Healing Him (The Den Boys Book 2)

by A. T Brennan

  “Ever wonder if you’re actually not you?”

  “All the fucking time.” He laughed. “I figure there’s a 50/50 chance I’ve been going by the wrong name since I learned how to talk.”

  “What’s your brother’s name?”

  “Noah.”

  “Are you guys close?”

  “As close as can be. You have any siblings?”

  “Ten of them.”

  “What?” Isaac almost choked on his beer. “You’re one of eleven kids?”

  “My parents divorced when I was eight. There were three of us, then my dad and stepmom had two, and my stepmom had two from her first marriage. My mom and stepdad had two, and he has two from a previous marriage. So two siblings, four half siblings and four step siblings.”

  “Holy fuck. That’s crazy. Are you close with them?”

  “Very. I’m the only one who left, so they’re all back home.”

  “Where’s home?”

  “Flagstaff, Arizona.”

  “You miss them?”

  “I do, but I like it here. I’ll try to get back as often as possible, but this is where I want to be.”

  Isaac grinned, catching my double meaning as he took another pull off his beer.

  “What about your parents?”

  “Yeah...my story is a bit different.”

  “Oh, sorry—”

  “No, it’s fine. My parents aren’t really part of my life.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It is what it is.” He shrugged.

  “So what do you do?”

  “I work in construction.”

  “I’m guessing you don’t need to hit the gym to keep fit, then.”

  “A perk of hard labor.” He looked me up and down, his eyes darkening slightly. “You definitely look like you hit the gym.”

  I felt a rush of adrenaline go through me as he let his eyes linger on my ass. Desire ran through my veins and my already hard cock twitched.

  “I do what I can.”

  Just then Cody came back to where we were standing, glancing between us with a slightly confused look on his face.

  I hoped I wasn’t putting him on the spot by flirting with his friend. Did he have feelings for Isaac and that’s why he’d been so awkward when I’d flirted with him the other day?

  Isaac turned so he was looking at both Cody and I, and nodded to me.

  “Buy you a drink?”

  “Thanks. Gin and tonic?” I ordered as I looked at Cody.

  “Coming up.”

  “Not a beer man?”

  “I had an unfortunate incident with beer when I was in college. Haven’t been able to drink beer out of a cup or out of a bottle I didn’t open myself ever since.” I shook my head.

  “What happened? Did you get alcohol poisoning or something?”

  “Nothing serious like that. Let’s just say someone played a prank where they added a little something extra to a cup of beer, and I was the unlucky one who picked it up.”

  “What did they put in it, or do I not want to know?”

  “You might not want to know while you’re drinking that.” I nodded to the beer Isaac had almost finished.

  “Now my mind is going through all the grossest things someone can add to a beer. Awesome.” He shot back what was left in his glass and shook his head, grimacing as he swallowed. “And I’m done with beer for tonight.”

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to ruin your drink. Can I buy you another to make up for it?”

  “You can.” He grinned and looked at Cody as he put my drink in front of me.

  “Whiskey and cola?” Cody asked with a smile.

  “Whiskey and cola.” Isaac nodded.

  I waited until Cody had given Isaac his drink and then held up my glass.

  “Cheers.”

  “Cheers.” He clinked our glasses together and took a sip, his eyes on mine the whole time.

  I didn’t know what it was about Isaac, but I was drawn to him in a way I wasn’t used to.

  I was no stranger to attraction and I did okay when it came to picking up, but between what I felt for Cody and now what I was feeling for Isaac, I was confused as fuck.

  If it were any other situation I would have continued to flirt with Isaac, then maybe see if he wanted to leave with me, but Cody complicated things.

  It was obvious there was something going on between the two of them, and while Isaac was sending all the right signals, I didn’t feel right going for it if it would hurt Cody.

  Again, I had no idea why the fuck I was thinking like this. I’d met Cody once, and it had been pretty obvious that he wasn’t looking for anything from me. I didn’t know why I was feeling such loyalty for him, but it was right there in the forefront of my mind.

