Appeal to the Heart

by David Horne

  Stephen glanced at Joe, who nodded. That was more than suitable. From the look on Tracey’s face, she didn’t think so. Judge Harvey turned back to Tracey.

  “There will be no sleepovers, no unsupervised visits with your family, and no leaving your kids with your mother. Mr. Swarbrick will have first right of refusal if you have to get childcare. And certainly keep Lily and James away from your brother. I suggest someone from CPS goes with you to monitor your visits, or someone mutual you trust between you.”

  “But…” Tracey began, but the look the judge gave her made her fall silent. Joe wished she had been able to do that.

  “I am very worried about letting you have the children at all, given your outbursts and how you’ve conducted yourself since you walked out of the family home. These children are loved and cared for by their father, and I think it’ll be very detrimental to them to have them taken away from what they find safe and familiar.”

  Tracey looked like she was either going to scream in anger or burst into tears.

  “But that’s not fair!” She pointed at Joe. “He’ll beat them and hide their bodies! He already stops me from seeing them!”

  Joe rolled his eyes.

  “Stop being melodramatic, Tracey. I don’t, and you know it.”

  “Mrs. Gregg,” Stephen addressed the opposing counsel. “Your client is getting hysterical.”

  “You think I don’t know that, Mr. Roney?” Mrs. Gregg snapped.

  “I have done nothing wrong!” Tracey wailed. “I want my babies! Why won’t anyone let me have them?”

  “Enough!”

  Joe jumped when the judge’s voice rang out around them. Even Tracey fell silent. Judge Harvey picked up his pen and made a note on the pad at his elbow.

  “I think anger management classes might be in order as well, Ms. Banfield. And a few sessions with a therapist who specializes in mental disorders. I believe you have some undiagnosed issues that need to be sorted before you can consider being a stable parent.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” Somehow Tracey had found her voice. “I’m not crazy!”

  “You could’ve fooled me.” Judge Harvey lowered his pen and addressed both parties. “You’ll have my decision in writing so you can frame it on your wall. And if anyone asks why you haven’t got your kids, Ms. Banfield, you can tell them the judge frowns upon you willingly bringing children around a sex offender. If that wasn’t the case, I might have been a bit more lenient on you.”

  “He didn’t do anything wrong!”

  From the tightening of the judge’s jaw, Joe guessed he was trying his hardest not to lose his own temper.

  “That’s where I hope you’ll get help, Ms. Banfield.” Then Judge Harvey ignored Tracey to turn to her lawyer. “Mrs. Gregg, take your client away before she ends up being arrested for contempt. That is my ruling, and you’ll have it in writing by the end of the week. Next case, Mr. Hanson.”

  Joe had almost forgotten that Alistair was there, standing off to the side of Judge Harvey’s table. He headed across to the court clerk, who handed him a file. As he did so, Mrs. Gregg grabbed Tracey and dragged her toward the nearest door. Tracey was now screaming in such a rage the people sitting behind her shrank back. Joe’s ears were still ringing even after Tracey had been hauled out of the room.

  Stephen turned to him.

  “You got it, Joe.” He nodded in approval. “It’s over.”

  It wasn’t quite over, but that part was. One less thing to worry about. But Joe had something else to take care of. Preferably sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Six

  Alex was glad he had sat in to witness all of that. He couldn’t have done Mary’s job any better, and he certainly didn’t envy her as she gave the inevitable tongue-lashing to Tracey in a private room. Tracey could fight it all she wanted, but if she didn’t follow the orders of the court, she didn’t have a leg to stand on. Chances were she would try to find another lawyer who would swallow her bullshit to fight it, but she would be fighting a losing battle.

  Fingers crossed, that meant she wouldn’t be a client of his firm any longer. Alex wasn’t sorry about that. He was just sorry that he hadn’t turned her down in the beginning.

  Then again, maybe he wouldn’t have known who Joe was, and would have ended up wondering what happened to the guy who gave him an incredible night.

