Page 11 of I Do, or Dye Trying
I pulled Josh closer instead of letting him step back. “Tell me from here.” I wrapped him up in my arms and waited patiently for him to talk about what was bugging him. He would in his own way and at his pace. I just needed to give him the time, but I wasn’t willing to give him space. I liked him right where he was.
“My business and my home were the only things I was prideful about before I met you, Gabe. My parents sold the house to me for a ridiculously low amount of money, but I built this business on my own. I don’t need to be better than anyone else or have more, but I demand equal. Can you understand where I’m coming from?”
I nodded because I did. “Can you also see that this is something amazing I can afford to do forus? Why have two mortgages when we don’t need it?”
It was Josh’s turn to nod and agree. “I know that we can reach a compromise that will make us both happy. Let me do some thinking about it today and put together a proposal.”
“But you don’t know how much money I have to invest inourfuture,” I argued.
“Nor do you know how muchIhave to invest in our future.” He had me there. I knew his salon was wildly successful, and even more so after his wedding special aired on the news.
“Okay, tonight we show each other our assets and decide what to do with them,” I said agreeably.
“Yes, and afterward we’ll talk about finances,” Josh said sassily before he gave me a quick peck on the lips. “You’re going to be late to work if you don’t get going.”
I released him because he was right. I had a meeting with the Carter County prosecutor to discuss the pretrial hearings for Rylan Broadman. I sure as hell didn’t want to be late for that. “Hand me that tie,” I said pointing to the burgundy silk one that he loved so much. In fact, he always got a certain gleam in his eyes whenever he held it. I was pretty sure I recognized what that glimmer meant and vowed to test my theory that evening. He sure as hell had the upper hand on me several times.
I faced the mirror to make sure I got my tie on perfectly straight. I saw Josh checking out my ass in the reflection and didn’t bother hiding my pleasure that he wanted me so much. I might’ve preened a bit and flexed my glutes for him. Once I finished with the tie, I checked my overall appearance and noted that my hair was looking a little messy.
“Before things get too serious tonight, do you think you could give me a trim?” I asked Josh. His gaze shifted from where it had been locked on my ass to meet mine in the mirror.
“You don’t trust me to cut your hair afterward?” he asked semi-playfully, tipping his head to the side to study me.
“I trust you; shall I prove it?” I challenged.
Josh shook his head slowly then closed the distance between us. He slid his arms around my waist and rested his forehead between my shoulder blades. “You never have to prove anything to me, Gabe.”
The morning had taken on such a serious tone, and I wanted to change it so that we both started our day on a positive note and had something to look forward to that night that didn’t involve a haircut or serious talks about mortgages and finances.
I turned in the circle of his arms and looked down at his upturned face. “Here’s how I see this evening playing out,” I told Josh. “Dinner, haircut, mapping out our plan to buy the mansiontogether, and we’ll end the night in our bedroom. I’m going to tie your talented, wicked hands to the bed with this tie,” I ran my finger over the silk for emphasis, “and then I’m going to make you come with just one finger.”
“Braggart,” Josh whispered shakily.
“It’s not bragging when it’s true,” I reminded him, using a similar phrase he’d used with me in the past. Josh wasn’t the only one impacted by my words. Once spoken aloud, my dick was ready to play again even though he’d had his workout that morning in the shower with Josh. “There’s probably going to be a lot of tongue action too.” Okay, that didn’t help my situation any.
Josh stepped back from me suddenly. “Go, go now and don’t look back or else you’re really going to be late.”
I stopped long enough to grab a quick kiss before I left the bedroom. Savage let out a sharp whistle. “Big Daddy! Big Daddy!”
I stopped at his cage and said, “Love my Dirty Bird. Be a good boy today.”
“Suck me!” he squawked in response.
I laughed the entire way down the steps and out the door to my car. I never considered owning a bird before, but I could honestly say I had never loved an animal more than that one.
I noticed that Adrian looked a little anxious when I arrived at the police department and I felt bad for him. The closer they got to Sally Ann’s due date, the more haggard he looked. “How’s she feeling?” I asked him.
“She’s fine,” he replied. He ran his hands through his hair until it was standing up all over his head. “I’m the one who’s a fucking mess. Damn, Gabe, I hate the thought of her being in pain, even if it’s to bring our daughter into the world.”
“I’m sorry, partner. I’m sure that all expectant dads feel the same way. I wish I had some words of wisdom that made you feel better.” I wasn’t sure what else to say because I knew nothing about childbirth or any method the doctors might have to make her more comfortable. It wasn’t something I planned to know either since I wanted to adopt kids rather than find a surrogate. Of course, Josh and I hadn’t determined how we were getting our kids, just that we would have some.
“I appreciate it, man,” Adrian said. “I’m not sure I can do this again.”
“Do what? Work with Whitworth?” Dorchester asked when he arrived at the end of our conversation. “You get used to it and sort of live to find ways to twist the stick he has shoved up his ass.” He demonstrated with a hand gesture that looked like he was giving the imaginary stick a good twist.
I nearly spit my coffee out all over Adrian. As happy as I was to be working with Adrian again, I missed hanging out with Dorchester. He could give Josh a run for his money when it came to shock value.
Once Adrian stopped laughing, he said, “Nah, man. My wife is due to have our first baby next week. I’m just worried about them both. I can’t wait to meet my daughter, but I’m not looking forward to seeing my wife in pain.”