Page 29 of Tasty Tentacles

He pulls me in again and gives me a theatrical, lusty smooch, “God, I love you, BertieBear. Don’t be shy about it. He’s been on my mind all evening too, after you mentioned it. I didn’t get a kiss either, at least from him.”

So, we’re both on the same page after all. Maybe it’s time to step this up and make it happen, if it’s going to happen, and the holidays are the perfect time, custom made for good cheer and warm embraces. Then it hits me—it’s so obvious. The answer is right in front of us.

“Let’s invite him over tomorrow,” I suggest. “Just the three of us, rather, the four of us. Maybe some holiday magic will happen.”

I fall into bed after the minimal chores are done and watch Hideo as he strips off his shirt and heads into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He’s so comfortable in his body, and still the most appealing man I’ve ever met. When he first walked into the bakery, buying provisions for an important meeting at the clinic, I knew instantly he was the one for me. Tall and handsome with a striking physique, and a face that approaches delicate while remaining profoundly masculine…and that dark hair and beard. My fingers itch, as they always do, to explore. The years are catching up with him, as they are rapidly with me, but I adore the way his sharp angles are slowly softening in step with the gentle currents of our life.

But it’s time to stir up those currents and see if life has some new excitement planned for us downstream. I grab my phone and get to work.

Hey Orion. Are you still up?

After a minute or two, I say, “I think we wore him out. He must be in bed.”

“I’m not surprised…it’s getting late,” Hideo mumbles, mouth full of toothpaste.

Then my phone chimes.

Just went to bed and reading. Jake is off in doggy dreamland.

Such a sweet pup!

That he is.

Whatcha reading?

Old SciFi.

Spill!

Samuel Delany.

Einstein Intersection?

Later.

Dahlgren?

Getting warmer…

“Oh, man!” I call to Hideo. “He’s such a tease!”

“What on earth are you guys doing on that phone?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, at least for now. He’s a SciFi fan!”

“Ah,” Hideo says, slipping under the covers. “Now I know I’m doomed. Your turn in the bathroom.”

I hand him the phone and dash off. While I’m flossing, he laughs, then laughs louder. I knew I shouldn’t have given him my phone.

“Have you been gossiping about me?” I complain when I get back to bed.

“See for yourself,” he says, handing back the phone. He adds, “It’s so refreshing to text in full sentences.”

I scan through their conversation.

Hi Orion—this is Hideo—BertieBear is brushing his teeth.

Thanks again for inviting me and Jake. It was fun meeting your friends.