Sweet Topping CV3 (11 page)

Carol Lynne

60

“Early dinner? Sounds good. That’ll give us the rest of the evening to ourselves.”

“That’s the plan,” Gill agreed. He walked over to the baskets lined up on the table.

“People really like these more than flowers?” Kyle shrugged. “Depends on the person. I think men like them more than women.” Kyle rubbed his stomach. “We’re basic animals. It’s all about the grub.” Chuckling, Gill picked up the biggest basket, containing at least fifty cookies. His brow rose as he read the delivery address. “Ezra? Wyn’s really going out on a limb sending these out to the EZ Does It. I can just imagine the ribbing Ezra will get from his ranch hands.” Choking on a drink of coffee, Kyle shook his head. “Wyn’s not sending them.”

“Really? Ezra has another admirer? Ooh, do tell!” Kyle still couldn’t believe he’d accepted the order and gone along with the crazy scheme. “Nate ordered them. Read the card.”

Gill pulled the small pale green card out of the envelope. “To Ezra James, Thanks for leaving the door open. I’ve had my eye on Palmer Wynfield for years. Thanks for making my Valentine’s Day all the more special.”

Gill whistled. “Damn, he’s a sneaky little fuck.”

“If it works, it’ll be worth it.”

“Did Mr. Matchmaker at least order a bouquet for his own men? I’d hate to deliver something to the Sheriff’s station and not have something for Ryan. Hell, he might just shoot me.”

Kyle laughed and pointed towards a much smaller basket. “Ryan gets that one.”

“And Rio?”

Laughing harder, Kyle shook his head. “Nope. It seems the big bad Rio prefers flowers, lilacs to be exact.”

“Wow, I would’ve never guessed that,” Gill said with a smile.

“I don’t think Rio would want the information to get around so keep it on the down low.”

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61

Fussing with his shirt, Kyle finally sighed and gave up. Hopefully no one would be looking at his lap other than Gill, who’d think he was hard. Kyle grinned. Gill would probably be right.

He still couldn’t believe Gill had volunteered to deliver all those baskets. It had been almost eleven before his man was back and ready to go to the station.

Picking his keys up from the table, Kyle made his way towards the elevator, his overnight bag slung over the back handles of his chair. Gill’s story when he returned about the delivery to Ezra still cracked him up. Evidently Ezra wasn’t amused by Nate’s note.

According to Gill, Ezra took the basket and stormed towards his big four-wheel drive, roaring out of the driveway in a spray of dust and gravel. Poor Wyn.

Reaching the bottom, Kyle turned out the kitchen lights and went to the front door to wait. Gill was running a little late which wasn’t like him at all. Kyle looked at his watch. He’d give him five more minutes before calling.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind, Kyle saw the big Ford Explorer pull to a stop in front of the building. As he opened the door, he noticed a strange look on Gill’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Kyle asked.

Gill bent and gave him a deep kiss. “Nothing.” Another kiss had Kyle forgetting the evasive answer. Gill helped him into the Explorer before putting his chair in the back. Once Gill was buckled in, Kyle ran a hand over the top of Gill’s head. “You’re especially shiny. Did you use a buffer?” He grinned.

Gill gave him a sheepish grin and shrugged. “Just wanted to look my best. I’m taking my Valentine out for dinner.”

“Well you look good if that helps.”

“Sure it does,” Gill said.

“So tell me what the look was for earlier.”

Gill looked over at him and gave a brief shake to his head. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you look this hot. I’m rethinking our dinner reservations.” Gill parked the Explorer.

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Kyle reached his hand over and ran it up Gill’s thigh towards his cock. “Because you’d rather go home and make love?”

“Yeah, that and I don’t like the thought of Eric drooling over you all evening.” Kyle gave Gill’s cock a gentle squeeze. “You’re the only man I have eyes for.” He batted his lashes and grinned. “Sappy enough for you? Now, let’s eat. It’s been a hell of a long day and I’m looking forward to dessert at my place.”

“Who could argue with that,” Gill said as he leaned over and gave Kyle another kiss.

“Let’s go.”

Gill opened his door and headed towards the restaurant. Kyle watched him through the windshield, and rolled his eyes. It was a pretty good eye roll though. It meant Gill had once again forgotten that Kyle couldn’t just get out and follow him in.

When Gill started to open the Canoe door, he turned to say something to Kyle and finally noticed he wasn’t behind him. Kyle watched as Gill shook his head and ran back to the Explorer. Opening Kyle’s door he immediately started apologising. “I’m so sorry. I forgot.”

