Page 42 of Forged

Nick grinned sheepishly. “I’m flattered that you think I could go all night.”

“I’m sure you could, given the right motivation,” Bax said.

“And what motivation would that be?” Nick asked, flushing with lust.

“Something like….”

Bax left the sentence unfinished as he sank to a crouch, dragging his hands down the length of Nick’s body as he did. Nick was wearing his heavy, protective apron, and as Bax lifted it and ducked under to rub his face against the already growing bulge in Nick’s trousers, he sucked in a breath.

It wasn’t supposed to be anything, but as soon as Bax was close to the heat and scent of Nick’s groin, he changed his mind about how far he was willing to take things and reached for Nick’s zip. A quick blow job in the forge was just what the two of them needed to?—

“Oh! Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt the two of you.”

Early’s gentle voice sent a shock of embarrassment straight down Bax’s spine. Nick leapt back, bumping into his unicorn as he did, which had the whole thing tipping slightly. As Nick turned to steady the sculpture, Bax bounced to his feet and turned to Early.

“Gosh, I’m sorry!” Early gasped. “Truly. It’s just that Nick wasn’t answering his phone and one of his students, John Kilpatrick, called to say he won’t be able to make it to the afternoon class.”

Nick cleared his throat and acknowledged Early’s message with a rough, “Thanks.”

“I’d better leave you to it,” Bax said, lifting his shirt a few times to get some air against his overheated skin. “I’ve got plans to execute anyhow.”

Nick sent him an adorable, embarrassed, hungry look and said, “Okay.”

“I really didn’t mean to interrupt,” Early whispered as they and Bax started back up to the house. “I know you two don’t get as much time together as you’d like.”

That simple statement surprised Bax. Had everyone at Hawthorne House noticed how difficult it was for him and Nick to just date?

As soon as he got back to the house, Bax hurried up to his flat to begin preparations. He was determined that everything should be perfect. He wanted to give Nick a night he’d never forget, anadultnight he’d never forget, which involved an elaborate meal with things like oysters and steak that kids would turn their noses up at. He already had a bottle of wine at the ready that paired with the steak. After dinner, he had several things in mind for the bedroom, including a few toys that Nick might not have had a chance to play with before.

Just thinking about it all had Bax’s heart singing as he hopped around his flat, getting everything ready. Nick wasn’t the only one who needed an adult night. It wasn’t just the spiritual community of a coven that Bax missed from his life before coming to Hawthorne House. He missed unfettered sex and an adult mindset. He missed having his arse pounded by someone whose focus was on him completely and who was just as dedicated to exploring sensuality and satisfaction. He’d only begun to realize how important that part of his life was after it had gone away.

By the time six o’clock rolled around, everything was set, the candles were lit, the low music was playing, and all that the sexy night needed was Nick.

Five minutes after six, Nick still wasn’t there.

Ten minutes later, Bax gave up waiting with a sigh, buttoned up the shirt he’d left undone to give Nick a feast for his eyes, and headed out to the hall to knock on Nick’s door.

He was met by the sound of two babies crying before Nick even opened the door.

“Shoot, what time is it?” Nick asked, sending a harried glance over his shoulder, like there was a clock on the wall.

“Quarter past six,” Bax said, stepping into Nick’s flat.

It looked like a kid bomb had gone off. There were toys everywhere, the telly was on, even though no one was watching it, and the dining table off to the side was covered not only in remnants of snacks, but in wadded up tissues as well.

“I’m sorry,” Nick said, rushing in to give Bax a quick kiss, even though he had a wailing Jordan in his arms. “I didn’t think it was that late. Mum called half an hour ago to say she wasn’t able to take the kids tonight after all and Imogen wasn’t able to stay late. I tried asking Janice and Robert if they could watch the kids, but they’re off in London tonight for some fundraising thing.”

Bax vaguely remembered Aunt Janice saying something about that the day before.

“Your mum called at the last minute to cancel?” he asked, crossing his arms and watching as Nick carried Jordan over to the table and stood him there so he could wipe the wailing boy’s nose. “Did she give a reason?”

“Not a real one,” Nick said. He sent Bax an apologetic look over his shoulder that said he knew what his mum was up to as much as Bax did. She’d canceled on purpose to thwart Bax’s plans.

“We can still have supper,” Nick said, desperation in his eyes as Jordan tried to fight the nose-wiping. “We might just have to have it in here, though. The kids have come down with this cold that’s been making the rounds. They’re all sorts of snotty and out of sorts at the moment.”

“I can see that,” Bax said.

One part of him urged him to go over to the playpen and pick up Macy, since she was crying and obviously miserable. Another part of him wanted to cry and be miserable right along with her. He needed an adult night with Nick. He needed some time for the two of them that wasn’t about kids and responsibilities. Hedesperately missed being himself and conducting his life the way he wanted to.

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