Page 53 of The Paternity Puzzle
Sawyer ran his hand over Royce’s bare chest and dipped his fingers beneath his waistband. “This outfit alone is precious. And that damn shampooer is so cute. How much would it cost for us to buy it outright?”
Royce laughed. “You’ve been hanging around me too long.”
“Eternity isn’t long enough,” Sawyer said before nipping Royce’s bottom lip.
“Wow. That torturous exercise has gotten you all randy.”
Sawyer shook his head and dropped his hand lower to cup Royce’s perfect package. “Nope. I didn’t think I had a pulse left until I walked through the door. This is all because of you.”
Royce groaned as his eyelids drifted to half-mast. He sucked in a sharp breath and stepped back until Sawyer’s hand slipped free from his shorts. “Huh-uh. I put a lot of effort into planning this.” He pointed to the couch. “You go lie down and watch.”
“Fine, but I might get my dick out.”
Royce swayed a bit, and Sawyer could see the conflict brewing in his eyes. “Fine, but it will be all your fault if I ruin the rug because you distracted me.”
Sawyer shrugged. “We’ll buy a new one, even though this rug is practically new since we just had it professionally cleaned.”
Royce narrowed his eyes. “Is that when the fetish began?”
“Not this again.” Sawyer flopped onto the couch. “Ready for my show.”
And what a performance it was. Royce did such a good job that Sawyer conked out after only a few passes over the rug. He didn’t know how long he’d slept, but he woke with dried drool on the corner of his mouth and a crick in his neck. Sawyer struggled to remember why he was on the couch and retraced his day, starting with the torture class called Pilates. He’d gotten a smoothie with Kelsey and had come home to a surprise. His eyes widened when he recalled Royce in his shorty shorts and white rubber boots. Sawyer jackknifed off the couch and groaned when some of his muscle groups spasmed in protest at the sudden movement.
He bit back a moan as he searched the empty living room. Other parts started to come alive besides the ones that ached, namely his senses. A tantalizing aroma of butter, garlic, cheese, and shrimp tickled his nose and made his stomach rumble. Sawyer followed the smells like a bloodhound to find a sight more delicious than the food cooking on the stove. Royce stillwore the shorty shorts and rubber boots as he stirred a pan of what Sawyer knew would be cheesy grits to go with the shrimp. The delicious meal was one of Royce’s culinary masterpieces, and his other crowning glory rested on a cooling rack.
“Feel better after your nap?” Royce asked.
Sawyer answered with a savage grunt as he shuffled his exhausted legs over to the island to peer into the mixing bowl next to the richest, most delicious chocolate cake he’d ever tasted. The recipe belonged to Royce’s mother, and he only baked the cake for special occasions. The decadent fudgy icing was ready and just sitting in the bowl, waiting for someone to do a quality check.Don’t mind if I do.He dipped his forefinger toward the bowl, but Royce yanked it away before he could make contact with the heavenly treat.
“Hey,” Sawyer said with a pout. “It’s my birthday.”
“Wash your hands first. I don’t know where they’ve been.”
“Torture,” Sawyer said as he ambled toward the sink. “I’ve never sweated so much in my life.” He became aware of how stiff his workout clothes were. “Ew, I’m so gross.”
Royce tsked. “And you wanted to dip those nasty digits in my icing.”
Sawyer waggled his brow. “I love your icing.” He dried his hands and rounded the island to kiss Royce. “I’m sorry I fell asleep and ruined your surprise.”
“I don’t have to take the carpet cleaner back until Monday. We’ve got plenty of time for more demonstrations.” Royce kissed him but crinkled his nose when he pulled back.
“God, do I stink?”
“You smell like you’ve had a really good workout. Why don’t you go take a shower while I finish dinner.”
“Dinner?” Sawyer asked. “Have I been out that long?”
“I’ve never heard you snore so loud. You drowned out the noise of the machine. Dolly and Bones were more afraid of you than it.”
Sawyer scrubbed a hand over his face. “How about putting this food in the warming drawer so you can join me in the shower?”
“Even exhausted, you’re the smartest man I know.”
Sawyer stole a few bites of shrimp and grits before they stowed the food safely away from the pets. The baking rack with the cake halves went back into the cool oven, and Royce put the icing in the refrigerator so Bones wouldn’t help himself to Sawyer’s birthday treat. Royce took his hand and led him from the kitchen. Sawyer moaned and grumbled his way to the bathroom and rested against the vanity while Royce started the shower.
“That must’ve been some class,” Royce said. “You’re in the best shape of anyone I know.”
“It was evil. There’s no way I’ll ever do it again.”