It was. Fried rice with stir-fry vegetables and soy sauce from Green Thai – a Thai-inspired Vegan restaurant that had just opened in the town. Knowing his love's dietary peculiarities, Callum had settled on that as the perfect place for takeout, and had been absolutely right.
Kai just smiled. He watched Callum fuss about the kitchen, finding glasses for wine, bringing out the best plates and cutlery.
“You are a dear.” he smiled at Callum, as he poured a glass of sparkling white wine. “I hope I've told you before how dear you are.”
Callum looked up. His green eyes were wide and white-rimmed, and he was very still. He put the bottle down and came across to where Kai sat. Unexpectedly, he leaned down and hugged him, hard.
“I am the one who should tell you that.” he said, hoarsely. His voice was caught in his throat. “I never say it. I don't think you know.”
Kai felt his throat close with his emotion. “I know now.” he managed, hoarsely. Callum sat back and looked into his eyes. He smiled. “Good.” They chuckled.
Dinner passed in a blur of savory scents, good wine and smiles. After dinner and dessert – Thai coconut pancakes – they found themselves sitting opposite each other, eyes locked.
Callum leaned in and placed his lips on Kai's. Kai leaned in to his kiss, and Callum held him close, his hands in his hair.
“Bed?” Callum asked, voice slightly unsteady.
“Mm.” Kai nodded. He could not get the word out.
They stood, still in each others arms, and walked, slowly, to the bedroom.
There, Callum held Kai close, and kissed him again, and, with exquisite slowness, he began to unbutton his shirt. Kai felt himself begin to shiver, and lifted a hand to do likewise. Callum shook his head, smiling. “Let me.”
Kai let his hand drop to his side, and stood as Callum undressed him slowly. He led him to the bed.
“Lie down?”
Kai nodded and obeyed. Callum undressed himself quickly, and turned to lie beside Kai. His muscles were half-lit in the muted light, the hills and valleys of his back outlined in shadow.
Callum's arms wrapped round him and he held him very closely. Kai stroked the back of his neck, and down to his shoulders, loving the feeling of his hard, lean muscle warm under his finger.
Callum was stroking his back, gently kneading the muscles. Kai sighed and pressed closer. He could feel Callums's arousal pressing against him. He smiled, and stroked lower. His own body was throbbing, aching with need.
He kissed Callum, feeling his need grow more urgent as he tasted his lips moving over his own. His tongue moved deeper, probing his mouth. He smiled. He pressed closer, letting his body rest against Callum's, his weight gently pressing against him, turning him over onto his back.
“Turn over?” he suggested, when he had Callum lying beneath him. Callum grinned at him.
“if you say so.” It was a worn phrase, heavy with their care, and they both smiled. Callum rolled onto his side, and reached a hand back to stroke Kai as he ran a hand down Callum's front, stroking him.
Kai could feel himself shivering, both from Callum's closeness and his touch, as he explored him with his fingertips and was explored in turn.
“I...love you.” he whispered in Callum's ear as he entered him. It had to be said. He had to risk it. He could not live without knowing it, without saying it and letting it be known.
Callum breathed out. As Kai slid into him, he turned. Bodies glued together, his hand gripped Kai's firm-muscled wrist. “I love you, too.” he whispered.
Kai, body aflame, thought his heart might stop. Had he really said that? Was it true? Was it possible, after all?
He moved gently, filling Callum slowly and then faster, working them both to a fever-pitch of climax that they had never reached before.
After, while the air was still tremulous with their cries and sighs, and they lay, sleeping in each others arms, Kai thought about all they had done, and all that had been said. His heart was richly warm, to overflowing. Had Callum really said that? He really had. He had really meant it. He really did! And now, suddenly, all Kai's worries had dissolved. He loved, he was loved, and Callum had said and shown it in so many uncounted, uncountable ways. They could go back together. He had a future, and it was golden. He smiled.
“I love you, too.” he whispered, softly, and collapsed into a deep untroubled sleep.
Chapter 6
“It's fine. Really. I'll make supper alone. I just need to be alone.”
