Frankie—Unforgettable: Man Up, #3

By Felice Stevens

Frankie

No one understands why I love him. 
Why I need him. 
Why I took him back. 
But they don't have to.
I know. 
Despite the hurt and the heartache, I see beneath his skin. 
And I'm different now. 
No more Flirty Frankie. I'm done with being King of the club.
My dreams have changed, and so have I.
I'm stronger. 
I believe in myself.
And I'm a hell of a lot smarter than a year ago. 
Now it's his turn to show me the man he really is. 
To prove it. 
I've always loved him. 
But that's not enough.
I need to learn to trust him.

Aaron

No more excuses.
No more chances.
I make this right or lose him for good.
I have to do this.
No one has ever believed in me but him.
No one has ever wanted me but him.
I can't let him down.
I won't.
I can't let myself down.
I'm trying, but it's so damn hard.
No matter what they throw at me, I'm stronger. 
And I'm going to make it. 
I'm on my way.
With Frankie by my side. 
I can see the future.
I have a future.
Us. Together. 
Forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Felice Stevens
• Release date: Jun 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386583073

Felice Stevens

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, because just like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.Felice is a Lambda Literary Award winning author in best Gay Romance and two time e-Lit award winner in romance.To keep up-to-date on all things happening, join Felice's Newsletter and get a free book!https://tiny.one/FelicenewsletterFollow her on BookBub: https://geni.us/FeliceBB

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Frankie-Unforgettable

By Felice Stevens

I swear, Frankie. I swear, this time it’s gonna be different.

Chapter One

FRANKIE

Still no luck?

I set a cup of coffee in front of Aaron and stood across from him at the small kitchen counter. He’d come over to my place early to use my computer and had been job hunting for hours. When Aaron got out of jail, he’d wanted to move back in with me, but I said no. The past few months, I’d let him stay over more often than not, but he still had his own place. I was being careful.

No, I fucking can’t even see straight anymore. I need a break. He rubbed his eyes, then took a sip and let out a gusty sigh. Thanks, babe. Hits the spot.

The endearment sent a warm glow through me. In our joint therapy sessions, Aaron and I discussed his dislike for showing affection and how that made me feel unappreciated. Since he’d been back, he’d made the effort. It might not seem like much, but to me, it meant he listened and that my feelings were important to him.

I put on my most positive face for him. Something’ll turn up. What about that one at the new supermarket that opened last week on Cross Bay Boulevard?

He grimaced, his face darkening. They said they didn’t have openings. But they still got the sign up in the window, ya know?

I did know. And it worried me. Aaron had been out of jail for months now and had yet to find anything. And as much as I saw him trying to work through his anger issues, I worried he might slip and bring us back to that ugly place of last year.

You want me to have Austin ask Rhoades? He’s got so many businesses, I bet he can find you something.

No, he responded with an angry snap. Your friend hates me. I don’t need no favors from him. I’m gonna do this on my own.

Okay, okay. It was only a suggestion.

He stood, and God help me, I couldn’t stop that involuntary jerk of my heart when he walked around the counter to stand in front of me. I hated seeing him defeated and sad.

I know it was. He reached out and cupped my jaw, his palm rough and warm against my face. I wished every one of the doubters could see these tender moments between us instead of remembering the old Aaron. I’m not blaming you. My problems are my fault.

I put my arms around him, hugging him close. We both were at fault. But now we can do better. I want to show everyone the person I remember from when we first met. Smart, funny, sexy.

He palmed my ass, bringing me flush up against him so I could feel the hard ridge of his dick against my stomach. Sexy, huh? I’m only sexy for you.…You know that, right?

Mmhmmm. He got me ready in no time flat.

What about you? You only sexy for me too? Or has one of those fancy suits been in your pants? You suck anyone’s dick lately?

Ice-cold shock hit me, and my erection wilted as anger surged through me. What? I pushed away from him, my mouth hanging open, heart pounding. The fuck? What the hell does that mean? You think I’m a whore? That I sell my ass to those guys in the club?

No. His dark gaze dropped to the floor, then back up to meet mine. I dunno. I hear stuff…nasty shit about what goes on in those back rooms. He rubbed his jaw. And I seen how you flirt.

Fuck that. Anger and hurt surged through me, and my temper snapped. "Yeah, I give private dances. Have I ever jerked a guy off in the back? Fuck yeah, for a big enough tip. I’m not gonna lie to you. And I’ve let ’em kiss and touch me too. But I ain’t had sex with no one since you. Fucking hell, Aaron. I haven’t even been on a date since we broke up."

