Chapter One

I want that . That thought had been banging around in Jarek's head for two weeks. Each night, Jarek sat on the same park bench and watched the same man. On a blanket in the grass, with a hardhat complete with miner's light, a smallish man sat. Fucking adorable. He used the light from his hat to see as he put together a Lego set. It was one of those intricate and expensive sets that required instructions. Jarek always stayed until he watched the man pack up his unfinished project and leave. He would count to twenty and then follow. The man looked delicate and wispy. Jarek only followed to ensure he didn't get hurt. He didn't think the guy ever noticed him. Unfortunately, tonight, it seemed Jarek wasn't the only one who watched his little construction worker.

Another man stared intently from across the park. Jarek couldn't see his features, but he felt the man's greedy eyes. He was large. Too big for his precious boy to protect himself against. The man stood. Jarek did too. He headed his boy's way, ensuring the other man recognized the little one wasn't alone. Jarek wouldn't let him get hurt.

It had never been Jarek's intention to approach his obsession. It was just that. A warmth in his chest that gave him hope not everything in the world was bad and tainted. Jarek had planned to leave the guy that way.

"Would you like some help?"

His new friend's head shot up, blinding Jarek with the light on his hardhat.

He shielded his eyes. Jarek motioned toward the blocks. "Putting your thing together, I mean," he clarified. "Would you like some help?"

The guy went back to work, reading his directions, and immediately dismissing Jarek. "No, thank you." He looked up again, blasting light in Jarek's eyes once more, making him see stars. "No offense, okay?" God. He sounded adorably sweet. "I know I should share, but this cost a lot and it's my very favorite thing to do. It took me a really long time to save to buy it. If I share, then it'll be a long time before I can afford another one again. I have to make this one last."

Jarek couldn't stop smiling. He felt purer just standing near the guy. "Is it okay if I sit with you and watch? That looks really cool."

The guy smiled up at him. This time, Jarek was prepared to lose his vision. "That's fine. It'll look great when it's done."

Jarek sat on the edge of the blanket, doing his best to give the guy breathing room while trying not to ruin his expensive suit by sitting in the grass. "I'm Jarek. What's your name?"

Jarek watched him hold his tongue between his teeth for a second while forcing two blocks together. A smile exploded across his face when they snapped into place. "Luca."

Adorable . Jarek couldn't stop thinking that. Luca was just special in some way Jarek couldn't explain. Truth be told, Jarek didn't know what to talk about since he had never intended this meeting to happen, but he couldn't leave. He went with basic conversation.

Jarek picked up the box and eyed the medieval castle that was near to being halfway finished. "You said it took you a long time to save for this. Where do you work?"

Without looking up, Luca motioned over his shoulder. "That store." There were a lot of things in the direction Luca motioned, but Jarek understood. A large chain box store stood out above everything else.

"Where do you work?" Luca asked like a robot, sounding exactly like someone reading from the script of politeness.

"At Chamberlain and Barnett. It's a law office. I'm an attorney."

Luca tilted his head so his light wouldn't hit Jarek's eyes when he looked up this time. "You don't look like a lawyer."

Jarek's cheeks hurt from smiling. "What do I look like?"

Luca's gaze moved over Jarek. Jarek stole a moment to appreciate his flawless features. His skin was like ivory with a smattering of freckles. There was a small cleft in his chin. He looked young. Uncomfortably young. "You look like when a football player gets off the plane at the airport when they first get to town for a game."

A surprised bark of laughter burst from Jarek. "That's very specific."

Luca shrugged. "You're big and it makes your suit look uncomfortable, but it also looks expensive." He shrugged again. "I don't know. You asked." Luca went back to staring at the instructions. He brought them close to his face. Jarek watched his lips move, silently reading. Luca looked between the booklet and the blanket where the pieces were spread out to make finding them easier. He picked up the box and shook it. His frantic gaze went through the motions again. Then the booklet fell from his fingers. He stared at nothing, appearing more defeated than Jarek had ever seen anyone look, and he religiously ruined people's lives in court.

Luca visibly swallowed.

Pressure built in Jarek's chest. He didn't know what had happened, but he needed to fix it. "What's wrong?"

