Page 56 of The Key Holder

“Quit playing games, Dylan. I know you’ve felt something.” I grabbed his fingers, stopping the twirl, and held tight, the other hand still on the wheel. “What about you? What do you think about us as a couple?”

“I wasn’t trying to put you on the spot,” he said, his voice soft. “And you’re right, I have felt something between us. Something I’ve wanted for a long time. But we don’t have to define it if you’re not ready for that.” As an afterthought, he added, “I don’t just like you for your body.”

“I know that,” I said without thinking. It was the truth, though. I hadn’t come close to thinking that. Deep down, I knew he’d had a crush on me when he was a kid. That crush, apparently, never went away.

“I don’t mean to put you on the spot, especially since, you know, it’s been one day. God, I can’t believe I’m still talking. I guess what I’m trying to say—poorly—is this is more than just fun for me.”

My stomach tightened, but not with dread. With the fear that something so new was already serious for him. I wanted him too, but I’d had past relationships that seemed promising end for so many reasons. Were Dylan and I truly compatible?

“It’s more than fun for me too,” I said. “I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t think you could.”

“Certainly not intentionally.” I turned onto the gravel road that led to the cabin, and had to raise my voice to be heard over the increased noise. “I just don’t want us to get too ahead of ourselves. That’s all.”

“I understand. I’ve just never burned eggs while naked with a man before.”

I laughed, the tension easing slightly. “Definitely a good sign.” Pulling up to the porch, I cut the engine, but didn’t immediately make a move to leave. Dylan looked like he had more to say.

“So, if we’re not just for fun, then what are we? What could we be?”

There was no pressure in the question nor his gaze, just warmth and hope. His vulnerability was my invitation to his heart, and I’d RSVP to that every time.

“I don’t know yet,” I said, sandwiching his hand in between both of mine. “But I’m willing to figure it out with you.”

14

Dylan

I pinched myself.

Yup, this is real.

We were going to figure things out.

Even though naked breakfast became clothed brunch, things were different. While we always helped each other cook and clean up, Ford had never been this close to me while doing so, and he certainly hadn’t ever touched me. Purposefully anyway.

When he reached over my head to grab a plate and put his hand on my hip, I thought I was going to pass out. The intimacy seemed to come naturally to him, whereas my inclination was to do what I did earlier, that is, get on my knees.

But there’d be time for that later.

“Any plans today?” I asked. “Have you heard when my savior is coming back?”

“Your savior?” Ford put his mug down and did that head tilt thing that puppies do.

“River the roofer. The man I credit with getting your dick inside me.”

Ford coughed his mouthful of coffee out; some of it dribbled down his chin before he could wipe it. When he caught his breath, he said, “He is not the reason that happened.”

I shrugged. “Tomato tomato.”

“I mean it. That is not going to be our how-we-met story.”

“Well, if that’s not it, then I guess I could tell them about the morning I found you pounding that sex toy.”

“Oh, what have I agreed to?”

“It’s not that bad.” I pushed my chair back, slowly walked around the table, and wiggled into his lap.