Page 8 of Hitting the Jackpot (Las Vegas Littles #4)

Jesse pulled Zeb back out of the bag. Did they even need it? Jesse was pretty sure Lake’s little friend was going to be with them every step of the way. Leaning over, he placed Zeb in Lake’s lap before he pulled the seatbelt over the two of them. “Have to make sure my pretty boys stay safe.”

“Thanks.” Lake smiled but his cheeks were still red.

Jesse closed the door before hurrying to the other side of the vehicle. He climbed behind the wheel then turned to stash the backpack on the back seat. He turned back around and started the vehicle.

“Seatbelt for you too?” Lake said quietly.

“That’s right.” Jesse beamed at the boy as he buckled himself in. “Crazy Vegas traffic.”

Lake nodded and giggled. “Zeb doesn’t like driving with Dom.”

“I can see that.” Jesse checked his mirrors before carefully pulling out of the drive. He had a driver most of the time, but when he was with Lake, Jesse wanted to be in control and able to see to Lake’s needs on his own. “I’m just glad he never got that motorcycle he was talking about.”

Lake gasped. “I’d forgotten about that!”

“It was before Remi came along so I’m sure it’s no longer a worry.” Jesse hoped so anyway.

“Remi would never allow that,” Lake agreed.

“We’re going to lunch as at a small plant-based restaurant over on Rainbow,” Jesse said as he made a right out of Lake’s neighborhood.

“Oh!” Lake bounced. “I passed that place. It looks nice.”

“It’s very nice. I’m talking to the owners about opening a location inside the casino. I want to be able to offer more options for visitors when they come.”

Lake leaned closer, showing interest in the conversation. “Are they thinking about it? Really? That would be great!”

“They’re very intrigued and we’re in negotiations,” Jesse shared.

Lake was quiet for a few minutes. “It’s not just for visitors though.”

Jesse waited until he was stopped at a red light before speaking. He glanced over at his companion. “I happen to know a boy at work that would probably enjoy the restaurant as well.”

Lake bit his lip.

While Jesse would have loved to continue to watch him, the light turned green. “What are you thinking?”

Lake sighed. “You know you don’t have to buy a restaurant to show me you’re interested, right? I’m already on a date with you.”

Jesse chuckled. That might have been the most Dom thing that Lake had ever said to him. And not Dom as in Dominant but meaning their friend. “I’m not buying the restaurant,” he corrected. “I’m adding to the already highly sought after food and entertainment options that I already offer.”

Lake opened his mouth before quickly closing it.

“Although it was you that opened my eyes to the need for more food options. I hate to admit that I never thought how hard it was to find vegan food until I looked for it.”

“I can usually find something to eat anywhere as long as they let me make substitutions.”

“I bet that’s true, but it must be nice to be in an environment where you don’t have to worry about that,” Jesse pointed out.

“It is,” Lake agreed. “No one really cared whether I could eat somewhere or not. Before, you know.”

“I’m sorry about that.” Jesse reached over and grasped Lake’s hand.

“It’s no big deal,” Lake said with a shrug.

Jesse knew the boy wasn’t telling the complete truth. He pulled into the parking lot of the small restaurant, knowing that he needed to address one more thing that Lake said.

As expected, the restaurant wasn’t too busy this late in the afternoon and Jesse was able to find a parking spot easily. He left the vehicle running as he turned in his seat.

Lake was running the fingers of his free hand over Zeb’s back.

Jesse gave the fingers he held a squeeze. “I’m happy that you agreed to this date and acknowledge that I’m interested in you.”

Lake nodded. “The others…they told me, but I didn't believe them.” Lake huffed. “Or I didn’t want to believe them.”

“Can you tell me why?”

“I…” Lake stared hard out the front window. “I don’t know what I have to offer you. You have so much—”

This wasn’t the first time that Jesse had heard this concern. It hurt more hearing Lake say the words.

“Dang it!” Lake said suddenly.

Jesse realized he’d been getting lost in his own head again. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I promised Dom I wouldn’t do this!” Lake exclaimed.

“Do what?” Jesse was confused.

“Start doubting myself,” Lake explained. “I want to enjoy my date with you. You make me feel special and beautiful and…and normal.”

Jesse lifted Lake’s hand to his mouth to kiss the back of it. “You are all of those things.”

“And you’ve been showing me for months what kind of man you are. You’ve taken care of things for Remi and Dom when they needed help. You’re respectful to your employees and everyone in the club. You’re sweet to me. I deserve to be on this date!”

Jesse couldn’t remember being this happy on a date ever before. “We both deserve to be on this date.”

“You’re trusting me and I’m trusting you,” Lake said. It sounded like he was repeating something he’d heard.

“Yes.”

Lake nodded. “Yes.”

Was that it? Jesse looked toward the restaurant. “Are you still hungry?”

“I’m starving!” Lake told him.

“Good. I’ll help you out of the vehicle.” He had to release Lake’s hand and Jesse hated that but there would be more hand-holding, he promised himself. They had a whole date in front of them.

* * * * *

Lake

Laughing as Zeb swung between him and Jesse, Lake was sure they were getting some weird looks walking down the mall, but he honestly didn’t care.

Zeb had even sat at the table during lunch and the waiter hadn’t mentioned it.

Jesse was so smooth and confident that anything he did just got him a smile.

For someone who always worried what others thought about him, it was refreshing to be with Jesse, who didn’t seem to notice the attention they garnered.

“Now remember that I booked us a private shopping so you can take your time,” Jesse told him as they approached the store in question.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Lake said again.

“I want us to enjoy our time. I was a little overwhelmed when I came for you. There were lots of kids—of course it was a Saturday, not the middle of the week like now when kids should be in school—but it was loud and crowded.”

