Page 25 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“I’ll have Amy pull it into the gated part of the lot, but yeah, it’ll be fine. Usually if it’s here, I’m here.”

“Then let’s go. You need a rest.” He couldn’t relax if he tried, because something had changed between him and Stone. Because Stone knew the truth? Yes, but more than that, he wanted to tell Stone his secrets. He didn’t want to be two different people with this man. He wanted to hear Stone laugh and see his smile. He wanted to taste his kiss and be close to him.

“Stop being so nice or I’ll fall for you,” Stone said. “Champ’s wriggling, so that’s a good sign. I hope it keeps up.”

“Me, too.” He held on to Champ and the box as Stone clocked out. They needed to go because he wanted more time alone with Stone. He scratched Big Orange behind the ears. “I’ll be back for you tomorrow.” Liam carried the box to the lobby and waited.

Stone returned to the front of the building. “I’ll have my phone on,” Stone said. “Call and I’ll come back.”

“Or you can go home and get a proper night’s rest.” Jake snorted. He waved to Liam. “Get this guy out for a while. Hell, get him a date and laid. We love our fearless leader, but he needs a boyfriend that’s not Jeff.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” The tips of his ears burned. He hadn’t been embarrassed in years. He’d shown his ass on film, flashed pubes and done a sex scene that looked more real than anyone wanted to admit, but hearing Jake suggest he date Stone got to him. He wanted to go for a real date with Stone. He had an idea of what they’d do, too. If Pat or Arthur heard Jake or found out Liam’s loose plans, they’d kill him. But wasn’t what he wanted more important?

“Okay.” Stone held the box and a messenger bag. “Let’s go.”

“Got the baby?” He frowned. “Is Champ in there?”

“Right here. He’s under the blanket.” Stone moved the flap. “See? His nose is sticking out. I put warming packs in with him and I’ve got some formula for him in my bag. We’re good.”

“Perfect.” He stopped at the SUV. “I have one small glitch. I figured out how to get here, but I need a reminder as to how to get to your place.”

“No problem.” Stone joined him in the SUV. “It’s easy.”

He settled behind the wheel. Being with Stone felt right—more than his life in California. It was odd he’d feel this way, since he’d never thought he’d leave his home state. He’d assumed he’d find another actor or actress and settle down in Hollywood, where they’d get married. He’d end up playing dad roles and become a distinguished gentleman in the film business. Now, he kind of wanted to give life in Cedarwood a chance.

“Go to Rhodes Road. I know. I didn’t name it. Turn left,” Stone said.

He did as told. “Now what?”

“Follow this for three miles to Leehan Road. Can’t miss it. It’s the only one to the right. You’ll turn onto Leehan and follow it for a mile.”

He switched on the trip function on the dash and checked his miles. Sure enough, Leehan Road was about three miles away. He turned right, and a mile down the road was Stone’s drive. As he headed onto the lane, his heart skipped a beat and his breath caught, like he’d done this drive a hundred times and was on his way home.Shit.Saying this was love was too fast. This could be his ridiculous ability to fall for his costar long enough to get through the film, then falling out of love as soon as the movie wrapped. Would his attraction to Stone die when he left Cedarwood?

He wasn’t sure.

He parked in front of the garage. When he stepped out of the SUV, he noticed the quiet and the stars overhead. He’d never seen so many stars before without being in a planetarium. “This is beautiful.”

“The sky?” Stone elbowed him. “It’s like coming to church or something every time I stand on my porch.”

“I can’t imagine.” He couldn’t continue to hold things back from Stone. He needed to tell him everything. They deserved a clean slate between them and a proper start. He followed Stone into the house.

Elmore rumbled up to him. A tortoiseshell cat waited on the third stair step.

“Hi, El. Hi, Miss.” Stone carried the box to the living room. “Missy?”

The tortoise shell cat strolled behind him and zeroed in on the box. She swished her tail and sniffed the flaps.

“Will she accept him?” Liam asked. He’d never seen anything like this and had no idea what to expect.

“I need your help, Miss.” Stone sat on the floor and leaned against the couch. He opened the box and blanket. “This is Champ. He needs a momma and we need him. Do you want a baby?”

Missy sniffed the box, then nuzzled the kitten. Within seconds, she climbed into the box and licked Champ’s head.

Liam marveled at the instant connection. “Like she knows he needs her.”

Stone bowed his head. “It’s going about how I’d hoped. She likes babies.” He sighed. “Now we pray and hope.”

Liam sat on the floor with Stone. He rested his back against the sofa and leaned into his friend. The power of the scene plus his desire to fit in were almost more than he could handle. “You keep showing me so much cool stuff.”

“I try.” Stone chuckled and bumped shoulders with Liam. “Missy is a miracle worker. The other cats will be nice, but she’s my caregiver.”

Adorable.“Stone?” He couldn’t hold back. He wanted this scene to play out longer than six months.

“I’ll keep an eye on them, but Missy will let me know if something goes sideways.”

“Good.” He slid his hand over Stone’s thigh and rested it on his knee. He couldn’t not touch Stone. Being with him was like coming home. Maybe he had, but God, he wanted to learn every curve and plane of Stone’s body, taste him and show his appreciation, then do it all again.

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