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Lucien’s smile returned. “I like that. It’s been a long time since I had people I trusted to keep me safe.” He paused and looked around the square, watching the tourists and the Saturday strollers enjoying the nice day. “My expertise isn’t in fighting and magic, but I know a thing or two about dating. How’s things going with that adorable artist you’ve got locked away in your room?”
There was no stopping the warning look that flashed across his face. The jealous, possessive part of him didn’t want a sexy man like Lucien noticing how adorable Wiley was. Hell, his inner caveman didn’t want anyone getting near his Wiley, even Clay and Dane. But his inner caveman lacked all logic.
Lucien threw his head back and laughed. “I’m not gonna steal your boy away.”
“I know,” Baer mumbled. He turned his gaze to the ground and kicked an acorn so it skittered and bounced across the uneven pavement. “I’m not feeling very confident where Wiley is concerned.”
“Yeah, because the man doesn’t look at you like you’re the star of all his sexual fantasies.”
Baer snorted and shook his head, but there was no stopping the smile that spread wide on his lips. He wasn’t sure that Wiley looked at him like that, but he’d be only too happy to fill in that role for him.
“Since we’re in town, I was thinking we can make a little side trip. You know, to get him something. As a surprise.”
“Sure. What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” Baer moaned with an extravagant flop of his hands. “I was thinking something artsy, but I don’t know what he needs, and I don’t want to get him something he’d never use. Then I thought maybe something comic book related, because he talks about all of them. I can’t even guess at what he’d like.”
Lines of concentration dug furrows across Lucien’s forehead. “Yeah, I noticed that. He said that I had the bearing of a young Nick Fury. Considering my only reference is the Avengers movies, I took it as a compliment.” Lucien shook his head like he was shaking off the thought. “Look, I’m sure he would love anything you’d get him.”
“Yeah, but I want it to be simple but special. Thoughtful. If it’s expensive, then it’s too overwhelming and heavy. If it’s just a random comic book, then it has no meaning. I want…” Baer drifted off, lifting his open hands in front of him as if he could pull the idea out of the air.
Wrapping his arm around Baer’s shoulders, Lucien laughed as he carefully turned the Animal Weaver in a new direction. “Oh, you are just pathetic. Too pathetic to even tease. It’s a good thing you’ve come out with Brother Lucien. He knows how to help you.”
Baer’s head popped up and he didn’t care if Lucien was making fun of him. If the man had a suggestion, then he’d grab it with both hands. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“Where are we going?”
“River Street.”
“You got a shop in mind there?”
Lucien nodded. “There are several touristy and local artist shops along River Street. If we luck out there, we’ll backtrack to Broughton Street, which will put us near the mechanic. At that point, we’ll swing through the Flying Monk for Peking duck, crispy pig, and noodles.”
Baer stared at him for a second in confusion. “How long have you been in town?”
“Not long, I swear. This town is made for walking, and I don’t like to sit still.”
A soft grunt left Baer and they settled into a comfortable, easy conversation about nothing at all. Though he had to admit—even if they found something at the very first shop, he was thinking they needed to stop at this Flying Monk place. Crispy pig and noodles sounded amazing.
The Fire Weaver was surprisingly easy to talk to. The man had traveled around a good chunk of the country, seeming to love exploring every inch of a city before moving on to something new.
What made him an even better companion was that he didn’t once complain about Baer’s endless wishy-washy attitude. What the hell was he going to get Wiley? He was beginning to think this was a stupid idea in the first place.
So, they’d had sex.
And Baer enjoyed spending time with him.
He was making a big deal out of it all, and that was going to put too much pressure on them both.
But Wiley was sweet, generous, and so funny. Baer wanted to give him something to show he appreciated him.
“Don’t give up,” Lucien said with a smile when Baer sighed as he walked out of their fifth shop. They were running out of River Street shops to stroll through and he still had nothing to show for his efforts. He had a couple of backup ideas, but nothing he was actually excited about.
