He didn’t need to brag.
So here he was, needing to understand where Kendrick fitted into their lives.The easiness between him and Monty — would it be there with Kendrick? Lane needed to know that Kendrick could offer Rue the balance it seemed he needed. Lane just had to be clever about how to get the answers.
“I can hear your brain whirring, my love. Can’t we just enjoy a meal and the company?” Derick stood back and twirled Lane around to hold his gaze, searchingly. “Please don’t frighten Kendrick off with your not-so-subtle questions.”
“Me? I couldn’t frighten a fly. And I’m the epitome of subtlety.”
Derick’s deep bass laughter filled the bathroom. “My love, you’re more frightening than a pack of starved wolves! As for subtle, a sledgehammer against a brick wall springs to mind.”
Lane’s laughter joined his husband’s. He wasn’t wrong on both counts, but he had a suspicion that he’d need more finesse with Kendrick.
He reached up and smoothed down the silk tie, eyes twinkling. “Darling, I learned from the best. I also know I won’t be alonein finding answers…”—he eyed his husband—“if you haven’t already done so.” There it was in his eyes. “Did your investigator find anything?”
A flash of annoyance made Lane chuckle. “I’m not the only one who is obvious.” He came up on his toes and waited until Derick met him halfway. “Now kiss me. It is our anniversary, and I’ve got a present you’ll enjoy later.”
“A present?” Large hands roamed down his back, coming to rest on his bottom. Derick lifted him up so their bodies were flush against each other. It was a move he’d done a thousand times before, but it still had the ability to make Lane’s heart flutter with the show of strength.
“Hum,” he murmured against the heat of Derick’s mouth. “Something special that you’ll enjoy unwrapping.”
Derick groaned, pupils dilating. “You’re a tease, my love.”
Lane wore a sexy smirk as Derick released him, shaking his head, eyes traveling down his body as if searching for clues to what lay beneath. “And you love me for it when it’s all you’ll be thinking about throughout the meal. Now shall we go?”
Derick took his hand and guided him eagerly out of their cottage.
The sun was setting, hitting the vines. Their sweet scent perfumed the air, adding to the romance of the evening.
Lane paused to appreciate the view with the man who was his world. “It’s a perfect night for romance.”
It really was.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Kendrick
How had he gotten to the age of forty-two and never experienced the nerves of meeting ‘the parents’? Kendrick couldn’t say, but fuck, he sure as hell felt them now. He tugged at the tie that felt like it was strangling him, one he’d just finished tying not ten seconds ago. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn one. In fact, he’d had to go out and buy one. A feat in itself when he couldn’t remember ever going into the one posh shop they had in town that sold such things.
Rue had told him not to bother, but Rue lived in suits mostly and no doubt his parents did too. Accordingly, Kendrick had sucked it up and gone shopping to buy one, along with a new shirt. He eyed the gray silk and tried not to think too hard on the cost for something he was likely never to wear again. Would he?
He had every intention of having a future with both men, so suits could most certainly get tucked in there. When nearly a week back at work Kendrick felt stressed from the separation, how the fuck would he feel when they had to return to Hazardville?
Christ, the very idea caused a flare of panic to grip his throat, making him want to rip off the tie. Being reasonable, he understood that Rue and Monty had important jobs. That they had to work Monday through Friday and occasional weekends. Kendrick’s job wasn’t important. It paid the bills for him.
How would life be if they made a commitment to each other? Kendrick was not averse to being home. Cooking, cleaning and taking care of his men's needs. Dang, the vacation proved how much he loved it. It was a thrill, which he missed now he was back at work. He could be a househusband. And wasn’t that a shocker. He’d come to that conclusion late on Tuesday when all he wanted was to tell Trey he was done, and hadn’t that given him lots to think about.
“Are you coming?” Monty shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
“Not in the way I want to,” he muttered under his breath, before shouting back, “I’m coming.”
He’d not gotten three steps when he heard Monty coming up the stairs, the thud of his footfall revealing his impatience.
He appeared in the bedroom doorway. “We’re gonna be late,” he stated, looking smart in a suit Kendrick hadn’t seen before. Slim fitting, in brown, he had paired it with a cream shirt open at the throat, no tie in sight.
“Why aren’t you wearing a tie?” Kendrick questioned, frowning as he let Monty drag him out of the bathroom.
Monty shrugged, looking sideways at Kendrick, not stopping. “Don’t you like what I’m wearing?”
Kendrick witnessed the smile dim and dragged Monty to a halt halfway down the stairs. “You look gorgeous.” To make his point, he cupped his cheeks and kissed him hard on the lips until they were both breathless.
