Colin (Daddy for Christmas 2)

5. Colin

Chapter five

Colin

I flopped face down onto Andy’s bed while he dug through my duffle bag. “He’ll be here in less than an hour. Kill me now.”

“Hmph. Stop it. This is good. These jeans work, but you need decent shirts, dude.” He tossed the jeans on my back. “Go get a shower. You can’t go out with him smelling like espresso.”

“Ohmygawd. You’re right.” I booked it into the shower and used Andy’s products. Shampoo and conditioner. I had a spray to help get tangles out. For the millionth time, I thought about cutting my hair. It would never dry before Rourke got here. But I could put it up in a cool bun that wouldn’t look bad as it dried. That took the longest, but by the time I finished with the hair, Andy had a decent top for me.

“I think this will work, yeah? I mean, we don’t know where he’s taking you, but I’m sure it’s not going to be burgers and fries.” Andy pointed at me as he handed over the shirt. “And do not order that, even if it’s on the menu.”

“Whatever.” I pulled the shirt on. A long-sleeved button-up, but not a standard dress shirt. It was silkier and had silver-blue threading that made it shine a little. And bring out the blue in my eyes more. Hopefully.

“Yeah. That’s nice. No, don’t tuck it in.”

I stopped mid-tuck. “What? Why?”

“It’s stylish dude. Meant to be worn untucked.”

He didn’t say it would hide my little poochy belly, but I sure thought it. I didn’t look terrible. I turned back and forth in the mirror. And the shirt was short enough that it didn’t cover my ass. That was turning into a pretty good feature for me with all the squats.

“Oh, here.” He grabbed something off the dresser and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Key. To the apartment. Don’t wake everyone up when you get back.” He winked at me. “If you get back. I’m sure not waiting up.” His little evil smile said he thought I was staying out all night.

“It’s only dinner.”

“Is it?”

“Shut up.” I didn’t think I’d be sleeping with Rourke. Not on the first date. But I had to put that in my hope basket . Because I had absolutely nothing else going for me. A crappy job that wouldn’t cover rent anywhere. And a good friend. “Thanks, Andy. I mean it. For, like, everything.”

He hugged me. “Don’t mention it, Turtle-Dove.”

And then he was here, knocking on the front door. “Shit. I don’t know what to do.” I sucked my lips inside my mouth and worried them with my tongue.

“Be yourself.” He shook my shoulders and directed me to the door, where Rourke stood waiting for me.

Be myself? Yeah, right. That had never worked for me before. But I had no one else to be.

“Uh, hi. Rourke.” I waved.

“You look very nice, Colin. Ready to go?”

I nodded and followed him out. “Thanks. You look good too, but I bet you always do.”

“I wouldn’t take that bet.”

We got into his fancy car and headed out. Andy’s apartment was near the university, so it took less than ten minutes to get there. Rourke pulled into a parking garage off of Howard. There was a crazy, modern art mural across from it. “Where are we?” I wasn’t that familiar with this side of town. I stuck pretty close to home and work. Or what was my home at Uncle Edgar’s, anyway.

“This is a modern bougie hotel.” He made a face and shrugged. “But the lounge is exquisite. Come on.” He parked and we got out. He wasn’t wrong, though I didn’t have much to base it on.

“Wow, this is neat.” The lounge was mostly painted in a subtle, neutral color with bold pops of orange and turquoise artistically painted on the walls and a huge installation of plants with the name of the place, Edge , lining the entranceway. And it all looked fresh and clean. I could see why Rourke liked it, but then we turned the corner, and I could see all the way through the building and to the outside patio and beyond to the tops of trees and the blue-blue sky. I gasped.

“Let’s go look.” Rourke took my arm and led me past the tables and the bar and right out to the open-air courtyard that was set up like a lounge with outdoor furniture, tastefully, done. At the railing, I could see the Tampa skyline in the distance.

“Oh, Rourke. This is amazing.”

“Mmm…you see why I like it?” He gestured around the room. It had a modern-funky vibe. The side of the outdoor area had a giant abstract person-face with fish on either side in the same colors as the main area. Weird, but okay. “Let’s sit down and get some drinks. Anywhere you want.”

Only a few other people were in the bar. The sun was setting, casting complimentary colors across the sky. I’d never been anywhere like it. I loved the lounge area, but I wanted to eat, and I would do better at a table. The one nearest the courtyard was open, so I gestured toward it. “How’s that?”

“It may get hot. That’s the heater.” He indicated a small box right next to the table, but all of them in that row had fantastic views, so it hardly mattered where we sat. “How about this one?” He chose the next one over and held a chair out for me.

“This is great. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” He sat next to me, both of us facing out toward the city. I could see one of the old cigar factories and a plethora of palm trees, as well as other tall buildings. I loved the older buildings and all the greenery. “Now, as I recall, you like a fruity drink?”

“How?” I shook my head. “Nope. Not going to ask. I do like fruity drinks, but not too sweet.”

“Great. Vodka or tequila?”

If I couldn’t have Prosecco…“Vodka.”

“Then I recommend Peaches & Berries. It has peach, orange, and strawberry. I think you’ll like it. There is a rosy wine in it that settles the flavors. Not too sweet.”

“I’ll try it.”

He motioned to the bar, and a server came right out. She was a young-ish woman with blonde hair and all smiles. “Good evening. I’m Samantha. You can call me Sammy. What can I get for you this evening?”

Rourke ordered my drink and a vodka martini for him, as well as a charcuterie and extra olives. “This is the best,” he said when she left to place the order. “If you’re still hungry, I’d recommend the shrimp wrap, but the selection we’re getting is fantastic. Oh, do you like olives?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I love them.”