Frustrated, I stormed out of the kitchen, brushed past him, and slammed the bedroom door behind me. I stood in the center of the room, blinking back tears.

Frankie, come on. Aaron knocked on the door. Don’t be like that. Come back out.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to go fuck himself and get out. Then I realized this was how it used to be between us: arguing, yelling, not listening, on and on until it spiraled out of control. Unlike before, Aaron hadn’t barged into the bedroom, demanding I talk to him. He was respecting my space. Now I needed to grow up and stop behaving like a child.

I opened the door to find an unhappy Aaron waiting, but I didn’t fear he’d get up in my face or scream at me.

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run out. That’s not the way to solve problems.

I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have said that shit to you. You had every right to do whatever you wanted when I was away. You still do. He grimaced. It’s the thought of anyone else touching you—it drives me crazy. That’s all.

I pointed to the sofa. Let’s sit. Without waiting for him to respond, I crossed the room and sat, arms crossed, legs folded under me, my body language making it obvious I wasn’t into any cuddling or kissing. Without a word, Aaron followed and took a seat opposite me.

When you went away, I tried to forget you, and dancing gave me that chance. I could lose myself in the music and the different men who paid me. Not gonna lie, I liked the attention. After all the times you’d tell me I was nothing special, it made me feel good. And I was just angry enough to do some stupid things—things I might not be too proud of.

Are you blaming me? His brows pinched together, the line of his mouth thinning.

Did I say I was? I countered, my gaze never leaving his. Two years ago I’d be all apologetic and fearful of his anger. Things had changed since. I’d changed, and it was about time Aaron knew it.

He blinked. Uh, no.

Right. So I’m owning up to my mistakes. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing? At his nod, I continued. "Yeah, I let guys touch me. And I may have gone too far sometimes, but not since we talked it out and decided to give this…us…another try. I want to make this work."

I want that too. I’m trying, but you know how I was brought up. Fighting, not talking things out was our normal. It’s gonna take time for me to break myself of that habit.

Mostly closemouthed about his childhood, Aaron did confide he’d grown up surrounded by violence. Yelling and screaming came naturally to him; it was all he knew. When we’d first started dating, he’d kept his anger well-hidden for the most part. We’d had fun and good times, like every other couple, until he lost his job. The months passed without him finding work, and that failure awoke a fury inside Aaron he couldn’t control. It became a beast that swallowed him whole, and he took it out on me until it eventually exploded.

I get it. And I’ve respected your wishes to keep your past in the past, but you havta understand people are gonna judge you.

I know. He got up and stood in front of me. Can I sit next to you?

At my nod, he joined me on the sofa and slid an arm around my shoulders. I know I fucked up, babe. And I got work to do. I need the chance to make it right with you. If you want, I’ll get on my knees to make sure you know how much I want you back.

I don’t need grand gestures. I need the everyday stuff. Not making me feel like I’m bothering you when I wanna talk about my day. Or like my needs aren’t as important as yours.

I know. And I promise I’m gonna try harder.

I don’t want you to have to try. I want it to come naturally.

It will. I promise. He jumped up. I’m gonna get us a drink, and you can tell me about the latest design you’re working on.

I watched him walk to the kitchen, admiring his firm butt. Aaron possessed the finest ass I’d ever seen gracing a pair of jeans.

You want water? As he bent to pull out the bottles I had chilling in the refrigerator, his phone rang. His face lit up, and he ran over to the table where he’d left his phone and grabbed it.

Hello?

The way he chewed on his lip and held the back of his neck, I knew the call had to be about a job. I held my breath and listened.

Yeah. Yeah, I can come in later today. Sure. No problem. Thank you. He clicked off and let out a Whoop!

Yes! They called me from the gardening center in the Terminal Market. Want me to start today.

The Brooklyn Terminal Market was the biggest gardening center in the borough, and knowing Aaron’s love for planting and growing things, it would be the perfect job for him. I jumped up to give him a hug. That’s fantastic.

He pulled me close and spun me around. I gotta take a shower and get dressed. I know it’s casual and stuff, but I don’t wanna look like a slob, ya know? He kept his arms around me, and I laid my head on his chest.

You could never. But I get it. You got enough of your stuff here that I can help you pick out something for you to wear if you want. And take a shower too. I’m really good at scrubbing backs.

He cupped my ass, and I sighed, feeling his dick stiffen. One thing I never worried about was how much Aaron wanted me. He could go from zero to a hundred in no time flat when it came to sex. And from the way he was rocking against me, I’d say we were at eighty already.

