Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

K yler grabbed Paige at school, then headed home to make sure the house was relatively clean. He was tickled to have Austin—AJ—and Dallas coming out. They’d really worked hard, the two of them, on making the house comfy, and Paige had insisted on a making a space for books and puzzles for Dal.

“I like having a space for Dal’s things. It feels like I have a brother,” she announced.

And he’d made the space. God help him.

“Daddy, did you get the Barbie?”

“No, I got clothes for the Barbie. Someone in her family is bound to get her the doll, baby, and it would be rude to make them feel bad.”

“Oh. Oh, you think that’s how it works? What did Dal get her?”

“Barbie shoes and a little Barbie dressing table to go with her fashion box.” Lord, he’d had a crash course in dolls for girls too old for baby dolls.

Paige blinked at him. “You know about Barbies?”

“Yep.” Not even a little .

“You do not. You are a boy!”

He rolled his eyes. “Boys can like Barbies.”

“Do you like Barbies?” she shot back.

“Well, no…”

“Dal doesn’t either.”

“But he plays dolls with you sometimes.”

“Uh-huh. So I will play detective with him. Though I like that game.”

“Oh, I found that Disney Sherlock movie.”

Her eyes went wide. “The mouse one? Daddy! That’s too cool!”

Bingo.

“Yeah. We can watch it tonight since they’re coming to stay over.”

“Oh, yay! Are we going to watch Christmas cartoons too? Is Momma coming to stay for Christmas, too?”

“Momma is going to try, baby girl. It’s a hard time of year, but she says she wants to.” He’d learned to hedge his bets. Henley did her damnedest to keep her promises. She was no flake. But living mostly on the road meant she had some stuff crop up she couldn’t foresee.

“She says she’ll be here after the finals. She says she’ll bring her trailer, so that Dallas can meet her horses.”

“See?” Lord. Henley did talk some. “Are you excited for Christmas?”

“I’m excited for Christmas break!” she beamed at him. “We’re going to have the most fun in our house!”

“We are.” They would make cookies and put up a tree and do all sorts of shit they’d never had a place to do.

“Do you think Santa will come? Dallas says he will. That he’ll leave a note with our address.” Paige’s eyes were lit up, that worry and belief warring with each other. “You promise he’ll find us?”

“I swear to God, baby girl. Santa will come.” He reached out to ruffle her hair. “He has a list and his elves check it all the time when people move. Heck, he used to find you on the road.”

“He did, and I didn’t have Dal to check up on me. Okay, I’m going to believe. What’s for supper? Can we make a thousand cookies? Can we get puppies?”

“Puppies? Do you think you might be too busy?” Not that he wasn’t hunting for a dog that might need a home now that he was around so much more. One that could hang with him in his workshop…

“Daddy.” She rolled her eyes and all of the sudden she was Henley. “No one is too busy for puppies. Not even Dal.”

“No? What does Dal want in the way of a dog?” They had a cat, AJ and Dallas. He would bet a dog would have to wait.

“Oh, Daddy. Dallas wants a big dog. He’s asking Santa for a hunky. He wants to take it fast-skiing with us.”

“A hun—oh, a husky?” He grinned. “That’s a lot of dog, kiddo.”

“Yes. They make alarm sounds. We saw them on a video. That way if we crash, you can find us.” She sounded so sure .

Silly, brilliant, creative girl—he adored her.

“True. But a Border collie or a cattle dog could find you and dig you out.”

“Or a Saint Bernie could come save me and give me stuff out of his little barrel.”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her those barrels were an urban legend. He sure as hell didn’t want to start in with her on what an urban legend was. So he just let it go.

“What’s for supper?”

“Mr. Austin is getting soup, and we’re making grilled cheese.”

“Oh, I like grilled cheese. Is it red soup or yellow?””

“Uh…” He wracked his brain. “I think he’s going to get wh atever looks good.” He had lost the conversation somewhere around them staring into each other’s eyes.

“Can you call him and remind him that I don’t like red soup? Pretty please?”

“I’ll text him. I think he said he would get chicken noodle for you.” The memory clicked into place, thank goodness. He wasn’t that bad of a dad, for which he was grateful.

“Oh, good. Thanks, Daddy.”

“You are very welcome, kiddo.”

“So we’re going to have soup and sammies, and then what?” She looked to him expectantly.

