Page 43 of The Map Home
“Okay, so the thing is?—”
“Nope.” Tad stood back up, his back to Dakota again.
“Tad, sit the fuck back down. I’m not about to tell you that last night was an accident or some fluke.”
Slowly, Tad turned back around to face him.
“You’re not?”
“No. Now will you fucking sit down?”
Tad perched himself on the edge of the couch cushions, ready to flee.
“Last night wasnotan accident.” Fuck, this was difficult. Talking about feelings was worse than going to the dentist. How did people in relationships do it? Why weren’t sticky notes and texts enough?
Watching the hopeful expression creep across Tad’s face, Dakota forced himself to continue.
“My feelings toward you are more than friendly and have been probably for a while. I wouldn’t fu—mess around with someone I didn’t truly care for.”
“You care for me.”
“Yes.”
“As more than a friend.”
“Yes. I said that, didn’t I?”
Suddenly, his lap was full of Tad. Dakota hadn’t seen him move, but now Tad was straddling his thighs and Dakota’s arms wrapped around his body of their own volition.
Tad whispered, “Is this for real, or am I dreaming?”
Dakota snaked a hand under Tad’s shirt. “Definitely for real,” he replied.
FOURTEEN
Tad
“Can we still go get a tree tonight?”
Orgasm or not, there was a tree out there that needed to be in his apartment and gloriously decorated.
“Seriously? Can’t I get out of it with a blow job?” Dakota waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“As tempting as that is, no. You can save that for later,” Tad said with a laugh.
“Fine. Right now? Tonight?”
As if Tad would delay the tree expedition once Kota had agreed to go.
“Yes. Right now, tonight. Most of the tree places are open late, so that won’t be a problem. And it’s not even eight yet.”
“What if the place with the perfect tree is closed?” Kota asked with a chuckle that made his chest rumble under Tad’s cheek.
It was tempting to stay inside, all warm and comfortable with Kota’s arms wrapped around him. But the tree called, and who knew when they’d have another night off together.
“Then I won’t know the perfect tree is there and will find the perfect tree somewhere else.”
“Ugh.” But Kota scooted out from under Tad and rolled off the couch to stand up.
