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It had snowed briefly overnight, but not enough that he couldn’t get into work. The roads would be tricky. No doubt the road gritters wouldn’t have been out, causing untold problems. He’d just make sure to leave a little earlier, although he wasn’t expecting to be overly busy.
How wrong could he be? From the moment he opened the doors, he was inundated with customers, each wanting the most complicated coffee. Why couldn’t they just have a good old-fashioned cup of filtered coffee? Black or white. Where was the harm in that?
He now realised why Angela often looked harassed when he arrived if this was what she went through every morning. Bonnie arrived some time later, as did Scarlett, and slowly the queue of people died down, allowing them all a much-needed breather.
“Jesus, how does Angela cope with that each day?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“I think it’s worse today. I’ve never seen it that busy. Maybe they missed us? We were closed for a few days.”
Hayden nodded. He should give her a raise or make her assistant manager. It would help them both.
“Either way, let’s get these tables cleared and tidy up a little, and then you can tell me how your Christmas was.”
A busy morning turned into a busy afternoon and come closing time, they’d still not had a chance to catch up, much to Hayden’s dismay. He liked to chat with the girls, not keen on being a boss that just paid them. He took an interest in their lives and liked to help out where he could. Happy staff meant happy customers, and he was all for that.
By the time he returned home, the snow had cleared, leaving slush-filled roads. He opened the door and was met by the mouth-watering smell of food and couldn’t wait to see what Ashok had cooked. He was no expert but hoped the cookbook Ashok had bought for him would remedy that.
Ashok opened a bottle of beer as he walked into the kitchen and handed it to him with a kiss to the cheek.
“I guessed you might want this. First day back and all. How was it?”
Hayden slumped in the dining chair, putting his feet up on the other.
“Stupidly busy. I don’t think I managed to sit down once all day. What I really need is a hot shower and a foot massage.”
Ashok wrinkled his nose.
“What’s with the face?” Hayden asked.
“I don’t like feet. You’re on your own there, but I’ll happily massage anywhere else.” Ashok winked and went back to the stove, stirring whatever was in the pot. Was he flirting? Another image of Ashok massaging Hayden’s cock flitted through his mind. Annnddd now he was horny!
They ate their meal, Ashok asking how his day had gone, telling him that he could come in and help if he wanted to until he had to go back to the studio. Hayden said he’d think about it. Ashok’s ankle still needed to heal, and a full day on it at the coffee shop wouldn’t help.
“I’m taking a shower, then I might hit the sack,” Hayden said, struggling to keep his eyes open. “Angela’s opening up, but I’m tired after today. Is that OK? I know you’ve been on your own much of the day. I’m not a very good host, am I?”
“It’s fine. Go get your shower. I want to put some new dances together anyway for when I go back, so it’ll give me time to do that.”
They’d been sitting in the lounge watching an episode of some true crime programme again, snuggled under a blanket, holding hands.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Hayden brushed back the hair from Ashok’s face and kissed him gently, happy that this time, there was no panic attack and no pushing away. “Let’s get takeaway tomorrow. We can spend more time together, and I won’t feel like I’m taking advantage of your cooking skills.”
“I’d like that, and we also need to discuss terms. How much I’m going to pay you. It’s not an option, Hayden. I won’t take advantage of you either.”
“Sounds good. Sleep well, Ash.” With a final kiss, Hayden left Ash on the sofa, wishing for all the world he wasn’t so tired. He’d have loved nothing more than to stay here with him, but he was exhausted. He took one last look at him, this guy that had pushed every single button he had and who he now couldn’t wait to get home to.
How things had changed… He knew all about that, and a pang of anxiety hit him, realising that he still had to come clean. It was unfair to keep Ashok in the dark, but it might just mean the end of what they had. It was a risk he had to take. He wouldn’t build a relationship on lies.
Chapter Eighteen
Ashok
AshokhardlysawHaydenthe following week. The coffee shop was busy, and he’d eventually gone back to the studio to teach. Seb or Dom would come and pick him up, and occasionally Hayden would take him or bring him home, for which he was grateful.
They’d finally worked out an arrangement. Ashok would pay a weekly amount in rent that he still thought was ridiculously cheap, and when he was home first, he’d cook the evening meal. Household chores would be shared. There was also the added bonus of making out when they could, and that was the one thing he couldn’t complain about.
He was getting curious, though. They’d done nothing more than kiss since the shower, and he was more than ready to go a little further. Now Hayden knew his secret, he’d considered becoming a little more adventurous. He didn’t seem to have a problem with it and had even bought him a pair to add to his collection. Perhaps he should wear them to see what his reaction would be?
He’d had an earlier lesson and was home, cooking their evening meal, a light meal of vegetable fried rice with tofu instead of chicken. He’d boiled the rice earlier in the day, leaving it to cool, so he had time to shower and make sure ‘everything’ was clean. If tonight went to plan, he’d no longer be a virgin. Not that he was ready for full sex. That was a step too far right now, but handjobs and blowjobs? He was definitely ready for that.
