by Aria Grace
After joining him on the couch, we sit in silence for a moment, both unsure how to start this conversation we need to have.
“Asher…I don’t know how I can ever make up for what happened.”
I turn and interrupt him, wanting him to know I don’t hold it against him.
But Tanner holds up his hand to stop me. “No. Please let me finish. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. The fact that Daniel was behind it all should have been my first inclination. And that isn’t fair to you. You’ve been a great employee and an even better friend for years.”
“I appreciate that,” I say softly as his words permeate.
“But that’s not all I owe you an apology for.”
I stare at him curiously, wondering where he’s heading with this conversation.
“You also don’t deserve the way I’ve pushed Ian away from forming a relationship with you.”
“He’s your son. I know you just want the best for him.”
Tanner reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder. “But you’re like a son to me too, and I shouldn’t have interfered in whatever was happening between you guys.”
I look him straight in the eyes, so he knows I’m sincere. “You were just looking out for him. We both know I’ve had quite a bit of drama in my past, to say the least.”
“But that doesn’t have anything to do with who you are now.” His words are heart-felt, which brings a knot of emotion into my throat. “You’re a good and honest man. I’ve always known that, but I let circumstances and the events around me alter my perception. For that, I truly am sorry.”
“Forgiven,” I say without any hesitation.
And I mean it.
Despite everything that’s happened, Tanner was just looking out for his son. He was trying to protect Ian and that’s not something I can be mad at. Because I love Ian and only want what is best for him too.
There was a time when I wouldn’t have trusted myself to be the man Ian deserves, but whether I am or not, I’ll always strive to be that man. I will take care of him and protect him… And show him the love he’s never felt before…but says he’s been looking for.
As selfish as it sounds, I can’t be without him. These past few months had me falling head over heels for this guy. And I can’t stomach the fact that we might not end up together. He’s my everything now, my reason for living. And I will do everything in my power to make sure he’s the happiest man on the planet.
“Thank you.” The relief on Tanner’s face is almost instant. “And I want you to know that you and Ian both have my blessing to see each other.”
“I appreciate you saying that. It means a lot to me to have your approval. I would never ask Ian to choose between us because I would never let him pick me over you and Landon.”
“I know you wouldn’t. Which is why you’re the perfect man for my son. I want you both to be happy.”
“If it takes me a lifetime, I’ll make sure he is.”
Tanner reaches out again, gripping my shoulder.
“Does this mean I can call you dad?”
“Don’t push your luck,” he laughs. “I’m not old enough to have a son your age, and I don’t need anyone thinking I’m any older than they already do.”
The two of us turn to leave just as Ian’s head pops through the doorway. “Tanner, Dad’s looking for you. I think they’re ready to fire up the pit.”
“Duty calls, then.” Tanner gives me a knowing smirk and leaves me alone in his office with Ian.
“Hi?” Ian looks nervous as he enters the office, shutting the door behind him.
“Tanner and I were just sorting some things out. Nothing for you to worry about. How are you?”
“Miserable.” His eyes say everything I’m feeling, and I hope he’s more open to my plea for forgiveness than I was to his.
Stepping forward, I pull him into my arms. My lips find his temple, and I place soft kisses down his cheek. “Me too.”
Ian’s whole body goes stiff in my arms and he pulls back to look at my face. “What does that mean?”
“It means I was an idiot, and I can’t live without you. Even thinking about it makes me hurt.”
“Me too.”
“So, if we can erase the past week, I’d really like to get back to where we were before all this shit went down. Can we do that?”
“It’s what I want more than anything…” Ian leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Ian,” I say against his mouth before pulling away. “For good. For real.”
He smiles and kisses me again, this time with more passion and love than I’ve felt before. “For real.”
After a few minutes of making up with our mouths, I pull away. “If we don’t stop, I’m gonna have to bend you over this desk and I don’t think either of your dads would appreciate us defiling their new home.”
Ian laughs. “Yeah, especially not before they get a change to.”
“Maybe we should get out there and mingle for a bit before we can sneak out.”
“Good idea.” Ian takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. “You do realize that this party means my dads are officially out of the apartment, and I’ve got the place all to myself.”
“All to yourself, huh?”
Ian waggles his eyebrows, giving me a huge grin. “Yup, but it gets lonely over there.”
“Maybe I can help some of those night not be so lonely?” I give him a coy grin.
“Maybe so.”
After just soaking in the peace I feel when Ian is in my arms, I clear my throat of all previous emotion. My tone becomes more serious as I study Ian’s face. “Really, though. Thank you for giving me a second chance to prove how much I love you.”
“Asher, there was never a second when I pictured you not in my life. I need you too fucking much.”
“I need you too. I want to be the one supporting you, caring for you.” I pull him in for another kiss.
The desperation of our kiss builds, and pressure from my growing cock is pushing uncomfortably against my jeans. His hands explore my body as I pull him closer, feeling his own erection against my leg. I groan instinctively, wishing we were anywhere but Tanner’s house.
