by K. C. Wells
Tommy watched her, his mind in a whirl. He had no way of knowing how Mike would feel about Caroline’s… invitation. All he knew was that it felt too much like introducing his lover to his prospective in-laws.
Talk about bein’ taken home to meet the parents…. Damn, this was getting scary.
So why did he like the idea?
“MIKE? YOU still there?” The silence at the end of the phone was beginning to worry him.
“Sorry. You sorta caught me off guard for a minute. Let me get this straight. Caroline, your roomie’s mom, wants me to come to Sunday lunch? This Sunday? So she can basically vet me?”
“Uh, yeah.” Now that Tommy thought about it, he could understand how Mike might see it as kind of a weird setup. “You know how things are. She looks out for me. Hey, she was the one who took me shoppin’ for that outfit I wore, the leather jacket ’n’ pants? An’ she ’n’ her husband have been really good to me since….”
“Yeah, I know,” Mike came back quickly. “And now that I’ve had time to think, it’s not a bad thing. Like you said, she’s looking out for you. Hell, for all she knows, I might be some old pervert who’s about to kidnap you and sell you into sexual slavery.”
The maniacal laughter that followed had Tommy giggling.
“Oh, man, you’re gonna be trouble, aren’t ya?”
Mike chuckled. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be on my best behavior on Sunday, okay?”
It took a moment for his words to register. Then Tommy smiled. “So you’re comin’?”
“Of course I’m coming. I’m gonna be charming, polite, funny, whatever it takes to show Caroline and the rest of her family that you’ll be safe with me.” He paused. “That I’ll take care of you.” His voice was soft.
It was Tommy’s turn to be quiet. A warm glow spread throughout his body. “Thank you,” he said quietly. He took a quick look at the clock. “Sorry, but I need to go. I’m working on a paper that’s due Friday, an’ I wanna make sure I’ve covered everything.”
“Sure, you go get your studying done, Mr. Future Veterinarian.”
Tommy chuckled. “I’ll call you later, okay? Before I go to sleep?” It was a recent habit they’d gotten into and one that Tommy loved. Lying in his bed, listening to Mike’s voice on the phone, feeling warm and cozy….
“Sounds good.” Mike’s voice grew husky. “Later, then.”
“See ya.” Tommy disconnected the call and placed the phone out of reach. He glanced at the pile of books to his left and sighed. Talking with Mike was a pleasant distraction, but there was work to be done. Time enough to chat with his lover when he’d finished his task.
Something Mike had said flashed through his mind, something about taking care of him, and just for a second the words got Tommy’s dander up. I don’t need takin’ care of. For goodness’ sake, he was nearly twenty. Then he got to thinking about it some more. Does Mike see me as vulnerable? Innocent?
The thought gave him pause.
Tommy liked how things were going with Mike. It was a good balance of sex and friendship, and he felt like it was moving in the right direction. He had no way of knowing if Mike felt the same way, but if his words were anything to go by, maybe they weren’t on the same page—yet.
Then maybe I need to do something so he sees that I’m a man.
Tommy had been content to follow Mike’s lead when it came to sex. Despite Mike’s demand that he share his likes and dislikes, it still wasn’t something he felt comfortable doing.
Then maybe it’s time I did.
Ben might be into playing the field, but that wasn’t Tommy. He guessed every bone in his body was monogamous, but he was just fine with that. Now all he had to do was make Mike see that he was it, pure ’n’ simple, as far as Tommy was concerned.
Mike was the one.
THEY HADN’T stopped kissing once, not since they’d gotten through Mike’s front door.
Boots kicked off, clothes off, followed by a collision of lips and tongues as Mike had steered Tommy backward into his bedroom, Tommy moaning into his mouth the whole time.
“Missed you… want you….” It was the first time his young lover had given voice to his need, and Mike hadn’t hesitated.
Mike had seen it coming ever since Tommy had walked into Woofs. Christ, the looks he’d kept giving Mike, so fucking hot that Mike was hard as a rock by the time they’d left. It was a good thing there were no cops around, because he was damn sure he’d broken the speed limit, trying to get home in such a god-awful hurry. And Tommy had been right behind him the whole time.
