Chapter Six
AARON DIRECTED the kid to the sofa, where he groaned as he splatted to the couch and curled onto his side. He’d eaten an astonishing amount of food, not even for his size, but in a universal, food-competition kind of way.
“I can tell you don’t need help cleaning. You’ve got this.” Daniel’s words were barely audible through his intense yawn. “But if you did, I could totally help.”
“And I can tell by your choice of phrasing that you desperately want to help, Daniel, but I do have this. Relax.”
“If you insist.” Daniel snuggled into a pillow. “Everything was so delicious, by the way. The broccoli-adjacent things—”
“Broccolini.”
“—were cooked to perfection and the ragù. Oh, the ragù was beautiful—no.” His lips curled into a ridiculous grin, like whatever about to roll from them was pure genius. “It was ragùtiful.”
Aaron snorted—okay, not bad—as he fanned a blanket over his body. Their conversation had bopped around all freeform and giggly with no particular objective. Daniel was easy to talk to. He was even easier to take care of. Maybe because he coasted into Aaron’s nurturing nature without a fight, or perhaps he preferred a more passive role. Whatever the reason, something about Daniel begged to be tended like a tarty little emperor, and something inside of Aaron ached to do it.
He tucked the blanket around Daniel’s chin, lapping up his sweet, humming reaction like a thirsty dog. He should probably slow way the hell down with the… fondness he was beginning to experience. Not that he was against fondness , but for all he knew, Daniel might choose to vanish after a night or two. It seemed like most guys vanished after a night or two, after going to the farmer’s market . Unless they were clients. He wished those guys would do less lingering and more vanishing .
Aaron leaned over the edge of the sofa. “You want hot chocolate?”
“Why, I’d love some, Norman Rockwell,” Daniel responded without opening his eyes. “Sounds scenic.”
Aaron tossed his gaze upward but couldn’t not chuckle as he started for the kitchen.
“I hope you know how difficult it’s going to be to get rid of me, as you’ve thoroughly spoiled me,” Daniel called out. “I might as well go ahead and move in.”
Aaron smirked as he poured milk into a pot. Of course, he was kidding, but the Fondness couldn’t tell and thus grew anyway. “You think we’re ready for that?”
“Duh. What’s up there?” Daniel pointed to the loft upstairs. “I’ll need somewhere to store all my mangling insecurities.”
“Up there?” He rubbed his fingers over his mouth as he gazed up at the loft. Man, he hadn’t been up there in a while. He grinned at the thought of it.
“Why are you smiling?” Daniel gasped as he shot up from the couch like he wasn’t just dying in a food coma. “Aaron. Do you have a sex dungeon?”
“How can it be a dungeon? It’s upstairs.”
“A sex… sky parlor?”
“Get up. Follow me.”
They trekked up the spiral staircase, and Daniel’s mouth fell agape when they reached the landing.
Aaron’s black baby grand sat in the corner, all shiny and over-the-top. It’d cost a fortune to haul up here and keep it tuned. But it sure did look objectively impressive, sitting atop a white sugar shag rug, surrounded by chic, spongy white chairs.
“Whoa.” Daniel looked afraid to touch it as he pinged around, gawking at different angles. “Holy cow. Can you play it?”
That was the typical reaction from clients. Especially if they were stressed or nervous, he’d mix them a drink, usually something more robust than hot chocolate, and take requests (of all sorts). It worked wonders to loosen up newcomers.
“Be silly to own it and not play it.” He scooted onto the bench and lifted the cover. “Your wish is my command, sweetheart. Shoot. We’ll see if I know it. ”
“How long have you been playing?” Daniel asked. “Where’d you learn?”
“What’s that? Oh.” He cleared his throat. He wasn’t necessarily used to questions about it. “Since I was four. My mom was a piano teacher.”
“She was?” Daniel pressed both hands over his heart. “Oh, and look at you now. Still playing. Doing so well. If she could see you, I’m sure she’d be so proud of you.”
Aaron had wondered before if she would be proud of him. Or if she would be shocked at who he’d become. He liked to think she’d find a way to see him beneath how he made his living, but he tried not to wonder in earnest.
