Page 60 of Disciplined: His Forbidden Crush

Brunch was excellent. Coco seemed to be in a fiery mood, telling Summer a scandalous story about one of her clients and a carton of eggs that left Summer giggling and Rafael distinctly nonplussed. But Summer could tell Rafael was enjoying himself, the way he tucked into his brunch and another cup of excellent coffee. Summer smiled, knowing that they had chosen this place specifically for Rafael, coffee snob that he was.

After consuming a truly gluttonous number of pandebonos, Rafael excused himself to use the restroom, leaving Summer alone with Coco. The sun gleamed in Coco’s hair, bringing out the teal highlights. Summer wanted to run his fingers through it, but he would never dare.

“So,” Coco leaned in, her painted freckles shimmering like tiny jewels. “Rafael looks happy. I mean, I think that’s his happy face.”

A blush spread across Summer’s cheeks, his heart swelling with warmth. He gazed at the empty seat where Rafael had been moments before, imagining the solid weight of his lover’s arm around him. “Yeah, he’s pretty much an open book at this point.” So much had changed. But all the good things had stayed the same.

“What about you?” Coco asked, twirling a strand of blue hair around her finger. “What’s next for you, now that you’ve settled down with your man?”

Summer hesitated, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. “I’ve been thinking about applying to community college,” he admitted shyly. “To study art history, maybe.”

Coco’s eyes widened with delight. “That’s amazing! You’d be fantastic at it.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Absolutely!” Coco’s enthusiasm was infectious, bolstering Summer’s confidence. “I can’t wait to see where this takes you.”

The door to the restroom clicked open, and Rafael reappeared. As he approached the table, Summer felt a familiar surge of desire course through him.

“Hey,” Summer said, wanting to share his newfound excitement with Rafael. “I just told Coco I’m thinking about studying art history. What do you think?”

Rafael eyed him appraisingly for a moment before leaning down to place a quick kiss on Summer’s cheek. The gesture made Summer feel like he might burst, and he couldn’t help but smile at the boldness of it.

“Whatever you want to do, mi amor,” Rafael murmured, his dark eyes looking deep into Summer’s. “I’ll be right here with you.”

Summer’s heart skipped a beat, elated. And then he felt Rafael’s hand slide down the back of his arm and he shuddered, overcome with the sudden desire to take this man home and show him exactly how much he was loved.

“Uh-oh,” Coco said cheekily. “I know that look. You’d better take your man somewhere private,” she said, flapping a hand at Rafael, “before he commits an act of public indecency.”

Rafael smiled, a slow, suggestive smile, and offered Summer a hand. “That’s the plan,” he said, a promising sparkle in his intense dark eyes. “Gotta keep him from a life of crime, after all.”

Summer laughed, letting Rafael pull him to his feet. “That’s right,” he said lightly. “It’s your job to take care of me.”

“It sure is,” Rafael agreed, reeling him in. “Best job in the world.”

And then Rafael took him home and did exactly that.

---