As Cade followed Quinn out of the bedroom, he mused there was a worse way to spend an evening.
Chapter 12
Quinn
Quinn stomped down the stairs, unaccountably angry at the thought of some wannabe Daddy annoying his boy. In fact, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got. How many of these idiots had tried to entrap his boy over the years? Mr. Holder would be receiving a visit from CDR with a suggestion he ceased and desisted before Quinn ripped his head off.
“You know you’re growling again, don’t you?” Cade said, sounding amused.
Quinn huffed and took a deep breath to calm himself before he behaved like a complete idiot. Joseph Holder could wait. Tonight he would focus on his boy.
“Would you like to play videogames or watch TV while I finish off dinner?” At Cade’s hesitation he raised an eyebrow. “Just say it.”
“Would you mind if I draw?”
“Of course not.”
Cade smiled gratefully. “I need to clear my mind after today.”
“Cooking does it for me.”
“Is it okay if I draw in the kitchen?”
“I’d like that,” Quinn said, and Cade’s smile grew brighter.
Cade veered off into the den while Quinn went into the kitchen. Quinn had made vegetarian chili earlier so he didn’t have much to do, but he decided to stretch things out to give Cade time to relax with his drawing. He’d already fed the team. Now, he could always start on the prep for tomorrow’s breakfast. The security team had made it plain that they expected more than oatmeal tomorrow. He’d pointed out he wasn’t a fry cook and they’d told him to shut up and get back to the kitchen. In all honesty, if they were watching his boy’s back like they had today, he would happily cook for them all.
Cade wandered into the kitchen with a large pad and a pack of pencils. He wore a puzzled look. “Have you been in the den today?”
“Yeah, I was in there earlier. Why?”
“I can’t find my pens.”
“I don’t remember seeing them, but we could go look after dinner.”
“I hope I haven’t lost them. The pens have sentimental value. They were the first things I bought when I signed my first contract.”
He didn’t seem that worried though as he settled on a barstool. Quinn watched him out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to make him self-conscious, but Cade seemed oblivious, flipping open his pad and starting to draw with rapt concentration. Quinn moved around the kitchen with quiet efficiency, even if most of his attention was on Cade. He wondered if Cade even realized that when he wanted to think he sucked his thumb. Probably not. It seemed such an unconscious act.
Finally, Quinn couldn’t put off eating any longer. He told Cade to put away the pad and pens, which Cade did with a little huff, as Quinn served the chili into bowls and tipped the tortilla chips into another bowl.
“I usually draw while I eat,” Cade complained.
“You’ll have to wait until afterward,” Quinn said firmly.
Cade took on a mutinous look, but Quinn had been dealing with bratty boys for a long time, so he waited, one eyebrow raised. Cade stared him out, then he dropped his gaze and pushed the pad and pens to one side.
“Good boy.”
He served the meal, making sure the sour cream, cheese, and guacamole were in reach.
“This looks good,” Cade said, diving into the food with undisguised enthusiasm.
Quinn loved cooking for someone who enjoyed their food as much as he did. Most of his boys hadn’t been interested in his talents in the kitchen. Cooking for Cade and the team was a real pleasure. Maybe not the team so much.
As Cade scarfed the chili, Quinn said, “How are you feeling now?”
“Since I discovered Eric and Batty Brenda aren’t my only stalkers?” Put like that, Cade sounded remarkably calm.
“Yes.”
“I don’t know. I’m used to the uber-fans, and they’re more annoying than scary. Some of them are quite sweet. Brenda’s just persistent. As for Eric, I’m starting to feel sorry for him. I think he’s realized he can’t just snap his fingers and I’ll crawl back to him. Is there more chili?”
Quinn wanted to melt. His boy had the sweetest of hearts under the spiky exterior but how could he be so blind to the danger Strada presented?
“Quinn?”
Quinn blinked. “Sorry?”
“Is there more chili?” Cade asked. “Are you okay? You’re not eating.”
“I’m fine. Sorry, I was lost in thought. Give me your bowl.”
“I can serve myself,” Cade protested.
“I always serve my boys,” Quinn pointed out as he filled the empty bowl. He heard Cade’s breath hitch.
“Your boys?”
“You’re my boy, aren’t you?”
Silence hung between them for a moment, then Cade said shakily, “I know I keep asking but I need the reassurance. I am your boy, yes? I mean for now. You won’t be taking any other boys?”
Quinn sat down and took one of Cade’s hands. He squeezed it gently before letting go. “It’ll be just you.”
Cade stared down at the bowl of food steaming in front of him. “Don’t break my heart, Quinn. I don’t think I could take that again.”
What did Quinn say to that? He hadn’t said he was in love with Cade. Cade hadn’t said he was in love with Quinn.
“I don’t know why I said that,” Cade muttered. “My brain is all turned around after today.”
Quinn nodded and started eating his dinner. They ate in uncomfortable silence and Quinn had to find some way to resolve the situation. “I can’t promise not to break your heart, my boy. But I promise not to hurt you like Strada did. If it helps to know, I stay friends with my former boys.”
“As long as they are just friends.” And even if the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, Cade made the effort to be a brat. “When are you gonna shave me?”
“Let’s do that after I clear up,” Quinn suggested, pleased to have something else to focus on.
“I can help you.”
Cade took his plate to the sink, rinsed it off, and placed it in the dishwasher. Quinn cleared the counter and they worked together for a few minutes until the remainder of the chili was covered and waiting to cool down before it went in the fridge, and the dishwasher hummed as it worked.
“I like helping,” Cade said. “We all had to help in the foster homes. I’ve gotten used to it.”
“I prefer creating the mess to clearing it up,” Quinn admitted, “but I’ve been on my own for a long time and Mogs isn’t going to clear up for me.” He caught Cade’s grin and they both chuckled.
“You could buy her a little apron,” Cade suggested.
“You buy her the apron and good luck getting it on her.” Quinn pushed up one of his sleeves and showed Cade his arm. The pink stripes were clear through the inked skin. “These are from trying to give her pills.”
Cade offered his arm. He had nearly a matching set. “Charlie was the same.”
“Damn cats.” Quinn grinned at him. “Come on then. Time to be a smooth boy.”