Page 29 of Collin: Episodes 10-12
Collin blinked, lifting his head. “Sir?”
Mr. Reevesworth had stepped to the side, and Mr. Moreau was holding Collin by the shoulders.
He clasped Collin’s face between his palms. “Let me see you.”
His hands were large. So large. And warm from the kitchen. They smelled of garlic and olive oil.
Collin turned his face just enough to press his lips against one of Mr. Moreau’s hands. “It’s good to have you back, sir.”
Mr. Moreau laughed and shook his head. “I almost feel that I shouldn’t have left. But you came through beautifully.” He kissed Collin on the forehead and wrapped both of his large, powerful arms around Collin until he could barely breathe.
Home. This is home. Those damn tears were trying to come back again.
Collin blinked hard. “I tried, sir. But I missed you, especially today. Not that you’d be at the office, but…”
Mr. Moreau smiled and shook his head. He tilted Collin’s chin up and kissed him chastely on the lips. “I will be at the office. My consultancy is coming in to handle the extra workload of advocating and protecting Reevesworth Industries’ employees affected by the industrial sabotage.”
Collin’s jaw dropped. “Really, sir?”
Mr. Reevesworth nodded. “I had you on so many things today, Collin, I didn’t even think to mention it. Émeric, you didn’t have to cook. I know you have emails and calls.”
“I needed to cook because I have those emails and calls. Come, I need to check the stove.” He held his hand out to his husband.
Collin followed in his doms’ wake.
In the kitchen, Mr. Reevesworth crossed his arms and leaned one hip against the counter by the stove, almost touching Mr. Moreau.
Mr. Moreau relit the stove and stirred the pasta, sniffing at the dish inside. “Richard, the multicolored peppercorns, please. Collin, wash your hands and pass me the Parmesan. It’s on the counter. I just grated it.”
“How is Ami?” Mr. Reevesworth murmured.
Mr. Moreau’s face lit up. “She is well. She sent presents for everyone. They’re in the living room.”
“She knows she doesn’t have to.”
“And you know you didn’t have to make that donation to the jinja at the last festival either.”
Mr. Reevesworth’s cheeks colored. He lowered his head. “The jinja does good work. And the restoration needed to be started.”
“Agreed. So you’ll be gracious and say thank you when you see what she sent you. And your boys. She wants to meet you, Collin.”
Collin bit his lip. “Really? Isn’t she, like, really important if she runs the whole shrine?”
“Technically she oversees five shrines.” Mr. Moreau added the grated cheese and lowered the temperature. “And you are special, Collin. You’re the first new person to turn my head in six years. Of course, Ami finds you interesting.”
Collin blinked hard and ducked his head. “Yes, sir.”
“Ami is just as much family as Linda or Ellisandre,” Mr. Reevesworth said fondly. “She is a force to be reckoned with. And she is very loyal.”
“She’s concerned for you, Richard. You and Linda. If any of us need a place to retire to for a while, she’s offering her retreat. She has that renovated old house in Kyushu. It’s finished now.”
“I appreciate it. I don’t think any of us need to step back, not yet at least.”
“Perhaps after this has blown over, we should consider it.” Mr. Moreau gave Mr. Reevesworth a heavy look. “How are you handling this, Richard?”
Mr. Reevesworth sighed. “I hate thinking anyone is getting hurt. It makes me angry. And…” He glanced at Collin.
“Collin can handle anything you need to say, Richard. He’s your partner, not just your submissive. We made that mistake once.”
