A Little Cajun Soul [Young Hot and Talented 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)
Young, Hot, and Talented 2
A Little Cajun Soul
Pop singer Gerard Tyler, a native French Cajun from Lafayette, Louisiana, goes to New York to learn fashion designing tips from the world famous French designer Giovanni Bassett. He's a little nervous about being alone with Giovanni since the man kissed him the first time they met a few months ago, but Gerard has always wanted to be a designer and figures he needs a fall back plan just in case this pop star thing doesn’t work out.
Luke Austin, Gerard’s boyfriend, has his hands full being the publicist for Noel Charles, a rhythm and blues soloist. If he thought the Kerrys were wild, they have nothing on the red-haired, hazel-eyed New Orleanian. Luke admits upfront to Noel that he has a boyfriend, but that doesn’t stop Noel from going after him.
Luke has always had little to no self control when it comes to other guys. Will he stay true to Gerard, or will he succumb to Noel’s seduction?
Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary
Length: 66,239 words
A LITTLE CAJUN SOUL
Young, Hot, and Talented 2
Shawn Bailey
EROTIC ROMANCE
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove
A LITTLE CAJUN SOUL
Copyright © 2015 by Shawn Bailey
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63259-996-4
First E-book Publication: December 2015
Cover design by Harris
All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the new addition to our family, Aston Martin Briscoe. “Welcome to the world.”
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
About the Author
A LITTLE CAJUN SOUL
Young, Hot, and Talented 2
SHAWN BAILEY
Copyright © 2015
Chapter One
New York City, NY.
“Is that a new suit?” Luke Austin asked Gerard Tyler as they walked toward the room where the fashion show was being held.
Gerard’s singing group, The Kerrys, were in New York City to give a concert. Luke was their publicist. “Yes, do you like it?”
“Yeah,” Luke answered. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks,” Gerard said, hoping no one noticed the sparks flying between them.
They found their seats and sat down. He recognized several movie stars sitting nearby. An usher passed out pamphlets with pictures of clothing and a bio of Giovanni Bassett. Gerard knew everything about the man he’d been following for the last two years. Giovanni was just twenty-five years old, had his own fashion house and an extensive collection of lines for both men and women. There was mention in the pamphlet that Giovanni might include a line of clothing for children in the near future. Gerard just hoped to see some pieces he could add to his growing wardrobe. He already had a couple of the man’s suits, some shirts, and a lot of accessories.
The show began and Gerard settled back in his chair. He took notes on the style and cut of most of the outfits. The male models were tall and handsome as they traveled the catwalk in Giovanni’s spring and summer collection. Frankie Kerry, Gerard’s best friend, liked the casual wear and wanted to know how he could get his hands on some of the new pieces.
Giovanni appeared on stage at the end of the show. The man got a standing ovation. He bowed, introduced his assistants, and thanked everyone for coming.
Luke leaned toward Gerard. “How would you like to meet Giovanni?”
“Are you kidding?” Gerard asked excitedly.
“No,” Luke said. “It’s all arranged. I just happened to meet him when I was out working my ass off to get your concerts promoted. I told him about you and your aspiration to be a designer and he personally gave me the tickets to the show so he could meet you.”
“If we weren’t around so many people I’d kiss you,” Gerard whispered to Luke. For the last four years they had been lovers.
“I can wait until we get back to the hotel,” Luke replied with a smile.
Everyone moved from the ballroom to a reception room where Giovanni mingled with his guests. Gerard was nervous as he recognized other designers trying to hold a conversation with the man of the hour. Gerard took t
he opportunity to check Giovanni out. He was tall, had shoulder-length auburn hair, and the black suit he wore called attention to his slender build. He moved gracefully from one guest to the next.
Frankie Kerry, one of the members of The Kerrys, and one of their other friends, went off to enjoy some of the refreshments, leaving Gerard behind with Luke.
“Come with me,” Luke said.
Gerard followed his handsome boyfriend over to Giovanni.
