Page 10 of As I Am
"Thanks, I'd like that." Carson released Ky's hand. "Where am I going?"
Ky gave him basic directions, and he nodded, knowing exactly where the place was. "I've been there for dinner with my parents a few times. They have good food."
"The best." Ky smiled. "I only wash dishes there part time, but I get to eat there when I work."
"So, is this what you had to leave me for the other day?" Carson glanced over at Ky as he drove.
"No, that was something else." Ky fisted his hands in his lap.
Carson wouldn't push. This was awkward enough as it was. "Okay, so how long have you been working at this place?"
"Only a few weeks. I'm hoping to get on full time, but the hours just aren't there." Ky stared out the window as he spoke.
"It's your only job?" Carson asked.
Ky glanced over at him and raised a brow.
"Oh, yeah, I guess that's a job too. I wasn't thinking." Carson gripped the steering wheel tighter, unsure how to start a conversation. "So, you do that in the morning and work the restaurant in the afternoons?"
"Sort of. It just depends on what hours I can get." Ky pointed to a small driveway. "If you turn here, there are a few private parking spots that Trevor uses. I don't think he'll mind us parking behind the restaurant. I'll talk to him when we go in."
"I don't want to cause problems for you." Carson slowed the truck. Parking in the back would really help him not have to deal with fans.
"You won't. It's okay. Trevor's cool."
"Okay, thanks." Carson pulled the truck around the back and parked in one of the three stalls.
They got out of the truck in silence and Ky started to walk toward the back door. Carson reached for his arm again, stopping him. "Wait."
Ky stopped and turned to him.
"Listen, I know this is all crazy, but I just wanted to get to know you a bit better. If you're really uncomfortable with me, we don't have to do this. I just hoped…" He shrugged. "I don't know what I hoped. I guess that we would get along as well this time as we did the other day."
Ky smiled. "I'm good at what we did the other day. This stuff…" He waved his arm around. "Not so much."
"What stuff? You mean going out to eat with someone?"
"Yeah, the dating, get to know you kinda stuff. I'm good at sex. I know what I'm doing there, but this, I have no idea what to say or do."
Hearing that broke Carson's heart. What kind of life did Ky lead where he was confident in sex with a stranger, but uncomfortable getting a meal together and talking? "Would it help to imagine me naked as we talk?" Carson teased.
Ky laughed. "No, that would only make it uncomfortable to eat and I'd probably end up giving you head under the table."
Carson's cock stirred to life, but he forced the x-rated thoughts he was having to the back of his mind. "As much as I would love that too, I just want to get to know you. I won't lie and say I don't want us to have sex again. I do, but I want to talk too. I don't know how to make this more comfortable for you though."
Ky nodded. "I'll be okay. I'm just not used to knowing the guys I…" He dropped his gaze to the ground. "Just don't think I'm a fool, okay?"
Carson braced both hands on Ky's shoulders. "I could never think you were a fool." He bent and softly kissed Ky, enjoying the feel of his soft lips against his own again. A rush of desire coursed through him, and he had to step back to make sure he didn't push things farther than he wanted them to go right then. "Just think of me as a friend you're talking to. Not a customer, okay?"
The back door to the restaurant opened, and a man in a suit hurried out. He paused when he saw Ky and smiled. "Hey, Ky."
"Hi, Trevor." Ky motioned to Carson. "We were coming in to get breakfast before I start my shift. I told him it would be okay for him to park back here to avoid being seen by a lot of people."
"It's just fine. Have Stacy put you in that back booth if you want. It's a bit out of the way. Less will bother you there." Trevor stared at Carson for a moment before reaching out his hand. "I'm Trevor. I own the place. I hope you enjoy your meal."
"Thanks." Carson took his hand, but didn't introduce himself. He could tell by the look in Trevor's eyes he knew exactly who he was.
"I hate to rush off, but Prince has the grand opening of his bakery at noon today. I have to get there. You two enjoy your food."