Kai walked out of the kitchen, feeling troubled. It was three weeks after he had moved in with Callum, Kai looked out of the window, and listened to Callum making dinner alone.
Callum, who was usually so affectionate, had suddenly become distant. It had happened the day before yesterday, Kai reckoned. He had suddenly been absent in a way he had not been before. Disconnected, jittery. And when Kai had stroked him, lying beside him in the bed at night, he had stiffened, jerking back in fright, before he relaxed and moved towards him.
Something was wrong. Kai could not fathom what. He did not want to intrude, only hoped Callum would confide in him. It was three days, now, and he had said nothing.
Kai listened to the purposeful bangs and chops coming from the kitchen where Callum was working. Even that was different – often they worked together, and Callum was becoming adept at a series of flavorsome vegetarian dishes under Kai's suggestions as well as his own growing skill.
Now, though, Kai sensed that Callum wanted to be alone. He could not read his thoughts, as they seemed veiled from him, but he could feel a deep sense of distress, a need for isolation and time to settle into his own calm.
Respecting that, Kai left him to the cooking, hoping he would say something over dinner.
Twenty minutes later, Callum appeared with a worried expression that had become perpetual.
“Dinner?” He said, distantly.
“Please.” Kai nodded. He walked through to the kitchen and sat down.
Dinner was a stir-fry, delicious braised vegetables in delicate sauce. Kai usually enjoyed it, but today he felt simply sad, watching Callum eat with no apparent registering of what he did. Kai knew he ate, at least, but it did not seem to have stopped Callum becoming haggard and drawn, the flesh seeming to shrink with the worry in him.
“Some wine?” Kai asked, suddenly.
“Where did you get that?” Callum grinned, suddenly surprised.
“I earned it.” Kai said, proudly. In just under a month, he had worked out how the human exchange system worked; or at least on its surface.
“But...” Callum said, eyes wide. “You don't have a job?”
“Kind of...” Kai smiled, and his cheeks reddened with pride.
“No!” Callum breathed out, impressed. Kai smiled.
“It isn't really a job,” he started, “it was just...I read one of your periodicals,” he indicated the vast piles of scientific papers at the back of the room, “and there was something about centrifuges. I wrote to the author, suggesting some...improvements to his process. He was so pleased he gave me this wine.” Kai looked away, modest.
“You’re crazy!” Callum said, smiling widely. “I didn't know you were into electronics?”
“Well...I learned some...at home.” Kai finished.
“That's brilliant!” Callum smiled. “Cheers!”
Kai clicked his glass.
“You know...” Callum sobered. “Maybe we could find you work at the lab. We need electronics guys...and we use centrifugation more than anyone I know. If you know something about maintenance, then, well...” he stopped. “Actually,” he said, tight-lipped, “I wouldn't recommend that place as a work environment.”
Kai blinked.
“Pass the salt?” Callum deliberately changed the subject. His voice was as Kai had never heard it: hard, bitter, brittle. This was not like Callum, who lived for his work.
“Dear...” Kai said after the meal had been silent for uncomfortably long. “Maybe you need time away? A holida
y?”
Callum looked up with derision on his face, then stopped. “Actually,” he began, “that's not a bad idea.” He sat back, thinking. Kai saw the first real smile on his face that he had seen in several days. “Yes.” Callum continued. “A holiday. That would be...perfect.”
Kai sat back, smiling. Somewhere in his chest he could feel something warm and golden. He was so pleased. They would go on a holiday, Callum would be...Callum, and everything would be wonderful.
Callum's hand moved across the table and lay on top of Kai's. Kai squeezed back. Callum smiled. He leaned forward, and they held each other. It was going to be a long night, Kai thought, and grinned.
“Look up there!”
Kai smiled, looking up as he was bid, a warm feeling filling him as he watched Callum climbing down the gravelly path in front of him.
