Waiting on Life

by Parker Williams

  His cheeks flushed. “Well, Tammy said….” He sighed. “I’m sorry. Let’s forget about it.”

  “What? Hell no! I’m here—you’re here. We’re doing this thing.”

  He gave the barest hint of a smile. “Are you sure?”

  I moved in and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. It was totally different without the familiar scratch and tickle of facial hair, but it was still hot as hell. “Yes, I am absolutely certain.”

  The more I was around Toby, the more I wanted to be with him. It was like he was designed for me alone.

  “I’m sorry, but dinner is only a pizza from Classic Slice. I got out of the bar later than I expected, and—”

  “You don’t need to explain. I love pizza, because it’s got all the food groups in one place.”

  Toby stepped back, but then put his arms around me again. “One more.”

  I inhaled deeply as I was pulled to his body. Toby had a unique, somewhat musky scent that drove me up a wall. It spoke of a man who wasn’t afraid of hard work.

  “I should go take a shower,” he said, once more drawing away. “I know I probably reek, and I’m sorry about that. After you left, I found out that the coolers in front broke, so I ended up lugging all the beer and stuff back to the walk-in. It was hot and sweaty work, and—I’m sorry. This wasn’t how I expected tonight to go.”

  But I wasn’t sorry. Even though he could have easily called and canceled, he still followed through on our plans.

  I put a hand on his chest, kneading is gently. “Don’t be sorry. I appreciate that you didn’t say not to come over. I was looking forward to tonight.”

  A big smile split Toby’s face. “Really?”

  “Yup. I’ll tell you what. You go take a shower if you want. I’ll pour the wine, and if you haven’t already done it, I’ll feed Waldo. Then we’ll sit down for a movie.”

  “I’d like that.” He leaned in and kissed me again. “I’m never going to get tired of that, you know. You’re addicting.”

  It was the sweetest thing I’d heard in a long time, and the last one had been from Pete, so it didn’t really count.

  “Thank you. Now go.” I fluttered my hand. “Shoo.”

  He chuckled, and it sent a shiver through me. I couldn’t stop staring as he moved down the hall. Though he had some padding, there was a strength in that body that could probably be downright dangerous. I couldn’t wait to find out.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Toby

  God, my whole body ached from moving all the liquor out of the coolers. Scott had said he would do it, but from his expression, I knew it was because he still felt as though he had a penance to pay after what happened with Donnie. I explained to him, again, that we were good. He’d more than kept his promise and had been the model employee. Still, doing it by myself—stubborn bastard that I was—left me feeling like I was eighty instead of thirty-two.

  The hot water that now cascaded over my body wasn’t doing more than making me tired, but I fought against it, because I’d made a promise to Kyle, and I damn sure intended to keep it. After soaping my body, I rinsed off, and felt marginally better. I turned off the taps, got out and dried myself, then brushed my teeth. A quick check in the mirror startled me, because I hadn’t been without a beard for the last ten years, and I looked… weird. Still, Tammy told me I needed to be presentable and to make this date with Kyle something he’d remember. She told me to do for Kyle what I would have done if I was going on a date with a woman. So that meant flowers to start.

  I made my way to the bedroom and went into the closet of freshly laundered clothes. I pulled out a denim-blue shirt and a pair of khaki pants. My body protested getting dressed, wanting instead to get into bed. Still, I could hear Kyle out in the other room, and I needed to get my ass in gear. Dressing nice and even shaving were all done with him in mind. And the look on his face when he’d seen me at the door? It was worth the effort.

  My back still ached as I ambled down the hall to the kitchen. When I got there, I found Kyle holding Waldo to his chest, both of them seemingly content to be in each other’s company. His head snapped up when I cleared my throat. He took a moment to gaze at what I was wearing, and then his eyes went back to my face.

  “Am I underdressed? I didn’t know we were going to wear nice clothes.”

  “No, you look perfectly fine,” I assured him, because he did. It was weird how incredible he looked, whether he dressed up or down. “You know what I like? How Waldo innately knows what a good person you are. He’s always standoffish with other people, preferring to hide instead of coming out. You? He looks for you and wants to be with you.”

