Sparks (7 page)

“Bet. And I am so going to love rubbing it in.”

“Rubbing it will be all my pleasure. We’ll see who will be gloating come Monday morning.” Tomas grinned widely.

Uneasiness filled Bernie at the grin. He pushed it away. Tomas rolled him and kissed him.

Chapter Four

B
ERNIE
walked slowly to the kitchen. In the doorway, he frowned at Tomas’s back. The scent of something delicious filled the air. Tomas glanced up from the stove and over at him. He lowered the heat on the stove and walked over to him.

“Uh-uh. You stay over there. You’ve already won the bet.” Bernie put up his hand.

“Yeah, I did. Told you not to doubt me.” Tomas ignored Bernie’s statement, closing the distance between them.

Tomas kissed him gently. Bernie sighed, softly taking in the taste of him. Tomas rubbed his hand under Bernie’s chin, then took his hand, leading him to the table, which was already set. He seated him, then went back to the stove. Bernie leaned back in the chair, thankful it had cushions. The ache he felt was a pleasant memory of their Saturday night and all day Sunday. Tomas had not only won the bet, he had blown Bernie’s mind with his creativity. Bernie grinned. Even walking funny and having Tomas gloating, it was worth it.

“What’s got that smirk on your face?” Tomas asked.

He placed a plate in front of him. Bernie’s eyes narrowed as he took in food presentation that seemed professionally done. The folded crepe had a pale-pink filling with slices of banana visible at the edge. Strawberries and blueberries were spread over the top. Fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon completed the plate. A steaming cup of tea was placed next to his plate. Instead of sitting across from him, as he usually did, Tomas took a seat in the chair closest to him. Bernie reached over and gripped his chin. Tomas looked at him in question.

“You can cook,” Bernie accused.

“Yes. Some say very well.” Tomas shrugged.

He removed Bernie’s hand from his face and placed it on top of his thigh. Tomas squeezed his hand where it rested on his leg, then picked up his fork.

“So why did you lead me to believe you couldn’t cook?”

“Enjoyed having someone cook for me for a change,” Tomas replied as he took a bite of his food.

“Why don’t you just admit it was charity?” Bernie asked.

“It wasn’t. Charity would be if I didn’t get something out of it. Since I got your company, conversation, and some delicious food, then it wasn’t charity. Think of it as two friends sharing meals together.” Tomas lowered his voice. “Now, it’s two lovers having breakfast so we can go to work with a good meal in us. Now eat up. I remember you mentioning you like to be in by six at the lab to do some work before classes. ”

Tomas kissed his lips gently, then went back to eating. When Tomas put it like that, Bernie couldn’t dispute what he’d said. Instead, he followed Tomas’s example and started to eat his own food. Bernie moaned at the first taste of the crepe. Tomas slid his hand behind Bernie’s head and pulled him out of his chair, kissing him hungrily. Bernie gripped his shoulder. Tomas’s tongue stroked all inside of his mouth. Tomas released him. Bernie flopped back on the chair, then winced as his sore butt hit it. Tomas’s dark brown gaze had the hunger that had already become familiar.

“Don’t make noises like that unless you want me to fuck you again.”

“Mind is willing, but body too sore,” Bernie moaned.

“It’s your fault, egging me on.” Tomas laughed.

“Now the gloating starts,” Bernie griped.

Tomas winked. “Don’t need to. We both know I won.” He took a drink of his usual cranberry juice.

Bernie stuck out his tongue, then said, “So what are the two things you want me to do?”

“Not telling you what. We’re going out on Saturday morning and will be back to go to the poker game.” Tomas grinned.

“What time? And where are we going?” Bernie asked suspiciously.

“Don’t worry. I’ll wake you. And I’m not telling,” Tomas said again.

Bernie gave up asking and ate his crepes. Tomas ate and drank his juice. Once he was done, he sat back and watched Bernie.

“You have to show me how to make crepes. I can never get it right. Comes out too heavy.”

“I’ll show you. Have a few other recipes I can show you too. We can cook together.” Tomas took Bernie’s hand and placed it back on his thigh, holding it.

“I met Kenton at 2H Book Nook the other day. He mentioned that you have a sweet tooth.”

“Ah. That’s how you ended up with Harper. His bookstore is nice, isn’t it? I remember when Provenza asked Kenton to actually follow his passion of cooking and run the café. Kenton refused. We had to convince him he was good enough. His pastries and sandwiches he serves are delicious.”

