Page 33 of The Missing Ingredient

Tom’s deep laughter rumbled pleasantly down the phone. “You know something, Marcus? Just hearing your voice does it for me these days.”

Marcus smiled and his neck warmed. For all Tom’s past insensitive behavior, every now and then he had a way of stalling Marcus with his frank and honest sentiment. “And to think you were going to dump me.”

“Shit. We both know I was wrong.”

“Tossed out with the garbage.”

“Not going to let me forget that, are you?”

“Not on your life.”

Tom’s chuckle warmed Marcus to the core.

“By the way, Tom, don’t forget Katie has to take a cake tin to school tomorrow.”

“Shit. Where—?”

“I’ve put it in the cupboard beneath the sink. In the blue recycled shopping bag. Don’t worry, she’ll remind you in the morning. And Charlie has her piano lesson after school. But I’ve arranged for Moira—”

“Marcus—”

“—to pick her—what?”

“I’m losing my erection with all this baby talk.”

“You’ve got a hard-on?”

“Rock solid.”

“Fuck,” said Marcus before groaning softly into the phone and throwing himself into the pile of pillows along the headboard. “Now I wish I was there.”

“You are. Just keep talking. But please, no more cake tins or piano lessons.”

“What, then?”

“Whatever. Ask me what I’m wearing?”

Marcus pulled the phone away and stared at the display. Did Tom want to have phone sex with him? Ah well, in for a penny…. “So, what are you wearing, Thomas Bradford?”

“Tonight, sweat bottoms and a T-shirt. In case the girls call for me in the middle of the night. But I’m planning on leaving them at home when I come to you on Friday.”

“Christ, I’m so nervous about Friday.”

“Why?”

“I’m worried I won’t be enough for you. Or that as soon as I see you naked, I’ll embarrass myself.”

“Now that I would pay to see.”

“I’m serious, Tom. I want it to be really special for you.”

“It will be. Stop worrying. You’re the one with the man-on-man experience. Although I admit, I have been doing some homework.”

“Oh yes?”

“Internet.”

“I’m listening.”

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