Love Is Always Write Volume 4

hard to believe that this was the same guy he'd worked with what seemed like a lifetime ago. He was nothing like the handsome, rugged man sitting in the driver's seat. He'd looked cute and nerdy back then, always dressed in khakis and bright Polo shirts while the rest of the kids wore jeans and t-shirts. His hair was always slicked to the side and his dress shoes impeccably shiny in the dusty town. Kevin seemed to remember that Liam was sometimes given a hard time for his clothes, and of course his height (or lack thereof).
    After half an hour – though it felt more like two – Liam pulled up outside a two story cabin-like house with a vaguely lit veranda. Quaint was a good word for it, with the beautiful carved columns to support a ceiling over the deck and a cross gabled roof. It wasn't painted, but the varnished wood made it all the more attractive. On the steps sat a small white and ginger tabby cat.
    "Wow, what is this place?" Kevin asked as he shut the door and took a few steps toward the house.
    "My place," said Liam, rolling up his sleeves.
    "You want to have a picnic at your place?" asked Kevin and watched Liam hoist the basket from the back of the truck with ease.
    Finally, Liam gave Kevin a lopsided smile, stopping Kevin's breath in his lungs. "I didn't think you'd prepare a basket, so I had frozen pizza ready."
    The cat meowed as they approached and Liam scooped it up as he walked up the three steps. He brushed his face against the soft looking fur. "Hey there, Tabby," he cooed. "Did you miss me?" he added, before putting the mewling cat back down.
    Kevin watched with a smile. There's nothing like a cute fluffy animal to bring out the soft side of a macho man. The cat bounced away as soon as it caught the glimpse of a dragonfly.
    Liam laughed gently and watched the ginger fluffball dart into the darkness.
    He took Kevin's hand in his and led him to the red blanket spread over a part of the deck. Kevin's palm felt the hot, coarse skin on his long after Liam let go and disappeared into the house. The faint glow from the wall lamps cast softness over the smooth wood. The veranda seemed to be a work in progress since there was no railing. When he sat down, Kevin had a lovely view of the thick forest surrounding the property. The crickets sang loudly in bushes and trees. The sweet scent of nature filled his nostrils.
    Was it ever this peaceful when he lived in Castor Springs? He never really stopped to appreciate it back then. Always in a rush, studying, working, or sneaking off with Benny. Using fake ID's to get into clubs up in San Antonio, drinking, and having fun. He could well picture Liam as a kid spending his nights in the yard, reading on the back porch under flashlight, enjoying the peace and quiet.
    "You live here alone?" asked Kevin after Liam sauntered back from the house with a six-pack of bottled beer.
    "Yup. Had it for about three years now."
    "Built it with your own hands, I bet," said Kevin, watching Liam as he opened the basket and started picking up box after box of food, eyebrows rising higher with each item he picked up.
    "Mostly. Had some help from Charlie. This is a lot of food," he said as he opened a big box of noodles. The smell of spice swirled through the air and Kevin's stomach did a mini-growl. Aside from tasting while he cooked, he hadn't really eaten much.
    "I didn't know what you liked."
    Liam looked up with a tease in his gorgeous eyes, the dimples making a soft appearance. "I'm pretty easy."
    "That so?" said Kevin, fighting down a grin.
    "These smell divine," murmured Liam in his deep voice as he sniffed the noodles.
    "It's been a while since I've cooked or baked anything," said Kevin, enjoying the breathtaking view of Liam sitting sprawled among the food.
    "Baked?" Liam glanced up. His skin looked nice and golden in the easy glow as he lifted the big rounded box and peeked under the lid. "Is that what I think it is?" The smell of cherry and cake mixed in with the various spices.
    "Grandma's recipe," said Kevin with a smile. He rolled up his sleeves before opening the rest of the boxes. "The one we used to have at the bakery."
    "God …" Liam whispered, gazing down at the pie like the little boy Kevin remembered. "Can I have some now?"
    Kevin laughed. "Supposed to be dessert, but sure."
    Liam picked up a fork and dug out a nice chunk, scooping it between his full lips. He groaned as he chewed with his eyes closed, making Kevin's breath stop as he watched. Fucking hell .