Nothing to Gain (Learning the Ropes #2) - E.M. Denning Page 0,44
wardrobe change. A respectable job.”
Linden sighed and took the loofah from Brett. He stepped away and washed Brett’s back in circles. “I’m sorry that your parents are pod people.”
Brett snorted. “That’s one term for them. My brother keeps showing up and trying to get me to see them.”
“Why?” Linden wrinkled his nose.
Brett turned around and tilted his head back, allowing the water to saturate his hair. “No idea. They burned the bridge, they can repair it. It’s not up to him to mend their fences.”
“That’s a lot of metaphors.” Linden leaned in and kissed Brett’s throat.
Brett moaned, but put his hands on Linden’s hips and put more space between them. “You have class. Which means sleep.”
“We have time for one more.” Linden whined, knowing it wasn’t true.
“I’ve created a monster.” Brett shook his head with a laugh. After that Linden behaved himself. They talked a little more while they finished showering and drying off. Not about parents or what had happened between them, but about the dinner party menu and decor. It did something funny to Linden’s heart to see Brett as excited about the idea as Linden was.
They crawled back into Brett’s bed, which smelled of sex, and Linden’s cock twitched. He mentally admonished his dick for having a one track mind. He tugged on his briefs and climbed under the covers. Brett joined him a minute later; wet hair twisted into a long braid he had done so fast Linden hardly had time to appreciate the skill it took.
Brett curled himself around Linden’s back and turned himself into the big spoon. “I set my alarm for seven. That gives us time for breakfast before your class.”
Linden grabbed Brett’s arm and hugged it tight against his chest. “Yes, boss.” He didn’t expect to fall asleep so quickly, but hardly a minute must have passed before his eyes drooped and he felt the familiar pull of sleep. He almost wanted to fight it, because he’d had the most perfect day and he wasn’t ready for it to be over. But the prospect of waking up next to Brett, of him being the first person he got to see, soothed him and lulled him to sleep.
19
Brett
The end of his shift couldn’t come fast enough. The espresso machine had been a temperamental jackass all day. He’d had a customer freak out because the white chocolate macadamia cookies had the audacity to have macadamia nuts in them. Another person had him remake a mocha without the hot chocolate. Brett had the next two days off and tonight he’d be going shopping with Linden, who should arrive soon after his class.
Brett had spent the morning cleaning the apartment, not that he and Ansel were slobs, but there was a level of cleanliness Brett aspired to if he was going to have people over for a dinner party.
It seemed so weirdly domestic, but Brett had been looking forward to it since Linden mentioned it. It had been a couple weeks since they’d started dating and it had taken that long to nail down a date that everyone could make it. Because Valentine’s Day was around the corner, Brett decided to go with a heart themed decor. He’d spent a few hours the night before cutting out paper hearts to decorate the apartment. He’d relocated the twinkle lights from his bedroom to the main living area. He still had a few things to finish up, but felt pleased with the way it was coming together.
Brett looked at the clock and sighed. He still had ten more minutes to go. He turned to the door when Linden walked in. He’d done his makeup again, which made Brett smile. He loved seeing his boyfriend blossom into the person he wanted to be.
It wasn’t much. Eyeliner and mascara with a hint of lip gloss, but Linden walked in wearing leggings and the bottom of a minidress poked out from under his jacket. Linden had talked about getting his ears pierced, but he’d also confessed to being deathly afraid of needles.
“Hey, beautiful,” Brett said. He leaned across the counter to greet Linden with a kiss. He wouldn’t normally do that, but the cafe was empty and Brett was out of fucks for the day.
“Hey yourself. You smell like hot chocolate.”
Brett grimaced. “Don’t get me started on hot chocolate today.” Brett glanced at the clock. “I’ll close up now and we can get to the store.”
Linden bit his lip. “I should have checked with you first.”