Chapter Three
Fabrice: Any more flirty texts for me today?
Kirkland: I’m not much of a flirt. You look very nice today, though.
Fabrice: LOL! How do you know? You haven’t seen me yet today.
Kirkland: You look nice every day. I’ll see you for the daily unwanted coffee.
Fabrice: I’ll be waiting.
Kirkland: Are we still on for dinner?
Fabrice: Always.
Kirkland: I’ll bring the wine.
Fabrice: I’ve decided I’m slightly miffed with you today.
Kirkland: We can’t have that. What have I done, and how do I make things right?
Fabrice: You sat down without allowing me to pull out the chair for you last night. People will think I don’t treat you properly. You’ll have to give me thirty extra minutes of your time tonight and three hail Mary’s.
Kirkland: No one was there. It’s five a.m. Were you up thinking about this all night?
Fabrice: Thirty extra minutes and five hail Mary’s.
Kirland: Fine, even though I’m not Catholic.
Fabrice: I’m not either.
Kirkland: You’re so odd. It’s refreshing.
Kirkland: If we intend to see our movie tonight, we’ll have to eat earlier than usual or wait until afterward.
Fabrice: Don’t worry about that, sexy. I’m leaving early tonight so I can take you somewhere nice. You’re getting the princess treatment.
Kirkland: I’m not sure what that entails, but I accept.
Fabrice: You’ll see.
Fabrice. I made a special dessert for you tonight.
Kirkland: You didn’t have to do that. I never want to create extra work for you. You already work too hard.
Fabrice: Nothing I do for you is work. It’s my pleasure to spoil you.
Fabrice: You still haven’t truly kissed me.
Kirkland: I know.
Kirkland had shown up for dinner one night, and then again the night after that.
Meeting after dark became their nightly routine.
They talked about everything and nothing.
Each day, Fabrice found himself a little more addicted.
Still, he hadn’t managed to pull anything more from Kirkland than the briefest swiping of lips.
Kirkland was a tough nut to crack. The thing was, Fabrice enjoyed his company.
If they were never more than friends, Fabrice would accept that with a grateful heart.
But he wanted more. Goddamn, did Fabrice want more.
Every flash of Kirkland’s smile made him crave the next.
Each story Kirkland told cemented Fabrice’s desire to hear a thousand others.
They never spoke of anything serious. Still, Fabrice never wanted those conversations to end.
Yet they always did, and Fabrice went to bed alone. The situation was maddening.
Half the day was gone before Fabrice realized the time had passed so quickly.
He was off for the day and being lazy as hell.
Fabrice had gotten up to brush his teeth and whatnot, but then he had gotten right back into bed.
He stared at the ceiling. Every word that had passed between Kirkland and him kept making rounds inside his head.
Damn, he just genuinely liked Kirkland. He felt at peace when they were together.
Fabrice felt comfortable. He had always been a serious person.
It hadn’t been until recently that Fabrice chose to throw caution to the wind and just have fun.
But when he sat and talked with Kirkland, his shoulders relaxed.
After a morning of psychoanalyzing every second, he realized how tightly he had been wound by trying to be someone new before Kirkland had entered his life.
The issue was Fabrice had been happier since he acted like any single man his age, stressed or not.
So, what was it about Kirkland? Fabrice still hadn’t figured it out.
Fabrice’s gaze moved toward the window. Sun beat through, highlighting his room.
It was way too pretty outside to stay in bed.
Fabrice threw back the covers and went in search of his swimwear.
Since moving to Hawaii, he spent more time outside.
California had been nice too, but there had been an indoor pool there.
Here, he had gained a golden hue that he liked a lot.
He took every chance he could to keep it.
The tan looked much better with his dark hair than his usual pale skin.
Sufficiently covered, Fabrice headed for the pool.
Since he ran later than usual for his morning laps, he was more than a little relieved to find the pool empty.
Without a qualm, he dove into the deepest end.
The landscaping on that side made the place look like part of a jungle.