“Mr. Austin,” Giovanni said, extending his hand to Luke. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
The sound of the man’s voice made Gerard’s crotch tighten in the pants.
The older man peered down at him with intense light brown eyes. “And who is this?”
Gerard gulped. His entire body felt alive for the first time in a very long time.
“This is the design student I told you about,” Luke said.
Giovanni ran his gaze over Gerard and smiled. “Ah, the pop singer.”
Luke made the introductions. “Gerard Tyler, I’d like you to meet Giovanni Bassett. Giovanni, this is Gerard. He’s one of your biggest fans.”
“Bonjour,” Gerard said to the French designer. He extended his hand.
Giovanni wrapped his bigger hand around Gerard’s. “Bonjour, Gerard. Parlez-vous francais?”
“Oui,” Gerard answered as he tried to keep his voice from shaking.
Giovanni held his hand a while, then released him. “Is this one of the suits you designed?”
“Yes,” Gerard said. “I had it made by a South Korean tailor back home in New Orleans.”
Giovanni walked around him. “I like the way it moves with you. The lines are so straight and the fabric stretches and hugs your derriere. I would love to see some of your sketches.” He pulled out a card and handed it to Gerard. “This is the address and the phone number for my studio. Drop by anytime.”
“Merci,” Gerard said.
Adam approached and Gerard introduced them. “This is my manager, Adam Montgomery. Adam, this is Giovanni Bassett.” The handsome and rich thirty-year-old had black hair and green eyes and always looked polished in designer suits.
Giovanni looked at Adam and then at Luke as he shook Adam’s hand. “Do you two know that you look alike?”
Adam chuckled. “Yes, we have been told that from time to time. I enjoyed your show and look forward to adding some of your line to my wardrobe.”
“Thank you,” Giovanni said. “Does Gerard design the clothing for your singing group?”
“Yes,” Adam answered. “He really has an eye for fashion.”
“I would like to see some of his work,” Giovanni said.
Adam pulled out his cell phone and typed something. “I’ve added your name to the VIP list. Please stop by and see the show if you’re not too busy,” he said.
“Thank you.” Giovanni looked at Gerard again. “I will make the time.”
Gerard’s heart skipped a beat and then raced. He couldn’t believe that Giovanni was coming to see him perform.
“I am always interested in nurturing new talent,” Giovanni added. He said goodbye and walked off to speak to some of his other guests.
“I’m so happy,” Gerard said to Luke.
“I’m glad you got the chance to meet your idol. I like the idea that you’re thinking past your music career to the future. Giovanni is young, but he knows people in the business that can help you.”
“Yes, but we still need him on drums,” Adam said as they walked back to join the others.
Gerard couldn’t help but smile. He and Luke were finally on the same wavelength about something. Maybe Giovanni could give him some pointers or at least give him some advice on fashion design. Gerard knew he couldn’t do anything just yet because he was still a student without very many contacts in the fashion world, but he did have a future to look forward to. Singing with Jonas and Frankie was fine at the moment, but he’d always dreamed of being a designer.
* * * *
“Who was that young man?” Marissa Bassett asked her brother once they arrived at the fashion house.
“What young man?” Giovanni asked.
“The curly-haired urchin that you couldn’t take your eyes off all evening,” Marissa said.
Giovanni chuckled. His older sister knew him almost as well as he knew himself. “His name is Gerard Tyler. He’s a French-Cajun fashion-design student from New Orleans. His publicist said he is one of my biggest admirers.”
“He’s cute,” Marissa said. “Do you plan to see him again?”
Giovanni shrugged. “I would like to. I’ve invited him to bring his sketches over for me to check out.” He paused. “He is also a singer in a pop group called The Kerrys. Have you heard of them?”
Marissa shook her head. “I can’t say that I have.”
“Hmm, me either. His manager has invited me to this Saturday’s performance. Would you like to go with me?”
“This Saturday?”
Giovanni nodded.
“Sorry, I’m busy. Why not take Henderson with you? He could do with an outing.”
