“So they fall off, huh. That’s pretty… a-moose-ing.”
Kaira giggled. “A-moose-ing.”
Clem and Jordy had caught up by this point, and Kaira turned to them to share Rowan’s highly original joke, which was apparently new to Clem as well. He giggled and repeated the word.
“I think it’s time for a lunch break,” Jordy said softly. “Clem’s dragging.” He and Jordy had taken longer than expected to catch up.
“What’s the plan for lunch?”
“I figured we’d grab something up ahead.” He nodded to the sign pointing the direction to a Tim Hortons.
“Wow. They really are everywhere in Canada.”
Jordy smiled. “Everywhere is helpful with kids. They like familiar.”
They did indeed, if their delighted squealing was any indicator.
“Can I get a chocolate muffin?” Kaira wanted to know.
“I want a sprinkle donut,” Clem announced, and after a pause, “Please?”
Smiling, Jordy herded them to the restaurant and bought them each their dessert treat, which he held hostage until they each finished half a sandwich. Rowan tried to buy his own lunch, but acquiesced under Jordy’s very flat look.
“My kid dragged you here. I can afford to buy you lunch at Tim’s. What do you want, Rowan?”
Rowan wanted tea, a sandwich, and a sour cream donut.
Jordy insisted that they sit to eat, which Rowan was thankful for but which brought its own challenges as the kids grew bored with their meals and wanted to wander. Kaira slumped dejectedly under Jordy’s unimpressed, no-nonsense arched eyebrow. Rowan probably shouldn’t find that adorable, but he did.
As was the realization that Jordy was equally prepared for this. He tucked the leftover food into some bags he’d brought with him and put it all in his rucksack for later.
The day continued in a similar fashion, with the kids leading the charge and Jordy and Rowan following. Food was just whatClem needed, apparently, because he had no trouble keeping up with Kaira as she led them through the African park.
As the sun climbed higher and the day got hotter, Kaira announced the need for something cool to eat, and they stopped for popsicles. Rowan wasn’t sure if he’d angered or pleased the gods, but he must have done one of them, because nothing else explained the low-level torture that was watching Jordy wrap his lips around a round rocket popsicle.
Throat suddenly dry, Rowan tried to focus on his own creamsicle and not on Jordy’s reddened lips.
The gods were probably not on his side, Rowan decided, because he was a bad man. He was on a not-date outing with children. He should not be adding fantasies of Jordy to his wank bank.
But he couldn’t help but imagine Jordy on his knees with that same look of quiet concentration as he pinned Rowan’s hips to the bed and swallowed his cock.
Certain that his cheeks were turning red, Rowan turned away and forced his libido down.
The process became much easier when Kaira put her sticky hand in his and asked if they could go see the monkeys now.
An hour or so later the outing came to an end. Clement was rubbing his eyes, and Kaira had gotten obstinate and argumentative. Her lip quivered when Jordy announced that they only had time to visit one more animal, but her slumped shoulders suggested she was relieved by the decision.
“Probably a wise call,” Rowan said in an undertone.
Jordy grimaced. “I should have called it half an hour ago.”
“Maybe,” Rowan agreed. He reached out and touched Jordy’s nose. “If only to save yourself. You’re looking a little burnt.” Rowan grimaced himself and gave an apologetic shrug. “Sorry for not noticing earlier.”
Jordy touched his nose, winced, and sighed. “My fault. Too focused on the kids.”
God, this man was endearing. And still unfairly beautiful even with a burnt nose and safari sun hat.
Kaira took them to the tigers and didn’t fight Jordy’s five-minute warning or his call to go home.