“Play me something she taught you. Something she loved.”
He didn’t mean to give Daniel what had to be a vacant stare.
“If you feel comfortable, that is,” Daniel hastened to say. “No pressure.”
“No, I like it. That’s, um, a different request, but nice. Nice to think about.” He scratched his cheek and scanned the walls as if they’d help. As if they were printed in music. Something she loved? Something she loved. A smile tugged at his lips. Man, what didn’t she love?
He tipped his head to the side and started to stroke the keys. Before she got sick, she loved badminton. She loved cozy mystery novels and the idea of a tearoom, even though she barely tolerated tea. Whatever he was playing began to pick up rhythm, still gentle but bubbly. Like her. She loved her fish tank. She’d make the same guilty face every time she came home with a new impulsive “fish buy.”
He softly snorted as his fingertips danced over the keys in a spry little melody that began to take shape. Cool and slick, the keys warmed as he played on.
She loved her sunroom, cinnamon-flavored anything, bluebirds, and bonfires. She loved making fun of that one lady at church who scolded Aaron for being too fidgety. She loved him and Andrew. Loved lounging around, stroking their hair, substituting the words of songs with their names to make them giggle. She loved her boys. All of them. Even their dad.
Aaron’s hands hesitated to continue as something clenched inside his chest. It was as if the melody suddenly didn’t feel right, so he added another layer to balance it. Balance was important. Maybe that was it; she thought she could love their dad so much that, eventually, the scales would stabilize. She loved him so much that she didn’t leave. Said she couldn’t. Said she wouldn’t. I don’t have a dime to my name, boys. We won’t make it. They’ll take you away. I can’t let them take you away.
Whatever he was playing had evolved into something deeper with a blunt blueprint. He clenched his teeth as he played harder, leaning into how complicated it sounded.
The thing was, they all loved their dad. They didn’t know any better. It wasn’t until Aaron got a little older that he realized they weren’t thriving as a family so much, bonded by traditions. A strand of hair fell as he stamped the keys.
I don’t have a dime to my name, boys. Money. She couldn’t leave because of money. We won’t make it. I can’t let them take you away. So they stayed. They weren’t a family, and it wasn’t a home. It was a waiting room, and they were all just sort of there. Waiting for change that would never come.
Aaron sucked in a quick breath and slowly exhaled. It was probably a little late to be playing, and his neighbor on the right was a total chode, mostly about visitors but sometimes about noise, so he softened whatever tune that was. His fingertips barely licked the keys as he quelled the song to a finish.
“I’m rusty.” He cracked his knuckles and twisted back to Daniel. “I should probably practice—”
Daniel sat stiffened in the chair with his fingertips clenched white in his lap and his eyes wide and reddened. He was… crying?
“Holy hell.” Aaron stood so fast he nearly knocked the bench over. “Oh my God, what happened? Why are you crying?”
“Um.” Daniel’s hands shook as he frantically wiped his cheeks. “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t understand.” Aaron knelt in front of him and grasped his arms, fighting for his eye contact. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” he whispered pitifully. “Th-th-the piano.”
“What?” Aaron knitted his eyebrows together and shook his head. “You’re crying over the piano?”
“No.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Over the way you played it.” Daniel’s voice sounded broken and strange. He buried his face in his hands. “Which is so embarrassing—I’m fine. I swear, I’m fine. Give me a minute. ”
“Aw, kid.” He wrapped his arms around him and pulled them up to a stand, where he rubbed his back in slow circles. “Shh, it’s okay.”
“That was intense and heartbreaking for some reason.” Daniel curled into his chest. “And so beautiful, Aaron. Really, really beautiful.”
He hugged Daniel tighter. He felt so fragile in his arms, almost frail, like he could break, which wasn’t true. Daniel wasn’t frail, and there was no shame in crying, but it also wasn’t a language Aaron knew how to speak. It almost felt like a language no one knew how to speak anymore. Like somewhere along the way, everyone had forgotten how. The Fondness grew until it bulged around the seams.
“ You’re really beautiful.” He cradled Daniel’s head against his chest and kissed his curls. “You’re intense and beautiful. You know that?”
