Chapter 9

Kellan yieldedto Connor's kisses, and they continued all the way up to and through the front door. They peeled one another's clothing off piece by piece as they mounted the stairs, landing wherever it fell. As he shut the bedroom door behind them, Kellan glanced down, noting he was down to his tented skivvies. He barely remembered the clothing coming off. Dragging his underwear down, he stepped out of them and walked closer to Connor, his hard shaft leading the way.

He hadn't anticipated Connor's willingness to wade through the muck and remain at his side. For all he knew, the bedlam to come might tear them apart in time. But in that moment, they were one, and Kellan wanted to seal the deal, mind, body, and soul.

Stopping before the man who'd captured his heart, he paused, reveling in Connor's near nudity. Connor still wore his briefs, his desire evident as it pointed toward Kellan. Studying for a moment, he soaked it all in—the lean muscle, smooth skin, lightly furred chest. It was his to adore for as long as Connor allowed him to. He placed his palm on Connor's torso, right over the thudding heartbeat signaling excitement. It beat as swiftly as Kellan's.

He inhaled, closing his eyes, willing his to pulse at the same rapid rate. Opening, he lifted his gaze to Connor's. The soft smile he received made his knees weak.

"You're the handsomest man I think I've ever looked at… in case I've never told you," Kellan murmured.

The corners of Connor's lips curled. "I'm not the handsomest." He caressed Kellan's cheek. "You hold that title."

Connor lifted his other hand, collecting Kellan's face for a breath-robbing kiss. Kellan wasn't sure how he ended up on the bed. Nor did he care. As long as he was under Connor, their bodies aligned, their mouths warring with one another, he could be anywhere.

When Connor rose on his knees, his briefs had disappeared. His hard shaft surged forward, the tip leaking. "Lube?"

"Second drawer," Kellan said, rising onto his elbows to watch what came next.

After snagging the bottle, Connor coated his palm and moved closer, their dicks side by side. Connor grabbed them both, stroking the lengths together with one slick hand. Kellan's hips rose seemingly of their own volition, feeding his cock into Connor's tight grip.

Their moans filled the bedroom, bouncing off the walls and insulating them from the outside world. Kellan captured Connor's gaze, holding it as he panted, gasping for air, rushing toward the edge. Body tensing with every stroke, the growing pressure tightening him even more. The cliff approached, and he was ready to fly off it.

Only Connor pinched the base of both their cocks, stealing their coming orgasms.

Kellan growled with frustration and grew more so seeing the hint of a smile on Connor's lips. "That was evil."

"You've never edged before?"

Kellan sighed. "Heard of it but no…"

"Time you experienced it once."

"Sounds like torture," Kellan argued.

"It is," Connor murmured before pressing a brief kiss to Kellan's lips. "But you'll appreciate the torment once we finally reach the point of pleasure."

Kellan wasn't so sure, but soon forgot his objections when Connor began kissing him again. After twisting Kellan into knots again, the stroking continued, Connor's deft hand bringing him to the threshold again.

Only to stop once more.

On the suffering went, Connor bringing him to the verge three more times. By that point, Kellan whimpered, needing to come before he died from the want of it. "I can't… I can't anymore. Please."

Connor trembled against him, clearly struggling as much. Why would he put them through agony? His hand moved seconds later, stroking both cocks. Kellan's head thrashed against the pillow, sweat beading his forehead and the back of his neck, the drumming of his blood loud in his ears. He closed his eyes, silently begging for release.

A finger pressed against his asshole, slipping inside. It sent him reeling, past the point of control. Back arched, he exploded, an orgasm ten times stronger than any he'd ever experienced tearing through his abdomen and spreading down his limbs. A roar came from his lips, before he crashed back to the bed, his body left a hollow shell. Connor followed him, cresting. His cock jerked against Kellan's, sending another pulse of pleasure.

Connor collapsed atop him, their bodies heaving a few seconds in the silent aftermath.

"Dear god," he muttered between gasps for air.

Connor rolled to Kellan's side. "How was it?"

"Amazing,"Kellan whispered, barely capable of conscious speech. His nerve cells still fired within, vibrating his body and senses. Had he been able to form coherent sentences, he would've told Connor it had been the most powerful sexual experience he'd ever shared in, with the first time they'd fucked following close behind.

"Told you it would be worth it," Connor murmured, clearly proud of himself.

"Mm-hmm," Kellan replied, lids growing heavy. When he lifted his eyes open again, Connor stared down at him, smiling. He lay on his side, elevated on one elbow, watching close. "What?"

"Have a nice nap?"

Kellan didn't remember falling asleep. "Did I?"

"You did. Snored a little bit, too."

Kellan laughed. "How long?"

"Maybe a half hour or so. I clearly wore you out."

Kellan wrapped his arms around Connor's neck and drew the man down for a kiss. "You definitely wore me out."

Reinvigorated by his nap, Kellan was ready for more. He wanted Connor inside him again, their bodies made one. Fortunately, Connor appeared willing, his cock growing hard with Kellan's captivated attention.

"You're insatiable," Connor chuckled between kisses. "I've created a monster."

"I am insatiable. For you." Kellan lifted his legs around the outside of Connor's hips in his attempt to get what he wanted.

Connor sat back on his haunches, avidly watching Kellan.

He lifted his legs higher, opening himself for Connor. Spreading some of the slick lube from his cock to his hole, he sank a finger inside, imploring for Connor to take over with a longing glance. He didn't have to wait long. After pouring more lube into his palm, Connor slid a finger inside against Kellan's, adding girth to the thrusts.