Lake smiled because he just couldn’t help it. He was being so brave on their date and Jesse was as sweet as he always was.

That morning, he had been a mess when he’d been thinking about his date, and Dom had needed to step in and stop Lake from canceling. Lake was glad he hadn’t canceled. This was an experience that Lake had never dreamed about.

“Here we are.” Jesse moved to open the door for Lake.

“Hi!” A young man about Lake’s age waved from the register.

“Hello,” Jesse called back.

Lake looked around in amazement. He’d seen the store on shows and in movies, but he’d never been inside one.

There were animals of every variety on shelves covering two walls.

The other walls were filled with every type of clothing and accessories that Lake could think of.

These animals were before they were stuffed where Lake would be able to pick whether he wished for a squishy baby or a harder full stuffed animal.

“Wow!” Lake breathed out.

The young man left the counter to walk over and place a sign in the window of the door. “You must be Lake! I’m Scotty and it is my pleasure to help you make a new friend today!”

“Thanks, Scotty.” Lake smiled at the happy guy. “I appreciate you doing this for us.”

“Oh! You brought Zeb back! Do you love him? Isn’t he the prettiest boy ever?”

Lake felt an instant connection with Scotty. “He is the prettiest and goodiest boy ever!”

“That would be you, baby,” Jesse said, kissing the top of Lake’s head. “Would you like to do a walk-through before you decide on what friend you want?”

“There are so many!” Lake gushed.

“There really are!” Scotty bounced on his toes. “I can only buy one a month or my whole paychecks would be spent here! And I get a discount!”

Lake turned to look at Jesse.

Jesse grinned. “One.”

But there were so many! Lake pushed his bottom lip out.

The smile fell from Jesse’s face. “One, Lake!”

“What if I hurt one of their feelings for not taking them home?” Lake asked.

Scotty giggled before slapping a hand over his mouth.

Jesse hesitated. Lake could feel him starting to soften.

Lake was only half joking. He didn’t even know where he’d put all his new friends, but he wanted them.

“One,” Jesse said. “But we’ll book another time to come back while we’re here today and we’ll bring Dom, Ezra, and Brandon with us.

Between the four of you, you can share friends. ”

Lake bounced over and hugged Jesse. “Really?”

“Oh! A party! Those are my favorites,” Scotty said.

“You are gonna love my friends too!” Lake said.

“Cool! I’ve only been here six months. I haven’t met a lot of friends yet. My boyfriend and I came here to get away from his family who couldn’t accept that he’s gay.”

Lake squealed. “New friend!” He hugged Scotty to him. “Show me around.” He loved meeting new awesome people.

Scotty took Lake’s hand and led him to the first wall of shelves.

Jesse followed behind them, listening and holding on to Zeb. It wasn’t until they reached the back that Lake knew he’d found the perfect new stuffie! He turned to Jesse with a smile.

Jesse leaned against Lake’s back. “We can’t not get him.”

“Right!” Lake bounced. “Isn’t he perfect?”

Scotty looked from Lake to Jesse then pointed at the stuffie that still needed to be stuffed. Ha! That was funny. “This one? Okay, I was not expecting that.”

“He’s so perfect,” Lake drawled.

Scotty shrugged. “If you say so.” He picked up Lake’s new friend. “We need to get him stuffed and then pick out his clothes.”

“He wants pretty clothes like Zeb!” Lake said.

“Of course he does,” Jesse agreed. “And Zeb saw some bows that he just can’t live without.”

This was the best date ever. If anyone ever went on a date this good, then they were the luckiest boy in the entire world, just like Lake. Lake turned to Jesse and opened his arms. “Can I have a hug?”

“Yes.” Jesse wrapped his arms around Lake and held him tight. “This is fun.”

“Best date ever!” Lake told him.

“What if we took Zeb and…his new brother for ice cream after this?” Jesse suggested.

“Yes!” Lake exclaimed. “There’s a vegan ice cream place down the street from here.”

Jesse grinned. “I know.”

He knew! Because Jesse was awesome like that. Jesse wanted to take care of Lake. Jesse was a Daddy, after all. Lake stepped back. Jesse was watching him with genuine pleasure.

Lake wondered if this was the moment he would always remember. Jesse wasn’t his boss. Jesse wasn’t just the rich guy that came around from time to time. Jesse was the man that Lake wanted to call Daddy.

“You okay, baby?” Jesse said, cupping his face.

“Baby? Pretty baby?” Lake whispered.

“The prettiest baby in the world,” Jesse said. He leaned forward to brush his lips over Lake’s forehead. “One day I hope to say my baby.”

Lake wrapped his thick fingers around Jesse’s wrist where he still touched Lake. “I really think I would like that.”

Jesse nodded. “We move at your pace. I know you’re still coming to terms with everything. A lot has changed suddenly for you. I just want to be by your side as you continue to find yourself.”

“And help if I need it?” Lake asked.

“And help if you need it,” Jesse agreed.

“That sounds good to me,” Lake said.

“Hey, guys!” Scotty called. “Are we going to stuff this alien?”

Lake giggled. The blue and green alien was just too perfect to pass up.

Maybe he would even name him Dom. That would be so great, and his friend couldn’t even get mad because Lake’s new alien was now family.

Zeb liked having a brother who dressed as pretty as he did. Maybe they could even share clothes!

“We’re coming,” Jesse said. He dragged Lake along to the stuffing station.

Now that he had his new friend picked out, Lake was dying to look at the clothes. And everything else. Then he was getting ice cream. And Lake was really hoping that the date would end with a kiss. A real kiss. Not one to his cheek or forehead. He wanted to feel Jesse’s lips on his.