I’d like that. I like anything you do to me. He kept up that rocking, flexing movement of his hips, and I wriggled against him, knowing how much he liked it when I did that. I sank to my knees and pulled his sweats off, letting his dick out. His thick cock pushed against my lips, and he grunted.

Turned-on by how much he wanted me, I eagerly took him in my mouth, loving the salty taste of his precome.

Fuck yeah. Suck me. That’s it. His hands came over my head and pushed. I gagged a bit, then recovered, and with Aaron fisting my hair, I swirled my tongue around the base and back up to the flat, smooth crown, licking and sucking.

Ahh, fuck. Yeah. Harder.

I scraped my teeth along the underside of his dick and heard his hiss of pleasure-pain while some more precome spurted in my mouth. I did it again until I had him groaning and swaying on his feet. He clutched my shoulders and thrust into my mouth deeper, his body’s sign that he was about to come. I began that tight, hard suction he loved and squeezed his balls while I took him all the way deep.

Holy fuck, yeah. Oh God, oh fuck. Yeah. His thighs tensed, and his cock swelled and pulsed, shooting out streams of come down my throat. Aaron dug his hands in my hair and sighed. Fuck, Frankie. No one sucks dick like you.

I tensed and let him slip out of my mouth. Before speaking, I wiped my lips with the back of my hand, hating that my fingers trembled. Uh, did you have so many comparisons?

An unreadable expression crept into his dark eyes, and he reached down to pull up his pants before answering. No, uh, well, inside…you know, shit happens.

Choking back my hurt and anger, I nodded. Yeah. Sure. I know. No big deal. I drew in a shaky breath and gave him a forced smile. Until I was certain that Aaron had changed and I could trust him not to hurt me again, we needed to go slow. I couldn’t blame him if he had sex in prison when I was giving hand jobs and letting guys touch me for money. Both of us had gotten tested when we began seeing each other again to make sure we were starting out with a clean slate between us. No more secrets, no more lies. Maybe we should set some rules now? If we want a new beginning?

His eyebrows scrunched together. Rules? Like what? We never needed no rules for anything before.

Yeah, I said drily. And look how well that turned out.

He threw his hands up in the air, then clenched them into fists, and I hated to admit it sent my heart racing. Was this the day he snapped and went back to that ugly place of yelling and blame?

I can’t think about this shit now. I gotta shower and get ready to go to this job.

Without waiting for me to answer or give my opinion or anything, he walked into the bedroom, and in a minute I heard the shower start. Fuming, I debated going after him but calmed down to reason with myself that I should give him space and not put pressure on him right before this job interview. Once he got settled and started making money, he’d feel better about himself. I went into the kitchen, got a drink of water, and took out some chocolate chip cookies my mom had sent home with us from Sunday night dinner.

Frankie?

I heard Aaron call me from the bedroom, and with a sigh I went to him, still holding a cookie. Naked, he stood in front of the bed.

Should I wear a T-shirt or a button-down?

Chewing on the cookie, I pointed to the T-shirt. Plain, black T-shirt and jeans. It’s not a corporate job. They don’t expect you to come dressed up.

Yeah, you’re right. I’m being stupid and nervous about this shit. He stepped into his briefs and put on the jeans. Before picking up the T-shirt, he took me by the hand. I’m sorry. I shouldn’ta snapped at you before. I was wrong. I don’t wanna fight about it. I don’t wanna fight about nothin’.

I’m sorry too. We’re gonna have to start from scratch, I think. Like it’s a whole new relationship.

Somber, he nodded. I think that’s a good way to do it. Wipe the slate clean, kinda?

Yeah, kinda.

His eyes darkened, brow puckered. I’m not saying to forget what I did and how I acted. I know that. I gotta lot to work on. But I wanna nail down this job, ’kay? If I get it, then I can concentrate on doing right by you. Can I borrow your car?

Asking, not demanding, was a new Aaron and gave me hope he could change. Yeah, of course you can. And you’re gonna kill it. Now get dressed, and when you come back, I’ll have dinner ready before I gotta go to the club.

He kissed me. Like a real couple.

I watched him pull the T-shirt over his head, the strong muscles of his back flexing. No one understood why we were together—not my parents, and certainly not Austin, who, though we’d come to an understanding, I knew still didn’t trust Aaron. How were people supposed to get a second chance if no one believed in them from the first?

Yeah. Like a real couple. I’ll get out of your way. I got some work to do on my designs for class.

