Jeff clears his throat. “Your turn, Dan.” He doesn’t have to mention it twice. Dan breaks off the kiss and pulls Evan to his feet, kicking Evan’s pants the rest of the way off before undoing his own. Evan seems to perk up a little at the thought of getting to see the rest of Dan. Dan tries to take it slow and draw things out a little, but that’s just not going to happen. He’s way too far gone for any sort of subtlety. He’d taken off his shoes and socks earlier, and he’s glad of it because he really doesn’t think he’d have the patience for laces right now, and fucking someone while wearing running shoes is really not that classy. Although he’s been in positions where he’d have appreciated the traction….
But then Jeff is there behind him, and Dan doesn’t mind that he’s being slowed down because Jeff’s hard cock is pressing through the fabric of his jeans and rubbing against Dan’s ass. Jeff eases Dan’s pants and underwear down, and Dan grinds back a little. It’s been a long time since he’s been fucked, and he was relieved that Jeff had asked him to top tonight. But all that hesitation is gone when he feels Jeff’s cock, right there, nestling in like it’s going home. He arches his back, grinding back with his ass at the same time as he twists his head around for a kiss, and Jeff’s hand is strong where it holds his neck, keeping him still for a deep kiss. Then Jeff’s hand is gone, and Dan hears the crinkle of a foil wrapper, and Jeff’s warm hands are around him, smoothing the condom on. Dan and Justin had gotten tested for everything under the sun and given up on condoms, so it’s been years since Dan used one. He thinks it might not be a bad thing to have a little less sensation tonight, might help keep him from embarrassing himself. Although now Jeff is smoothing lube on, and he seems to be taking a little extra care….
“Shit, man, stop. I’m not gonna last.”
Jeff smiles into Dan’s neck, rubbing his stubbly cheek along Dan’s smooth skin, but at least he stops with his hand. Jeff leans forward a bit so he can reach Evan to give him a little more lube, and the motion pushes Dan forward, too, sends his cock under Evan’s ass and between his legs. Evan and Dan moan together, and then Jeff’s hand is back on Dan’s cock, moving it up and guiding it into place.
“Slow and steady, babe. He likes to feel the stretch, but we don’t want to hurt him,” Jeff murmurs, but Evan must not have gotten the memo, because as soon as he feels Dan there he’s pushing back, and Dan moves back a little but then hits Jeff, who doesn’t give. “Okay, apparently he’s driving.” Jeff sounds amused, but Dan doesn’t really worry about it because he’s pretty much totally concentrated on the sensation of his cock being engulfed by Evan’s tight, hot ass. Evan’s pushing back steadily, but once the head of Dan’s cock is inside, Evan starts rocking a little, pulling away from Dan and then pushing back a little closer each time. Dan’s dick absolutely approves, and Dan tilts his head back again, finding Jeff’s lips with his. He’s not really kissing, more just moaning into Jeff’s mouth, and Jeff is there, whispering soothing words and helping Dan to keep still. Finally, Dan is all the way in, one hand behind him grabbing onto the seam of Jeff’s jeans, the other resting on Evan’s back, right at the top of his ass. Evan stills, and Dan kind of wants to stay there forever, frozen in perfection. At the same time, he very, very much wants to move….
Evan’s hand snakes back and grabs Dan’s hip, pulling him forward. Dan goes, his dick doesn’t give him a choice, but Jeff doesn’t come with him, and Dan misses him. That lasts for about two seconds, until Evan braces his arms on the bed and arches his back, and growls, “Go hard, Dan, I want to feel it.” Dan wants to feel it, too, so he doesn’t argue. He draws back and pistons in, slamming fast and hard, then does it again and again. Evan is pushing back into every thrust, a low keening coming from his throat, and Dan really doesn’t think he can last much longer. At least Evan has already come, so Dan doesn’t have that to worry about, and Jeff has moved around so he can see both their faces and he looks almost as into it as Dan is. Dan can feel the orgasm building in his spine, but he doesn’t want to give into it, wants to keep driving into Evan, wants to keep hearing him make that sound.