Sex had never been this hot between them. Tommy was on fire, pulling him down to kiss him while Mike fucked him, arms around his neck and back, keeping them connected. Mike kept slowing down to kiss him. He wanted it to last a while, but there was little chance of that. He was drowning in sensation: the sound of their breathing, harsh in the quiet of his room; the feel of Tommy’s thighs around his waist, ankles crossed on his back, his heels digging into the swell of Mike’s ass; Tommy’s kisses, hot, sloppy, and so fucking perfect.
Mike dropped his head to Tommy’s neck, hips pistoning as he fucked him hard. “Close, baby,” he panted. He rocked into Tommy, who met his thrusts with equal passion, the two of them gaining momentum as Mike punched his cock deep into Tommy, balls slapping against Tommy’s ass. He stared down at Tommy and shoved his dick deep. “Whose ass is this?”
“Yours,” Tommy cried out, eyes impossibly wide. Mike thrust hard again, and Tommy sobbed out, “Yours!”
His arms tightened around Mike, fingers digging into the flesh, until Mike could feel Tommy’s nails scoring him, Tommy’s mouth open in a breathless scream of pleasure.
That was it. “Oh, fuck, coming!”
“Yeah, oh, yeah!”
Tommy grabbed at the back of his head and kissed him, tongue going deep, moaning loudly while his ass gripped Mike’s dick. Tommy’s shaft was trapped between them, leaving sticky trails of precome over their abs.
“Oh shit!” Mike howled as he came, filling the condom, spilling into Tommy as deep as he could get. Heat spread between their bodies as Tommy came with a loud cry, arching up off the bed, body rigid as his orgasm hit. Mike held him, his dick pulsing inside him, unable to move as Tommy’s muscles held him prisoner. Not that he wanted to.
They clung to each other, bodies racked with tremors, breathing erratic, until little by little, muscles relaxed, tension slipped away, and they lay in each other’s arms, kissing, caressing, small noises escaping that made little or no sense. Mike nuzzled Tommy’s neck, kissing the soft flesh, loving the way Tommy turned his head to meet Mike’s lips with his own.
At last Mike eased out of him and shifted to lie beside him, stroking across his chest, both of them damp with perspiration. He gazed at Tommy and grinned. “Wow. Obviously I need to go away more often, if this is the reception I get when I come back.” Tommy opened his mouth to speak, but Mike stopped his words with a gentle kiss. When they parted, he smiled. “I missed you too.”
It was a while before either of them spoke, which was fine as far as Mike was concerned. Their beating hearts, exchanged looks, and tender caresses said more than words ever could. It had been a long time since Mike had felt this close to someone, this… connected, and there was a rightness to the relationship that Mike felt bone deep. He couldn’t deny it.
He was in love with Tommy.
TOMMY GOT out of his truck, locked it, and waited for Mike to join him. He observed the way Mike kept straightening his tie and smoothing down his shirt. Tommy shook his head and chuckled.
“What?” Mike stared at him, brows knitted. He glanced down at himself and then back at Tommy. “Is there something wrong?”
Tommy walked across to where Mike stood next to his truck and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re nervous. You’re actually nervous.” It was really sweet.
Mike made a gruff noise in the back of his throat. “Let’s just say it’s been a while since I’ve had to pass
an inspection, okay?” Then he smiled. “So, will I do?”
“You look fine.” Tommy ran his hand over Mike’s chest, his fingertips brushing over his nipple. He loved how Mike shivered. “You like that?”
Mike pulled him closer and growled into his ear. “You know I like that. I liked it last night, and this morning, and every other goddamn time you do it. And if we didn’t have to come here, we’d still be in my bed, where you could get your mouth around it. And then we’d be making love like we were last night.”
It was Tommy’s turn to shiver. “About last night,” he began, but Mike cut him off with a kiss. When he’d finished, Tommy let out a slow exhale. “Wow.”
