A Sugary Life (Sugar Daddies Novella)

Chapter One

“This is where you’ll be sleeping.”

Phoenix eyed the gorgeous bedroom. The square footage alone was twice the size of his studio apartment back in New York.

“It’s great. Thank you.”

The giant with a thick Russian accent smiled as if he was the nicest person in the world. Phoenix knew he could be. But not only was Pytor three times his size, but the guy was a personal bodyguard for the world’s most dangerous man, Zander Kapra.

“Come on. I’ll show you to your new kitchen.”

Now Phoenix was excited. It had always been his dream to be a pastry chef. Even as a fucked-up kid, he had dared to dream of creating delicious desserts. Of course, he also had known what it was like to starve. Food had once been his biggest out-of-reach fantasy.

As he followed on Pytor’s heels, navigating the ginormous mansion, Phoenix kept blinking, expecting he would wake up any minute and learn this was just a dream.

He had been recused by the Kapra Foundation at eight and then got to attend culinary school thanks to a Kapra grant at nineteen.

Not once did Phoenix believe he would end up working for the Zander Kapra’s household.

This was the crème de la crème of chef positions.

He couldn’t wait to see the place where he would get to create every yummy morsel any man could dream.

Pytor had already warned him that he wouldn’t be working in the same kitchen or for the same head chef that had let Phoenix follow him around everywhere as a kid.

The excitement was thick. Unfortunately, so was his nervousness.

If this kitchen’s head chef didn’t like him, then this job was dead in the water before it even began.

They made their way to the third floor. He expected to be led to a bustling kitchen with a screaming chef keeping everyone in line. Instead, he found a smaller chef’s kitchen completely stocked but empty.

Pytor motioned toward the room. “This is your space. If you need an assistant, just let me know and I’ll send one up.

Otherwise, you’ll be in charge of yourself.

While a certain set of hours are expected, the menu planning will be completely yours.

There’s a list on the refrigerator with a headcount of residents to help you plan your numbers.

Occasionally, large gatherings are planned here for the foundation’s charity and other events.

You’ll always have plenty of notice ahead of time. ”

“Wait. You’re telling me I’m head pastry chef? This is all mine?”

Pytor chuckled. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Phoenix was flabbergasted.

Pytor’s expression darkened. He focused on Phoenix in a way that compelled Phoenix to hold his stare.

“Everyone who comes inside this house is vetted by my husbands and me. Most of the people who work here are connected to the foundation in some way. Just as it was when you were a child, you never have to worry anyone will harm you here.”

Phoenix nodded. His throat was too tight to respond.

Pytor and one of his husbands, Yaro, had been there when Phoenix had been saved as a child.

Phoenix wanted to claim he didn’t remember life before that day, but he did.

He had nightmares and visions he couldn’t shake.

Phoenix couldn’t handle hearing anything about sexual abuse.

If anyone sneaked up behind him, he totally melted down.

Phoenix wished his life wasn’t like that, but reality gave no fucks about his wants.

He couldn’t continue saying nothing, but he also couldn’t stay on this topic. “I truly appreciate this opportunity.”

Pytor eyed him as if measuring his emotions. “You earned this position. You took all the opportunities the foundation extended to you and made your life a success. We couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Phoenix shifted from foot to foot. He couldn’t look Pytor in the eye any longer. The discomfort was thick. Praise wasn’t something he was accustomed to getting. “Thank you.”

Pytor squeezed his shoulder, bringing Phoenix’s gaze back to him. “I’m glad you’re here. Why don’t you go ahead and learn the layout and get a list together of anything missing that you’ll need.” A huge smile exploded across Pytor’s face. “I wouldn’t be opposed to you making a few sweets.”

A smile tugged at Phoenix’s lips. “I can do that.”

“Good to hear. I’ll check back later.” He walked away, leaving Phoenix with his shiny new kitchen. The moment he was alone, Phoenix ran around like a kid exploring every nook and cranny. All this was his to run. He couldn’t believe it. He was ready to jump right in.

Shay leaned against the wall and scrolled through his phone.

Being one of Kapra’s many guards was a damn good and high-paying job.

It was actually kind of boring, though. If an intruder breached the property, Shay was ready to jump into action.

If Zander needed to go anywhere that would require more guards than Pytor and Yaro, Shay wouldn’t hesitate to volunteer.

Other than those two things, Shay didn’t do much but hang around and watch reels on his phone.

He couldn’t complain. Most people would kill for a job like his.

“Shay.”

Shay’s head shot up at the sound of his name.

He quickly stuffed his phone back into his pocket before stepping into Zander’s office.

Zander sat on a couch in the corner of the room.

His husband, Maverick, had his head resting on a pillow on Zander’s lap.

Zander ran his fingers through Maverick’s hair. Maverick looked like he was in heaven.

“Yes, sir?”

Zander looked up from where he stared at Maverick. His ice-blue eyes focused on Shay. “You were friends with Phoenix Shadows at The Kapra School, correct?”

The smile that immediately popped to his lips was out of his control. That was a name he hadn’t heard in a while. “Yes, sir.” He wasn’t surprised Zander had known that. Zander knew everything.

Zander nodded. “That’s good to hear. He’s our new pastry chef. You can find him on the third floor. I’m moving you to patrol that area. Does that work for you?”

“Of course. I’ll always go where you assign me.”

A kind smile touched Zander’s lips. “You’re not a slave here. If you don’t like a certain post, I’ll always take that into consideration.”

Shay nodded. “I know. The third floor is perfect.”

