Page 53 of The Last One to Let You Down

Tom laughed. “That happens?”

“Oh, yeah,” Cypress said. “Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are the absolute worst holidays. We’re busy enough with everybody who thinks to order in advance, but then you get all these guys who wait until the very last fuckin’ second.”

“I’m so sorry, but I am definitely that guy.” Tom grinned sheepishly. “My step-mom’s flowers are always super last minute because I’m awful.”

“No!” Cypress groaned, clutching his chest. “Say it ain’t so.”

“Oh, I am totally that guy.” Tom couldn’t help but snicker, kissing Cypress sweetly. “Mmm, I’m so sorry.”

Cypress playfully popped Tom’s ass through the blankets. “Ohhh, you’re definitely gonna get spanked for that.”

Tom laughed harder than he had in weeks, squirming as Cypress attacked his neck with hot kisses and slapped at his ass a few more times. He wrapped his arms around him, his laughter lost to Cypress’s lips.

They kissed, long and slow, holding each other close. Tom couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so happy, and when they finally came up for air, he’d completely forgotten what they’d been talking about.

“Mmm, time to go to sleep,” Cypress murmured. “We both gotta get up early. Shower. Get to work.”

“Yup. Sleep. Work. Totally.”

“I mean it.” Cypress grinned. “When we both have a day off together, I will gladly stay up all night rocking your world. But tonight, we sleep.”

Tom had certainly been given those kinds of promises before, but with Cypress, he actually believed it. “Mmm, good night.”

“Night, Tom. Sleep sweetly.”

Falling asleep in Cypress’s arms was startlingly easy, and Tom didn’t wake up again until his alarm was blaring the next morning.

He was refreshed and smiling as he reached over to poke at his phone to turn off the alarm. His muscles had a distant ache, like after a long run or a good work-out, and it was fantastic. He smoothed his hands over his body, wiggling around in the ghost of Cypress’s cologne and sighing loudly.

He heard Mister Doodles bark, and he looked up to find the little dog glaring at him from the foot of the bed.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m on it,” Tom said, quickly retrieving his robe from the bathroom to take her out for a morning walk around the yard. He knew he had messages to read, but he’d look after Mister Doodles was taken care of. Once she’d done her business, he led her back inside and started getting ready for work.

He checked his phone and smiled when he saw the messages were from Cypress.

Was not easy to leave you this morning, but duty calls. Last night was incredible. I want to see you again very soon.

That one made Tom grin, and his stomach was instantly lighter.

Your morning affirmations are as follows:

I am worthy

I am beautiful

I am going to touch myself in the shower while thinking about Cypress pulling my hair

Tom laughed out loud. The whole thing, especially the last one, was ridiculous. He decided to humor him all the same, stepping into the bathroom and facing his reflection. He was a little startled by the fact he couldn’t stop smiling. He was sleepy, but he was in such a good mood.

Taking a deep breath, he began to recite, “I am worthy. I am beautiful. I am going to touch myself in the shower.” He rolled his eyes. “While thinking about Cypress pulling my hair.”

He laughed again and cleared his throat to speak once more.

“I am worthy.”

But then why don’t I push for a raise? Maybe take a trip like Cypress said? I haven’t been to the beach in years.

“I am beautiful.”