“I had the caramel sticky bun. They loaded me down with some of the pastries. I had the cheesecake and some other things, but gave the rest to Alex. Couldn’t keep them in the house or I would eat them all. They were all so good. Kenton mentioned that you and he grew up together.”

“Yeah. We did. Mami taught all of the kids in the family to cook, which, in her eyes, included Karl and Kenton. Kenton took to it. He was the reason I got so interested in cooking. We used to challenge each other to see who could make a better meal. After we got into it, Mami would let us have our own version of
Iron Chef
. The family loved it, getting so many different meals and desserts. You didn’t get to meet him before Karl died.” Tomas cleared his throat, then continued. “At the funeral, Kenton… well, he was as much of a mess as Harper. Karl was his only blood relative left. He took it hard. Left to travel overseas for a few months. Had a cooking tour, learning about various cultures and their food. Harper was running the whole store himself. Kenton just got back a few weeks ago. We have plans for him to teach me some of the things he learned while away. He’s really knowledgeable when it comes to food. It wasn’t always like that, though. Man, I remember the time we tried fondue….”

Bernie enjoyed hearing about Tomas’s friends. There was fondness in his tone as he talked about Kenton. Raising his cup, he glanced in surprise at the stick of cinnamon in it. He took a sip of his tea, and it was sweetened the way he liked it. He realized Tomas had stopped speaking. Bernie glanced at him.

“What’s my favorite color?” Tomas asked.

Although confused, Bernie answered without hesitation. “Blue. Although you prefer dark blue.”

“Exactly. I know how you like your tea. Same as you know I prefer drinking juice, with cranberry as my favorite.” Tomas smiled softly.

Bernie was shocked he had noticed. When they grocery-shopped, Bernie always made sure to buy a variety of juices, especially various flavors of cranberry. He flushed, biting his lip. Tomas rubbed his finger over Bernie’s lips. Bernie lowered his eyes. Tomas put a hand under his chin and raised his head.

“You notice the little things about me, and I about you. We already know a lot about each other, but we need to learn to function beyond friends. That’s what I meant last night. Giving this thing between us a chance. Now, finish your breakfast so I can drive you to the university.”

Tomas stood and took his cup and plate to the sink. He put them in the dishwasher, cleaning up the pots he had used to make breakfast.

“I can drive myself,” Bernie said, eating.

“Your car is a death trap. You need a new one.”

“I like my car. It gets me where I’m going,” Bernie defended.

“With the amount of miles it has on it, and the way it looks, I’m surprised it’s still running.”

“RAV4 is a good car,” Bernie stated.

“Yeah, it is, and that’s probably why it still works. What year is it, anyway?” Tomas asked.

“It’s a 2001.”

“What? Really? Definitely need a new one,” Tomas said.

“I’ll get one, eventually. But the one I have is good for now,” Bernie said firmly.

Finished, he stood and joined Tomas. Tomas took his dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. Closing it, he turned to Bernie, pulling him into his arms.

“You need a new car.”

“You are not buying me a car,” Bernie said firmly.

“How did you know that’s what I was planning?” Tomas looked exasperated.

“As you mentioned, I know little things about you. And your need to mother-hen makes me know that’s what you’re thinking. So don’t do it,” he warned.

“I want you to be safe. Like locking the doors,” Tomas said.

“Okay. I’ll lock the door. But no new car. Deal?”

“Fine. For now.” Tomas sighed.

“Good. Now, I’m driving myself to work.” Bernie kissed him softly.

“Okay. Call me when you get there,” Tomas mumbled against his lips.

Bernie leaned away. “Why? I never did before. I’ll be fine.”

“We talked about this Saturday night. Bossy, possessive, stubborn, and aggressive. As for the mother-hen crack, I disagree with that. So call me.”

“If this bothered you so much, why didn’t you say so before?”

“Don’t I drive when we go out somewhere? As for your diving yourself to and from the university, I had to grit my teeth and accept it. That was before Saturday.” Tomas’s tone was intense.

“Okay, okay. I’ll call. Although I don’t think it’s at all necessary,” Bernie grumbled.

A warm feeling filled him at Tomas being overprotective. He wouldn’t dare tell Tomas that, of course.

“For my peace of mind.” Tomas rolled his eyes and kissed him.

Bernie chuckled. “Don’t want you to lose it more than you have.”

“You’re gonna pay for that later,” Tomas promised.

“I look forward to it.”

