Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

up. But actually, bondage is kinda overdone, too, isn't it? Maybe you could develop a fetish. For rubber, or feet or something."
    "Maybe fishnet stockings? Seems kinda appropriate right now. But it's not like you're Mr. Kinky either, right? I mean, unless there's stuff you haven't told me about."
    Aiden's smile was thoughtful, and he ran his fingers gently through Cade's hair. "Nah, I've told you everything I've got. But you… you are a secretive person, Cade. You know about all my experiences, all my old boyfriends—"
    "Including Saint Will," Cade snorted.
    Aiden just smiled. "And you know why I broke up with all of them and why I'm so happy now with you. I want you to tell me one of your secrets, Cade. Will you? Just one?"
    No, Cade did not want to have this conversation. And he wasn't sure the drugs were a good idea after all, because they seemed to be giving him bad advice, suggesting that Aiden might not mind too much if Cade was just honest with him, that secrets were dangerous and corrosive. The only thing the pills and Cade could agree on was that they needed Aiden. Nothing was allowed if it might get in the way of Cade having Aiden. "I love you," he said.
    "That's not a secret." But Aiden smiled, and he let the conversation fade away. Todd and Taylor came over eventually, commiserated over the injury, and suggested a board game tournament to keep the invalid distracted.
    "Maybe tomorrow," Aiden said. "It's a great idea, but he's all drugged up and dopey right now. He wouldn't be much good at games." His hand rested on Cade's chest. "And I kind of like having him like this. Like a big, sleepy cat. I want to enjoy it for a while."
    Cade gave his best imitation of a purr, and let himself drift away in true cat fashion. When he woke, the sun was shining at a different angle, and Todd and Taylor were gone. Aiden had a book in his hand, but he was looking down at Cade instead of at the pages.
    "I love watching you wake up," he said softly. "And I love watching you fall asleep." He grinned. "And I love watching when you're asleep, but I also love watching you when you're awake."
    "Creeper," Cade murmured, and he stretched up to find Aidan's lips. Aidan's hand crept around behind Cade's head to help support him and to deepen the kiss, and exhibitionist or not, Cade was pretty happy with where things were going.
    They should have heard the approaching footsteps, but they were too wrapped up in each other. Even when the newcomer cleared his throat ostentatiously, it took a moment for either of them to register the noise, and Aidan only pulled his head away slowly.
    "Young love," Warren said. "Enjoy it."
    "Yeah, we just were," Aiden said pointedly. It was right on the edge of being rude, and Aiden's upbringing caught up to him quickly. "But we don't have to do it here."
    "No, don't let me interrupt," Warren said. "Well, actually, do let me interrupt, because your mother wants to speak to you. She's on the porch. I'll keep your young friend company while you go."
    Aiden didn't move right away, but then Cade swung his body upright and shifted his foot over to the coffee table. Aiden frowned, then stood, took the pillow from the couch, gently lifted Cade's foot and put the pillow beneath it, then straightened. "I'll be right back," he said. And Cade felt a stirring of alarm, because it really seemed as if Aiden was reluctant to leave Cade alone with Warren. He couldn't know. There was no chance of it. If he'd found out, there would have been an explosion, and there had been nothing. Whatever this was, this protective streak, it was either in Cade's imagination or it was based on something else. "I'll bring us drinks, okay? Two minutes." And then Aiden was gone.
    "You two are really sweet together," Warren said. "Seriously. I wasn't joking about how special young love is."
    "I don't really want to talk about that, thanks."
    Warren leaned forward. "It'd be a shame if something got in the way of that love, wouldn't it? It'd be a shame if he found out that his sweet little boyfriend isn't quite so sweet after all."
    "You're bluffing." Cade fought to keep the doubt out of his tone. "You're married, with kids. You have just as much to lose as I do."
    "I don't give a good goddamn about that frigid bitch, and she's turning the kids into little mirror images of herself." Warren's voice was contemptuous, but then it softened. "Not like you. Not like your sweet, handsome boyfriend."
    "What the fuck do you want?" Cade made himself