Then, in the blink of an eye, Del flipped him onto his stomach and attacked his jeans, unbuttoning them and pushing them down until he had full access to Kyle’s tight hole. Kyle’s breath came out in a harsh rush when he felt Del’s tongue enter him, working the puckered sphincter lose, using one, then two fingers to open him up. At this point Kyle was panting, his hard-on almost painful. Sanity had fled. The night boiled down to him and Del in this moment.
Del pulled him onto his knees and for a brief second, Del disappeared. Then, he heard the rip of a condom wrapper and realized Del was being smart, thank goodness, because he’d forgotten all about protection. Cool lube dripped on him right before Del’s cock touched him. Kyle relaxed and Del slid into him.
Both paused, adjusting. Del was a big man, so the burn of being filled had Kyle tensing. Del caressed his back, rocking a little, and the slight stinging sensation eased little by little with each small jab of Del’s cock. Each thrust went deeper, spreading him wider, and it was only when Kyle pushed back did Del impale himself fully.
“Kyle,” Del moaned. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Kyle panted. “Don’t stop.”
“Oh God, I don’t think I could.”
He reached around with one hand to take hold of Kyle’s cock, pumping it in time with his own hips. The bed squeaked, the blankets fell over the side, but neither of them cared.
“More,” Kyle gasped. “Harder!”
Del moved deeper, pushing on the center of Kyle’s back to make him bend, allowing Del’s cock to sink further. There! Touching the spot that drove him crazy. Kyle released a cry of undisguised pleasure, pushing back into Del’s pelvis.
“Yes! So good, so good,” Kyle gasped. “Del!”
It was too much. Kyle came, hard, as Del milked his cock for every drop of cum. Seconds later, Del climaxed, shuddering uncontrollably as he collapsed on top of Kyle. Their heartbeats pounded together in rhythm and even though Del’s body was heavy, Kyle welcomed it. It gave him a sense that he wasn’t completely alone, even if only for a few hours. His eyes wanted to close but Del’s tender kiss on his shoulder had him glancing behind him.
“Did I hurt you?” Del asked softly.
“No. It was amazing.”
He felt Del’s smile against his skin.
“I … thank you,” he finally said. He moved his hips and slid out of him. Kyle heard the sounds of him removing the condom but didn’t know where he put it. When he laid back down, he moved Kyle’s body until they were both on their sides and Del could spoon him.
“You’re not about to tell me to fuck off, are you?” Kyle asked, half teasingly and half-afraid.
“No,” Del answered, no trace of humor in his tone. “No chance of that now. Sleep, Kyle. We can talk tomorrow.”
“All right,” Kyle said and closed his eyes. He felt Del sigh, felt the light trail of Del’s fingers over his arm, and then knew no more.
Chapter Five
She came back.
The girl stared at him with lifeless eyes, the horror of her fate frozen upon her face.
She was pale except for her face, where two handprints were burned into her skin. Accusation shown from her eyes and as much as he wanted to run away, he couldn’t look away from her face.
Why hadn’t he done something?
Why couldn’t he do something now?
Opening his eyes slowly, Kyle blinked a few times to clear the blurry vision, encountering the tears still fresh upon his cheeks. Pieces of that night were working their way into his memory, but he still didn’t have the full picture. The guilt from the dream lingered because he knew, instinctively, he played some part in her death. Maybe not directly, but… He rubbed his burning eyes. For the past week, he’d not slept right and tiredness dodged his every step. Every time he closed his eye he remembered that she would never open her eyes again. She would never be happy, never laugh or cry or sing. She’d never grow old with a husband and kids.
He sighed and glanced at the clock mounted over the television. Ten minutes to six. In the morning? Good God, no wonder he was tired. Even with the nap he’d taken on the way to Richmond, it didn’t compensate for the week of sleepless nights since that night.
He shifted his hips and felt not only tenderness in his groin and ass, but Del’s hard body pressed against his. Memories of last night crashed through him and he pressed a hand to his morning wood, willing it to go away. Slowly, Kyle eased away and got out of the bed. For a second, he stared at Del in the dim light, silently thanking him for giving him a respite even if only a day or two. He brushed a fingertip lightly over the bristles on Del’s square chin. Briefly, a different future flashed before him, one that had him staying with Del, traveling with him, taking pictures along the way. He’d never been past Philadelphia and wondered what the rest of the country actually looked like. He bet there would be stunning photos he could capture of their trip, documenting a life living behind the wheel of a tractor trailer.
Kyle drew his hand back. How foolish, he was almost sounding like a girl with a crush. Well, maybe he did have a crush, but that couldn’t be helped now. Del had taken care of him when he needed it and maybe, just maybe, he returned the favor last night, holding onto him when Del needed a warm body. Slowly, carefully, he picked up his clothes and dressed, being as quiet as possible. He decided not to make his bed back into the table because it would be too noisy, and the last thing he wanted to do was disturb Del. He checked to make sure he had his wallet and jacket, and with one last look at Del’s handsome face, he exited to the front of the cab.
