Free Elemental Love by L.M. Somerton Page A

Six
     
     
     
    Evrain parked opposite the diner in Hood River. He’d found the prospect of seeing Dominic again more attractive than a Saturday morning lie-in. Waking early, he’d had a quick shower and shave, dressed for hiking then jumped in the car. He’d not bothered to eat, deciding that trying out the diner Dominic lived over could be a good way of persuading the shy young man to spend some time with him. Now he sat in his vehicle, quelling nervousness that he was unaccustomed to dealing with. He gripped Agatha’s little jar of balm, tapping the lid with a forefinger.
    “Jesus, get a grip, Evrain. He’s a man, not a three-headed alien from Pluto.” A man I desperately want to get my hands on and cock into. His thoughts were honest at least. It wasn’t just the physical attraction, though—he felt drawn to Dominic. After such a brief meeting, it was odd that he couldn’t get the man out of his head. He’d suspect that his grandmother had doped him with a love potion if he didn’t know better.
    He got out of the car and shut the door with a decisive slam. Just as he was about to cross the road, a figure descended the fire escape at the side of the building. The dark red hair was confirmation enough that it was Dominic even before Evrain saw his face. He grinned and leaned against the car, waiting for Dominic to spot him.
    Evrain knew the exact moment that Dominic realized he was there. He froze. His lips parted. He glanced around as if checking out escape routes. Oh, no, you don’t. Evrain crossed the road before Dominic had the chance to make a run for it. He didn’t look either way, just marched across the road with his sights firmly fixed on Dominic. It was a good job there wasn’t any traffic because Evrain’s sense of self-preservation had completely deserted him. Dominic didn’t move other than to hunch his shoulders slightly. Tension was apparent in every inch of his lean frame.
    Evrain got right into Dominic’s personal space. Dominic backed up until his ass hit the diner window.
    “Good morning,” Evrain said. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Dominic’s. It was a very chaste kiss but Dominic still blushed to the roots of his hair.
    “Wh-wha, what are you doing…here? Here. What are you doing here ?” Dominic fumbled over his words. He ran his tongue over his lower lip as if gathering Evrain’s taste.
    “I’m here to take you to breakfast.” Evrain only made that decision as the words left his mouth.
    “I don’t understand.” Dominic’s gaze darted around. His fingers clenched and unclenched.
    “Breakfast. The first meal of the day. Generally involves bacon for anyone living on this continent.” Evrain paused. “I apologize. I’ve just stereotyped an entire nation or two.”
    “Three if you include Mexico,” Dominic muttered.
    Evrain grinned. There was a spark beneath the shyness. “So, are you hungry?”
    “I don’t… I mean, you can’t just…”
    Oh God, he’s adorable. “It’s breakfast, Dominic, and I’m buying. Indulge me.”
    “But why?” Dominic shuffled his feet and examined the ground.
    “Why not?” Evrain put a finger beneath Dominic’s chin and tilted it up. “That’s better. You have such pretty eyes.” He pushed his knee forwards, parting Dominic’s legs. “You’re getting hard for me, aren’t you?”
    “No!” Dominic twisted sideways in an attempt to get around Evrain. Evrain let him go. Dominic took a few steps then stopped. “What do you want, Evrain?”
    “Breakfast. I have a thing for pancakes.” He strolled toward the diner door, praying that Dominic would follow. He checked over his shoulder when he was halfway through the door.
    Dominic’s expression was a perfect mix of confused irritation and arousal. Evrain recognized the moment that Dominic gave in. His shoulders dropped and he sighed with a slight shake of his head. Evrain didn’t hide his grin. He held the door open and waited until Dominic joined him.
    “Coffee,