Page 31 of Change of Plans

“They really succeeded at that one,” I said as we finished up our mains and side-eyed the dessert menu. “It’s been wonderful working at the café this past week. I’ve seen all sorts of people come in and out like clockwork.”

“The whole point is to make Common Grounds a home away from home,” Diccon said proudly. “Especially in times like these.”

“Well, you’ve succeeded at your mission.”

Emanuel came to take our plates and ask about dessert. As much as I liked sweets, I knew an even sweeter treat was coming, and I didn’t really want to fill up too much because of it. In the end, we split a chocolate and salted caramel brownie and made eyes at each other as we ate each bite with as much over the top sensuality as possible.

“What made you want to become an architect?” Diccon asked me later, as we walked home in the twilight, slowing our pace and joining hands when we got close to my apartment.

“I’ve always thought buildings were fascinating,” I said, sending a quick look around at the mid-twentieth-century homes that populated the neighborhood where I lived. “Even boring old houses like these.”

“Hey, these houses aren’t boring,” Diccon protested with good humor. “They’ve got character. They’ve seen families grow up and dreams come true.”

“And that’s why I like architecture,” I said, a little surprised that he could hit so close to the mark so readily. Then again, that’s why the two of us got along so well. “I’ve always liked imagining the people who will live or work in the spaces I create.”

“That’s a noble way to look at things,” Diccon said.

We slowed to a complete stop when we reached my house. The light was so perfect at that point, dusky and mysterious, andpart of me didn’t want the coziness of the evening’s walk to end. But I knew there was something better waiting inside.

“So,” I began with a flirty smile, glancing down at our joined hands for a moment before looking at Diccon again. “Do you want to come upstairs?”

“There’s nothing in the entire universe I want more,” Diccon said, breathless and flushed.

We’d been walking slowly up until that point, but as soon as I got the green light, I tugged on his hand, picking up the pace as I walked around to the side entrance stairs, then up to my second-floor digs.

As soon as the door was shut behind us, we launched into each other. It’d been a whole week since I’d kissed Diccon, and I’d been dreaming about doing it again since then. Especially after our initial misunderstanding had been cleared up. I wrapped one arm around his waist and cradled the side of his face with my other hand as I crashed my mouth desperately against his.

Diccon responded with an enthusiastic purr. That’s the only way I could describe the sound of surrender he made as he kissed me back and brushed his tongue against my lower lip. It was heady to discover that he wanted this as badly as I did, and that he was a really good kisser when he wanted something.

“Bedroom?” I suggested, already backing him toward the room as I pulled at the hem of his shirt to get to the skin underneath.

“Yes,” Diccon breathed against me, hands finding the fastenings of my jeans. He paused just inside the doorway and glanced up to meet my eyes. “I need to use the bathroom first.”

That felt like a signal if ever there was one. “By all means,” I said. “I, um, might have prepped a little before dinner.”

Diccon’s smile was like the sun breaking over the ocean. “So did I, but if you want to?—”

“No, that’s fine, if you want?—”

“I’m good either way,” he spoke over top of me again.

“Me, too.”

We both dissolved into laughter, leaning into each other, foreheads touching. I was falling so deeply in love with the man that I didn’t know when I would ever stop. It was like I’d met my perfect match in everything, and I couldn’t wait to explore all the ways we could be together.

“You go first tonight,” I said, trusting he would get what I meant. “Next time, it’ll be my turn.”

“It’s a deal,” he said, pulling back and winking.

There were a lot of unsexy things about sex, but I couldn’t say that I minded, because the prep meant I could make this night as good as possible for me and Diccon. I set up condoms and lube from my beside table and made the bed look as nice as I could while Diccon did what he needed to do. We switched places so I could take care of necessities and brush my teeth, and when I stepped out of the bathroom again, Diccon had splayed himself across my bed, the sheets just barely hiding all the good things, like he was a donut on display at Common Grounds.

I definitely wanted to take a bite out of him and explore his hole.

Which might have been the cheesiest thought I’d ever had before launching myself into bed and tangling up with a guy.

“You really are amazing,” I told Diccon breathlessly before kissing my way from his shoulder to his neck, then licking his Adam’s apple.

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Diccon sighed, spreading his hands over as much of me as he could, then drawing them up to tangle in my hair.