Waterfalls created a soothing sound. Fabrice swam the length of the pool and back several times before he noticed he wasn’t alone.
There were grottos carved out on each side of the pool, spaced out enough to give each privacy.
A waterfall poured down one half, creating a private cooldown zone.
When he emerged from his final lap, he caught sight of Kirkland hanging out in the shadows.
Kirkland didn’t give him time to greet him. “Very impressive. How long have you been doing this?”
Fabrice swam to the edge where Kirkland hid.
He draped his arms on the side of the pool and rested his chin on them.
“For as long as I can recall. Back in California, Beau has the perfect indoor pool for swimming laps. I imagine he’ll eventually get one built here too.
Kylo loves the water.” Fabrice realized he had gotten off topic.
“Anyhow, when I moved in with my uncle, I was so excited to have a place to swim. Beau’s youngest already had a swim instructor, so I just joined in.
We were always in the water. How long have you been sitting in the shadows? ”
“A while. I enjoy sitting out here and listening to the water. It’s peaceful.”
A wicked smile tugged at Fabrice’s lips. “Do you swim?”
“Occasionally.”
“You should join me now.”
A sweet-looking smile touched Kirkland’s lips. “I’m good. Feel free to pretend I’m not here and continue.”
Fabrice rolled his eyes. “Why do we always have to do things the hard way?” He pushed himself up and out of the pool.
Kirkland's gaze raked his body.
That was the distraction he needed. He snatched Kirkland from his chair and jumped in.
They both went under. To his delight. Kirkland came up laughing.
He had taken a risk. Kirkland might have reacted differently.
Fabrice hadn’t meant the act as a test, but he recognized now how it kind of was.
A challenge of temperament. The fact that he didn’t react in anger said a lot, and Fabrice liked it.
Kirkland wore a t-shirt and shorts today.
His shirt was one of those white undershirts that gave a show like a wet t-shirt contest. He looked sexy.
Kirkland also looked happy. Fabrice loved that.
Fabrice snagged Kirkland’s waist and hauled him closer. He couldn’t look away from Kirkland’s beautiful eyes, highlighted by the water. Kirkland’s hands landed on Fabrice’s shoulders. More likely he tried to stay afloat, but a win was a win. Fabrice’s mouth betrayed him. “You’re gorgeous.”
Kirkland’s expression turned intense. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to react to that.”
Fabrice furrowed his brow at Kirkland’s mood switch-up. Kirkland confused the hell out of him. “Why? How do you usually respond to a compliment?”
“I don’t know.”
Kirkland seriously drove him insane with this push and pull. Fabrice wasn’t backing down. They had danced around each other for too long. “What was the first thing that popped into your head at my words?”
“I was about to say the same thing about you.”
Fabrice laughed. He didn’t even know why. Kirkland just made him happy, and it was addictive. He was big enough to admit he was falling for the guy. They had gotten so close, yet somehow, they still felt so far away.
“I should probably let you get back to your exercise. You don’t seem to get many breaks. I assume you’ll need to head back to the kitchen soon.”
Fabrice didn’t release him. “Not really. I’m off today. There’s no reason I can’t stay right here with you.” His gaze dropped to Kirkland’s lips.
“Oh.” The confusion in Kirkland’s voice was adorable.
Mhmm. He was just perfection. “You just really don’t know what to do with me, do you?”
Kirkland cleared his throat. He didn’t look away, but he might as well have.
Fabrice felt the withdrawal. A terrible thought hit.
Maybe Kirkland genuinely wasn’t interested.
It was possible he truly only saw Fabrice as a friend, and all the flirting made him uncomfortable.
He just didn’t want to be mean and push him away.
Heated looks meant nothing. He could find Fabrice attractive and not have the desire to do anything beyond admiring him.
There had been men over the years Fabrice had admired for their beauty but wanted nothing more.
They were just pretty landscaping. Maybe that was how Kirkland felt about him.