  From the look on Joe’s face when he saw Alex, he was glad Alex was there. That said something, and Alex was relieved he didn’t get upset. He was just as relieved that Craig hadn’t noticed him, either; he would have received a tongue-lashing of his own for ignoring a judge’s order.

  It was best that he got out of there as soon as he could before Craig realized.

  After dropping his things off at his apartment, Alex made his way over to Joe’s house. He pulled up outside the house just as Raina Swarbrick was putting the children into the back of her car. Their eyes met, and Raina gave him a nod. Then she was ducking into the car to strap the children in.

  Alex got out, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Joe standing on the porch. He had already changed out of his suit from court and was wearing jeans with a red sweater, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He looked good in red. Their eyes met, and then Joe smiled. That was enough for the band around Alex’s chest to ease. He smiled back and headed up the path as Raina shut the back doors of the car.

  “We’ll head off now, Joe!” She called over her shoulder. “I’ll text you when we’re on our way back!”

  “Okay, Mom.” Joe didn’t look away from Alex. “Take your time.”

  Alex could feel his skin prickling. They were up to something. He stepped up onto the porch and looked back to see Raina pull her car away from the curb. She did a U-turn in the road and then drove away. Alex caught a glimpse of her expression before they were gone, and he was sure she was grinning.

  She was definitely up to something. Alex turned to Joe, who was now watching him with a gleam in his eye.

  “She and the kids off somewhere nice?”

  “Mom’s taking them to a soft play center.” Joe shrugged. “They’re supposed to be in school and kinder, but after what happened this morning, I think they deserve a bit of time having fun. They’re not going to be back for some time.”

  That was an even bigger clue Joe was up to something. Alex found himself smiling.

  “I suppose I’m meant to be taking a hint here, am I?”

  They stared at each other. Then Joe growled and grabbed Alex’s hand, dragging him into the house. The door was slammed behind them and Joe was dragging Alex in for a kiss that had Alex’s cock hardening to steel. Three days since he had touched Joe like this, and it had been three days too long. He had missed Joe. A lot.

  “Better take your shoes off.” Joe was grinning against Alex’s mouth, rubbing his hand over Alex’s crotch. “No shoes upstairs. And you had better be naked when you get up there.”

  “You’re taking charge now, are you?”

  Joe’s eyes practically glowed as he eased away, heading up the stairs backwards.

  “My house. My rules. Now would be a good time, Counsellor.”

  Alex couldn’t help but laugh as he toed off his shoes.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Joe disappeared onto the landing as Alex made his way up the stairs, trying to undress himself at the same time. But his coordination seemed to be missing, and he almost ended up falling down the stairs when trying to get his jeans off. He sat on the stairs and stripped as quickly as he could. Then he hurried upstairs.

  Joe was standing at the foot of his bed, fully naked. Alex’s cock twitched as he greedily took in the sight of Joe’s body. He had explored every part of that body Thursday night, thinking that he would make the most of it. Now he got to see it even more.

  “You took your time.” Joe said quietly. He was stroking his cock as he spoke. Alex couldn’t take his hands off the motion.

  “Undressing while walking doesn’t seem to compute with me.”
/>   Joe grinned.

  “I heard. I was going to tell you to do whatever you wanted to me, but you took too long.”

  “Your house, your rules?”

  “Precisely?” Joe’s smile faded, and his voice hardened. “On your knees. I want my cock in your mouth.”

  Alex wasn’t about to argue. He approached Joe and slid down to his knees, pressing kisses down Joe’s chest and belly. Then he nudged Joe’s hand away, curling his own around Joe’s cock. Joe hissed and his hips thrust forward.

  “Fuck, I’ve missed this.”

  “So have I.” Alex kissed the tip. “And I’ve missed doing this.”

  He grabbed Joe’s backside and urged him forwards, Joe’s cock sliding deep into Alex’s mouth. Joe cried out and shuddered, allowing Alex to move his hips while Alex sucked on his cock. He swirled his tongue around the firm shaft before tightening his lips and sucking in his cheeks. Joe moaned loudly, his thrusts becoming more insistent.

