Mark chuckled. “We should’ve given them to you, Adam. You’d probably put them to better use.”
Paul snorted. “Yeah?” He took them off Adam. “Well, that just goes to show you don’t know everything.” He gave Adam a quick peck on the cheek. “Do they,babe?” Paul grinned. Adam mouthedtonightand Paul knew he was in for it when everyone had left.
Looks like my birthday will be finishing the way it started. Lucky me.
Well, only lucky if Adam removed his birthday present first. The key to Paul’s cock cage was hanging on a chain around Adam’s neck.
David guffawed. “Adam, I take my hat off to you. Nothing wrong with a little versatility, taken in moderation, of course.” He stroked up and down Taylor’s spine. “Besides, it’s kinda nice to sit back and let someone else take the driving seat now and again, if you catch my drift.” Taylor’s face flushed.
Shane shuddered. “I didnotneed that image in my head, thank you very much.”
“Yeah,” Jason added. “It’s bad enough knowing you’re gay. We don’t need to know about the details, all right?”
Mark snorted. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re not the teeniest bit curious?”
“Not even remotely. Hetero and proud, okay?” Shane gave an exaggerated shiver. Mikey and Jason were nodding in agreement.
“What we’re all dying to know,” Taylor said with a grin, “is whatAdamgot you for your birthday.” A chorus of whistles and whoops followed his words.
“Yes, Paul, why don’t you tell them what I gave you for your birthday?” Adam said innocently.
Bastard.
Paul had an idea who might be the first to try out the handcuffs, and it wouldn’t be him. “One of my presents is behind you on the sideboard,” he said, pointing to the large soft toy dinosaur.
Taylor twisted around to glance at it. “Oh wow. An Adamosaurus. Is it an accurate representation?”
Paul snickered. “Let’s see. He’s big and strong… Yeah, it’s pretty accurate, except for one thing. The dick is missing.” He nudged Adam.
“Think how much extra fabric they’d need, though,” Adam added, smirking.
“Andthereyou go again, lowering the tone,” Shane groaned. “Change the subject, please, anyone?”
“How’s the job hunting going?” Sam asked, before sipping his wine.
“Actually, I might have some news soon on that front,” Paul informed them. “I have a job interview next week at a nursinghome in Sandown. They need a physiotherapist to start after Christmas, so keep your fingers crossed.”
“I had other ideas,” Adam said in his low voice. He reached across the table for Paul’s hand and curled his fingers around it. “I suggested Paul might want to think about setting up in business for himself, maybe working with a masseur.” He gave a shrug. “It’s another way to go.” He squeezed Paul’s hand.
Paul lifted their laced hands and kissed Adam’s. “I love the idea, just maybe not yet. When I’ve had more experience.”
Adam smiled. “You will make a success of whatever you choose to do. I’m positive.”
Warmth spread through Paul on hearing Adam’s sincere words of praise, and his throat tightened. He coughed. “Now we’re all finished, I’ll go and fetch the birthday cake.”
“You want us to clear the plates?” Sam asked.
Paul shook his head. “You just sit there and enjoy the wine. I won’t be a minute.”
He pushed back his chair and pressed his lips to Adam’s fingers before releasing them. Paul hurried into the kitchen, his pulse quickening. Sometimes the realisation of how lucky he was overwhelmed him. Adam loved him, body and soul, and wasn’t shy about telling him so.
For a man who’d found it difficult to share his feelings a few months ago, Adam had come a long way.
Paul counted out the birthday candles and proceeded to stick them into the soft icing. Twenty-six candles were going to require a huge breath to blow them out.
Adam walked up behind him and slipped his arms around Paul’s waist, nuzzling into his neck and kissing him there. Paul couldn’t repress the shivers that rippled through him. Adam knew exactly what he was doing, the sod.
“Happy, babe?” Adam murmured, pressing his lips to Paul’s hair and kissing him tenderly.
