I’m being bland as fuck, all domesticated, settled down, and with a steady job. Ew.
Laiken is in the kitchen when I come around the corner. He smiles, and my heart skips. There are days I wonder what I’d be doing if I weren’t here with him. Probably still sitting on my bed in my childhood bedroom crocheting dicks.
Now I do that on the couch while my partner writes. Say what you want, but I think that’s a step up.
“Morning,” Laiken says.
As is the case with everyone who greets me before noon, I grunt in response. He chuckles, handing me a mimosa and an omelet. It’s like he’s trying to woo me or something. Silly old man; I’m already wooed. I’m his.
I slide onto the stool at the counter with a grumble, “Thanks.” I watch him over the stoves as I absently eat my delicious breakfast and sip on my morning alcoholic beverage. This is definitely far more adult than crocheting dicks in my bedroom.
“Where are you working today?” Laiken asks.
I don’t know where he musters conversational skill from in the morning. I try to remember that I love him with all my heart, and that means I shouldn’t just grumble and glare at him in response.
“Library,” I answer. “It takes a whole day to mow that stupid lawn.”
The library is surrounded by a green park with paths and kiddie play stations. It’s a beautiful place. Although the newest plans for the new islands propose building a new library three times as big, and honestly, I’m here for it.
I’m really excited about the expansions. They’re going to be amazing. It’s so frustrating knowing that we have so long to wait before the first island is built! Considering islands take hundreds of thousands of years to form in some cases, I shouldn’t complain about a decade, right?
Laiken sets his plate beside mine and takes my chin between his fingers, guiding my face up so I’m looking at him. How he always takes my breath away!
“Lie, if you hate your job, then quit.”
“That can’t always be an option. People are going to stop hiring me.”
“Then stop settling for jobs you hate. I’ll take care of you.”
My heart races as I look at him. Studying him. Waiting for any sign that I just fabricated those words because I’m dreading spending the day in the sun pushing a stupid mower around. “What?”
His lips curl into a sexy smile. “You heard me,” he murmurs, kissing my lips softly. “Stop taking jobs you hate. Believe it ornot, I can’t stand to see you so miserable every day and so drained every night.”
“But… what if I never find a job I love?”
“Then you stay home and let me take care of you. All you have to do is walk around in those sexy little shorts so I can look at your ass from time to time.”
I know the last part is to lighten the mood with a bit of teasing. As if I’ll ever stop wearing the little shorts. But I can’t help but stare at him. What he’s offering me is… tempting. So damn tempting.
“I’m serious,” I say.
“I am, too, Lie. Stay home. Crochet your dicks. Walk along the beach. Take some classes online. Sunbathe. I don’t care what you do, sweetheart. The only thing I care about is your happiness.”
I put my fork down and twist on my stool so I can wrap my arms around him, pressing my face to his chest. Not going to lie. It’s absolutely ridiculous how much lighter I feel already knowing I don’t have to keep going to this stupid job.
“Are you sure?” I ask, my voice muffled by his sexy, silvering chest hair. I rub my face in it, just for fun. “How long until I need to find something I like?”
Laiken sighs. “Never, Lie,” he says, voice quiet. His arms tighten around me. One of his hands buries in my hair as he holds me close.
I love the way he holds me. Like I’m the most precious, cherished thing in this entire world. I will never get enough of this. I could spend years right here in his arms and nothing else.
Then years making up for all the sweet, PG time by riding that glorious python in his pants. Mm-mm-MM!
“All I want is a smile on your face. I don’t care if you never work a day in your life again.”
I sigh. “I don’t want that, you know. I want to find something I love, but everything I try is just stupid, and I hate it.”
“Because you feel like you need to be working, you’re taking random jobs. It’s not because you’re interested in that job.”