Henderson Davis was one of his closest friends and a partner in their fashion-design school. Henderson was in love with Marissa but was too frightened to propose to her.
“I think I will,” Giovanni said. “I’d like his opinion anyway.”
“On what?” Marissa asked.
“On whether or not a pop singer can be a fashion designer.”
Marissa chuckled. “Oh, I get it. You’re interested in the young man and you want to get Henderson’s approval.”
“Yes,” Giovanni said. “I have always wanted someone to mentor.”
“Didn’t you say he lives in New Orleans?”
“Yes. He is still a student so we’d probably have to do most of our communications by phone or over the internet.”
“How do you know he’s even interested?” Marissa asked.
“I can tell by his beautiful smile, of course. My instincts are never wrong.”
“The fact that he gorgeous and French has nothing to do with it.”
“That is what is known as ‘lagniappe,’” Giovanni said as he and his sister continued their walkthrough of the building to make sure everything was locked up.
“A little something extra,” Marissa said.
Giovanni nodded. “In this case, a little Cajun soul.”
* * * *
“You were fabulous,” Giovanni said to Gerard when the fashion designer got him away from the other members of his singing group on Saturday night after The Kerrys performed.
“Thank you,” Gerard said. Giovanni looked handsome dressed in a brown suit and tie, with a crème-colored shirt beneath to complete the outfit. He had on enough jewelry to choke a horse and he smelled heavenly. “What’s that scent you’re wearing?”
“Do you like it?” Giovanni asked.
“Very much,” Gerard said.
“It’s called Gio. It’s new and especially designed by me.”
Gerard sniffed him. “Is that hibiscus?”
Giovanni nodded. “You have a good nose for scents. My grandmother always grew them in the garden along with night jasmines.”
“Yes, I smell them, too.”
“I created it in memory of her and added it to musk so the scent would be subtle and not feminine.”
“I like it,” Gerard said.
“Enough about me,” Giovanni said. “I had no idea you were such a talented singer and drummer.”
“Frankie’s the real talent of the act,” Gerard said, trying not to blush because Giovanni had complemented him. “My part is fun. I get to dance and play the drums.”
“You certainly have a lot of energy.” A waiter passed by with a tray of drinks. Giovanni grabbed two. “How old are you?”
“Twenty,” Gerard answered.
Giovanni put one of the glasses back. “Bring him a soda,” he told the waiter. “I wouldn’t want to break a law.”
“Thank you,” Gerard said.
>
The waiter returned quickly with Gerard’s soda and left.
“I’m surprised you aren’t knee-deep in groupies.”
“This party is strictly for the press and certain special people,” Gerard said, watching Giovanni over the edge of his glass. The man wasn’t much older than him, but he was so classy. “And Jonas is usually the one beating women off of him.”
“Ah, the third member of your group. Why wasn’t he at my fashion show?”
“He was sick,” Gerard said. “He’s an asthmatic so our manager wouldn’t let him come out in the cold. He stayed home with Kalen.”
“Kalen? Who is Kalen?”
“Jonas and Frankie’s younger brother. He’s five.”
“I think I saw him at the concert earlier. He’s a blond too, isn’t he?” Gerard nodded again. “He was with a dark-haired man. Is that another brother?”
Gerard shook his head. “That’s Neil Donelon. He was at your show. He’s Kalen’s nanny and tutor. He travels on the road with us.”
“Where did they disappear to?” Giovanni asked.
“Our manager had the driver take them back to the hotel before the party began. It’s past Kalen’s bedtime.”
“A smart idea,” Giovanni said. He sipped his champagne.
Gerard glanced at the designer’s hands. He had nice long fingers. The rest of him wasn’t bad either. He wasn’t as muscular as Luke, but he wasn’t a slouch either. He had the body, height, and grace of a model.
“Did you design your costumes?” Gerard nodded. “I like the one for the opening act. Yellow looks good on you.”
“That was a last-minute idea,” Gerard said. “We snuck off to the mall and nearly got mobbed at the clothing store.”