Learning to Trust - M.A. Innes Page 0,12

and buy them new, but I got enough to cook with for now.”

Cook with?

I wasn’t so ridiculous that I thought food magically appeared prepared, but I had no idea how to cook and didn’t know anyone our age who did. Hell, most of my foster parents hadn’t cooked enough for me to figure any of it out.

I wasn’t even sure how to respond to his comment, so I nodded and scrambled for something that sounded reasonably grown-up. “That sounds like a good plan.”

It must have worked because they both nodded and continued like the comment fit right in. Destin was still bouncing around the room caressing the furniture like it was a person in need of a cuddle or maybe an orgasm…but he was having fun, so I ignored it.

“I noticed you didn’t have many plates either, so I found a set of dishes that will complement yours. It’ll make it easier to eat real meals and not have to use paper plates so often.” Leon sounded so much like a real adult that I found myself nodding. “Oh, and we grabbed you some lamps if you’d like them. The rooms are like dungeons.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” Was it?

I ignored Destin’s dirty giggles over Leon’s dungeon comment and nodded. “And thank you.”

I didn’t want to do dishes.

And did takeout need to go on a real plate?

“I grabbed some plastic storage containers while I was at the grocery store too.” Leon made it seem like he was trying to be helpful, but I’d had adults aim that look at me before. It never turned out to mean fun or anything close to it. “You’re more than welcome to any leftovers that are in the fridge. There’s no point in eating out every meal when cooking is so much cheaper.”

I wasn’t sure what he was imagining, but if it was me at the stove, he was insane.

“I don’t know how to cook. I don’t mind takeout.” Pizza was almost as fun as cereal.

He visibly winced, which had Destin giggling again. As Destin’s trail around the furniture brought him by me, he gave my shoulder a pat. “It’ll be fine. He’s well-meaning and generally wins. Think of him like a Dom who doesn’t know he’s a Dom and just eat your vegetables.”

Leon rolled his eyes, which seemed to discount the Dom theory. “Stop being ridiculous. Just because you had the eating habits of a toddler when we first met doesn’t mean I’m…a Dom.”

It didn’t?

Trying not to look bug-eyed and confused, I glanced between the two guys. “I’m good on my own. Don’t worry about me.”

“Aww, that’s so cute. You think he’s not going to worry about you.” Destin’s mock tenderness gave way to giggles. “He really can’t help it. You seem easier to handle, though. I drove him nuts with all kinds of questions.”

Questions?

“What do you mean?” I probably shouldn’t have asked. I was trying to keep some distance between us, but that wasn’t easy with Destin.

Leon groaned. “You had to ask.”

Destin gave me another wide smile. “I grew up in a religious community that didn’t believe in premarital sex or easy access to the internet. So I had a lot of questions about being gay and dating and BDSM and all kinds of things.”

Oh.

Before I had to figure out a response, Destin seemed to get distracted by all the odd stuff in the kitchen because, as I just stood there staring, he bounced over to the counter and started digging through boxes and bags. Glancing over at Leon, I saw him watching Destin with a concerned expression I hadn’t seen on him before.

Seeing me staring, he shrugged but whispered almost inaudibly. “It was bad.”

From the look on his face, I had a feeling Destin had downplayed the issues. But considering I’d probably do the same, I couldn’t say anything. Giving him a nod, I let the subject drop since that seemed to be what Destin wanted.

“Oh, do you know how to cook waffles, Leon?” Destin’s eager expression had Leon groaning again.

“I did not buy a waffle iron.” He seemed to think that would make Destin drop the conversation.

It didn’t.

“I’ll buy you one. I saw one the other day that made waffles in penis shapes. Doesn’t that sound like fun?” His expression was frighteningly sweet and eager. “We’ll dunk them in syrup and it’ll look like—”

“No.” Leon’s firm answer interrupting the strange breakfast request had both of us jumping.

Destin didn’t like that answer.

He gave Leon a very contrived pout and sighed.