  Blaze came back while I was still figuring out what to do and he looked flustered.

  “Everything okay?” Cody asked.

  “I think so. Galen’s office was broken into.”

  “What?”

  “He just finished up with the police. It happened about an hour after they closed down.”

  “Did he say if they were after his files?” I asked quickly.

  “That’s exactly what they were after.” Blaze nodded, biting his lip. “He’s freaked out.”

  “What would be so interesting about his files?” Isaac asked.

  “Galen does family law, so he’d have personal and sensitive information about his clients,” I answered.

  “Yeah, and he deals with a lot of abuse cases. He’s worried someone was after information about one of his clients who might be hiding from an abuser.”

  “Shit. That’s bad.” Cody looked between us. “Does he know who?”

  Blaze shook his head. “He’s sorting through his files and records now to try and figure it out.”

  “Wow. That’s fucked up.” Isaac took a sip of his drink.

  “Do you need to go? Zander can probably cover for you,” Cody asked.

  “Zander can probably cover for what now?”

  I heard the deep voice on my left and turned to see who had spoken. The man was gorgeous, there was no question. With his tall, strong body, powerful thighs and corded arms, he was built, but he also had the most incredible gray eyes I’d ever seen. His features were rugged and perfect, and his dark hair shone in the dim light.

  As hot as he was I didn’t feel anything more than appreciation for him. He didn’t stir my lust like Cody, and now Isaac, did.

  It was strange. Zander was my type to a tee, even down to the light eyes/brown hair combination. He looked to be around my age, and he exuded sensuality and confidence. But there was something missing.

  “Galen’s office was broken into. He’s kind of freaking out.” Blaze glanced at Zander.

  “Go. I’ve got you.” Zander nodded.

  “Thanks, man.” Blaze grabbed his bag from under the bar and shouldered it. “I’ll see you guys later.”

  We all waved our goodbyes, and when Blaze was out the door Zander turned to Cody.

  “Think you can cover the bar while I do a cleanup, and then check the kitchen for the late night menu prep?”

  “I’m good.” Cody nodded.

  Zander nodded and gave me a quick look before pushing away from the bar and heading into the dining area.

  A sudden ruckus near the door had all three of us turning to the entrance and we watched as a large group came in.

  “And my night just got busier,” Cody mused.

  “Oh yeah, you’re about to get swamped.” Isaac pulled some cash out of his pocket and slid it over the bar to Cody.

  Cody glanced at the bills and opened his mouth but Isaac just shook his head, cutting him off.

  “I should probably head out too.” I started to reach for my wallet, but Cody spoke up before I could pull it out.

  “You’re covered.”

  “I thought I was buying you a drink?” I looked at Isaac, who was grinning slyly.

  “You were, but I figured I’d cash it in for a ride inst
ead.”

  “That sounds like a fair trade. But how do you know I have a car?”

  “Because the keys are in your pocket.”

  I glanced down and saw that half of my key fob was sticking out of my pocket.

  “Good eye.” I grinned. “I accept the trade.”

  Isaac slid off his stool and waited for me to stand. “Call me tomorrow?” He looked back at Cody.

  “Will do. Have a good night.”

  I watched Cody closely, trying to see if he was hurt or angry at the turn of events, but there was something entirely different in his eyes.

  He looked aroused.

  Well, that was probably the last thing that I would have expected, but it was interesting.

  “Shall we?” Isaac nodded to the door.

  I nodded. “I’ll see you later, Cody,” I said, giving Cody one last look.

  “Later.” Cody’s voice was strong and a little raspy.

  I tore my attention off him and put it back on Isaac. He gave me a smile that set my nerve endings on fire, and fell into step with me as we left the bar.

  My night just got a whole lot more interesting.

  Chapter Four

  Cody

  As I watched Jonah and Isaac leave together I felt the strangest tingle moving up and down my spine.

