The Bohemians Read online

  “Delightful. I do love spring.” He gave Leo another soft kiss, licking the lovely lips before heading over to run his fingers over Topaz’ latest masterpiece.

  “A blue-eyed boy came in today. Asked if I could tell him anything about his secret admirer. The one who’d been sending flowers.” He smiled at Topaz. “I told him he knew who it was -- he just needed to give it some thought.”

  Those honey eyes lit up and Topaz’s thin cheeks bloomed with color. “Yeah? I dreamed about him last night, asked him to come to me.”

  “He will, Sunshine. If he’s the right one, he will.” He turned his attention to the loom. “Oh, Sunshine! This is absolutely gorgeous!”

  Topaz beamed at him, fingers flying over the blue-green shimmering cloth. It was almost alive, so rich, so beautiful. “You like? It called to me.”

  “It’s like a piece of the sky, Sunshine. Just perfect.”

  He got a grin, wild and free and wholly Topaz, the joy pouring from those eyes.

  “Um... hello?”

  Stephan turned, eyes widening along with his smile as Quincy St-William walked into The Loft.

  He beamed at Topaz. “There’s your Gemini,” he whispered, stepping back so he wasn’t blocking Quincy’s view

  “Oh.” Topaz smiled up at Quincy, cheekbones flushed crimson. “Gemini. Hello! You found your way! I’m so glad.”

  Quincy’s expression went from hesitant to smiling and he came forward a few steps. “It was you then! The uh... flowers I mean.”

  “It. I...” Oh, how lovely! Topaz was lit up, glowing with pleasure. “Yes. Yes. You liked them?”

  “I did.” Quincy came a little closer. “The first day I was pleased and a little intrigued, but by today... I knew I had to find you.”

  “I didn’t do the arrangements, Stephan did.” So honest, their Sunshine. “But I meant them, Gemini.”

  Leo’s hand slid down his arm, pulling him gently into that wide, warm body as they watched.

  Stephan leaned back against his lover, trusting that Leo wouldn’t let him fall. He still had his basket, the sweet smell of the hyacinths gentle beneath the yarn and the clay and ash and heat of the store.

  “Thank you... Topaz, right?”

  “You are more welcome than flowers in May. How are you doing, Quincy? Having a good day?” Topaz’s joy was infectious and he heard Leo’s low chuckle, felt it tickle his spine.

  “Yeah, I am actually.” Quincy’s smile grew. “In fact it’s getting better and better all the time.”

  Oh, the boy was entranced with their Sunshine, and who could blame him?

  “He’s got a good smile, lover. And Topaz was right, those eyes are something else.” Leo’s whisper was soft, meant only for him, wide hands wreathing his waist.He raised his head to whisper back. “Should we invite him for dinner? Take the pressure off, or will we cramp Sunshine’s style?”

  “Let’s do dinner. We can retire early and let our Topaz have him.” Leo nibbled his ear, teeth sharp and sweet. “I hope this is the one, lover. Topaz has been aching for him.”

  “I know. I worry for him, that he’s casting his net into any waters rather than the right ones.” He rubbed back against his lover and then stepped forward, both Topaz and Quincy turning toward him. “Well, lovelies, if you two can stand the company of an old married couple, we’d love to have you join our hyacinths at the table.”

  Topaz gave him a soft, besotted grin. “Quincy, you know Stephan. This is his partner, Leonaka Mahaulu. Ku, this is the one I’ve been telling you about.”

  Leo nodded and smiled. “How do you feel about mahi-mahi?”

  “Is that a kind of flower?” asked Quincy.

  Stephan laughed. “Oh, no. It is a most delicious fish meal that my Leo makes. One of Sunshine’s favorites.”Quincy blushed. “Oh. I’m sorry. Maybe I should come and try it, so next time I’ll know.”

  Topaz slid fine, thin fingers over Quincy’s cheeks. “You should. We can pick up bread and some pasta salad on the way home.”

  “Wonderful! That’s all settled then. Leo and I will take the short route and get the flowers arranged while you take the long way.”

  Stephan took Leo’s hand.

  “Can you get something sweet for after and some cranberry muffins for tomorrow morning, little bit?” Leo pulled him close, lips on his jaw. “I’ll get the grill warming.”

