Ian (Unbreakable Bonds 4.5)

As he thanked his newest server, he couldn’t help but notice that Wade’s gaze flicked back to Hollis fast. Poor kid. He really, really wanted a Hollis of his own. Ian hoped he found one.

He turned back into the office. His desk had been pushed to the side and a small table took up most of the room. It was covered in a red tablecloth and set with ceramic white bowls and a large, matching tureen. Next to that sat a basket of steaming bread, a bottle of his favorite Merlot, and two glasses.

Hollis reached for the open bottle and poured. “I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to have white wine with this particular dish, but I know how much you like to drink this red with anything.”

“Did you cook?”

That low, sexy chuckle sent a shiver down his spine. “Worried?”

“Of course not. I’m just…so surprised. And touched. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.” He stepped close and took the wine Hollis held out.

“That’s a shame, but I’ll be honest that I like being the first.” Hollis clinked their glasses and took a sip, his eyes hot.

Ian set his own on the table and took Hollis’s and did the same. Wrapping his arms around Hollis’s neck, he stretched up for a kiss. Firm, Merlot-flavored lips slid over his. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of Hollis’s body, the hot slide of their tongues, and the desire that never failed to scorch through his body and curl his toes in his shoes. When he pulled back, bright blue eyes looked at him with so much blatant affection and heat, the love in Ian’s heart swelled it to twice its size. “So,” he cleared his throat, emotion making his voice raspy. “What are we having?”

Hollis reached out and lifted the lid on the tureen. The fragrance that filled the room made him grin. Chicken, egg, and lemon. Avgolemono Soup.

“Because I couldn’t ask you to make the best version, I asked Jude where I could find the second best. He said his mother and she happily offered to make this for us today.” He ladled the soup into their bowls and pulled out Ian’s chair. After he sat, Hollis put his hands on Ian’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m sure this is wonderful, but I’m partial to yours. I felt so rotten the day we first met, and you walked up to me and handed me this soup. You have no idea what it meant to me. That day changed my life. I sat alone in my house that night with my head cold and your soup. When I went to bed, I dreamed of you.”

Ian swallowed, too full of overwhelming feelings to come up with words.

Hollis walked around the table, sat across from him, and handed him the bread basket. “I’m thinking we can start a tradition, one we can keep going and even pass on should we ever decide to expand our family. Avgolemono soup on special occasions.”

Ian finally found his voice. “That sounds perfect. I love this. All of this. I can’t imagine a better Valentine’s Day surprise.” He took his time buttering his bread, swiping the knife slowly back and forth, gaze locked on the handsome man across from him. His mind filled with images of their future. Shared holidays and possibly children. Lots and lots of hot, hot sex. He lowered his eyelids. “And here all I planned was a long night with you and a big tub of chocolate body paint.”

Hollis’s spoon halted halfway to his mouth as he stared at Ian for long, blistering moments before he closed his eyes. “That should definitely be a tradition, too. Definitely.”

Ian had no doubt it would be.