  Both men were gorgeous, and while they were both brunettes with brown eyes, they were hot in completely different ways.

  Isaac’s personality and his caring nature enhanced his good looks, and while he was incredibly handsome, he also had this aura around him that drew people in and made him shine.

  Jonah was completely different. He didn’t shine, he fucking smoldered. His hair was so dark it was almost black, and his eyes were deep pools that always seemed to be taking in everything around him. His skin tone was slightly olive, and he was built.

  I couldn’t be sure, but I’d guess he was just over six feet, and with his broad shoulders, tapered waist, and thick and powerful thighs, he looked like an athlete. He made my breath catch, but there was something soft and gentle about him too.

  In the year that I’d known Isaac he’d gone on a few dates here and there, but he hadn’t found a boyfriend, which is what I knew he was looking for. I’d seen him flirt before, but had never seen him look at anyone the way he was looking at Jonah.

  It looked like he wanted to devour him, and if they weren’t in the middle of the bar he’d drop to his knees and worship Jonah’s cock. Jonah had the same look when he’d been flirting with Isaac.

  Two men I was attracted to, one who was my best friend and the other who’d shown interest in me just a few days ago, had just left the bar together. It should have hurt, but it was turning me on.

  Just picturing the two of them kissing and touching each other sent a wave of heat through my body, and my dick instantly hardened. I could almost hear them moaning and grunting in pleasure as I imagined Jonah fucking Isaac in some random bed.

  What the fuck was wrong with me? How in the hell could picturing the man I was secretly in love with getting fucked by another man I was wildly attracted to make me hornier than I’d ever been in my life?

  I shook my head and tried to focus on the drink orders that were coming in. With Blaze gone I was the only one around to handle the crowd, and the last thing I needed was to start fucking things up.

  As I worked I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about the last movie night Isaac and I had.

  Isaac was incredibly understanding, and patient as fuck. The first few months of our friendship I could barely handle touching him beyond a simple fist bump. I’d tried to hide my aversion to touch, but Isaac was such a tactile person that it had been hard, and within a few weeks he’d started pulling back and giving me my space.

  It wasn’t until the night he’d scared the shit out of me with that stupid ringtone that I’d told him anything about my past or why I was the way I was. It had been humiliating. I’d woken up in a panic and my sleep addled brain hadn’t been able to reconcile that I was at Isaac’s place and safe. The fact that I was alone, and in what felt like a strange place had set off a small panic attack and I’d started screaming while I was still half asleep.

  Isaac had come tearing into the room, and when he’d seen me I’d been a blubbering mess. He’d sat on the edge of the bed, using his words to soothe me until I’d been able to stop crying and breathe.

  He’d apologized up and down, and that had been the moment I’d decided to trust him.

  Ever since then Isaac had been wonderful. He’d asked if I’d like help getting used to touch, and offered to ease me into casual intimacy. It had been rough, and every time I’d pulled away from him I’d felt like an asshole, but he never made a big deal out of it, or pushed me. He always asked before doing something new, and he’d helped me more than he could ever know.

  The last time we’d gone farther than I’d ever been able to before. I’d never been close enough to kiss someone. Before Isaac I hadn’t wanted to be kissed, but at that moment, when he’d held me close and I’d felt his breath whispering across my cheek, I’d wanted him.

  It should have been so easy to tilt my head and move a few inches forward to press my lips against his, but as soon as his hand had touched my upper thigh the familiar panic had welled up in my chest and fear had taken over.

  I hated that I was like this, but after years of trying to work through it I was beginning to feel like I’d never be normal.

  The worst part of it was that I still felt arousal. I still fantasized and jerked off, but that was all I was able to do.

  I guess that’s why I was picturing Isaac and Jonah together. They were both gorgeous so I had to be transferring some of that attraction onto them, because I knew there’s no way I’d ever be able to be with either of them.