“Well, I thought that we would watch a movie. Sleep.” And then? Make out like teenagers. That probably was inappropriate to say to his daughter. But still, he was kind of hoping for at least a few smoochies. He’d thought long and hard about what he wanted, and he was going to jump in with both feet. Or grab the brass ring. Austin would say he was mixing metaphors. It didn’t matter.

They didn’t have to get to second base. They could just get to home plate without rounding any bases.

“We were thinking about riding tomorrow. Or if you wanted to, we can try snowshoeing. Or we can hang out and make popcorn and have cocoa and play games all day. But I think that Mr. Austin and Dal are going to stay for the weekend.”

“Daddy, that is so cool. I can’t believe this.” She kind of bounced a little bit. “You have to drive faster so that we can get home, so that I can clean up my room. So that Dal can come in and put his stuff— oh, his room is all fixed right? All of his places are fixed places for him to sleep. That aren’t scary.”

“Right next to your room.” He nodded. She’d been very concerned about whether or not Dallas was going to have nightmares. They’d even put in a damn bookshelf.

“You’re a good dad. I think I’ll keep you. Drive faster. ”

He shook his head. Nope. Not driving even a single mile faster because that was just stupid. Weather was weather was weather.

“Have you decided about the Christmas tree?” Kyler asked to distract her.

“Uh-huh. We’re going to put it up this weekend.”

“We are?”

“Yes, with Dal and Mr. Austin there.” She stopped for a second and frowned at him. “Daddy? Do we have ormanents?”

They had some, of course, and he’d been bringing them in in dribs and drabs so she didn’t notice because he wanted this to be special. They’d discussed it over many, many suppers together at their new kitchen table. Whether or not many colors were better or one color. She’d decided on rainbow colors. Whether there needed to be only balls or all different kinds. She’d voted for all different kinds with balls. Garland Yes. White lights, not multi-colored. But not blinking. He had it all put together.

He’d even found this weird fuzzy white tree skirt that he thought would make her smile. It had a wide red velvet trimming all around it. The only thing he hadn’t found was his star. “Well, maybe we should go to the store. Pick up a few things.”

“Okay, should we go now? Or should we take Dal and Mr. Austin?”

He tilted his head. “What do you think?”

“I want to go with Dallas,” she said. “I know he’s not my brother, but I like to have a friend there when we do things. And Mr. Austin really likes you.”

“I really like him.” And Kyler wanted to like him a lot more. Physically. Like now. “We’ll see what they say.”

“Cool.” She kicked her feet, humming. “Can you?—”

“No. I cannot go any faster. ”

“You are the meanest. Momma would go so fast.”

“I know she would. And I have asked her many times not to.” He and Henley had always disagreed on certain things about safety. “If you won’t do it with your horse trailer, don’t do it with our kid in the car,” he told her all the time.

“I know, Daddy.” She sat back with a sigh. “I just get so excited.”

“I know, but accidents aren’t fun. They’re scary as all get out.”

“No accidents,” she agreed. “I want to be there for Christmas.”

“That’s right.” God, he loved the way she figured things out. “Have you decided if you’re going to the ice-skating party with 4-H?”

“No. I mean, no, I haven’t decided.”

He wondered if Dallas had asked her to do something, or if she worried about ice skating. “Okay. I need to let them know soon so they know how much food they need, kiddo.”

“Yeah. I just…I’ll decide later.”

That was weird. Paige didn’t do uncertain.

“What’s wrong, honey? Was someone mean to you?” He wanted to dig at this and not let it explode on him later.

“No. I don’t have any friends there. I told them that I am not rodeo trashy.”

He scowled. “They said you were trashy?”

“Rodeo trashy.”

“Well, we’re not.” And it was on. He was calling the 4-H coordinators as soon as he got home. No one called his kid names.

“I know! I am the daughter of a world-champion barrel racer and a state-champion saddle bronc rider. I got friends everywhere, and my god daddy is a bullfighter .”

“Yes, ma’am. We are rodeo royalty, dammit.” He nodded, his jaw tight. He hated that people would give Paige a hard time over what he did for a living. In 4-H, for fuck’s sake.

“That’s right. I am going to be the best racer one day. The best.”

“You’re already darn good, baby girl. Your momma says so too.” She was fearless, and that was half the battle. And his ex knew from good barrel racers.

