by Este Holland
“Adam.”
I grinned, and Truman’s eyebrows flew up.
“What can you possibly find amusing about this?”
Laughing, I skipped a few steps until I stood in front of him. I bounced on my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I don’t like confrontations. I avoid them whenever I can.”
Truman blanched. “I didn’t mean to—I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I laughed. “I’m fine. I wasn’t upset at all.” I paused. “Well, maybe a little, but the normal amount, I guess? Does that make sense?”
“I don’t know what a normal amount is.”
“My point is, I wasn’t worried that you’d hate me.”
“I could never hate you, sweetheart.”
Truman ran a hand up and down my spine, and our lips came together as easily as breathing. Even the worry of people seeing us outside faded from my mind. Truman had that power.
We went inside, and I pulled him into the bedroom. His laugh made a shiver race up my spine.
“What are you doing?”
I shrugged and snuck my hands under the hem of his sweater to feel his warm skin. “Can we try a little?”
“A little…what?”
“Anything. Everything.”
“Whatever you want.”
“I think you might regret saying that to me.”
“Never.”
I lifted his sweater, and he threw it over his head. His skin drew my lips, and I leaned in to kiss his chest. I licked his nipple and he hissed, threading his fingers through my hair. I kissed between his pecs and continued to kiss and lick where I could reach.
Truman pulled my head back and took my mouth in a searing kiss. He massaged my hips, but didn’t pull me into him, or grind on me like I expected. He was still letting me go at my own pace.
I took off my shirt, and he traced a path with his tongue around my neck to my collarbones, leaving goose bumps in its wake. I slipped my fingertips into his waistband and his ab muscles twitched. He kissed around my neck and shoulders, and I gathered my courage and unbuttoned his jeans and drew the zipper down.
He stopped to look me in the eyes. “Bed okay?”
I nodded and followed him over. Before climbing on, I paused, took a deep breath, and yanked off my track pants. I was self-conscious about the differences in our bodies, but I didn’t voice it. Truman followed my lead and shucked his jeans. We stood in our underwear, his black silk boxers, mine Marvel Comics boxer briefs.
Truman grinned. “Cute.”
I turned and climbed onto the bed. Truman followed me and nipped at my knee. I laughed and pulled on his arm to get him closer. He hovered for a moment, as if unsure, so I pulled him again until he was half on top of me. He kissed me hard, tongue searching, so I gave him mine, and he sucked it into his mouth. I had no idea my tongue was so sensitive. I moaned and curled my fingers into his hair to keep him there. My hips squirmed under his, and the velvety touch of his fingertips sliding over my skin made me shiver again. His hand landed on my thigh and he squeezed, testing the muscles.
He pulled away and said against my lips, “You tell me if I go too far.”
I nodded in a lustful haze, and he smiled before kissing me again. I humped into him and he palmed my ass cheek. It felt so good, but his lips held my attention. I really thought I might be able to come from his kiss. I was close already. Maybe a touch to my cock and a little pressure on the muscles around my hole, and I’d be right there.
“Tell me.”
“Huh?” I blinked, panting.
“Tell me what you want. What are you thinking?”
I hesitated, but the way Truman was focused on me gave me courage. “I want to come from your kiss. I think—” I stalled when his brows went up, but he didn’t say anything, just kept petting me. “I think I can, if you touch me a little.” I’d never said words like that to someone else. It was liberating.
His mouth curled into an arrogant smirk, but I didn’t care. It fueled my desire. He pulled my briefs to below my balls and gazed at my hard cock. He shifted to kneel and pulled them all the way off. I spread my legs and he moved between them. One hand went to my cock with a light touch, the other, he braced by my head to lean close.
Truman kissed me, sensitizing my lips, then pushed his tongue inside, doing everything in his power to drive me crazy. He licked, bit, and sucked. His tongue rasped against mine, our saliva mixed, and I didn’t know whose flavor I was tasting anymore. His hand massaged my cock, but he didn’t jerk it. I groaned and thrashed.
“Truman!”
I gripped Truman’s bicep as I came and thrust into the loose circle of his fingers. He sucked on my tongue hard, causing a powerful aftershock, and I moaned and cried out into his mouth.
“Fuck.” He said as he pulled his mouth from mine, panting heavily. “That was hot.”
I slumped to the pillows and nodded. I reached for him, and he shifted to lie beside me. His hard length nudged my hip, but he made no other move to satisfy it.
“Truman, I want you to come.”
He gazed at me while I caught my breath. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
I blushed. “Um, I’m pretty sure that’s you. I just came from you sucking on my tongue.”
He chuckled and put his hand in his boxers.
I pulled the waistband out and shoved them down his legs. “God, that’s gorgeous.” I reached out, and he took my hand, encircled it with his, and used both to pump his shaft. It was hot and silky as the skin moved under our palms.
He lifted my hand and dribbled spit twice. I gasped and squirmed closer to him but had to leave room for our arms. He lay propped on his shoulder and lifted one leg to brace against the mattress. He pinned my hand to him and pistoned his hips, fucking into my grip.
I stared between our bodies, mesmerized by his fluid movements.
