Loving Two Doms (Club El Diablo) (10 page)

“She’s worth it.”

A small amount of anger slipped into Stephon’s voice, “I wouldn’t know.”

Matt ignored the tone, but gave Stephon a drink of coffee and then waited while he showered.

Stephon grumbled more when he discovered they’d be walking, but Matt ignored him.

Halfway to the diner, Stephon spoke, “So tell me what you like about this one so much.”

“This one’s name… is Jewel, and she’s different.”

“How?”

“I’m not sure. She has no idea who I am, she works hard, and she took a few of my kinks quite well. It was hard to leave her yesterday.”

“You’ve got it bad.”

“I’m hoping it’s catchy.”

Stephon’s loud “harrumph” made Matt smile. He waited for his friend to continue.

“Do you think I’d hurt her?”

“God, no.” Matt shook his head.

“Then why did this take so long?”

Matt looked down at the cracks in the pavement before glancing at Stephon and answering, “She’s not like us.”

“Degenerate, perverted, deviant?”

“Exactly, and you’ll love her.”

“You don’t want to share this one, do you?”

Matt knew what it took for Stephon to ask the question. They both lived with secret fears of the other finding a soul mate who didn’t share. “Truthfully… I’ve been worried that she’ll freak when she finds out.”

“Are you embarrassed of what we have?” Stephon wasn’t looking at him.

Matt stopped and took his friend’s hand, not caring who saw. He brought Stephon’s fingers to his lips. “That will never happen.”

“You gay fucker.”

“Only for you.”

Chapter Ten

Jewel

She waited on several regulars. Jewel had placed a steaming cup of coffee at table eight, but the liquid was beginning to grow cold and so were her nerves.

He’s not coming back.

She shook her head, fighting tears, and made the rounds hoping she was wrong.

“Holding my table?” Goosebumps rose on her arms and she took a deep breath of relief before glancing over her shoulder. Matt stood with a sexy grin, admiring her ass, and causing her to blush. Just before giving him a set-down, she noticed a man standing slightly to the side of Matt. This must be Stephon and he was just—wow.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“No.” Without thinking, she stuck out the tongue in question. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

He gave a naughty grin and then tipped his head gesturing to the man beside him. “I brought a friend.”

She transferred the coffee carafe into her left hand and put her right one out. “Hi. I’m Jewel.”

A large warm palm engulfed hers. “I’m Stephon.”

“What would like to drink? There’s cold coffee waiting on table eight for Matt.” The hand holding hers was almost hot and for some reason made her pulse rate shoot up.

Stephon cocked his eyebrows, and quickly looked at Matt and then back at her. “I’ll take the same, but I prefer mine hot.” His lips titled up slightly without giving a complete smile. He had a slight British accent and a low voice very like Matt’s, but almost sexier. He didn’t immediately release her hand.

She looked at Matt.

“You can let go of her, bud, she has work to do.”

Now Stephon smiled and Jewel’s stomach flipped. He was devastatingly attractive—with brown eyes darker than Matt’s, classically gorgeous facial lines, a strong jaw, and had an unshaved shadow of facial hair surrounding a circle beard. His sparkling eyes caused the flutters in her stomach to zing to her lady parts.

Keeping the smile on his face, he gave her a long, intense look and finally released his grip. “I’d also like a muffin.”

She blushed, but couldn’t help a little light flirting, “He told you about my… muffins?” She let a touch of non-existent outrage enter her voice.

“It was the only thing that would get me out of bed this early in the morning,” he said suggestively.

She shouldn’t be flirting with him and had to mentally shake herself. “I’ll take pity on you and get you two. Do you plan on ordering breakfast?”

“Yes, whatever the special is.” His eyes raked over her body almost as possessively as Matt’s.

This time the gentle blush in her cheeks deepened to dark red.

“Stop teasing her or I’ll take you back to the hotel and leave you there.”

Jewel gave Matt a thankful smile. She was in over her head.

“You take all the fun out of everything, old man.”

The two grumbled as they took a seat at booth eight. Jewel carried the cold cup of coffee away and went into the kitchen. Starla followed her.

“Wow, too bad you didn’t see that one first.”

Jewel shook her head, not sure what Starla meant. “Why?”

“That man could cause an orgasm with his eyes.”

George walked toward the pickup window. “This I need to see.”

“Both of you stop. I actually think Matt’s the better looking of the two.”

“Then you need to have your eyes examined. That man was checking you out right in front of his friend. Maybe you can get your money back on the first one.”

