Page 17 of Breakfast Included

“Hey,” Reno said softly, as though he were easing a frightened animal. He didn’t continue, didn’t let go. Finally, Tate lifted his gaze and met Reno’s eyes. They weren’t bright blue or stormy gray but a gentle mix of the two. The concern in his expression was loud and clear though.

“Last night—”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Tate interrupted. He didn’t want to hear it. “I get it.”

“Nope, I don’t think you do.” Reno grinned. “I got in my head. My teenage self reared up to the forefront and panicked that if we had sex, I’d wake up alone this morning and never see you again.”

Tate’s insides roiled with guilt and collided with the rejection that still washed through him in waves. Man, his emotions were taking a beating. He wanted to get back to where they were yesterday, before things got too carried away, when being with Reno felt effortless.

“I’m not the scared, confused kid I was back then,” Tate implored. He needed Reno to understand he’d grown. That he didn’t know what would happen from this point on, but he wanted to spend more time with Reno after this. However he could have him. “I would never run out on you.”

Reno raised an eyebrow.

“Again,” Tate vowed with force.

“I think I know that.” The corners of Reno’s mouth tipped up, and the blue of his eyes brightened. “But in the heat of the moment, and don’t get me wrong, it was a hot moment, I had a little freak-out.”

“I get it,” Tate said as hope crept into his veins and pushed back the internal maelstrom he’d woken up with. “Can we start over?”

Reno nodded; his smile widened. “I would like that.”

“Good.” Tate exhaled and lifted his hands to hold on to Reno’s forearms—ropy muscles and warm skin further eased his own morning turmoil—and a shiver of excitement skittered through his veins. His mouth twitched as a smile tugged at his lips, and his breathing settled.

“Besides,” he couldn’t help teasing, “we’re trapped by an avalanche.”

Reno narrowed his eyes, but the mirth dancing in them never left. “Too soon.”

Tate chuckled and with genuine sincerity said, “I promise I will never leave you again.”

“Okay.” Reno took a small step closer. Close enough he could feel Reno’s warmth radiating on his own skin.

The last bit of tension that had riddled Tate finally dissipated. “Can I kiss you again? Now?”

Reno nodded, and Tate didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around Reno and pulled him snug against his body. He pressed his mouth to Reno’s with a sigh. A sense of rightness washed over him. The kiss was a lazy “good morning, nice to see you,” unhurried by lust, soaked in happiness, and somehow more intimate than any kiss he’d ever experienced before.

Reno’s hands ran over his back and left fire trails in their wake. Tate’s toes curled, and heat swirled in his abdomen and groin, but he didn’t press harder, didn’t demand more than Reno wanted to give. This time, he would let Reno lead. He would give Reno what he wanted, what he needed.

The kiss slowed, and Tate leaned back to look at Reno, who was grinning up at him with glazed eyes and a silly lovestruck expression on his face.

Reno’s stomach made itself heard, yet again, and put an end to the moment. Because of course it did. He ducked his head into Tate’s chest and groaned.

“Who knew an empty stomach could be such a cockblock?” Tate grumbled.

“Right?”

“To make up for it, you can make me breakfast.”

Reno looked up and raised an eyebrow. “That kiss wasn’t enough for a pass?”

Tate was quiet for a moment. There would never be enough kisses. He shook his head.

“I don’t think your stomach could handle the number of kisses I need for a pass right now.”

The light in Reno’s eyes twinkled like diamonds on bright blue velvet, and Tate knew that was exactly the right answer. He’d meant every word of it. Twenty years from now, he still wouldn’t have enough of Reno’s kisses. The thought should have sent him running for the hills. If it had been anyone but Reno, he would have. But . . . this was Reno. More than a decade had passed since they’d seen each other, but heknewhim. He’d always known him.

Reno huffed and sighed like it was a major undertaking, even as the smirk on his face never faltered. “Fine.”

With a quick kiss, he turned and tackled the task of preparing breakfast. Instead of letting him cook alone, Tate joined him in the small kitchenette, and they worked side by side. The moment was quiet and domestic, and Tate couldn’t have thought of a better way to spend the morning. Except in bed. Naked and intertwined. But . . . That would be on Reno’s timeline, not his.

---