“Adam.”
I kissed him when he asked for it.
I missed the beginning, and it wasn’t until I felt hot liquid on my hand that I realized he was coming. Truman closed his eyes and let his head fall back. The cords of his neck tensed, and he shoved into me a few times as he finished shooting. I braced him and waited until he started to relax.
“Fuck me twice.”
I giggled. I couldn’t help it. I was love-drunk, and I fucking giggled.
He brought my head to his chest, and we lay together in the peaceful afterglow.
Chapter 17
I Only Have Eyes for You
Adam
We went into town again a few days later because Truman and I had been invited to see the baby cousin named after him. Marcel drove us down a lane almost too small for the sedan. The house was an adorable cottage with a bright-green door, light-colored stones, and a squat chimney. The garden was tended with loving care. Flowers and herbs sprouted everywhere, and it smelled amazing.
“This is Brian’s house.”
“Oh?”
Truman chuckled at my reaction. “Doesn’t match the man, does it?”
“Not exactly, but somehow, yes. I guess I pictured him in a loft above the bar. Why aren’t we at the parents’ house?”
“Theirs is too small for all the guests, apparently.” He knocked and shifted the presents under his arms—ones we’d had to stop in the village to buy a few minutes ago—to hug Helen when the door flew open.
“Come in!”
“Hi,” I said, giving her the hug she demanded. Not that it was a hardship. If I had a grandmother, or mother, like her, my life would be richer.
“Hello, sweet boy.”
“See? I’m not the only one who thinks you’re sweet,” Truman murmured in my ear.
I stuck my tongue out.
“I saw that.”
I jumped at the new voice. A redheaded woman holding a tiny baby in a white dress smiled at me. I blushed but smiled back.
“I’m Maggie.”
“Adam. Truman’s…”
“Boyfriend,” she supplied.
�
��Oh, um…”
“Hi, Maggie.” Truman came up behind me and herded me forward. “So, this is the little bugger who’s going to blame me for his name for the rest of his life.”
Maggie gazed up at Truman and gave him an eye-crinkling smile. “Will he? Ah, just as well. He’ll be blaming me and his da for everything else.”
Truman chuckled and took the baby from Maggie’s arms as if he’d been doing it for years. He held the head and body snug in both hands and ran his eyes lovingly over the infant. “I never understood why the boys have to cross-dress for this. If he becomes a drag queen, it’ll be your doing.”
“Tru!” I gasped out a laugh, and he sent me a small wink.
“What? I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”
Maggie giggled. “It’s a christening gown, and it’s tradition. Besides, I won’t care if he becomes one, and that’s the truth. I admire the hell out of those ladies. I could never wear all that stuff on my body. I have trouble enough with my knickers.”
I laughed again, and Maggie gripped my arm. “Come and get a drink, Adam. I’ve got my hands free for the first time in days.”
I looked at Truman, and he nodded. I stopped. “Wait!” I took my phone out and snapped a photo of Truman with the baby.
I followed Maggie farther into the house and found Brian talking to an older man and a younger man in the kitchen.
“Here’s himself.” Brian stepped forward and thumped me on the shoulder. “Da, this is Adam. Adam, my father, Sean, and my brother, Devon.”
“Ta.” Devon lifted a glass of something black.
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I shook Sean’s hand. He was an older version of Brian, filled out more around the middle, with gray hair and a thick beard.
“You’re the one who’s going to steal my Helen’s heart.”
I ducked my head, and they chuckled.
“Adam, have a pint,” Devon said. He was the odd one out with blond hair and brown eyes, tall and skinny.
“Oh, I don’t really drink alcohol. Thank you, though.”
“We have soda.”
“Great.”
“Adam.” Maggie gestured me over and she and Brian huddled close. “So, tell us, how did you and Truman meet?”
“At his party after his Oscar win.”
“Not long, then.”
“No, not really.”
“He likes you, though. I can tell,” Brian said.
Maggie smiled kindly at me, but with a hint of worry.
“I like him, too.”
“Good. He needs that, no mistake.” Brian folded his arms with a scowl. “No one but Danny boy does what’s best for him. Treats him like a human being instead of a commodity.”
“You all do. He loves it here.”
“Thank you for saying that, love.” Maggie patted my arm. “We wish we could see him more.”
“Maggie!” Helen rushed in. “The Blackars have come.”
“Oh! ’Scuse me.”
She rushed off with Helen, and Brian and I went in search of the namesake.
We found him, sans baby, up against a wall, arms crossed, with a man taller than him and with more muscles leaning one hand against the wall behind his head. Truman spotted me, and for a split second his face lit up. He tamped it down when he turned to the man and said something.
Brian spoke near my ear. “Don’t mind that. He attracts all kinds. Doesn’t mean he’s going to act on it.”
I nodded but didn’t tell him he needn’t have bothered. I’d seen the truth illuminate Truman’s eyes. He extracted himself and walked over to me, stole my soda, then kissed me right on the mouth in front of everyone. A few people cheered, and he laughed. I tucked my flaming face into Truman’s neck.
“Sorry, I got trapped.”