He manages to hold off a little longer, but it’s like stopping a tidal wave with a sheet of paper, and it’s not long before Dan loses his rhythm, loses his mind, can hear himself gasping as if he’s somewhere far away, somewhere in a land of heat and colors and friction and… he drives deep as he shudders, and Evan stops pumping and just pushes back, bracing himself to hold the extra weight as Dan gives a few more weak, erratic thrusts and then collapses on Evan’s back. Evan eases himself down flat, bringing Dan with him, and he just lies there for a while, Dan gasping into his neck. Then Jeff is there, too, smoothing Evan’s hair out of his eyes, kissing Dan on the temple. It’s lovely, but….
“What the fuck, man? Do you not want to come?” Dan doesn’t understand how anyone can be this Zen when his dick is as hard as Jeff’s quite obviously is.
Evan laughs a little weakly. “See, man? I told you you’re weird.” He turns his head a little in Dan’s direction. “When he gets turned on he goes all gentle and shit… it’s freakish.” Judging by the way Evan is nuzzling against Jeff’s hand, he doesn’t seem to have any real complaints about it.
“Damn.” Dan doesn’t really understand that, and he thinks it might be time to do something about it. He runs a hand down between his chest and Evan’s back, fingers slick in their combined sweat, and then curves down over Evan’s ass to hold onto the condom while he eases himself out. Evan gives a sleepy little whimper of complaint, but Dan knows from experience that Evan really does not want to leave things like that for too long. He ties the condom off and scoots out of the bed looking for a trash basket. While he’s up, he decides to slip into the bathroom to pee. Then he washes his hands and splashes a little cool water on his face. Time to regroup.
When he goes back in the bedroom, Jeff has his shirt off and is stretched on the bed beside Evan, leaning over him and kissing him gently while his hand plays along Evan’s ribs. The love between them is almost palpable to Dan, and he feels like an outsider, an intruder. Then Jeff looks up and sees him watching. “Isn’t he sweet like this, Dan? All fucked-out and relaxed?”
Dan looks at him a little sadly. “Yeah, he’s beautiful.” He smiles, but he suddenly feels naked, and he heads over to where his pants are bundled at the end of the bed. “So, uh… obviously I’m happy to help if you actually want to do something with that,” and he nods at Jeff’s erection. “But if you’re just fading into slow-motion cuddle mode, maybe I’ll head out. I’ve got a lot of stuff to do tomorrow, and it’s getting late.”
Evan half sits up, propping himself up on his elbows. “Nah, man, you should stick around! We’ll wake the old man up.”
Jeff looks a little worried, but he tries to sound relaxed. “Or put me to sleep… either way, you should stay, Dan. It’s a big bed. Lots of room.”
“Oh, no, thanks. I’ve gotten pretty used to sleeping alone. And, like I said, I’ve got stuff to do tomorrow.”
Evan runs his hand down to Jeff’s groin. “Stuff that’s more important than this?”
“No, like I said, if… you know, it just seemed like you were settling down for the night.” Yeah, this is awkward.
“Come here, Dan,” Jeff murmurs, and Dan squirms. He’s already at the foot of the bed, how much closer does Jeff want him to get? He shuffles forward, holding his jeans in front of him like some sort of unattached loin cloth. He wonders if he looks as stupid as he feels. Jeff looks at him for a long moment, and then he smiles tenderly. “Dan, am I still allowed to direct?”
Dan doesn’t think that’s a good idea. “You’re allowed to suggest….”
Jeff nods slowly. “Okay, then. Here’s my suggestion. My request.” Dan nods, and Jeff continues. “I’d like it if you’d climb back up on the bed and kiss me while Evan sucks me off. Does that sound like something you might do?”
Dan laughs a little nervously. “Kiss you? Yeah, I think I could handle it.” Jeff and Evan just look at hi
m expectantly, so Dan walks around to the other side of the bed. He sets his jeans down carefully, making sure he won’t have to fumble around to find them later, and then he climbs onto the bed and stretches out along Jeff’s body. Jeff smiles contentedly and gives Dan a sloppy kiss, and then Evan leans over Jeff’s chest and joins in. It doesn’t really work very well, and it ends up being more like two people kissing while one person randomly licks their faces or something, but… it’s a good thought.
