Page 18 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

“Nothing fried.” He needed to wash the scent of grease off his body. He left the floor and tugged his shirt from his pants. “Pizza would be good, or Chinese. I don’t care as long as it’s not burgers, hot dogs or French fries.”

“Nothing you’re allergic to?”

“Nope.” He didn’t pull away from Shaun when he tugged him close. “Unless you’re going to feed me eggplant. I’m not wild about eggplant.”

“No today.” Shaun chuckled. “I’ll surprise you.”

“Deal.” Kevin hesitated before pulling away. “Let me put Leo’s food in his bowl, then I’ll shower and be right back.” He should give Shaun the remote or something. Maybe open his laptop to watch a show? “I don’t have cable, but I have TV on my computer, if you want to watch something.” He ventured into the kitchen and opened one of the cans of wet cat food. Leo curled around his ankles and bit the top of Kevin’s foot. Kevin dished the food into the bowl. “Leo.” He placed the dish on the placemat on the floor. “Dinner.”

The cat needed no invitation. He settled in front of his food and noshed away happily. Shaun stood at the edge of the room, giving Leo space.

“He’s happy when he’s eating.” Kevin shrugged again. “Did you pick something?”

“I’m going to order food, so don’t worry about me unless you’re planning on being in the bathroom for hours. I think I know what we’ll have, so there’s that.” Shaun curled his fingers under Kevin’s chin. “I’m not high maintenance. I promise.” When Kevin turned, Shaun swatted him on the backside. “Go. I’ll be fine. Maybe Leo and I will hit it off. You never know.”

“I suppose so.” He left the warmth of Shaun’s touch and ducked into the bathroom. Part of him wasn’t sure leaving Leo and Shaun alone together was a good idea. If Leo got spooked or annoyed, he’d bite. Then again, he might climb onto his cat tree and just stare at Shaun. If Shaun didn’t pursue Leo and let the cat come to him, he’d be fine.

Kevin turned his attention to his shower. The apartments were designed so the bathroom seemed to be part of the bedroom, but the dual doors meant someone could go into the bathroom via the bedroom or via the living room. It was good for ducking into the bathroom to change, but could make for an embarrassing moment if someone didn’t know there was another person in the bathroom.

Oh well.He doubted Shaun would tiptoe into the bathroom to watch him get cleaned up. He probably had his hands full with the cat.

Kevin fought the urge to peek in on Shaun. Instead, he turned the shower on and stripped in minutes. He should take his time, but he wanted to be out in the living room with Shaun. He stepped into the stall and scrubbed his body clean, then washed his hair. He preferred smelling like himself, rather than the stadium.

He rinsed, then hurried right back out of the shower to dry off. He caught sight of his reflection in the condensation-ringed mirror. Were those grays blooming at his temples? Crinkles around his eyes? Did the slight changes matter? He’d spent too much time alone and too much time trying to hide. He needed someone who didn’t care if he’d been a bit weathered with age.

Kyle had broken his heart and spirit, but it was time to build them back up.

He should move on, and since Shaun was so tempting, why not move on with him?

He turned the water off and wrapped the towel around his hips. He wished he hadn’t gone through the shit with Kyle, but going through it made him appreciate now more. Yeah, he should take a chance with Shaun. This could be the start of something great.

He dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, then padded barefoot out to the living room. “Hi.”Where’s the cat and is Shaun bleeding?“Everything okay?”

“We’re fine. Look at you.” Shaun left the sofa. Leo sat across the back of the couch and swished his tail. Shaun trailed his fingers down Kevin’s front. “I almost didn’t recognize you without the stadium outfit. You’re handsome when you’re being yourself.” He wrapped his arms around Kevin. “I like this look.”

“Do you?” He swayed with Shaun. “I’ve always thought I was boring.”

“You thought wrong.” Shaun trailed his hands along Kevin’s ribs. “I don’t usually make a bold move when I meet a guy. I like to bide my time and feel him out.”

“You’re feeling me out pretty well.” He rubbed the growing bulge in his pants against the one in Shaun’s jeans. The heat engulfed him. He rested his forehead against Shaun’s and swayed with him. If he wanted to, he could kiss him. He should.

Shaun cupped Kevin’s jaw in both hands. Without a word, he kissed Kevin.

So good.He threaded his arms around Shaun’s waist and tucked his hands into his back pockets. His thoughts blurred and all he could do was feel.Christ.He’d never been this swept away before. He wanted to rip his clothes off and drag Shaun into his bedroom. He yearned to be with this man.Cravedhim. He wanted to lick every inch of him, then feel Shaun inside him.Oh God.He grabbed the front of Shaun’s shirt and pressed his body to Shaun’s. Yes, this was the time to take this to the next level. He twined his tongue with Shaun’s and tasted him. He fumbled Shaun backward until he pinned him to the wall between the bedroom and living room. Shaun overwhelmed him and he loved it.

A buzzer sounded and interrupted the kiss. Shaun broke the connection and rested his forehead on Kevin’s. “That would be dinner. Let me go get it.”

“Take my keys.” Kevin both thanked and cursed the delivery person. He cursed the person because he didn’t want the kiss to end, but thanked God he had a moment to think before he got completely caught up. He wasn’t the type of person to do what he didn’t mean, but he’d almost ripped Shaun’s clothes off.

“Be right back, but you don’t have to worry about me and Leo. I think we’re going to be buds.” Shaun took the keys and put his boots on, then left Kevin alone in the apartment.

Kevin fixed his shirt and hair. When he caught sight of himself in the mirror, he grinned. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes wild. He barely recognized himself.

He composed his thoughts, then crossed the room to the sofa and scratched Leo behind the ears. “Are you being nice to our guest or are you just biding your time until you can rip his face off?” He peered into the cat’s eyes. “You were good?”

Leo snorted, then tucked himself into a ball, ignoring Kevin.

“Well, okay.” Kevin sighed. He’d grown used to the cat’s snippy attitude. It was just part of the quirks of Leo.

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