There was a moment’s silence, followed by splutters and coughs.
“Trust me,” Shane said amid chuckles, “there is nowaythese particular gifts will be going back home with us.”
Adam laughed. “This sounds good.” Paul gave him another dig. Adam leaned closer to whisper, “Before you give me bruised ribs, just remember who you sleep with—and what I keep in the bedside cabinet.” He grinned.
More splutters greeted his words. Paul knew his face must have been glowing, it was that hot. “Adam, TMI?”
Mikey burst out laughing. “Oh, that ship has long sailed. Taylor saw to that.”
Paul glared at Taylor, who flushed uncomfortably. “I might have told Eric and the gang about your… dark side,” Taylor said with an apologetic expression. The others snorted and chuckled.
Adam nearly choked on his wine. Paul was tempted to give him another dig but remembered his lover’s warning. He had a bad feeling about his unseen gifts.
“Me first!” Taylor had apparently recovered from his bout of shame. He handed Paul a small box wrapped in silver paper.
Paul tore off the wrapping, opened the box and… stared. “It’s a leash. A chain leash.” Adam snorted and Paul guffawed. “Don’t you go getting any ideas about putting a collar on me and leading me around the house with it.”
Taylor gave a small cough. “Uh, Paul? It wouldn’t be attached to your neck. This goes with it.” He handed over a second gift.
His heart pounding, Paul opened it and gaped at the contents.
“Well?” Adam demanded. “What is it?”
Paul sighed resignedly. “It’s a cock ring.”
There was a moment’s silence before all their guests laughed uproariously. Paul gave Taylor a look that promised retribution, but Adam was grinning like an idiot.
“Taylor, have I told you lately how much I like you?”
Taylor snickered. “Yeah, I figured you’d approve.” Adam gave him the thumbs up.
“Our turn.” Eric gave him a parcel. “This is from the four of us.”
Paul opened this one more cautiously and groaned when he saw what lay inside the pretty box.
“Oh, please, you have to tell me,” Adam begged.
Paul placed it into his hands. Adam ran his fingers over it and beamed. “Boys! Priceless!”
Paul growled. “Don’t encourage them.” He glared at his so-called friends. “A puppy dog tail butt plug? Really?”
Eric and the others were crying with laughter.
“God, I’ve never been so conflicted in my life!” Shane wiped his eyes. “Half of me is dying to see what this looks like, because, comeon, atailsticking out of your arse? But the other half keeps thinking, ‘ew!’”
“Stop it,” Jason begged. “I’m laughing so much my stomach hurts.”
“Our turn.” Sam handed Paul a small package, and the others leaned forward, eyes shining.
Paul gave it a baleful stare. “It’s come to something when I’m afraid to open my own presents.”
Adam leaned closer. “After the butt plug, how bad could it be?” he said under his breath. He bit his lip. “Nah, forget I said that.” Adam smothered a chuckle.
“Not helping,” Paul whispered back. He tore off the gold wrapping paper and sighed when he saw the image on the box.
“Oh, come on, I’m dying here,” Adam said, grinning again.
Paul opened the box and placed the fluffy-covered objects into Adam’s hands. Adam promptly burst into a peal of bright laughter. “Handcuffs! Excellent. You can never have too many pairs.”
