by J. M. Dabney
14
He was exhausted as he sipped his coffee and leaned back against his truck, and Win didn't look any better than him. They'd shown up for a simple electrical issue and realized they had to rewire the whole damn breaker box. He was too old for this shit.
“Why didn't we send one of the grunts? Maybe Clay? He's the newbie.” Win groaned as he stretched out his back.
“Because we're the bosses and need to set examples. Besides, Clay doesn't know shit around electrical. He would've had to call me or you anyway.”
He’d always been the lead by example boss. Making his guys do something he wouldn't, like being on call wasn't his way. His guys worked their asses off for him, especially when he was sick. Win and all of them had kept his business going, if not for them putting in extra hours and being on call twenty-four seven, he wouldn't have had a business to come back to after he was well.
“I'm just glad my husband is understanding.” Win spun around and leaned against the vehicle beside him.
“Troy is probably liking having the house to himself.”
Win snorted and chuckled. “True, he doesn't get a lot of personal time. I should take him away for a weekend or week of vacation.”
“You should, just the two of you and you know Bella can come stay with me and Miller.”
“How's that going? He seems to be at your house more than his apartment. Or that's the way it sounds from what Troy’s been saying.”
He loved that his son wasn't making a big deal over Miller and him anymore. The first week or so had been a little rough on Miller until Troy had made that first phone call to go have coffee at Issacs’s Diner. His heart had broken for Miller thinking he'd lost his friend. Troy had been the constant in Miller's life since they'd met. They'd been together through boyfriends, breakups, and all the successes. Brenda had been his best friend for years, but when she'd moved on after college and they'd just gotten together so Troy and her could have some kind of relationship, he'd lost that. He'd developed friendships, but nothing close until with Miller. His boy was definitely his best friend.
“I let him go home. I want him to still have his space, but I always end up at his apartment just to sleep. Being away from him kills me. Like tonight, all I can think is what him and Bella are doing, and that I should be there with my man and our granddaughter.”
“He makes you happy, Brent.”
“He does.”
“I always knew he loved you. Especially since me and Troy got together. He'd call and complain about date after date. I don't know how my husband didn't see it.”
“See what?”
“That Miller always hooked up with men he'd never get emotionally attached to. I don't even know if Miller realized what he was doing. They were also the opposite of you.”
“How'd you get so clued in?”
“When you're on the outside a lot, you start noticing shit.”
“But you didn't notice my son was in love with you?”
“I didn't say I noticed shit that involved me. I love him. Never thought I'd find someone who got me, sharp edges and all.”
“Well, you did good, if I say so myself. Okay, I'm headed home, it's way later than I wanted to be.”
“Him and Bella are probably asleep.”
“Yeah, but still, it was supposed to be our weekend.”
“Then get home. Clay and Cash are on call. There isn't anything Cash can't do. I'll make sure Clay knows that so we can both get a weekend.”
“Thanks.”
It didn't take long to drive his work truck back to the lot, retrieve his personal one and head home. He was sweaty, hungry and tired, but once he got home, he didn't bother heading for the kitchen. He eased up the stairs so he wouldn't wake anyone. When he approached his open bedroom door, he froze and fell against the door frame. Miller and Bella were curled up in the middle of the bed, the book they had been reading still open as if it had fallen from Miller's hand.
For years this is what he’d dreamed of, maybe he'd omitted Miller because that seemed like the impossible, but this was what he'd wanted. Someone waiting in bed for him to come home. A smile. A hello. Something to prove he wasn't alone. His life was lonely, as much as he loved his son, it was different.
He'd wanted someone all his own, someone who he could share everything with, good and bad. Someone he could love on. Someone to share his life. Miller was everything to him.
Miller shifted in his sleep, and he stayed still hoping Miller stayed asleep. He'd entertained Bella all day and evening. He was sure his boy was sleepy.
But what he hoped didn't happen—Miller's eyes opened, and his man's gaze went straight to him.
