9. Xander

Chapter 9

Xander

Over the next several days, David and I fell into an easy routine of texts in the morning and throughout the day and meeting up in the evening for dinner, milk, and movie time which usually ended up as sexy time.

And every night, we kissed goodbye and slept in our own beds.

It didn’t totally make sense that I was being so stubborn about sleeping over, but I could already feel that things with David were different. It wasn’t the usual infatuation or casual interest I’d had in other guys I’d met at the club or on apps.

With David, it felt serious. Real. Permanent .

And that’s what scared the fuck out of me. It had only been a few weeks since I met him. I didn’t want to get so caught up in silly milk jokes and those eyes that seemed to melt when they looked at me. We just needed to take things slow.

On Wednesday, instead of meeting at his place or mine, I took lo mein and asparagus chicken with me to the TLB office and got ready for my presentation. Ryan was there to run the slideshow and make sure I didn’t get too far off-topic if people started asking questions. Mostly, I wanted to introduce the basic clothing options to new members who might not have tried out dry wear yet, either because they didn’t need it or because they’d just been afraid to come into the store. By bringing the store to the one place they were safest to be open, I made it much easier to offer discreet fittings. Then they could take their measurements with them to order online from the privacy of their own homes.

I was arranging the racks to be color-coordinated instead of by size when Ryan appeared in front of me on the other side of the rack. “Mr. tall, dark, and milky just walked in.”

I grinned and turned to look for my man.

David was shaking hands with a few of the members who were assigned to greet people. He laughed when someone said something funny, but his eyes immediately locked with mine, and I got a real smile.

The kind of smile that he seemed to reserve just for me.

“Hey, Xander.” He waved, so I headed over to greet him.

“Hey, David. I’m glad you could make it. I have food in the break room if you want to go eat before we get started.” I looked at my watch. “We have about twenty minutes.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” He looked between me and the people standing around watching, obviously unsure what to do.

I put the boy out of his misery by reaching for his head and pulling it down to me so I could kiss him good and proper. “You look nice.”

He swallowed and smoothed down the front of his shirt. “Yeah, well, you should see the guy who makes my clothes.” He winked and pulled back.

Sammy was squealing beside us. “OMG, you guys are so cute. Do you do sessions, David? If so, I’d love to get on your calendar.”

“Oh, um.” David looked like a deer in headlights with no idea how to respond to that.

I placed my hand on the center of his chest, staking my claim in the only way that was appropriate for a public venue. “We’re actually exclusive right now. But if you’re not already seeing Courtland or Eric, I’m giving up my standing appointments with them so they have openings.”

“Fine, you always get pick of the litter.” Sammy pouted when he didn’t get his way, but I could tell he was happy for me. “But I’ve been trying to get on Courtland‘s calendar for a year, so that works too.”

I reached for David’s hand and gave him a tug. “We’re gonna grab something to eat, so just let us know when it’s time to get started.”

The presentation went well, and several people tried on clothes they likely wouldn’t have tried otherwise, so it was a success. David stayed close to my side for most of the meet and greet after the presentation, and I was surprised by how nice it felt to have someone who was mine. Someone who was there solely for me and not because I was paying him or because he committed to helping the event run smoothly, but because he wanted to support me just by being at my side.

David was all that and more. And when my friends came by to chat and meet the new member everyone was talking about, I was proud to show him off as my man.

Jacob, one of my oldest friends and the man who first introduced me to the world of lactation back in college, was one of those guys. “You were amazing up there, Xan. I don’t know how you keep coming up with new designs and tech, but…I’m glad you do.”

I patted his back in a side hug and then gestured to David. “Have you met David yet? He’s a new member and…” I glanced at David, unsure what he was comfortable declaring at this early stage in our relationship. But Jacob was more than just an acquaintance, so I had to be honest with him. “My, um, boyfriend, I guess.”

David chuckled and placed his arm across my back as he offered his hand to Jacob. “It’s nice to meet you, Jacob. Xander has shared some stories about the antics you guys have gotten into over the years.”

“Really?” Jacob looked at me with a raised brow. “You trying to scare him off already?”

I waved away his absurd suggestion. “I didn’t tell him those stories yet. Just the nice ones. Like, when we rescued those ducklings from the sewer and when we found that purse and drove two hundred miles to deliver medicine to that old lady. Those stories. The good stuff will come in time.” I gave David a side-eye. “Maybe.”

David chuckled. “Hey, I want all the stories. I told you my best stuff already.”

I laughed but then realized he wasn’t kidding. “Oh, you’re serious? Mooning from the sunroof of your limo on grad night is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?” I looked at Jacob and mouthed yikes .

David pinched my bicep and laughed. “Hey, just because I’ve had a boring life up to this point doesn’t mean I can’t start being crazy right now.”

“Is that so?” I looked at Jacob and saw the mischief already glowing in his eyes.

He took the bait like I knew he would. “Sounds like someone is looking for a challenge.”

“Oh.” David realized where he’d gone wrong and started to backpedal. “Not now , now. I just mean, um, we should go bungee jumping sometime. Or white water rafting. That’s an adventure, I’ve heard.”

Jacob and I were already silently plotting. A few things came to my mind, but without knowing David’s comfort level with exhibitionism, I hoped Jacob would throw out something first. “I think we can do better than that, can’t we, buddy?”

“Definitely.” Jacob grinned and glanced at the racks of clothes I’d brought. “Maybe David could model the nursing shirt with the pec flaps that open up for feedings or pumping? I’d love to see that on a person before making a buying decision.”

David looked dumbfounded as he shook his head. “I’m not sure about that.”

“No?” Jacob looked around again, and his eyes stopped at the beverage station. “Looks like we’re running low on creamer. Maybe you can pump some milk for us to enjoy with our coffee.”

He looked at me for help, which was an easy one for me to intervene on. “His milk is reserved for me, Jake. You know I don’t like to share what’s mine.”

My best friend just shook his head and smirked. “Yeah, I figured.” He turned to David and gave his shoulder a friendly shake. “I’ll let you off the hook this time, but if you don’t have some good stories to share the next time we meet, we’re gonna help you make some.”

“Um, okay. I’ll do my best.” David waited until Jacob was out of earshot before turning to me. “Holy shit, what just happened? I didn’t expect to be put on the spot like that.”

I burst out laughing and hugged him tightly. “Sorry, sexy. We couldn’t resist. But we probably should create some good stories for you. I can’t be the only one who’s done stupid shit in the past.”

David cupped my cheek in his palm and gave me a soft kiss. “I plan to create lots of good stories with my boyfriend .”

Now it was my turn to be awkward and nervous. “Was that okay? I wasn’t sure what else to call you.”

“It was perfect.”