“I like my eggs over easy,” he croaked.

Grey jumped, and the spatula he was holding clattered to the floor. Grey turned around and when those intense eyes locked on his, Cal caught his breath. An unnamed emotion churned in his blue depths. What secrets lay behind them? Cal was suddenly curious to unlock it all. Cal rarely painted portraits, but he itched to paint one of Grey and reveal the man beneath the professional mask.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Grey glared and picked up the utensil, washing it and moving back to the stove.

“What? That I like my eggs easy? Hey! I’m not easy! I’m selective.”

“If by selective you mean you choose a partner one night and then select another the next night, and then another the next night, then yes, you are selective. You select a helluva lot.” Grey smirked.

“Hey, my place is a judgment-free zone.” Cal changed the subject. “Whatcha cooking? It smells unreal in here.”

“Nothing spectacular. An omelet with bacon, cheddar, and green onion. Hardly gourmet.”

“Anything that requires me to turn on the stove is gourmet. Grilled cheese is my limit when it comes to cooking.”

“You want coffee? I made a pot. Sorry, I can’t make all those fancy drinks like Luca or Ryker.”

Cal laughed. “No worries. I add lots of sugar and creamer, so it tastes the same. As long as it has a lot of caffeine, I’m good.”

Grey nodded and turned back to the stove.

“So, I don’t remember too much of last night.” Cal paused and finally pushed his ass off the couch and stretched. “I didn’t do or say anything embarrassing, did I?”

Grey turned back again and opened his mouth, but he said nothing. He stood there staring at Cal. Or rather, staring at somewhere near Cal’s waist. He followed Grey’s eyes and looked down and noticed his t-shirt had rucked up to display his abs and his unbuttoned jeans low on his hips. Cal took his time pulling the shirt down and buttoning his fly and watched as Grey’s cheeks flushed and he turned away again. Hmm. Grey still has a weak spot for my abs. Just like their night together when Grey ran his sinful tongue over them, tracing every ridge slowly while Cal moaned and begged, then continued down further to his…

“You tried to get me, Oliver, and Elijah to join you in a foursome, but other than that, you know, nothing out of the ordinary,” Grey said, interrupting Cal’s flashback. Grey moved the pan off the heat and slammed it loudly.

Cal winced. “Sorry about that. Pot makes me horny and flirty.”

Grey’s sudden burst of laughter surprised him. “How is that different from regular you?”

“Well … it … it…” Cal couldn’t find his words, and Grey continued to laugh. “Okay, it makes me hornier than usual and extra flirty. Satisfied now, Mr. Smart Ass?” Cal sauntered over to the kitchen toward the coffee machine. Besides the heavenly aroma of freshly cooked bacon, Cal smelled something deeper, earthier. Like sandalwood and vetiver, mmm. It was Grey. He wore Tom Ford cologne, and when blended with his body heat, it created a scent that was warm, edible, and very sexy. This morning got better and better.

“So, what’s your plan for today?” Grey asked as he cut the large omelet in half and slid it onto plates. Adding toast, he pushed one plate toward Cal.

“Thanks, Grey.” Cal enjoyed a mouthful of cheesy eggs. “Mmm. So good. Can you make this every day?” he joked.

Grey’s fork slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a clang. After placing that one in the sink, he reached for the kitchen drawer and drew out another one, then sat opposite Cal and ate.

“Maybe not every day. You’d get sick of it. Routines are boring for you, aren’t they?” Grey mumbled over a mouthful of omelet.

Cal contemplated that question. “Partly true. As an artist, I’m always interested in new experiences. But I need some consistency in my life or else I’d burn out. A stable influence to keep me from flying off in too many directions. I’ve reached that point in my life. I felt that way before the stalker, and this situation has amplified it. Don’t get me wrong, I love parties and going out, but I need more from life than hanging out at clubs. Now I think I’m ready for more, maybe even…”

Love. He caught himself before he said the word. Couldn’t believe he thought it never mind was about to say it. To Grey, of all people. Jesus. What was in those chocolates? Cal took another big gulp of coffee before he opened his mouth again.

“You’re ready for…?” Grey asked, searchingly, as he stared at Cal.

“Something more meaningful in my life. I don’t know what that looks like or how to define it yet.” Cal hoped the answer would satisfy Grey and they could move on to another, less risky topic.