Page 34 of His for Hanukkah

He’d given Adam a short list of things to pick up at the grocery store, but Adam seemed to be interested in doing some more cooking. He’d gotten a few questions about his food preferences. He liked the idea of Adam walking through the aisles of the grocery store planning meals to share with him.

He helped his boy out by reminding him frequently of his caged cock. The sexy and indignant responses were delightful.

There was about an hour when he didn’t get any texts back, and since the grocery store was only five minutes away, it wasn’t because Adam was driving.

He reminded himself to rein in his controlling tendencies. Adam didn’t have to tell him where he was every second. And there was probably a completely good reason for it. Maybe Adam’s phone ran out of batteries. Maybe he was in the shower.

God, he was obsessed. Calming Adam down was maybe starting to stress him out.

He imagined that this need to monitor his every move would die down once they got into a rhythm. He just needed to get Adam to commit to him past this little trial period.

Adam finally responded to the text stream with a picture of a sandwich that he’d made for lunch. Clearly, he’d been putting the groceries away and following Tate’s instructions about eating. This was going to take some practice for both of them.

He wanted that closeness, that control, but he had to temper it with trust. Now was just a tricky time while they both figured out what they wanted and found routines that worked.

Just as Tate was finishing up at the office, Adam showed him that he’d fulfilled the last task. It was a list of things he wanted to do or learn in his free time. Tate hoped that this would go a long way toward assuaging his worry about unscheduled gaps like he had now.

The list was quirky and adorable, just like Adam.

Learn Chinese

Learn to play guitar

Get a plant and not kill it

Complete certifications

Learn to meditate (maybe)

Was the Chinese part because of Tate’s brother-in-law? If so, that was the sweetest thing ever. He didn’t want to presume, though. It might have been one of Tate’s interests for a while.

He texted back immediately.

Tate: This is a fantastic list. I’m proud of you.

Adam: Thank you. I’m glad I wrote it, but I’m not sure if I’ll follow through.

Tate: I’ll be home in about an hour. Do you want another task?

Adam: Yes, please.

He wondered if his boy was expecting something sexy.

Tate: Sign up for a language program online and complete the first lesson for me.

Adam: Are you SURE you don’t want me to do anything else?

Tate: I’m very sure, brat. Now, go make me proud.

Adam: Yes, Sir.

* * *

Tate thought that he’d be able to buy everything he wanted for Adam, pick up a few gifts for his nieces, and still get home in an hour.

But after reading Adam’s list, he’d wanted to get a plant. And he had to go to more stores than he’d expected to get everything else on his list for Adam.

Then, Adam started to demand his attention and he just wanted to be home.