A Tale of Nine Read online

  A Tale of Nine

  By Kassandra Lea

  Published by JMS Books LLC

  Visit jms-books.com for more information.

  Copyright 2019 Kassandra Lea

  ISBN 9781634869850

  Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

  Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

  All rights reserved.

  WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

  This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published in the United States of America.

  * * * *

  A Tale of Nine

  By Kassandra Lea

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 1

  Rain tippy-tapped on the window as Makai Walker put the finishing touches on his gift. A quick glance revealed that the looming clouds had finally parted with their treasure, the trees swaying in the breeze, leaves dancing free of branches. It was a dreary September day, but there was no way the weather was going to dampen his mood. He’d worked too hard on the contents of the beautifully wrapped box to have his joy squashed.

  Besides, there was only an hour left before the man he loved arrived, and his barely contained excitement was enough to make even the worst day bearable.

  Plucking the package from the bed, Makai left his bedroom, making his way down the short hall to his dining space. He placed it on one of the dining chairs, giving the naked table only a momentary look before turning to retrace his steps. If he wanted tonight to be absolutely perfect, the spitting image of the way he pictured it in his mind, and he’d certainly been daydreaming about it enough, there was much to do and not much time to do it in.

  Makai made a beeline for the shower and twisted the knob, water gushing out of the nozzle. While he waited for it to warm up, he stripped out of his clothes, tossing them in the hamper, all the while running through a mental checklist. Dinner was already done, just waiting to be popped into the oven, and the table needed to be set. What sort of music did he want to listen to, if any, and did he want to go ahead with a fire?

  Yes.

  Makai stepped under the steamy stream. A crackling fire, the two of them sitting on a blanket, maybe a few throw pillows around, some wine, and it would be like a scene from of a romance novel. Originally, he thought he might give his beloved the box at the table, but doing it in the glow of the warm fire would be a hundred times more romantic.

  And romance was the name of the game.

  There was a big question on the line tonight.

  At the thought of it, Makai experienced a nervous flutter in his stomach. This would be the first time he proposed this particular offer in his nearly forty years on the planet, and it came with some trepidation. After all, what if he was wrong in his assessment of their relationship? What if it meant more to him than it did his boyfriend? What if he was jumping the gun and taking things too quickly?

  By the time he shut off the water doubt had settled on his shoulders, doing a decent job of holding its own against his previous excitement.

  “We will be fine,” Makai declared to his reflection in the foggy mirror. “Everything will work out perfectly. Take a deep breath,” which he did, “and relax.” His shoulders loosened up. “You can do this.”

  He picked out a sweater with a maroon and gray diamond pattern and paired it with black slacks, wanting to look his best, but still be somewhat comfortable. As a last touch he spritzed on a bit of cologne he knew his lover adored. With one final appraising look in the mirror, Makai returned to the dining space and on into the living room area. The condo possessed an open floor plan making it effortless to pass from one space to the next.

  The stereo was tucked away in a bookshelf crammed full of his favorite tomes with little knick-knacks added in here and there. Makai assessed the stack of CDs, wondering which would be the best choice for the evening, finally settling on Michael Bublé. He popped it into the player and turned the volume to a low level, easy enough to hear the Canadian crooner and not be distracting.

  From there Makai quickly went about setting the table, shoving the chicken dish into the oven, and gathering up a few blankets and pillows to make a comfortable spot in front of the fire. He was just getting the flames going when a knock sounded at his door. He sucked in a breath, momentarily freezing in place, then deposited the poker in its stand.

  Makai crossed the room and grasped the doorknob. He let out the breath he’d been holding before opening the door. Instantly a smile snapped into place as his gaze settled on Nolan Argois, the man who’d managed to sweep him off his feet.

  “My love,” Makai said by way of greeting, stepping aside so Nolan could enter.

  The younger man shook out his umbrella and left it leaning against the door, the cover of the small porch providing him shelter from the rain. Nolan undid his jacket as he crossed the threshold, quick to leave it hanging on a hook and turning to Makai, who shut out the chill.

  “Sweetheart,” cooed Nolan, stepping in for an embrace. Their lips met in a quick, loving kiss. “You smell heavenly.”

  “As do you,” Makai returned the compliment. “Was it bad on the streets? That storm seems relentless.”

  “No worse than usual.” Nolan threw a glance back at his coat, almost as if there was something he wanted to say or somewhere else he wanted to be. A touch of panic fed Makai’s lingering anxiety. Was he about to make a fool of himself tonight? Even as the thought crossed his mind, Nolan turned back to him, slipping his hand in Makai’s and giving it a squeeze. “Never you worry. It could have been a blizzard out there, nothing would keep me from spending my evening with you.”

  Makai relaxed a bit. “You have no idea how much that means to me. Come, let me pour you a glass of wine and then I’ll check dinner.”

