Fine Things
Beau to Beau Romance

Excerpt

One last brief glance at Sutton Place and the upscale life he was leaving by choice, the only life he had known, and he was on his way. He was on his way to a new life, a life he had dreamed about for a very long time, a life that would now be realized. A taxi was taking him speedily to John F. Kennedy International Airport, an unfamiliar site to the residents of New York’s prestigious Sutton Place, who were much more accustomed to limousines coming and going from their picture perfect lives. He smiled and almost laughed. A cross country flight would find him in a seemingly entirely different world from the one he had been planning in great detail to leave for the past three years. It seemed only minutes away until he would be secure in his window seat of the Boeing 747 that would deliver him from his life of emptiness and solitude amidst the very large extended family he had acquired over the years. From his window seat he could see the vast, seemingly endless pool of water that was the Atlantic Ocean. As the plane made its turn to begin its long journey to the west coast, he watched the gentle waves spreading out below him and thought of how it was the perfect metaphor for his life thus far, a continual sea of sameness for as long as he could remember.

***

From the airport in Seattle, he took a taxi to the ferry that traversed the water several times a day to and from Bainbridge Island. He loved the majestic view from the ferry, and felt a part of nature, connecting with it in an intimate, emotional way, the way he had felt during those few family vacations that included the beauty of nature untarnished by the greed of man whose goal was to own at least a part of it. The view from the ferry was magnificent, and Pierce could see the majesty that was the tip of the snow capped Olympic Mountains rising in the distance. The last time Pierce had been here was two months ago to sign the final papers giving him sole ownership of the ten bedroom cottage that he was so eager to share with its visitors. Pierce had hired his staff, sparing no expense with regard to salaries. He also planned to share with each staff member a generous share of the profits. He would never mistreat his employees as his father had his. Human beings were to be cherished, not used. Pierce had hired a decorator and had given him free reign to decorate as he chose. All he had asked was that the entire cottage have an old fashioned country feel, with handmade quilts on the beds, and homemade jams and jellies, and any other wonderful goodies made at the picturesque shops of this beautiful island city.

Pierce loved the little cottage, from the wooden beams on the ceiling to the large rooms which held big round beds in a loving embrace. The beds were round like the world so that all who visited could feel what Pierce had felt the first time he had walked through the doors, that the possibilities for their lives were limitless. Within each bedroom was a large master bath which was set apart from the room by a revolving wooden door. “I love it,” he said aloud, when he first visited. Pierce thought it truly unique to have a revolving door in a house, and especially one in a bedroom. Once inside the bath, Pierce stopped dead in his tracks as he realized how massive the entire room was, as it contained a king sized wooden hot tub with water heated and bubbling, and looking very inviting. The entire cottage had a down home country feel to it, and Pierce loved that. He could live here forever. He planned to live here forever. Pierce had toured the entire island-city of Bainbridge before choosing this little cottage that simply needed a little tender loving care (TLC).

***

The coffee was always ready in the sitting room, with its regular, lattes, and cappuccinos laid out in perfect order. He had no idea when it was delivered, but new that it was always before he was up. This morning, however, the complimentary array was being set up as Pierce walked into the room. “Oh, hi, I’m Pierce. You make the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.” The man turned and looked at Pierce. “Thanks. I’m Mitch. I own a coffee shop which doubles as a wine shop. It’s good to finally meet you.” Pierce shook his hand. “Likewise. Can you join me for my first cup of the day?” Mitch agreed, and poured them both a steaming cup of regular. Mitch couldn’t take his eyes off of Pierce. His body was perfect, not too thin, not too thick, and his face was also perfect, with patrician features, jet black hair, and the bluest eyes Mitch had ever seen. So beautiful, and so nice, he thought. Mitch was in awe of this unassuming man. Does he not know how good looking he is? Has he not seen his reflection? “You make great coffee for us. The guests love your brews.” Pierce said this as he smiled at Mitch. Mitch, very self-assured, could not help but be a little intimidated by the striking physical beauty of Pierce. “Thanks. I opened my coffee house and wine shop on the island a couple of years ago.” Mitch relaxed. He never felt intimidated for long.

Pierce enjoyed talking to Mitch. Mitch didn’t seem uncomfortable talking with him, as so many others seemed to be, though Pierce didn’t know why. He thought that maybe he had lost some of his ability to make small talk having spent so many years inside a cold, stuffy office building in downtown Manhattan. He was trying very hard to be as personable here as he could, and so far it had paid off. The downtown shop owners loved Pierce. He always had something nice to say about their goods, and had offered them a free night’s stay at the inn.

***

Pierce spoke softly and sadly as he told of his expected life, and then he was either brave enough or had had just enough to drink to not care what he said and he went on to tell Mitch all about Jeff. “I guess our friendship went a little too far, huh?” He looked at Mitch for signs of disapproval, but saw only understanding on his face. Pierce continued. “We had so much fun, Jeff and I, perhaps because we knew we were living on borrowed time.” “Or perhaps, you truly loved each other.” Mitch took Pierce’s hand and held it in his as he said this. Then he took Pierce’s empty glass and set both back on the nightstand. He leaned over Pierce and held his face in his hands. Pierce closed his eyes, and offered his mouth to Mitch. Mitch gently touched his lips to Pierce’s and kissed him softly, opening Pierce’s mouth with his own. Then he kissed the side of Pierce’s mouth, then Pierce’s cheek, kissing his neck down to Pierce’s shirt collar, and gently pushing it open to kiss his shoulder. Then he looked at Pierce. His eyes were still shut, and his head was leaned back into the comfort of the pillows. Mitch placed one hand on Pierce’s neck and with the other one he held Pierce’s hand. “Did Jeff kiss you like that, Pierce?” Pierce opened his eyes. He was at a loss for words. His heart was beating faster and with the touch of Mitch’s lips on his, he had begun to feel again. Mitch didn’t need an answer. He kissed Pierce again, this time lingering a little longer, and this time holding him in a loving embrace. Pierce placed his arms around Mitch somewhat hesitantly at first, but then holding him tightly. It had been a very long time since Pierce had felt this way. Mitch moved closer to Pierce until their chests were touching. Each could feel the pounding of the other’s heart.

***

Selfishly, Mitch was happy that Pierce had once loved a man, and not a woman. If he loved a man once, then he could love a man again. He wanted to tell Pierce about his past “loves”, but wasn’t proud of the fact that since his father had died six years earlier he had taken the ferry to Seattle almost every weekend for a quick lay, but had remained emotionally detached. Mitch knew that emotional detachment wasn’t an option with Pierce. Mitch was already attached to this wonderful human being who had entered his life at just the right time. One day Mitch would tell him about his past, one day.