Page 38 of The Sweetheart
“I don’t know what time I’ll be done again. Another contractor hit the water line at this site we’re working and set the whole job back,” Kai complained bitterly.
“Don’t worry about it. Even if you just come home so I can take care of you a little bit, that’s okay. I’ll drive you in tomorrow.”
Kai didn’t want to start crying again, but the hot rush of affection had his throat closing up on him. Still, remembering how pitiful he’d been when Nolan opened the door made him feel ridiculous now.
“You know, I don’t just cry every time I have a bad day,” he blurted out, heat clinging to his face.
Nolan’s smile spread affectionately. “You can cry when you have bad days, Kai.”
“I don’t though. This week, I’ve probably cried more than I have since I was a kid.”
Nolan squinted down at him, a confused look on his face.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. I just—I’ve never had anyone take care of me the way you do. It’s fucking with my head a little.”
Nolan frowned, and Kai’s heart sped up. He didn’t want Nolan to get the wrong idea. “I’m not explaining it properly. I thought being a Daddy was just a sex thing, but the way you take care of me, it just makes me feel…” Kai stalled out, trying to find the right word. “It makes me feela lot.” His eyes burned into Nolan’s, willing him to understand.
“I told you I like taking care of my partner, but if I’m coming on too strong, you can tell me,” Nolan said, searching his eyes like he was trying to find an answer.
“No! I love it! I mean, I probably don’t deserve it, but what I’m trying to say is when I’m with you, you just make everything… better.”
A small smile played on Nolan’s lips before it slipped away again. “On that note, there’s something we need to talk about, but it’s getting late. Come downstairs when you’re ready. I’ll grab your gear from the dryer.”
It was those words that had him cautiously entering the kitchen twenty minutes later, dressed in his freshly washed gear and a sweatshirt he’d found hanging on the back of Nolan’s closet door that still smelled faintly of his cologne.
“Table,” Nolan said when he saw Kai standing in the entryway. Kai did as he was told, silently perusing the scene. The scent of coffee and bacon filled the room while Nolan shook an omelette onto a plate. On the counter, there were two neat stacks of clear containers stuffed with fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and other things he couldn’t name from afar. Nolan slid the plate in front of him with his coffee and took a seat beside him with his own mug. Kai was famished. He hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday, and that had only been half a sandwich his boss had shared with him. The omelette in front of him looked and smelled amazing, but his stomach was twisted in a worried knot.
“What did you want to talk about?” Kai asked warily.
“You eat. I talk,” Nolan replied.
Kai took a bite but barely registered the flavour of the egg and cheese he’d put in his mouth.
“Last weekend, I told you when I worry about something, I figure out what I can do about it. I was worried about you last night.”
“I didn’t mean to make you worry,” Kai said uncomfortably, toying with his fork.
“I know you didn’t, and I know you’ve kept yourself alive perfectly fine before I came along, but sitting around not knowing if you’re okay or if you need help is not something I can live with.” Nolan pulled out two boxes from the pocket of the hoodie he was wearing and set them on the table beside Kai, an iPhone logo emblazoned across the side of each. Kai sat completely still, his heart picking up speed, but he didn’t reach for the boxes. “I know we talked about me not buying you things so let me be clear: this is not for you. It’s for me so that I know you can reach me if you ever need anything.”
Kai squished down the tiny bit of intrigue that had bubbled up and told himself he didn’t want it. Didn’t want the responsibility of it. “I’m not really good with taking care of things,” he said awkwardly. “What if I break it? I couldn’t pay you back.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. There’s a case right there, and it is more of a priority for me to know you’re safe than how much it costs to replace a busted phone.”
Kai couldn’t think of another reason to turn him down, and he felt guilty when Nolan’s words fanned that little bit of excitement in him at owning something so pretty. Maybe he could figure out a way to earn it or make it up to Nolan. He nodded, agreeing to take it, but also at the silent promise he made to himself to find something he could give back.
Nolan grinned and leaned forward to press a hard kiss to Kai’s mouth. When he stood, Kai grabbed his wrist, meeting hiseyes. “Thank you.” He blushed. “And thanks for worrying about me.”
Nolan’s face went soft. “Anytime. Eat up. We’re going to be late.”
With the weight of that conversation off of his shoulders, Kai dug into his food while Nolan packed all of the containers into a bag. It was only then that he clued in. Had Nolan packed him lunch? Kai’s heart squeezed tight in his chest.Fuck. Shit. Fuck!Kai was falling so hard for this guy, and he wasn’t sure what would happen when he finally hit the ground. He would probably make one hell of a mess.
“What?” Nolan asked curiously when he caught Kai staring.
“Is that for me?”
“You need lunch, don’t you?”
