James pushed his shoulders into Jacob’s chest and sighed. “It looks good. We did good.”
“We did great,” Jacob agreed. “Who knew that we’d make such a great team?”
James chuckled. “Not me.”
“Let me get the cake pan greased and then in the oven the cake will go.” Jacob checked the oven to make sure it was preheated to the correct temp then went about getting the batter into the greased pan.
As he worked, Jacob noticed a small glass jar pushed into the corner of the counter. He didn’t comment. Jacob wasn’t sure what to say about the…what the jar was filled with.
Once the cake was in the oven, Jacob washed his hands then held out his palm for James.
James shuffled over and Jacob washed his hands as well.
He grabbed a towel. Drying James had the boy looking down at his feet. Oh! The floor needed to be cleaned still as well. All afternoon Jacob had been testing James’s reactions to how Jacob requested he did tasks or directed him. There was no sass. Instead James seemed to be trying to impress him. Jacob approved.
“Do you have your phone to set the timer?” Jacob asked.
James nodded then dug his phone from his back pocket.
There wasn’t much of a mess since Jacob had taken control. He did wash up the measuring cups, spoons, and bowls before grabbing the broom from the corner of the kitchen.
“I just cleaned in here too,” James complained. “After Michael and his boyfriends left.”
Jacob hid his smile. Eventually he would have to admit to seeing James in the cape. Maybe after Jacob gave him the present. That might need some explaining on his part. Bending down, he picked up a small green item then added it to the pile that he’d seen next to the oven.
James climbed onto one of the stools at the counter and watched. “I’d offer to help but you look very content with a broom in your hand.”
“Socks off, please,” Jacob requested. He didn’t need the help. The boy was just fine watching. And as much as cooking calmed him, cleaning did as well. If James had seen some of the places that Jacob had lived, the boy would be shocked.
James pulled off his socks and tossed them toward the open laundry door.
Jacob lifted a brow.
“I’ll pick them up later,” James told him. “I want my gift.”
Jacob returned the broom to the corner. “Fine.” He’d ensure that James did indeed pick up his dirty socks before he left. Strolling over to the corner of the counter and grabbing the plastic-wrapped toy, he set it in front of James and waited.
James frowned as he turned the action figure over then back to the front. “What?”
“It’s a superhero,” Jacob pointed out. Not that he thought he needed to.
“I can see that. Why did you buy me a superhero action figure?” James asked suspiciously.
Jacob didn’t miss the way that James carefully ran his finger over the front of the package.
“You said you wanted to be a superhero,” Jacob reminded him. “I saw this and thought. You already are. To me.”
James’s head snapped up. “What? Are you making fun of me?”
“Of course not!” Jacob hurried over to grab James’s wrist. He really liked holding on to the boy. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“I’m a grown-ass man,” James said sharply. “I don’t need someone to buy me…toys.”
He’d fucked up again. After spotting James in the cape, with James’s confession, and knowing that Michael was a little, he’d assumed. Assumed incorrectly. Jacob swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”
James set the toy down hard. “What exactly are you implying.”
Releasing his wrist, Jacob took two steps back. This was horrifying. Just because he was interested in having a boy of his own didn’t mean it was right to place that desire onto James.
