“Mase?”
“In here,” I called back from the eat-in kitchen.
A moment later, he stuck his head around the corner. “Hey there.”
I hurried to give him a kiss, pulling him in close. “It’s the man of the hour.”
Emery shrugged. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
“Did you accept the job yet?”
He looked away and shook his head. “I’m not sure I’m going to.”
I pulled back, tipping his chin up until he met my gaze. “Do youwantthe job?”
He shrugged. “I wantyou. The rest isn’t important.”
I thought about that for a moment before nodding firmly. “Good. Then take the job.”
“But—”
“No buts. Take the job.”
“What aboutyourjob? And Tommy?”
I pulled Emery close again, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Tommy can take over the business here. I can find more work wherever you are. I’m a skilled contractor. I’m confident I can find work. And Tommy? He’s ready to be his own boss. He’s more than capable. Hell, he’ll probably love the opportunity.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, Emery Wilson, that if you’ll have me, I want to move to Birchwood Bay with you. Let’s move in together. Or, if you’re not ready for that, I’ll find a place near you and we can keep things the way they are, seeing each other after work and on weekends, until weareready.”
He hesitated again for a long moment. I was sure he was going to say no. My gut flipped, a swarm of butterflies in the pit of my stomach, my throat tight. Just as I was about to take it all back, tell him I’d stay in Cedarvale if that was what he wanted, Emery spoke. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?”
The smile that broke out on his face was like a ray of sunshine. “Yeah. Let’s move in together. We used to talk about it when we were in our twenties, so it’s not like it’s a new idea. Besides, I think our relationship is ready for it.”
I pulled him against me for a tight hug. “So you’re taking the job?”
“I’m taking the job,” he murmured into my shoulder. Then, after a minute, he spoke again. “I love you, Mason.”
My throat was thick with emotion, but I said it back without hesitation, my voice husky. “I love you too.” I dipped my head down to kiss him, sliding my tongue into his mouth, and Emery groaned, gripping the fabric of my shirt. When we parted, we were both breathing hard. “Dinner?” I murmured.
Emery shook his head quickly. “I have a better idea.” He rocked into me with his hips.
“Excellent idea.” I reached between us and unfastened Emery’s jeans, shoving them down around his thighs and gripping his cock the moment it was free. He let out a satisfied little groan and nodded, dropping his forehead to rest on my shoulder.
“Mase?”
I hummed in his ear and gripped his cock more firmly, stroking it slowly.
“Will you fuck me tonight?”
My stroking stuttered as I let out a soft moan. “Yeah. Fuck yeah.” I backed him up until he touched the kitchen island and then spun him around. Dropping kisses on his neck and shoulder, I sank to my knees and yanked his jeans down further, exposing his beautiful ass to me.
When he realized what I was going to do, Emery groaned and lowered his head, pressing his hands to the counter and spreading his legs as far as he could before I urged him to take his jeans off entirely. In moments, he was free and I was able to spread his cheeks wide before diving in. I dragged my tongue over his hole, causing a broken moan to escape from his throat. Emery rocked back into my touch, urging me on, and I wasted no time in getting his rim spit-slick and ready before thrusting my tongue into his tight hole.
“Fuck, Mase,” he hissed.