It was the weekend, and Kai and Callum were in wooded country, far outside town. Callum had been so relaxed after his positive results at work that he had suggested a weekend away. Horrified when he discovered how oppressive the city life was for Kai, he suggested that they take time outside the city, in deep countryside. Kai had agreed. Now, breathing in the crisp mountain air and feeling the breeze caress his skin, he felt happier than he had for weeks.
“What is it?” He called to Callum.
“An eagle!” Callum smiled. “I don't know what sort, if that's what you mean.” He smiled, shyly. “I'm not into the names of animals and things like that.”
“That's okay.” Kai said, reassuringly. “I wouldn't know, either.” He grinned. He wouldn't. He had not, in fact, ever seen a bird like the one circling so high above them in his life, but he was not about to admit that to Callum.
The whole place was breathtaking. Standing on the top of the hill, where they were, he could see down to the valleys which fell sharply on both sides. The forests were turning red, and the leaves were intense against the pale sky. It made him want to weep. Earth had some beauty, after all! And, looking at the craggy, handsome man who walked down the path a way ahead, the race of humans had beauty, too.
“Hold on, you!” He called, teasing. Callum turned and grinned. “Are you racing?”
“No...” Kai began, seeing the spark in Callum's eye and feeling the mood turn mischievous between them.
“Well, I'll race you.” Callum grinned. “Last one at the trees does the washing.”
“You're on.” Kai shouted, and then breathed in as Callum raced ahead.
Laughing, they arrived at the trees together. They doubled over, out of breath and panting.
“That...was...good.” Callum grinned, looking up at Kai. “You're good.”
Kai beamed. He looked down, modestly. He was one of the best athletes among the young companions, and was known for his running. “Thank you.” he smiled. “I was always pretty good, when I was younger.”
Callum smiled. “You still are.” He laughed. “You're still young, too, in fact.” Callum looked out over the valley, a faraway look in his eyes. Kai shivered, despite the day's warmth. Callum had been a little distracted all day, and it disturbed him. As he watched, Callum shook his head, and smiled. “You are, but you're also not.” He smiled.
“No, I'm not.” Kai retorted, and, forgetting his worry, drew himself up, smiling haughtily. “I'm twenty-two.”
Callum laughed, his hands resting on his knees while his aching lungs tried to find the breath to express his mirth.
“Oh, you!” he grinned at Kai. “I love that uppity look you get.”
Kai, pretending affront, sniffed and looked away. He turned back and grinned. “Thanks.”
“It is my pleasure.” Callum said, sounding grave. He grinned, too.
They looked at each other, and kissed. When they drew back, Callum looked flushed.
“Lunchtime?” he said, hoarsely. “And then some resting time?”
“Mm.” Kai agreed, and smiled.
“Race you back?” Callum asked, standing.
“Oh, no you don't.” Kai shouted.
Callum had already taken off towards the trees, and Kai, panting, laughing and shaking his head, had no choice but to follow, running down the hill towards the building they were staying in.
Feeling the wind in his hair and the firm, pebbled ground slipping under his feet, Kai thought that right now, everything was perfect. It could not get better. He shivered, the residual worry about Callum's strange absence of mind creeping back. He shook his head and carried on down the hill. It was nothing, he was sure. And even if it was something, he was not to let it worry him. Today, everything felt so perfect. He would not let a single thing cloud it.
Smiling, he ran on down the hill towards Callum and their accommodation. The valley broadened and widened as he ran, and the sun, shining through the leaves warmed the scene, making Kai think that perhaps, after all, Earth was not so bad. He could get to love it here.
“That was fast!” Callum breathed as Kai joined him at the foot of the hill.
“I like running.” Kai explained, breath slowly returning to its normal rate as he took long, slow, deep breaths.
“You're really good.” Callum smiled.
“Thanks.” Kai felt himself blush with pride. He looked down. He felt his face warm further as Callum laid a hand on his shoulder, and drew him close.
“I am so glad we are here.” His voice was gruff as Callum said those words.
“Me too.” Kai replied.
They kissed, slowly, and the gentle breeze cooled their perspiration-wet skin even as the kiss slowly warmed them from inside.
When they moved apart, both of them were breathing unsteadily.