“You're home. Get the box fixed?”
He approached the bed and leaned down to give Miller's cheek a kiss. “Yes, the simple job turned into a two-man one, I had to call in Win.”
“I'm sure Troy enjoyed his alone time.”
“That's what I told Win. I need a shower.”
“Go shower. I'll move Bella to her bed and go—”
“Baby, no, stay in bed. I'll move Bella, and you just go back to sleep. I'll be back as soon as I shower and eat something. You had Bella all day.”
“I don't mind.”
“Boy, stay in bed. Daddy said so.”
He nuzzled Miller's cheek and watched his boy roll his eyes. He straightened and walked around to Bella's side of the bed, and then he eased her from under the covers. Bella barely acknowledged being moved, but when six in the morning came, which was only a few hours away, she'd bounce up without the help of an alarm. That's why he wanted Miller to go back to sleep–he wasn't going to be in any shape to take care of Bella and Miller would have to do that.
He tucked her in, turned on her nightlight and exited the room, headed downstairs to grab food before he showered. When he walked into the kitchen, he removed his hoodie, and when he tossed it to the side, he groaned as he found Miller in front of the microwave.
“Baby, I told you to stay in bed.” Even though he complained, he came up behind Miller and wrapped his arms around his boy. He laid his cheek on the top of Miller's head and inhaled the lemony scent of his shampoo.
“You're falling asleep on your feet. Sit at the counter. You want a beer?”
“No, bottle of water would be great.” He let Miller push him to one of the stools at the island.
He didn't take his attention from Miller as the man grabbed him water and removed his food from the microwave. Miller placed both in front of him.
His boy placed his forearms on the surface and leaned in to watch him. “Eat. You want some company or to be left alone for a few?”
“I want the company, but I don't like you're losing sleep because of me.”
“Daddy, as sweet as that is, a half hour of lost sleep is worth it.”
He was a selfish bastard, so he didn't insist Miller go back upstairs.
“So, what did you and Bella do?”
“Well, you know she got her fingers and toes done, tiny little flowers this time, but just pale pink polish on her toes. Then we spent way too much at the grocery store on snacks.”
He listened as Miller outlined their day and evening trip by trip, funny story after funny story, and he could listen to his boy talk all night. When he finished eating, Miller started to take the plate. “No, leave it we can get it later. Come on.” He twined his arms around Miller's waist as he stood and walked his boy out of the kitchen, up the stairs and back to their bedroom. He dropped his left arm from around Miller, eased the door closed and locked it just to be safe.
He spun Miller around to face the mirror above his dresser and stepped up behind him. He stripped Miller's shirt over his head. Whatever good intentions he had ended as he'd seen the loving look in his boy’s eyes. It was so fucking clear.
“Stay right there,” he ordered as he went to his nightstand to pull out supplies and headed back to where Miller watched him in the mirror. He roughly pushed Miller between his shoulder blades then
ripped his pajama bottoms over his soft, rounded ass. He got his pants undone and pushed down to mid-thigh, tore his shirt over his head, and sheathed his hard cock.
He slicked his fingers, pressed two to Miller's hole and started stretching him. Blanketing his boy's back, he took his mouth in a hard kiss, biting at the curves. Miller gasped as he shoved both fingers past the slight resistance. Once he worked a third one in beside the two, Miller was softly begging.
“Look at us.”
Miller met his stare in the mirror, and then he grabbed his cock, lined up and slammed home. Miller's lids went heavy, and his mouth fell open on a choked cry. He wasn't gentle—he didn't love on his boy—he just fucked him and showed his boy how much Daddy needed him. He glanced down to watch his length working Miller's tight hole. Every time his hips slammed forward, Miller's ass jiggled from the force.
He placed his hands on the dresser top and found Miller's to lace their fingers. His boy's face was flushed, and his body arched as Miller took whatever he wanted to give him. He was too close to the edge. The tightness and heat, it was always the same—the clasp of his boy's hole, his sweet little sounds, and the pleasure-tortured expression.
