by Sean Michael
Robin nodded. “I can. I’m big.”
“I know.” He put Kimberley over his shoulder, rubbing her back to keep her happy. “Come sit next to me so we’re all ready when Daddy brings up her bottle.”
Robin nodded and grinned. “I don’t want to change her butt.”
That had him laughing again, Kimberley jiggling from it. “Can you get me a diaper and wipes from her room?”
“Yes!” Robin bounced off.
God, Robin made him happy. Both kids did. So did their father. He just prayed the asshole Jeff used to be with didn’t screw any of it up.
Kimberley cooed and wriggled, reached for him. Jeff came up with a bottle and some cereal for Robin. “There are muffins going in the oven.”
“God, you’re amazing. Robin’s going to feed her as soon as he gets back with her diaper and wipes.” He looked at Jeff. “You all right?”
“No, but I will be. The window guy is coming at 4:00 p.m. Do you think you can handle it, or do you want me to see if I can get Jillian to come over?”
“Do I need to do more than show him the window and make sure the kids stay out of his way?”
“Not a thing.”
“Then I think I can handle it.” It wasn’t rocket science, after all.
Robin came bouncing back in, carrying a diaper and a handful of wipes.
“Here’s some cereal, buddy. I’ve gotta go check the muffins.”
“’Kay, Daddy. I’m going to feed the baby.”
“Robin’s a big help.” Donny got Robin cuddled up next to him and laid Kimberley across the boy’s lap, her head on his own thigh for some height. They could change her once she’d fed—the bottle was clearly what she was after this morning.
Robin jabbered idly through the feeding, and the house began to smell like bananas. Donny answered the odd question Robin asked but mostly just reclined there, dozing happily. He could learn to love this. Okay, so he already did.
When Kimberley had finished her bottle, Donny picked her up and burped her. “Get me the diaper from the bottom of the bed there, Robin.”
“Poopy butt! Poopy butt! Baby has a poopy butt!”
He chuckled. “Yes, she has a poopy butt. One day she’ll go in the big boy toilet like you do.”
“Uh-uh.” Robin shook his head.
“No? Why not? You don’t think she’s going to get big like you?”
“No.” Robin looked at him like he was an idiot. “It’s a big boy potty for you and me and Daddy.”
Oh God. He bit the inside of his cheek. Hard. “So it is. What do you think we’re going to do for her then? When she’s no longer wearing diapers?”
“She’ll have to move to a girl house. With pink.”
“Wouldn’t you miss her if she moved to a girl house?”
Robin frowned. “She could go live with Mommy.”
“Mommy lives in Heaven now, Robin.”
Robin frowned. “When is she coming back?”
He shook his head and hugged the boy. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but she’s not ever coming back.”
“Why not?”
Jeff sighed from the doorway. “Because she died, son. She’s in Heaven. When you’re old, you’ll go see her. Muffins.”
He gave Jeff a sympathetic look. This wasn’t the last time Robin was going to ask, either, and as he got older, he wasn’t going to be so easily appeased.
“You promise, Daddy.”
“I do. Now, Kimberley, diaper change. Robin, finish your cereal and have a muffin.”
Donny handed Kimberley over and grabbed a muffin himself, cuddling Robin close as the boy ate. Robin leaned into him, and Jeff changed the baby, forehead creased in a worried line.
“You okay, Jeff?” he asked softly.
“Yeah.” Jeff sounded lost.
He put down his muffin and slid out of the bed, moving to stand behind Jeff. He put his head on the man’s shoulder. “You sure?”
Jeff leaned toward him, let him touch. “No, Don. I’m not.”
“Okay. How can I help?”
“I don’t know.”
He pressed kisses to the back of Jeff’s neck, just looking to soothe the man.
“Donny, you’re kissing my daddy.”
He smiled, blushed, nodded. “I am.” It would be wrong to try to pretend to Robin that they didn’t care for each other.
“Okay. Can I go play?” And it was as easy as that.
“Sure thing, sweetie.” He leaned his head against Jeff’s shoulder, watching Robin bounce off. “We should all be so resilient.”
