Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
He’d expected Isidore to laugh at his joke, not light up like a child on Christmas morning. “You’d let me buy you things?” Isidore asked with a voice filled with excitement and wonder.
“All right, I think you could use a break,” Charlie drawled. “I’m going to find Will and see if he can think of any supplies he might need for this adventure. You two go be cute somewhere I don’t have to see it.”
Snickering, Kairo grabbed Isidore’s hand and led him out the back of the house and across the yard to the edge of the olive grove. Kairo smiled to see the afternoon sun caressing the dancing silver-green leaves. The ground was soft underfoot from the surprise rain shower they’d experienced a few hours earlier, which helped to temper some of the heat and bring in a nice breeze from the gulf. Earth and a hint of saltiness hung in the air.
He tore his gaze away from the trees to stare at the man who was watching him with a smirk. His hair rose and fell in the breeze, the sun bringing out hints of paler brown amid the blackness.
“Why did you get so excited over the idea of buying me things?” Kairo asked as they wandered into the grove.
Isidore rolled his eyes and sighed. “You’re going to laugh.”
“What?”
“Athena read this book a few years ago about love languages. She said that I’m a natural caretaker and one of my love languages is to give gifts. It’s my way of making sure that people have both what they need and what they want. But I’ve had a lot of people come through my life who believed that I should just give them things and pay for everything because I’m rich. I don’t mind paying, but I don’t like being taken for granted. I’m not a walking checkbook.”
Kairo stopped and turned toward him, a deep sadness tugging his features into a frown. He could understand greed, but how could anyone just overlook Isidore’s natural sweetness and warmth? That was so much more precious than things.
“But I know that you would never treat me like that. You’re an incredibly independent person. I was afraid that you wouldn’t let me buy you any new toys. Or that if you did, we’d have to be dating for a really long time. I’m excited that you’d allow me to give you any gift.”
Kairo’s eyes narrowed on him, and he could feel a little wrinkle form between his eyebrows. “When you say gift, how big are you talking?”
With a shrug, Isidore closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Kairo’s waist. “Oh, I don’t know. It could be anything. I like giving useful things or silly things that will make you smile. Maybe a cute pair of boxer briefs with smiley faces on them or maybe a cupcake if you’re having a bad day.” He paused with his eyes staring at the sky as if he were wracking his brain for ideas. “Hm…I guess I could buy you a gun or a car if that’s what you needed. I wouldn’t know what to get you when it comes to computers. I’d have to leave that in your hands. I—”
His next words were swallowed up by Kairo as he placed his hand behind Isidore’s head and pulled him close for a bruising kiss. Isidore moaned into his mouth and wrapped his arms around him, pressing their bodies tight together so not even the wind could slip between them.
He hated to admit it, but the guys were right. Isidore was a cinnamon roll—decadently sweet and squishy.
Kairo couldn’t recall anyone taking care of him, protecting him, quite like Isidore did, and he never wanted to let him go.
But even as strong and intelligent and brave as Isidore was, he desperately needed someone to protect him. People were constantly trying to steal his wealth, take advantage of him, or simply use him. It seemed like Isidore had gotten damn good at identifying the people who didn’t care about him, but he shouldn’t have to do it alone. He needed someone to watch his back, to offer a shield of protection. And someone to just fucking hold him.
Kairo wanted that to be him. He’d never wanted anything more in all of his life.
Breaking off the kiss, Isidore smiled and nudged him with his nose. “I love how you always feel so happy when we kiss. Like this is the best part of your day.”
A startled laugh escaped him. He hadn’t realized his emotions were showing so clearly in his kisses. “Because kissing you is the best part of my day. As for the gifts, no guns. No cars. No computers. But you can buy me all the cupcakes and underwear you want.”
His adorable lover lowered his head and nuzzled his neck. “How about real estate? Can I buy you property? Maybe some forest land for hiking and camping vacations. Or a vineyard.”