Love Him Free (On the Market #1) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,80

which was returned, though there was something in Kyle’s eyes that Rocco didn’t much like.

Kyle lifted his hand in greeting as Rocco got closer, then he formed a C with his hand and rubbed it up and down his throat a few times. ‘Horny?’

Rocco choked, and felt a bit of rage bubbling up. Just because he was an adult film star didn’t give people the right to talk to him like that. Doing porn didn’t mean his body or his sex life was on display at all times for anyone to just take.

Before he could fully unleash on this kid, however, Rocco noticed his eyes were fixed on the bag he was holding—and it became clear. He bit his lip, then set the bag down, held up his hands in surrender and shook his head. ‘Hungry,’ he spelled. He formed the C with his hand, then started at the top of his throat and dragged it down once. ‘Horny,’ he spelled slowly, to make sure the kid got it, then he repeated the earlier sign.

Kyle’s eyes went wide, cheeks pink. His mouth began to move frantically, and Rocco could only imagine he was fumbling his way through an apology.

He didn’t have the energy to ask him to repeat it or write it down, so he waved it off, then grabbed the food and pushed past the swinging counter and into the kitchen. Simon was there at the baking table, his head bobbing in a rhythm which told Rocco there was music on. It wasn’t loud enough for him to feel it, but the way Simon moved—a sway to his hips, the tapping feet—it was probably upbeat.

Rocco loved him. God, he was so in love with him.

He cleared his throat, and Simon peered over his shoulder, his face flitting through a few expressions before he settled on happiness. He swiped hands over his apron, then crossed the room and dragged Rocco into a kiss. There was a faint hint of jam on his tongue, and flour on his cheek, and his nails were crusted with drying dough, and he was the most beautiful thing Rocco had ever held in his arms.

Pulling back, Rocco cupped Simon’s cheek for a long moment, then held up the bag and shook it. ‘Lunch. Also your employee just asked me if I was horny.’

Simon’s eyes went wide, his mouth parted. ‘He what?’

‘I think he meant hungry,’ Rocco offered, and Simon slapped a hand to his forehead.

‘He can fingerspell, sort of. He asked me to teach him a few basic customer service signs, but I didn’t teach him that one.’

Rocco grinned and put the bag of food down before laying a hand on Simon’s waist. ‘Is that part of the services here?’

Simon gave him a flat look and smacked him lightly on the arm, but he didn’t stop Rocco from backing him up against the baking table and stealing another long kiss. When they pulled apart, Simon looked vaguely dazed and happy. ‘What did you bring me?’

‘Lampredotto. Spencer and Max,’ he spelled, ‘are dog-sitting right now. Fitz says he’ll watch James this evening, until I get back.’

Simon’s grin was soft again as he broke away from Rocco, took the bag, and led the way upstairs. It felt good to be back in that little apartment, even if he knew Simon wasn’t going to be there forever. It still felt like he was being given pieces of Simon that so few people had the privilege of knowing.

They sat on the sofa, cat Rocco instantly joining them at their feet, and Simon pulled a face when Rocco tore his sandwich in half and offered a bit of the tripe to the beast weaving around his feet.

‘You spoil him,’ Simon accused.

Rocco shrugged, not sorry. He took a huge bite, then set his food down. ‘Have you known Fitz long?’

Simon blanched, and he aborted the bite he was about to take. The lampredotto sat, untouched, over his legs. ‘We were in school together. He was always…’ Simon dropped his hands and took a breath. ‘He didn’t bully me like the other kids, but he never stopped them.’

‘And the others?’ Rocco asked.

Simon nodded, then spelled three names. ‘Ronan and Parker were a lot like him—not cruel, but never particularly kind. It’s different now. Ronan is the park ranger—he took the job before I came back to Cherry Creek. We haven’t seen each other though. I didn’t leave the house much before last month.’

Rocco reached over and brushed a light thumb over Simon’s