“God yes.” Jeff nodded. “What if he comes back when I’m at the restaurant? What if he hurts you guys?”
Donny tried not to stiffen, but he couldn’t help it. “He wouldn’t dare.”
“I wouldn’t have thought he’d dare to throw a brick.”
“He wasn’t always a bully, then?” Part of him wanted to know, part of him didn’t want to hear it.
“I didn’t think so. We were busy. I worked long hours. We just…. It was very busy.”
Donny wrapped his arms around Jeff’s waist. “Always out doing stuff, huh?”
“Working, drinking, movies, openings—we were young and single, with money.”
“Your money?” Had Mitch only been around for the money?
“Sure. Mitch is an artist—lots of talent, not a lot of cash.” Jeff sighed, picked Kimberley up, and patted her back. “He wasn’t a bad man, but… not one for problems. Or poop. Burping. Responsibilities.”
“He doesn’t miss this house. He misses your money.”
Jeff sighed. “It’s amazing how fast all those years can turn ugly.”
“I’m sorry, Jeff.” He couldn’t be too upset, though. If Mitch had been a good and decent man who’d really loved Jeff, he would have stuck around, and then where would Donny be?
“I just want him to leave us alone.”
“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” He rested his head on Jeff’s shoulder, breathing in his masculine scent.
“Yeah.” Jeff didn’t sound like he believed it was going to happen, though.
“Is she ready for her swing or her seat?” He could give Jeff a blow job—start his day off better.
“I don’t know.” Jeff nuzzled her neck, and she gurgled. “Sweet baby.”
“Yeah. She’s got a great disposition. They both do.” Happy more often than not, easy to make smile, to cheer up when they were upset.
“They’re like their mom.”
“I don’t know—there’s a lot of good in them from their daddy too.”
“I wish I could believe that today.”
Donny squeezed Jeff tightly around the waist. “They do,” he answered fiercely. “You’re a great guy. Look how generous you were giving Beth your sperm in the first place.”
“She was my best friend.”
“That doesn’t mean it wasn’t generous, and it just goes to show what a good guy you are that you feel like it wasn’t anything special because she was your best friend. Not a lot of guys would feel like that.” Jeff was one of a kind. A keeper.
Jeff leaned over, kissed his fingers.
“You are a good man, Jeff. And you and your babies deserve good things.” There had to be a lot of good coming their way to balance out the crap.
“They deserve a lot.”
“You all do.” And Donny really, really hoped he was one of those good things.
“We do.” Jeff sighed as the phone rang again. “Hopefully things will settle down.”
“Yeah.” He kissed the back of Jeff’s neck again and grabbed Kimberley. “Unless you want me to get the phone?” It was likely to be for Jeff, though—Donny’s family and friends called him on his cell.
“No. It’ll either be the police or the insurance.”
Donny gave Jeff a proper kiss and took Kimmie with him downstairs to give Jeff some privacy with the call.
He needed to come up with something fun and relaxing and good for Jeff. Something that wasn’t wor
k or drama. Maybe he could have a picnic supper ready tomorrow night when Jeff got home from work. With candles and something decadent for dessert. Sure, he’d have to go buy the dessert, but there was that bakery he and the kids sometimes walked by….
That would make Jeff smile.
Happy with his plan, he went looking for Robin; today would be a good day for all of them if he had anything to say about it.
Chapter Thirteen
“CHEF, WHAT are you still doing here?” The new waiter, Ben, peered into the kitchen where Jeff was elbow deep in soapy water.
“Nick walked out in the middle of service. I’m cleaning.” Dammit.
“Seriously? Did you tell Martin? He’ll need to get someone in for tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” He was so fucking tired, so pissed off. So ready to go home.
His cell phone rang, and when he pulled it out, the house number showed on the caller ID.
“Hey.” He finished the grill, started wiping down the cabinets. “How’s it going?”
“Everything’s cool. The kids are asleep. I didn’t want to disturb you at work, but… well, to be honest you’re usually home by now, and I was worried.”