  Topaz nodded, putting the loom to bed for the night. “Bread, pasta, cranberry muffins and dessert. Got it.””And butter.” Leo nibbled a bit.

  “Butter.” Topaz was giggling. “Cat food, toilet paper, toothpaste?”

  “Oh, we need all those,” Stephan murmured, fingers sliding through Leo’s hair. If Topaz and Quincy shopped there would be time for a quick one on the table.

  “You all live together?” Quincy was frowning, as if trying to work something out.

  “We cohabitate. I have the garage and the apartment above. Ku and Daisy have the upstairs of the house. We share the kitchen and the living areas.” Topaz chuckled, making a quick list on the palm of his hand. “The yards belong to Stephan and the cats.”

  “Oh, okay.” Quincy’s face cleared up, all smiles now.Stephan smiled back, trying not to worry. Would they lose their Sunshine to this man? He wanted Topaz to be happy, but he didn’t want to lose their lover either.

  Topaz nodded and then came to give parting kisses, the touches familiar and warm, first his and then Leo’s. “We won’t hurry. See you at home, lovelies.”

  “Later, Sunshine.”

  The frown had resurfaced on Quincy’s face, but Stephan let it go from his mind as he and Leo left the shop. Topaz would set Quincy straight and if there was a problem, better that it surface immediately rather than choke out the flower later. Although he had a hunch that it was already too later for Topaz.

  Chapter Four

  Quince watched as Topaz finished clearing up his space, the little man poking his head into one of the back rooms to let ‘Liandra’ know that the storefront was emptied out of people who could act as salesclerks.

  Today Topaz was in royal blue, the material soft and flowing, clinging to the golden skin as he moved. “Are you walking or driving, Gemini? I have a bicycle with a basket, but there’s a spare, if you want to ride and have I told you your eyes look happy today?”

  He blinked at the quick shifts in conversation, but was still smiling by the time Topaz paused for a breath. “I’m walking and I don’t think I’d fit in your bicycle basket and you just did,” he replied, chuckling as he answered the questions in order.

  He was gifted with a happy giggle and a soft, gentle kiss. “We’ll walk together then. Oh, Gemini, I’m so glad you came.”

  Quince licked his lips, tasting the hint of something wild and sweet. “Are you?” he asked quietly. “I mean... you looked pretty well hooked up already is all.”

  “Hooked up?” Topaz tilted his head, blinking. “I don’t... Oh! You mean Daisy and Ku! We’re lovers, the three of us, but Stephan and Leo... they’re partners, soul mates. I love them, they love me, but... there’s something about your eyes I can’t let loose, Gemini. There’s something magical.”

  Oh. No one had ever called him magical before. He was going to fall for this one, just like he had for all the others. He just never did learn, did he? He gave Topaz a smile. “Let’s go shopping.”

  Thin fingers slid into his and squeezed for a second. “Yeah. Let’s. What’s your favorite dessert of all time, Gemini?”

  “Ever? Banana Split.” He didn’t even have to think about it. He didn’t have one very often because it was a kiddy dessert, but it was still his number one favorite. He did surprise himself by admitting it though -- he’d learned to keep it, like his first name, to himself.

  “Oh, cool! What kinds of ice cream? Just vanilla or three different ones? I like cherry nut ice cream best.” Topaz led him outside, voice soft and happy, almond-shaped eyes watching him like he was fascinating.

  Topaz was going to be hard to lose. And if he k
ept dwelling on the inevitable ending, he wasn’t going to enjoy the ride.

  “Yeah? For me it’s always been the traditional split. A whole banana, sliced down the middle with three scoops of vanilla ice cream between them, strawberry sauce on one scoop, caramel on another and hot chocolate fudge on the one in the middle, chopped peanuts and a maraschino cherry on each ball of ice cream.”

  He was suddenly craving a good old-fashioned sundae -- it had been ages since he’d indulged.

  “Mm... sounds good. We could get the stuff for them at the store.” A wicked grin flashed up at him. “Or we could stop and split one now, a pre-shopping snack.”

  “Really? You don’t think it’s childish to still want to sit down in an ice-cream shop and have a sundae? I usually get all sticky,” he warned, already heading them across the street toward Aunt Bevie’s Olde Fashioned Shoppe.

