I couldn’t help but watch as both Sanders and Leo began talking animatedly about how great it would be and how people could read in the café or drink coffee in the bookstore, and I sat back and listened to the boys discuss some type of utopian wonderland.
Of all the possible retirement plans I’d made, this had definitely never been one of them. And wasn’t that absolutely wonderful? I glanced at the two drunk boys in front of me who were so completely engrossed in their plans they’d probably forgotten I was even there.
It gave me time to observe Sanders in an all new way. He was relaxed, animated, more confident, happy… And I think I finally figured out who he was, or rather who he would be if he let go of the constant worry and stress I knew were weighing him down.
Something in me at that moment made me want to help that side of him come out more. A protective instinct I hadn’t felt in years reared up, and my heart started to beat faster. And on that note, I realized if I didn’t leave right then, I’d start obsessing about Sanders even more than I already was.
I murmured in Sanders’s ear as I helped him off my lap, my boy barely noticing, he was so engrossed in his discussion with Leo. Standing, I tossed my coffee cup in the trash and cleared my throat, interrupting the boys, whose heads were bent over the drawing that was now such a garbled mess of different things I couldn’t tell what was what any longer. I smiled as they looked up at me with blank expressions.
The beautiful grin Sanders gave me in return, as if he was just so happy I was there, was a kind of aphrodisiac that would be hard to ignore for any red-blooded man. Damn, but those lips were kissable. So I did just that, leaning down and capturing his lips with my own. He fell into the kiss, caught up in the moment with me.
Finally, I forced myself to pull back, the heart eyes and sweet smile on Sanders’s face so cute I wanted to toss him over my shoulder, carry him to my car, and abscond with him before Leo noticed. I cleared my throat, needing to make sure they were going to be safe before I left. “I don’t want either of you driving, is that understood?”
Was that a shiver I saw make its way through Sanders’s body? Had my stern voice and bossy behavior elicited that reaction? I scrubbed my hands over my face. Christ, he might just be the death of me. Visions of dominating the boy came to mind, and my dick started to perk up. The Daddy in me was literally salivating over this boy who so needed the care I could give him.
Since neither of them had provided me with any reassurance, I repeated myself, “Leo, Sanders, you’re not driving home, correct? Do you need me to come back and give you a ride?”
Finally, Leo tuned in enough to answer. “Oh, no. Tracey, our coworker, is coming to pick us up when we call her.” He tilted his head as if remembering something. “And she’s covering the café tomorrow with another employee so we can get as drunk as we want. Didn’t really think about that when I asked her to pick us up, but then again, she did say it was my birthday gift, so”—he shrugged—“I don’t feel too bad.”
Both boys thought that was hilarious and I just watched them laugh, bemused. I patted my pockets for my keys, feeling a bit out of sorts, not really wanting to leave but knowing the boys needed to decompress and have fun. “Okay, well, thanks for letting me crash your party. Happy birthday, Leo. I’m gonna let you two have some time together. Are you going to be okay?”
Sanders’s eyes got big. “I can’t wait until we cut a hole in the wall.”
I chuckled, knowing he wasn’t fully tracking. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy, and I think we shouldn’t make business decisions like that when you’re drunk. In the morning, this idea may not appeal to you at all.”
Sanders frowned and then pouted. Jesus, this boy… “No. I won’t change my mind. I really want it.” He gave me a dopey, drunk grin. “Who wouldn’t want Narnia?”
I chuckled. “Who indeed.”
He straightened up. “Can I walk you out?”
How on earth could I turn that down? How on earth could I turn anything down he offered? Fuck. I held out my hand in answer and helped him up from his seat, which was lucky as he was a bit unsteady. He kept his grip on my hand as we walked to the front. He was about to walk me out to my car, but I stopped him at the door. “No. Stay inside. Lock up behind me. I’m not going to get into my car until I know you’re locked up safe before going back to Leo.”
The puppy dog eyes and sappy smile he gave me had me throwing caution to the wind. I couldn’t leave without another kiss. I gathered him close and tasted his lips, the little whimper he let out made me bring him closer until our bodies were flush. I knew if I didn’t stop, I really would toss him over my shoulder and take him home with me. I slowly withdrew again and stepped back, but I couldn’t help reaching out and sliding my finger down the slope of his adorably pert nose. He looked like he was drunk on me and not the booze. Sighing, I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. “Lock up, Sanders.”
He nodded with a small grin on his face, locked the doors, and waved goodbye. I made my way to the Rover and started the engine, trying not to look back but unable to help myself. He was still standing in the window watching me with a yearning, hungry look in his eyes.
I was already so gone over this boy it was ridiculous.
12
Sanders
I watched my Daddy walk away, and I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or his wonderful kisses, but I’d never felt so happy.
Leo slung an arm around my shoulder. “He’s perfect for you, man. And hot.”
I nodded. “So hot. Look at his ass, Leo. Just look at it.”
“Are you really asking me to stare at your boyfriend’s ass?”
I giggled. “Yeah. Have you ever seen an ass so perfect?”
“Sam’s ass is better.”
I shoved Leo away. “Is not.”
He stumbled back, a grin still on his face. “Yeah, it is. Really tight too. Damn, I miss that ass. Let’s drink more alcohol so I can forget about how badly I want to fuck my boyfriend.”
Sam traveled for work a lot, but never on Leo’s birthday. I made a mental note to tell Sam to not take a business trip during Leo’s birthday ever again.
“C’mon. More margaritas,” I said, grabbing his elbow and leading him to the back room.
Leo’s phone dinged as I grabbed a cup to fill with ice. He yanked it out of his back pocket, and his eyebrows furrowed. “What the hell?”
“What is it?”
Leo swiped across the screen a few times. “I get a notification every time there’s a purchase of five hundred dollars or more out of our bank account, and apparently Sam just spent over a thousand dollars.”
This was not a good day for Sam to do something stupid or selfish. I was just about to text him when Leo’s face lit up, and he covered his mouth with his hand.
“What is it?”
He showed me the screen of his phone, where a purchase of $1,239 was listed from a place called Gusterman Silversmiths.
Either I was really drunk, or this situation still didn’t make sense.
“We went there last summer when we were in Denver. It’s a jewelry shop.”