“I had staff walk out on me. I’ll be done here in fifteen minutes, give or take. How was your day?”
“Oh, that sucks. We had a good day. You should ask Robin to count for you tomorrow.” He could hear the pride in Don’s voice. How great was it that Don felt that way about his kids?
“Yeah? Would you like some cheesecake? We have extra.”
“Uh… no, not tonight. I’ll let you go—you’ll be home soon, right?”
“Yeah, Don. Won’t be long.” He wouldn’t be long if he could help it.
“Okay, cool.” Don paused for a half second and then added, “See you soon.” Then the line went dead, leaving him with his dishes.
“Everything okay at home, man?”
“Yeah, just Don checking in.”
Jeff smiled as Ben grabbed a rag, started helping. “Thanks.”
Even with Ben’s assistance, it was still nearly an hour before he was home. God, it was late. Hopefully Don was already asleep. The light in the kitchen was flickering, though, and he headed in, stopping short when he realized it wasn’t the kitchen light flickering, but candles on the table in the enclosed porch.
Candles, a set table, and Don, fast asleep in his chair.
“Oh….” He teared up, so tired, so ashamed. He reached down, picked Don up to take him to bed.
Don’s eyes blinked open, and he smiled brightly. “You’re home.”
“Hey, Don. Sorry.”
Don waved his hand. “There’s food…. Wait. Are you carrying me?”
“You were asleep.”
“I made midnight supper for you….”
“Oh….” He stopped, let Don’s feet touch the ground so he could kiss this dear, wonderful man.
Don moaned into his mouth, arms going around his neck. “Come and eat? It’s not fancy, but I got these amazing little pastries from La Patisserie Jacques.”
“Mmm. Yeah.” He didn’t stop kissing, though.
Don pushed closer, seeming eager to keep kissing too. Jeff found that fine ass with one hand, drew them together, and rocked them nice and slow. One of Don’s hands slid into his hair, rubbed his scalp.
Jeff needed this, a nice minute of quiet and touching and heat. Don rubbed against him, body hard, prick even harder against his hip. Dear hungry man. Jeff moaned low, fingers in Don’s soft hair. An answering moan pushed into his mouth and Don rubbed harder, hands opening and closing.
“Taste so good, babe.” He kissed the corner of Don’s mouth, nibbled the full bottom lip.
Don grinned at him. “You could have me for midnight supper.”
“Mmm. Or you could be dessert.” He licked his way down Don’s throat.
“Uh-huh. Okay.” Don’s head dropped back for him.
“Pretty man.” He nibbled a little.
“Me? You’re the hot one.”
“I smell like old grease and chicken stock.”
Don laughed and tugged him toward the table. “You smell like good food.”
“So, what do you have for us?”
He sat, curious and hungry all at once.
Don went to the oven and pulled out a pair of plates. “It’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes, with carrots and parsnips. I don’t think it’s too dry—it’s been warming in the oven for a while….”
“Mmm. Smells good.” He’d eat it even if it was drier than a two-by-four.
Don beamed at him. “It isn’t gourmet or anything….” He set the plates on the kitchen table, then sat close.
“It looks good.” Jeff dug in. He’d have eaten it if it were ash, but it wasn’t bad. Definitely edible. Even good.
Don dug in as well, eating heartily. “I thought you deserved a break, you know?”
“You’re too good to me.”
“Someone needs to be.”
Oh, that was dear. He leaned over, kissed Don’s cheek. “Ben, the new guy? He stayed to clean up so I could get home faster.”
“Oh, I like Ben—he can stay.” Don winked at him.
“I hope he does. His girlfriend’s expecting. There’s no telling what that means.”
Don frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he works nights at a restaurant. What if she wants him home? What if she wants him to have something with insurance?” Their lives were not conducive to normalcy.
“Ah.” Don ate some more of their supper. “You don’t have insurance?” he finally asked.
“I do for the kids, as long as I keep paying for Beth’s.”
“Huh? But she’s….”
“Apparently she had insurance for the kids, and I can keep paying for it.” He just had to pray he never got sick.