  A feeling I understood.

  “He’s a good boy,” Kyle said, nuzzling Waldo between the ears for a moment before setting him down on the floor. “I’ve think we’re all set. Are you ready to eat?”

  “Yeah, I’m starved.”

  I started for the kitchen, but Kyle stopped me. “Let me. You look like you’re hurting.”

  I swear, Kyle noticed everything. “I am a little sore.”

  He snorted. “Bullshit. You’re hurting like hell, I can see that. Next time let someone help you move shit, you stubborn ass.”

  Funny how him railing against me made me feel cared about. “Sorry. I honestly thought I could do it. I didn’t mean to ruin our night.”

  Kyle turned, his eyes wide. “Who said the night was ruined?” He picked up the plates, put a couple slices of pizza on each, then brought them over to the table and put one down in front of me. “Let me ask you something. Would you be okay with me giving you a massage? It might—”

  “Yes.”

  That made him chuckle. “I don’t even have to finish the question?”

  The thought of his hands on me, kneading my aching muscles, sounded too good to be true. “No, you don’t.”

  “Then let’s finish eating and we can get to the rubbing.”

  “But the movie,” I protested.

  “Will always be there. Look, I’ve seen you at work, and I know how you bend over backward for people. Sometimes almost literally. You don’t let us do for you ever. So let me do that now. For one night, let me take care of you.”

  In every relationship I’d ever been in, people were fine with me taking care of them, but when it came to my needs, they were a lot less enthusiastic. “You don’t have to—”

  “Oh, stop with the bullshit,” he grumbled. “Admit you’re hurting, then say ‘Yes, Kyle. Please take care of me.’”

  The protestation was on the tip of my tongue, but I wouldn’t say it. He was right. If we were going to have a future, I needed to show him that I not only saw him, but heard him as well.

  “Yes, Kyle. I’m hurting pretty badly. Would you please take care of me?”

  His eyes glistened. “I would be happy to.”

  We ate in silence, except for each of us shooing Waldo away when he thought he could snatch some food while we weren’t looking. Afterward, Kyle told me he was going to do the dishes. I was to go into the bedroom, strip down to my underwear, and lay on the bed. If I had massage oil, that would be great. The thought of some scented oils perfuming the air as he massaged me was tantalizing. Unfortunately, I only had Bengay, which was my go-to muscle cream, and told him so.

  “We’ll make it work,” he promised. “Now go. Let me get these dishes done, then come in and take care of you.”

  I gave him another quick kiss before I trudged to the bedroom. My whole body protested as I tugged off my clothes. I’d hurt before, but this was a new ache I hadn’t experienced. I lay down on the bed, arms at my side, and closed my eyes.

  “You okay with me turning the lights down?” he asked, startling me.

  “Sure, that’s fine.”

  He dimmed the overheads until it was no longer bright, but not quite dark. It was soothing. He came over and pulled off his shirt. “Is it okay if I strip too?”

  Oh hell, yes. “If you’re comfortable.”

  A moment later the shi
rt dropped to the floor, and then he toed off his shoes and finally dropped his pants. My eyes went immediately to that freckle above his nipple. It fascinated me endlessly.

  “You’re beautiful,” I whispered.

  “You ain’t so bad yourself,” he said, crawling on the bed. Reaching over to the table, he picked up the lotion. He opened the top and squeezed a few dollops onto my back. I hissed from the cold.

  “Sorry,” he said, but I could hear the grin in his voice.

  “It’s fine. Just takes a bit to warm up.”

  And then it did when he splayed his hands on my back and pressed into my grateful muscles. I lay there while he worked, pushing, kneading, squeezing. At a few points, it hurt, but it also felt amazing. The air was scented with that chalky, candy-cigarette smell that’s so reminiscent of Bengay, and to me it was as nice as the candles.

  “Please,” I pleaded. “Don’t stop.”

  I had been brought low by a cute guy with incredible hands, and I didn’t regret it for an instant.