“Yeah, you did. Isn’t it wonderful?” Kyle waited for Gill to retrieve his chair out of the back.

“Okay, in you go,” Gill said as he lifted Kyle from the seat and deposited him in his wheelchair.

“Thanks. I’ll even let you push me up the ramp.” Getting seated at their table was a pleasant experience for Gill. It seemed there was something in the kitchen that needed Eric’s immediate attention, so he wasn’t available to paw all over Kyle.

“What looks good to you?” Kyle asked looking at his menu.

“Oh, I think you already know the answer to that question,” Gill replied with a wink.

Kyle’s cheeks tinted the prettiest shade of pink. “On the menu.” Gill set his aside, and leaned across the table. “Steak. A thick piece of meat with so much juice I have trouble swallowing it all. I’ll also want asparagus. Their tender tips tickling

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my tongue as I put them into my mouth.” Gill licked his lip and watched as Kyle’s eyes rounded at the description.

“Damn, I’ll have that, too. Except the asparagus, did you know it will make your cum taste bitter?” Kyle’s hand disappeared under the table for a second.

“Scratch the asparagus. I want you to love the taste of me.” Gill studied Kyle. “You hard?”

He watched Kyle’s Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed and gave a nod.

“Good.” Gill sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Now that we’re on the same page, let’s order and get the hell out of here.” The ring in his pocket was burning a hole through his thigh. He’d been nervous all day. Thank god Kyle had kept him busy. He knew he was skipping several steps in their relationship progression, but he wanted Kyle to get the help he needed without worry. No way would he look for any other man when he had the love of someone like Kyle.

He looked around for their waiter and almost groaned when he saw a frenzied Eric heading their way. “Hold on to your hat,” he mumbled.

“Kyle!” Eric crooned in that smooth Latin voice of his. “So sorry I couldn’t greet you.

I’m having trouble with my sous chef.”

Gill’s hands fisted as Eric bent to kiss Kyle on both cheeks. After the little love-fest ended, Eric finally looked at Gill. “Nice to see you again, too, of course.”

“Yeah, right,” Gill mumbled. Why couldn’t Cattle Valley open another restaurant with the same food he could get here? Thrumming his fingers impatiently on the table must have given Eric the hint his presence wasn’t welcomed.

“Well I’m off to deal with the kitchen. I just couldn’t let my favourite customer go unnoticed.”

“Thanks, Eric,” Kyle said and glanced at Gill.

As soon as the Latin heartthrob headed back from where he came, Kyle reached across the table and took Gill’s hand. “Sorry about that.” Gill squeezed back. “Not your fault you’re so damned sexy.” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

64

Gill drove to his house after they’d finally escaped the Canoe. “I think maybe next year, I’ll take you to Deb’s Diner or Brewster’s.”

Laughing, Kyle swatted Gill’s arm. “Maybe by next year Eric will be tied to a man of his own.”

“Not likely. He’s too much of a player to ever settle for one man.”

“He just hasn’t found the right one.”

Gill rolled his eyes. Kyle was a hopeless romantic at times. Gill would bet a thousand dollars Eric broke up at least one more couple in town before next year. Hell, before next month.

Pulling into the garage, Gill waited for Kyle to notice the changes he’d made.

“A ramp?” Kyle asked, mouth open wide. God he was so cute.

“I thought I’d make a few home improvements. Hopefully you’ll be staying here a lot.” After retrieving Kyle’s chair and overnight bag, he opened the door and gestured towards the new entrance. “Have a go. I tried to make the incline so you could come and go by yourself.”

Kyle easily made his way up the ramp with a big grin on his face. “Works like a charm.” Kyle rolled into the kitchen and looked back at Gill. “You have no idea how much something so simple means to someone in a wheelchair.”

“Wait, there’s more.” Gill was also excited about his next bit of home improvement. He showed Kyle to his old office. Hell, he never used the big space anyway. He walked into the new master bedroom and stood back.

Kyle looked around the room and shook his head. “Won’t you miss your old bedroom?”

“Why would I, when the most important thing in my bedroom is you?” He gave Kyle a quick kiss and handed Kyle his bag. “Why don’t you go get ready for bed? I have one more surprise.”

Gill rushed to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Taking out the chilled bottle of champagne, he put it and some ice into a silver bucket. Two flutes and a bowl of strawberries were added to the tray. The final touch was the ring. Taking it out of his pocket, Gill looked at the platinum band. He’d had the jeweller inscribe their names on the outside of each ring.

He placed both rings in the bottom of the bowl of berries.