He laughed and headed back to Colt’s bedroom. He loved the high ceiling and the window seats; even the sunlight was better now that he’d had a sip of coffee.
Colt was sleeping, tight, tiny ass in the air. Oh, that was a pretty sight. He put the coffee down, then settled in the sheets, running his hand along Colt’s butt.
He smoothed his fingers up and over the rise of one cheek and down that perfect little curve to Colt’s lower back, then traced a slow line up Colt’s spine with one finger, feeling more than just the pull of his lover’s beautiful body. “I think I could wake up next to this every day,” he whispered, softly. “Next to you.”
He really thought he could. Probably. Almost certainly. God, the idea was both stunning and terrifying.
“Mmm.” Colt arched in a slow motion that screamed lazy pleasure. He watched the way Colt rippled, as if being drawn up by Kyle’s touch. Kyle cataloged that motion; one day he would use it.
He kissed Colt’s shoulder, moving his fingers to work in slow, heavy circles over Colt’s back. He kept his voice low. “You’re something to look at, music man.”
“Make me happy, cher, down to the ground.” Colt hummed, the sound soft and low, reminding him strangely of what he imagined a great cat would sound like.
“People have told me that before, you know.” He smiled, tucking Colt against him. “But you, I believe.” Down to the ground, up to the moon. “I have coffee.”
“I like coffee.” Colt rolled up to settle on his butt. “And I mean it.”
He handed Colt the mug full of sugar and cream and watched as Colt took a sip. “Well, thank you, lover. I really do believe you.” It would be nice to understand it, but he could accept it as true for now without that. He picked up his coffee and took a sip, the bitter, dark flavor giving him a much-needed kick in the ass. “Ahh.”
“Mm-hmm. Very much ahh. Makes me want to lick the air like a dog.”
“What?” He laughed and then groaned. “Oh. The head. I’m a little hungover.” But getting better.
“You get you some Tylenol? You were happy last night.”
He smiled. “I was. I was better than happy. Timmy saved my ass this morning with Tylenol and the coffee, yes.” He leaned closer, rubbing shoulders with Colt. “You were on fire last night.”
“It was fun, playing with you, watching you work. The after-work part was pretty amazing too, eh, cher? We had the bon temps, oui?” Colt leaned hard, inhaling his coffee.
“Oui. We’re getting good at the bon temps.” He laughed, pleased to discover he didn’t feel so much like razor blades were slicing his brain to bits anymore. “What have you got planned today? Timmy said you have some buddies in town?”
“Fixin’ to be, yeah. We’re gon’ get together and write on some songs, make some money, I hope.” Colt snuggled in. “Today I’m pretty free.”
“Well, I have a show tonight, so at some point I need to head for my studio and work a little, but I don’t see any reason not to stay right here for a while and sip this coffee.” He put one arm around Colt’s shoulders, keeping his lover close.
“What do you like to read about, cher? What’s your favorite kind of book?”
“A cookbook. Who has time to read? I’m too busy being out there living. I want to do the things other people only read about.” The last time he tried to actually read a book he fell asleep. “Are you a reader?”
“Sure. I like stories, especially ones about places I ain’t seen.”
“What kind of stories do you like? Mysteries? Love stories? Stories about real people? I’ve done a lot of traveling. I talk to people a lot, everywhere I go, and I do like when people tell me a story or something personal about where they live.” He sipped his coffee, already getting toward the bottom of the cup.
“Oh, I just pick up ones that look good from the back. I’ve read all sorts on buses and trains and planes, sitting and waiting for another set. Where’s your favorite place to go?”
“Anywhere that has a beach.” He grinned. “Bright sun, clear water, and warm sand do it for me. I could listen to the waves all day long. I love St. Barths, but it’s a pain to get there.”
“I been to the Gulf a lot, all over it, and I been to LA.”
“Oh, the Gulf is lovely. I’ve only been on the Florida side, but I loved it. The clear water, the white sand. Just lovely.” And the last resort he’d stayed at had Starbucks delivery in the morning if you ordered it the night before. Starbucksdelivery. He almost didn’t leave.
“Yessir. It makes a man feel small, but in a good way.” Colt began to stroke his belly, petting him.
He nodded. “The city is like that too, but in a different way, you know? Waves everywhere. Of people, of light, of sounds—the subway, the traffic, music. Right?”
“Uh-huh. It’s just perfect. I think I’m good here.”
“Good. I’m not ready to let you go home.” He tried to hide how relieved he felt, but he wasn’t sure how well he was doing. “And I’m not the long-distance relationship type.” The one time he’d tried had been a complete disaster, and he wasn’t going to do that again.