Minutes after they'd started, Kellan whimpered, needing more than fingers to fill his hole.

"Condoms?" Connor asked softly.

Kellan's eyes widened. "I don't have any."

Connor winced.

"I don't have any diseases. I was tested a couple of years ago, but I've not been with anyone but you since," Kellan stated.

"My last test was a few months ago, and I was clear. There was another after it, but never without a condom."

Kellan fought the instant stab of jealousy that hit his chest. "Someone you're still with?"

"No," Connor replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I'm single and unattached."

Kellan had no rights to be jealous. They'd made no promises to one another. But he wanted to be Connor's only… and was willing to offer the same.

"Well, I was unattached," Connor corrected.

Kellan blanched. "Oh…"

"I'm yours now," Connor whispered. "As much as you're mine."

A smile spread across his lips, unbidden. "I guess that makes you my boyfriend." Kellan winced. It sounded so cheesy yet made him ridiculously happy. He'd never had a boyfriend before and suddenly felt like a teenager again.

"That's right, boyfriend," Connor replied.

"Then you'd best fuck me and make it official," Kellan told him.

"Uncovered?"

"If you're sure, I trust you," Kellan replied.

Connor held his stare, hunger burning in his eyes. He pressed the head of his bare cock to Kellan's tight bud and slowly sank inside. Kellan gasped at the invasion, skin against skin. He'd not expected the heat of the contact without protection and hissed at the intensity it produced.

Once linked, Connor rode him hard, just the way he liked it. Writhing in the sheets, he took his lover into him, their bodies truly connected. They rocked together, both seeking absolution and soon finding it. Connor's seed blasted deep within, coating his insides, as he came between them, marking their bellies with cum.

Sleep tangled them both after. On the night went, making love and then falling asleep in one another's arms. The following morning, Kellan awoke to find Connor frowning over his cellphone.

"What's wrong?"

Connor's head whipped to his. "The news broke. We're on the front page of the TMZ website." He twisted his phone to show Kellan.

Kellan read the headline. Homophobic Senator's Son Caught Kissing Handsome Hunk. He laughed under his breath. "Well, the shit has hit the fan, Hunk." He focused on Connor, noting the concern in the man's eyes. "I'm sorry."

Connor shrugged. "The torment will be worth the pleasure at the end, hmm?"

Kellan grinned, but it soon faded. "What will you do if you lose your jobs?"

"No idea."

Kellan sat up. "It might be best to homeschool Abigail for a while, until this mess blows over. If they fire you, perhaps we can hire you to teach her here at home."

"I don't need a pity job. I'll manage."

"It's no pity job. You're an amazing teacher. Abigail loves you." Kellan tilted his head. "And this is all my fault. I'd like to make it right."

"It's not your fault. Whoever the blackmailer is—they're at fault."

"I still should've come to you first before telling my father I wouldn't pay. You should've had a voice in this decision."

Connor dragged him closer. "I'm not upset. I would've told you to do exactly what you did."

"Knowing you might lose your job?" Kellan winced. "Jobs."

"Even knowing that. No one has the right to hold that over your head, demanding money. It was wrong, and they didn't deserve a cent." Connor pressed a kiss to Kellan's lips. "I'll survive. It'll blow over soon, and maybe I can find a public-school gig in the fall. If I'm let go." He looked down at his phone. "To be honest, it's not all that clear who you're with. They were focusing on you, not me. My back is to the camera in almost all of these."

"True," Kellan said. "But they were following me for research to hurt my dad. I doubt they didn't dig to find out who you were. And if they didn't, TMZ and their ilk likely will. I'm sorry."

Connor sighed. "It's okay."

"The offer stands. If the media circus lands outside Allton, I won't bring Abigail through that mess."

"Might be best… for a while… to have someone other than you or Emma taking her to school. Might keep them away from Abigail."

"Maybe." He caressed Connor's face. "And keep them away from you, too, if they haven't hunted down a name."

"School's over in a few weeks. If we can throw them off the scent that long, I can ride the year out. Maybe it'll have died down by the new school term."

"I'll do whatever I can to make that happen. I'm sure Emma would help."

"Thanks," Connor replied before stealing another kiss. "We'll make it through this okay. And if you're not feeling okay, you need to tell me so we can talk it out."

Kellan stared into Connor's face, utterly appreciative. "Yeah. Same for you."

"We're going to be okay," Connor said, hugging him tight. "We've got each other."

Kellan leaned into Connor's embrace, sensing for once that everything would be okay. He could weather any storm with Connor and Emma at his sides.

* * *

Connor held Kellan tight, worry filling his chest. More so for Kellan's peace of mind and concern for Abigail being in the middle of it all, less about his own situation. While he'd used the money he'd made at Elite to pay off his student debt, he'd also saved up a nice little nest egg to get him through—in case an employer found out where he worked in his spare time.

There was a chance that could all come out and if it did, his life could spiral. But all things were temporary. In time, they'd be able to breathe again and rebuild from the ashes.

He stared down at a sleeping Kellan, sensing it was exactly where he belonged, pandemonium be damned. Kellan was worth losing it all—as long as he never lost the most important thing.

The most important man.

"I love you," he faintly whispered to Kellan.

Kellan stirred slightly, and Connor tensed. He hadn't been ready for Kellan to hear those words. Not yet.

"Love you, too," Kellan whispered, sleepily before drifting off again.

Connor grinned, wondering if Kellan had been conscious enough to know what he'd said. Either way, he'd said it, and Connor would hold it tight.

He might need it to get him through the coming storm.