Fresh back from a scorching holiday together, Max is finally moving in with the smoulderingly hot Arjen. He's looking forward to lazy days and sizzling sex with the cute lawyer of his dreams. But as Arjen gives him his house key over a candlelit dinner, Max is struck by a new and terrifying thought about what sneaky Arjen might be planning for their future -- something even more scary and exciting than moving in together…
4300-word MM erotic romance.
Excerpt:
After a day of unpacking, they celebrated with a romantic dinner. Max had seen those in movies, so he considered himself an expert. He laid the table with a snow-white cloth, brought out the silverware from a corner cupboard, set out shining wine glasses with elegant stems. He stood back with folded arms, wondering if he should be scattering rose petals, then realised Arjen was silently laughing.
Max glared at him. Arjen barely stifled another laugh, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “I had no idea you were such a romantic, Max. I thought football and beer was more your style.”
“Hey,” Max said. “I can be classy.”
Arjen made coq au vin, because he was fancy and knew dishes with French names. It tasted amazing, with crisp potatoes and tender chicken in a dark, rich sauce. Arjen claimed it was just practice that made his cooking so good, though Max suspected he used some kind of sorcery.
Max plied Arjen with the remainder of the red wine because Arjen was doubly adorable when he was tipsy. Max loved to hear him laugh like that, see him glowing with happiness. They clinked glasses and drank to a long and happy stay here in their new home.
“I got you something.” Arjen smiled up at him.
“Chocolate sauce?”
Arjen laughed. “Not that kind of something, although I'm filing that suggestion away for your birthday, but I hope you'll like it anyway.” He pulled something out of his pocket and laid it on the table, keeping it hidden under his palm. “Please don't panic, okay?”
“Panic?” Max furrowed his brow.
Arjen uncovered the gift. It was a small box, black velvet, the type that would hold a ring.
Max stared at it, frozen. He was suddenly and acutely aware of the candles on the table, the wine glasses, the man he loved now watching him anxiously. Max's throat tightened as terror hit him and for a second he wanted to flee.
“Open it,” Arjen said, his voice a whisper.
Max couldn't move. Couldn't seem to breathe. Strange, impossible thoughts were beginning to occur to him, possibilities he had never dared even dream about before. Surely Arjen would never suggest that… It had never even occurred to Max that some day…
In a daze, he reached out for the little velvet box.
He opened it with numb fingers.