Page 79 of Laken's longing

“Fuck, alright but you’ll owe me.”

“I’m good with a barter system.” Isley perched on one of the kitchen stools, pleased with himself. “What do you want?”

Laken rested his hands on the countertop wearing a thoughtful look. His hair was slicked back and damp from the shower. He exuded masculine authority with the sternness of his features, but Isley knew beneath that tough exterior was a heart that wanted—needed—unconditional love. “I’ll need to give that some thought. Pick just the right thing.”

They had spent most of the day in bed, making up for the week of lonely nights, only venturing to the kitchen for food. They’d gotten up an hour earlier to shower and get ready for dinner. Isley’s nerves were kicking in, regardless of the fact he knew both of Laken’s parents well enough to call Lane a friend. This just felt… different. Immense. He’d only twice before dated someone who took him to meet the parents, and neither relationship had lasted much longer afterwards.

This is different,he reminded himself. Laken might not have spoken words of love, but his actions spoke for him. “How would you feel about coming to meet my parents?”

Laken’s expression didn’t alter, but Isley was too attuned to his moods not to miss the quick flicker of doubt in his eyes before it disappeared. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. They are nice like Lane and Derick, you’ll like them.”

The nod Laken gave might have seemed curt, but Isley knew what a big deal this was. “Thank you. I’ll call my parents later to see what works.”

“Okay, you ready to go?” Laken asked, eyes brooding.

“Yep, let me grab the chocolate I bought for Lane.”

Laken groaned and adjusted his cock as he came around the counter. “I don’t think I’m ever gonna be able to think about chocolate and not get hard at the image of eating—”

“Gods, stop! Don’t do this when I’m meeting the parents!” Isley hissed, marching to grab what he needed, his own cock twitching. Which should be an impossibility with how many times they’d had sex. Isley’s ass sure wasn’t up for another round.

Laken laughed all the way to the car, teasing him in a way that had Isley struggling not to stare at the newness of experiencing this side of Laken.

If he’d thought that Laken would be nervous, Isley was mistaken. They pulled into the driveway, and before he could get his own nerves under control, the front door opened and Lane appeared, leaving Isley no choice but to get out of the car.

The man looked so much younger than his sixty years. His eyes were bright and brimming with mischief, like usual. He wore cream slacks and a brown sweater. His smile was wide and welcoming as he came to, Isley pulling him in for a hug, squashing the bag Isley held between them when he’d not had the foresight to drop his hand. The chilly air didn’t seem to worry Lane.

Isley gripped the bag with the chocolate, his smile a little more forced than he would have liked, even as he assured himself that this was Lane and not an ogre.

“Lovely to see you, Isley. I’ve been baking some of your favorites, I hope you brought an appetite.”

Laken made a choking sound, and Isley threw him a warning look as he retrieved a bag from the backseat.

Isley’s breath ghosted the air, revealing his anxiety. “I bought you some chocolate. The ones I made, I’m not sure they’d be as good, so I got this Dubai chocolate with a pistachio and shredded plant—can’t remember the name—that is delicious,” he waffled, blushing while shoving the bag at Lane when Laken once more made a choking noise.

Large shoulders shook with silent laughter as Laken made his way into the house in front of Lane and Isley. Lane had slipped his arm through Isley’s, guiding him inside. “Did Laken take you to a chocolate making class?”

“Yesterday, it was so much fun. It would be a great day out for the PAs for Christmas instead of having a party.”

“Now this I can get behind.”

“What are you cooking up now, my love?” Derick stood next to Laken in the hallway, eyeing what he was wearing. “Didn’t you have a sweater on when you left yesterday?”

“It got covered in chocolate.” Isley gave Laken an innocent smile. “Laken’s a messy eater.”

Derick chuckled while slapping Laken on the back as he coughed loudly.

“There’s a story there, I’m guessing,” Lane giggled, looking youthful.

Isley ignored the warning look Laken aimed at him like a dart. “Laken, show your parents your chocolates.”

“What’s going on here?” Jupiter came down the stairs wearing what could only be described as the ugliest pair of overlarge pyjamas. The neck was fairly fitted, but the top looked like it would fit three people in and the pants—well, the legs were so wide they flapped like wings as he walked. All in a hideous orange that didn’t suit Jupiter’s skin tone at all.

“Did you lose a bet and were forced to wear the present that you got from secret Santa last year?” Laken questioned, through several barks of laughter.

“Was it you?” Jupiter cast an accusing eye at Laken. “And yes, I lost a f—fecking bet with Booker.”