Just as Ian moves his hand to the hem of my shirt, a knock at the door reminds us we’re not alone. Landon’s voice calls out from the hall before he cracks the door. “Ian, do you know where we put the lighter when we unpacked?”
Ian laughs against my chest. “Yes, Dad. It’s in the top drawer of the island.”
“Okay, thanks.” Landon conveniently leaves the door open as he steps away.
“I guess that means we need to go visit the rest of the group.” I pull him into a quick kiss again.
“Only if you promise to come stay with me tonight.”
“Count on it,” I say, a huge grin covering my face.
Fourteen
Ian
My schedule shouldn’t be as daunting as it appears on paper, but I can’t help but stare at my computer screen and study the list of classes I’ll be starting in a few weeks. Introduction to Psychology, College Algebra, English 101.
I’m sure it will be enough to keep me busy.
But I’m excited too. There’s something about starting a new chapter of my life that just feels right. I put the brand-new laptop Dad bought for me as a “congratulations for getting into college” present on the coffee table and shut the lid. With Professor Ryan as my advisor, I know he’ll make sure I get all the right classes to finish my degree in psychology.
My stomach rumbles, pulling me from the couch and toward the kitchen. Tanner and Dad made sure I had plenty of supplies along with new dishes and even some new furniture. I moved into the master bedroom after they left, but the apartment hasn’t seemed empty because Asher’s been over almost every night since we got back together.
Now I’m staring into the almost empty fridge, realizing that I’m going to have to hit the store tomorrow if I plan on su
rviving the weekend. A knock on the door sounds just as I’m about to grab a bag of chips for dinner.
Asher’s on the other side of the door holding up two large bags. “I hope you’re hungry for Chinese.”
“Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver.” I snag one of the bags from him and open it up at the counter, inhaling the delicious aromas permeating from the containers inside.
“Were you looking at another night of potato chips?” Asher laughs, but he doesn’t know how right he is. And the sad fact is that he knows they are my go-to when I can’t decide on anything else.
“Not anymore.” I move over to Asher as he sets his bag on the counter as well and give him a wet kiss. His muscled arms wrap around me, making me feel safe and secure as I nestle against his firm chest.
“Hey, baby,” Asher whispers into my ear and lifts me off the ground easily.
“Yes…” I melt into his grasp wanting to be in his arms for the rest of my life. At least until my stomach starts to rumble again, which has Asher chuckling.
“Okay, sounds like someone needs to eat.”
“I suppose,” I grumble.
Asher grabs a set of plates from the shelf while I unpack the various containers and begin opening them to reveal lo mein, general tso chicken, beef and broccoli, and a few of my other favorites. No one could ever say Asher isn’t attentive or that he doesn’t know exactly what I like, because he never misses a chance to prove just how much he cares for me.
We both fill our plates and grab a couple bottles of water from the fridge before settling in on the couch next to each other. I flip on the television and find some comedy gameshow to watch while we eat in comfortable silence.
Being with Asher feels right.
More than right, it feels perfect. Asher finishes his food first then waits for me to finish before taking both our plates into the kitchen. When he comes back, he pulls me into his arms and snuggles into me as we let the remaining minutes of the show play out.
“I need to shower,” I say, suddenly self-conscious that I smell like Chinese food.
“Is that an invitation to join you?”
“Always.” I pull away from his arms only long enough to stand, pulling him with me.
“I didn’t bring another set of clothes. You mind if I wash these for tomorrow?”
“I have a better idea.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” he asks as we step into the bathroom and begin taking off our clothes. I turn the faucet on to let the water heat up before stepping out of my underwear.
“I have some extra space in the closet and drawers. Why don’t you start keeping some stuff here?”
Asher studies me carefully, raising an eyebrow. “What would your dads think about that?”
I laugh. “It’s my place now, so they don’t really have a say. But I think they’ll be fine with it.”
“I guess it’s not like I’m completely moving in…”
“Would that be so bad?” I carefully watch for his reaction to my words, studying his face instead of the gloriously naked body in front of me.
“Move in?”
“Yeah… I mean, you’re over here most of the time anyway. And I like having you around every night and every morning.”
“Ian… I don’t know how to respond. I’d love to, but what if you get tired of me? I don’t want to invade your space.”
I shake my head. “I don’t get tired of the people I love.”
Asher closes the small space between us and takes my mouth with his. “I will never get tired of you either.”
Extreme joy floods my soul as he continues to kiss my mouth.
The kisses continue as we move into the shower, stepping underneath the warm flow as Asher’s mouth dances with mine. Then my lips trail down his neck to his firm, muscled chest. His nipples are once again hardened from my touch, allowing me to suck them into my mouth one at a time and twirl my tongue around the sensitive skin that is on display and completely mine. I spend time kissing and sucking his pebbled flesh before moving to the line between his pecs and licking a trail down his ridged abs.