Daniel’s words were muffled as he sniffled and said, “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but I promise I’m normal.”
“No, hey. Look at me.” He held Daniel’s shoulders and ducked down to catch his gaze. He kissed the wet streak of a fallen tear on his cheek. “This is precious. It’s so precious. Thank you.”
Daniel blinked his pinkened eyes. “Thank me? For what?”
“For letting me see that. How brave.” He kissed his lips, whispering every few seconds, “So brave.”
Aaron wanted to stand there holding him until his legs gave out, bearing his weight, soaking up the tenderness like a chunk of bread in soup. It was like seeing a beautiful vase in a museum only to discover that the long crack running down the side was what made it so priceless.
After a minute, Daniel broke them apart to swab his shirt over his face as he forced a weak smile. “Well, if ever there was a mood, I sure did ruin it, huh? I should probably take off. Thank you so much for everything. Dinner was so delightful—”
“You didn’t ruin it.” Aaron’s breathing was edgy, and his hands were suddenly on Daniel’s body, in his hair, gripping with agency of their own. How was he to soak up the tenderness if the tenderness left? “You didn’t ruin anything. Don’t leave. Stay. I want you to stay.”
Daniel’s lips parted and a speck of a tear from his long lashes splashed his cheek as Aaron tilted his head back for him. “Stay as in… the farmer’s market?”
He pressed a kiss on Daniel’s pouty lips. “Yes.” He pressed another. “Or maybe just the parking lot of the farmer’s market. ”
Daniel chuckled. “I mean, do not get me wrong. I’m amped about whatever the hell that means, but what about taking it slowly? I thought you wanted to take it slowly. Like gentlemen.”
Yeah, about that. Aaron couldn’t pretend it wouldn’t hit deeply if they messed around and Daniel didn’t answer his phone tomorrow, but he didn’t have it in him to say, Good point. We should wait. The kid just cried in front of him. There wasn’t much more intimate than that.
“You precious, precious thing,” he whispered into Daniels mouth, then bent down, caught him by his waist, and slung his little body over his shoulder, making him squeal all raspy and cute. He slapped his ass and started for the stairs. “I only have so much gentleman in me.”
DANIEL YELPED when Aaron flung him onto his bed, tossing him down like the sack of sex-fiend potatoes he was. It barely had time to register that it smelled better than expected—orris butter and expensive suede—before he was scrambling back off it to undress Aaron.
“I want you to promise me something,” Aaron said as Daniel tried to work his sweater off for him. He should probably not stretch it or rip it to shreds like he wanted. People who could afford cashmere likely frowned upon that kind of thing. “I want you to promise you’ll answer your phone tomorrow.”
“Boy, what a ridiculous thing to say to me—off! Sorry.” He took a breath. “I didn’t mean to yell, but you must take this off before I lose my mind.”
Aaron chuckled as he gracefully pulled the sweater overhead, which had an annoying undershirt beneath it. “I don’t want to be someone you only talk to at one a.m., but never during the day. I’m done being that.”
“I’m so into you I could scream. I might. I might actually start screaming.”
Aaron unbuckled his belt in slow motion, or it was probably regular motion, but it needed to be about twenty times faster if anyone cared about Daniel’s opinion. “And like you said, we’d planned to take it slower than this.”
“Don’t you love it when plans change? I personally love a good, modified plan. ”
Aaron stepped out of his jeans to reveal midnight blue boxer briefs that just worked . They worked so hard. “But I know what I want. It’s not to be someone’s occasional hookup.”
Daniel had to halt. God, someone had done a number on this man. Someone, maybe more than one person, had genuinely hurt him. Which, what ? It made no sense, but whoever it was deserved to be cursed with bad sex for a year.
“Jesus, okay.” He swatted his hands around the air. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but stop undressing and listen to me.”
Aaron froze.
“You are a spectacular catch, Aaron. Not only are you caring, but you’re witty, and talented, and wildly successful—and I’m really trying to name things that have nothing to do with how you look, but I’m only human—you’re stunning too. I’m shocked you’ve had the kind of luck you’ve had with guys, but my only guess is that you’ve dated assholes who don’t deserve your time. Who don’t deserve to hear you play the piano.”
