Doc made a thoughtful sound but didn’t say anything with words until he brought the sandwiches over. “Alain, these are gorgeous. I feel so spoiled.”
“Thank you, Sir. They’re my favorite.” Salty and rich and spicy—he loved them. In fact, he could switch between them and Po’boys every day, except he’d be the size of a hippopotamus.
“That makes it even more special, doesn’t it? Sharing your favorites. I’m hungry too.” Doc wasn’t shy and took a big bite, face lighting up as he chewed and nodding. “Mm. Good.”
“Guapo isn’t real used to good food, you know? So you’ll have to teach him.” Neil winked at Alain, and a little flutter started in his belly all over again.
Doc played at looking offended. “I am a Cheerios connoisseur, thank you very much. And I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich.”
“You good with grits?” He could make some grits with cheese and butter that would make Mister Doctor sing.
“I haven’t had them since I was a kid, but I remember liking them.” Doc took another big bite.
“I love ’em. Salt and pepper and butter—uhn. Can you make biscuits and gravy?” Neil actually went cross-eyed.
“Yes, Sir. I got that.” Could he make biscuits? Shit.
“I’m going to gain four hundred pounds. Can you think of some way I could work off those calories, Smokey?”
“Mmm… I bet I can…”
Lord, was there anyone more naughty than Chou? Anyone? Master Doctor had to have his hands full with that one.
“I thought you might. We can go over your ideas in detail later.” Doc glanced his way, one eyebrow raised. “You look like you have ideas too, boy.”
“Huh?” His eyes went so wide so fast he thought his head would pop off. “Me? I—”
Was he allowed to have ideas? Chou said the Master Doctor was all strict and shit.
“No?” Doc winked at him. “Well, if you think of anything…” He got a smile before Doc looked away, all interested in his sandwich again.
“Oh, I bet there’s a bunch of untapped ideas in that naughty little brain, aren’t there, Kitten?” Chou’s voice went a little husky, and those eyes dragged over him like a rough touch.
Suddenly Alain couldn’t hardly breathe.
“Ooh. You’re good at that. How did you manage to keep your hands off him all day?”
“Well, it was tough, but I was trying to be a good dog.” Neil’s grin went wry. “And you didn’t say no touching, Guapo. You said no coming.”
Alain ducked his head to hide his smile, but Doc didn’t hide his.
“Correct. That’s my rule. I don’t want to come home to spent boys. I prefer you ready to have some fun.” Doc reached under the table and drew his hand along Neil’s thigh. “I do like the way Alain looks at you, and the way he tries to stay under my radar.”
Oh, lord, that man did see just about everything didn’t he? His cheeks burned like the sun.
“Mmm. He’s not as shy and retiring as he lets on,” Neil murmured, giving him a heavy-lidded glance.
“So, you had a good day then?” Doc got up and put his plate next to the sink and fingers brushed his arm as Doc walked past him.
“Yes, Sir. Chou took me all around to the groceries. We laughed a lot. You’d have been welcome as flowers.”
The look Doc gave him was kind, and there was something deeper in those eyes. “Such a sweet boy.”
“I try to be, Master Doctor, I swear to god. I like to be naughty sometimes, but it ain’t real. It’s for playing.” Honest, Master Cyrus said. Always be the most honest.
Doc nodded, smiling. “I appreciate that, thank you. I like a little naughty, as Neil has told you, I’m sure. And if I’m strict or you’re in trouble, I’m never mad. That’s all part of the power play, I promise. If you’re not sure, you can always use your words to find out.”
“Yes, Sir!” Now that was good to hear, it so was. He wasn’t never going to be scared one bit of using his safe words again, and he’d be damned if he ever let anyone get away with disrespecting them ever. “I know how those work.”