Zander went back to watching his fingers move through Maverick’s hair. “Good. You can head there now.”

Even though Zander wasn’t watching, Shay dipped his chin.

“On my way.” Shay headed for the stairs.

From what he understood, the third floor had been empty for several years before more and more people came to live there.

It didn’t surprise Shay they had decided to make the third-floor kitchen the place where desserts were made.

They believed in staying in shape here. Everyone would have to walk up three flights of stairs if they wanted a treat.

Shay laughed under his breath at the thought.

He would have no problem with that. Shay loved sweets.

His smile melted away as his thoughts turned to Phoenix.

It had been five years since Shay had set eyes on Phoenix.

They had been best friends for years when they lived at the Kapra House.

After they had graduated high school, Phoenix had accepted a Kapra scholarship and headed out into the culinary world.

Shay had opted to go into security training.

At the time, neither of them had owned a cellphone, so there were no numbers to exchange.

Things had just gone from talking every day and well into the night to complete silence.

It had taken him a while to get past that loss.

Of course, there were way more things besides different career paths that tore them apart.

Truth be told, he wasn’t sure how Phoenix would react to seeing him.

He had run from here without a word or looking back.

Before he reached the third floor, Shay already smelled cookies. He picked up his pace. No doubt the scent would eventually draw everyone upstairs. Shay wanted in on the action before all the sweets were gone.

As he hit the top step, the kitchen came into view. Shay spotted Phoenix in a chef’s jacket, stacking various cookies on a tiered platter. His feet kept moving him closer. Shay didn’t even notice the cookies any longer. All he saw was Phoenix.

Phoenix’s gaze moved his way. His beautiful gray eyes focused on Shay and then swept down Shay’s body.

Shay’s knees weakened. He hadn’t forgotten even the tiniest detail about Phoenix.

Shay had thought he had moved past the love he had felt and lost five years ago.

Until he held Phoenix’s stare, Shay had genuinely thought he was over him.

Apparently, Shay didn’t know shit because he couldn’t breathe.

Phoenix's gaze dropped to Shay’s gun as Shay moved closer. “Have you come to rob me?”

Shay didn’t answer. He circled the island where Phoenix stood and pulled him into a hug. “Holy shit. I’ve missed you so much.”

Phoenix hugged him back. “Hi. Good to see you too. No one told me you were still here.”

Even though he didn’t want to, Shay took a step back. “Would you have refused the job if you’d known?”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Why would you even ask that?” He didn’t give Shay time to think up an excuse. Phoenix backed up a little and looked Shay up and down again. “Look at you. Someone’s been working out.”

Heat rushed to Shay’s face, and he didn’t know why. It was just Phoenix. The guy had always just done something to him. “I kind of have to stay in shape for this job. You haven’t changed at all. You’re exactly the way I remember you.” Beautiful. Perfect.

Phoenix laughed. His eyes swam with good humor. He looked happy. “I hope I’ve changed a little. It’s been five years, two months, and twenty-two days.”

Everything inside Shay quieted.

They held each other’s stare.

He couldn’t believe Phoenix knew exactly how long it had been since they had last seen each other. Shay opened his mouth to respond. Phoenix had given him what would likely be his only opening to apologize and explain.

Yaro appeared and stole his moment. He jogged the distance between the stairs and Phoenix. “It’s really you.” His deep Russian voice sounded elated. “Zander had said you were coming home, but I can’t believe it.”

A bright smile exploded across Phoenix's face as Yaro pulled him into a hug and lifted him off his feet. “It’s so good to see you.”

Yaro rocked from side to side as if he didn’t have Phoenix’s toes barely scraping the floor. “You are still so little.” He set Phoenix away from him but didn’t release his shoulders. “You left for years. Why not grow?”

Shay smiled at how much heavier Yaro’s accent had gotten with each word.

Phoenix chuckled. “Good metabolism, I suppose.”

Yaro lifted Phoenix's arm and inspected it. “No. You are much too skinny for that. Did you not eat at this place filled with food? Were you fed? I can burn the school to the ground. No one starves my Phoenix.”

“You don’t have to commit arson. I’m just doomed to have the body of a skinny teenager for the rest of my life, but hey.” He turned toward the various cookies he had stacked. “Try one of my cookies.”

Yaro rubbed his hands together. “They all look so yummy. Which one do you suggest?”

Phoenix hadn’t stopped beaming since the moment Yaro had appeared. Shay couldn’t look away. Phoenix moved the platter closer. “Why choose? Get one of each.”

Yaro nodded. “This is a good plan. May I grab three of each? I’ll take the others to Pytor and Legend.”

Phoenix stroked Yaro’s arm. “You don’t have to ask. Let me get you a pastry bag for them.”

“Thank you.”

Phoenix walked away and headed into the pantry.

Yaro’s gaze slid Shay’s way. “You’re being given a second chance here. Don’t fuck it up.”

Shay was never surprised when any of Zander’s closest circle knew everything.

They had eyes and ears everywhere. He dipped his chin, but Shay couldn’t respond.

He walked away. It seemed he had a choice to make.

The moment Shay laid eyes on Phoenix, he already knew he wouldn’t have the strength to steer clear.

Shay didn’t know what Phoenix felt any longer, but he already knew things weren’t the same.

He didn’t know if Phoenix had gone out into the world and found someone new.

It was possible Pheonix would give him the cold shoulder from here on out.

Phoenix had been right to run from Shay.

Now that Shay had his biggest obsession back in his sights, he scared himself a little.

He thought he had let go. Now he knew he never would.