Page 11 of Trash and Treasure
“Everything go okay?” he asked, opening the box to show off the pink-iced pastries.
Mico nodded, but Jack thought he looked stressed. “Sorry I’m late. Had a problem with a damaged dumpster at the last stop. Took longer than it should have.”
“Donuts make everything better,” Jack replied.
Mico closed the space between them and leaned in for a kiss. It was just a brush of lips, more a promise of things to come, but it sent Jack’s blood rushing south as his heart pounded. “Mmm. Donuts are great, but kissing you is even better.”
“I’m not going to argue with that,” Jack said, knowing he looked as hot and bothered as he felt.
“When’s the next time you have a long afternoon?” Mico asked before he bit into one of the donuts and moaned his approval. “Holy shit. These are your best ones yet. Your recipes rock!”
The ecstatic look on Mico’s face, coupled with the orgasmic groan, made it difficult for Jack to concentrate. “Sunday. One of our slower days after the lunch rush. Does that work for you?”
Mico nodded. “Yeah. A couple of customers are closed that day, so there’s no pickup. We can work out the details tomorrow night—I need to get going since I’m already behind schedule.”
He closed the box lid. “I guarantee it won’t go to waste,” he added with a wink as he licked crumbs from the corner of his mouth.
* * *
Jack and Micostole a few moments together every night in the café parking lot, trading kisses and donuts. Still, their meetings were hurried and far too public, and Jack’s impatience grew as the week dragged on.
By the time Mico picked him up on Sunday, Jack had been fantasizing about how the evening might go. A romantic walk, then back to Mico’s place and spending the night. Jack had gotten his Monday baking done early and wouldn’t need to be at work until mid-afternoon.
He’d packed a fresh change of clothing and feeling optimistic, lube and condoms. Shifters couldn’t get human STDs, but he had always used extra caution with his partners and figured it was best to start out that way.Assuming we get that far. But I’m definitely ready for more than kissing.
Mico seemed equally buzzed on happiness when Jack climbed into his SUV. “I brought donuts for dessert,” he said, settling the white box on his lap and his backpack at his feet. “Because there’s always room for donuts.”
“Thank you. I love your baking, but I’m just glad to get a longer time together,” Mico replied. He glanced at the backpack. “You’re still planning on staying over?”
“Definitely. Looking forward to it.” Jack hoped his grin signaled his interest in doing more than sleeping.
This had better be worth the bath you made me take. My fur smells strange.
That’s what “clean” smells like.
Jack usually showered in his human form, but since he planned to let Mico see his possum for the first time, he had insisted on shifting and shampooing his animal form as well. That had been awkward, and blow-drying his fur had been impossible. His possum had huffed in annoyance when Jack made him stand in front of a fan.
I’m poofy,his shifter side complained.
It’s kinda cute,Jack replied, hiding a snicker.
When they reached Mico’s place, Jack hesitated. He’d never been on a date with another shifter, so the etiquette of changing form hadn’t come up. Since shifting in his clothes usually ended up in a tangled mess, that meant stripping down in front of Mico before they’d seen each other naked in a more intimate setting.
“Would you rather shift in the house?” Mico asked, and Jack wondered whether he had guessed the reason for Jack’s hesitance or shared the same concern.
“Seems like more work than necessary,” Jack said, trying to look confident. The heat in Mico’s gaze told Jack that his boyfriend wouldn’t mind getting an eyeful. “We can change here if it’s not going to scandalize the neighbors.”
“No one around to see,” Mico replied, gesturing toward the trees. “Just us.”
Jack usually didn’t get naked with someone without soft lighting and a few drinks. He tried not to worry about his pale skin and lack of six-pack abs. When he looked up, Mico’s appreciative gaze and obvious erection suggested that he liked what he saw.
Jack took one look at Mico and licked his lips, then blushed as he realized that he was getting hard. Mico’s defined muscles, broad shoulders, and generous body hair pressed all Jack’s buttons.
“There’s a path down to the lake that isn’t an official trail,” Mico said, pointing toward a wide space between the trees. “It’s not far. We can go for a walk along the water and come back without taking a long time. Since, uh, I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Jack grinned at him. “Oh, I’m definitelyhungry.”
Mico’s smile let Jack know they were thinking along the same lines.
