The tubs scattered about Morty once more when his arms windmilled for a second from turning so fast to glance up.He grinned sheepishly at Ernest, then darted for the stairs.“I’m coming, darlin’.”He waved an arm in the air.“I’ll catch you later after my daughter finishes with her daddy’s boobs.”
The rather alarmed look Ernest shot in the direction Morty disappeared, leaving the tubs where they had fallen, had Toby tuck his lips together to prevent the giggles escaping.Morty had post pregnancy forgetfulness.Or that’s what he kept telling them.
Toby bent to pick up the tubs, then realized they had éclairs—more squished than whole—inside them.“Morty’s a little clumsy.”Okay, that was like saying the church was a little religious, but Ernest didn’t need to know that.“And forgetful after the birth of Kaya.”
“Oh.”Ernest helped Toby by taking the tubs and stacking them in his arms.“How old is the baby?”
“Just a few weeks old.She’s so adorable,” gushed Toby, his thoughts wandering to how he might be if he had babies.
Rushing things, aren’t we, when you’re the one who is insisting on going on a date!
There’s no harm in thinking about such things beforehand.
“I’m sure she is.”Ernest blushed prettily.“I’d like to meet her… when it’s convenient…but after the date.”
Toby giggled at how insistent Ernest was—it should happen after their date—showing his eagerness.
Toby calculated that five minutes was all he needed to get changed, and they had a ten-minute drive.And yes, it would be great to introduce Kaya to Ernest, but Toby was excited to get on with his date, too, and hopefully it would progress to more than talking.“Yes, after.”Sexy time.Though he didn’t voice that, he just guided Ernest down to his apartment.
Inside, they left the tubs in the kitchen, which Toby instantly forgot about when they entered his apartment.He left Ernest on the couch with the remote.He ran into his bedroom and stripped off reluctantly when he was taking away Ernest’s heavenly scent.The sweater was far too big to consider leaving it on, so he switched it for a T-shirt that made his eyes appear brighter—so Niall had said when he’d tried it on in the shop—he matched that to a pair of ass hugging jeans, his mind on how much his ass would be on show when bowling.He remembered to check his feet were clean, before putting on socks and sneakers.
He ran a comb through his shaggy hair, then took ten seconds to check how he looked before dashing out of the bedroom.Ernest stood looking at the array of pictures of Toby with his friends and family.
“They’re my family.”
He nodded, turning with a framed picture of the three friends all smiling with a big Christmas tree behind them, glowing with lights.“I can see that.You’re all so young in this picture.”
“We were sixteen.”Toby stared at the picture, remembering how happy they were decorating the tree.“It had been a tough year for Morty as his family had kicked him out for being gay.I asked my parents to let Morty come stay with us.That was the year we started a tradition.”He wasn’t sure it would continue now with things changing.“Every year we make sure to take time before Thanksgiving to decorate our tree.”
“That’s lovely.”He put the frame back down.“Morty’s very lucky to have you as a friend.”
“I’m the lucky one now with everything that his mate has done for me and Niall.”He went to Ernest, not sure what was going on, when a furrow appeared at the bridge of his nose.He went with his instincts and stretched up to cup his whiskered cheeks.“But do you know what makes me even luckier?”
He held Ernest's gaze, working to convey his feelings as he shook his head.“You.”Not quite able to reach to kiss Ernest’s plump lips, he came up on his tiptoes.He witnessed a flare of yearning right before their lips touched.
Heat, sweetness and something else… craving, left an impression as Ernest took over the kiss, deepening it.His mouth moved slowly, methodically—thoroughly—tasting Toby.The kiss heated one degree at a time.The measure of it built from his curling toes to the top of his scalp.He felt it everywhere.
The fitted jeans now felt like Toby had shrunk them in the dryer.
When he eventually eased out of it, Toby wasn’t sure how the world around him had changed so much when everything looked the same—it just had.“You’re really good at that kissing lark.”
Ernest wore a bemused, flushed look.“I’m not sure what to say.”
Toby grinned and winked.“We don’t need words with kisses like that.”Holding out his hand.“Date,” he reminded himself, “we have a date to go on.”Then, when they got back here, all bets were off, along with their clothes.
“Oh, crap!”he exclaimed as the thought registered, and he clutched at the hand that had taken his.
“What is it?”
Would Ernest want to come back here?Go back to his?
Toby had to be at work early, and he didn’t have a car.He felt warmth flood through him as he considered how to explain what was going on in his head.The kiss most definitely made Toby want to say, ‘to heck with work’.But he couldn't let his friends down.
“Toby?”Ernest clasped his fingers tighter.
“I have to work in the morning,” he stressed.
A frown appeared, and then a light dawned in his eyes.“I… could… you know… stay here… for… yes… that,” he stammered.