Aaron’s mouth curled into the most sheepish grin possible.
“I wasn’t joking when I said you’re never getting rid of me. You’re lucky I don’t put a fucking tracker on you—why are you smiling at that? Don’t smile at that.” He couldn’t help but smile too. “You shouldn’t indulge my crazy. It’ll only make it worse.”
Aaron exhaled a chuckle.
“I’m into you, mister. I’m going to answer your call tomorrow, and the one after that, and the one after that, because I’m so into you. Okay?”
Aaron’s shoulders softened a bit with his nod.
“Now, if we’re done with the whole I like you; I like you too business, come stand right here”—he positioned Aaron by the soft light of the lamp—“so that I might objectify the shit out of you.”
He stepped back and chewed his thumbnail as Aaron tugged his shirt overhead, and whatever generic image he’d been using in his mind for Aaron’s body tucked its tail and retreated to its cave as the troll it was. Dear Aphrodite, goddess of horny, this man was art.
The V-cut lines just above his hips were even more pronounced than the muscles funneling into them, and then, speaking of muscles, the serrated blades of his rib cage—the ones people often overlooked but gave such depth to a fellow’s torso—didn’t disappoint. Neither did all that perfect, perfect skin. It was apparent he worked for it, but Daniel was the one cashing in. What a blessed day .
“Lie down,” Aaron said, unclasping his watch. “Open your mouth.”
The hairs on Daniel’s arms stood in salute. Oh. He hadn’t expected both hot and straightforward, and he stumbled a little at how to respond. “Right now?”
“Lie down on the bed,” Aaron calmly repeated, tipping his chin toward the bed. “Open your mouth.”
So, right now it was. Daniel failed at composed and nonchalant with the air he caught on his leap to the bed, but he made up for it by draping himself sensually over a pillow. Oh, but dammit, he was still wearing pants, so he scrambled to yank those off, then back to the sensual pillow draping.
Aaron chuckled and crawled in after him. “You look good in my bed.”
He batted his lashes. “Do I?”
“Uh-huh, all laid out. Easy to read.” Aaron didn’t hold back his full weight as he edged between Daniel’s legs. Heavy. Heavy and broad, like dozens of pounds of weight-trained muscle. “Just a pretty little book.”
“Yeah?” He wrapped his legs around Aaron’s waist. “I’m an open book?”
“Easy.” Aaron nuzzled his nose. “ Easy to read.”
He raked his fingers through Aaron’s hair. “How so, mister—?”
Aaron swiftly wedged two enormous fingers into Daniel’s mouth, stinging it in salt, nearly brushing the back of his throat. Daniel’s eyes rounded, but his moan generated from somewhere within, somewhere guttural, as his underwear instantly slicked.
“Like that, sweetheart,” Aaron whispered inches from his face. His aquamarine eyes were even more gorgeous, all half-lidded with lust. “Nod if you’re okay.”
He nodded, clenching Aaron’s shoulders as his fingers pushed a little deeper. Aaron worked his underwear down with the same proficiency as he seemed to do other things: with a magnitude of skill and without breaking their eye contact. He started to stroke, and Daniel’s spine arched like a poetic dance in response.
“You know what I thought when I saw you walk into that party?” Aaron paused to lick his hand, then back to the stroking. “I thought, how do I taste him? What do I say so he’ll let me put my tongue on his body? Because I was sure you tasted as sweet as you looked. ”
Daniel had rhythm, but it was nowhere to be found as he writhed like a whimpering worm on a hook under Aaron’s body.
“And now?” Aaron continued. “I know you do. Which is why I’m going to take you into my mouth. And drain you completely dry.”
Daniel… nodded again? Maybe? He did something with his head.
“Every last drop, sweet boy.” Aaron continued to stroke him as he tenderly kissed his cheek. As he not-so-tenderly fucked his mouth with his thick fingers. “That sound good?”
