Page 50 of Numbers Boy
“It’s really good,” he says excitedly, face lighting up as he fills me in on what he’s been doing in his past few rehearsals, and we make it back to Steve’s apartment. We head toward the living room to find Stu curled up with Stacy on the couch, dishes from his dinner on the coffee table.
“Hey, boo,” Steve greets him quietly, clearly not wanting to disturb Stacy from her doggy slumber, and I give Stu a wave.
Stu grins up at us as he pets her slowly. “How were the dicks?”
“Delicious. Sorry I didn’t leave any for you,” Steve teases back, eyes crinkling from his smile. I shake my head, a smirk on my face when I lean in to press a kiss to his cheek. Sassy Stevie indeed tonight.
“I think I’ll survive,” Stu replies. “Besides, you already brought me chocolate today.”
“Oh, that’s right!” Steve turns his bright eyes on me, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet. Whatever he’s got to say, it clearly is enough to have him forgetting about his soreness. “I know you’re probably not hungry right now, but I have cupcakes for us.”
“That sounds great, but you’re right. I’m still stuffed from the dicks.” I waggle my eyebrows, causing Steve to giggle as Stu laughs from his spot on the couch.
“Alright, lovebirds, I’m going to head out,” Stu says, carefully standing. Stacy stays asleep, wiggling her snout around until she finds a comfy position with it resting on her front paws.
“Are you sure?” I ask, not wanting him to feel like he has to go just because I’m here. I’ve been in his position before, as well as Steve’s, with past partners of Blake and myself. And I know how much I would have loved to be included, or at least acknowledged. Steve sends me a grateful smile as Stu comes up and claps me on the shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he assures me. He turns then and pulls Steve in for a hug, clearly not concerned with the fact that I’m still only a foot away. “I know we’ll have plenty of chances to all hang out, and you two deserve to have a full date night. Just know that Stacy and I were gossiping about you while we had our movie night. And she told me she thinks I’m cooler than you.”
With a wink, Stu heads down the hall toward the door. Steve rolls his eyes, a smile on his lips as he watches his best friend leave.
“What a dork,” he says, fondness clear in his tone. Then he turns his face toward me, happiness etched in every line. “What do you want to do tonight?”
I pretend to think for a second, then bend down and sweep an arm under his knees before he can react. He lets out an adorable little squeak, eyes flying wide and arms linking around my neck as I settle him into my arms bridal-style.
“I figured I could give you a foot rub, and we could just enjoy our free time together.”
“Hmm, not gonna say no to that,” Steve hums.
His weight relaxes more firmly against me, and I press a kiss to the side of his head. Once I get us to his bedroom, I carry him over to the bed and carefully plop him down. He grins up at meas he bounces slightly, expression completely carefree. My smile grows, and my chest fills with happiness to see Steve so light.
“Scootch up and lay back, Princess.” Steve does as I ask, a light blush filling his cheeks and setting off his freckles. I grin wolfishly down at him as I kneel on the bed and get settled near his feet.
“Dirty boy,” I chide teasingly. “I’m not going to do anything to blush about… yet.”
I grasp one foot and get to work. Since we both left our shoes in the entryway when we got in, all Steve has on are pink socks. As I knead his arch gently, Steve slowly melts into the mattress. His eyes flutter shut, and soon, quiet moans slip from his lips. After a few minutes, I switch and give his other foot the same treatment. Then I ease his sock off and press my thumbs deeper, making sure to watch in case it’s too much. I’m working my way up to his ankles when I notice his pedicure. It’s a neon green, the bright color bolder than most of Steve’s typical outfits. I wonder for a second about the color choice. And there are a few chips in the polish, bare nail peeking through.
“When did you paint your toes?” I ask, voice coming out hushed, and roll his ankle gently in my hold.
“Hmm?” Steve asks, one eye popping open to look at me. His toes curl in my hand, and he bites his lip, looking unsure for a second before continuing. “Oh, a few days ago. I usually do them more in the summer when I wear shoes that show them off. Or at least, I used to. It’s been a few years since I’ve done it with any regularity.”
Based on his reaction to me noticing them, I bet I can guess why. What was it he said before about his ex? It was always a fine line of being pretty enough without being too much? As if there is such a thing as too much when it comes to Steve. I do my best to keep my tone level as I speak again. “I like it. Want me to touch it up for you?”
“Really?” Both eyes open now, Steve props himself up on his elbows. His hopeful disbelief makes me want to wrap him up in a hug and promise him that, yes, really. But I stick with my plan to keep showing him until he doesn’t feel the need to question it.
“Absolutely. I’ve had lots of practice with the girls, so while it might not be perfect, I can promise it won’t be too horrible.”
Steve’s grin lights me up, and then he’s rolling to his bedside table. My eyes immediately find where his jeans are pulled tight across his ass, like a plump offering on display for me. My mouth waters with the desire to take a bite out of it, but, like I told him earlier, I’m not going to do anything like that. Right now is for pampering my princess. But, fuck, it’s a pretty ass.
Suddenly, there’s a bottle of nail polish being brandished under my nose, and I startle back an inch before taking it from him.
“Get distracted?” Steve laughs, reclining back into his spot and wiggling his toes at me.
“Can you blame me?” I retort, mixing the polish and uncapping it. “You’re gorgeous.”
Steve just smiles widely at me, muscles relaxing again. I sit crisscross, resting one of his feet in my lap and setting the other on my knee. I carefully start to paint, making sure to cover all the chipped spots and get the edges how Isabella taught me. When the first foot is done, I leave it propped up on my knee and shift the other up to the opposite side.
As I finish the final toe, I can’t help but pick his foot up and gently blow on the drying polish. Steve squirms, his toes twitching the slightest bit.
