wafted around him, the pleased little sounds he made as Baer deepened the kiss. He slid his hands down Wiley’s arms and along his back while Wiley threaded his fingers through Baer’s hair.
This was nice. So very nice.
When Wiley pulled away, the smile on his mouth was like the sun breaking through the clouds, golden and pure. He loved this man’s smile.
“I wish we weren’t stuck at the house,” Baer murmured. He leaned in and nipped at Wiley’s mouth again, not ready to release him.
“Oh, yeah? I can think of several fun things we can do here.” Wiley ended that comment with a wicked waggle of his eyebrows that had Baer pulling away and laughing loudly. Wiley’s hands fell to Baer’s thighs with a soft thwack.
“I’m not saying I’m tired of that. I was just thinking I’d like to take you out on a date. Somewhere really fancy. And then maybe we could do one of those night tours or a nightclub.”
“Oooh! Like Alligator Soul!”
“Excuse me?” Baer choked out with a laugh.
“It’s this eclectic place that I’ve been dying to try.” Wiley was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as his hands started to flutter around him. “It’s supposed to be in the basement of this really old building, and they serve strange and exotic meats and dishes.”
“Like alligator?”
Wiley snorted. “You’re in the deep south now, boy. Alligator ain’t strange down here. But supposedly they also offer dishes like kangaroo, antelope, and ostrich. I’ve heard their crawfish mac and cheese is to die for. Oh! And banana beignets!” Wiley paused and made a moaning noise worthy of Homer Simpson.
Baer threw his head back and laughed. “How can you even think about food? I still don’t know where you packed all the food you ate at lunch.”
“My grandmother is convinced I burn all the calories off when I talk.”
“Maybe.”
Wiley shrugged. “The restaurant is one of the most popular in Savannah. It’ll be around for a while. We can go after you’ve defeated the pestilents.”
It was a struggle to keep the frown from his face. He didn’t know how long that would take. Months? Years? And he didn’t want to think about how each time they sealed the rift between world, they apparently all died in the battle. If he was lucky enough to survive, wouldn’t that mean it was because he’d found his soul mate?
He must have failed to hide his dark thoughts because Wiley lost his smile as he cocked his head at Baer. Slender fingers gripped his thighs and squeezed. “What? We can celebrate with everyone at Alligator Soul if you want. Or anywhere you want.”
Baer captured both of Wiley’s hands in his and brought them up to his lips for a kiss. “It’s not that. I…I just don’t want to wait that long.” He hated lying, but he didn’t want to think about the hard days that were still to come. Didn’t want to think about not having moments just like this with Wiley. “I want to go out with you and explore this new city. Lucien told me some interesting bits, and I want to see it all with you.”
“Savannah has some crazy history. You’re going to love it!” Wiley squeezed his hands. “Don’t worry. You and the rest of the Circle will have the pestilents taken care of soon enough.”
“I know.”
Wiley’s expression clouded, and he frowned at Baer’s chest for a second. “Though…if the pestilents are going to be a problem…”
“What’s up?”
“My next therapist appointment is in a few weeks.”
“I remember. I’ve got it programmed in my phone with a reminder,” Baer said dutifully. He was determined to take good care of his man no matter what.
Wiley smiled sweetly up at him before pressing a kiss to his chin. “Thank you. I was just thinking that maybe I should go ahead and cancel it. I don’t need her to write me a new script, and—”
“No, you’re going,” Baer said firmly.
Wiley was already shaking his head. “It’s okay. I used to go every other month, but I increased the frequency earlier in the year because I was stressed about launching my new comic book. Everything is good now. I can go back to fewer appointments.”
Baer narrowed his eyes at his lover. “Do you really think you’re not under a great deal of stress living in this madhouse?”
“I know. I should feel stressed, but it’s strange…I don’t. Even after the snake attack and getting bitten. I just…I don’t know how to explain it. When I’m with