Full Domain (Nice Guys 3)

“We could.” Kreed motioned to his hip where they’d both put their tattoos as he took the porch steps up. “I was just thinking about getting your name added to this.”

“Really? I left that spot open on the design, just in case. I know I kinda threw all that at you with no warning. I didn’t want to push too hard,” Aaron confessed, reaching for the doorbell. He stopped suddenly, and he darted his eyes sheepishly toward Kreed. “Not that I’m rushing us.”

Kreed had one hand on the doorknob. He didn’t bother to ring the doorbell when he visited. This was his family home. But he stopped mid-motion and used his free hand to cup Aaron’s neck, drawing him in for a quick kiss. He loved those little confessions from Aaron; they caressed his heart and filled him with happiness.

Kreed’s words had caught in his throat when Aaron had shown him the design he’d chosen for them— a mystical dragon and a beautifully detailed serpent, nose to nose. The lower halves of their long, sleek bodies entwined and the upper half arched high to form a heart. The tattoo had been more than perfect in Kreed’s opinion.

“Rush us, because I’m already totally there, church boy. It’s been almost a year now and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Kreed knew those had been the right words when Aaron gave him that sexy little grin—the one that always made an appearance when he liked what Kreed had to say. As soon as Aaron slid an arm around his waist and drew him closer with the promise of something a little more than the quick press of lips, the door knob was yanked out of Kreed’s hand and his mother’s bright, shiny face came into view. The kiss would have to wait for now, but he would be hustling Aaron off to his old bedroom the first chance he got.

“You’re here!” his mom exclaimed and gave them both a hug. “We’ve been waiting on you two. We need our tester, honey,” she gushed, pulling on Aaron’s arm.

Turned out his church boy had fit right into the Sinacola family. His mom and Aaron had become best buddies. She loved to cook and Aaron loved to eat—a match made in heaven. Aaron headed inside first, where his mother wrapped her arm around Aaron’s waist, cheerfully listing everything on the day’s menu as she guided him toward the kitchen. Kreed had actually forgotten how much his mother depended on Aaron’s taste buds. She swore he made her a better cook because he could taste even the smallest hints of spices, and since Aaron was pretty much a bottomless pit, he never got too full to sample another bite.

“I’m sorry we didn’t think to bring anything, Mom,” Aaron apologized, settling his arm across her shoulders as they turned the corner into the dining room where covered dishes were already lining the table. His mom pointed Kreed to the back porch.

“Honey, can you please go out there and help your dad with the turkey? He got a new deep fryer at the Home Depot and it’s got more bells and whistles than his old one. It even has a remote that he can’t figure out. I don’t know why they have to make things so complicated nowadays. You really need to get out there so we don’t end up with a crispy turkey that’s raw on the inside.” Kreed laughed at that, remembering the past. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time. He loved those memories. He looked through the house onto the back porch where he could see several men gathered around a large, steaming pot.

“Sure,” he said absently, glancing back at Aaron, who’d become so completely engrossed with the desserts, he’d stopped paying any attention to him. His mom had a giant smile on her face as she watched Aaron take a finger and swipe it over some icing as he started talking again about wanting to bring creamed corn to Christmas dinner.

God, he loved the way Aaron always surprised him—simple things like asking to make the corn for Kreed’s family at Christmas or how Aaron made his mother’s smile a little brighter by just hanging out in the kitchen. Sweet unexpected moments like those seemed to happen about a hundred times a day, which made him love Aaron even more. His whole world revolved completely around that one man. Thank God Aaron had given him a chance.

Kreed kept walking, heading toward the back where the men had gathered. He was more than happy to help his father fry the bird, seeing as how it was his favorite Thanksgiving tradition. Well, that and ending his meal with a big slice of sweet potato pie and whipped cream. Kreed smiled at the idea of starting new traditions with Aaron, because if things went the way he planned, their next Thanksgiving would be celebrated with family and friends, creamed corn and all, at his and Aaron’s new place.

The End