“‘Wow’ is right. I haven’t got a clue what got into you last night, but I gotta tell ya….” Mike broke off and wrapped his arms around Tommy’s waist, looking him in the eye. “You were amazing, and I loved every second of it.”
He kissed him again, slow and thorough, holding Tommy tight against him, for which Tommy was grateful. Mike’s kiss was leaving him weak at the knees.
It had to come to an end, of course. Mike broke the kiss and stepped back. “And now it’s time for me to make a good impression.” His eyes gleamed as he held out his hand for Tommy to take it. The intimate gesture sent a thrill trickling down Tommy’s spine. They walked hand in hand to the main door of the house. Mike glanced up at the house and shook his head. “They may live in the same neighborhood as me, but this place is worlds away from mine.”
“It is a great house,” Tommy admitted. “Wait ’til you see the inside.” He lifted his hand to ring the bell, but the door swung open before he could connect with it. Caroline stood there, dressed in cream slacks, a cream cotton shirt, and a button-up sweater in pale green, open at the neckline to show her string of pearls. Her eyes widened the tiniest bit when she saw Mike, but she schooled her features quickly and gave him a warm smile.
“You must be Mike. Hi, I’m Caroline. Please, come on in.” She stepped aside to let Mike enter and kissed Tommy on the cheek as he passed her. “Hi, honey.” Once she’d closed the door, she led them through the airy hallway into the formal living room and gestured to the two-seater couch. “Take a seat. My husband will be here shortly. He’s just taking a call in his den. Lunch is nearly ready, but I thought it would be nice to talk a little first.”
Mike’s eyes twinkled. “What you’re really saying is you want to know what my intentions are.” He sat down on the couch, flicking his head to Tommy to indicate that he should sit next to him. Caroline took the armchair facing them.
She beamed. “I like a man who’s a straight shooter.” She leaned against the seat cushions. “Tell me about yourself, Mike.”
“Not that much to tell.” He reached for Tommy’s hand and placed it on his leg, Mike’s hand covering his. There was a rightness to the gesture that sent a flood of warmth slowly spreading through Tommy. He sat there and listened as Mike talked about college and his life as a bartender, the sound of Mike’s voice comfortable and familiar. Caroline listened intently, focused on Mike.
The living room door opened, and Ben and Bethany walked in. Bethany was all smiles when she caught sight of Mike, and when he wasn’t looking, she gave Tommy the thumbs-up. Ben was a different story. He stared at Mike, mouth open. Caroline noticed instantly and frowned at him before turning her attention to Mike and smiling.
“Mike, these are my children, Ben and Bethany.”
Mike rose to his feet and extended a hand to Bethany, who shook it vigorously. “A pleasure,” he said. “Tommy’s spoken about you a lot”—he winked—“and all of it good.”
Bethany giggled. “I’ll bet.” She glanced at Caroline. “Anything I can do in the kitchen, Mom?”
“The rolls are warming in the oven. Could you get them out, please, and put them on the table along with the butter?”
Bethany nodded, and with one last smile at Mike, she left the room. Ben stood at the end of the couch, still staring. The tight knot of tension in Tommy’s belly proved difficult to ignore. He wondered if their difference in ages was what caused Ben’s reaction. Whatever it was, he didn’t like it, and neither did Caroline, judging by the warning glances she kept sending in Ben’s direction.
Benson made an appearance, and more introductions were made. Mike seemed at ease, chatting with him about his job as an international lawyer. Tommy was delighted to see how quickly Caroline and Benson warmed to Mike. The three of them talked at great length about what was going on in Atlanta, and Mike seemed sincerely interested in Caroline’s work with her charities. He mentioned fund-raising events he’d undertaken or organized for several LGBT charities, and Caroline’s face lit up. Tommy couldn’t help smiling as he watched their conversation grow more animated. Bethany appeared from the kitchen with a tray of glasses full of sweet tea, and Mike accepted a glass with a smile. Ben, on the other hand, was a mystery. After about ten minutes or so, he’d quit staring, but he didn’t say a whole lot. Mike appeared puzzled, and Tommy could understand that. He’d told Mike so much about his roomie, and this just wasn’t like him. It was something of a relief when they all went into the dining room to have lunch.