  “Did you know that five year olds laugh out loud an average of four hundred times a day, Gemini? Adults only average fifteen. We’ve got three hundred and eighty-five laughs to catch up on just today.” Topaz was grinning ear to ear. “I think a sundae’s the perfect place to start.”

  And laugh he did, Topaz’ bright smile and happy attitude infectious. “I’ve got to warn you -- I might hog the banana.” Quince winked.

  “Just so long as I get my share of nuts...” They were laughing as they ordered the ice cream -- with two spoons and a big glass of water. The little teenager behind the counter seemed to recognize Topaz, asking about the shop and something about a drumming circle. “That’s tomorrow, Jennie. You tell your mom that I’ve got some new yarns that she might like, would you?”

  Quince paid for the sundae and they went and sat at a table in the corner where they could see the street and still feel private. He didn’t want to be rude, but now that they had the sundae in front of him, he couldn’t wait to dig in.So he did, cutting the banana with his spoon and adding some ice cream and a bit of each sauce to it before sliding the spoon into his mouth.

  Sheer bliss. He moaned just a little.

  “Oh...” Topaz watched him closely. “Do that again. Please.”

  “What? Eat the sundae? Don’t worry, I will -- more than my share I imagine,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Oh, Gemini, watching you eat it is going to be a deep, involving religious experience.” Topaz gathered some whipped cream on one finger, licking it clean. “Yummy.”Quince had been about to make a joke about Topaz needing a TV or something if watching him eat was so special, but found his attention caught by that tongue working Topaz’ finger. “Yeah. Yummy.”

  “Want some?” That finger dipped in again, offered over to his lips without so much as a blush.

  He moaned again, body going tight. Leaning forward he opened his mouth and took Topaz’ finger in, eyes never leaving the bright ones gazing at him.”Unquestionably a religious experience.” Sweet and soft, Topaz’s fingertip was smooth on his tongue.

  He wrapped his lips around it and started sucking. He was hard, cock throbbing in time with the pulls he was taking on Topaz’ finger. Those warm eyes flared, Topaz breathing with him, completely focused on him. A pale pink tongue slid out, traced over that full bottom lip.Jesus, why were they in a store? Why were they in public?

  He pulled his mouth off Topaz’ finger and focused down on the banana split, trying to catch his breath.

  Topaz took up the spoon -- his spoon -- and took a bite. “It’s good. Very good. Did you know your eyes change color when you’re hard? They get darker.”

  His mouth dropped open. “How did you know?” “I was looking at them. They went from one color to the other, just like that.” Topaz scooped up a bite of ice cream and popped it into his mouth.

  Quince chuckled and blushed. “That’s not what I meant.”

  As Topaz knew anyway, he reached down and adjusted himself so his pants didn’t feel quite so constricting and then quickly started to eat.

  “Oh? Oh! The hard part? Your breathing. That’s one way to know, and the flush.” Topaz ate another bite. “If we were sitting closer, you could probably smell me, feel that you made my skin hot.”

  “You’re something else...” He wanted to touch, so he reached out and slid his fingers along the back of Topaz’ free hand. Oh, that hadn’t been a good idea because now he really wanted to keep touching and they were still in public.

  Topaz turned his hand over and tangled their fingers together. “I’m just me. Would you be insulted if I told you I wanted to kiss you and taste you with the ice cream? I know we can’t. I just thought you should know I want to.”Jesus. Fuck. Quince was going to cream in his fucking jeans any minute. And it wasn’t just what Topaz was saying, it was the way he was saying it, the look in his eyes, the way he conveyed that every word was absolutely meant.

  “I wouldn’t be insulted at all. Of course you’d have to taste me some other time too when there wasn’t any ice cream. Baseline comparisons are important.”

  He was flirting again, only this time it was leading to something and it felt good and fun.

  “Absolutely. Although I love the way you smell, so you’ll taste good to me. We’ll have to try with honey and apples, too. Excellent for kisses.”

  He chuckled. “What about peanut butter?” He was having such fun. “Would you stick to the roof of my mouth?”

  He got a bright laugh, Topaz clapping. “I don’t know! We’ll have to have a test. Will I melt in your mouth or your hands?”