  “Fuck, Alex!”

  Alex could have done this until Joe came. He wanted to take in everything he could. But just as he felt Joe’s orgasm approaching, he was suddenly pushed away. Alex ended up on the floor as Joe scrambled onto the bed. Then he lay that, breathing heavily. Alex sat up. What had just happened there?

  “You okay?”

  “I... I was going to cum too quickly.” Joe was panting. “Not just yet.”

  “I’m sure we can arrange that.” Alex rose to his feet and started stroking his cock. “Where do you want me?”

  “First, you get me ready.” Joe gestured at his bedside cabinet. “Lube and condoms are in the bottom drawer.”

  Alex’s arousal was tingling, making his hands shake as he found the items needed. He had expected a lot of hard and fast sex, but now he was beginning to feel nervous. What if that was all for them? Just to scratch an itch? Fuck, he hoped that wasn’t the case. Alex didn’t want it to be just a one-off thing.

  In his mind, he was in it for good.

  “Now, put the condom on.” Joe was stroking his cock, his chest heaving with his panting. “Then I want you to ride my cock. I want to fuck that ass of yours.”

  “You know your dirty talk works for me.” Alex grinned as he ripped open the packet and rolled the condom over Joe’s cock. The heat of his shaft wasn’t cooled by the lube Alex smoothed all over. “I love you know what you want.”

  “Good.” Joe grabbed the lube and tossed it aside before tugging Alex on top of him. “Now do what I say and ride my cock.”

  Alex was still laughing at Joe’s sudden orders when Joe kissed him. He tasted like coffee, his tongue doing things that made Alex sigh. Joe’s hands were everywhere, cupping Alex’s backside before inserting a finger into his ass. Alex shuddered, rocking back onto Joe’s finger, which was joined by a second.

  “Holy shit!”

  Joe grinned.

  “You know there will be more of that and then some if you do as you’re told.”

  “Another hint.” Alex shuffled back, reaching back for Joe’s cock and Joe’s fingers retreated. “I can take a hint.”

  With Joe helping, Alex placed Joe’s cock at the entrance to his ass. Then he pressed down. Joe’s cock slid in easily, and Alex had to take a moment as he felt his body filling up in a way that made him catch his breath. Fuck, this still felt good. Really good. Alex had to take a moment to get his breath back, Joe’s cock deep in his ass.

  But it appeared Joe wasn’t prepared to wait for him. With a snarl, Joe came up. Alex felt the world spinning, and then he was on his bed, Joe pushing Alex’s thighs up wrapping them around Joe’s waist. Then he rammed his cock into Alex so hard Alex saw stars and his orgasm began to ripple to life.

  Joe never looked away as he fucked Alex, his thrusts pushing Alex higher up toward the edge. He grabbed Alex’s hands and pressed them into the pillow, their fingers linked. The intense look of hunger on his face had Alex gasping. It had been a long time since anyone looked at him like that. To have it from Joe…

  He shuddered as Joe changed the angles of his thrusts, the pleasure zinging through Alex’s cock. He was going to cum. So close to tipping over the edge. Then Joe picked up the pace, his thrusts urging Alex’s legs up even more.

  Alex came with a shout, feeling his seed splash across his belly, the coolness of his orgasm heated by the slide of Joe’s body over his belly, catching Alex’s shouts in a kiss that had Alex shivering as his orgasm started to climb again before stumbling and slowly easing off. Joe broke the kiss, his breath jagged.

  “I’m going to cum.” He whispered, moments before his whole body stiffened and Alex felt his cock stiffen and twitch inside him. Then Joe let out a strangled groan and slumped onto Alex, burying his face in Alex’s neck.

  For a moment, neither of them said anything. They just lay there, hearts racing, their fingers still entwined. Joe was panting hard, or was it Alex? He wasn’t sure anymore.

  Finally, Joe raised his head.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that since you left on Friday.”