My tongue finally hits the patch of hair surrounding his belly button, and I follow it down to the massively erect cock waiting for my lips to swallow it. I waste no time licking the bit of precome from his slit before taking his shaft beyond my lips and down my throat. I’m amazed at the difference the past few months have made from my first time to now and how much easier I’m able to take his cock.
Asher moans his approval as I work his cock up and down, playing with his balls and stroking his cock while I slide back and forth on his shaft. Minutes pass as the water from our shower pulsates on my back. Asher is leans against the back wall and keeps a possessive grasp on my hair as I continue to devour him.
“You better stop,” he says as the grip on my hair increases in a juxtaposition of desire and self-control. “I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”
But it’s what I want. I want to feel his arousal coat my throat. I want to taste every single drop from his cock as he floods my mouth with his juice. I work hard, dragging my finger from his balls to the crack of his ass and toying with his hole. My fist moves faster, keeping time with my mouth.
The first release into my mouth is accompanied by a loud groan from Asher. Wave after wave of pleasure rocks through his body as he empties into my mouth. I swallow his delicious seed, trying not to let any escape from the sides of my lips. But keeping a suction on his massive cock while he fills me with his load is more difficult that I could have imagined.
I’m not sure how much escapes my lips, but it doesn’t go to waste as Asher pulls me up carefully and takes my lips with his, lapping and sucking at the cream pooling near my lips.
“Your turn,” Asher says as he swaps places with me and pushes me against the back wall. He drops to his knees on the tile floor and expertly sucks my entire shaft down his throat in one swift motion.
My body convulses at the feeling of my cock moving past his warm lips and down his throat. He swirls his tongue and hums so that his muscles vibrate around my shaft, creating a sensation that I don’t want to end. Each plunge onto my cock has me breathing more heavily as my core tightens and my balls begin to draw up.
When Asher pushes a finger through the tight ring of muscle of my ass, I can’t hold back any longer as my release explodes. The feeling in my core erupts throughout my body as I buck into his mouth reflexively, each wave causing my arms and legs to tingle as I shoot my seed into him.
Asher doesn’t miss a drop, sucking and lapping at my cock, ensuring every single load that pulses out of me is savored. When he finally releases my softening cock, I’m spent, absolutely exhausted from the intense orgasm that flowed through me.
“Fuck, that was amazing,” I say as Asher once again presses his lips to mine. I can taste my salty release on his tongue and greedily suck as much of the flavor I can from his mouth.
“It’s never been more amazing than when I’m with you.”
I don’t want to believe him, knowing that he’s much more experienced than me. But when I look into his face, I can see the honesty in his words. Because the look reflecting back is the same one I have.
One of complete devotion.
He loves me, truly. And I love him.
Asher grabs a bar of soap and begins rubbing it over my skin, massaging my body as he goes. The two of us spend time under the warm cascade and explore each other’s bodies. I feel each muscle and ridge of his solid form, admiring the time he takes to work out and make his body as amazing as it is.
When he turns me around to wash my back, his hardening shaft presses against my ass, causing me to push toward him and allowing his dick to slip between my cheeks.
“Ready to go again?” I ask over my shoulder.
My question is met with a guttural moan as his cock slides easily between my legs from the soapy lather flowing down our bodies. He presses gently against my hole before whispering into my ear. “Is this okay?”
<
br /> I know he’s clean because we’ve talked about safety and status before. “Yes,” I say confidently as I bear down against him and force his cock to slip inside my channel. He fucks me until we both experience another release and empty onto the shower floor.
We both quickly rinse, but I suddenly have a new wave of energy as we step out of the shower and begin drying off. “So, are you ready?”
Asher looks at me, a weary look on his face. “I know I should say yes, but I don’t know if I can get hard again so soon. You’re making me feel old,” he says with a slight laugh.
“Actually,” I reply. “As hot as that sounds…I was asking if you were ready to go get your stuff?”
“Seriously? That’s what you want?”
“Seriously. I don’t want to spend another night here without you, so if going and getting your clothes means you don’t have a choice but to stay here from now on, that’s exactly what I want.”
Asher looks at me as though I’ve just told him he’s won a prize. “I never want to spend another night without you at my side. I want to wake up each morning and go to sleep each night with you in my arms.”
“Promise?” I ask as we move into the bedroom.
“Promise.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me hard.
And I know he means it, because of all the men he could be with in his life, he chose me. I spent so much the past year searching for happiness, and I’ve finally found everything I could possibly want and need right here in Vegas.
“Forever and always.” Asher’s words solidify his promise.
“Always and forever.”
Also by Aria Grace
When Chase Ryan agreed to meet with Mateo Lopez outside of The Vault, he didn't have any idea what really troubled the young man who'd suffered abuse throughout his whole life. Chase is a professor of psychology, not a therapist, but when he hears Mateo's truth, there's nothing he wants more than to be the one to protect him from the unexpected.
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