  That had to be it. I was just making more fantasies to put away in the old spank bank to spice things up.

  Chapter Five

  Isaac

  As Jonah drove to my place I couldn’t stop checking him out. I was trying to be covert and look at him out of the corner of my eye, but I’m pretty sure he noticed.

  The man was gorgeous, and the moment I’d laid eyes on him I’d felt a pull toward him that I couldn’t explain. I wanted him, that was true, but as soon as we’d started talking I’d needed him.

  This wasn’t like me. I liked to flirt as much as the next guy, but I never pushed for anything more unless there was some sort of relationship on the horizon. Jonah hadn’t promised me anything and I was probably setting myself up for a one night stand, but that didn’t deter me.

  I had no idea if he felt anything close to what I did, but at that point I didn’t care.

  “This one?” Jonah asked, pointing at my street as we approached it.

  “Yes, almost at the end of the block.”

  “What’s the number again?”

  “160.”

  When Jonah pulled up in front of the converted duplex Noah and I lived in, I turned in my seat to look at him.

  “Do you want to come in?” I asked, letting my eyes travel up and down the length of his body.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  I waited as Jonah parked the car in front of our building, since the driveway was full, then climbed out of the car.

  “Is your brother home?” he asked as we made our way up to the house.

  “I think so. He didn’t have any plans when I left earlier.”

  “Will he mind me coming over?”

  “Noah’s cool with me being gay.”

  I didn’t want to say that he was cool with me bringing random guys home because that never happened, and I didn’t want to lie. I had a feeling Jonah had a hell of a lot more experience than I did, and I didn’t want to scare him off by telling him the truth about my history.

  I’d only been with six guys in the past nine years. Two of them had been long-term boyfriends, one had been a short relationship and three had been pickups while I’d been figuring out what I’d wanted. I hadn’t
been with anyone in over a year, and I’d always topped.

  It wasn’t that I was against bottoming, it was quite the opposite. I wanted to experience it, but I’d only ever found myself with guys who preferred to bottom. I didn’t know what Jonah’s preference was, but something told me he wasn’t the type to bend over for just anyone.

  When we were inside the apartment I could hear music coming from Noah’s room. He was awake, but he wouldn’t be able to hear us.

  Feeling a surge of confidence I took Jonah’s hand in mine and led him to my room. When the door was closed behind him I dropped his hand and turned around so I was facing him.

  The look he was giving me was hungry, and I swear I could almost feel his eyes as they raked up and down my body. He was smoldering, there was no other way to describe the sensuality and sexiness that was rolling off him in waves, and I swallowed convulsively as I waited to see what he would do.

  After a moment he stepped toward me, his arms snaking around my waist as he pulled me flush against his body. He was only a few inches taller than me, but because he was so broad he felt big and powerful, and I fucking loved it.

  He tilted his face, moving it toward mine as I gripped his hips and waited for his kiss, but it didn’t come right away.

  Instead he stopped so his lips were hovering over mine, close enough I could feel the heat coming off them, but not his actual skin. His hands moved from my waist and slid down so they were cupping my ass. I could feel his cock, hard and hot against me, and even through our clothes I could tell he was big.

  Jonah’s eyes were open and searching mine, and holy fuck the man knew how to seduce without uttering a single word. Everything he was doing was relatively innocent in pieces, but put together they were driving me crazy.

  When he finally closed the distance between us and pressed his lips against mine, his kiss was gentle.

  I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped my throat as he gently kneaded the globes of my ass with his big hands, while his lips played over mine in teasing little kisses. When his tongue finally traced over my bottom lip I eagerly opened to him.

  The moment our tongue touched, the kiss went from sweet and gentle to hot and hard. Our lips mashed together, our tongues sliding in and out of each other’s mouths. His hands were relentless as he held me, forcing me to rub my cock against his with each push and pull. My hands found their way into his hair and I threaded my fingers in the soft, thick strands as I pulled him even closer.