by Tara Lain
“Only if I get to help.”
Harper handed Remy an apron, and for the next hour all the sadness, confusion, and heartache of the previous days were washed away in a flurry of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and sautéed greens.
When they all sat down to eat, Harper’s mother said, “After dinner I’ll make up the guest bed for you, Remy.”
“Thank you, Nora Mae, but they’ve actually set aside a house for me while I’m here. I guess it belonged to a friend of Mama’s who moved away, and now she’s thinking of turning it into a rental or something. I’m told it’s all set up, and all I have to bring is my toothbrush.”
“Where is it?”
Remy pulled his phone from his pocket, clicked a few screens, and then extended the photo of a house to Harper’s mother.
Her eyes widened. “Oh yes, River Oaks. I know this house well. It belonged to Oliver Anderson and his family for generations, but they all moved away, leaving only Wilda, who’s now too old to take care of such a big place. Sad. It’s one of the grand homes of the area.” She shook her head. “Another of our landmarks vanishing. Probably be turned into a hotel or something.” She handed the phone back. “But I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, although as I recall, it does need some work. If you find it too unpleasant, you scamper right back here.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will scamper.”
They consumed Harper’s mama’s peach cobbler with heavy cream for dessert. Remy sat back. “Nora Mae, this was incredible. After I get about thirteen hours sleep, I hope you’ll let me take you all out for a meal, which I realize won’t be nearly as good as this.”
She glanced at Harper. “Not a lot of places to choose from these days, but Apple Blossom is still there and, I hear, still good.”
Remy nodded. “Apple Blossom it is. Harper can call for a reservation for tomorrow evening.” He glanced at Harper again, his eyes full of questions.
Harper smiled. “I better take Remy to his place before he falls asleep on the table.”
His mother got up. “Harper, dear, why don’t you go get your shaving implements and toothbrush while Remy and I clear this away?”
Harper gazed at his mom, not exactly surprised at her acceptance that he’d stay with Remy. After all, he’d run away from home with a man a month and a half before. But still, this modern woman did boggle his mind a bit.
He ran up the stairs, straining his ears to hear what they were talking about, but got no more than the murmur of voices punctuated with laughter.
When he trotted back down, the dishwasher was running, and his mother and Remy were sitting in the parlor. Harper put his hands on his hips. “I hope you haven’t been asking him his intentions with regard to your son.”
She chuckled as she stood. “Darlin’, I figure a man willing to drop everything to pursue you two thousand miles probably isn’t just interested in an idle roll in the hay.”
“Mama!”
She kissed his cheek, then looped her arms through Harper’s and then Remy’s. “You boys have a good rest-of-day, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Be sure to visit the community center, Harper. I know Mama Two will want to meet Remy so she can stop questioning your sanity with regard to men.”
They laughed their way into the car.
As they pulled away, waving, Remy said, “She’s great. I can sure understand why she and Mama are such good friends. They’re cut from the same cloth.”
Remy hit something on his phone, and the GPS voice started giving Harper directions. And Harper started blabbing. “So over here you see pine trees. That’s the state tree, and we have all kinds of varieties. But walnut and hickory are nice too.” He pointed to a building on the left. “That’s the drive-in I loved to go to whenever I came home from boarding school, and my friend Georgie lived behind it before he moved to North Carolina, and down that road is the community center, but I’ll save that for tomorrow, and—”
Remy put a warm hand on Harper’s arm. “I think I’m the one who’s supposed to be nervous.”
“You are?” The words came out as a squeak, and that was enough to get them both laughing.
Harper said, “Did anything good happen after I left?”
“Your leaving was so bad for me, I wouldn’t have noticed if they’d reelected Obama president, but sadly, there wasn’t any real good news. The other results on the regional tests came back still missing the ingredient that would make the idea sing. We could go ahead, but I don’t feel confident in success.”
Harper shook his head and sighed.
Remy said, “I don’t want to talk about it now. I’ve got way happier things on my mind.” He squeezed Harper’s thigh, then left his warm touch tingling inches from the Promised Land, a move that amped Harper’s anticipation way above his nervousness, and his need to get to a bed fast made him antsy as he followed the GPS directions into the countryside onto more and more rural roads.
