Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Noah's New Plan - 20. Chapter 20
"What are you doing?"
Noah tried to dodge Eli's hand, but he wasn't quick enough, and there wasn't enough room in Eli's truck to get away. The big man pulled his glasses off, folded them up, and set them aside.
Eli pressed his index finger between Noah's eyes and began rubbing it up and down, pressing, massaging. "There that's better," he said softly. "Your brows were all furrowed. I was worried they might be stuck together."
Noah rolled his eyes. He had every right to be stressed out. They were having dinner with Eli's parents. Only this time, it was just Noah, Eli, and his parents. There would be no kids and siblings to distract them.
As far as he was concerned, Murphy had it right. "Whatever can go wrong, will."
"Ready?" Eli asked as he replaced Noah's glasses and adjusted them. His gaze locked onto Noah's and he was quiet when he finally spoke. "God, you're sexy."
The way Eli looked at him, Noah actually believed it. It was so earnest, it nearly took his breath away. He reached up, placed his hand on Eli's face, and stroked the man's beard. "You, too."
Eli leaned in and pressed a kiss to Noah's lips.
"Let's go, babe."
* * * *
"It's nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes."
Mrs. Holmes waved her hand, pushing away Noah's hand. "It's Sheila and John," she said as she pulled Noah in for a hug.
Noah leaned into the hug and patted the woman's back. It felt nice to be hugged. Once she let go, Noah shook Eli's father's hand.
"The game's on," John said.
Noah started to follow John and Eli to the living room.
"Noah, I could use a hand in the kitchen."
He turned back towards Sheila. "Sure."
Eli gave him a smile. Noah returned it, then followed Sheila into the kitchen.
She pointed to a chopping board and a bag of vegetables. "Why don't you help me dice those?"
"Okay." Noah opened the bag. After giving the veggies a quick wash in the sink, he started chopping.
"Eli tells me you're quite the cook."
Noah shrugged modestly. "I've always liked cooking. I find it relaxing."
"He says I should get your chicken and dumplings recipe."
Noah smiled. "Yeah, Eli loved it. I usually have lots of leftovers, but he ate the whole pot. I thought he was going to lick the bowl."
"Hmm. I guess I should just toss out my mother's recipe. It's apparently swill now."
Noah froze mid-chop. "Uh..."
A smile spread across her face, and Sheila snickered. "I'm teasing."
Noah laughed nervously. "Okay..."
"I really would like the recipe."
"I'll give it to Eli for you."
"Thank you... So, things between you and my son are pretty serious then."
"Uh..."
"He told me he's seen you almost every day since Christmas."
"Um..."
"You two make such a sweet couple. I know Eli looks rough and tough, but he's a gentle soul. You're good for him. I think he's good for you, too."
A sharp pain traveled up Noah's finger. "Ow!"
Noah looked down at his hand. A surge of blood bloomed from a cut in his finger. How the heck had he done that?
"Oh!" Sheila cried as she hurried to Noah's side. She took the knife from Noah, and wrapped his finger in a towel, yelling, "John!"
Noah wanted to die of embarrassment. Not only had he cut himself because he wasn't paying attention, but now Eli's burly biker of a dad was wrapping a Winnie the Pooh band-aid around his finger.
"You'll live." John's lips curled up in a smile.
* * * *
Eli tried his best not to laugh.
Noah looked like he wanted to die as Eli's father tended to his cut. His face had gone completely red. He was so freaking adorable, Eli just wanted to pick him up, and put him in his pocket.
Tonight Noah was spending the night at his place for the first time. It was a big step. They always slept at Noah's house. That Noah agreed to sleep over at Eli's was huge. It meant their relationship was progressing. If he could get away with it, he'd make an excuse to his mother and skip out on dinner. The sooner he could get Noah into his bed...
"Okay." Sheila clapped her hands together. "Excitement over. Why don't we just order some Chicken Shack?"
Noah winced. "I'm sorry I ruined dinner."
"Don't worry about it." She gave Noah a pat on the back, then picked up the phone to order take-out.
John took the box of band-aids and left the room.
"I have never been more embarrassed in my life," Noah mumbled once he and Eli were alone.
Eli took Noah's hand in his. He pressed his lips to the band-aid.
"Ew." Noah tried to pull his hand away.
Eli crinkled his nose. "Band-aids stink."
"Then stop kissing it."
Ignoring Noah's protests, Eli pulled him close and wrapped his arms around his boy. "I can't wait to get you home tonight."
Noah sighed and relaxed into Eli's embrace. "Yeah."
"My mother didn't grill you too bad, did she?"
"Well, let me tell you, it was bad enough I needed to create a diversion." Noah held up his bandaged finger, and wiggled it around.
Eli laughed, a loud belly laugh that resonated throughout the room, and Noah joined in.
Looking down into Noah's pretty brown eyes, Eli knew. It was the right time.
"Noah..."
Noah met his eyes, and gulped. "Yeah?"
"I l-"
And then his mother walked into the room. "Chicken will be here in thirty minutes." She looked between the two men. "Did I interrupt something?"
- 47
- 23
- 8
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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