“We should go back.” Callum said, his voice soft.
“I agree.” Kai nodded.
“Let's go up that hill first,” Callum suggested, “the view of the sunset is magnificent from up there.”
“All right.” Kai agreed. They walked up slowly. Kai, tired from his run, lagged a little as they climbed. As he walked, he thought about the morning. Everything was wonderful up here. If he could just shake the nagging feeling that Callum was somehow keeping some vital information from him, he would feel perfectly lovely.
At the top of the hill they stopped, looking down into the valley below.
“Isn't it beautiful?” Callum breathed.
Kai nodded, feeling too overwhelmed to trust his voice. The sunset turned all the land below to a pool of golden fire, while the horizon burned in shades of yellow, red and gold.
“It is so beautiful.” Kai breathed. He was amazed that there were places of such beauty on the earth, that there were people such as Callum on this earth. He stiffened, and then breathed out with wonder as Callum wrapped an arm around him. They stood and watched the scene in silence for a while.
The day was beginning to chill when they finally moved away from the ridge-top, their hands still holding one another's as they turned and walked slowly away. The last fire was dying in the valley, sinking into the slow shadows of evening by the time they came in sight of their lodging once again.
“Supper?” Kai asked, as they stood in the drive leading up to their rented accommodation.
“Supper.” Callum confirmed. “I could eat anything right now.”
“Anything but meat.” Kai agreed.
They laughed.
“I don't understand you sometimes,” Callum said, laughingly. “You're not like the rest of us.”
Somehow, the words sounded like an accusation, a reproach. Kai felt a shiver down his spine and tried to suppress it. What would Callum think if he knew? And, why was he becoming so distant? Was it because he suspected? Kai frowned.
Callum, lifting the key to the lock, stopped when he heard Kai's huff of breath behind him.
“What is it? Oh, dear...I didn't mean it, you know.” Callum looked suddenly concerned. He reached out a hand to Kai and took his cold fingers in his warmer ones. “Come on,” he continued, smiling, “you really are one of us...just more conscious, maybe. That was all I meant.�
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He leaned over to Kai and kissed his cheek, fondly. “And you take people – me – far too seriously.” He chuckled.
“I guess.” Kai smiled. He leaned in to Callum as he placed his lips on his. He could feel his body pressing against him, his arousal starting to show beneath the warm winter shirt.
“Come on.” He breathed huskily to Kai, and Kai smiled, feeling his own breath quicken correspondingly.
Kai squeezed his hand as they crossed the threshold, and felt his own hand squeezed in return. He smiled, and Callum grinned. They both laughed.
If only I wasn't so worried, Kai thought to himself, this would truly be the most wonderful thing ever.
Later, with the evening darkening the land outside and the day's warmth seeping back from the stones of the house and into the air, Callum and Kai lay together talking.
“You had a good day?” Callum asked, voice rich and warm.
“The best.” Kai gently kissed his ear. Callum huffed, laughing, and held him close.
“The landscape suits you, eh?” he asked, squeezing Kai gently where he lay in his embrace.
“It's so beautiful.” Kai said. “It reminds me of my childhood home.”
“It does?” Callum asked, interested. “It must have been amazing there.”
“It was.” Kai breathed out, warmly. “One day, we will have to go there.”
“We will.”
Kai felt his heart fill fit to breaking.
Callum stroked his shoulder. Kai smiled. “I want to show it to you, one day.”
“Mm.” Callum said, and rolled over.
Kai felt suddenly bereft.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” Callum said, voice muffled.
Kai lay back, his hand stroking Callum's back, gently. Callum reached back and stroked his arm. They lay like that for some time. Kai could not help feeling a little anxious. There was something odd about Callum, even though he was being so close, and attentive as ever. There was some kind of distance between them. He was not telling Kai everything, he was sure of it. It worried him.
“Callum...” Kai breathed, turning. He lay behind him so that Callum's back was warm against his stomach.
Celestial Seductions: The Complete Series: An MM Gay Paranormal Mpreg Romance Collection Page 17