It did sound good to Daniel, who suddenly felt like an inexperienced teenager with a first-time encounter, all adrenalized and felt up behind the bleachers. For someone who was sugar by nature with his dinners and his flowers, Aaron sure had some spice to unearth. It was just words. It was just his hand. So why was it also goddamn everything?
“And just like that.” Aaron breathed a light chuckle into his ear. “You’re close, aren’t you?”
Yes, you demon! You steamy, life-giving bed demon! Usually, he’d feel humbled if he couldn’t last longer than five minutes, but who could blame him? This was madness. It wasn’t his fault he had slipped under a bed demon’s control.
He whined when Aaron pulled his fingers from his mouth, suddenly less full, less complete—come back; he wanted them back.
“I like you,” Aaron rasped as he gripped his jaw and sealed their lips together in a kiss. A kiss that streaked Daniel’s skin in wet licks when it journeyed down his chest and beyond his belly. “I like you a lot.”
“You. I like….” Daniel trailed off in some gruff version of his voice. He’d meant to return the sentiment, but he lost all mental ammo when Aaron’s tongue and full lips wrapped around him in his fucking entirety. As it turned out, between Aaron’s hand and his mouth, his mouth was the bigger half of the wishbone.
A little shaken—or how about flummoxed; undisputedly flummoxed—Daniel pushed up to his elbows and stared down at Aaron, who had the type of mastery one only fantasized about. Skill, heart, fury, it was Goldilocks the way he took it deep and rough yet cautious and smooth. Entire worlds could bloom inside his mouth, where his confidence fused with his appetite to ensure Every last drop, sweet boy. Every last drop.
Orris butter, expensive suede, and soaking wet drool all blazed Daniel’s senses as he gritted his teeth and twined his fingers into Aaron’s chocolate hair. Emotions churned from somewhere deep in his core: adoration for the demon, respect for his prowess, gratitude to be lying here, and anger. Because it was already over.
He growled like a rumbling volcano with a need to erupt as his loose grip on Aaron’s hair constricted into a tight fist and his breath swooshed in loud gasps. His limbs galvanized, and his spine bowed from the mattress in a wild arch as if this were some kind of a well-rehearsed ballet and not the most exciting thing to happen to his dick in ages.
Aaron nodded his encouragement, or nodded the best he could, when Daniel urged himself deeper and even offered a hand for him to squeeze—what a fucking gentleman—which Daniel clasped until it turned white and screamed through his teeth until they vibrated and worked his hips, almost blurting sex demon! as he finally exploded into Aaron’s mouth.
Aaron didn’t so much as flinch. He did, however, burn a stunning visual into Daniel’s memory—the way his throat bobbed with each swallow; the way his hard jawline danced in the light like cut glass; the way his mouth grew carnal and even more urgent as he guzzled cum like an expert on his quest for no drop left behind .
No drop was left behind.
Daniel’s muscles stayed taut for what felt like an eternity as he rode the waves of his little buzz until they mollified into the laps of some distant shore. He tried to anchor into the support of the bed, but it was made of kitten-shaped clouds, and his whole body trembled, including the hand he almost poked himself in the eye with as he smeared it over his face.
“You know what I just remembered?” Aaron said, standing and wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “The hot chocolate. Do you still want it?”
“Put a tracker on you.” Daniel genuinely didn’t mean to say that. It wasn’t an answer. It wasn’t even a complete sentence. “I mean, marry me—what? Shh, demon.” He held a finger to his lips. “Shh. Let’s start over.”
Aaron’s smile was wide and amused. Like a life-giving bed demon.
“I mean, I’d love to recipra-reciprote-recip—I can’t talk— reciprocate .” Daniel outstretched his arms, which were shaking an embarrassing amount. “My brain doesn’t need to work for that. Come. Come forth.”
Aaron swatted a hand. “We’ll worry about me some other time. The hot chocolate. Yes? No? ”
Hot chocolate? How could they be talking about hot chocolate like Aaron hadn’t just fucked him up with his mouth and they hadn’t just combusted on a rocket ship, never to return? In the end, he managed a quivering thumbs-up, because why not sip hot cocoa in bed like a couple of proper Boy Scouts? Golly gee whiz. It actually sounded swell.