We looked over the skyline. It was nice. Romantic. I loved that he knew what he was doing. The conversation wasn’t going anywhere, but it was nice, and I didn’t feel pressured to be witty or flirty. The drinks were delivered and mine was fantastic. I took several sips, feeling relaxed. I even sighed. “This is nice.”

“Good. I thought you needed something calm and soothing. Clubs are fine, but this…” He held his arm out. “Sometimes, we need to step out of the chaos.”

He’d shown me a sunset over the water at his place when we first officially met at the pool party, and now this. He had depth and appreciation of nature and beauty. “You’re not at all like I thought when I first saw you at Afterglow.”

“See. I warned you.” He wagged a finger at me playfully. “I do hang out in those circles sometimes. And I support Braxton’s club. We all need safe spaces.”

“Braxton?”

“Yes, he’s the owner, well, primary owner of Afterglow.”

“Oh, I don’t know him.” In fact, I didn’t know anyone in those circles. Except Andy.

Rourke leaned forward, a little closer to me but not too close. “I don’t like to make assumptions, Colin, but my guess would be that you don’t normally hang out where I’ve been finding you.” He booped my nose.

Was that annoying or endearing? I wasn’t sure yet. “No. Andy kind of dragged me along when I started looking for somewhere to live, and my paycheck wasn’t going to cover it.”

“Cover what?”

I laughed, but it wasn’t humor. More like mocking. “Anything. It is not enough to live on.”

“I’m confused.”

I sighed, knowing I was going to have to confess the whole story. “Up until today, I lived with my uncle. I could afford to rent a room from him. And that was about it. I didn’t even have extra to save, but now I don’t have that.”

“What happened?” He put his hand over mine. It was nice, comforting.

“My cousin, his son, is moving back today, and his house is not big enough for three of us. It’s a tiny two-bedroom with one bath. And I mean tiny. My single bed takes up the entire room and there’s no closet. Not a real one, anyway. I hung a shower rod between two corners so I could hang up clothes. Shit.”

“What?”

“I feel pathetic. This is not what you want to hear about.”

He sat back in his chair, his face scowling. “Actually, it is. I like you, and I want to help you. I didn’t know how to do that until now.”

“Help me?” I held my hands up. “Okay, I admit it. I had Andy take me around so I could find a sugar daddy, but…honestly? That’s a bust. That dude Vick creeped me out. I don’t want to be with anyone for money. It was a stupid idea, and frankly, you’re too nice and sweet. I would never ask you for anything.”

The expression on his face shifted into a sly grin. “I had a feeling that’s what you were doing. And yeah, Vick is scummy.” He wrinkled his nose in the cutest way possible. “But. You’re not asking me for anything. I’m offering.”

I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t know what he was offering or what it meant. I opened my mouth but was too stunned to speak.

“Sweet, boy. You can stay in my pool house. For as long as you need. I’m now in the process of moving back into the main building. They’re finishing it up today and tomorrow.”

That was really a shocker. A place to stay. A nice place. But… “Uh…Rourke. That’s so nice of you.”

“But what? It’s perfect.”

“It’s lovely, I’m sure. But I can’t afford that. I can’t afford to pay you rent. Not that place.”

“Nonsense. I don’t need you to pay anything, but if it will make you feel better, pay what you paid your uncle.”

The smorgasbord of meat and cheese and two fancy square dishes of olives arrived. Instead of crackers, it was served with sliced Italian bread. Rourke grabbed a piece. “This is freshly baked. So good.” He layered meat and cheese and took a bite.

The sun was down, and the lights were on, making it more of a lively hot spot. More people came in. Rourke ordered us another round of drinks. And I tried the food. Every bit of it was fantastic. Spicey and creamy and bitter. My tongue was on overdrive. “Who would have thought such a simple meal would be so fantastic.”

“I think everything al fresco is better. This is close enough.”

“Al fresco? You mean outside?”

Rourke nodded, but he didn’t make me feel bad. “I think that’s an Italian term. I’m not sure, but yeah. Outside.” He winked at me, making my stomach flutter in the best possible way. “So, do you want me to help you with your stuff tomorrow?”

“What? Wait. I still can’t move in.”

“Why?”

“Rourke, you’re so sweet to even offer, but that’s only part of the problem.” I took a sip of my fruity drink to wash the food down. “I wouldn’t be able to get to work.” I didn’t own a car, and my savings had built up to a whopping six bucks. “So, no. I can’t. I’ll stay at Andy’s until I figure something out.”

Rourke didn’t look pleased at all, but I wasn’t his problem. “Colin—”

“No. Really.” I held up my hands. “I didn’t agree to go out with you for all of this. Can we enjoy the night and the company?”

He gave a curt nod. “I appreciate that. My inner-daddy wants to wrap you up in bubble wrap right now, so forgive me if I came on too strong. And no. I’m nothing like Vick. So don’t worry about that.”

Inner-daddy. Woah. That made my cock come alive. I scooted closer to the table to try and hide it. “I know you’re not. You’d never take advantage of me. But I have to get to work. I need to feel productive. I’m not a baby, and I’ll figure it out. So, until I can get another job, I’m kind of stuck. But it’s okay.” I took another piece of cheese.

Rourke held up his glass. “To the future then.” Well, he took that better than I thought he would. And it made me happy because the truth in my soul was that despite all the effort, I could never have gone through with the whole sugar daddy thing.

I touched my glass to his. “To the future.” I had to have one, right?