He could be Fabrice’s friend, and that was all.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that was likely where they stood. He saw only what he wanted to see.
Fabrice moved to where he could stand sturdy on the bottom.
He lifted Kirkland from the water and set him on the edge.
Sadness washed over him. Fabrice needed to be more mature and let whatever he felt go.
He thought he had learned his lesson on chasing love that didn’t exist anywhere other than in his mind.
No one else ever wanted him beyond sex. It was exhausting.
“You can get back to enjoying your day. I’m sorry for soaking your clothes.” Fabrice swam backwards and gave Kirkland his space.
Something he couldn’t decipher passed over Kirkland’s features before he stood.
His wet clothes molded to his body, and Fabrice cried inside.
Kirkland was hard and cut. He hid a hell of a lot behind his old man facade.
Apparently, Fabrice wasn’t meant to know his secrets.
He slipped beneath the water and headed back toward the hidden grotto.
When he knew he was out of sight, Fabrice pushed his way out of the pool.
On his way inside, he stopped and grabbed a towel from one of the many towel receptacles.
He might as well go back to bed. There was nothing for him here.
Frustration welled inside Kirkland. He wanted to whimper.
Fabrice was incredibly beautiful. A work of art, really.
He looked like a French sculpture. Kirkland couldn’t think straight when they were together.
There were a lot of things about him that he hadn’t addressed.
As Atticus had suggested, Kirkland was well aware he needed therapy.
He had shut down more than thirty years ago. Now he didn’t know how to let go.
“Well, you really muffed that, didn’t you?”
Kirkland jumped at the sound of Beau’s voice coming from a different grotto.
The one with a splash area and sandbox. Kirkland’s gaze shot in that direction.
Kylo played in the sandbox wearing a ruffled pink swimsuit.
Beau looked relaxed. Kirkland had only spoken with the man once, but had been warned by everyone.
Kirkland no more knew how to respond to Beau than he had with Fabrice. “It would seem so.”
Kylo tossed a shovelful of sand over his shoulder.
The pile landed on Beau’s lap. An indulgent smile lit Beau’s face.
Love was written in every line. Now, they had an age gap.
That didn’t seem to be a problem for them.
Everyone raved about Beau’s happy marriage.
Unlike Beau, Kirkland had no desire to be anyone’s daddy.
Kylo looked his way. “You should buy him some flowers and say you’re sorry. That always works for him.” He motioned with his thumb over his shoulder.
A giant smile exploded across Beau’s face. “Yeah, but you’re spoiled. Not everyone likes flowers.”
Kylo gasped and turned Beau’s way. “You called me spoiled. Take it back.”
Beau laughed. “Yes, I’ll buy you some flowers later.”
Kylo looked his way with an evil smile. “See?”
Despite his current situation, Kirkland chuckled. They were definitely a pair.
Beau focused on him again. “I challenge you to put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. You know, dress like you live here. Go to Fabrice and show him you’re interested.
Otherwise, he will get away. You’re nowhere the only one around here interested.
However, you are the only one he gives the time of day. Move your ass.”
Beau’s entire tone and demeanor changed on that last line. He had turned hard and looked deadly. He didn’t soften.
“And don’t forget, that boy was raised as one of mine. I won’t see him hurt.”
Well, fuck. What was he supposed to do now? He gave a short bow out of habit and headed for the door.
“Daddy, why are men dumb?”
Kylo’s words cut through the exotic plants and landed before Kirkland made it inside. He pinched the spot between his eyes.
“They think with their dicks, baby.”
“Can I get you to think with your dick right now?”
Kirkland practically leapt into the house before he heard anything more.
He had been so determined to get away, he hadn’t grabbed a towel.
Luckily, the floor was made for that. Still, he knew he had left a mess for someone else to clean.
He darted out and grabbed a towel before jumping right back inside.
Kirkland needed to change and head to the gym.
It seemed he hadn’t worked off enough energy in his morning boxing session. He needed his knuckles to bleed.