“I’ll go make it.” Aaron strolled around the bed. He leaned down to tilt Daniel’s chin up with a gentle command of his fingertips. “I don’t expect it to taste as good as you. You are fucking dazzling .”
Daniel watched him leave the room through a bit of a daze.
What.
The.
Hell.
Marry me, demon.
AARON’S ROOM smelled like cocoa powder and marshmallows as he lay with Daniel snuggled into the nook of his shoulder. Daniel walked his fingertips up and down his stomach, giggling to himself and whispering an occasional so good against his skin. So good, you beautiful man.
The Fondness had swelled. It’d ballooned out of control, filling the room with an intoxicating gas that made Aaron feel high on the possibilities of what the future could hold. He loved Daniel in his arms. Loved that he fit so perfectly—a little jig to his saw . He loved his orange sherbet-y taste and that his curls smelled a little like Aaron’s shampoo. A smile tugged at his lips as he dipped his nose into Daniel’s hair and inhaled. Almost as if he’d been claimed. If found, please return to Aaron. This is Aaron’s Daniel.
Daniel rolled onto his belly and gazed up, all blooming pink lips and melted caramel eyes. “Hey, mister.”
He shook his head as he picked an eyelash off Daniel’s cheek. “Why do you call me that?”
“Mister?” Daniel plopped his chin in his palm and swung his legs in kicks. “I don’t know. I think because you have your shit together. Like a mister.”
He snorted and smeared a palm over his eye. “I don’t know about that.”
“You clearly do, Aaron. You’ve purchased broccolini. At least once. ”
“I didn’t realize that was all it took?”
“Yep.” Daniel nodded. “I would do it myself, but I’m not ready for people thinking I have my shit together.”
“Oh baby.” He petted Daniel’s hair. “I don’t think you have to worry about anyone thinking that.”
Daniel chuckled as he swatted him off. “What’s it like having your shit together? Do people expect you to show up on time to appointments? Throw dinner parties with cloth napkins? Do they expect you not to cry in bank lobbies?”
“You’ve cried in a bank lobby?”
“Of course not.” Daniel cut his eyes to the side. “It was a bank office.”
“Aw, kid. Come here.” He pulled Daniel into him and gripped him in a tight hug. “Goddammit. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, well, this is nice,” Daniel said, his words muffled against his chest. “But it’s okay. I’ve been a stereotypical hot mess for a while.”
“Man, I don’t know what I’d do if I saw someone like you crying in a bank.” He rested his chin on Daniel’s head and searched the walls. “I bet I’d be tempted to give you all my money.”
“What bank do you use, and is there a time of day you prefer to handle your banking needs? Asking for a friend.”
He smacked Daniel’s ass.
“Oh, is that the best we can do?” Daniel asked, furrowing his brow as he squeezed Aaron’s biceps. “I would’ve thought these muscles would be good for something, but just kind of for show, hmm? Shame.”
Aaron smirked as he spanked him more forcefully.
Daniel rolled his eyes so hard it looked like he might be possessed. “I see you think I’m made entirely of glass—”
He spanked him one more time at his full strength, which spurred a rewarding little yelp from him.
“Oh, ouch, Mr. Silva, ouch, it hurts.” Daniel pouted, the sexy swell of his mouth curling upward. “Don’t stop.”
Aaron sucked his cheeks. Trouble.
“So, speaking of being a hot mess—”
“Well, at least you’re hot.”
“—I might be crying in a bank soon. Hopefully tears of joy, but we’ll see.” Daniel shuffled out of his arms to sit up, suddenly beaming. “My boss has offered me a chance to buy the dance studio where I work. ”
Aaron’s eyebrows shot up.
“I’ve been mulling it over for a few days—” Daniel swallowed. “—and I think I’m going to do it.”
“No way! Well, holy hell, kid. That’s incredible. Congratulations.”
“Yeah?” Daniel winced as he tapped his fingertips together. “You think so?”
“Obviously. I mean, if you want to own a dance studio. You want to own a dance studio?”
“Oh, I would love it. Aaron, I would love, love, love to own it. I don’t think there’s anything I would love more. It’d be a dream come true.”
