Blood Red Roses by S. J. Coles

Author:S. J. Coles [Coles, S. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBT Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Published: 2020-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Rick had to admit that it was a relief to hand over control to Kim. Having someone make decisions for him, even for a short while, was what he needed right then. Kim called his locksmith friend as they drove, and the man promised to come round that afternoon and to leave the new keys with the doorman. Some of the tension across Rick’s shoulders loosened. He closed his eyes, listening to Kim chatter on about nothing in particular, lulled almost back to sleep, but then they were pulling over.

“Here?” Rick blinked out the window at the Koffee & Kicks cafe.

“Naturally,” Kim said with a grin. “Your sister said they had jambalaya on today.”

Kim climbed out but Rick grabbed Kim’s elbow before he could cross the road. “I think we should go somewhere else.”

“I’m sure the Swansons are otherwise engaged—”

“It’s not that.”

Kim’s expression fell. “You don’t want me to meet your family?”

Rick fidgeted, suddenly uncomfortable. “No. I do want you to…perhaps too much.”

Kim raised his eyebrows. “Too much?”

Rick rubbed the back of his neck, feeling himself blush. “I like you, Kim. A lot. I really want to—” He broke off with an impatient noise, fought his feelings and thoughts back into order with an effort. The knowing smile Kim was wearing wasn’t helping. “I think I like you too much for someone I barely know,” Rick admitted.

Kim held out his hand. “Well, let’s do something about that, shall we?”

Rick hesitated then took Kim’s hand and allowed himself to be led across the road.

“Rick!” Ella came out from behind the counter and hurried to meet them. She hugged him then pulled away, examining his face with a crease of concern between her black brows. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” he managed then indicated Kim. “This is Kim.”

Ella’s face twisted with a mixture of excitement and suspicion. “You’re Kim?”

“Guilty as charged,” Kim said with a half-smile and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“And you,” Ella said, though she took his hand. She glanced at her colleague who was gesturing at the lengthening queue. “I’m sorry, bruv. I gotta get back. Did you need anything?”

“We’ve come for lunch,” Kim said with another disarming smile. “I told your brother he needs to eat.”

Ella’s face warmed with approval. “Damn straight. Sit right here. I’ll sort you out.”

She hurried away, and Rick lowered himself into a seat. Kim shed his coat and sat opposite, leant his elbows on the table and smiled at him.

“Your sister’s quite something.”

Rick let out a nervous laugh, pausing when a waitress appeared with a tray loaded with two brimming pint glasses and two bowls of fragrant, steaming jambalaya, stuffed with prawns and chorizo. He took a huge mouthful of each, suddenly ravenous. Kim did the same and raised his eyebrows.

“It’s good,” he said. “Really good.”

“Ella’s an amazing cook. Mum taught her.”

“This is easily restaurant quality.”

“She’s interviewed for a few positions over the years. It never worked out.”

“Why?”

Rick shrugged. “Same reason I struck out basically anywhere that does background checks.”

Kim didn’t reply and tucked into his food.

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