Luca made a helpless gesture. He still didn't meet Jarek's stare. His throat worked again on a swallow that had to hurt. "The next step requires four red blocks. There aren't any red blocks left." He finally met Jarek's stare. Luca blinked rapidly, as if he might cry. "I don't know what I did wrong." He sniffled and started scooping blocks into the box. "I don't know how to fix it." He moved as if he meant to pull apart pieces he had already done.

Jarek set his hand on Luca's, stopping him. He had moved without thinking. Thankfully, Luca didn't pull away or start screaming about stranger danger. Jarek made a soothing sound. "Don't give up yet, okay? At the big Lego store in Anaheim, you can get individual spare Legos for just this reason."

Luca sniffed again. He held Jarek's stare. "That's too far. I can't walk there."

Jarek nodded. That was a definite problem. "Would it be okay if I took you?" He pulled out his phone and checked the time. "It's probably too late tonight, but we could go tomorrow. I get off work at six. You could give me your address, or I could meet you here."

The way Luca eyed him had something growing in Jarek's chest. He wasn't the good guy in anyone's story. Jarek had gotten rich by dealing with the slimiest of clients. Maybe that was why Luca fascinated him so much. He was a tiny slice of perfection in an ugly world.

Luca made a sound like sucking in a shaky breath. It broke Jarek's heart. "I don't know if I can afford more pieces, but I guess we could look."

Jarek nodded. "There's no harm in looking before you give up completely."

His chin dropped to the mess surrounding him. Luca went back to gathering the blocks and putting them in the box. "If you want to walk me home again tonight, then I can show you which apartment is mine."

Luca's words washed over him. Walk him home again . He knew Jarek followed him every night.

Jarek tried playing it cool, so he didn't look like a creeper. "That sounds great." He winced. Jarek couldn't pretend he didn't look crazy. "I worry about you out here at night. It's not really safe to be alone."

Luca looked up. Confusion crossed his features. "I'm not alone. You always sit with me, so I'm not scared."

Something shifted inside Jarek. He couldn't look away from Luca. He was innocent and sweet. Absolute perfection. I want that . He was just greedy enough to take him.

Luca always came to the park at night during the summer months. It was beautiful here and peaceful. Sometimes people eyed him in a way he didn't like, but Luca was used to people thinking he was strange. Plus, he had a taser. It made a scary sound, and he imagined it would hurt. But then Luca had noticed Jarek showing up each night. At first, Luca worried he would have to use his pretty purple stun gun. He really didn't want that. His best friend at work had glued some cute little rhinestones on it. Luca didn't want to ruin it. But Jarek never approached him or felt threatening. He simply followed Luca home. It had taken him a couple of times of hiding inside his apartment building and watching Jarek walk away after seeing him home to realize Jarek was doing exactly that: seeing him home. That felt kind of good.

Then tonight, there had been another man at the park. Luca had started feeling a little nervous, which really sucked because he was super excited about his Lego set. Thankfully, Jarek had moved closer and kept him safe. He was nice. Luca liked nice people. Since he was odd, it was rare for anyone to be kind to him.

Jarek helped him gather his things, ensuring they didn't miss any pieces. Luca worried that was exactly how he had lost those red blocks. Just thinking about it hurt his chest. He clutched the box, hugging it against his body, while Jarek folded his blanket. Luca fought a blush. It was soft and his favorite. There were different-colored trucks smattering the material. His grandmother had made it for him. She was the only person who wasn't embarrassed by him. Unfortunately, she lived too far away now to visit and wasn't in very good health. Jarek didn't react to the childish throw. He simply folded it and draped it over his arm like it wasn't getting grass clippings on his pricey suit.

"Ready?"

Luca nodded.

They fell into step beside each other. They didn't talk, but it was nice. Not one of those weird silences that made his stomach feel funny. Still, Luca was curious. He wanted to know more about Jarek.

"How old are you? Doesn't it take a really long time to become a lawyer?"

Jarek glanced his way. He had a pretty smile. His dark hair looked soft. He kind of made Luca want to touch him. It had been nice when Jarek touched him earlier. He had been too upset to fully enjoy it. Luca wouldn't mind trying again.

