by Nix Knox
“Don’t worry. I’ll just punish you later.”
“Yay!” Noah laughed. “I guess you can’t really use that as a threat when I like to be punished.”
“You bad, bad boy.”
Noah shivered. “That just pushes something in me.”
“Oh, I’ve got something to push in you.” Ronan playfully grabbed his crotch, giving his cock a shake.
“Pervert.”
“You love it.”
“I do.” Noah leaned up to kiss him lightly on the mouth. “I really, really do.”
Ronan knew he was just teasing, but he couldn’t help but think the first light threads of love were slowly wrapping around them, binding them together.
Chapter Fourteen
Noah found himself getting caught up in his own words. Did he love Ronan? How could he? He hadn’t known him long enough. Not that he believed there was some kind of time limit on those feelings, just that it seemed too soon somehow. Maybe what he was feeling were the first stirrings. He’d never been in love before, so maybe it started out with really admiring the person. And Noah definitely admired Ronan. He was strong without being a bully. Things that snarled Noah up like a worn fishing net wouldn’t faze Ronan. And he would never have been the target of a bully like Keith.
“How long does it take to cook?” Noah peered in the window of the oven but couldn’t see anything until Ronan flipped on the light.
“About twenty minutes.” He leaned over and looked in. “Why? Got something on your mind?”
“Nothing that could be done in twenty minutes.”
“A man after my own heart.” Ronan grinned. “Hey, I know what we can do while we wait.”
Noah followed Ronan into the living room. From a shelf below the surface of the coffee table, he removed what looked like a small leather briefcase. Expecting just about anything, Noah was surprised to discover it was a backgammon board.
“Do you play?” Ronan asked.
“Actually, I do. Family home evening.”
“That’s where your family hangs out together and does things?”
Noah nodded. “One of our favorite things to do was play games.”
“Do you play cribbage?” Ronan looked so hopeful it was almost funny.
“I do.”
“Oh.” Ronan dramatically clapped his hand to his chest. “I’ll have to get a board. I’m sick of playing the computer.”
They spent the next twenty minutes playing backgammon. Noah won the first game, but Ronan got him on the second. When the timer went off, an ooey-gooey pizza came out of the oven. Ronan placed the entire pie on a wooden cutting board and split it apart with a pizza wheel.
“You’re, like, all official and everything.”
“I make a lot of pizza.”
“Why don’t you just order in?”
“Because I like to know exactly what’s going into my pie. And I can make things the chain places never would.”
“Like?”
“Like a breakfast pizza with eggs, sausage, mushrooms, and cheese.”
“Ooh, that sounds good.”
They ate at the table, talking about pizza while they consumed the entire pie. It wasn’t as big as something from a restaurant was but it was a million times better. The crust was crispy and chewy at the same time and the cheese had that perfect browned texture that made it stringy and crunchy. It was messy, but Noah didn’t care. He ate without feeling overly self-conscious.
“I didn’t think I was that hungry.” Noah helped Ronan put the kitchen back to rights. “And you are a really good cook.”
“Thank you.” Ronan grinned. “Well, what do we do now?”
“Ice cream.”
“I don’t have any.”
“Then let’s go out. I want something cold and creamy.”
“Excellent.” Ronan tossed the dishtowel over the oven handle. “After ice cream, we can come back here for something warm and creamy.”
“Is it just me or was that a little…ew?”
“It’s a little ew.” Ronan grabbed his keys. “Oh, wait. Bike or car?”
“Bike.” Noah sidled up to Ronan. “I like sitting plastered against you.”
“I like that, too. Although, to be fair, it would be much better if you were facing me.”
“You’d never be able to drive.”
“Oh yes I would.” Ronan waggled his brows.
In that moment, Noah again felt that pull toward Ronan. He was funny, sexy, and simply amazing in all that he did.
Once they had everything, they were off. Ronan moved through the late-evening traffic with calm assurance. Noah sat on the back, enjoying the feel of him and the security Ronan represented. Rather than dwell on what other people might be thinking about him, Noah decided to focus on what he was feeling. He felt safe. He felt comfortable. He felt honored as a person. When he’d been down in the dumps and in need of comfort, Ronan had been there for him. A long time ago in one of his Sunday school classes, there had been a little girl who asked how she would know when the right man came along. The teacher said that time was a long way off, but the girl persisted. She wanted to know how we’re supposed to know whom God has intended for us. What if we pick the wrong person? Flustered, the teacher hadn’t really answered the questions, but they’d stayed with Noah.
In doing his own research, he discovered that the church didn’t believe in soul mates. Marriage was work that any good man and good woman could make beautiful if they were fully committed. Since the church placed no value on finding “the one,” that meant there were many potential partners. To Noah’s mind, that meant pairing off was more a matter of finding the person he was most compatible with. Of course, by virtue of other teachings, that person would naturally be of the opposite sex.
However, if he took that issue out of the equation, Noah realized the only person he’d ever felt comfortable enough with to be himself was Ronan. Even though the relationship had started based on a sexual liaison, that didn’t mean it was any better or worse than how anyone else found his or her rightful partner.