“Oh. Well, that’s good, yeah?”
“I think so?” They looked at each other, grinning. “This whole thing is so hard.”
Don nodded. “And your asshole ex isn’t helping any. You’ve got to focus on the good stuff, though, you know? You love being a chef, right? And you’ve got two amazing kids.”
“And a lover.” Right?
Grinning, Don leaned against him. “Yeah. I like that word.”
“Me too, babe. Me too.” Their fingers twined. “Did the kids have a good day?”
“Yeah. Robin drew a whole bunch of pictures for you. I put them together for you on your bedside table.” Don grabbed a fork and speared a piece of one of the pastries, offering it up to him.
He opened up, moaning over the sweet, the flaky crust, the cream.
“Oh….” Don leaned in and licked the corner of his mouth.
“Babe. ’nother bite.” He wanted more—more cheesecake, more kisses.
Don squeezed his hand and then scooped another bite of the pastry, offering it over with a warm smile. He ate it, then took Don’s lips in a hungry, deep kiss. Wonderful sounds filled his mouth, and Don pressed hard against him.
He wanted. God, he wanted a piece of that. He wrapped his arms around Don, drew him into his chair.
Groaning, Don dropped a hand to his lap, stroking him through his chef’s whites. “I want you inside me.”
“Yes. Fuck, yes. I want to make love to you, babe. I want to feel you around me.”
“God yes. Upstairs?” Don was rocking, rolling like he was being fucked.
“Uh-huh. Should we do dishes?” He didn’t want to do dishes.
Don shook his head. “No, we’re going upstairs, and you’re making love to me before one of those beautiful babies of yours wakes up.”
“Oh thank God.” He nodded, pushed Don off. “Yes. Now. I’ll lock up. Now, babe.”
Don got up and started getting undressed, pulling his T-shirt off as he blew out the candles and then headed for the stairs.
Jeff locked the house up, made sure the security system was on, turned off all the lights, then followed Don up. Please don’t let anything weird happen tonight.
>
When he got to his room, he found Don already in bed, under the covers. There were lube and condoms on his bedside table. Someone had gone shopping.
“Did you have to explain what those were?” He stripped off his work clothes. “Let me jump in the shower. I stink.”
“I told him it was stuff for grown-ups. He was happy with that.” Don watched him like he was still hungry. “You want some company?”
“Absolutely.” He held one hand out to Don.
Don climbed out of bed, naked, cock half-hard. Don had a nice body. Very nice. Jeff licked his lips, moaned softly, eyes on the fine body.
Don blushed a little, pressed against him as they moved down the hall. “You like what you see?” Don asked him softly.
“Yeah. You make me hungry.”
Don swallowed and pressed even closer, body warm and solid against him.
They managed to make it into the bathroom before Jeff knelt down, cheek rubbing Don’s prick. “Smell so good, babe.”
“Fuck. Damn, I mean, God.” Don rocked, prick moving against Jeff’s cheek.
“Uh-huh. Fuck my lips, Don. Then we’ll shower, and you can take my cock.”
“Yes. Please.” Don pushed along his cheek again.
He opened up, let Don slide that hard cock into his lips, paint his tongue.
“Oh God. Jeff….” Don’s hands slid into his hair.
He hummed, wrapped his lips around Don’s shaft, tongue flicking the tip. One whimper after another came from Don, and the hands in his hair tightened. It was easy to relax, to let Don in and focus on loving the man, adoring the lovely cock.
Don was soon moving harder, hips pushing forward and sliding the hot prick across Jeff’s tongue. Heavy balls nudged his chin, and he swallowed each time Don pushed in.
“Oh please. Jeff. God.” Don’s rhythm stuttered, and then he moved faster.
Nudging, Jeff pushed those sensitive balls in their sac.
“Jeff!” Don cried out, cock pushing deep as he came.
Jeff swallowed Don’s salty spunk, groaning around the long cock.
Don gasped and panted, hands sliding shakily through Jeff’s hair. “That was… wow.”
