Page 115 of All Tied Up

“You are amazing, baby boy.” Sebastian leaned over, still holding the luggage, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “But I think we’re all too tired to make big decisions right now.”

Neil breathed out. He could wait. He didn’t have to know immediately. Baby boy and kisses were a really good sign. They weren’t Cricket, but maybe he was being greedy.

When Sebastian led them inside, Neil followed along.

Once he reached the warm atrium that smelled like growing things and clear water and peace, it was like all of his exhaustion hit him at once.

Jamie seemed to be feeling it, too, almost dragging his prosthetic like it was weighing him down.

Sebastian didn’t even ask about the stairs, just led both boys into the elevator and pulled them against his warm chest for the ride.

In the hallway upstairs, Neil reached for Jamie’s hand, hoping he would lean on him if he wanted to. But mostly he just wanted to be nearby. Jamie was wearing a pair of thin-framed glasses that Neil hadn’t had a chance to appreciate yet. Combined with his disarrayed hair, they made him look innocent and adorable, bringing out his eyes instead of hiding them.

Sebastian strode ahead with Neil’s things.

“Daddy has a nice ass, doesn’t he?” Jamie asked.

Neil turned. “Yeah, he really does.” In those tight jeans, Sebastian looked amazing. Neil’s suitcase had wheels, but Sebastian carried it along with Neil’s laptop bag, making his muscles bulge. Neil turned back to Jamie. “But I was actually thinking about you.”

Jamie stopped walking. “Really?” There was that look of surprise again, like he couldn’t believe that Neil was attracted to him. Now that Neil understood about Henri, it made a lot more sense.

“Yeah. I like the glasses. I mean...” Neil trailed off. He knew what Jamie needed to hear, but he wasn’t sure if he was the person who should be saying it. He wanted to say it though, so he plunged ahead. “You’re cute like that. Very kissable.”

Jamie beamed but he didn’t say anything. Was it possible that the confident flirt was flustered? Jamie just said, “Let’s go,” and continued down the hall.

By the time they reached the bedroom door, Sebastian had already disappeared inside with Neil’s luggage, and that little bit of tension that Neil didn’t want to admit to finally evaporated. There were still big things to talk about—so many big things—but tonight they wanted him in their room.

19

Sebastian

Sebastian added home fries to each of the plates as fast as Ty dished them up. “Who do these go out to?”

“The scrambled eggs are for two, four, and seventeen. Egg whites at sixteen. Everyone else is over easy.”

Sebastian took a moment to commit all of the locations to memory, then pushed the cart out to the dining room. He handed out plates, refilled some of the breadbaskets with his homemade breads and muffins, and checked in about anything else anyone needed.

The nine guests eating in this shift chattered lightly in various states of alertness as they doctored up their coffee and thanked him for the meal. Everyone looked relaxed and excited for the day, which is exactly how they should feel.

Sebastian prided himself on making the lodge feel comfortable and accessible, a home base to launch into adventures or laze around taking in the gorgeous scenery.

They had no idea that he was freaking out inside while he refilled coffee mugs and dished up a little bowl of grape jelly for a picky preschooler, all with a smile.

He returned to the kitchen just as Ty finished wiping down the smooth surface of the commercial stove. The young man wheeled and gave Sebastian an appraising look. “I think I figured it out.”

Sebastian raised one eyebrow. His mind had been too full to communicate much this morning, and Ty had left him in peace. Both of them had their routine down to a science, and they could read each other’s moods. Right now they were in a lull, though, and apparently Ty was ready to chat.

“You called Neil,” Ty stated confidently. “Or maybe he’s here. Which is it?”

Sebastian blinked. “What makes you think that?”

“You look happier this morning. I think you even slept.”

Sebastian laughed, hoping he didn’t sound hysterical. “I’m the last thing from relaxed. And yes, Neil came by last night, but he didn’t get in till two-thirty, so I’ve barely had four hours of sleep. He says he has some paperwork for me to look at that could help the lodge, but I’m afraid to even hope it’ll work out.”

“Uh huh… And how did you feel this morning when you saw your two boys curled up together in your bed?”

Sebastian glared. Ty was entirely too perceptive sometimes.