"I'm thirty-eight. How old are you?"

"Twenty-three." He couldn't decide how he felt about Jarek's age. While Luca had assumed he was older, he hadn't thought he was that much older. Then again, he kind of liked it. He didn't miss the look of relief that crossed Jarek's features. Luca probably should have just moved on, but he always said too much.

"I know. I look twice that."

A loud bark of laughter burst from Jarek. The sound made him smile. He wanted to make Jarek do it again. Jarek didn't look like someone who smiled often.

Luca chuckled. "I'm glad you finally spoke to me."

Jarek made a sexy humming sound that had Luca clutching his box tighter against his chest. "You could've spoken to me first. I didn't want to scare you." He hesitated. "Or disrupt your peace. You always look like you're in your own world. I doubt it's a place where I belong."

That was such an odd thing to say. Almost fanciful. Luca liked it. "If it's my world, then I get to decide who belongs." He turned right and snagged the handle of the front door of his building. Jarek reached over his head and held it open. Luca headed inside. Jarek followed. He pushed the button for the elevator. "I'd say you don't have to come up with me, but the numbers are missing from half the units, including mine. It's an issue."

"I don't mind."

Luca flashed him a shy smile. "This has been nice. I don't talk to many people." He snapped his teeth together, wishing it had taken off his tongue. Luca could be so stupid. He never knew when to stop. Now Jarek probably thought he was a desperate loser. He probably was those things, but still.

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. Luca hit the seven. Thankfully, Jarek broke the silence so he could breathe again. "This has been a pleasant night. Normally, I only speak with clients and judges all day." Luca might have felt insecure at that comment, but Jarek never looked away from him. "You're a very nice change."

Fuck his life. Luca blushed and looked away. He couldn't help it. Jarek had meant his words. It was written all over his face. The heat wouldn't subside. He swore he felt his ears turn red. God, he hoped his hardhat hid them. That thought led to another. He still had his light on. How horrifying. He quickly switched off the lamp.

"Sorry. I've probably been blinding you all night." He pulled off the hat, feeling stupid. Luca ran his hand through his red curls. When he turned to apologize again, he found Jarek's gaze moving over him in a way Luca had never experienced before. He suddenly didn't feel as safe any longer. To Luca's shame, he liked the ideas Jarek put in his head.

"Your eyes are green."

Confusion filled Luca at the comment. "Yours are hazel." Even he heard the awkwardness in his voice. It seemed they were just pointing out the obvious now. Except Jarek's eyes were more than hazel. They were almost yellow. Beautiful. The elevator stopped to let them out. Luca tore his gaze away and headed for his door. He counted each one as he passed.

When he got to the ninth door on the right, he motioned toward it. "This is me."

Jarek nodded. "Good to know." He lifted his arm, reminding Luca he had his blanket. "May I carry this is in for you?"

Heat flooded Luca's face. "I don't know. My place is kind of small and…" He didn't know how to finish. Jarek looked like he had money, and Luca absolutely did not.

"It's fine." Jarek had such a kind smile. "I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable."

The words stiffened Luca's spine. "I'm not uncomfortable. I'm big and I can take care of myself." Luca immediately bit his bottom lip. He seriously doubted that was something a big boy would say, but he wasn't scared.

Jarek looked more confused than anything.

Luca's shoulders fell. He reached for the blanket. "Thank you for walking me home." Even he heard how defeated he sounded.

Before Luca saw it come and had time to embarrass himself about it, Jarek's lips touched his cheek. They lingered just long enough for Luca's insides to melt before Jarek took a step back. "It was my pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow just after six. My office isn't far from here."

As hot as Luca's face was, he didn't doubt he looked like a tomato. Still, he managed a nod. "Okay. Good night."

Jarek's smile didn't look quite as sweet as he turned away and headed back to the elevator. Luca watched him go. That grin had been almost wicked—like Jarek knew how he made Luca feel funny inside. Luca's gaze moved down Jarek's body. A happy sigh rang through his mind. Wow. He was pretty. Luca didn't stand a chance.