  “Both if I’m doing it right,” he murmured, almost breathless.

  “Oh.” Topaz’s thumb brushed over his hand. “That is a lovely answer. I imagine your eyes would steal my soul if I looked in them while you came. You have good hands, though. My soul would be safe.”

  Quince closed his eyes, a shudder going through him.Banana splits were never going to be the same again. “Hey, want to see a trick?” He looked up as Topaz grabbed a cherry and popped it into that pretty mouth, stem and all. Topaz wiggled his nose and winked and then stuck out his tongue, stem tied into a knot.

  His mouth dropped open again. “I thought that was just something they pretended to do in movies!” Quince reached for the cherry. “A tongue that can do that has some major potential.”

  “It’s a handy skill.” Topaz chuckled. “And I got the cherry, too.”

  “Maybe we could share it,” he murmured, voice husky as he imagined eating half the cherry from Topaz’ mouth.”I would like that, Gemini.” Serious again, serious and so sure.

  He nodded. Yes, so would he. Very much.

  “I think the ice cream is all melted,” he whispered.”Yeah.” Topaz nodded, eyes unwavering. “I want you, Quincy.”

  He nodded too, insides melting. If Topaz fucked as good as he talked? He was lost.

  He looked around almost as if he expected a bed to suddenly materialize along with walls or something.

  Topaz squeezed his hand, bringing his knuckles up to be kissed. “Come on. Let’s go shop and go to the house. We know what we want and, if you want, after dinner you can see my bed. You’ll look good in it.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  He stood up and threw out the mess that had been their banana split.

  When he turned for the garbage, Topaz’s lips met his in a quick, chaste, sweet kiss. “Thank you, Gemini.”

  He stroked Topaz’ cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Shopping and then home. I need a real kiss.” He got a quick smile and a chuckle. “I’ll buy peanut butter while we’re out.”

  Chapter Five

  The mahi-mahi was perfect, the weather cooperative, the patio the perfect temperature. The candles flickered and the hibiscus scented the yard.

  Leo stretched back, watching Stephan with a tiny grin. They’d managed to wipe off any telltale assprints from table, counter and kitchen sink before Topaz brought the newcomer home.

  Life was good.

  Stephan was flitting from flowerbed to flowerbed, stroking each blossom, speaking gently to the buds, admiring
and admonishing and coaxing. His lover was convinced the flowers listened and, given how well the gardens grew, he would not be surprised to find out it were true.

  Topaz brought Quincy in through the gate and Stephan changed the course of his path, going to them and welcoming them in with a wide smile.

  “Hey Daisy-love. I found you that key lime pie you like. Smells like heaven, Ku. Pure heaven.” Topaz sounded dreamy, lost, drunk and giddy.

  Leo would worry more if it weren’t so common.

  Quincy looked a little shell-shocked, but Stephan was welcoming him, taking his arm and leading him to the table. “You must be starving! I know I am. Although the temptation is to have the pie to start.”

  Stephan glanced over at him, brown eyes dancing behind the glasses.

  “And you, my lover, are too well-acquainted with temptation for comfort.” He stood and shook Quincy’s hand. “Can it be true? Did our spirit-led boy lead you on his odd dance he calls shopping and you survived intact? Stephan, this man is blessed by the gods.”

  Topaz’s laugh filled the air, one bright orange gerbera daisy tucked behind one ear as he bowed. “Indeed he did and well, too. He’s a natural.”

  “It was fun,” declared Quincy. Oh, the man was already caught if he could say that.

  Stephan laughed. “The words shopping and my Leo don’t mix together well and he plans his shopping moments like a military strike -- in and out and any deviation from the plan sends him into utter panic.”

  His Stephan came to him, laughing up at him, hands sliding automatically over him.

  He bent for a kiss, tongue pressing deep as Topaz’s laughter sounded again, light and giddy.

  Stephan melted against him and he could feel his lover’s cock twitch, knew it would take little more to make Stephan forget all about their guests and the mahi-mahi.A sliver of ice slid down the back of his pants and he jumped, growling at Topaz, who stood and grinned on the far side of the table. “You’re being rude, Leo. Quit making out in front of Gemini without sharing.”