Page 101 of Dock

“Mowwwwwww.”

“You didn’t have to back her up, man,” he sighs to my cat.

“Mowww.”

“You did not.”

“Moowwwww.”

“You did n-”

Both my hands lift to cease their fighting. “Behave boys.”

“He started it,” my leather vested Old Man – I think that’s the biker term for boyfriend? – murmurs.

“Mowww.”

Snickers are followed by me shaking my head and placing an affectionate, open palm on the side of his scruff covered face. “I love teaching at Newt Newton Academy, but I love the idea of being with you more.”

His mouth cracks open in awe.

Surprise.

“If you’re willing to make some sort of sacrifice for this to work then so am I.”

“Fuckkkk,” H grumbles, arms completely curling around my waist, “you jus’ keep getting sexier, Teach.”

More airy laughs and lighthearted eye rolls are given. “I’ll look into other options even if it means driving a bit further or going into the public sector.”

“I’ll also have Dive see what he can dig up. He’s good at that kinda shit.”

“Thank you.”

“And now that we’re on the same page…” he mischievously begins, “and we are. Yeah?”

“Yes.”

“And we’ve had makeup sex.”

Heat rips wildly through my expression.

We did not have sex, sex.

I mean…I got off.

He got to go to the bathroom to double-check he didn’t embarrass himself by coming in his jeans.

I wanted to return the gesture; however, he insisted it wasn’t necessary.

That my pleasure gave him pleasure.

That getting the gorgeous, crumpled lilies inside took precedent.

And they really are stunning in spite of their sex smashed stature.

I love that he’s the first man to buy me flowers.

Bring them.