To the Moon and Back

by N.R. Walker

All Toby knew of Mr Gideon Ellery was that he was thirty-four years old, a very well-established corporate finance manager, and a recently single new father to a twelve-week-old son.

Gideon was . . . well, not what Toby had been expecting. He had short brown hair and a moustache to rival Tom Selleck. A moustache? Oh yes. Toby liked it. A lot.

Benson’s big blue eyes stared up at him, long dark lashes, rosy cheeks, and a cute little button nose.

“I’m fine with differing opinions. I have no problem with that. But a difference of opinion is disagreeing on the horror that is coriander, not whether other people should be treated like human beings.

“To the moon and back,” Toby said, reading the decal above Benson’s crib.

“Daddy’s little astronaut.” Gideon snorted out a laugh. “Well, I guess that’s better than chicken nugget.” Toby grinned. “He can be both. A cheeky chicky nuggy astronaut.” Gideon stared at him. Oh sweet heavens, it was getting worse.

It was so very clear that Benson was Gideon’s entire world, and it really warmed Toby’s heart to see. Sure, it was only Day One, but Toby had a really good feeling about this job.

“You tell your dadda you’re the best little chicky nuggy that ever nuggied.”

“Look. He’s great. He’s smart and funny, and he’s sooooo good with Benson. But he’s employed by me, and that makes it weird, and gross. Not to mention that I am wholly sworn off men for all eternity.” “Same,” Lauren added with a very lesbian smirk.

I’m not in any place to be thinking about anyone else just yet. I’m certainly not in any position emotionally to be thinking of another relationship.” Gideon spoke with enough conviction to almost convince himself. Almost.

He was woken up by Toby shoving him away and racing for the bathroom. Gideon must have been draped over him again without even realising. When Toby crawled back to bed, he looked miserable. “You okay?” Gideon asked. Toby’s eyes were closed, a deep frown in place. “My asshole hasn’t been this sore since that sex party in Paris.”

“Just so you know,” Toby said, “I’m vers. Top or bottom, I’m bossy either way.” Gideon’s coffee came out his nose.

“Where did you learn how to do that?” “Dick sucking school.” “Hmm. Please tell me you were the teacher’s pet and he gave you private lessons for being such a good boy.”

“Did you just use a driving metaphor?” “I did.” “I don’t know if I’m impressed or horrified.”