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“Like alligator?”
Wiley snorted. “You’re in the deep south now, boy. Alligator ain’t strange down here. But supposedly they also offer dishes like kangaroo, antelope, and ostrich. I’ve heard their crawfish mac and cheese is to die for. Oh! And banana beignets!” Wiley paused and made a moaning noise worthy of Homer Simpson.
Baer threw his head back and laughed. “How can you even think about food? I still don’t know where you packed all the food you ate at lunch.”
“My grandmother is convinced I burn all the calories off when I talk.”
“Maybe.”
Wiley shrugged. “The restaurant is one of the most popular in Savannah. It’ll be around for a while. We can go after you’ve defeated the pestilents.”
It was a struggle to keep the frown from his face. He didn’t know how long that would take. Months? Years? And he didn’t want to think about how each time they sealed the rift between world, they apparently all died in the battle. If he was lucky enough to survive, wouldn’t that mean it was because he’d found his soul mate?
He must have failed to hide his dark thoughts because Wiley lost his smile as he cocked his head at Baer. Slender fingers gripped his thighs and squeezed. “What? We can celebrate with everyone at Alligator Soul if you want. Or anywhere you want.”
Baer captured both of Wiley’s hands in his and brought them up to his lips for a kiss. “It’s not that. I…I just don’t want to wait that long.” He hated lying, but he didn’t want to think about the hard days that were still to come. Didn’t want to think about not having moments just like this with Wiley. “I want to go out with you and explore this new city. Lucien told me some interesting bits, and I want to see it all with you.”
“Savannah has some crazy history. You’re going to love it!” Wiley squeezed his hands. “Don’t worry. You and the rest of the Circle will have the pestilents taken care of soon enough.”
“I know.”
Wiley’s expression clouded, and he frowned at Baer’s chest for a second. “Though…if the pestilents are going to be a problem…”
“What’s up?”
“My next therapist appointment is in a few weeks.”
“I remember. I’ve got it programmed in my phone with a reminder,” Baer said dutifully. He was determined to take good care of his man no matter what.
Wiley smiled sweetly up at him before pressing a kiss to his chin. “Thank you. I was just thinking that maybe I should go ahead and cancel it. I don’t need her to write me a new script, and—”
“No, you’re going,” Baer said firmly.
Wiley was already shaking his head. “It’s okay. I used to go every other month, but I increased the frequency earlier in the year because I was stressed about launching my new comic book. Everything is good now. I can go back to fewer appointments.”
Baer narrowed his eyes at his lover. “Do you really think you’re not under a great deal of stress living in this madhouse?”
“I know. I should feel stressed, but it’s strange…I don’t. Even after the snake attack and getting bitten. I just…I don’t know how to explain it. When I’m with you, I feel safe. I know that everything is going to work out.” Wiley leaned in as close as he could get, sliding his arms around Baer’s waist while tilting his head up. And like Pavlov’s dog, Baer immediately followed the prompt and kissed him. Yes, Wiley had him properly trained.
Baer kissed him deeply this time, wanting to taste all of him until he was moaning into Baer’s mouth. When he ended the kiss, a beautiful flush painted Wiley’s cheeks and he looked slightly dazed.
“You’re going to your appointment,” Baer growled. Wiley blinked at him like he was trying to remember what the hell he was talking about. “Even if all four of the Weavers have to stand guard around the place, you will go to your appointment. Nothing is more important to me than your well-being.”
Wiley extravagantly rolled his eyes and sighed. “Ugh. How the hell am I supposed to argue with you after a statement like that?”
“You’re not,” Baer said, not caring if his tone was smug.
“I’ll give you this one, but don’t count on winning all our discussions like that,” Wiley warned, but it was hard to take him seriously when the man was positively glowing up at him with happiness.
Running his hands down Wiley’s back and digging into muscles, Baer smiled when Wiley stretched and softly moaned. Clay had once said Baer reminded him of a happy puppy, and that wasn’t a bad assessment. But Wiley was definitely more catlike. The man stretched and practically purred when Baer ran his hands over him. He soaked in all affection.
“So…” Baer drawled. “What are you doing this afternoon?”
