Elias
ELIAS
One Year Later
He groaned as he threw himself in one of the mess hall’s seats. The summer had been a hot one, and despite being a coastal city, things had dried out. There had been at least two wildfires and three home fires in the past week alone. desperately hoped for the end of shift to hit before the alarm bell went off again.
Matt slumped into a chair across from him, looking just as drained. “Is it bedtime yet?”
chuckled, leaning forward onto his arms. “God, don’t I wish?”
He would love nothing more than to stumble his way back home. Back to the apartment he’d once lived in by himself, albeit with a frequent visitor. Now, Cade lived with him and had been for pretty much the entire year. It had become official eight months ago, with Cade giving up the apartment he barely used, throwing out some of his crap, and moving the rest in. It was inevitable and easier on Cade’s finances since he no longer received money from his parents. That was a fact Cade was happy to tell anyone when the subject came up.
desperately looked forward to crawling into their bed and maybe convincing Cade to give him a good rub down.
“Cade chose a good day to have off,” Matt said, sounding grumpy.
snorted. “I made him do it. Dumbass has been working day in and day out. He needed a day off just to do something else.”
“Well, tell him he’s lucky to have someone like you to talk sense into him,” Matt said, closing his eyes.
Davis stumbled in, grabbing a cup of coffee. “Sorry, but I’m here for another shift. Fuck I need this.”
waved him off. “Finish it, I’m going home.”
“Oh, that explains why the boy toy is here,” Davis said with a smirk.
shook his head. “Why is it you don’t call him by his name when he’s not around?”
“Because it drives you nuts,” Davis said, giving him a wink and strolling back out of the room.
“You know, as much as I like the fact that he’s not being an ass anymore, I gotta say, I’m not sure I’m down with him poking me,” grumped.
“At least he’s not Keith,” Matt pointed out.
“Yeah, well, so long as Keith remembers what I told him last year, that’s all I care about,” growled.
A warm pair of hands fell on his shoulders, followed by Cade’s amused voice near his ear. “Have I ever told you how much I love it when you get grumpy?”
looked up into Cade’s sparkling hazel eyes. “And why’s that?”
Cade looked over at Matt. “I’m sorry, Eli, I can’t. There are children in the room.”
Matt snorted, pushing out of his seat. “Oh, please, Cade. I was getting dicked down long before you ever thought about putting in your mouth.”
Cade stared at Matt as the man wandered out. “Jesus. That’s the kind of shit I’d expect me to say.”
snorted. “I think he’s pretty tired.”
“Apparently.”
“What are you doing here, anyway? You’re supposed to have the day off.”
“Well, after a long lunch with Christine, I decided to head over here and take you back home.”
raised a brow. “I drove myself, remember?”
“And I took a cab. Which means I can drive you back, and you can relax. I heard about the fire over on Williams.”
sighed. “God. This has been a week. How was lunch?”
“It was good. Christine is asking about wedding planning, though.”
“Uh, what?”
Cade laughed. “Don’t worry. I told her that wasn’t something we’d talked about. We’re still at the boyfriend stage, not fiancés.”
grunted, smiling a little at the image of Cade standing at the altar in a tux. The image faded as Cade bent over, kissing him soundly. Cade made to pull away, but reached up, cupping his head and deepening the kiss. Cade groaned against him, his fingers curling on ’ neck.
“Hi,” whispered.
“Hey,” Cade said.
“I’d really like to go home.”
“I bet.”
“Have some good food.”
“I can whip us up something good.”
“Fuck my incredibly hot boyfriend into the mattress.”
Cade’s pupils widened, and he grinned. “Easily given.”
“And sleep until tomorrow.”
Cade stepped back, holding out his hand. “Then come on.”
took his offered hand and stood up. “Or maybe a hot shower first.”
“Feed you, then a nice bath with me in that big ass tub you had to have?” Cade asked.
“Oh, God, yes.”
“I love it when you moan.”
wrapped an arm around Cade’s waist. “And I just plain love you.”
Cade leaned into him as they walked out into the afternoon sun. “And I love you.”