“So I don’t have to go?”

“Not if you don’t want to, honey.” And that was one less gift he had to buy if she stayed home.

“Okay. Can me and Dallas go ice skating over the break instead?”

“Does he ice skate?”

“He can learn. He’s way smarter than his dad thinks.”

“Oh, honey, I think his dad thinks he’s amazing.” He chuckled. “He only worries because Austin is still growing out of a few things that he had when he was really little. Like Tiny Dave, remember him?” Tiny Dave had been the best bull rider on the circuit until he retired just over a year ago.

“Uh-huh, but I know. He can do things. He’s not dumb.”

“Not a bit. So if Dallas wants to, then y’all can go.” They crested the little rise, their itty-bitty ranch came into view. Whew. Sometimes drive-home conversations could be hard.

“That’s our house!” Every time they pulled up, she said it, and it made him feel ten feet tall and bulletproof.

“It is. And soon it will have Christmas lights.”

“Oh, I love lights.” She bounced, then unbuckled her seat belt and slid out of her car seat. “Hey, critters! We’re home!”

He shook his head. That had been the longest drive home in history.

“Okay, honey. Come on and let’s get cleaned up, and then make sure we have all the sammy stuff. If not, I’ll call Mr. Austin and get him to get more cheese.”

“Okay, Daddy. Then I’ll go make sure Penny and Roany-Bony-Maroney have hay and water.”

“Why don’t we go together, hmm?” He didn’t love the idea of her heading into the barns all on her almost-six-year-old own. “I like hanging out with you.”

“Okay! But check the sammy stuff first.”

“I will. Go get on your boots.” He grinned, watching her run ahead of him. God, she made his heart full.

A text buzzed his phone, and he glanced at it.

anything else? Came from AJ.

just about to check the sandwich sitch

no potato. got 2 tomato, 1 chicken noodle, donuts, choc chip cookies

Cool He headed inside, going right to the kitchen. They had plenty of bread, but only sharp cheddar. Can you get the white American cheese the kids like?

will do? turkey? ham? frozen pizzas and cheese balls for midnight snack

Yes. all of the above That way they had lunch tomorrow too.

on it. be there in 1/2 hour

See you soon. We might be in the barn Depended on how much brushing they wanted to do.

I’ll just take the food into the house?

Yes. Of course. Silly man. He was…welcome.

Cool

He grinned, because he was thinking how Paige was wanting Dallas to feel like family. He wanted AJ to feel that way too, oddly enough. To feel comfortable. Wanted.

“Okay, Daddy, I’m ready. Let’s go love on Penny. She’s missed me all day.”

“Let’s hit it, kiddo.” He changed out his good coat for his work one, and they were off, heading to the barn. That was one of the joys of his life. Sharing this little ranch with his kid .

Paige sang as she skipped, splashing through the icy mud.

His cowgirl.

She made his heart clench. And more than anything on earth, he wanted her to be happy.

“Penny! Penny, how are you? Roany-boney? Are you in here staying warm?”

He chuckled, because two noses popped right over stall doors. Yeah, they were ready for some company too. He kinda thought neither horse approved of Paige being gone most of the day at school.

She knew this routine as well as she knew her own name, and she went around filling water and pouring sweet feed. She knew to measure, because she’d seen bloat and colic already in her short life, and didn’t want that for her buddies.

He checked everyone out, and then they started currycombing, and he listened to her talk about everything from dolls to school to racing to her mom to Dal.

The crunch of gravel under tires sounded sooner than he would have believed, and she kissed Penny’s nose. “I got to go get Dal, Penny!”

“Stay away from the car, okay?”

“I will. We’ll be right back. She misses Dal too!” And off she went.

“I bet you give no shits, huh, lady?” He put Paige’s curry comb away.

Penny blew her lips at him, then bared her teeth.

He got it. He wanted to?—

He wanted to make out with AJ. He wanted to kiss a man. He wanted to press their lips together and see how different it was.

He rubbed her nose. “I got some hours yet.”

Now that he’d let himself imagine it, let himself admit it, now he was committed. And he was going to get what he wanted .

Tonight.

“Did you see, Poppy? There’s a little room that’s just for me!”

Austin wasn’t sure the bedroom was for Dallas, specifically , but he had to admit, it sure screamed specific-little-boy-friendly to him.