Was Aaron within his right to suddenly feel so proud of him? To pump the Fondness full of even more fond ?
“But do you honestly think I could do it?” Daniel squeezed his fists beneath his chin and huddled into himself like he was scared of the answer. “As someone who is not a hot mess, do you think I could do it? What if I fail? What if I’m the worst studio owner anyone’s ever seen?”
Well, there was no pretending that wasn’t valid. Even if another person’s leap of faith always seemed so feasible— Are you kidding me? Do it! Absolutely. It’s your dream. What’s stopping you? But if he were in Daniel’s shoes, if it were his leap of faith up for debate, would he do it?
No.
That was why he’d been stuck in the same relentless pattern since he was nineteen, a prisoner to his fear of change. His fear of loss. There was no job he was qualified to do that would make him the money he made now. Money was a fickle friend with crushing demands, and there was never enough.
But Daniel was different. Not only was he more magnetic and wholeheartedly feisty, but there was something rare and honest about him. Self-effacing, sure, but honest. He was a precious little gemstone that just needed the right tools to make him shine, and if anyone could be shameless enough in their pursuits—the fucking troublemaker—to bear the brunt of owning their own business, it would be him. Not to mention, the way he moved was dazzling and he commanded any room he was in with an unrivaled amount of sass. People would probably gush to hand him their money. Hell, Aaron would probably gush to hand Daniel money .
“What kind of an attitude is that?” Aaron wrinkled his brow, firing some bravado behind his words. “This is your dream. You’ve been given a shot to make your dream come true. I have no doubt you’ll be the best dance studio owner anyone’s ever seen. You won’t fail. There’s no way. I bet you’ll fucking soar.”
Daniel launched forward into his arms and clutched him hard enough that Aaron had to hold his breath to keep from grunting. “Thank you, mister. Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
He smiled into the crook of Daniel’s neck as he hugged him back. “You’re welcome, kid.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Daniel chuckled as he wiggled free to wipe his eyes, because that exchange had made him… start to tear up. “It’s just a lot to hear someone say something like that to me. I appreciate it so much. I’m fine—er, I’ll be fine in a second. Give me a second.”
Aaron twitched for something to do with his hands. He didn’t want to give him a second. He wanted to yank him back in and coo into his ear until his tears dried, but he forced himself still, because it didn’t need to be stopped or shushed. It needed to be honored. It was fascinating how Daniel’s emotions seemed to govern him, like with the piano.
“Okay,” Daniel said, his face splitting into a soggy grin. “Sorry about that.”
Just like with the piano, Aaron couldn’t keep his mouth from lifting in a half-smile as he watched in a bit of wide-eyed wonder while the kid felt . He felt so deeply.
“So,” Daniel said, clearing his throat. “I might need to elicit your help with some of the legal stuff.”
Aaron had perhaps been a little distracted. He parted his lips to respond but closed them until he’d had a chance to repeat that sentence in his head. “What? What legal stuff?”
“The contract. Do you think you could look over the contract for me? To make sure all looks well with it?”
He blinked. “You want me to look over your contract?”
“Well, maybe just skim it? Look, I’m not expecting you to read it word for word. I realize you probably charge a fortune for something like that, and the only currency I have is maybe a back massage. Could I pay you in a really good back massage? ”
He couldn’t speak, but it wasn’t his fault. It was the air in the room. It was like it had evaporated in an instant. “Wh-why would I charge you for something like that?”
“So, does that mean you’ll do it for free?” Daniel winced as he lowered his chin and peered up through his lashes. “Oh my God, if you do it for free, I promise I won’t ask you for a bunch of pro bono legal shit. I’m not even going to mention my two outstanding parking tickets. And by two, I mean six.”
“But why again?” he asked in some rough variation of his voice as he aggressively smoothed his eyebrow, blood swooshing in his ears loud enough to sound like white noise. “Why do you want me to look at the contract?”
Daniel’s pouty mouth tilted into a lopsided grin as he crawled across the bed. “Because I trust you, mister.”
Aaron didn’t shut his eyes when Daniel pressed their lips together. He kept them wide open.
“And because you’re the only attorney I know.”