Page 12 of Housesitter

“We’re having coffee already,” he said. Then reached out to pull his cup toward him over the counter, wrinkling his nose briefly at what was left. “At least, you are.

That wasn’t exactly a no, which left Kel stuck. He might want something considerably stickier and messier than most coffees, but it wasn’t like he could retract the offer without making things worse.

What was he going to do? Say ‘psych, you thought I meant it?’ That had been how his high school girlfriend and his boyfriend had broken up with him after the accident. It hadn’t led to a productive relationship with either.

Especially after they’d found out about each other. By that point it hadn’t been Kel’s problem, though. Unlike this. Maybe if he leaned into it, he could get Shepherd to do it for him?

“I mean something more official,” Kel said.

“Official coffee?” Shepherd said dubiously.

Kel tried not to sigh. He had never had to work this hard to get turned down in his life.

“Like a date,” he said. Then just in case that wasn’t clear enough. “With me.”

They looked at each other. It was only for a second, but it felt like longer. Then Shepherd smiled, slow and crooked.

“Oh,” he said. “You think you can seduce me into helping you con Madden’s estate?”

Kel choked. He set his mug down and wiped coffee from under his nose with his fingers.

“Not how I’d put it,” he said.

Shepherd leaned back against the counter. He crossed his legs at the ankles and his arms over his chest. It showed off everything involved nicely. The man had good calves.

“How would you put it?” he asked.

“Well, for a start I’d deny I’m conning anyone,” Kel said. “I’m not going to pretend I care that Dio’s kicked the bucket, but all I want out of this is what I’m rightfully owed.”

Somewhere above their head, a door slammed. Shepherd looked up at the ceiling and then back at Kel.

“Oh, I think you’ll get that,” he remarked.

Despite his mild voice, it still managed to be a bit ominous. It gave Kel a bad feeling, but he didn’t know what he was supposed to do with that. It was a bit late for second thoughts.

“And the date is just a date,” Kel said. “Coffee and good company, no expectations.”

Shepherd pushed himself up off the counter.

“Coffee and company I can do,” he said as he took the mug from Kel and nodded at the door. “But I definitely expect sex.”

“That’s fine with—” Kel started the lie before his brain caught up with what Shepherd had actually said. He stopped halfway out of the chair. “Hold on? What?”

“You heard me,” Shepherd said pleasantly. “Tomorrow, at the Seal of Approval? For the coffee, anyhow.”

Kel was pretty sure he’d agreed. Not totally sure, though. By the time he’d pulled his scattered wits back together, he was on the path outside as the door closed behind him.

He stared at the creepy, dog-like door knocker. It waited.

“What was that?” Kel said aloud as he scrubbed his hand through his hair.

The knocker had no answer.

Kel sprawled in the front seat of Dio’s car, one arm slung out the window and one hand on the wheel.

After getting pulled out of the lake, it wasn’t quite as cherry as the last time Kel had coveted it, but if he squinted, he could still pretend.

Imagine the lie was legit, and he really wasn’t conning anyone. He was Kel Madden, and he’d been dragged up with money and opportunities and a car that could get more ass than a pair of Lululemon leggings.