“Come on. We don’t want you to be late.” Tomas escorted him toward the door.

Tomas snagged Bernie’s biker bag, and they went to the front door. Exiting, he waited as Bernie locked the door. Tomas tested it. Bernie rolled his eyes. Tomas escorted him to the SUV. Bernie opened it, standing in the driver’s side doorway while Tomas pulled the back door open and put in his bag. Then Tomas closed the door and stepped up to him, kissing him thoroughly. Bernie gripped the top of the door, locking his knees. Tomas pressed against him, rubbing the front of his jeans-clad cock on Bernie’s before Tomas pulled back, then winked.

“To hold us until later. I’ll make dinner, so don’t cook. See ya later.” He stepped back and walked away.

Bernie blew out a breath. Licking his lips, he looked after Tomas. His firm ass flexed in his jeans.

“Stop ogling my ass and go to work, kid!” Tomas called.

“I’m not a kid!” Bernie called back.

Tomas turned, walking backward while replying, “It’s a habit, honey. I’ll work on it. Have a nice day.”

Tomas faced forward and went to his Avalanche, which was parked at the sidewalk in front of the condo. As Tomas got in, Bernie’s cell rang. Frowning, he pulled it out from the holder. Glancing at it, he looked back at Tomas’s truck.

Picking it up, Bernie said, “You could have just gotten out to talk to me.”

“I’m waiting for you to get in your car so I can follow you to work.” Tomas’s voice came over the line.

“That is not needed.”

“Get in the car, Bernie. I’m doing this.” Tomas sounded stubborn.

“Fine.” Bernie got in the car.

“Put in your Bluetooth so you have both hands on the wheel.”

“I don’t have one.”

“You don’t? Okay. I’ll speak to you after we get there.” Tomas hung up.

Bernie clicked off his phone. Starting the car, he listened to that familiar rattle and shake. Backing out of the driveway, he got on his way. As he drove, he saw Tomas in his rearview mirror. In short order, he was pulling into the university parking lot. Finding a space, he parked and got out. Grabbing his bag, he strode to Tomas’s truck, which was idling behind his SUV.

“Let me see your phone.” Tomas held out a hand.

Bernie frowned, giving it to him. Tomas studied it, then gave it back. Bernie reached for it. Tomas gripped his hand and pulled him close to the window. Taking the silent demand, Bernie leaned down and Tomas kissed him. Moaning, Bernie suckled his tongue. Tomas withdrew, a smirk on his lips.

“Go, learn, and educate the masses. See ya later.”

Bernie stepped back. Tomas honked his horn and drove away. Bernie touched his lips, staring after his truck. A horn sounded again, making him jump. He looked around. Spotting Robert’s vehicle, he jogged over.

“Hey, Bernie. I see you’re running late, like I am. Get in and ride with me to the lab,” Robert said.

Bernie went around the SUV and got in. He buckled in. Robert drove on.

“What happened to the Camry?” Bernie asked.

“Even though I told him not to, Miguel bought me a Highlander. He gave it to me when we went home after the poker game on Saturday. I couldn’t refuse it, since he claimed it was a pre-birthday and post-anniversary present. Damn stubborn man.” Robert flushed.

It was just like Miguel to give Robert a gift in such a way that he couldn’t refuse. Miguel and Robert’s one-year anniversary was more than two months ago, and Robert’s birthday was next month. Bernie chuckled, but sobered as he thought of Tomas. He hoped Tomas had listened and didn’t get him a car. Robert parked, and they got out. Bernie joined Robert at the hood of the SUV.

“Nice color,” Bernie said, touching the hood.

“It’s called Sizzling Crimson. Thank God it’s so dark. I couldn’t see myself in a bright red car,” Robert said as they walked toward the building.

“Even if it was a Corvette?”

“Well, maybe,” Robert said.

Bernie laughed. They went down the sidewalk and through the door. Robert stopped to talk with another professor while Bernie went on to the lab and started to work. Sitting on his stool, he shifted at the reminder of his vigorous weekend with Tomas.

“Bernie, are you okay? You were walking funny,” Robert said as he entered.

“I’m okay. Just had a busy weekend.” Bernie flushed, ducking his head.

“If you’re sure you’re okay.” Robert sounded unconvinced.

“I’m good.”

He bit his lip. Usually, he shared with Robert, but he wasn’t sure if Tomas wanted anyone to know. The sound of Robert’s steps walking away came to him. Getting back to work, Bernie focused on the experiment he was doing.