  “Don’t worry,” Kyle replied. “I’m getting warmed up.”

  He straddled my legs then, his underwear-covered cock, plumped up against my boxer-clad ass. There should have been at least an initial moment of panic or tensing up. Instead, I sank further into the bed, becoming more relaxed than I’d been in forever.

  And at some point, I fell asleep.

  Kyle

  His snores were soft and light, and they sent tingles through me. I’d given plenty of rubdowns in the past, but the moment I climbed on top of a guy—and there was nothing sexual about it, it was simply easier to dig my fingers in deep—they’d freak out, like I was going to try to fuck them. Fat chance. I was a dedicated, card-carrying member of the Bottom’s Up club. The fact that Toby trusted me on such a level? That was heady as hell.

  When I’d finished his massage, I thought about going to sleep on the couch, or maybe heading back to my place, but I had to be honest with myself. I really, and I mean really, wanted to know what it was like to be in his bed. I went to the bathroom and washed my hands, then grabbed an oversized towel from the cabinet. I took it into the bedroom, then slid it under him so he wouldn’t stain the sheets. Once I was satisfied everything was right, I climbed into bed beside him. He mumbled something, then rolled to lay on his back. I took this as an opportunity to put an arm around him and snuggle in close.

  For me, this was an affirming moment. Until right this second, the thought that I could ever be with Toby was a pipe dream. Though Tammy had said to trust him, and Toby had done nothing to make me think I couldn’t believe in him, I found it hard to do, because I’d been hurt in the past, deeper than I’d ever let anyone know. Being beside Toby, holding him? Nothing had ever felt so right for me.

  I ran my fingers through the fur on his chest, loving not only the texture, but finding the tattoos buried beneath. With every strand I brushed away, it was like uncovering a hidden treasure. My favorite was the pegasus, although I’d yet to see the dragon. Funny thing, I was willing to wait for the grand unveiling.

  What had Toby done to me? I’d always been about showing a guy I could get him off, but Toby? I didn’t want him to come and go. I wanted him to be the one who’d finally stay.

  He snorted and rolled, ending up facing me. It was such a weird thing seeing him without the beard, I reached out and put a hand on his face, rubbing gently. He sighed—such a happy sound—and snuggled deeper into his pillow, apparently so relaxed that he let go of all the worries he normally carried around. The marked difference was written all over him. Gone were the crinkles in the corners of his eyes, the tension in his cheeks, the redness in his ears. Instead, he was a man at peace with everyone and everything around him.

  A few moments went by before the door creaked as a thin shaft of light swept into the room. Toby had said Waldo slept with him, and I wondered how he’d view me being in bed with his daddy. His paws came into view at the edge of the bed, and then he stood to his full height and cocked his head as he regarded me curiously.

  “Hey, Waldo,” I whispered.

  He purred and jumped up, landing noiselessly on the bed. Then he made his way onto Toby’s pillow and kneaded it before he turned and took a few more steps, effectively putting him in the middle of me and Toby. He turned a few times, then flopped down between us, his face next to mine.

  At first I thought he was claiming Toby and telling me to back off. Then he did the most curious thing. He stretched out, putting his legs over Toby and his head on my shoulder. The purring was loud, but soothing, just as Toby described it.

  “You okay with me being here?”

  Waldo twisted his head, burying it deeper into my neck. He nibbled the skin, but didn’t bite or anything. I wanted to believe he was telling me that this was my place too. That I belonged next to Toby and the three of us should be a family.

  And goddamn, how I longed for that. The thought of working with Toby—be it at the bar or on the farm—had become a dream for me that I hadn’t shared with anyone, not even Pete. The chance for us to build something together, to step away from the people who’d hurt us both, to reclaim who we were, and what we wanted from life? Could anything be more precious?

  “Keep doing that, and you’re going to rub the ink off me,” Toby murmured.

  My gaze snapped to his face, and he lay there, a wide smile as his eyes sparkled.

  I pulled my hand away. “I’m sorry, I—”

  “Put your hand back, okay? I wasn’t complaining. I like it, the feeling of you touching me. The question I have is, are you okay with me touching you?”

