Moving toward the fridge so he could peek into the living room, Carter smiled. Aaron was on his back, allowing all three puppies to climb over him. Drawing out his phone, Carter snapped a few quick pictures.
It was nice having Aaron home with him. The scene happening in the living room was exactly what Carter had hoped for when he relocated. A future with someone like Aaron.
He’d been thinking a lot since his and Hudson’s talk. Hudson and Bas had spent a good half an hour visiting with Aaron and the puppies as Carter started dinner. Giving Carter the time and space he needed.
Whatever mates meant to the paranormal community was one thing. Carter had his own thoughts. While it was obvious that Hudson was all-in and committed as soon as he learned Bas’s secret, that wasn’t the way that Carter worked. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t mate with Aaron. He just wanted to get to know the man who was supposed to be picked for him by the fates better before taking such a big step.
If Aaron didn’t bring up the subject of mates by the time dessert was finished, Carter would bite the bullet. This needed to be dealt with. Carter wanted to date Aaron while learning more about his partner and the paranormal world. He was hoping that Aaron would understand the need for Carter to take his time. Mixing customs from both their worlds would be a nice compromise.
The buzzer from the oven went off, and he hurried out of view so Aaron didn’t notice that Carter had been watching him.
Carter turned off the timer before pulling the dinner rolls from the oven.
“It smells so good in here.” Aaron was gripping the edges of the doorframe leaning forward with a grin. The three pups were around his ankles, jumping on the gate that kept them out of the way.
Picking up a couple of gates to block areas that the puppies could get hurt in had been a good suggestion from the vet. He appreciated that after admitting he was new at being a petowner, she hadn’t judged him and made a list of suggestions to make his life easier.
Carter had been telling Hudson the truth earlier when he said that he was glad Hudson and Bas would be in the house to help with Aragon, Legolas, and Arwen. And Aaron had volunteered to take the puppies into the office when both he and Hudson were working.
“It’s almost ready,” Carter said as he realized that he hadn’t responded to Aaron. “Why don’t you take them out for a quick bathroom break while I finish up?”
“I can do that,” Aaron replied. He bent over, picking up the three little ones, giving Carter the perfect view of his round ass.
Carter burned to get his hands on that body, yet he knew it would have to wait until he and Aaron talked things through. He didn’t want to mess up by making a move that might mean something different in the paranormal customs. Carter wished he’d asked his brother more questions. Not about sex. Because no. They might be close, but Carter did not want to know about what was happening in Hudson’s sex life. It was bad enough he’d been responsible to have “the talk” with his brother when Hudson hit puberty and later about condoms and lube.
“You just got a really weird look on your face. Everything okay? Aaron asked.
Carter waved the hand that was still covered by the hot pad glove. “I can’t even start to explain. Go ahead.”
“O…okay.” Aaron grinned, stepping over the gate with the three wiggling pups.
Carter moved before he even thought about his actions. He was blocking Aaron’s path to the back door. Once he was standing in the way, he faltered.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Aaron asked quietly.
Carter nodded as he dropped his gaze down to Aaron’s lips. He really wanted to kiss the other man.
“You still want me to take the pups out back?” Aaron questioned sounding adorable confused.
Carter nodded again.
“Are you going to let us pass? And if you nod again, I might kick you.”
Realizing that he was still staring at Aaron’s lips, Carter lifted his eyes. “Thank you for coming over.”
Aaron smiled sweetly. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“I want to invite you again,” he blurted out.
“To dinner?” Aaron asked.
Carter moved closer. “Yes. Will you have dinner with me again?”
“Yes. When?”
Reaching out, Carter grasped Aaron by the upper arm. “Tomorrow?”
“Don’t you work tomorrow?”