Remy glanced around at the dense trees. “Where are we going?”
“Not sure. I’ve heard my mother talk about River Oaks, but I don’t remember ever being there.”
The GPS voice said, “In half a mile, turn left to your destination.”
Remy looked around. “We must be close, but all I see is trees.” He laughed.
Harper gave him a sideways smirk. “That’s because you’ve seen so few of them in your life. Trees, that is.”
“Okay Southern boy, no California jokes.”
“I’d say it’s no joke.” He grinned and turned off the road onto a small gravel pathway, still winding between trees.
“Seriously, do you dislike Southern California?”
Harper took a breath. It was Remy’s home. He didn’t want to disparage it. “It’s just that after being used to so much green, it’s hard to get used to the—”
“Sea of concrete?”
Harper glanced at Remy. “I met a guy at a restaurant one time who said in Arkansas we have roads between the trees while in California they have trees between the roads. I mean, I love the ocean and the politics and the opportunity, but the houses, even the very grand ones, are so close….” At that moment, they broke out of the trees, and ahead of them on a gentle hill stood a house.
Harper breathed. “Ohh.” What a house.
Chapter Sixteen
“HOLY CRAP, is that River Oaks?”
Harper looked at Remy. “I think it must be.” The house was white, at least three stories tall, with the main floor apparently one story above the ground, reached by a wide, sweeping staircase to a huge wraparound porch. “It’s a mix of architectural styles, I think. Part Louisiana cottage and partly the Greek revival style that was used for so many plantations.”
As they drove around the curved driveway to the front porch, Harper gasped. “Look.” He leaped out of the driver’s seat and trotted toward the back of the house, which overlooked a medium-sized river, shaded by trees along its banks.
Remy walked up beside him, laughing. “Jesus, I’ve come to Tara.”
“Twelve Oaks more like.” Harper could barely catch his breath at the sheer beauty.
Remy leaned down and kissed Harper’s cheek. Harper raised his fingertips to the spot that pulsed with warmth. “I can hardly believe I get to be here with you in this amazing place.”
“Especially since you were prepared to have sex beside the road.”
Harper barked a laugh and smacked Remy on the arm. “Let’s go see if there’s a bed in this antebellum masterpiece.”
They walked back to the car, pulled out Harper’s overnight bag and Remy’s small suitcase, and then climbed up the wide stairs of the porch. Remy looked around. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to get in—”
Like the setup in a comedy, the door opened, and a tall, stately man stood there smiling. “Mr. Merced? I’m Julius.”
“Uh, hi, Julius.” He shook his hand. “This is Harper Treadwell, my—” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “—significant other.”
“Of course, Mr. Treadwell, I know your moth
er. Great lady.”
“Thank you.” Harper was still back on significant other.
Julius stepped aside and waved them into the foyer of the home, with its traditional round table and vase of flowers in the center of the room as well as portraits and landscapes on the walls. Julius said, “I’ve opened the house for you, left food in the refrigerator and a few phone numbers in case you’d like a cook to come and prepare meals. Let me show you around before I go.”
Harper and Remy held hands as Julius guided them through the big formal living room, the dining room, the kitchen that had new appliances but still battered cabinets, and the jewel in the crown, the huge sun porch, glass-enclosed and offering an unimpeded view of the river.
Harper sighed. “I could live in this room and never get bored.”
Remy squeezed his hand, and they followed Julius up the wide staircase to the second floor. After peering into three bedrooms with baths that could use a bit of work, Julius pushed open the door to the master.
“Oh my God.” Harper stepped in, a hand pressed to his chest. As the sun porch afforded the perfect view, so did the wide bay windows of the master bedroom. Sitting in front of the windows were two supercozy-looking floral chairs, but Harper had to force himself to look at them since he was seriously distracted by the king-size bed dressed in a brilliant whitehand-embroidered quilt.
Julius said, “The master bath is the only one in the house that’s been completely renovated. I hope you’ll find it comfortable.” He turned toward them. “I’ll bring your bags upstairs and then leave you. If you’d like maid service, call the number I left in the kitchen and someone will be here promptly.” He smiled. “I’ll leave the bags right outside your door. Enjoy your stay at River Oaks.”
