“I can settle for ten percent of the credit. I was just Loki’s driver. He did all the work.” Miller liked teasing Payton. He also loved the deep rosy color of his mate’s cheeks.
“Next time you better bring him.”
Miller wasn’t sure if Payton realized what he’d just said. His mate was inviting him back, and Miller would definitely take him up on his offer.
“Go ahead.” Payton handed him a fork. “Try it.”
Miller sliced into the pie and ate a forkful. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. He had to admit this was was the best pie he’d ever had. It was even better than the diner’s. “Meh, it’s okay.”
Payton slapped him on his arm. “Don’t even play with me like that.”
Miller chuckled. “Okay, sorry. It’s fantastic.”
Payton’s smile was blinding. “That’s what I thought, and thank you.”
If Payton let him, Miller would probably eat the entire pie. It was that good, and he hadn’t had lunch yet. He’d been working with Russell all morning and decided to come over on his lunch break. Too bad he couldn’t stay.
After finishing the last of his treat, Miller put his plate, fork, and empty milk glass in the sink. “Well, I better get that step fixed. I have to get back to work afterward.”
“Oh, don’t let me keep you.” Payton walked him to the side door. “Let me know when you’re finished.”
Miller lingered, fighting the urge to haul Payton to him and kiss him silly. His jaguar purred at the thought, but Miller excused himself and went outside, and just like last night, his dick was half-hard in his jeans.
He wanted to stay, but he and Russell had a big job to finish, and he wasn’t about to bail on his responsibilities. Miller was already taking time he didn’t have to eat the pie, but damn, it had been worth it.
He mixed the cement and set the step, sealing it. It would take a tad longer since it was cold outside, but Miller was confident the work was done. Unless Payton found another distressed animal hiding in there, which Miller doubted. He’d set the slab last night, and no animal could have gotten into the small gap.
Payton stuck his head out the door and handed Miller a thermos. “It’s cold as hell out here, so I thought I’d give you something warm to drink.”
Miller knew when someone was flirting with him, and Payton was flirting with him. “Thank you.” He took the thermos. “Do you know what would be even better?”
Payton tried his best to hide his smile, but failed. “And what’s that?”
“Having dinner with me.” Miller took a sip of the coffee, and fuck, it was perfect, just like Payton. It was a lot better than the cup he’d had last night.
“Are you asking me out on a date?” Payton reached down and grabbed Bilbo before he could slink out the door. The cat didn’t look too happy about being held captive and wiggled until Payton put him down.
This time it was Miller who grabbed the cat when he darted outside. “I guess I am.” He stroked Bilbo’s soft black fur and smiled when the cat started purring. “So, is that a yes?” He shrugged. “Nothing fancy. I was just thinking we could catch a meal at the diner.”
“What time?” Payton cleared his throat, as if realizing how quickly he’d asked the question. Miller like the guy’s enthusiasm. That told him that his mate felt the pull, even though Payton had no idea what that feeling was.
“How does six sound? I could meet you there or pick you up. Your choice.”
“Yeah, sure.” There went Payton’s adorable blush again. “I can meet you there.”
“Perfect.” He handed the cat back to Payton. “I’ll see you at six. Oh, and Payton?”
“Yes?”
Miller walked up the steps, careful of the one he’d just repaired. When he was close enough, he slid his hand around Payton’s nape and pulled his mate close, getting the kiss he’d been dying for.
It had started off slow and sweet, but Payton pushed it further, sucking on Miller’s tongue and groaning. Fuck. Miller had to get out of there before he didn’t return to work, because he was seconds away from inviting himself back inside.
“Just something to think about until I see you again,” Miller said as he backed away. “See you at six.”
He walked away, smiling at the stunned look he’d left on Payton’s gorgeous face. If he played his cards right, and Payton was all for it, Miller would claim his mate later tonight.
* * * *
Payton pressed his fingers against his lips as he watched Miller get into his truck and drive away. “I’ll have to make apple pie more often,” he said to himself as he hurried back inside, closing the door to keep the cold out.
“Okay, now don’t screw this up,” he said as he cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. “Don’t get clingy, and definitely don’t spazz out on him.”
“Who the hell are you talking to, and who are you talking about?”
Payton jumped and screamed, his heart thundering until he realized it was Sherman who was talking to him.
“Don’t you know how to announce yourself!” Payton pressed a hand over his heart. “Are you trying to scare me to death?”
“Since when are you so jumpy?” Sherman walked over to the counter and sniffed the remaining apple pie. “Damn, you didn’t tell me you were baking.”
His cousin helped himself to a slice before taking a seat at the table. Payton was tempted to eat another slice, but he was more determined to keep the weight off. “So who are you talking about?”
“Bilbo.” Payton wrapped the remaining pie and set it on the stove. He wanted to save some for later, when he invited Miller back to his place. Just thinking about it gave him goose bumps and had him excited. “We’re having a torrid love affair, and we’re thinking about taking it to the next level.”
Sherman wrinkled his nose. “Dude, that’s disgusting. If you’re going to date an animal, raise your standards.”
“Hmm, like you?” Payton leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “If I recall, George was as close to a dog as a human can get.”
Sherman rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me. The jerk still tries to call me, even after I caught him cheating. I’m tempted to go over to his house and break his phone, and his balls.”
Payton snickered. “Well, if you need help making his life hell, you know I’m here for you.”
Payton had been there for Sherman the entire time his cousin had been dating the jerk. He still didn’t see why Sherman had stayed in their relationship so long. It wasn’t as though George had treated Sherman kindly. They’d constantly argued, George constantly cheated, and they were like oil and water.
Aside from the cheating part, their relationship had been similar to Payton and Pyke’s. Dysfunction seemed to run rampant in their family.
Sherman’s parents had divorced years ago, yet the two still argued on a regular basis. It was as if it were an Olympic sport for them and they were going for the gold.
No wonder all of Payton’s past relationships had failed. His examples were the worst.
Payton looked at the clock on his stove. He had five and a half hours until he had to be at the diner.