Page 58 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

Elliot swallowed. He knew Alexander had a very demanding career, but they hadn’t really approached how Elliot would fit into Alexander’s busy schedule. “How long are you gone each day?”

“Usually, back home in Dallas, I leave around eight in the morning and get home at eight or nine each night.”

Elliot tried to keep a brave face, but the idea of being apart from Alexander for twelve-plus hours a day sounded like torture. Even when Alexander was sleeping, Elliot felt an urge to wake the man so he wouldn’t have to be alone. He knew he would have their baby to tend to, but Elliot didn’t care for the idea of being at home alone most of the day. Couldn’t they just stay on Sugarplum Island and spend their mornings, afternoons, and nights attached at the hip? He didn’t want Alexander out of his sight.

“What’s wrong?” Alexander asked.

“Nothing,” he lied. Elliot didn’t enjoy lying to him, but he didn’t want Alexander feeling guilty, or like he needed to choose between his career and the man he loved. “I’m just trying to think of how things will work when you’re at work.”

Alexander stared into Elliot’s eyes like he was searching for answers to an unasked question. “Are you worried about being alone?” Elliot bit his lip as he shook his head, but Alexander must have seen past Elliot’s show of bravado. “It’s okay if you are.”

“Maybe just a little,” Elliot admitted, quickly adding, “But I’ll be fine. I’ll have the baby to look after, and I can tidy your lovely home until you return each day.”

“Our home,” Alexander corrected. “It’s your home, too.”

Elliot didn’t know how to tell him Dallas would never feel like home. Not after everything Elliot experienced living there with Jared. Elliot was brave, though. He could push past that uncomfortable feeling if it meant keeping Alexander happy.

“I still can’t believe we lived so close. I didn’t get out of the house often, but if I knew you were down the street, I would have snuck out at every chance, just to find you.”

“Oh Elliot, I should have spent longer looking for you. I should have tried harder to find you. I’m sorry for letting you down.”

Elliot sat up and whirled to the side of the bed, placing his feet on the floor. “I’m not. If you found me, we wouldn’t have her.” He gently rubbed his baby bump. “While we’re shopping, we should think of a name. I think it might help our bond with her.”

“We can do that.”

Elliot smiled and stood. “Good. Now, I’d like the grand tour of this little cottage.” He held out his hand expectantly. “Come on. I want you to show me everything.”

Alexander blushed. “I . . . I need a second, Elliot.”

Elliot arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

Alexander slowly lifted the blanket from his lap, revealing the outline of his erection straining against his pajama bottoms. “It’ll go down in a second.”

Mischievous yellow light flickered in the corner of Elliot’s eyes. “I don’t mind. In fact, I believe I’d quite like to see you wandering around the house at full mast.” Elliot walked around the bed until he was at Alexander’s side, leaning over to inspect the erection. “You have a very lovely penis, Alexander. Do you think . . . I mean, would you mind if I played with it tonight?”

Heat flooded Alexander’s cheeks. “You can play with it whenever you like.”

“Yeah?” Elliot watched as Alexander swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

“Yeah. I like when you touch it.”

“Good,” Elliot agreed, standing up straight. “So show me around the cottage and then we can start our day. The sooner we’re done, the sooner I can make you feel good.”

Alexander lifted his hand, softly caressing Elliot’s bulge. “I’d like to play with yours, too, if you’ll let me.”

“I would like that. We can do everything, now that . . .”

“Now that you love me?” Alexander pressed, his grin spreading wider.

Elliot blushed. “A little bit.”

“Just a little bit?” Alexander’s fingers curled around Elliot through his pajamas.

Good Lord. “A lotta bit.”

Alexander snorted, pulling him in for a tight hug. “I love you a lotta bit, too.”

A few minutes later, they were in the living room, Alexander showing Elliot the lay of the land, his erection proudly guiding the way like a ship’s bow. “It’s a lot smaller than our place in Dallas, but we don’t have to stay here often, if you think it’s too cramped.”

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