The artwork was all Sherlock Holmes and dragons and pirates. There was a chair and table with a puzzle, a bookshelf with a handful of well-loved early chapter books, and a bedside lamp shaped like a dinosaur.

It was stunning, and Austin was touched to the bone.

“I see, bud. That’s kind of amazing, huh?”

“You like it, Dal? Daddy let me pick out the puzzle and the dragon pictures!”

“It’s so cool! It’s like…I have two rooms in two houses!” Dallas hugged Paige hard. “Thank you, so much.”

Oh god, that was so sweet.

And even better, it was bedtime, pretty much, and they were getting the kids on the way to a bath each and pajamas and then adult time.

Hallelujah.

He wasn’t sure what that meant to Ky, but he was so ready to find out.

It had been six years since he’d been intimate—even made out—with anyone. That seemed nuts now that he thought about it, but it was true.

Nerves were making his stomach feel like it was full of, not butterflies, but bees.

“Come on, you two. Let’s get baths and everything.”

“Okay, Poppy.” Dallas went along with him, Paige to the master with Ky, and soon enough, the kids had been read to and were in bed, leaving him and Ky grinning at each other as they walked into the front room.

“Hey.” He was nervous, but not scared. Just nervous.

“Hey.” Ky moved close, barely inches separating them. “You ready to go sit for a minute?”

“I am. Sofa?” He wanted to be close enough to touch, even if it didn’t go far enough for anything intense.

“You know it.” Kyler was vibrating, and there was a new intensity in his blue eyes that made Austin’s toes want to curl.

Austin took his hand, and they moved to the sofa, settling side by side. He had to remember that Kyler was new at all this.

Ky chuckled. “Okay. Step one of my clever seduction is ticked off.”

“Very nicely done. What’s step two?” He turned to face Ky.

“Hmm. Well, I think we’re progressing toward making out until we can’t see. But how about…” Kyler scooted closer until their knees touched, then turned to face him more completely.

“Oh. We have leg-touching. That’s surprisingly hot.”

“It is, huh?” Ky sounded breathless, and his cheeks were covered in a sweet blush.

“It is.” He grinned, daring to reach out and stroke Kyler’s jaw.

“Wow.” Ky took a deep breath, then grabbed his hand, tugging him until they were close enough to share breath. “Gonna kiss you now.”

Oh, this man got full points for daring. He approved. “I’m in. All the way.”

He leaned forward, holding Kyler’s gaze.

Those pretty lips opened for him, and he pressed his to them, just holding still for a moment, savoring the heat and softness he found. Then he pressed even closer, tongue flicking Ky’s lips.

Kyler’s eyes went wide, but he didn’t pull away, he didn’t tense. Instead, he opened up, tongue touching Austin’s, hands on Austin’s legs.

“Mmm…” Oh, he did remember how to do this. His heartbeat picked up, and his balls got a little heavier. He wanted to do it again.

And again.

So he did. He tilted his head the other direction, kissing Ky until his vision swam with the need for air. He’d been pushing down his attraction to this man, but their kisses were like a match and gasoline.

Kyler pushed back a bit, as if all of the sudden Ky had decided not to worry, that need superseded nerves. They breathed for a moment, then dove in again, and Kyler reached up with one hand to hold the back of his neck.

He flattened his hand on Ky’s belly, drawing slow, lazy circles on those sweet abs. He’d stared at them for hours in his office, and right now Ky was still covered with cloth, but this was better. Far better already.

This was real.

This wasn’t Maverick. This was Kyler Hale, his good friend and deep crush, and he was heading into trouble as if he were diving into a pool where he couldn’t see the bottom.

And he didn’t care.

Ky made a sound deep in his throat, and his free hand slid from Austin’s leg up toward his crotch. He opened, letting Kyler know that he was not only welcome, but he was eager as fuck to be touched.

Another hot moan sounded, and Ky pressed that hand to his cock, his zipper pushing against him just enough to make it kinda spicy. Not painful.

“Mmm…” He fought the urge to buck up, his eyelids going heavy .

“Oh, that’s the ticket, huh?” Ky said it against his mouth, which made tremors shake him.

“You’ve got amazing hands.” He whispered the words, biting on Kyler’s bottom lip.

