Now, as he looked down at the dirty dishes in the sink, he admitted he wasn’t an expert on this whole dish cleaning thing, but surely he could clean these dishes without making a bigger mess. He looked around the kitchen and spotted the few things he needed. There wasn’t a dishwasher, but a dish rack sat to one side, soap and sponge on the sink. He took a couple of steps forward to the sink and saw a disposal and then spotted the switch he thought might turn it on. Okay, well maybe he did have this…
Filling one part of the sink with water, he began the process of washing the dinner dishes. He dumped the food in the disposal, relieved when the switch turned on the device, and dish by dish, washed their plates, cups, and silverware. It didn’t take long, and surprisingly, it wasn’t the terrible chore he always thought it would be. There was actually something appealing in knowing he helped Trent in the heavy load he carried.
“What are you doing?” Trent asked from behind Gage. “No, don’t do that. I’ll get it later. No really, Gage. You’re our guest, stop…”
“I’m on the last dish, and I believe it’s only right, you cooked, I’ll clean,” he said from over his shoulder, but Trent would have none of it. He came to him, taking the dish from Gage, handing him a hand towel for his wet hands.
“No, really, please just stop. I’ll do it after you’re gone. There’s something terribly wrong with the Gage Synclair in my house, doing my dishes,” Trent said, rinsing the dish and placing it on the rack before sticking his hand in the sink and pulling the plug up, letting the dish soap run down the drain.
“I thought we were past all that,” Gage said, wiping his hands with the towel, staying close to Trent, but turning around, leaning back against the counter. His eyes were glued to Trent’s face, but the man wouldn’t look at him as he sprayed the sink down and began putting everything away. “Trent, answer me. I thought we were past all this…”
“It’s gonna take some time. It’s hard to walk in here and see you at my sink, in this old, small kitchen, knowing where you live, what you do for a living… I think my house is the size of your living room,” Trent said. He fished in a drawer and pulled out another dish towel to dry his hands and matched Gage’s stance, leaning back against the sink. “Are you sure you really want to try and date? We come from such different places.”
“We aren’t so much different, not really. Not on the things that matter,” Gage said, folding the towel in his hands and placing it on the counter.
“Oh really?” Trent replied. He turned to face Gage, crossing his arms over his chest, cocking an eyebrow.
“Sure. We both have a love of family. Although I hide my love from my family, I still adore them. We both have a need to be self-made men. After meeting you, meeting your children, I’m finding out I think I might want a little boy of my own someday who will declare to the entire world my muscles are the biggest and I can beat up all the other dads, or maybe a little girl who will smile up at me as if I have conquered the world just by coming to her birthday party,” Gage said, turning to face Trent who stayed looking at him, a smile spread across his lips.
“You don’t understand, I could take ninety-nine percent of all the dads at Hunter’s school,” Trent teased, grinning as he said it.
“I don’t doubt it for a second. Remember, I’ve seen you naked,” Gage said, stepping forward, turning toward Trent to place himself between his legs. He wrapped his arms loosely around Trent’s waist and felt rewarded when Trent did the same. “I wanted to do these dishes. I enjoyed dinner immensely. Please don’t make light of it or make it something less. You’re single-handedly restoring my faith in parenting. I’m in awe of you, baby,” Gage said and lifted his hand to stop Trent from speaking.
“Shhhh, Trent, listen to me. You think I’m something… well, I truly think you’re something. You’re honor and integrity every single day, all in the way you carry yourself. I’ve never seen anyone like you… I didn’t really think it existed in this world. As I stand here in your arms, you make me feel special knowing someone like you would pick someone like me to spend any time with at all,” Gage said, looking Trent straight in the eye. He slid his hands up Trent’s chest, trailed fingertips along his neck, and used his thumbs to keep Trent’s head in this position. Gage wouldn’t allow him to turn his eyes away as he placed a kiss on Trent’s sweet lips.
“Gage, you don’t have to say these things,” Trent said, but he pulled Gage in closer, kissing him again.
“I’m being completely honest with you, and if I come to your house and do your dishes, just let me. It’s the least I can do,” Gage said, taking his thumbs and nodding Trent’s head. “Well good, you agreed, and I’ve found another way to get a yes out of you. I was afraid I would have to put you to sleep before we ever spoke again!”
“Well, if you want to do something, my garage is an inventory nightmare. Feel free to jump in and clean it up anytime you want.” Trent lifted a brow, biting his lip in the most adorable way to hide his smile.
“Oh really? The garage’s your office, right? Did I hear that at some point?” Gage asked.
“Yes, it’s my office and the shop where the guys come every morning. The neighbors love me,” Trent said, smiling big now.
“Show me,” Gage said, stepping away from Trent, but entwining their hands, pulling Trent forward.
“It’s a mess. You don’t want to see it,” Trent said, having to be moved step by step.