Then Evan eases down Jeff’s body, trailing kisses along the way, and Dan can feel Jeff lift his hips to let Evan work his pants down. Dan honestly can’t believe it took this long to get them all naked. He’s lying on his side, with his torso leaning over Jeff, and he brings his top leg over Jeff’s thigh, pulling out to bring Jeff’s legs apart. Evan murmurs his approval, and then Dan feels Jeff gasp and figures that Evan must have gotten to work. He looks down, and Jeff lifts his head up so he can watch, too, and it really is a beautiful sight. Evan’s moving slow and concentrating hard, and he might not be getting Jeff quite as deep as Dan can, but it looks like he’s doing some interesting things with his lips, and Dan’s almost sorry that he’s already come. He wonders how long it’ll be before he’s ready to go again, and then Jeff stretches up to catch Dan’s mouth in another deep kiss, and he feels a stir in his stomach that suggests that it really won’t be that long.
For now, though, it’s Jeff’s turn, and Dan focuses on kissing him back. Jeff has one hand tangled in Evan’s hair, and the other slides around behind Dan’s neck, his grip tightening as he gets closer and closer to the edge. When Jeff stops kissing him, Dan pulls back enough to be able to see Jeff’s face, muscles tightening into a gasp as his eyes stare into Dan, and then through him as Jeff’s body arches and spasms. He’s still gasping and coming down when Evan slides up toward them, and Dan begins to shift back a little, making room. Evan catches his shoulder, though, and instead of kissing Jeff as Dan had expected, Evan leans over and catches Dan’s mouth, and he can taste Jeff’s come on Evan’s lips, salty and bitter and perfect.
Evan pulls away eventually, leaning down for a quick peck on Jeff’s lips, and then he starts squirming and rearranging and manhandling until somehow they end up with Dan in the middle, Jeff stretched out on his left side, Evan on his right. Dan isn’t really sure how that happened, and he’s not at all confident that it’s a good idea.
“I should, uh….” He gestures vaguely toward the door, but Evan doesn’t seem to be paying any attention, just snuggles in and smiles.
“Come on, man, stay for a bit. Just a nap, even. It’s a comfy bed, right?”
Jeff is making himself comfortable as well. “You could still leave before morning, if you need to.”
Evan looks at Jeff assessingly, then back at Dan. “If there’s two of us, I bet we could get him to make us waffles for breakfast.” He gives a quick kiss to the side of Dan’s chin. “His waffles are awesome, man.”
This is moving way too fast. The plan had been to keep it casual, to take it slow. But Evan’s right: the bed is comfy. And Jeff’s right; he can still find his way out later, if he wakes up. And… and he wants this. He wants to stay in this safe, warm cocoon, with these two incredible men, and maybe it won’t work, and maybe he’ll end up being hurt, but he feels like he’s strong enough to take that chance. He doesn’t know if his confidence will last forever, isn’t even sure that it’ll last through the night, but for now, he feels good.
He relaxes his body, slides down a couple inches until his head is more comfortable on the pillow, and he lets his eyes drift shut. For now, at least, he’s found the place he’s supposed to be.
KATE SHERWOOD started writing at about the same time she got back on a horse after a twenty-year break. She’d like to think she’s far too young for it to be a midlife crisis, but apparently she was ready for a few changes!
Kate’s writing focuses on characters and relationships, people trying to find out how much of themselves they need to keep, and how much they can afford to give away. She tries to find a careful balance between drama and humor—she wants readers to have an intense experience and feel drawn into the book, but she also wants them to enjoy the time they spend reading.
Website: http://www.katesherwoodbooks.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Blog: http://www.katesherwoodbooks.com/?page_id=451
By KATE SHERWOOD
Beneath the Surface
Chasing the Dragon
The Fall • Riding Tall
In Too Deep
Lost Treasure
More Than Chemistry
Riding Double (Dreamspinner Anthology)
Shying Away • New Tricks
Against the Odds
The Pawn
The Knight
Dark Horse
Dark Horse
Out of the Darkness
Of Dark and Bright
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
To all those who’ve bought, read, and
supported my fiction in so many ways.
