A Gangster's Gospel

Chapter 7: Sins of the Flesh

The scenario that Thaddaeus had played in his head when he concocted the plan to scare Jeremiah went as follows:

He'd wait for the smaller man to head to the 4th floor of the library to collect discarded books and he would take the elevator to the 3rd floor, get off, and send the metal box up to the 4th floor.

Jeremiah, being as predictable as Thaddaeus had expected, would go check why the elevator opened before completing his task. This would allow Thaddaeus the chance to sneak onto the 4th floor through the stairwell and hide behind the aisles. Then, Thaddaeus would spook him.

However, the plan deviated when a book titled "Look Behind You" caught Thaddaeus's attention. But by then Jeremiah had already finished collecting the discarded books and was heading for the elevator to leave.

So, thinking quickly Thaddaeus planned to knock over a random book to get Jeremiah's attention.

But that wasn't necessary as Jeremiah unexpectedly decided to double back. To which Thaddaeus left the book on a random shelf and hid again.

Watching Jeremiah go from slightly scared to nervous relief was Thaddaeus's cue to make his reveal and frighten the smaller man.

Of course he expected a few choice words from the adorably scared man and they'd have their long awaited reunion. Preferably in the form of a hug, maybe a kiss, hopefully something more physical.

A scream that could break the sound barrier and a book to the head swung by the ex-baseball player was far from the conclusion Thaddaeus was expecting.

However, he wasn't mad at how it ended since the look on Jeremiah's face was completely worth the possible concussion to Thaddaeus. Plus, getting unexpectedly swung at caused the gangster's occupational instinctives to kick in as he grabbed the smaller man pulling him close. It also gave him the opportunity to feel up the smaller man who shivered at the sudden contact, too distracted by the harmless prank to do anything about it.

"Damn, Jeremiah, you could have taken my head off with that swing." Thaddaeus said, a hint of surprise and humor in his voice. He was impressed that such a small demure man packed such a deadly swing. If Thaddaeus was shorter that swing would have probably caused serious damage to his neck and head had it connected. It was a good thing Jeremiah had to swing upward making it easier for the gangster to disarm him.

Jeremiah stared up at Thaddaeus, a mix of fear, surprise and excitement written all over his stunning face as he finally came face to face with the Reaper of Enigma.

Jeremiah opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out causing him to close his pretty two toned lips.

"Cat got your tongue again?" Thaddaeus teased. Watching Jeremiah's cheeks flush a pretty deep maroon color as he looked away cutely.

Seeing Jeremiah's reactions towards Thaddaeus made the gangster's blood travel south as he felt his pants get slightly tighter.

"What are you doing here?" Jeremiah finally spoke, his smoky voice tickling Thaddaeus's ear in a way that drove the man mad.

"For you, of course, my dear Jeremiah." Thaddaeus replied, wrapping his arm around Jeremiah's waist before releasing his wrist so he couldn't back away.

Thaddaeus watched in amusement as Jeremiah, clearly perplexed, tried to figure out where to place his now free hand before settling to simply place it on the taller man's chest.

A shiver ran up the gangster's spine when Jeremiah's pinky accidentally brushed over his nipple.

"I mean, how did you find me? How did you even get into the library?" Jeremiah clarified as he stared at Thaddaeus's chest. He absent mindedly spread out his fingers on the taller man's chest, like he was feeling his heartbeat, making sure the man before him was real, and not a figment of his imagination.