“There’s a good place just a few blocks over.” Ronan’s voice was crystal clear inside Noah’s helmet.
“Perfect.”
When they arrived, they climbed off the bike, put their helmets in the trunk, and then went inside. The place wasn’t too crowded. The air was rich with the smell of various flavors. Vanilla, cherry, and peppermint were the strongest. Noah went up to the long row of displayed frozen treats.
“What are you getting?” Noah asked Ronan.
“I really want vanilla.”
“Hmm.” That was almost always what Noah got. But today he was feeling decidedly adventurous. “I’m going to try that one.” Noah pointed into the case.
“Superman ice cream?” Ronan made a face.
“Yep. Two scoops.”
“You rebel.”
“I know. I’m out of control.” The ice cream was blue, red, and yellow swirled together. Noah had no idea what the flavors were, but he didn’t care.
Once they had their cones, they picked a table and settled in.
“So? What’s the verdict?”
“It’s good.” Noah took another taste. “It’s lemon, cherry, and I don’t know what the blue is.”
“Blueberry?”
“I don’t think so. Want to try?” Noah offered out the cone.
“Sure.” Ronan turned the cone so he could get at the blue ice cream. Rather than lick, he bit, which turned Noah on a lot more than it should have. “Huh. I don’t know what that flavor is, either. It’s good, though.”
“It is.” Noah looked at his vanilla cone. “How’s yours?”
“Good. Here, try.” Ronan held it out, but Noah declined.
“I know what vanilla tastes like.”
“Suit yourself.”
They sat and ate, talking of nothing. Noah had a moment of extreme self-awareness, but it was nothing like what he’d felt the last time he’d been out with Ronan. This was more of
a blip, because two young men seemed to be looking at him and Ronan. Just as Noah started to become concerned, the two guys smiled and turned toward the entrance. It became obvious to Noah they weren’t staring intently at him and Ronan but looking beyond them to the street.
“You okay?” Ronan kept his voice low. Noah knew if he said he wasn’t okay, Ronan would have him out of there and back on the bike in less than thirty seconds. Secure in that knowledge, Noah nodded.
“I’m okay.”
Ronan offered a pleased smile that turned to one of surprise when Noah slipped his foot across the empty space between them.
“Are you playing footsie with me?”
“Me?” Noah feigned innocence. “Would a man who eats Superman ice cream do such a thing?”
“I believe you would.” Ronan growled lightly. “Just you wait. You know you can’t get my motor running like that and then not put out.”
“Is that so?” Noah stroked his foot up along Ronan’s leg.
“Don’t push too far, sweetie. Remember that I’ve got to walk out of here.”
“So?”
“Do you want me to swagger out with an enormous erection?”
“Ooh, enormous, huh?” Noah wasn’t sure what came over him, but he suddenly didn’t care that there were other people around. They weren’t looking at them and, they probably weren’t listening to them either. Even if they were, so what? It wasn’t like they were going to point and scream at them. The place had a certain level of noise that indicated everyone was talking to his or her own companions. “What do you think everyone will think if they notice that?”
“They’ll think you’re one lucky guy.”
“What ego!”
“You didn’t let me finish.” Ronan leaned across the table. “They’ll also think I’m lucky, too.”
“Aw. You’re sweet.”
“I do try.”
When they were finished, they threw out their used napkins and got back on the bike. Ronan did indeed have quite a bulge, but Noah didn’t hear anyone gasp or see anyone point. As much as he knew the truth before, that no one really cared what other people were doing, he seemed to be getting the message brought home to him more clearly today than any other time.
They were stopped at a light on Seventh when Ronan said, “You impressed the hell out of me in there.”
“I did? Well, the ice cream looked weird, but it wasn’t that strange.”
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” Ronan accelerated as the light changed. “You were comfortable. There was that little stumble with the two guys, but then that faded away.”
“I thought those kids were staring at us, but they were just looking out the window for their third friend.”
“You did great.” Ronan paused. “Hell, did that sound condescending? I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just happy that you’re clearly working hard on being less self-conscious.”
“It didn’t sound condescending at all.” Noah gave him a hug. “I feel different when I’m with you.”
“Good.” Ronan pulled up into the garage. “Stick with me, kid, and I’ll have you running naked through the streets in no time.”
“How about we just settle for me being out with you in public?”
Ronan uttered a long sigh. “If you insist.”
“Besides, if I ran around naked, think of all the men I’d attract.”
“Good point.” Ronan pulled off his helmet and set it aside. “I want you all to myself.”
“Greedy, are you?”
“Yep. Just like you.” Noah set his helmet next to Ronan’s.
“What would you like to do now?” Ronan waggled his brows.
“After all that food? I’m thinking we need to do something else.”
“Hmm. Movie?”
“That sounds good.”
They settled in on the couch and watched a surprisingly intelligent action movie. As good as the flick was, though, Noah thought the best part was simply sitting with Ronan’s arm around him. When the movie finally ended, he yawned and stood.
“Sleepy?” Ronan asked as he shut off the electronics.
“Yeah.” Noah paused for a moment, thinking that tomorrow was Friday and he had to be at work by eight.
“Wow. You went from happy to sad in the blink of an eye.”
