Page 32 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Isaac laughed. His heart lightened and his worries melted away. Life was good and he’d been changed. He wasn’t the same man. He’d grown stronger and his connection to Len was deeper. He couldn’t go back to the way he’d been, but why would he want to? Now he had the man he’d always wanted.

Len was still panting. “Why are you laughing?”

“I’m happy,” Isaac said. “That’s it. I’m good. I’ve been loved well.”

“You have and I’m dying to do this again.” He kissed Isaac’s shoulder again. “Feels so right.”

“It does.” Isaac sighed. His ass hurt in a wonderful way.

“Stay tonight.” Len tucked Isaac to his side. “I want to wake up to you beside me.”

“It just so happens I don’t have any early appointments, so I can.” He draped his arm across Len’s taut belly. “Been looking forward to this.”

“Good.”

“We should put the dogs out before we get too comfy and fall asleep.” He hated to break the moment, but Stan tended to need one more trot outside before he was in for the night.

“I’ll get you some pajama pants.” Len left the bed. “Next time, tell me I’m not so good. That way you don’t have to use the dogs as an excuse.”

Shit. That went sideways fast.“No.” He sat up. “Len.” He accepted the pants, but didn’t put them on. “Len.”

“Yeah?” Len kept his back to Isaac. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.” He left the pants on the bed and crossed the room to Len. He stood naked before his lover. “Stan still has accidents if it’s too long since the last time he went out. I’m just trying to save your carpet from an oops. You were good. Better than good. Forgive me for being practical.”

Len blushed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t have to be.” He trailed his fingers down Len’s chest. “We’re both out of practice with relationships. We’ll get this figured out. I know it.”

“After Ross…” Len shook his head. “Be patient with me.”

“I will.” He donned the pants and tried to push thoughts of Len’s ex-partner from his mind. He hated Ross and the stress the man had caused. “I’m not him.”

“You’re not.” Len reached for Isaac. “I’m still learning, but I’ll get better.”

“We’re together. That’s enough.” He followed Len to the back of the house. Stan and Cissy raced past him into the yard. The flood lights bathed the yard in white light as the dogs did their business. Cissy kept an eye on Stan and herded him back into the house.

Isaac admired the animals and the situation. Both dogs were a lot like their masters. Cissy was adventurous but cautious. She needed to be in control—like Len. Stan was more skittish, but grew more confident with a partner. He was a happy dog, but quiet and more reserved—like Isaac. Both fit well together.

Cissy kept up behind Stan as he headed into the house. She directed him back to the bedroom.

“I guess she’s in charge,” Len said and locked up. He lowered the lights in the yard. “She’s pushy.”

“They’ll probably be curled up together by the time we get to bed.”

Len picked up the bottle of wine. “Where are those glasses? We’ve got an open bottle and a movie. Ready?”

“More than ready.” He snagged the wineglasses, then returned to the bedroom. He had everything he wanted—the dog, the guy and something strong. He’d never been this excited for the next step in his life.Bring it on.

Chapter Eight

Len pushed the book cart across the second floor of the library. In the last two weeks, he’d seen Isaac almost every night. He’d never be the same, but in so many good ways. He’d fallen for Isaac McLean.

Isaac was such a unique man. An old soul, smart and oh, so handsome. Len shelved the books and ran his fingers over the spines. He loved the smell of books, pages and ink. He’d always thought paper was better than electronic books, but he had a reading device, too.

He pushed the cart to the health section. The books reminded him of Isaac and Aiden. He’d been mighty lucky to have both in his life. Aiden was a great young man. Isaac was a fantastic lover. He’d accepted Len’s need to control the situation and hadn’t balked when he made mistakes.

He spotted his friend, Martin White, at one of the study tables. He’d battled Martin many times in the courtroom. In the courts, they were the worst enemies, but friends on the outside. He pushed the cart aside and parked it at the end of one of the stacks. “Hi, Marty.”

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