“I like touching you, AJ.” The hand on his neck moved, heading down his back.

He had expected shyness, worry, fear—not this eager confidence.

Yum.

Ky dove back in for another kiss, but those hands never stayed still, and Ky encouraged him to touch as well, twisting into his fingers and humming at the good spots. Sensual man.

He found tight nipples, a sensitive hollow of the throat, ticklish hips. And then he focused on the hard cock straining at Kyler’s Wranglers. That was a wondrous thing.

He measured from base to tip, giving Ky a bit of pressure.

“Damn.” Kyler tore his mouth free, pressing their foreheads together so he could pant. “That feels amazing, honey.”

“You have a great mouth. You make me dizzy as all get-out, if I’m honest.”

“I feel the same way.” Ky chuckled. “Holler if I get going too fast. I’ve been doing a lot of fantasizing.”

“I’m not worried. I was trying to figure out how to ask if we could cover up or go in your bedroom. I don’t want to have to stop and explain this to the kids.” He didn’t even want to think about the children.

“We can totally go to the bedroom, honey. In fact, I really like that idea.” Ky rose, holding out a hand to him.

Well, he’d be damned. He took Ky’s hand and stood, drawing them closer together. “Lead the way. I’m so in.”

“Come on.” Kyler took him to the bedroom, which he’d seen once when he’d needed to take Dal to the bathroom, and Paige had been in the guest bath. It was clean and a little spare, but the bed was huge. A lodgepole pine thing with a cloudlike comforter. Someone liked not being on the road.

“This is lovely.” He stroked the comforter, petting it.

“Yeah. I splurged. It’s warm.” Ky chuckled. “Not that I need it now. I’m on fire, honey.”

“No. Maybe later after the sweating.” Because there was going to be sweating. “Can I take your shirt off?”

“God, yes.” Ky let his arms drop to his sides, waiting for him to unbutton things, he thought.

He understood how to do this part. “Is it weird to say that I’m so ready to learn the real you, not the photoshopped fake you?”

“Yeah? The real me has a few more scars, honey.” Ky held his breath when Austin started to pull buttons from holes. He could feel it through his hands.

“I’m glad. The real you is amazing. The cover model is beautiful. Two different things.”

“I’m glad you think so.” Kyler reached up to touch his cheek.

He leaned into the touch, still unbuttoning the flannel shirt, hunting for skin. When he got it, he slid his hand inside, palm over Ky’s pec, Kyler’s heart thundering against him.

He was slow, letting one kiss melt into two, into three before he stroked one of the hard nipples.

Kyler shuddered, a low, happy noise escaping him. “Mmmhmm.” That vibrated against his mouth.

Oh, that made his toes curl, and he pressed a little more, offering the stiff nipple some friction.

“Uhn.” Ky twisted as if to protect that tiny nub, but then turned in to the sensation, letting him give more.

“You smell like heaven.” Austin leaned in, nibbling at the cords of Kyler’s throat, finding a spot he’d missed while shaving.

“Yeah? I was afraid I smelled like horse.” That low chuckle buzzed against his lips. Ky ran a hand up and down his back, digging in to test his muscles some.

“No. Black pepper and leather and soap.” And he was going to remember that for years. He was going to write about it.

“And you smell like Gray Flannel and citrus.”

“Is that good?” He hoped so.

“It’s perfect.” Ky put his face against Austin’s neck and breathed deep, which stoked the fire in his belly and made his dick twitch. “You like that. I can feel you, hard against me.”

Had anything ever been so hot?

Ever?

“Uh-huh.” Austin rocked some. “I like everything you’re doing.”

His balls were heavy, and he was caught between wanting to push Ky down onto the bed and hump or just letting Kyler drive.

“So do I.” Kyler kissed his throat, then his chin, then returned to his mouth for a deeper press of lips on his.

Austin had to touch more, learn the texture of Ky’s skin. His hands moved of their own accord, even as Ky feasted from his lips.

This man could so easily become an addiction. He felt so damn right.

“You don’t have any tattoos?” It was surprising because most people did. Hell, most people his age did.

Ky snorted. “No. I went with Henley to get matching ones. We were in that ten minutes of in lust and going to get rings.”

“Like wedding rings?”

