Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

perfect Sunday activity for the two of us—you helping me with my laundry."
    "Maybe I'll just bring mine over and do it with yours."
    Scott's breath caught in his throat. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, feeling like a fish gulping air. He tried not to let the panic in his head invade the rest of his body. Normal. Just stay normal. "You... you... you..." He struggled to stay upright, grabbing the edge of his desk and taking slow deep breaths.
    "Whoa, you okay? Need to sit down? Scott, say something."
    "Coffee," was all Scott managed, followed by an unmanly squeak when Devon pulled him in the direction of the kitchen. He knew better than to let Devon's off-the-cuff comment stick inside his head. The hoping and anticipating would give him an ulcer faster than any other stress he could think of, not to mention the sudden burst of panic that tightened his chest. He needed to play it cool, but where Devon was concerned the coolness was getting harder and harder to fake.
    "So what do ya do?"
    Scott sighed, moving the steaming mug from his lips and letting his bottom rest back against the countertop. There it was—the question that always sent the temporary men in his life running for the hills. It had taken far longer than ever before to come up, more than likely because that sort of personal information hadn't been exchanged between him and Devon. It just added to the strangeness of their so-called relationship; was it even possible to feel such intimacy when so few personal details were revealed? Scott had no idea and he was more than a little terrified to find out. The wrong answer would surely break his heart no matter how hard he tried to believe it wouldn't.
    He forced himself to relax further against the counter and looked Devon right in his puppy dog eyes. "What do you think would be the most boring job in the world?"
    Devon didn't even hesitate with his answer, crooked smile giving way to a disgusted grimace. "Oh fuck. An accountant for sure. All those numbers to keep track of, gives me a headache just thinking about it. I swear my uncle went to an early grave because he was an—"
    Scott tried to stifle a chuckle... unsuccessfully.
    "...shit, you're an accountant, aren't you?"
    "Thankfully, I'm not in my grave yet though."
    The crooked grin returned—accompanied by two sweet dimples—sweeping a dusting of pure pleasure and happiness around Scott's heart. "I think you proved that this morning... and twice last night."
    Scott reddened, heat rising from his neck to his cheeks. Devon's wide, mischievous grin made Scott want to drag him back to the bedroom to prove just how alive he really was. The man was simply amazing when he smiled or frowned or, well, did anything at all. Goddammit, Scott had it bad.
    Devon popped another grape into his mouth while he settled his hip against the countertop, eyes never leaving Scott's. "So you got plans for today?"
    "Not in the slightest."
    "Cool."
    It was the same routine every Sunday and it usually comforted Scott, made his heart warm and his brain swirly. Perhaps it had been the mild panic attack or just the fact that Devon seemed so at home at Scott's place that made him take a chance and ask. He fought to keep the anxiety from peppering his voice while his nerves wiggled under his skin. "We could maybe go out for brunch, if you want?"
    Devon shrugged, running a hand down his bare chest to rest on his belly. "I kinda filled up on grapes."
    Scott sighed, letting his chin fall to his chest. There it was again, that nagging suspicious tingle that bounced around in his brain every time he asked Devon to go somewhere. He'd only broached the subject twice before, but never in such a direct way and maybe it was time to put all his cards on the table, despite the horrendous consequences that could arise.
    "Devon, are you... um... are you..."
    Devon cocked his head to the side, strong jaw paused in his grape fondling, one shining dimple appearing on the left side of his face. "Am I...? Hungry? Thirsty? Gay? Really a woman?"
    Scott gnawed on his bottom lip, one hand moving to his hip. "A woman? I never considered that. You've got such a great set of..."
    "Stalling," Devon said, stepping uncomfortably into Scott's personal space. He framed Scott's body between his arms, Scott's ass pressed hard into the countertop.
    "Out!" he finally managed. "Are you out?"
    Devon laughed, dipping his head so his forehead rested against Scott's. He didn't think it was that funny, but damn