Bent Not Broken by Z. Allora

Author:Z. Allora [Allora, Z.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2020-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

NO NEED to freak out when Stefano didn’t show, Riku would—

“Oh, you came?” No way to keep the shock out of his voice. In all Riku’s mental gymnastics, he hadn’t thought about what to do if Stefano came.

Stefano jumped off the steps, a pink bakery box in his hand. “Um, you did invite me for tonight, right? I mean, I can go—”

“No. I didn’t know if you’d come.” Riku went with honesty.

“Well, it takes a little more than that, but if you ordered me to….” He gave him a teasing grin.

Riku covered his snort with his hand. He shook his head and unlocked the door. “You’re the master of mixed messages. Please come in.”

Stefano must have noticed Riku slipping out of his shoes, because he stepped out of his boots. He set the box on the hallway table and helped Riku off with his jacket. Then he hung Riku’s along with his in the coat closet.

Riku stared. He wasn’t used to having someone consider his needs. Odd, since he was a Dominant, but there it was.

Clearing his throat, he tried to shake the nonsense out of his head. “Do you like stir-fry pork and vegetables?”

“Sure. These are for you. I got them from the new bakery.” Stefano smiled.

Riku accepted the box. “Thank you. I’ve been meaning to stop in there.”

He led Stefano through the house.

“I got a variety of cookies. How can I—wow. I love this kitchen. It’s so open, and the red shocks you after all the whites and creams of the rest of the house.”

Riku washed his hands and took the marinating pork cutlets out of the refrigerator. He had planned on cooking and freezing, but now he’d share a meal with Stefano.

As Stefano washed his hands, he said, “Put me to work, Mas—Riku.”

His heart skipped a beat at Stefano almost calling him Master, but Riku kept it together. “Of course. You can start by washing and chopping these vegetables.”

The awkwardness slipped away, and a comfortable silence descended as they cut the vegetables.

Riku cooked, and Stefano cleaned and set the island with plates and glasses of filtered water with lemon.

These domestic activities together gave Riku a level of contentment he’d never experienced.

When they sat, Stefano piled vegetables and pork on Riku’s plate and then his own. “Thank you. It smells delicious.”

“Thank you for serving me, Stefano.”

Heat and excitement flashed in Stefano’s eyes, and Riku’s body responded.

The moment hung there, neither saying a word but almost daring the other to do something.

Riku came to his senses and gestured to Stefano’s plate. “Eat.”

Stefano bowed his head and his lips moved silently except for the ending, “Amen.”

They ate and shared stories of their day like this was the most natural thing in the world, except for the elephant in the room. “So tell me, why did you stop by my office? It wasn’t really to return the shirt.”

Stefano shrugged. “No, I guess not. I’m just trying to put things together. Figure things out, you know?”

Setting his utensils down, Riku asked, “And you needed someone to talk to?”

“Yup.

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