Page 78 of A Thousand Cuts

“There’s a perfect little diner not too far from here. We can grab something to eat,” he said. “Will King be okay for a couple of hours?”

“Yes, but I promised to make you food,” Liam said, his gaze darting between Fix and his kitchen.

“Do you want to cook for me?” Fix asked. “Like, really really?”

“I mean…” Liam pulled a face. “If you’re okay with very mediocre cooking.”

“I am, but it’s late. And I just wanna spend some time with you.”

Liam flushed prettily. “Okay.”

“Perfect,” he said, hooking Liam’s hair over his ear. “Go bundle up. It’s chilly outside.”

“Hard to look hot while bundled up,” Liam said, wiggling to stand up from Fix’s lap with the sheet around his shoulders like a cape. He wobbled like a newborn calf and Fix determinedly didn’t think about the reason why.

“I want you warm,” Fix said. “I don’t think I can handle any more heat after tonight.”

Liam stared for a few seconds, the blush deepening on his cheeks as if he hadn’t been naked and writhing in front of Fix just moments ago, before he disappeared into his bathroom.

Fix was left to stretch out his neck and will his cock to settle down while he pulled his shirt back on. He wasn’t getting any attention just yet and he needed to get with the program. They were wooing now.

He headed into the living room to wait, King glaring at him from his spot on the couch and refusing to make room for him.

“We’re going to have to make this work now, buddy,” Fix told him. “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

King whined and hid his face like the suffering of the world had been placed upon him, and Fix laughed quietly.

Liam emerged from his room shortly after wearing loose-fitting jeans, a thick oversized maroon sweater, and a pair of fluffy beige boots. He’d pulled his hair up in a messy bun and wrapped a scarf around his neck.

He fidgeted under Fix’s appreciative inspection. “Ready, I guess.”

Fix gave him a smile. He looked so damn cute, drowning in his own clothes. “You look adorable.”

“You don’t have to flatter me, I already said yes,” Liam said as he turned around to hide the smile that ghosted along his lips.

“It’s not flattery if it’s true.” Fix followed behind him as he walked into the kitchen to leave King some food and water.

Fix guided him out of the apartment and toward his truck with a hand on his lower back, protective and reassuring, basking in the knowledge that he could now do that. He could place himself between Liam and the world and be his shield.

After checking around, he unlocked the truck and opened the door for Liam, giving him his hand to help him climb inside. Fix rushed around and hopped into the driver’s seat, turning the heat on and aiming the blasts of warm air toward Liam’s feet and hands.

“Warm?”

“I’m good,” Liam replied quickly. He tried to surreptitiously tuck his hands under the edges of his scarf.

“The truth, honey,” Fix said. “You’re not an inconvenience and it won’t bother me.”

Liam gulped before shaking his head. “It’s a little chilly.”

Fix smiled and reached for the back seat, feeling along it until he made contact with his sherpa-lined jean jacket. He pulled it forward and draped it over Liam’s lap, tucking it around him and pulling it almost all the way up to his chin.

“There,” Fix said, pleased with how snug Liam looked. “Now you’re warm.”

“What about you?” Liam murmured, grasping the fabric.

Fix winked at him. “I run hot.”

Liam stared for a second before mumbling something that sounded strangely like ‘I’m aware’ before he glued his nose to the window and refused to look at Fix.