He nodded, stepping back. Then, turned to start cleaning up the mess on the counter.
Enzo whispered to him as I turned to get the broom out of the pantry. I’d let them have their moment, since my words had done little to soothe Emery.
I shut the door right as Emery passed, arms crossed over his chest and head down.
“He’s going to get changed,” Enzo supplied, wiping the flour that was on the counter to the floor. “He’s more embarrassed than anything, I think. His parents always made a huge deal about messes, or so he says.”
“You don’t have to explain for him,” I said, starting to sweep the mess on the floor into a pile. “He’s entitled to his feelings, just like you are.”
“Easier said than done.” I was sure I wasn’t meant to catch those words.
I looked at Enzo. His walls were up, padded and possibly locked, but the words he uttered gave me more than enough knowledge about what he really thought of the world. And himself.
The urge to wrap my arms around this man was just as strong as it was with Emery.
By the time the kitchen was cleaned, and the cookies were in the oven, Emery shuffled his way back out. His hair was wet, falling into his red-rimmed eyes.
Without words, I opened my arms in invitation from where I sat on the couch. It took him a moment before he crawled into my lap, pressing his face into my neck.
Glancing at Enzo, who sat on the other end, I saw him quickly look away, jaw tight. I had a feeling he wanted to be in Emery’s spot right about now. If only his stubbornness would allow him to ask, or just do what his lover had grown accustomed to.
“Feeling better?”
Emery nodded. “Yeah.”
There wasn’t a need to repeat my words from earlier. I was sure if he thought he was in trouble, he wouldn’t have crawled into my lap willingly.
Relaxing against the back of the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table in front of me, I allowed myself to just be. I didn’t worry about the future. I knew there were going to be ups and downs, and we’d ride them out for however long it lasted.
Enzo jumped from the couch right as the buzzer on the oven went off. It felt like he couldn’t run away fast enough.
“I think he’s wanting this,” Emery whispered, looking up at me. When I gave him a confused look, he went on. “Cuddles. Acceptance.” We must have been thinking the same thing.
“He’s welcome to do this too.” I tightened my arms. “I won’t turn him away either.”
“Enzo isn’t good at asking for what he wants.”
“Are you so sure about that?” It was Emery’s turn to look confused, his nose wrinkling in the process. “Enzo came to me this morning about…some bedroom activities he’d like to do with you.”
That earned me a deep blush from the man in my lap.
“You don’t have to have my permission to have sex, or anything similar, with Enzo. As long as there’s protection, and it’s not done in front of me.”
As he tucked his head back into my neck, I could feel Emery’s embarrassment against my skin.
“There’s stuff in the bedroom for whenever you are both ready. Remember, you don’t have to rush into anything.”
“Can we not talk about this now?” His whine was nearly laughable. I was barely able to hold it in.
“Okay.”
“Cookies are done,” Enzo said softly, standing not too far away. “Should let them cool for a few minutes first.” His eyes bounced everywhere, not sure where to land.
“They smell delicious,” I smiled up at him. “And I bet they taste even better.”
He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’m going—”
“Have a seat.” I tilted my head to the side, indicating the couch. A beat later, Enzo sat, halfway between the end and the middle. I let Emery go when he pulled away, wrapping himself around Enzo as much as he could.
