Page 35

35

Evan

O pening night was exhilarating and utterly exhausting. The fact we had to get up the next day and do it all over again just added to the pressure.

We were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so thankfully, after running nonstop the first week, we both finally got the rest we needed.

Thanks to Christie, our staff was phenomenal and knew how to handle the customers.

The food was excellent, and came out on time from the moment the doors opened. Christie was truly a professional. All the spirits remained calm, no paranormal activity to chase our customers off, and I was back in my long-held hosting job. A job I’d done most of my adult life and one I loved.

I knew a lot of people would complain about restaurant work, but I’d always liked it—the smells of the kitchen, the chaos of the front desk. Customers complaining, bragging, happy, and angry. Busy restaurants came with a certain buzzy energy I’d never found anywhere else, and it energized me.

I was so proud of what we’d created, but I was equally happy when I had a couple of days off to rest and not think about it.

I was staring out the cottage window toward the swans swimming elegantly across the lake when I heard the knock on my bedroom door. “Come in,” I called out without turning.

Cary came in and walked over to me, drawing me into his arms. “Mmm, I’ve missed this,” I admitted, and got a nice squeeze in response.

“What’s your plan today?” he asked.

“Rest, a walk around the lake, feed bread I stole from the kitchen to the swans, and then rest some more.”

Cary chuckled. “Want company?”

“My god, yeah, and I can come up with some other things we can do, too, if you’re interested.”

Cary laughed and spun me around to face him. “That sounds amazing,” he said, leaning down to kiss me.

Cary’s amazing mouth worked its way over my body, his gentle caresses calming tired nerves as much as his tongue gave me pleasure.

He glided his cock inside me, and I rode him slowly this time, allowing the pressure to build inside us in our timeless dance.

I watched him as he lay beneath me, our eyes making love as much as our bodies. Before we came, Cary lifted his long arms and cupped my face in his hands. “You’re amazing, Evan,” he said.

He didn’t speak any words of commitment or words that promised affection, but the statement he made was enough. Cary was slowly convincing me he really wanted me. All of me.