“I guess?” Kyler shrugged. “The guy started with Henley, at any rate, and he laid down one line. She burst into tears, started screaming, and ran out. ”

“No shit?” He circled one nipple, then traced the line down Ky’s ribs. “How long were you all married?”

“We weren’t. I don’t guess we were ever really thinking about it. I mean, we weren’t like faking being together. We were together, and we’re still good friends, but neither one of us wanted each other forever.”

Well, Austin supposed that was a good idea then, that they didn’t get their rings tattooed.

“What about you? Any ink?”

Austin shook his head. “No, I thought about it. In fact, I thought about getting ink for every book. And then I realized when I wrote about tattoos and books, they got about halfway through the book, and I discovered I’d never talked about them again. I figure if they’re that easy to forget as a writer, they’ll be that easy to forget on me.”

Ky gave him a wicked, wolfish not-smile. “If I watched you get a tattoo I’d remember every second.”

That amazing heaviness in the air between them reappeared. For a second there, Austin couldn’t breathe. He wanted Kyler more than anyone he could think of.

So he dove back into kisses, his hands on Ky’s back, tugging him close enough no air could get between them.

He groaned, tugging his sweater up so they could be belly to belly. Lord, that was fine.

Ky traced his skin, drawing patterns on his bare lower back. “God, you’re fine.”

“I want to touch you.” He wanted to make Ky come, over and over again.

“Anything you want, honey. I mean it.”

He reached down, cupped Ky’s ass and drew them tighter together so they could rub.

“Mmm.” That growl was so hot, and Kyler rocked against him, cock hard as stone, those hands never still .

Now all he had to do was find a way to get their jeans open.

“What?” Ky pulled back to watch him when he struggled a little.

“Jeans. They need to go.”

“Oh.” Ky stared down at them. “God yes.”

“Jeans and then bed? I don’t want to fall down in pure need.” Oh, that was classy.

“Naked all the way and bed,” Ky countered. “Socks are so porny.”

“Yes. So porny, but at least you have your boots off already.” He started working Kyler’s belt open.

“I do.” Ky helped him, yanking it free of the loops to drop it on the floor, the buckle landing with a thud .

He did love a confident man. He worked open Ky’s fly, letting his fingers brush the hard cock. And it was desperately hard. Long. Hot as a brand.

Perfect.

“Gonna make my knees weak.” Ky sounded like he meant it.

“Bed now, then.” He skimmed Kyler’s jeans and boxer briefs down and off, then helped with the pornalicious socks. Then he knelt at the edge of the bed, dragging his hands up along the muscled thighs.

“Oh God.” Ky dug one hand into his hair. “Somehow you still have clothes on.”

“Uh-huh. It’s a shame.” He pushed closer, running his nose along the crease where leg met torso.

“You—Fuck. Austin.” Every muscle in Ky’s lower body tensed.

“You smell like heaven.” He let his cheek rasp along Ky’s cock.

“You— God. That’s crazy, how good that feels. ”

Right. Kyler hadn’t ever felt a five o’clock shadow, from what he’d said.

He rubbed again, teasing with a long, slow caress.

“Mmpph.” The sound burst out of Ky, and his hips jerked like a mad thing, a drop of pre-come appearing at the tip of his cock.

He went to lick it off, then he met Ky’s gaze. “Can I?”

“God, yes. Please.” Ky nodded, his gaze bright and feverish.

Austin was fixin’ to show Kyler what it was like to have a man who adored to suck cock loving on him. He nuzzled, breathing deep one last time, then licked the tip, tongue pressing the slit, before he closed his lips around the head.

A hard grunt was his reward, Ky dancing for him, swaying back and forth.

He closed his eyes and focused, trying to find all the hot spots, tracing the thick veins on the shaft. He loved the softness of the skin over the amazing hardness, and Ky wasn’t small, to say the least.

The thoughts of the things they could do together made his body clench, made his prick throb against his zipper.

He wrapped his lips around Ky’s cockhead, moaning deep and low as salt and bitter flavors hit his tongue. Kyler pushed in, then pulled back, thrusting in a shallow way, but it wasn’t enough. Austin grabbed that muscled ass and tugged.

“Oh fuck!” Ky cried out, hands opening and closing on his shoulders.

Oh, that was hot as anything, that wild need.

“Austin. I’m close, honey.” Ky rubbed his shoulder with one hand, the other going back to his hair.

