putting an arm around the other’s waist
"Do you want to be in cahoots?"
Michael gave Gerry a look from the corner of his eye, without turning away from the book in his hands. "Are we not already?" he asked.
"Well, yeah, but I mean active cahooting." Gerry wrapped his arm around his waist and rested his head against his upper arm, wiggling his eyebrows dramatically. "Conspiring, one might say. Colluding, even."
Michael grinned, closing his book but keeping his finger between the pages to mark the place. "I see. That's not an euphemism for something else, is it?"
"No. I mean, itcouldbeifyouwantto but I do need you for something," Gerry said in a rush, continuing before Michael could register his words. "There's a Leitner here, and I know the guy won't sell it to me-"
"Your reputation preceeds you, doesn't it?" Michael teased, shifting his weight to settle further into Gerry's arm.
"No!" Gerry defended vehemently. "Because he's a prick who doesn't think I'm the type who buys antique cookbooks."
"Oh, and I am?"
"You absolutely are." Gerry shifted up on his toes to kiss his cheek. "Hence, why we should cahoot."
"I see." Michael wound his own arm around Gerry's waist, loving the banter and closeness between them. "Well, if you think I can pull it off, I'll try to get the book for you."
"And I'll get this for you," Gerry said smoothly, reaching around him for the book in his hand. "As thanks. I know I shouldn't be Leitner-hunting on our date-"
"That's our standard date activity, my love. I don't mind." He really didn't. That came with the territory, and he had accepted that as part of the package that was dating Gerry. He freed his arm from around Gerry's middle and offered it to him. "Shall we go cahoot?" Gerry grinned and looped his arm with his.
"We shall."
