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Chapter 2: Alec needs caffeine...and more

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The next morning, on the way to work, he did not turn on the navigation. The consequences would have been fatal, and he was facing a difficult day. He had a couple of surgeries scheduled, and in addition to the usual tasks, he promised Ethel he would check on Princess again in the evening, because she was really out of shape. But Ethel couldn't take her to the clinic, so Alec decided to bring home a strengthening infusion cure for her and treat Princess after work.

The day passed quickly, and all the pets who had undergone surgery were recovering nicely. Gus, the night nurse, stayed with them. Alec never left the animals alone at night after surgery. If anything happened, Gus was there or would call Alec in an emergency.

So he'd had a tough day, and he was grumpier than usual because the coffee machine had broken. On his way home, he stopped at the little café that Gus had recommended for weeks. 

“They’ve got the best coffee,” Gus swore. “And the barista looks like sex on legs. Just sayin’.” 

Alec didn’t care about looks. He needed caffeine. Like right now. 

The small café was packed. Alec started cursing first the office coffee machine, then the people, so generally. Yes, he missed his regular coffee dose. Sue him. But he desperately needed coffee, so he stood at the end of the queue waiting for his turn.

"Your order?" the barista asked. Alec wasn't listening; his mind was far away, wondering what he was going to say to Ethel when the time came for Princess and the vitalizing cure was no longer enough…

"Hello, sir? Your order?" the barista asked again.

"Oh, sorry. I'll have a red eye. To go, please." He said, holding out his credit card.

The barista turned to the coffee machine, and Alec couldn't help but notice his slutty waist loosely hugged by the apron. The white tank top didn't leave much to the imagination either, the muscles on the barista's shoulders moving as he worked in an unholy way. The coffee was ready in a few minutes. The barista handed it to Alec, flashing him a smile. 

"Cheers, sugar, have a nice day," he said, turning to the next customer.

And here he remembered what Gus had said...yeah...sex on legs. He wasn't wrong tho...This café is excellent. Alec thought, even though he hadn't even taken a sip of his coffee yet.

He didn't turn on the navigation on the way home. Princess needed him—the vet, not a horny mess.

 

🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

 

"Ethel dear, we're ready. I've brought Princess some fortifying food, high-calorie and vitamin-packed." 

When Ethel pulled out her purse, Alec stopped her.

"Don't even think about it. I'm not accepting payment for Princess' care, Ethel."

Ethel was eternally grateful to the young vet. 

"Wait," she said, going to the kitchen. By the time Alec had packed everything up, she returned with a box of food. Alec looked at her questioningly.

"I know that since you broke up with that Mateo boy, you haven’t eaten a proper home-cooked meal,” she said, pushing the box into his hands. “You’ve been living on takeout. Don’t deny it. I see the delivery boys trotting up and down this hallway like they live here.”

Alec opened his mouth, possibly to lie.

She didn’t let him.

“It's unhealthy. You need some real food. You're all skin and bones. Also, you should find a new boyfriend. You're always working."

Alec blinked. He adored Ethel, and of course, she saw him with Mateo in the elevator and in the hallway. But she had just named Mateo, something he had never told her.

"Thank you, Ethel, darling. I can't remember the last time I had a proper meal. But may I ask how you know my ex's name?"

"Sweetheart, you know the walls are thin. And you, well... you’ve got lungs , my dear. You screamed his name often enough, I felt like I was dating him.”

Alec’s soul left his body. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole. He kept his mouth open, feeling the blush rise to his cheeks.

"Ethel, I... I really... I'm..."

Then, the old lady burst out laughing.

"Don't be embarrassed, young man. You should have heard me when I was young. Rest in peace, my dear husband, – he barely got a full night's sleep. By the way, your free shows at least brought my apartment to life. However, I got tired of the yelling at the end. Mateo never deserved you. He did make me want to kick his ass. He doesn't know what kind of gem he lost. Whatever. I'm sure you will find the love of your life. You deserve to be happy."

Alec smiled—shy, genuine. “Thanks, Ethel. Really.”

 

☕🐕☕🐕☕🐕

 

The next morning, Alec stopped at the café again. The espresso was excellent, although the pretty barista wasn't there. So he had to stop by on his way home.

"The red eye guy! The same again?" asked the barista to an amazed Alec, who suddenly could only nod. How does he remember that?

Probably the shock on his face was obvious, even if no sound came out of his throat, because he got an answer without a question.

"You know, it's not every day that a tall, dark, handsome guy asks for a red eye," he winked, and without waiting for an answer, turned and started making the coffee.

Alec cursed himself for liking short coffee without any extras, because he liked what he saw. And for a bit longer, he would have wanted to enjoy the sight. So, on a sudden impulse, he decided he deserved a little treat. 

"I'd rather drink it here this time."

"Okay, just sit at the table, I'll bring it out."

The honey-skinned barista brought the coffee to the table and placed a cheesecake next to it.

“On the house today,” the man said with a wink. “For all the tall, handsome ones,” then he turned back to the counter, as there was still a long queue.

Alec sat there for a while,  pretending to check emails on his phone while actually watching the man at work. His gaze lingered on the barista's broad shoulders, slim waist, and soft gaze, which occasionally caught his own.

No one got a cheesecake while he was there.

He took the last sips of the coffee, the flavors dancing on his tongue. He told himself it was the caffeine giving him that buzz, not the occasional glances the barista kept throwing his way.

On the way home, he had to turn on the navigation because of the heavy traffic. He wondered what would happen if he chose the female voice for the female driver combination, in case it wouldn't affect him.  But the idea made his stomach turn. Ew.

“Hey, gorgeous. Looks like traffic is a nightmare today. But don’t worry—I’ll get you home.”

Alec swallowed hard. No doubt, he had a heated drive all the way home. In fact, he was eager to get to the privacy of his apartment. When he finally arrived home, to Snorey's surprise, Alec rushed straight to the shower. The French bulldog blinked, puzzled. What the hell is wrong with him lately? Where's the hi, buddy? Where's the ear scratching, the treat snack, and getting ready for the evening walk? Poor thing was confused, as this wasn't the first time in the last few days that his human had behaved oddly. 

Meanwhile, Alec was already in the shower, hot water streaming down his back, breath catching in his throat as his hand wrapped around himself, as the GPS voice echoed in his head, but this time, it had a face. That barista. That smile. That wink. That sinful little waist. It didn't take much time, and a groan erupted from the back of his throat. He came faster and harder than ever. He breathed hard, water still pouring over him as if trying to wash away the evidence of his obsession.

Meanwhile, Snorey sneezed dramatically and turned away. No treat, no walk, and now weird moaning noises in the shower. His human was clearly broken.

 

To be continued...