Page 18 of Cedarwood Manny

If nothing else, he felt better. He’d masturbated the edge off and could relax. Adrien cleaned himself up with the shirt he’d left on the floor, then settled between the sheets. He cleared the history on his tablet before turning the device off for the night. He switched the light off and pulled the blankets to his chin. He needed sleep, so why fight the feeling? He could worry about Nathan and the attraction later.

* * * *

By Tuesday afternoon, Adrien felt better about hiring Nathan. The three of them had settled into a routine and got along. Where Kelsi had taken over Kyle’s care completely, Nathan insisted on having Adrien involved. The adjustment, even over a few days, hadn’t been easy. He hated being underfoot, but the more time he spent with Kyle and Nathan, the more he learned. He applauded Nathan’s determination to make them a family—not just have a working relationship.

Adrien settled behind his desk. He had bills to pay and had to balance his checking account. A dull ache formed above his eyes. He hated paperwork. Sure, money wasn’t a big thing for him, but he tended to screw up his math when completing simple tasks like dealing with his checkbook.

A knock at the door dragged him from his thoughts. Nathan stood in the doorway. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He hadn’t started the bills, but appreciated the break. “How goes it?” Did he sound silly? “I mean…is Kyle okay? Is he awake still?”

“You need to chill. Things are fine. Breathe.” Nathan laughed and leaned on the doorframe. “I came in to ask if you’d eaten. You never made it to supper.”

His stomach growled. He’d forgotten all about food. “I guess I haven’t eaten. I had too much to do.” The excuse sounded lame, but he had no other.

“You work too hard.” Nathan laughed again. “Why don’t you take a break and have some food? I made lasagne.”

“You did?” He couldn’t cook. His attempts at dinner tended to be burned disasters. He sighed. “I’ll never get the bills paid. Give me a toothache with an abscess and I can figure it out. Checkbooks will always be a mystery.”

“You eat, then I’ll give you a hand.” Nathan waggled his fingers. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Come on.”

He liked Nathan’s forthright approach. Then again, he liked a man who could guide him from time to time. He controlled so much at work and home…would Nathan be a good top to his bottom in the bedroom? “Okay.”

“Good.” Nathan left the doorway without touching him.

So much for a moment to get closer.He followed Nathan to the kitchen. He hated to abandon his work, but he could use the companionship. He smelled the oregano and sauce. His mouth watered and stomach growled again. “When did you have time to make this?”

“Kyle helped.” Nathan unwrapped the pan. The foil crinkled and caught the light. “He’s quite the cook.”

“He’s four,” Adrien blurted.

Nathan shrugged. “He liked helping and it’s good for a child to learn about food. I didn’t know how to make my own dinner until I was a teenager,” he said. “Kyle added the cheese and spread out the pasta.”

“He could’ve been burned.” Adrien sat at the bar. “No, I’m sure you were careful.”

“I was and he was never alone with anything that would hurt him.” Nathan served up a piece of lasagne. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I trust you.” He folded his hands. He admired Nathan’s ease in the kitchen. “If I’d made dinner, it would’ve turned into take-out. I burn things.”

Nathan stared at him and said nothing. He tipped his head.

“What?” His cheeks burned and he held still. “What’d I say?”Christ.This was why he sucked at relationships. He didn’t know how to talk to handsome men without tripping over himself.

“You trust me,” Nathan murmured. “I bet that was tough for you to admit and I’m honored.”

The gravity of the moment hit him. Yeah, he might have been a little crazy to admit the truth, but it freed him. He wanted someone he could talk to bluntly. “I’ve seen you with Kyle. You understand him.”

“I’m doing my best.” Nathan pushed the plate across the bar. “Enjoy.”

“Are you having any?” He hated to eat alone.

“I already ate. If I have more, I’ll have to run ten miles to burn it all off.” Nathan grinned. “But I won’t turn down a breadstick.” He took one from the bag. “You?”

“I’ll run with you.” He accepted the stick. “You’re a gem. Bread with lasagne, you’re good with Kyle and you’re keeping me in line. That’s huge.”

“Nah.” This time Nathan blushed.

“You are. I can’t cook. I don’t know the first thing about being a dad… I need my hand held… I’m surprised you hadn’t been picked up by a family before now.” He stuffed a forkful of pasta into his mouth and bit back a moan.Damn.The noodles melted on his tongue.

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