  Makai led Nolan to the kitchen, reluctantly releasing his hand to reach for wine glasses. He chose a pair of midnight blue, a housewarming gift from one of his best friends. The wine had been chilling in the fridge, Makai retrieved it now and saw a twinkle appear in Nolan’s gray eyes. The pink Moscato was not only Nolan’s preferred choice, Makai had gotten the brand he knew Nolan loved. Every little detail about the night mattered.

  He wanted to be absolutely sure Nolan knew, and felt, how much he meant to him.

  Nolan took the bottle, pouring them each a glass while Makai popped open the oven to peek at the chicken. It smelled divine, and judging by the crisp exterior it was nearly ready to serve. He had set a pot full of water on the stove earlier, now reaching to turn the dial and get it boiling.

  “I could stand here all night and watch you cook,” Nolan said.

  Nolan was leaning against the counter, one arm casually across his stomach, his glass of wine in the other hand. In that m
oment, Makai experienced a surge of warmth, a feeling that he was right in asking his question tonight. From his mop of mahogany brown hair to the brightly colored donut adorned socks covering his feet, Makai loved every inch of Nolan, especially the way Nolan made him feel like the only man alive, no matter where they went or what they were doing.

  “And miss out on everything else I have planned? You silly man, how will we enjoy other pleasures?”

  Nolan flashed a coy smile, the edge of his wine glass barely touching his lips. “Oh, I think we can do a good job of cooking up something other than food. Who says a kitchen is only for feeding the stomach? Maybe I have a desire for an extra special dessert.”

  Heat flushed Makai’s cheeks as he blushed, imagining what Nolan was hinting at, and recalling a special night a month or two back when just such a thing nearly happened. But then dinner had been burned and it set off the smoke alarm and sent them into a fit of giggles. In the end the mood had been lost and they’d wound up ordering pizza. Definitely not a total loss.

  Perhaps they could try again.

  Or indulge themselves in front of the fire.

  Already Makai could see Nolan’s bare flesh bathed in the dancing glow of the flames.

  “Hmm. Someone’s thinking naughty thoughts,” mused Nolan, his gentle tease snapping Makai back to reality. “Do share.”

  “Perhaps later.” His response earned him a pout. He plucked his glass from the counter and held it up for a toast. “To us. To finding each other and giving this crazy thing called love a chance to blossom and grow.”

  “And to many more memories waiting to be made,” added Nolan.

  They clicked their glasses, then each took a hearty sip. As the fruity wine flowed over his tongue, Makai relished Nolan’s choice of words. It made it sound like he was in for the long haul, and that was certainly a good thing. With each passing second, he found it harder and harder to put off giving Nolan the box.

  Maybe he could jump ahead, do it before dinner, even if it meant ruining his original plan. And who knew, maybe they’d still wind up in each other’s arms in front of the fire.

  As if to keep him in check the stove beeped, signaling that the chicken was ready. Putting down his wine, Makai also saw that his water was boiling. He gave the chicken a minute longer while he dumped pasta into the pot.

  “Can I help?”

  Makai almost said no, then thought better of it. He nodded toward the fridge. “I put together a salad earlier. How about you give it an extra toss, set it out on the table?”

  “Is this lovely French loaf for tonight as well?” Nolan held a loaf of bread Makai picked up yesterday at the bakery.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll cut a few slices then.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Makai was quick to reply, stirring the cheesy noodles as he removed it from the stove. Everything about the night needed to be perfect, and having Nolan help with dinner hadn’t exactly been on his list. “You should sit, enjoy yourself.”

  With the loaf in one, Nolan paused, placing his other hand on the small of Makai’s back. He left a kiss on Makai’s cheek. “I love to help, if that’s okay. It means more time with you.”

  That nervous flutter graced Makai with its presence once again. How, he wondered, had he gotten so lucky? “Okay, but only if you’re sure.”

  “Of course I am.”

  The next few moments passed in silence as they worked together to put the finishing touches on dinner. While Makai saw to making sure the chicken was properly cooked, the noodles done, Nolan sliced bread and tossed the salad. The way they moved around the kitchen, it was like an expertly choreographed dance, almost like they’d been doing it their entire lives.

  And Makai took that as a good sign.

  It gave him hope that the rest of the evening would go just as smashingly.

  Still, a touch of nerves remained just below the surface.

  Would Nolan be receptive?

  Chapter 2

  The flow of conversation while they feasted contained a few vents about work, an update on Nolan’s expecting sister and the name chosen for the soon-to-arrive little one, as well as tentative plans to visit a state park when the fall colors truly set in, and passing comments on movies and news bits. There were brief moments of silence, which never felt awkward, at least not to Makai.

  This, this was exactly what he’d been searching for, and to find it with someone as wonderful as Nolan, he felt blessed. All the past heartache and nights spent indulging in ice cream to ease his broken heart, had led him here.

  To this moment.

  To the next chapter of his life.

  At least, Makai hoped so.

