Page 57 of Off Season

“Is that right?” I mumble.

“Mmm,” he hums.

Our lips meet again. He tastes like minty toothpaste and smells like his passion fruit shower gel, and I’m mentally kicking myself for sleeping in.

For wasting time when I could’ve been with him.

I greedily swallow each of his low whimpers as we suck on each other’s tongue with little finesse, and when I pull him on top of me, his lithe body lays between my legs. My cock is hard and heavy against my stomach, and there’s no way he can’t feel how hard I am beneath the sheets.

“Mmm, we don’t have time right now as your birthday treat is in the oven. Save it for later, big boy.” He props himself up on his elbows, but teasingly rolls his hips.

I tip my head back into the pillow and groan. “You’re a fucking tease, do you know that?”

“Yep.” He grins before adding, “But you’ll thank me later.”

With a final kiss to my lips, he climbs off me and heads back downstairs before I can argue.

When I’m showered and dressed, I head to the kitchen. The smell of vanilla makes my stomach grumble, and as soon as I walk in, my mom throws her arms around me and squeezes the breath out of me.

“Happy birthday, my favorite child.”

“I’m your only child,” I grumble.

“Exactly. I didn’t want any more because you’re my favorite.” She grins, patting my cheek. “Come, open your cards and presents. Jacob tells me you haven’t got any plans today so I’m taking you both for lunch. There’s a cute little pub that does the most amazing Sunday roast.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

She places her fists on her hips and glares at me. “Ethan, you’re my son and it’s your birthday. It’s part of my motherly privilege to take you out to celebrate so just be quiet and open your cards.”

I fight a smile and do as I’m told, taking a seat at the island where they’ve placed a few cards and presents. There’s a balloon on the counter too which reads,Practically Prehistoric.

Jacob chuckles, placing a cup of coffee in front of me. He presses a kiss to my cheek, and I catch my mom’s eyes light up.

I know how much she wants me to find someone. While she’s never settled with someone since my dad left, she’s always championed love. Always encouraged me to get out there and find my guy.

I hope one day she does meet someone who is worthy of her because she’s such a fucking amazing person, and anyone would be lucky to have her in their life.

It’s early in the evening when Jacob grabs my hand and leads me into the living room. After having lunch with my mom, we got back to my house where Jacob banished mefrom going anywhere near the kitchen. So I stayed in the gym until he came to get me.

For the first time in years, I’ve really enjoyed my birthday, and it’s all because of this guy.

With a hand on my chest, he pushes me back onto the couch, then points his finger at me.

“Now wait here. I’ll be right back.” He starts to walk backward, keeping his eyes fixed on me. “Don’t move.”

Once he’s out of sight, I shift to get comfortable, but the sound of his shout from the kitchen causes me to freeze.

“I said don’t move!”

I grin and settle back down on the couch.

A few minutes later, Jacob walks into the living room, holding a delicately decorated cupcake. It has a lone lit candle, shielded by his palm. He drops his hand to his side when he’s standing between my knees and begins to sing “Happy Birthday”. I can’t contain my bashful grin. I’m pretty sure my cheeks are heating with embarrassment.

When the song comes to an end, he holds the cake out in front of me. “Make a wish.”

I close my eyes and make my wish.

Can I keep you when we get home?

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