  How was that even a logical question? “Yes. Please.”

  The smile grew even brighter. He reached out and put a hand on my arm, sliding it up and down, raising goose bumps.

  “You don’t know how many times I’ve dreamed of this. How I’ve longed to touch you, to be touched by you. I—Why is Waldo pushing his nose in your neck? And why do I have cat ass up near my face?”

  It was said with a certain ferocity, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “He climbed up a bit ago, and when he saw me, this is how he chose to lay.”

  I wasn’t going to tell Toby my weird thoughts about it.

  “He likes having you here.” He swallowed hard. “I’ve never had anyone in this bed before,” he said, his voice barely rising above a whisper. “My relationships all pretty much soured before we ever got to this point.”

  There was an ache even I could hear. “Well, I’m comfortable, so if you want me out of this bed, you’ll have to carry me back to my place.” I squeezed his bicep. “I’m not leaving, Toby. Not unless you tell me to.”

  “I can’t see that happening,” he said softly.

  That was the moment Waldo chose to jump off the bed and make a mad dash out the door.

  I grinned as I leaned in and kissed Toby. He whimpered and put a hand on my neck, pulling me closer. I had to admit, I was surprised when he opened for me, because guys generally didn’t do that. They wanted to be all controlling and domineering. Sure, sometimes it was hot, but there were others that I wanted something soft and gentle. This time, Toby let me choose how we’d kiss, and as I licked his lips, I ran a hand over his chest.

  Let me tell you, this was the first man I knew I could never get enough of.

  “I wanna see your dragon,” I whispered to him.

  He nodded, his breath coming in pants. “Sure, okay.”

  We both made quick work of our briefs, and I got my first look at Toby’s long, thick, amazingly gorgeous cock. The dragon wasn’t what I was expecting. Given the rest of his ink, I was figuring it would be hard—no pun—and angry. Instead of scales, though, it had feathers, and it… smiled.

  “I thought it was going to be fierce.”

  He shook his head. “I thought about it, but I realized—well, hoped—I wouldn’t be the only one who’d see it, and did I want someone getting scared off because of my dick?” He sighed. “I wish I had never gotten it.”

  B
ut he shouldn’t have regretted it. The thing was a work of art. Whoever did it knew their stuff. The feathers seemed almost real, and the eyes were like small diamonds. This was something that you wanted to pet, and I had to stifle a giggle at that thought.

  “I think it’s amazing,” I whispered.

  “You… you can touch it, if you want.”

  Oh, I truly did want. I reached out and wrapped my hand around the stiffening shaft.

  Toby sucked in a breath and bit back a moan.

  “Is this okay?”

  “O-oh y-yes.”

  I kept my movements slow and light, not the least bit interested in getting him off as I was in showing him that I enjoyed touching him.

  “K-Kyle, please.”

  “What? What do you want me to do?”

  If I had thought he was going to beg me to let him come, I was mistaken.

  “Kiss me?”

  I crawled up and straddled him again, his cock pressing into my crack. I leaned down and kissed him, allowing him to do what he wanted. For a few moments, he lay there, the sheets wrapped in his hands. Then he let go of them and brought his hands to my hips, where he gripped me tight.

  Again, this was like nothing I’d ever had before. It wasn’t shove it in, wiggle it around a bit, shoot your load, and get out. Toby didn’t insist—he seemed happy with whatever I gave him. I surrendered control to him, and he didn’t abuse it or demand more. He simply took what I offered and worked with it.

  He lifted me off him and dropped me onto the bed. A moment later, his body covered mine as he leaned in and kissed my throat. He grunted when our dicks rubbed together, and rutted against me a bit.

  “The things you do to me,” he growled in my ear.

  “The things I want you to do to me,” I replied, but mine was a breathy whisper.

  “Are you okay with this? I can stop if you want.”

  “No, please. I don’t want you to stop.”

  He smiled. “Good, I’m glad.”

  Then he peppered kisses on my exposed skin, trailing down from my chest to my stomach. When I realized where he was heading, I gripped his shoulders.