between them. Though judging by her smug grin when she saw them together, he’d hazard a guess that she already knew.

Joe was grateful for the little garden between his café and the boutique. He was the only one who seemed to use it, which suited him all the better. The small trees, shrubs, and potted plants made it all feel like some closed-off little corner of the world rather than a makeshift garden between two buildings in the middle of Manhattan. Their own little Central Park, without the traffic and tourists. They sat on the grass on a towel, their bellies full. They had a few more minutes before they had to go back to work.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Bea’s playing matchmaker,” Tom said with a smile.

“You’d be right. She’s been trying to find me a man for years.”

Tom cocked his head to one side, studying him curiously. “Surely it hasn’t been that hard. A guy like you?”

Coming from anyone else, Joe would have thought he was being made fun of, but not from Tom. Tom appeared genuinely perplexed as to why Joe was still single. Had the guy not spent enough time in his company?

“Where do I start? I’m awkward, clumsy, talk to myself, sing to myself, argue with myself, wake up before the cows, believe you can taste memories, and I have nothing but this café. My only family is Bea, Donnie, and Elsie. I don’t have many friends because I have trust issues, and I’m not exactly the most adventurous person.”