Page 40 of Finding Basil
The food was cooking when the knock on the back door came and he opened it to see Basil, holding a bottle of wine and a small bouquet. “Oh, wow, those flowers are almost as beautiful as you.”
“Sweet talker,” he accused and stepped through, kissing Herb quickly. “It smells great in here.”
“I’m hoping it won’t suck too bad. I’m up against your family, so mine won’t come close.”
“Yeah, they’re a hard bunch to beat, but I’m sure I’ll be able to choke your food down,” he said with a laugh.
“Mean! Sit, and I’ll open this wine. How did you know to buy white?”
“I thought about your mind. This night…what it will be, you wouldn’t want a heavy steak or roast beef and potatoes. So, I figured maybe fish, but ew, the smell. Then I thought, it’s got to be chicken.”
“Brilliant deducing, dear.”
He opened the chilled cabernet and then poured them each a glass into his best wine glasses and got the flowers into a nice crystal vase. After he served the food, he sat across from Basil atthe kitchen table, watching him take a small bite of the chicken. “This is delicious.”
“I’m glad. I want everything to be perfect.”
“You don’t have to do all this to make it perfect. I’m not a hard sell, Herb. I like you.”
“Let me spoil you. I’ve rarely gotten to spoil anyone in my life, and when I did, it was a dog I had in high school.”
Basil laughed, and nodded to agree, “okay. A little spoiling can’t hurt.”
They ate and spoke casually, which was a bad mask for the heaviness in the room from what the night was really about. It wasn’t a fearful or anxious heaviness. Just because it was so big. The next step in their beginning.
After dinner, while dessert, aCrème Brulébaked, Herb put on some music, and they danced right there in the kitchen. Herb’s hands around Basil’s waist, Basil’s arms slung over Herb’s shoulders while his eyes locked with Herb’s…it was magical.
“Lila warned me not to tell anyone what a nice person she is.”
“Everyone knows. She just likes to pretend to be an old codger.”
“I was convinced that first day. The veneer wore off quickly, though.”
Basil was done with the small talk as he stopped the dance and pulled Herb closer, kissing him deeply until Herb was dizzy. Basil’s hard body was so close to his, so perfectly lined with his, that missing piece back in place once more.
When that kiss ended, Herb turned off the oven and told Basil, “dessert can wait.”
“We’ll need the energy later.”
“Oh? Plan on wearing me out, are ya?”
“You know it.”
They went up the stairs hand in hand, Basil’s blush deepening with each step. That told Herb his thoughts were of thembare and in bed, making love until the morning crept over the horizon.
The door closed behind them, and Basil pulled off his black polo shirt. The man never wore especially tight clothes, so Herb did not know what great shape he was in. His six-pack and chiseled chest were mouth wateringly beautiful, all in that light fawn color skin.
Herb moved to him, running his hands over his front, smiling as he felt each little ripple. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I want to be beautiful for you.”
That choked him up a little. The thought of a guy wanting to look his best for Herb? He didn’t think people still ever felt that way. “I hope I’m as beautiful for you.”
“I know you are.”
As Basil unbuttoned Herb’s shirt, his blush left his face. Like he knew he was going to make love with Herb, and there was no more shyness about it. Certainty and need replaced wonder and hope.
Basil’s lips traced down Herb’s bare torso as Basil sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers nimbly unfastening Herb’s khakis. As they slid down his legs, Basil nestled his mouth and cheek against Herb’s straining cock that threatened to rip right through his tan briefs.
