Men of All Seasons Box Set

The Fine Art of Reading Riley-10

Sadie turned out to be right, of course, which usually happened in Stone’s world with the woman. The address book and Jake’s cellphone number were exactly where she had said they would be. Once he retrieved the address book and looked up Jake’s phone number, Stone punched the number into his cellphone, listened to two rings, and then heard Jake’s deep and sexy voice.

“Worthington.”

“Jake, it’s Stone Daye. I’m having problems with my upstairs tub again. Any way you can take a look at it?”

“As a matter of fact, I can. Some jackass just cancelled an appointment on me. I’ll be right over, if I can get through the snow. I have a truck, though, which will probably get me there without any problems. If I can’t make, I’ll call you.”

Right over meant almost forty minutes later, not that Stone minded or counted the minutes as they ticked by. Stone knew he couldn’t fix the problem with the tub on his own and needed the young man and his skills, just as he had needed most of the men in his life.

Jake arrived with a tool bag in his right hand, a metal plumbing snake in his left hand, and a deep green ball cap positioned backwards on his head, making him look blue-collar sexy, if there ever was a description. He beamed his pretty boy smile, showed off his pearly whites, and was just about as adorable as he could possibly be, without even trying.

Jake is very nice to look at, Stone thought.

Women were all over his six-three frame and muscled torso. The guy never seemed alone or girlfriendless. He usually dated pretty blonds with inflated bosoms and squealing laughs, all of which Stone thought were bumbling idiots. Stone supposed that turned out to be the life of a handsome, male player, right? Some unintelligent but good-looking women were there for the taking, and Jake Worthington wasn’t shy about taking them on numerous occasions. Good for him.

“You know where the bathroom is,” Stone said, pointing to the stairwell that led upstairs.

Jake nodded and climbed the stairs. Not five minutes later, he returned to the first floor with a transparent plastic grocery bag with a mound of wet hair caked in its bottom. The bag’s contents looked like a dead cat and smelled just as rank. He passed the bag to Stone, who immediately threw it away in the kitchen’s garbage can and returned to the foyer where Jake stood, awaiting p*****t.

Jake said, “I don’t want cash today. I want your advice.”

Thrown by the young man’s comment, Stone scratched his left cheek and asked, “What kind of advice?”

Jake’s expression was somewhat depleted. Never had Stone seen the young man in such a bewildered state. Worthington men were strong, proud, and superhuman beings. Most considered them unbreakable and self-absorbed. Obviously, that wasn’t the case with Jake today since he looked at the floor like portraying someone embarrassed. He shook his head and let out a sigh that sounded puzzled and problematic.

Jake lifted his head and asked, “Do you have a minute?”

“I have more than a minute for you, Jake. You just removed a dead cat from my drain and didn’t charge me.”

The young stud tilted his head to the right, rubbed his chin with two fingers, and asked, “Did you ever sleep with a woman?”

Stone shook his head. “Of course not. I’ve never had an interest in such territories. There’s a reason I like men, and women have nothing to do with that.”

Stern-faced with crinkled eyebrows, Jake asked, “Did you ever think about it, though?”

“Never. Women are beautiful creatures to me, but I’m terrified of their girlie parts. Why do you ask? What point do you want to make?” Stone thought he would take the upper hand and push Jake to speak his mind, putting all his cards on the table.

“I won’t mention a name.”

“Of course not, Jake. I would prefer you didn’t. Plimpton is sometimes too small for gossip.”

“But I’m thinking about sleeping with a man.”

Stone nodded. “I presume you’re confused, right?”

Jake smiled, beaming new life and warm light in his eyes. “I am. He’s a blue-collar worker like me. The guy’s an electrician and likes me. He always says, ‘If you were queer, I’d be all over you, and maybe inside you.’ He’s a nice guy and really cares about me, but—”

Christ! Jake was talking about Bill Cather. Bill owned the Blue Bar, a queer bar on Nelson Street in downtown Plimpton, but he didn’t run it. Instead, the guy enjoyed being an electrician, obviously working with Jake these days.

In Stone’s opinion, the two would make a great pair. Lovers. Boyfriends. Or just friends with benefits. It didn’t matter. Stone thought them coupled, into each other, handsome, and charming. He felt pretty sure they could make each other happy. And he knew both were Republicans, enjoyed handy work, played some pool, hunted, and liked to drink. It was a match made in heaven, if there was such a thing. Stone grinned from ear to ear, happy with what he had contrived within the folds of his mind.

“You’re concerned about being intimate with him, aren’t you?” Stone blurted, getting to the point and heart of the matter. “You don’t know if you should cross a line of sexuality or not, fearing what could happen between the two of you.”

Jake nodded, unable to look at Stone. “I think that’s it. He doesn’t have the plumbing I’m used to. But he treats me well and listens to what I have to say. Plus, he smells great all the time. And he isn’t bad to look at since he resembles Chris Pine.”

A short laugh exited Stone’s throat and then he said, “Plumbing doesn’t matter, Jake. Nor does it matter if a guy looks like a Hollywood star. What matters is how your heart feels about this guy and if you want to sleep with him or not. I suggest you listen to your soul about this concern and do what it tells you. Feelings make us do some strange things. Just be careful in the process.”

“What’s it like, though?” Jake leaned into Stone and asked, whispering.

Stone laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that, friend. Let the guy teach you some things and just go with it, but only if you want. Don’t get mixed up with all the physical stuff without feeling it in your heart first. Besides, if I know who you’re talking about, and I think I do, he will treat you just fine. He’s a nice guy with much integrity. I’d trust him if I was in your position, and I wouldn’t fear falling for the man.”

Their conversation ended with a hug. Jake’s massive body rubbed against Stone’s, and Stone patted Jake’s back.

During the hug, Stone said, “Keep me posted. I’m here to help or listen to you. Consider me your friend, an honest confidant.”

“I appreciate that.”

Jake left with his snake and tool bag, maybe craving some intimate time with an electrician named Bill Cather or maybe not. Someday, Stone would learn, but not for another week or two, closer to springtime.