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Is it wrong to peek at it now?

No.

I wasn’t asking you.

Are you sure? You were talking in your head, and he smells so good. Maybe you could have a little taste too? I mean, what would be the harm?

Are you insane? We don’t go around licking unconscious people. That’s assault and creepy.

Now you’re having scruples. I know where your hands were touching.

Lennon blew out a breath and ground his teeth together, stepping back from the bed and from temptation. He left the bedroom and went into the kitchen, needing space. Needing to find his sanity when he, for a split second, had contemplated doing exactly what his animal suggested.

Food, he needed food. He didn’t glance down at the erection pressing uncomfortably against the zipper of his trousers. Was this edging? He’d have to check out what it was, but it sure as hell felt like it when he was the one not getting off.

He pulled out the makings for burritos and added extra mix without thought to what he was doing. He put music on low and hummed, finding his happy place preparing food, giving himself time to cool off and think about the simple task at hand. A part naked man in his bed was too dangerous to contemplate when they were on dicey heat ground.

It was movement behind him as he finished dishing up the food that got him glancing over his shoulder.

“You managed to time that to perfection. Were you waiting till I plated the food?” he asked in good humor when Kodi wore an adorable, sheepish look complete with pink splashes over his cheekbones.

His clothes, though creased from sleeping in them, were back in place. The wet patch on his shirt was now dry, if not a little crusty. Kodi ran a hand through his hair, an awkward silence following when he eyed the plates of salad next to the large chicken burritos he knew Kodi favored when they stayed late and had to order take out.

Lennon kept his expression neutral when Kodi shifted uneasily. “We can talk while we eat.”

Or not.

Kodi seemed to have gone mute and went to where the chairs sat under the center aisle and pulled two out. Lennon caught a whiff of come and his body reacted as he swung around to carry both plates to where Kodi sat, looking far from comfortable.

“I’m sorry… about… you know.” He fiddled with the cutlery Lennon had pulled out earlier, his gaze firmly fixed in front of him.

Unsure how to handle this side of Kodi, Lennon placed the plate in front of him. “Want a glass of wine or a beer? I have both, and juice.”

“Water would be good.”

Lennon got them both a glass of water then took his seat and started to eat, hoping Kodi would relax. The stiffness in his shoulders made him look like a cardboard cutout as he picked at the salad.

“Okay, you’re giving me indigestion. What’s on your mind?” Lennon questioned, keeping his voice low, not wanting to spook Kodi any more than he clearly was by this new dynamic. He knocked his thigh against Kodi’s in encouragement when he didn’t look in his direction.

“Aren’t you pissed at me?”

“I am.”

Kodi twisted a little to look at him. “Then why are you being so… nice to me?” He looked genuinely confused, his eyebrows meeting.

“Kodi, if you didn’t notice, I’m a nice guy. And mostly you are, too. I got upset with you because you crossed a boundary. That’s on me too when we never discussed personal stuff or expectations beyond the paddling.” His brother’s ‘I told you so’ was playing in his head.

“The problem is, you crossed it in a very accusatory way. What do you want from me Kodi?” His meal was forgotten as he watched Kodi’s expression and could see the emotions racing too fast for him to properly identify what was going on for Kodi.

Kodi placed his cutlery down and reached for his water, taking a sip. Lennon had worked with Kodi long enough to know from his behavior that he was figuring out how to answer. His fingers tapped on the glass as he cast a quick look at Lennon.

“I’m not sure. I know it sounds like I’m fobbing you off, but I’m not. On Monday, I was already edgy.” He slowly ran his fingers up and down the shape of the glass, his eyes on the water inside. “When I went in search for you… for a spanking…”

Back was the furious blush, and Lennon didn’t make a thing of staring, using his food as a distraction, hoping Kodi would keep talking.

“I never considered you might have a boyfriend, though I don’t know why. I mean, you’re gorgeous. You’re fun and super intelligent. Really likeable. Dedicated. Can cook…” he trailed off, and Lennon was sure he could feel the heat radiating off Kodi’s face.

“Thank you,” Lennon said, his tone gushing at all the compliments. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Haven’t had one since the first couple of months working for your parents. The guy thought my dedication wasn’t so attractive. I kind of stopped looking for a guy for a while. Then life got busy, and my time got eaten up with the PAs and spending time with my family.” Lennon shrugged off the fact being single was something he chose.