  The last thing he wanted was another ending.

  Makai patted the corners of his mouth with his napkin, praying he managed to hide the shaking he was certain a blind man could see. With each tick of the clock, every beat of his heart, the moment grew closer. He fought for something to say, finding his mind had gone blank. Then he reached for his wine glass, its contents nearly drained for the third time.

  Perhaps being buzzed was not how he wanted to proceed.

  Makai set the glass down.

  “Are you alright, love?”

  “Hmm?” Makai blinked. The doubt that lingered in the corner like a forgotten dust bunny finally began to inch its way out, spreading this way and that.

  Nolan slightly titled his head, frowning. He looked adorable, like an inquisitive kid processing the answer to one of a million rapid fire questions. “You seem a bit worried, dear, like something’s weighing heavy on your mind. Is everything ok?”

  “Yes,” Makai replied. Did his voice shake as much as his hands? He quickly thrust them under the table, wringing them together in his lap. Why, all of a sudden, had his nerves hit him so hard? The night moved as though spun from magic, or like it was being read from the pages of a popular novel.

  He couldn’t have asked for anything better.

  So why was his stomach suddenly twisted in knots? Dinner now sat heavily in his stomach, and for a brief moment he feared it might make a second appearance. Makai closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, slowing it down, letting himself get drawn into the rhythm, a technique he picked up from attending various yoga classes over the years.

  When Nolan touched his hand, he jumped. The look of concern had only grown deeper.

  “Sweetheart, you’re starting to scare me, is everything okay? What’s wrong?”

  Makai tried a smile, knew it missed the mark, and shook his head. “I confess, I’m feeling a bit ill at the moment.”

  “Do you wish for me to leave? Perhaps a bit of a lie down…”

  Makai was quick to shake his head, turning his hand and grasping Nolan’s in a light embrace. If his beloved left now, there was a good chance he’d never get up the courage again. “No, please, I’d very much like you to stay. It’s just…There’s something on my mind, nothing more. I guess you could say I’m a little nervous.”

  This earned him a quirked eyebrow. “Nervous, whatever for?”

  Perhaps I should just do it, Makai thought, just let the question pop out of my mouth and get my answer now. Before…

  His gaze strayed to the crackling fire, the little nest of blankets and pillows, and the box resting on the coffee table. All his hard work, thrown right out the window. No, he had to do this right. Anyone could ask a question, he wanted more depth to it. He wanted his intentions, the love he felt for Nolan to be loud and clear. Nerves or not, there was only one way he could do this and be happy, even if Nolan turned him down.

  At least I’ll have tried. I’ll have put my best foot forward.

  “Let’s adjourn to the living room, shall we?”

  “Okay.”

  Nolan began to gather his dishes.

  “Leave them for later. I want to do this before…just let them be. They’ll keep.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Normally Makai preferred to clean up the mess after the dee
d was done, seeing no need in putting off the inevitable, but figured that’s exactly what he’d be doing. Scrubbing dishes would be an excuse to avoid what he truly wanted, and what he feared could happen.

  “Yes.” To show he meant it, Makai pushed back his chair and stood. He stepped around the table and offered his hand to Nolan. “There’s something else I’d rather see to, if that’s okay with you.”

  “If it’ll explain why you’re acting weird, most definitely.” Nolan placed his hand in Makai’s. “But I’m bringing my wine.”

  “By all means, lets.”

  Makai gathered his own glass as Nolan grabbed the bottle by the neck, managing to hold both his glass and it in one hand. Together, Makai slightly leading the way, they crossed the space to the little pile of comfy-ness Makai had created. Nolan got settled while Makai stoked the fire, wanting the flames to keep burning.

  What a lovely metaphor, he thought before settling beside his man.

  By now Nolan had noticed the nearly wrapped gift and was examining it.

  “It’s for you,” Makai said.

  A bit of fear flashed in Nolan’s eyes. “Oh no, have I forgotten our anniversary or something?”

  Much to his surprise, Makai chuckled. “No, not in the least.” The suggestion of such an important date bolstered his spirits, driving back some of the nerves. “It’s a little token to help me say something I’ve been, well, that I’ve struggled to put into words.”

  Nolan quirked his lovely eyebrow again, a gesture Makai adored. “Are you going to tell me you used to be a woman? Or that you were married? Or maybe you have a kid somewhere…”

  Makai’s mouth fell open.

  This time Nolan chuckled, playfully clapping Makai on the arm. “I’m kidding, love. Unless one of those is true.” Their eyes met, Nolan’s laughter dying away, but his smile remaining. There was such warmth in his gaze that for a moment the fire was needless to Makai. “And should any of them be true, I don’t care. They wouldn’t change how I feel about you.”

  For the first time that night Makai felt the familiar sting of tears welling up in his eyes. How had he been so blessed? What had he done in his life to deserve a man as splendidly wonderful as Nolan?