“I have to work tomorrow.”
“Stay the night.” Ronan lifted his hand. “Hear me out. I’ll make sure you’re up in plenty of time to get there. I’ll even make you breakfast.”
“And I’ll wear the same thing two days in a row?”
“Oh. I didn’t think of that. I guess you can’t wear my clothes.”
“If I wanted to make everyone wonder, I could.” Noah sighed. “I guess I’d just better do what I was planning to do all along.”
Ronan looked disappointed but resigned.
“I’m just going to have to stay the night here and call in sick tomorrow.”
A smile transformed Ronan’s face.
“You just went from sad to happy in the blink of an eye.”
“The idea of you being in my bed all night has that effect on me.” Ronan offered out his hand. “Come on. We’ve got things to do before we can hit the sheets.”
Noah was expecting Ronan to take him into the playroom, but he walked right by. They ended up in the master bathroom.
“Here?”
“Of course. We’ve got to get ready for bed.” Ronan opened the cabinet below the sink, grabbed something, and handed it to Noah.
“You have spare toothbrushes?”
“I change mine out every month, so I buy in bulk.” Ronan pulled off a yard of floss, then handed the package to Noah.
“You really take your oral hygiene seriously.”
“I do. My dad was a dentist, remember?”
“Right.” They flossed, brushed, and rinsed. Noah smacked his lips. “Ah. Minty fresh.”
“Yeah? Let me see.” Ronan pulled him close and kissed him. At first, the kiss was sweet, but when Ronan parted his lips and slid his tongue into Noah’s mouth, things turned heated.
Noah wrapped his arms around Ronan’s shoulders, wondering how he was able to transform the moment so quickly. Not that he minded, only that he’d never felt the way he did with Ronan. Even in his fantasies, which were all he’d ever known, he never felt this powerful tug of emotional and physical. Noah thought there might even be a third part in there—spiritual—but he wasn’t ready to acknowledge that part just yet.
When he felt Ronan working at his shirt, Noah decided to help by pulling up Ronan’s T-shirt. With plenty of kissing in between, they managed to get out of their clothes. Noah was hoping Ronan would take him to bed, but he stayed in the bathroom. When Noah noticed Ronan was kissing him while looking past him, Noah broke the kiss and looked over his shoulder. Almost his entire backside was reflected in the enormous mirror over the double sinks.
“You’re kissing me and staring at my butt?”
“It’s a mighty fine butt.” Ronan cupped one big hand to each of Noah’s buttocks, lifted, and squeezed. “Glorious, even.”
“You’ve seen it plenty in the playroom.”
“I’ll never see it enough.”
“Never?”
“Never.”
“Even when I’m old and gray, you’ll still want to see my butt?”
“I’m sure I will.” Ronan lifted him up, pressing him tight to his body. He was hard, as was Noah, but there was no rush to find release. “I might be a little slower, but that’s when my bondage skills will really come in handy.”
“How?”
“I can tie you up and take my time admiring your backside.”
Talking about the far distant future pleased Noah more than it probably should. Ronan was only being funny, not making a declaration of love. Besides, even if they did reach that point, then what? It wasn’t as if they could get married. He supposed they’d have to settle for living together.
“You’re thinking too much aga
in.” Ronan carried him from the bathroom to the bedroom, letting him go only when he had to.
“I just—where do we go from here?”
“Into the bed?” Ronan answered his question with a question. “Or are you asking me about something else entirely?”
“Never mind.” Noah shook his head. Now was not the time for that particular conversation. “I was just thinking out loud about work and my apartment.”
Ronan nodded as he pulled the covers back. “I don’t want you going back there. To your apartment, I mean.”
Noah climbed in and curled up to Ronan once he joined him. “I have to live somewhere.”
“Live here.”
Noah should have expected the offer, but when it came, he had no idea what to say. Living with Ronan? What would that be like?
“Whoa, okay.” Ronan rose up on his elbow. “I didn’t mean you’d live here in my dungeon as my bitch boy.”
“Bitch boy?” Noah didn’t recall ever hearing the term.
“Sorry. It’s—never mind. I just…” Ronan trailed off. “I know it’s late and we should be fooling around before we sleep, but this matters to me. I want you to stay here. There’s an extra bedroom. You wouldn’t be here as my property but, well, as…”
“Your boyfriend?”
“Yeah.” Ronan laughed. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Out of all the men I’ve known, you alone have this amazing ability to get me flustered. It’s uncanny.”
“Is it my butt?” Noah tried for humor to take some of the intensity out of the moment.
“Yes.” Ronan laughed. “That must be what it is.”
“I could cover it up, I suppose.”
“No way. Then I wouldn’t be flustered, but I’d be very sad.” Ronan grasped Noah’s butt and pulled him on top of his body. “I’ll deal with it.”
Noah rested his head on Ronan’s shoulder. He wasn’t sure what to say to his offer. As much as he wanted to stay, he saw only trouble if he did.
“I understand, Noah.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“You don’t need to.” Ronan stroked his fingers through Noah’s hair while his other hand cupped his butt. “Your body is speaking volumes.”
“It’s just such a mess. Or it would be. Work would be a devilish commute.”