Remy said, “Thank you, Julius.”
Harper almost laughed because Remy’s eyes never left the bed. Harper whispered, “You go get the bags so Julius can leave.”
“Oh, right.” He followed Julius out of the master, and Harper listened to the sound of feet on the staircase.
Harper rushed into the bathroom. Oh yeah. Huge soaking tub as well as a walk-in shower, double sinks, and a separate WC. He cranked the handle on the tub, and a waterfall poured in from the wide-mouthed spigot. Opening cabinets, Harper found bath salts and dumped them in, then smiled when he saw two glass-enclosed candles, which he lighted and put beside the bathtub.
As he rushed back into the master, Remy was hauling in the bags. He looked up. “Do I smell flowers?”
“Umm. Apple blossoms.”
His mouth opened and then closed in a slow, totally and delightfully lecherous smile.
Harper said, “Quick. My bag.” He grabbed it from Remy’s hand, rushed to the bathroom, and unpacked his toiletries and—yes!—a huge bottle of lube, a giant-sized box of condoms, and a butt plug, just in case Remy developed delusions of bottoming grandeur anytime soon. He blew out a puff of air. Wow. The moment he’d dreamed of was almost here.
Remy stuck his head in the bathroom. “Uh, I’m unpacked.”
“That was fast.” Harper smiled over his shoulder.
“Motivation.”
Harper pointed toward the tub. “Big enough for two, don’t you think?”
He glanced at the tub, then back at Harper, his pupils dilating. “Oh hell yes.” He turned and rushed into the bedroom.
When Harper followed, he found Remy had his shirt mostly off but one arm caught in the cotton and his shoulder twisted like a pretzel. “Patience, patience.” With a gentle tug, he slid the shirt off Remy’s arm, dropped it, and then languorously ran his hands over Remy’s back.
For an instant, he tensed, then relaxed against Harper’s hands.
Harper pressed his lips against Remy’s skin—hot, smooth, and oh so Remy. “Are you okay?”
“So very okay.” He reached back and pressed Harper’s hand tighter against his skin. “I should tell you, I’ve had some experiences with men.”
“You have?” He said, startled. “Like what?”
“A few blowjobs and a hand job or two.”
“Ooh. So you liked that, did you? Those stubbly chins and rough hands?”
Remy swallowed hard, and the front of his jeans pooched out farther. “Yeah, I must have been practicing for you.” His breathing got harder. “But you need to know it was anonymous. Nothing personal. No touches or kisses or whispered endearments. Those are all yours.”
Heart nearly squeezing out of his chest, Harper pulled Remy’s head down and kissed him until his pushed-out jeans started to look like a dick straightjacket. With a flick of his fingers, Harper unfastened Remy’s waist button, then pulled away and slid a hand down the front of the pants to keep Remy’s penis unscathed as he undid the fly. Next he dropped to his knees and pulled the jeans to the floor along with some very overstrained boxer briefs—and there it was. Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy.
Harper faced Remy’s penis up close and personal. He inhaled and savored the musky scent. Damn. Can’t resist. He slid out his tongue and licked the lovely, rosy, oh God yummy head.
Remy moaned, which restored Harper’s senses enough to prompt him to pop up, grab Remy’s hands and lead his wide-shouldered, narrow-hipped, almost-thin body to the bathtub and help him slide in.
Remy said, “You seem awfully overdressed.” Slowly, he pulled his more than fully erect cock above the scented water and stroked.
Oh baby. Harper tried not to rush as he pulled his shirt off and slid his tight jeans down his legs.
Remy’s lips parted wider, and his hand moved faster as he stared at Harper’s almost-nude body. “Aren’t those briefs against the law?”
Harper snapped the elastic on his blue bikinis. “Um-hum. In most Southern states.” Waggling his butt, he pulled the briefs down one cheek, then the other.
Remy made a gurgling sound, and his stroking got so frantic Harper had to shake a finger. “Unh-uh. Save that for me.”