“Jack that pretty dick,” he ordered in Miller's ear, then nipped at the perfect whorl. He released Miller's right hand, and then he watched in the mirror, every stroke. Miller called his name. Begged him for harder and he gave it to his boy.
As he came, sealed his hips to Miller's ass, and he bit at Miller's shoulder to muffle his shout as he emptied into the condom. Miller's back arched upward and ground against him as Miller shot hard onto the dresser drawers. He held the base of the condom and pulled out, and gently picked his boy up to tuck his satisfied boy under the covers.
“Now, go to sleep.” He took Miller's mouth, kissing him lazily.
“Yes, Daddy.”
He walked away from the bed, used a dirty towel he found on top of the hamper to clean up the mess and went to take a shower so he could join his little man in bed. Miller needed to move in. This was how he wanted to end every day, and he was going to have that.
After his shower, he returned to bed.
“Baby?”
“Uh huh.”
“You're moving in.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
He didn't know if Miller knew what he agreed to, but he said yes, and that was the only answer he was taking.
15
He grumbled as he moved in the last box and placed it on top of a stack. Brent had taken advantage of his sex-fried brain and announced the next morning that he'd agreed to move in. His Daddy looked all smug—the arrogant look wasn't Brent's, that was all his Daddy side. He'd argued for almost a week just on principle but had given his notice that he would be moving out at the end of the month. His landlord was a sweetheart, so he hadn't complained just congratulated him on finding someone.
His landlord had been with the same man for fifty years since college. And the times he'd seen them together, even the most cold-hearted bastard would go all soft at the obvious love between them.
He'd made Brent and Win move the furniture downstairs. The basement was finished so it would be fine down there, and he might make it into his Avoid His Daddy cave. His bedroom furniture had made it up to the third bedroom which had emptied out when Troy had taken the contents to Win's apartment. With that last box, he was officially moved in, and he was hating the thought of unpacking the boxes.
“What goes to the bedroom besides the suitcases, baby?”
“The box that says toys.”
“Do we need to empty out an entire drawer for your toys?”
“We might need to buy a trunk.”
“I got all you need, baby.”
“That might be true, but a man of your age, you might need—”
“There's a child entering the room,” Troy yelled from outside.
“I think you're way passed the age of consent unless you like to call Win Dad—”
He laughed as he was hit with a shoe that flew through the opened front door. “Daddy, Troy is throwing things at me. See how he treats his soon-to-be stepfather.” He ducked a second shoe and barely stayed on his feet as he laughed at Troy mouthing I will kill you from the top step of the porch.
“Daddy, your son is extremely violent.”
“I think you just bring it out in him.”
He huffed as Brent carried boxes and suitcases upstairs. His man was sexy as fuck with his muscles bunching under his t-shirt.
“I can't even tell you not to look anymore.”
“I know, isn't it great?”
“You're tiny, I could so hide your body, and the hole wouldn't have to be that deep, well except for your ass.”
“My ass is amazing. Even Da—”
“Don't even finish that.”
He laughed as Troy collected his shoes he'd used as weapons. They finished carrying the boxes to their assigned rooms. Most of them heading downstairs until he could go through them later. He hadn't lived with anyone since college, and that was a dorm roommate who he barely saw. What if Brent found him annoying being around him all the time?
He stretched his sore back as he strode to the kitchen to grab a water. He groaned as strong fingers started massaging along his spine.
“You're going to need a long soak after today.”
“I won't argue. Is there anything else that needs moved?” He handed the opened bottle to Brent and turned to look up at the big man. Brent leaned down, and he tilted his chin, kissing his man's gorgeous smile. Enjoying the roughness of Brent's four-day stubble.
“No, all your stuff is downstairs for your Miller Cave. We'll have to share. I can't move my gym elsewhere.”