“Are you okay?” I wrapped my arms around his waist and lifted my chin.
Truman gazed at me with soft eyes. “Yes. Thank you for asking, sweetheart.” He kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes and let the world fall away as we held each other.
When I opened them, my gaze clashed with the man across the room. He glared, and I swallowed hard, my anxiety spiking.
“Um, Tru, I don’t think he’s happy.”
He glanced over and cursed under his breath. “Great.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s a reporter for a paper in Galway.”
“Swell.” We walked away from the main room. “Do you think he’s going to say anything?”
“I don’t know.” Truman ran a hand over his face. “I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. Shit. I’m sorry. This is exactly the kind of thing you didn’t want.”
Someone grabbed Truman’s attention again, and although his hand never left some part of my body, I was adrift in a sea of tumultuous thoughts.
Truman
“Come on. I’ve heard what you do in clubs.”
I didn’t know the man when he said hello, but there were family members I hadn’t met yet. There were a lot of them. Eventually, I found out he was a reporter. Fucking great.
“I’m not interested.”
“Why not?”
I sighed. “I’m just not. I’m with someone.”
“Who, that blond twink? I can give you better action than him any day.”
I grabbed his thumb when he slid his hand around my hip and bent it back. “First of all, he’s not some twink. And second, I don’t give a shit what you can do. I said no.”
I held his stare, then dismissed him. Jonas had cornered me before I knew what was happening. I was better than that, but I’d had my guard down, being surrounded by my extended family.
Adam walked in the room, and happiness ran through me like an electric current. It was unexplainable. I’d never felt anything like it before. Last night in bed had been incredible. I’d never felt like that with another person before, and we hadn’t even reached full penetration.
Christ, I’d gotten him off with his tongue in my mouth. That was some powerful shit.
I broke away from the reporter, Jonas, and made my way to Adam. He was his usual sweet self, and I had to kiss him.
I caught Brian’s eyes across the room and nodded at the reporter with a frown. Brian gave me a nod of acknowledgment. Then I sent a text to Daniel. I would’ve contacted Angela, but I figured she was handling the fire in LA. I’d take care of the one I created in Ireland.
Adam went quiet on me, and I made our way toward the door. People kept stopping us, though, so it was another forty minutes before we left.
“We don’t have to go. That’s your family in there,” Adam said on the way to the car.
“I don’t want you to ever be uncomfortable anywhere. Especially when it’s my fault. Again.”
“Truman, stop.”
We were in the middle of the half-walled in driveway, when I stopped, dropped my head and took a deep breath. “What happened to ‘Tru’? I like it.”
“It was to distinguish you from the baby.”
I chuckled.
“I don’t blame you for that reporter in there. He obviously wanted in your pants, and I was preventing that.”
“He can go to hell.”
“I agree.”
I turned to look at him, and he smiled.
“You know I don’t like being the center of attention.”
“I’m sorry—” I tried to say.
“Let me finish.”
I snapped my mouth closed.
“I didn’t mind it in there. I was with you, so I knew I’d be okay. Maybe that’s selfish, or cowardly, but it is what it is.”
I stared at Adam. I don’t think I even breathed.
“You in there?”
“Yeah. Just…thank you. That means a lot to me. And I don’t think it’s selfish or cowardly.”
“You mean a lot to me,” Adam said. “At least, you’re coming to mean a lot to me. I know it’s soon, but I like you.”
“I know.”
Adam stopped and gave me a wistful half smile. “You
would say that.”
Confused, I shook my head.
“It’s a Star Wars…never mind.” He took my hand. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to go back to the house, but first, I need to talk to Brian and call Daniel. Reception is spotty on the island.”
“Okay, what for?”
“I want the skinny on Jonas.”
“Skinny?” Adam asked as I pulled him along. “How old are you again?”
I swatted his ass, and he laughed. “Hey! I was People’s Sexiest Man Alive twice in six years.”
“I know.” Adam waggled his brows.
“Oh, what’s this? You’re a fan?”
Adam shrugged. “Ehh—ahhh!” He smiled big and false. “Of course, I am! And I’ve always noticed how hot you are.”
I sniffed and narrowed my eyes on him. “Uh-huh. Stick to writing, sweetheart, and leave the acting to me.”
Panic crossed his face, so I kissed his hand.
“I’m kidding. You don’t have to like my films.”
“Oh. Good.”
I laughed as we climbed into the car, and then Marcel drove us to the pub. We went in through the back door. It wasn’t locked—advantage of living in a small town.
I called Daniel and sat in the desk chair.
“Hey, mate,” he answered.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“As well as can be expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“Riley…nah, never mind.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s nothing,” Daniel hedged. “I’m trying to get closer to him, but he’s having none of it.”
“Well…”
“It’s all right. You’ve got enough to think about right now.”
“He thinks you’re some international playboy with a boyfriend in every city.”
“I mean…not a boyfriend.” Daniel sighed. “I’m tired of that scene, Tru.”
“Are you?”
“Aren’t you?” he countered.
“So, tell Riley. You can have what you want, but you have to work for it with him. He’s stubborn.”