“O-okay, but hurry.” Remy slipped his hand under the water, but his dick still stuck above the top.
Harper wet his lips, turned, and watched Remy’s gaze glue itself to Harper’s crotch where the blue briefs stuck straight out, barely covering his erect dick. Nonchalantly, he pulled the briefs down and let his cock slap him in the stomach.
“Oh man, I remember that.”
“You do?” Harper grinned.
Remy nodded. “From the locker room, yeah. I had to force myself not to drop to my knees.”
“Hmm. If you had, we would have saved a lot of time.” He smiled.
Remy looked up, his blue-gray eyes shiny. “I’m sorry, Harper. I know it’s dumb for a grown man to not be able to recognize such an important thing about himself.”
Harper climbed into the tub. “I think you recognized it. It just took a while to admit it. But you know the great truth about being gay?”
He gazed earnestly at Harper. “No, what?”
Harper giggled and grabbed Remy’s penis. “Better late than never.” With that wisdom imparted, Harper swallowed as much of Remy’s considerable cock as he could coax down his throat, receiving an accolade in return.
“Holy shit!”
Harper sucked and laughed at the same time, which must have added some good vibrations because Remy began to thrash, water splashing onto the tile floor and swamping the candles beside the tub. “Oh my God. Yes! That’s so good. So good. Oh yes, don’t stop. Don’t ever—oh God.”
Remy reached under Harper, whose butt was waggling out of the water as he sucked and swallowed like a madman. He grabbed Harper’s cock and started cranking it, which sent bolts of hot lightning straight into Harper’s balls. “Is that right? Am I doing it…?”
Harper pulled his lips off Remy. “Yes. Just do what you like, and I’ll like it too.”
“I want to suck you.”
“We’ll drown.”
Suddenly, Remy rose from the water like Poseidon. He stepped out of the tub, then grabbed Harper and pulled him out too. Wrapping a giant bath sheet aro
und both of them, he carried Harper into the bedroom, tossed Harper squealing onto the bed, and fell on it beside him. “Okay. Let’s get busy on the life-changing firsts.” He grabbed Harper’s dick, stared at it inquisitively, and then licked the tip. He made a little noise in his throat and did it again. “Nice. Who knew it would be so smooth?”
Harper grinned and scooted until he could get into sixty-nine position. “You’re under no obligation to keep going.” With that, he sucked Remy back in until his cock would have been tickling Harper’s tonsils if he had any.
“Oh God.” A wet tongue slid over Harper’s dick, then kind of tentatively, Remy sucked the tip. At that moment Harper deep-throated Remy again and swallowed. Remy screamed and reflexively drew a lot of Harper into his own throat. Remy gagged, coughed, and pulled away. “Whoa. Sorry.”
Harper crawled up the bed and gazed at Remy. Softly he said, “Want to fuck me?”
“Oh.” Remy’s eyes widened, but his dick bounced so hard it jerked the mattress.
“We can try it. Have you ever done anal with a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Did you like it?”
“Yes. More than… well, more.”
“Good.” Harper ran to the bathroom and returned with the condoms and lube. He tossed a condom pack to Remy and shoved lube into his own hole with first one finger and then two.
When Remy had the rubber on, he stared at Harper’s disappearing fingers. “Oh shit. I really want to do this.”
“Good. Me too.” He lay on his back. “Put some lube on yourself.”
Remy did, and Harper pulled one of his legs up beside his ear, revealing his target area.
Remy gasped, “I won’t hurt you?”
“No. But you can stare into my eyes to be sure.”
“Oh good.” He moved forward on his knees, breathing hard. With an intense focus that almost made Harper laugh, he lined up his cock, then looked up.
Harper whispered, “Fuck me.”
Remy pushed, and with all the lube, he slid in. His eyes got bigger and bigger as he inched forward. “Oh my God, I’m inside you. You. Harper, this is like heaven. I love you so much.” And with that, he started to thrust in and out of Harper’s body, gazing into his eyes, half gasping and half laughing. “This is what I dreamed about that day in Pilates. I wanted to crawl over and fuck you on the reformer. Oh sweet God, I never want to stop this.”
