Page 31 of Beck

“Hey.” Beck’s smile was contagious. “You want something?” He pointed at the chiller cabinet.

“I’ll get it. It’s fine.”

“No, my treat. What are you having?”

Kole tried to focus on the chalkboard behind the counter, and in the end, picked the first thing that sounded half decent. He didn’t have the brain power to do much more right then.

“How was Scotland?”

Beck blew out a breath. “It’s a fucking long drive.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to have some equipment stashed across the country, so that you could fly to these places and just pick up the kit along the way? If you had the stuff close to the airports you mainly use, you could easily pick them up before continuing to your destination.”

Beck stared at him, mouth gaping. “Why the fuck didn’t I think of that? Or any of us, for that matter? We’re so fucking stupid.”

A ball of fire lit inside Kole. “No, you’re not. Sometimes, it takes someone from the outside looking in to see what you’re too close to. You’re not stupid at all.” And he wouldn’t have anyone saying so, even themselves.

They stared at each other for a moment, Kole entranced by the eyes that seemed to be a different shade of blue each time he looked, before Beck huffed a laugh and broke the spell.

“You’re dangerous,” he murmured. “Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll tell you about Scotland.”

Kole tried to pay but Beck was having none of it, and when they settled on the stool by the window to wait for their order, he tried not to stare, focusing on the raindrops sliding down the glass instead. But he wanted to stare, wanted to look at the man who had caused him to have less sleep than was optimal since their night together.

“I rarely do the Scotland visits, mainly because Dallas has family up there, and it gives him the opportunity to see them. I’m normally in Wales and in the south-west of England. I say usually because all of us have made contacts throughout the country, and therefore, we’ll go wherever we’re asked, but we have certain areas we like best. I love Wales. One day, I might retire there.”

“Retire? You? I don’t believe it. But then I don’t believe Joey will retire to Italy either, so I’m probably not a good judge.”

Beck chuckled, and Kole wanted to roll around in the sound, feel it against his chest or back. “Yes, it does seem a pipe dream right now, but that’s the plan. Anyway,” he waved his hand, “Scotland was unexpected, and as such, when word got around that I was visiting instead of Dallas, well, I had a list of people who wanted my style. I was only supposed to be gone for an overnighter. Ended up staying a lot longer to get through everyone. Ani had to reschedule my other clients because there was no point in me coming all the way home to do that trip again later.”

“Makes sense.”

“I did use a few of your designs. I’ve let Ani know so she can keep track.”

“How did you…”

A flush coloured Beck’s cheeks, and he rubbed at it in a move Kole was sure he would have no recollection of. “I took some photos before I left. Showed them around while I was preparing.” He smiled and nudged Kole with his shoulder. “You’re popular already.”

It was Kole’s turn to hide his heated cheeks by ducking his head. “I drew some more intricate designs this week.”

He hadn’t meant to say anything.

“Yeah? Can I see?” Beck’s voice held a note of excitement.

Kole hummed, unsure, because he hadn’t wanted to show anyone. He’d wanted to keep them a secret, but Beck had a way of making him spill what was on his mind without even trying. And without even meaning to. It had been Kole who had blurted it out.

“I’m not sure…”

“That’s okay. I know some designs are private. It’s no problem. I love your work, though, so if they ever see the light of day, I want first pick.”

Kole stared at him. “You want my designs on you?”

Beck licked his lower lip, his tongue rolling over the mound and his teeth following the path. He wanted that over his body again, the feel of those sharp points scraping his nipple and the rough but slick tongue soothing the ache afterwards. He exhaled quickly but quietly, trying to get ahold of himself when Beck started talking again.

“Hell, yes. I’ve already decided about one, but I’m waiting.”

Kole frowned. “For what?”

“For you to learn to tattoo. You’re the artist, and I want you to ink it as it should be inked. Right here.” He tapped the back of his neck, just before his hairline.

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