“Don’t worry, honey, I’m not dyeing my hair.”
Another barista put plates with their sweets on them on the bar, and he reached for them. “Let’s get a seat by the window?”
“Totally. We can watch the tourists. You missed the bike rally.”
“Bicycles? Were there a lot of people?”
“Motorcycles, and lots of leather. Lots. I drove down to watch.” Early’s wink was pure naughtiness.
“Whoa. I can’t wait until next year. Maybe I’ll buy myself a jacket so you don’t have to wait that long for leather.”
Early’s smile blossomed over his entire face. “Mmm…that would be nice for the fall, wouldn’t it? My studly leather lawyer?”
Study? He didn’t think he was the stud in this relationship, but the way Early appreciated his suggestion made his spine tingle. “I don’t have to wear a suit on a regular basis anymore, so I’m looking forward to extending my wardrobe.”
“Mmm…jeans. Your butt looks fine in denim.” Wasn’t that a happy sound?
“Jeans, T-shirt, leather jacket, boots… I should get some boots.” Now he was playing with Early, but he kind of did want boots.
“Hell, yes. Biker boots and cowboy boots both.” Early was right there, into it.
“You look like you might cream your jeans if I asked for a Harley for Christmas.” He grinned and stuck the straw to his iced coffee between his teeth.
Early lit up like it was the Fourth of July. “Your birthday is before that…”
“You want to buy me a bike?” He laughed. “Come on. I mean a bike would be cool but…me?” Something was wrong with him. He actually didn’t hate the idea. He was kind of intrigued now.
“Why not? You’re the hottest bastard I’ve ever seen.” Early leaned forward. “I could snuggle up behind you, hold your hips as you ride.”
“You really like this idea? Maybe I’ll try one out. I’ve never ridden one.” But he could learn. He needed a hobby. There was a lot of open road where they lived.
“I haven’t either, but I love the visual of you straddling a Harley, waiting for me.”
“It sounds so Top Gun.” He chuckled. But it was a plan now, even if they didn’t buy one he’d make that little fantasy happen for his husband. Why not? “Let’s find me a truck first. My BMW isn’t built for a ranch.”
“Yeah—did you want a pickup or something like a long wheelbase Range Rover, so you can haul many boys?”
“Ooh a Range Rover. Swanky.” In a nice steel blue or black. That would be sweet. “Hauling boys will be key, obviously.”
“Yep. Hauling boys, taking me on dates—all the good bits.” Early beamed at him. “Speaking of good bits…that hot tub and childless evening is calling to us.”
“We could get up to no good in a Range Rover for sure. Are you done with your brownie? I think you’re wearing half of it.”
“You were the one teasing me about a Harley.”
“Point taken. Tell you what.” He leaned across the table as he stood up. “I’ll lick all that chocolate off you when we get home.”
“I have a bottle of Hershey’s in the fridge.”
Early seemed dead serious. That was amusing. And strangely hot. “You want some sticky fun after the hot tub? I’m in. Then we can shower too. We can tell the kids we had ice cream. Come on, cowboy.”
“Right behind you, darlin’. Let’s go play.”
16
“Boss! I need you to sign off on this before you go into your new interview!”
“Boss! I need you to call that woman that runs the feed store and approve my changes!”