I left him alone and went to the living room, where I had my materials spread out on the small fold-up table that doubled as a dining table and a worktable for me. My sewing machine sat next to it on a stand, and I had the makings of a shiny, black, vinyl trench coat spread across the table. I needed to get it finished by Monday, so I had today before going to dance at Man Up and all of tomorrow until dinner with my parents.

Ten minutes later, Aaron walked out of the bedroom, looking fine as hell in his black T-shirt and dark-wash jeans. He wore his black Doc Martens, and his mirrored sunglasses were pushed up in his short, thick, curly hair.

Damn. You look hot as fuck.

He flashed me a half smile. I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous. Like, I know everything about plants and shit.

I held out my hand. Come here, and I’ll give you a kiss for good luck.

Thanks, babe. I’ll call and let you know how it goes.

You’re gonna kill it.

His kiss was soft and sweet. Then he was gone, the lingering scent of his woodsy aftershave keeping me company the rest of the afternoon. He had to get this job. He had to.

Chapter Two

AARON

Heading down the Belt Parkway, I gripped the steering wheel, careful to keep below the speed limit. Last thing I needed was cops on my ass, especially with a record. I signaled to change lanes, then exited off to city streets and relaxed.

The open window let in the scents and sounds of the city, but after being locked up for close to a year, it smelled like fucking paradise. Inside, it was piss, disinfectant, and the sweat of fear. I took a deep breath and turned up the radio, grinning to myself at the bouncy Top Forty song playing. I knew Frankie loved that shit, and I remembered coming home to find him dancing by himself to Britney or Beyoncé, looking fabulous and sexy.

Frankie…I sat at a green light, my mind not where it should be—preparing for this job—but instead on his big brown eyes and soft, thick hair. God, his mouth felt so good. Even now I could taste him, and my dick ached from the quickie blowjob. I had so much to make up for, but I wasn’t sure he still trusted me or believed I’d changed. The scary thing was that I couldn’t be sure myself.

A horn beeped at me from behind, jerking me to awareness. All right. Hold your fuckin’ horses, I muttered as I accelerated. The car swung from behind to pull up next to me.

Wake up, asshole, the moron yelled before he sped off in a squeal of tires. I flipped him off, and my hands tightened on the wheel.

Uh-uh, what the hell am I doing?

A year ago I would’ve taken off after him and gotten into a road rage. I shook my head. Fuck it. No way was I risking everything to fight with some loser. I had my head on straight, and I was on a mission. Job first, then Frankie’s trust.

I drove down Rockaway Parkway to Foster Avenue, and the Brooklyn Terminal Market loomed ahead of me, bustling with trucks loading and unloading fruits, vegetables, and plants. A large sign reading ESPOSITO AND SONS greeted me as I turned the corner and pulled into a parking spot. I cut the engine, and got out of the car, slamming the door behind me.

Yo, watch out. Coming through, a loud voice barked in my ear, and I half turned to see three burly guys with evergreen bushes hefted in their arms right behind me. I stepped out of their way.

Sorry. I’m here to see Vincent?

Inside, to the back. He jerked his head to the left.

Thanks, I said and headed in the direction he’d indicated, dodging men yelling orders back and forth and carrying more plants and flowers. The frenetic energy of the place appealed to my need to keep busy. I wanted this job so badly, I felt light-headed and nauseated from the anxiety pumping through me. Taking a deep, calming breath, I hesitated a second, then knocked on the small door with the dirty, half-glass window.

Yeah? a smoke-rough voice called out.

I opened the door to see a small man in his sixties with weather-beaten skin and sparse gray hair sticking out from beneath a well-worn tweed hat.

Um, I’m Aaron? Aaron Cooke? We spoke earlier about the job? I hated how high and tentative my voice sounded.

Oh, yeah, yeah, come in and shut the door behind ya. Vincent beckoned to me and pointed to the chair. Siddown.

Following his order, I took the small, hardback chair in front of his desk and stared at him, straight in the face.

Okay, good. I like a guy who can look me in the eye. You like working with plants and flowers?

Yes, I’ve done it all my life. We had a backyard, and I used to grow vegetables and flowers.

Vincent nodded his approval. Good. So I don’t hafta teach you shit. I hate training people who don’t know nothin’. He squinted. You married?

I tensed. No.

Good. So no one naggin’ you about long hours. Girlfriend? At the shake of my head, he belched and rubbed his stomach. Yeah, don’t blame ya. You’re how old, twenty-eight, twenty-nine?

Yeah, I mean twenty-eight.

Plenny a time before you need to get tied down. Got kids?