“Argh. You’re horrible.” She turned. “George, get away from the window and start cooking. If you both don’t stop I’ll quit.”

George looked at her with a knowing grin on his face. “Where did you say Matt was from?”

Starla had no trouble deciphering George’s comment. “You never know, they might be gay.”

“I’m counting to ten so I don’t deck you both. Not every man from California is gay.”

“Only the good looking ones, and I know that for fact.”

Jewel rolled her eyes. “You’ve never been to California.”

“Yes, I know, but all the good looking men in California are homosexuals. Just think of Rock Hudson.”

“He’s way before my time and I’m not listening to this. One of us needs to be adult and take care of business. I couldn’t care less if Matt’s friend is gay, though I’m sure he’s not.” She plopped four muffins on a plate, picked up a warm carafe, and left the kitchen.

After taking the muffins to table eight, she walked behind the counter and grabbed two mugs then quickly changed her mind and grabbed a third.

She poured them all coffee then sat next to Matt. He casually put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She was grateful for his willingness to treat her like a girlfriend.

She looked at Stephon. “Where did the two of you meet?”

Stephon’s eyes came back to hers. “Boot camp… how did you get your scar?”

Few people asked, and involuntarily her fingers went to her face. Matt’s hand rose and took her fingers away, kissing the bottom pucker of scar tissue close to her mouth. She stopped breathing. “Stephon’s rudeness knows no bounds, but I’ve wondered too,” he whispered.

“A motorcycle accident.”

“You ride?” Eagerness underlined Matt’s words.

She stomped it out quickly. “I was the passenger. My fiancé died in the crash.”

Matt tightened his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. The heat of his breath flowed across her hair. “I’m sorry.”

“It was five years ago. I’m over it.”

“I don’t think so,” his voice rumbled softly.

She straightened her back and looked at Matt. No one ever called her bluff. She’d loved Daniel. They’d known each other since they were children and fell in love in high school. And though the pain lessened, she missed him every day. She smiled at Matt, grateful he saw through her smokescreen. “No, I’ll never completely get over losing him.”

A sympathetic smile softened Matt’s lips. “Thank you.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’d like you to ride with me someday.”

True fear shot through her. “No. That will never happen.”

Stephon spoke up again, “Have you ridden since the accident?”

“No.” She shook her head adamantly.

“Then you need to ride at least once so the fear doesn’t control you.”

“I’m fine with the fear controlling me.” She turned back to Matt and said, “Riding is a deal breaker.” She expected an argument, not his easy acquiescence.

“No bikes. Understood.”

She looked to the door as a few more customers walked in. “It’s getting busy. I’ll bring your food when it’s up, but otherwise I need to work.” She stood up, but Stephon’s voice stopped her before she could walk away.

“Your muffins are to die for.” His voice had a sexy timbre similar to Matt’s.

She smiled. “I like you, Stephon.”

“Good, I like you too.” His eyes had sexual fantasy written all over them and her breath caught for a split second. She looked back at Matt, “I like you better.”

She walked away—talked, poured, and did her job. She delivered Matt’s and Stephon’s breakfast when it was ready. “I’ll get you both more coffee.”

“Can you bring the check when you have a moment?” Stephon asked.

“I’ll give it to you now. Eat your food.” She laid the slip on the table between the two men.

Matt was quick and grabbed her hand pulling her down for a swift kiss on her cheek. “We’ll be leaving as soon as we’re finished, but we’ll be back to walk you home.”

“Okay, thank you.” She knew she sounded unsure, but she didn’t miss the reference to “we” as in him and Stephon. It surprised her because she knew Matt was leaving on Thursday and she hoped to have some alone time with him, but she smiled at both men and then went to take care of another table.

It was more than thirty minutes before she had another moment to breathe. Matt and Stephen were gone, so she walked over to begin clearing their table. Under the ticket she’d placed on the Formica were two one hundred dollar bills sticking out with a piece of napkin.

Buy yourself new work shoes. This isn’t a request.

It wasn’t Matt’s handwriting. She’d kept his note from the first day he came into the diner.

“Pushy bastard,” she mumbled under her breath knowing she’d give the money back. It upset her more knowing Matt stood by and let Stephon leave the money. She’d chew them both out for thinking she needed charity.

Chapter Eleven

Matt

“I like her,” Stephon said a few yards outside the door of the diner.

“I thought you might.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the scar?”

“Because I knew it wouldn’t make a difference.” Matt’s voice was almost smug.

Stephon let his friend win this time. “I think it makes me like her more. I see why you find her attractive.”