Page 46 of Beck

KOLE: I’ll be there.

And though he tried to shove it all down, he couldn’t help the ache in his cheeks as he dressed and headed for the door. Maybe things would turn out okay after all.

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Chapter 15

Beck

When Beck had checked his phone after he’d woken from an alcohol-induced sleep, he’d been mortified to find the messages he’d sent to Kole. He’d promised himself that he’d step back from him, giving him the chance to find someone else, but his drunken self obviously had other plans. So when Kole had checked on him that morning, it had taken him a good fifteen minutes to decide whether or not to keep the bridge open between them.

In the end, it hadn’t been something he could deny, no matter how much he told himself he should.

Waiting at The Cuckoo for Kole to arrive was a lesson in patience he didn’t know he needed. He ordered a cup of coffee because he was half an hour early and didn’t want to sit there without buying something while he waited.

The cafe was a small, family-owned business on a side street Beck had found during one of his long, wandering walks when he’d first started working at Life in Ink. He’d known a bit of London and had wanted to explore in the early hours of the morning and hadn’t felt like using his bike was the best choice. Nothing like upsetting the neighbourhood with a roaring engine to dispel the serenity. He’d been visiting the cafe ever since and had come to know the owners well.

“Anything else, B?” Miko asked. He was the son of the owner, barely eighteen but already raring to take over.

“Nothing at the moment, thanks. I’m waiting for someone.”

“Okay. Give a yell when you do.”

“Will do.”

Miko wandered off, and Beck immediately transferred his gaze back to the window, stomach somersaulting as his gaze scanned the street for the face he couldn’t wait to see. And when that face appeared, his entire body locked into place. He barely remembered to breathe.

There was nothing plain about Kole. Despite his skin being a tattooist’s dream—because there was so much skin to ink memories into—Beck couldn’t imagine anything making the man more gorgeous than he already was. He loved ink on a person, but Kole was magnetic without it. Would he be just as alluring with patterns of black or splashes of colour? He might have to do some temporary inking to find out.

“Hey,” Kole said, slipping into the seat opposite him.

Beck’s palms dampened against the coffee cup, and he licked his lips. “Hi. Sorry about last night. Alcohol is not always my friend.”

Kole smiled, and Beck’s breath caught. “I don’t mind. I’m glad we could do this.” Kole grabbed a menu. “Do you have any recommendations?”

Beck studied him while his attention was on the plastic sheet. Kole seemed to be favouring one side of his body, and the banked fire in Beck’s stomach simmered a little hotter. “The paninis are good. So are the baguettes. Everything is freshly made to order.”

Kole raised his eyebrows at him. “You come here often?”

Chuckling, Beck relaxed more and sipped his now-cold coffee, grimacing a little. “A time or two.”

“You ready to order now, B?” Miko said, reappearing again.

Kole cleared his throat, and Beck’s cheeks heated as he focused on the server. “I’ll have—”

“A barbecue chicken and bacon melt panini and a coffee?” Miko said. “Yeah, I know.”

Kole chuckled. Beck leaned towards Miko. “If you want to keep customers, I would let them order for themselves.”

“But it’s a sign I know you! Mum said I needed to get to know customers,” Miko said, frowning.

“I think it’s an excellent trait to have,” Kole said. “Might I make a suggestion?” Miko nodded. “If you know their order, just say it without the attitude. It’ll come across much more sincere and respectful.”

Miko tilted his head, then nodded. “Yeah, okay. I can see how that might sound bad. Sorry, B.” Miko stood taller. “Would you like your usual, B? The barbecue chicken and bacon melt panini?”

Beck nodded. “That would be great, thanks.”

“And for you?” Miko turned to Kole.

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