****
Kyle walked the mile to the diner and by the time he entered its warm indoors, he was shivering hard. He bought a bar of soap and went into the bathroom, using the sink to wash up as best as he could. After drying with multiple paper towels and dressing back into the same clothes, he sat at the bar and ordered coffee and breakfast, only then allowing himself to think about his next move. He still had no idea what to do about the picture but he couldn’t ignore it much longer. Memories of that night were still hazy, and he half figured it was due to some type of mental blockage, like he didn’t want to remember. Yet that was no excuse, he knew that. The girl needed justice. The only question he had left was if he was strong enough to ruin his family’s life, as well as ruin his own. Besides, his mother was probably worried about him since he hadn’t been home in two days. Perhaps he could borrow a cell phone to let her know he was okay, and that he would be coming home soon. As he looked around the almost empty diner, trying to see if anyone was using a cell, his eyes clashed with Del’s dark gaze. Surprise flared through him. He thought Del would be out for longer.
Del wound his way to the bar, signaling for some coffee as he sat next to him. Kyle saw that his hair was damp from a recent shower and he could smell a hint of pine aftershave.
“You could’ve used my shower,” Del murmured as he fixed his coffee.
“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Me?” Del asked with an astonished lit in his tone. “And why would I be uncomfortable?”
“You offered one night.” Kyle shrugged. “I didn’t want to outstay my welcome.”
“I would’ve thought what happened last night gave you an open invitation past the initial welcome. Hell, I was the one that practically forced you.”
“Oh please,” Kyle grumbled. “We both know that was not the case. I’ve been panting over you since I first saw you.”
There was a beat of silence and then, “Really?”
Kyle rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t help but smile. “Do you get nightmares often?”
All humor left Del’s face as he nodded. “Left over souvenir.”
“From the military?”
“Yeah. I took an early retirement, based on the fact I was a complete mental case for a time. Doctors diagnosed me as having PTSD, but I think I just couldn’t stomach being in war anymore. The government gave me a nice severance paycheck which is what I used to fin
ance the rig.”
“How long were you in the army?”
“Fifteen years. Well, thirteen years active and two years institutionalized.” He gave a mocking snort. “Does that make me seem less manly? Shit. I shouldn’t be bothering you about this.”
“No,” Kyle said. “I was thinking I may have a form of PTSD as well. Not anything like yours, obviously. I wasn’t in war or anything, but my hazy memories are stemming from something.”
“You never really got around to telling me about it so I guess we both have shit we haven’t really talked about. What that picture shows and why I was a nut job for two years.”
They went back to drinking their coffees. Del signaled for a refill, drinking it straight black once the waitress poured the strong brew to the top. After experiencing the best sex of his life with the man, Kyle expected to feel uncomfortable around Del who, for all accounts and purposes, was a stranger. And yet, he felt like he could open up to the man. Reveal all his secrets, even the ones he couldn’t remember with sharp clarity.
“Last night, afterward,” Del said so softly that Kyle had to strain to hear. “It was the best sleep I’ve had in years. I think … I think it was you.”
“Me?”
Del nodded. “It wasn’t just the sex, though I assure you that was pretty great, but afterward, I just … it was the first time in years where my dreams were … nice.”
Kyle looked at him, not sure what to say.
“I’ve not had nice in a long time,” Del finished quietly.
They glanced at one another, a very quick look that had Kyle flushing, although why he hadn’t a clue. Del had his tongue in unmentionable places last night which should’ve preempted any embarrassment, but the look they shared caused heat to flush through his body. Arousal had his heart speeding up. Kyle cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, trying to alleviate the hard-on he now sported.
“What happened when you got out of the hospital?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“I stayed with my mom. She was still grieving my dad, so I think helping to take care of me got her out of her depression.” He took a deep breath. “Listen, I’m headed to California—”
“Long trip.”
“Yeah.”
Kyle had a feeling he knew what was coming next, the big goodbye, thanks for the sex but now it was time to move on. Del had a life to get back to, a cargo to haul across country, while he…
He had to get back to Baltimore.
“Do you want to come along?”
Surprise rendered Kyle mute for a second. That was the last thing he thought Del would ask. “I thought you didn’t do hitchhikers.”
Del’s lips quirked upward on one side. “A little late for that sentiment, don’t you think? Anyway, I’m going to be honest here. I really liked the sex.”
Kyle grinned and then gave a nonchalant nod. “I really liked the sex too.”
“And I know what you’re going to say. We really don’t know one another.”
“Well, besides the fact that neither one of us is an ax murderer. At least we have that going for us.”
“Yes, there is that. Truth of the matter is, Kyle, it’s your company I really like.” He gave a rueful little snort. “Never thought I’d ever say that to another human being.”
“Why? Don’t you have a family? You talked about your mom.”
“My mother passed not too long ago,” Del replied. “Bad heart.”
“I’m sorry.”
Del shrugged. “Things happen. She’s with my dad now.”
“And you have this rig.”
“Yep. And I have this rig. I thought about getting a dog but then I met you.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m happy I ranked higher than a dog.”
Del winked.
Kyle smiled. “I guess I could use more thinking time.”
