Page 66 of Sight Unseen

Nate’s brow drew together and he stopped what he was doing, which was licking his fingers. I’d been watching the decadent display for a while and I was glad he’d stopped treating his fingers like some sort of fellatio practice object.

“Give me the excellent news,” he said, fumbling around on the table for a clean napkin. Silently, I handed him a clean one.

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered madly as I wiped my sweaty palms against my trousers. “I was thinking about our living arrangements.”

Nate stopped wiping his mouth and he laid the napkin down on the table.

“Oh? What about them?”

There was no way to do this other than be the bull in the china shop and throw caution to the wind. Yeah, I knew there were a couple of boring clichés in that sentence. I never professed to be particularly creative in my use of the English language.

“Well, you know I’m paying a mortgage, and we’re commuting to see each other. It seems stupid, given that we spend all our time together.” Nate’s brow furrowed and I hurried on. “Of course, I want to spend more time with you, rather than spend it in the car, so I thought perhaps, it might be time to give some thought to combining our residences? You know, live in one place rather than two?”

Nate blinked. I took that as a good sign.

“Also, I did the math and it looks like we can both save some money if we moved into one place—yours because it’s all set up for you already. All our expenses will be split between us. That’s only fair. Maybe we could get some more gadgets for your place to make life easier for you, because they can be expensive. And Dev says he’ll take my place over, because he loves it, and he can screw Blu’s brains out there on the deck. It’s a fantasy he has, and who am I to put the brakes on a man’s fantasy? So what do you think?”

I stopped my sales pitch, out of breath.

Nate blinked again and his mouth twisted in a smirk. “Cody, are you asking to move in with me at my place, and allow our friends to have carnal relations on the deck at your house?”

It was my turn to blink. “Well, yeah. That was the gist I hoped to get across.”

Nate pursed his lips. “Hmm. Tempting. Have Cody Fisher at my home all the time. Have his annoying sneakers kicked off anywhere so I fall over them…”

“That was once,” I said hotly. “And you made me pay for it, if I remember.”

Oh yeah. He’d edged me within a hair’s breadth of imploding and messing up the walls before letting me come. I’d take any punishment he wanted to inflict on me if it meant I got to have him that way. I’d even considered leaving my shoes out on purpose for him to fall over, but no. Even I had limits.

“Have the fridge filled with all that icky healthy stuff”—Nate’s lips pursed in distaste—“and suffer the toilet seat being down when I need to take a piss.”

“That was also the one time,” I said weakly. “I said I was sorry.”

My heart was plummeting. Did this laundry list mean Nate didn’t want me living with him? I’d come a long way in being the boyfriend of a blind man. I’d learned a lot and it wasn’t fair he was bringing up all my earlier transgressions.

“Have the man I love with me all the time, sleeping in our bed, making breakfast for each other and sitting listening to movies while we cuddle on the sofa?” Nate’s voice was tender, and he reached over and found my hand. “I can’t think of anything I’d want more.”

My chest lightened and I stared at him. “Really, you’re good with this? Me moving in with you?”

Nate tugged my hands, indicating he wanted me to move closer. I did, and he framed my cheeks and drew me in for a long, lingering kiss that melted my heart and hardened other bits.

“I am, baby,” he whispered. “So good with it.”

I beamed then waved the waiter over to order some champagne.

This needs celebrating. But first I have a burning question.

“Seeing as how we’re moving in together, does it mean I get to know the meaning behind your password at long last? I mean, I know you use it for nearly everything, including the buy-on-demand television programs.”

Nate chuckled. “I’m surprised you never figured it out. I’d have thought it was obvious.” His hand sought mine again, and I placed it on top of his. “It’s either Clayman—my nickname obviously”—he hesitated—“and the number seventeen. Our age the first time we made love together.”

I lost my breath as he continued. “The other one is the same, seventeen and your birthday. The ninth of February.”

I sat there, still unable to speak.

“You’ve always been with me, Cody,” Nate said softly as he caressed my hand. “Every time I used that password, I was remembering that weekend together. And you.”

“Oh wow,” I sputtered. “That’s quite the romantic gesture.” I swore my toes were curling in pleasure.