  Alex huffed.

  “You could’ve fooled me. You didn’t know if you wanted me to stay or go.”

  “If Mom hadn’t been around, there’s a chance I would’ve done this back then.” Slowly easing his cock out of Alex’s ass, Joe crawled onto the bed beside him. “Things were a mess in my head that day. I was still trying to come to terms with what had happened.”

  “And what about now?”

  Joe grinned.

  “The weekend gave me time to think it over. Now I’m a little more certain in what I want.”

  “A little more certain?” Alex sat up. “That doesn’t make me feel any better, Joe.”

  “Well, it should.” Joe propped himself up on his elbow. His body was trembling. “We met at the wrong time, Alex. And it was very bad timing. I was panicking over that, thinking it could go badly for me. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was just trying to think of a reason for it not to happen.”

  Alex felt his heart sinking.

  “You were trying to get out of this.” He swallowed. “Was this all it was? A last fuck?”

  Joe frowned.

  “Come on, Alex. It took me a great deal of time to get the courage to step in the direction we both want, and a lot more to admit that I shouldn’t hold onto my previous hang-ups. Don’t spoil this for me.”

  “Sorry.” But that didn’t make Alex feel much better. He rubbed his hands over his face, his hands still shaking. “I just want to know where we go from here, Joe. I don’t think I can cope with you having me for the occasional fuck and that’s it. I want the whole hog.”

  Joe sat up, his expression pensive.

  “That’s what you want, is it?” He asked quietly. “Me and the whole hog?”

  “Yes.” Alex sighed. He had never felt so nervous in his life. “I know it’s quick, and it wasn’t exactly the most conventional way, but I know I want to explore it more. I want to be more than an occasional fuck here and there to satisfy you. Relationships are something I do, but if you can’t…”

  Joe grabbed his head and kissed him, silencing Alex. He pulled back before Alex could kiss him back, giving him a smile as he cupped Alex’s jaw.

  “I do relationships as well. It’s just been a while since I had a relationship at all with someone.”

  “Considering who you were married to, I’m not surprised.”

  “At least you know.” Joe kissed Alex’s shoulder. “So, you want me for me. You want to see where this goes.”

  “I do.” Alex felt the knot in his stomach loosening. He was getting more optimistic. “If it fizzles out, it fizzles out, but from the way you and I are whenever we’re together, I can’t see that happening for a while.”

  “Neither can I.” Joe glanced up. “You think you’ll be able to cope. I mean, I come with kids. And a crazy ex.”

  “What will your children say about this?”

  “You let me worry about that. But do you think you can manage a r
elationship with a single dad?”

  Alex grinned.

  “Kids I love. That bit I can manage. The ex? She’s not a part of this anymore. Think of her as the reason we’re now together.”

  Joe groaned.

  “I don’t want to thank her for anything.”

  “That’s good.” Alex lurched forward, tackling Joe to the bed. “Neither do I. How long do we have until your mom and kids come back?”

  “Mom said she would let me know, but I know the minimum time at that center is two hours.” Joe grinned. “I think we’ve safely got three hours. How do you fancy spending it?”

  Alex had a few ideas. More than a few.

  *THE END*

  Did you enjoy this story? I’d love to hear your opinion, please consider leaving a review. Thanks! 

  >> Click Here to Leave a Review (Amazon.com) <<

  >> Click Here to Leave a Review (Amazon UK) <<

  >> Click Here to Leave a Review (Amazon Canada) <<

  >> Click Here to Leave a Review (Amazon Australia) <<

  Free Book “Princes of Westlake”

  Updates from David Horne & a free book!

  Click this link to get yours today.

  Damien is a new and mysterious stagehand, always seen and never heard, who likes to lurk around the empty theater after dark.

  Jonathan Sheppard, the star of this season’s fall production, thinks Damien is an absolute weirdo, but for some reason he can’t get the strange boy (or his flat ironed bangs) out of his mind.

  Updates from David Horne & a free book!

  Click this link to get yours today.