“Good,” Del replied nonchalantly, finishing off his coffee. He stood and threw money on the counter, enough to pay for Kyle’s breakfast.
“You don’t need to keep paying my way, Del. You’ll give me a complex.”
Del just rolled his eyes and started walking out of the diner. “Come on, it’s close enough to nine for me to start hitching up the cargo load.”
“All right. Hey, you got a cell, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I make a quick call? I want to let my mom know I’m okay.”
“Sure. It’s in the cab.”
“Cool.”
Chapter Six
Del tuned half an ear on Kyle’s one-sided conversation and the other on Doc Master’s inane jabbering. Usually, he found talking with John interesting, hearing all the stories of fellow truckers, but this time all he wanted to do was try to find out more information on Kyle.
Events of last night briefly rolled through his head. He remembered Kyle’s heat and tight body driving him crazy, and he had to forcefully shove the thoughts aside because the last thing he wanted John to see was his hard-on and think it had to do with him.
“No, Mom, I can’t come home right now,” Kyle was saying. “I wanted to let you know that I’m okay and that I won’t be home for a bit.” Silence from Kyle as he listened. Then, he said, “Shit, I forgot about work. Can you call them for me? I don’t know, tell them I was abducted by aliens. Sorry, Mom, yes, I’m a horrible jokester. I don’t know, a few days, a week maybe. Mom, stop it. I can take care of myself. Please. I gotta go now. I’ll call again when I can.”
Del watched him end the call and then he stared at the phone for a second. “Everything okay?”
Kyle glanced at him, nodded. “Are we ready?”
“Yep,” he held up a book, “manifest destiny all set.”
“Wagons ho!”
Del laughed and both settled into the cab. They didn’t speak as Del concentrated maneuvering his rig out of the shipping yard, weaving his way through traffic until they hit Interstate 85, which would take them down to North Carolina to meet up with Interstate 40.
“Was your mother all right?” Del asked sometime later, as his tractor trailer eased smoothly down the road.
“Yeah,” Kyle said with a sigh. “She freaks if I’m not there.”
“Control issues?”
“Nah. Well, some but it’s not her fault. My father was a cop who died when I was eight but she didn’t find out till two days after. It was all this “where is he” time in her life. So now she gets nervous if I don’t check in.”
“You’re all she has?”
“Mm. For a while, she disappeared into Valium and vodka. It was like losing both parents at the same time. There’d be days when I’d scavenge for food or beg the lunch lady for seconds. When social services were called my uncle finally stepped in, my father’s brother, and straightened her out somewhat. She was never the same, though.”
“Your uncle became your dad?”
“God, no,” Kyle answered emphatically. “No, he had his own family. Had his own priorities. But he couldn’t let my mother fall apart. It’s all about family pride with my uncle. Maintaining the family name.”
Del thought it might be a good moment to ask what that family name might be, but one glance at Kyle’s clenched jaw had him revising that opinion.
“I know what that’s like,” he said instead, deciding to ease back on whatever was causing Kyle to be upset. “Having a mom who needs to know where you are. I couldn’t tell her much when I was in the army because we’re not allowed to talk, and it was only after I came home that I realized how much stress about not knowing where I was had put on her heart.”
“I imagine losing a child has to be the toughest thing a parent can go through,” Kyle murmured.
“I came late to my parents,” Del continued. “They were poor and I was unexpected. When I turned eighteen I joined the army to give myself an education and to help them out as much as I could.”
“Your dad died?”
Del was silent for a moment, trying to formulate the right words. “Yeah.
That was rough. He’d been a tough man. Took us a while to connect and when he died I felt cheated somehow. Like I didn’t have enough time with him.”
“Was that when … never mind.”
“When what?” Del prompted. “Come on, don’t be shy now.”
“When it happened? You know, your … break?”
Del didn’t answer right away. What could he say? He’d seen things people should never see. War was never pretty, no matter what was at stake or whose side one was on. He had been a good soldier, or at least he had thought he was, but things piled upon one another so quickly that the avalanche had almost buried him alive.
“I … I went to a watering hole to wash off the traveling grime,” he said, his voice hesitant as he tried to find his way through the story. “One thing about being in the desert is that you’re always dirty. I hated that dry, caking sand that infused itself into every pore and crevice. The squad used to make fun of me because no matter where I was I would find the watering hole just to become clean for a minute. And that watering hole ended up saving my life.”
Kyle waited for him to continue. Del licked his lips. This was always the part of the story that he hated. Why ghosts could never stay in their graves.
“Because I wasn’t with my men when the bombs went off.”
Kyle let out a soft gasp.
The road became a little blurry as tears flooded his eyes, so he wiped them away as quickly as possible. No use crying over something that happened long ago.
“Maybe we can talk about this later?” he asked, sniffing. The last thing he wanted to do was cry over the damned past. “I don’t think I can think about that time and drive carefully.”
“Oh,” Kyle said. “Yes, of course. You don’t have to tell me anything, Del, if you don’t want to.”
“No, no, that’s not it.” He flashed the younger man a quick, tight smile. “I think I might need a beer or two, though, to get through it.”
Run So Far Page 3
