Page 10 of Ethan’s Dazzling Daddies

“He doesn't know where I live.” Jacob's words made all three men turn his way.

Ethan stared at the other man, their gazes locked as he tried to process what Jacob was offering.

Koa clapped. “Oh yes, that's true. He doesn't.” His eyes lit up. “Which means you could totally go to Jacob's place and be safe away from all of it.”

Ethan didn't really like the word “safe.” He wasn't in danger from Ash. He just needed time to get his bearings before having to face the other man. He knew a conversation would happen eventually. It wasn't a matter of if, just when.

A few days to breathe would probably help Ethan though. At least he could recharge by then.

Jacob smiled at Koa's enthusiasm, though his gaze remained on Ethan. “The offer stands. I'd be honored to have you come to my place, and I think you'll enjoy what I'm making.”

Something about the way he said it made Ethan perk up. Could it be that the recipe Jacob was testing was one meant for Ethan?

No, that would be too presumptuous of him to think. Though Jacob had said he was interested. He'd also shown up quite a bit over the last few weeks.

Still, that didn't necessarily mean he was going out of his way to test recipes with Ethan in mind.

Ethan nodded slowly. What harm would it do? It was just a meal, or some snacks. He could manage keeping his cool for that, right?

“I'll go with you,” he said, his voice soft.

“Excellent.”

Jacob's voice sent a shiver down Ethan's spine. Maybe now that he wasn't so focused on his boss's needs, he could attend to his own. Namely, he could figure out what he and Jacob meant to each other.

With nothing but time on his side, it looked like a real possibility that he could get his own happily ever after.

At Jacob's house, Ethan immediately settled. The building was old but well taken care of. The apartment-condo feel gave him comfort that they wouldn't be entirely alone in some big, rambling space. He had no clue what Jacob's income was like, only that the other man was a staple at the club and a damn good cook.

If he were anywhere else, working for anyone else, he'd make a fortune.

“Why don't you get comfortable on the couch? I'm going to get changed and then we can go into the kitchen.”

Ethan dropped onto the sofa like a log. He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself, not with Jacob gone and his mind free to wander.

He took in the space. It was warm and comforting.

Immediately, his mind compared it to his boss's office: cold and clinical. Such vast differences between the two men he’d spent most of his time with.

He'd no longer be around Ash, so it didn't really matter. Still, Ash would be a part of Ethan's memory for a long, long time. You simply didn't let go of someone who'd been a part of your life for years, not even if they made it rough.

While thinking of Ash, Ethan recalled how Manny and the other man had spoken to each other that night. Even in his distraught state, Ethan could see that they'd been friendly. And for all that he'd gotten to know Manny, he didn't believe the other man would be friends with someone truly horrible. That didn't make sense.

So why had Ash been so difficult with him specifically? Was it a work thing? Was it the fact that Ethan was meant to do more, to be more?

They were questions he'd likely never have the answer to, because confronting it wasn't in his nature.

Jacob returned before Ethan could sink too much further into his thoughts. He appreciated it since he'd been about five minutes away from jumping up and leaving. Jacob now had on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. It was the most relaxed Ethan had ever seen him. He didn't get too formal at the club, but this was something else entirely pure I’m not trying to impress anyone energy.

Ethan's mouth watered at all the skin on display. Jacob was handsome. Of course, he had drawn Ethan's attention from the first day they met. But beneath his work clothes, there was so much more. Muscle and freckles. Veins that spoke to just how much he worked with his hands.

When Ethan's eyes finally met Jacob's, there was a twinkle there. Amusement lined the other man's features. “Are you ready to come cook with me now?” he asked.

Ethan appreciated that Jacob didn't point out what he'd just been doing. There was no denying he'd been thoroughly checking him out. He swallowed and nodded.

“Yes, please.”

He could feel himself slipping into his Little mindset the longer he was with Jacob. It was easy to do, given how kind Jacob was, how patient and understanding he was with Ethan. There was no chance for him to be anything but Little.