Caroline had prepared roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, and gravy. Mike complimented her on the meal, and when he took a second helping of beef and mashed potatoes, she smiled widely. The atmosphere was relaxed for the most part, except for Ben talking very little. Tommy kept glancing at him, trying to work out what was bugging him, but Ben seemed to be avoiding meeting Tommy’s gaze.
Throughout lunch Tommy was aware of Mike next to him. Now and again, Mike would stroke his thigh under the table, a light touch to connect them. His arm would brush against Tommy’s, and he would catch a whiff of Mike’s scent, a mixture of his cologne and, underneath it, the warm, earthy smell of pure Mike. The meal would have been perfect, if not for Ben.
Coffee followed, and Mike appeared genuinely sad to have to leave. A couple of hours had flown by, and Tommy was really pleased with how things had worked out. He guessed from Caroline’s initial reaction that she might have something to say about Mike’s age, but from the way lunch had gone, he wasn’t so worried. Mike had obviously worked his magic.
“It was lovely meeting you,” Caroline told Mike as she walked him to the front door. “You’ll have to join us for dinner soon.”
Tommy stood beside Mike, resisting the urge to take his hand.
Mike shook Benson’s hand firmly and then leaned forward to kiss Caroline’s cheek. “It would be a pleasure. I had a great time, and it was good to finally put faces to the names.” He straightened, and his expression grew more serious. “I’m glad Tommy has you in his corner.”
Caroline’s cheeks flushed, and she smiled. “We love that boy like he’s our own. And I feel a whole lot better about him going away with you, now that we’ve met.” Her blush deepened.
Mike chuckled. “Caroline, I didn’t mind in the least. You were looking out for Tommy, and that’s a big deal in my book.” He glanced at Tommy. “Gonna walk me to my truck?”
“Sure.”
With one last nod to Caroline and Benson, Mike turned and walked down the driveway, reaching for Tommy’s hand, their fingers entwined. When they got to the truck, Mike darted a glance toward the house before taking Tommy in his arms.
“I’m glad they invited me,” he said quietly. “And I’m also glad I’ve put their minds at rest. So that means….” He cupped Tommy’s cheek and kissed him slowly, taking his time, as though he was savoring the taste of him. Tommy closed his eyes and molded his body to Mike’s as he leaned against his truck, thoroughly engaged in the kiss. He was aware of birdsong, the distant hum of traffic, the slight breeze that caught his hair where it was longer on top. But most of all, he sank willingly into Mike’s embrace, his heartbeat quickening at the thought of his lover leaving.
Mike broke the kiss and leaned back. “I’ll be calling you tonight when I finish, if you’re still awake.”
�
��I’ll be awake,” Tommy assured him. He wouldn’t miss a chance to talk to Mike.
“And tomorrow we can discuss where we’re going to go next week. Then I’ll book us some flights, and we can be off for three or four days.” He craned his neck and kissed the tip of Tommy’s nose. “I can’t wait.”
There was that huskiness that made all Tommy’s blood head south. “Me neither,” he confessed.
Mike kissed him once more and then sighed. “It’s no good. I gotta go, baby.” He released Tommy and climbed into his truck. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“I’ll be waitin’.”
Mike rolled down his window and regarded Tommy in silence. Tommy’s skin prickled. He had the strangest feeling that Mike wanted to say something, but the moment passed. Mike switched on the engine and, with a wave of his hand, pulled out of the driveway.
Tommy watched him until the truck was no longer in sight. He turned back toward the house and slowly walked up to the front door, which was ajar. When he got inside, he expected to find Caroline waiting for him, but instead it was Ben, who seemed agitated.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded, eyes wide. “For God’s sake, Tommy, how could you keep that quiet?”
“Tell you what? Keep what quiet?” Tommy shook his head. “You’re not makin’ sense.”
Ben gaped at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re dating Scott Masters?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
TOMMY WAS starting to think Ben had seriously lost it.
“What are you talkin’ ’bout? You know his name’s Mike.”