He could tell, and he wasn’t scared. In fact, he wanted this to be the best orgasm in the history of the world. He focused on doing what he’d want someone to do for him .

He took Ky down to the root, swallowing convulsively around the tip, demanding Kyler’s orgasm.

He wanted Ky to blow his top.

“Austin…” Ky gave him what he wanted, hot seed that spilled into him, making him hum and keep moving, working until Ky tugged at his hair.

He patted the fading cock, then sat on the bed, still fully clothed. “Good?”

“Addled.” Kyler blinked at him. “You’re all dressed.”

“I know. Weird.” He tore his sweater off, then started on his jeans.

Ky helped, hands clumsy at first, but then gaining his usual cowboy dexterity. This was a man who knew how to shape leather into intricate shapes. He could open clothes.

Once he was naked, Ky eased him down onto the mattress, pushing close as if he was scared to leave space between them.

“You’re making me dizzy.” He needed a touch, more kisses, something, but he didn’t want to push too far, demand too much.

“Good. You— I never felt anything…damn, AJ.”

“That’s what I wanted. I wanted to make you feel like heaven.” He had needed for Ky to think he was something special.

“It worked.” Kyler chuckled against his collarbone, licking a blisteringly hot line along his skin. Those hands slipped down his belly, teasing him, petting him on the way to his cock.

He arched up, his body rocking, his abs pulling in tight. Austin moaned, his whole self waiting for that touch to his dick.

“Oh, you like that, huh?”

“Does a bear shit in the woods?”

“I think so.” Ky chuckled. “I mean, where else?” Ky took him in a firm grip and stroked nice and hard.

Oh, what was the question?

His eyes crossed and he spread, leaning into that sure, perfect touch. Austin was pretty sure Ky was damn good at whatever he put his mind to, and he was loving on Austin with a single-minded intensity.

He couldn’t breathe, it was so good.

“Kiss me again, AJ.”

“Over and over and over again.” He pushed up into their kiss, his eyes rolling back into his head.

Kyler moaned against his mouth, hand moving faster on him, that lean, hard body so strong against his. It felt like the best kind of dream, but it was very real.

It had been so long, and he wanted this so bad, that he wasn’t going to hold out long.

Not at all.

“Come on, honey. I want to see you come. Next time you can have my mouth, but this time I want to watch your face.”

He let out a long, low moan, his entire body shivering as his balls drew up.

“That’s it. I can feel you. You’re so close.” The base of Ky’s hand bumped his balls, which had drawn up tight.

“Uhn. Uh-huh.” He humped up, and his eyes slammed shut as he shot, his teeth rattling as seed coated Ky’s hand.

“Damn.” Ky’s voice shook. “Damn, honey. You’re so fuckin g fine. ”

Oh, that felt so good to hear. He loved that. “Thank you.”

“Mmmhmm.” Kyler kissed him, gently this time, both of them a little silly and sated.

“Can…Do you want me to go…” He wanted to sleep in here. He loved snuggling.

“No. I want you to stay with me.” Ky grinned. “Though we might have to put some shorts back on. The kids… we need to leave the door unlocked. ”

“Yes to both. Dads first, lovers second.” That was not even in question.

“Yeah.” Ky got up and made his way to the bathroom, coming back with a warm, wet cloth to clean them both up.

It was the tiniest bit awkward, but it wasn’t the worst thing ever. He’d been in way worse situations after orgasm.

They pulled on their shorts and cuddled in the bed together, which made the weirdness fade in seconds. Ky felt warm and good and right in his arms.

“This feels…amazing,” he admitted.

“It does. I fantasized about this.” Ky chuckled, the air brushing his chin. “The orgasms and the sleeping together.”

“Yeah. I’m glad you’re…here with me.” Austin kissed his cheek.

“Me too.” Kyler hugged him close, then laughed. “Want me to turn on that movie?” They had both fallen asleep on the couch more than a few times watching a movie together.

“Sounds great. It’s obviously our favorite sleeping aid.”

“I think that might be changing though.” Ky’s fingers splayed across the small of his back, and yeah. He could get that.

“Mmhmm…” His eyes crossed, and he snuggled in. “Thank you. I needed this.”

“So did I, honey. So did I.” Ky just stayed right there, holding on, and he could sleep like this for sure.

In fact, he worried that he might want to stay like this all the time.