Page 29 of Say It Again

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.”

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