You’ve given me the precious and
exciting opportunity to share it.
Monday 05:30
I WATCHED the five people stumbling up my path with bags and boxes, but I didn’t go to help them at first. In fact, I didn’t move from the doorway of my trailer at all. I just leaned against the open aluminum door, cultivating the nonchalant look. The nonchalant “I never asked you here in the first place” look.
Didn’t work, of course.
It was so early in the morning that the sun had that pale white shine. The air was sharp and a little damp. There was no one else around except a wheeling bird high above us.
I couldn’t mistake the twist of misery on Simon Wagner’s face. He was genuinely distressed. His soft blond hair looked like he’d run his hands through it a million times this morning, and there were dark shadows sketched in under his baby-blue eyes. His whole expression said, “I’m confused. I’m pissed. I’m out of my depth here.” It hit me as strongly as if I felt it myself. I had, of course, in other circumstances. He was a guy who’d always found a way under my defenses, and—just for that moment—my hostility wavered.
Judith Harrington was beside him. Her expression was less easy to read. Nothing new there, then. Even when I’d worked for her, I’d never dared assume I knew what she was really thinking. When she darted one of her glares at me, I stirred myself down the couple of rickety steps and sauntered along the path to take my share of the baggage. I lifted a couple of boxes off of Simon and his assistant, and I helped Judith balance her briefcase on the top of some packaged books. Then I also took two clothes bags off her assistant, Cissy, slinging them over my shoulder. But I refused to help the fifth visitor. I reckoned he was tough enough to take the whole damned lot himself.
We all tottered through the narrow doorway into the trailer, one by one, and piled the stuff in the corner of what I laughingly called my living room. I had to wedge everything between my shaky, tubular steel-framed couch and the standard lamp that only worked, as far as I could tell, at its own whim. That was the only free space available. Our huffing and heaving brought down a couple of the pictures I’d tacked up on the wall behind the couch, but I didn’t make a fuss about it. They were only cut out of magazines, after all.
Instead, I stared at the baggage invasion. Boxes of books and papers and maps, a couple of kit bags of presumably more personal things, a modest pile of clothing protected by thin plastic covers. A cardboard lid flapped shut suddenly, expelling a small puff of dust. A small enough collection of belongings, I guessed, for a single person. The sum total of a life, of twenty-three years. I could tell it had all been packed pretty hurriedly. Some of the boxes were charred slightly at the corners, and there was water damage on the book covers.
Looked pretty pathetic. I swallowed down a comment to that effect.
No one was talking, apart from breathing more heavily from
the slight effort. Judith sank on to the couch with a tsking sound, which was probably her only concession to admitting pain. She had a weak ankle, and this removal business wouldn’t have helped it. She fell once on a mission, when she’d hurtled down two full floors from an outside fire escape. But as I heard it, she struggled on to the end, supporting a wounded teammate out of the building with her and only then admitting she’d fractured a bone in her ankle. Tough cookie.
She made some small gesture with her hand to Cissy and Greg—Simon’s assistant—and they backed off outside again to stand near the foot of the steps. They pulled the door closed behind them, but not completely. I breathed a little more steadily; it had been getting a tad crowded indoors. Just the four of us left, now. Someone cleared a dry throat.
Simon spoke first. He never could stand awkward silences. “It’s not for long, Tanner, or so we hope. But there’s nowhere else we could find, and no one else we dared ask. You know that, don’t you?”
I caught Judith’s look out of the corner of my eye and shrugged. “Things must be really bad. I’m not exactly Employee of the Month, am I?”
Simon scowled. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. He’s in danger. We all are. However, the Department insists we involve as few people as possible outside of the core team. You’re one of the very few that has adequate clearance.” His voice was thick with repressed emotion. “One of the few that we can trust, dammit!”
Dreamspinner Press Year Four Greatest Hits Page 72