“I think I can deal with that. You know I love watching you work out.”
“I'll never get tired of my boy telling me he loves looking at me.”
He stroked his palms over Brent's powerful chest and felt the muscles flex under his touch. “Sexiest man I've ever met.”
“Perks of having a younger boyfriend, he can stroke my middle-aged ego.”
“At least I give good benefits.” He lowered his chin and batted his lashes as he stroked his fingertips down Brent's growing bulge. Brent's hips jerked a bit into his touch, and his big body shifted to block what they were doing from the doorway.
“Oh, the benefits are amazing. And now that you're in our house, I can take advantage of them even more.” Brent wrapped his huge hand around the side of his neck and used his thumb to tip his head back. Firm lips stroked across his, and the kiss turned hotter for a moment.
“I do like your rope skills.”
“We get rid of the kids, and I'll keep you tied to my bed for the next two days.”
“Sounds a bit kidnapper-ish.”
“Why do I love you again?”
“Because I am beyond adorable, and I'm so hilarious.”
“Very true, but be honest with me, are you okay with the move?”
“I like that you're worried, and I'm a little nervous. I've never lived with anyone before. Right before the sneak attack, I was going to talk to you about moving in, but you took advantage of me when I was weak from sex.”
“Well, I need to find the things to use to my advantage.”
“You nervous about living with me?”
“Baby, I wouldn't want you anywhere else, but we've been kinda going at lightspeed. I just don't want you to regret being with me.”
“Never, Brent. I'm just worried about you getting sick of me and my annoying ways.”
He'd thought his man would laugh, but instead, Brent roughly pinched his chin, forcing him to stare right into Brent's gaze. “Miller, there is one thing you will learn, I will never get sick of you. I love every quirk. You're an amazing man. Independent and strong. You'd give up everything for the ones you love. If it's up to me, you'll be here for the rest of our lives together. Never think I love you less for being you. Do you understand me?”
The fierceness of Brent's tone took
his breath away. His man's expression and eyes showed him Brent meant every word and that he was it for Brent. His experience made him cautious, and he hated that it had upset Brent.
“Y-yes. I'm sorry.”
Brent gave him the sweetest kiss, and his eyes burned at how much he felt loved.
“Baby, don't apologize. I'm not like those other men. I appreciate everything about you. You're it for me, and I'm hoping you feel the same.”
He was too choked up to reply, so he simply nodded and melted into Brent when the big man embraced him. He pressed his face to Brent's chest, inhaled the man’s scent, and found comfort in that. Every day he was amazed by the way Brent loved him—treated him. All of it was so different from what he was used to, and he still didn't know how to react sometimes.
“Can we have a new house rule…no public displays of obscene affection?”
“Come in a minute later ya might have really seen something obscene,” he answered.
Troy did that growling thing Win was so good at but wasn't quite able to pull off. He laughed as Brent stepped to the side and he lost it more at the murderous look on his best friend's face. Driving Troy crazy was one of his favorite pastimes.
“Dad's going to be a widower before the wedding.”
“Tad violent, aren't we?” he joked, but the thought of saying I do was one of his long-buried Brent dreams.
“Just wait until we're alone, it's on, Miller, it's on.”
“Troy, I'm with your father, maybe you should've said something before, we might have—”
As Troy lifted his foot to remove his shoe again and a chuckling Win was grabbing Troy around the waist, he darted to hide behind Brent and peeked around him. Bella shoved her tiny body around her dads and huffed like she was completely put out. Brent bent down to pick up their granddaughter and cuddled her to his chest.
“It's sad when my granddaughter has more sense than my grown child.”
He couldn’t help giggling as Brent moved around the kitchen, gathering stuff to make dinner one-armed as he carried on a conversation with Bella. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the island. Win and Troy cuddled sharing a kiss and a quiet conversation. Even as much as he was included, he'd always felt on the outside, but Brent was his, and he had the family he’d always wanted.
