8. Cade

8

CADE

T he only thing we could find that was still open was an Indian restaurant, so we ordered a family-sized pan of butter chicken, enough naan bread to stuff all three of us, and a side order of samosas. The aroma of garlic and cumin, ginger, and coriander filled Jay's car as we drove back to his place.

"You sure your son is going to eat something this unusual?" I asked.

"Unusual? Oh, this isn't unusual. Not in our house. I was a picky eater, and my parents gave in to my demands. Because of that, I never tried half of the delicious things that are available out there in our world. When I had Sam, I vowed to instill a sense of adventure into him. Getting him to try new things, whether it be food, crafts, sports…whatever. Life is meant to be lived. We should try everything at least once.

"Then, if you've tried it and decided you don't like it, you don't have to do it again. But everything should be attempted and done so with gusto!" Jay grinned. "I mean, I would never have figured out how much I like being with guys if I hadn't developed some sense of ‘Let's try it anyway'."

I laughed.

One day with Jay and I could already confirm I liked him as a human being. He was easy to get along with, fun to be around, could carry on a conversation, and by his own admittance, would try anything at least once.

Maybe he'd try me.

"You're sure you're prepared for a ten-year-old's barrage of questions?" Jay asked as we turned into his driveway.

The tires ploughed out deep ruts into the snow as we drove up the driveway. Jay pushed a button on a fob, which in turn pulled the garage door up for us.

As soon as we got parked, Jay reached behind him at the same time as I did to grab the takeout food.

Our heads nearly knocked together, but our hands definitely met on top of the food containers.

We were millimetres away from each other's faces. Close enough that if I was going to kiss him, this would have been the time. My gaze darted down to his lips.

He licked them.

I could see the stubble on his chin. Various colours of brown, blond, chestnut, and the occasional red making his scruffy face so damn attractive. I wanted to stroke my fingers across his beard — to kiss it and feel it's roughness, to be chafed by it.

Jay bit at his top lip, "I…um…"

I nodded, "Yeah. Let's go inside. It's at least warm in there, right?"

"Yes. Warm. Definitely warm."

Jay's cheeks pinked, and it wasn't from the cold. Even though it had literally been hours that I'd known him, and it had been in a professional capacity, a little part of my brain was screaming at me: You should have kissed him!

And from the way Jay was looking at anything but me, and acting completely flustered, I got the sense that had I kissed him, he would have reciprocated.

Jay snatched up the food as we pulled away. The garage was attached to the house, so it was nice to know that I didn't have to go back out into the raging storm.

"Oh, damn, my car is at your office!" It had just dawned on me, yanking me away from the promise of warmth and dryness. And it wasn't even my car, it was Uncle Gally's.

"Oh, no worries. You parked in the side lot?" he asked, and I nodded. "Then you're good. It can stay there for days. We own that parking lot. If the police have any questions, they'll call me first. A bonus of living in a smaller city. Connections." Jay winked at me. He seemed to do that a lot, and I wasn't unhappy about it. Some may have found the gesture cheesy, but it made me feel special. Like I was in some secret club that only the two of us occupied.

Jay kicked off his shoes, "Sam, where are you? I've brought home butter chicken for dinner, and we have a guest!"

"That big bear of a guy from the internet?"

Jay blushed.

I chuckled.

Sam appeared in the kitchen the same time we rounded the corner. Jay plopped the containers on the counter and glared at Sam, giving him one of those fatherly looks.

"Oops, sorry," Sam said under his breath.

I laughed, then walked over and stuck out my hand. "Hi, you must be Sam," I said with a smile. He was a cute kid. A little wispy looking, but then what ten-year-old wasn't?

"Yeah, and you must be Cade. The spirit hunter." His eyes went wide as he said it, then glanced at his dad, and then looked at me, before blushing the exact same way I'd made his dad turn red in the car not five minutes earlier.

I turned to look at Jay, who had a palm covering his face.

Yup. Same blush.

"It's okay." I smiled at Jay then returned my attention to Sam. "Yes, it's true I see ghosts. Lots of them."

"That's so cool!" Sam gushed.

"Sometimes." I winked at him.

Sam giggled. "My dad does that all the time. It's so old!"

I continued to grin, madly. Sam was a cute kid, and I wouldn't really have expected anything different with him being Jay's.

"Okay, that's enough embarrassment for your old man for a while. Go wash up, and then put enough place settings on the table so we can have dinner."

"Okay," Sam said, then turned and shuffled off to the bathroom.

"Cute kid." I said.

"He's a good one. I got lucky."

"I think it's more about the parenting." I wanted to flatter Jay.

"Thanks. You want a beer?" Jay slid over to the other side of the kitchen island. "Or would you prefer wine?"

"You have red?"

"I mean, would I be a proper ‘bi guy' if I didn't have both?"

I laughed again but then glanced down the hall where Sam had disappeared.

"Oh, yeah, no worries there. Sam understands that I date both men and women. I mean, we don't get into any specifics, yet. He is, after all, just about to turn eleven, but I don't hide information from him either. If he asks, I give him an age-appropriate answer."

"I gotta hand it to you, you're amazing. I'm not sure I could raise a kid on my own."

"You end up doing what needs to be done, and I think you'd find that we're all capable of some incredible things when you have someone reliant on you for their survival. Don't cut yourself short. I think you'd be surprised what you could do."

Sam showed up and started rifling through the cabinets and pulling out kitchenware. He set the table for us. We watched him.

"Okay, all ready if you two are done having adult conversations. Can we eat? I'm starving." Sam studied us for our reactions, and when he didn't get one, he turned to his dad, "So, I'm gonna guess and say Cade is staying over tonight because of the storm? Is he sleeping in your bed? 'Cause he's too big to fit into mine!"

"Hey, I'm not that fat!" I laughed.

"Dude, you're not fat, but you're a monster. You dwarf Dad and he goes to the gym every day."

"I can sleep on the couch." Jay said.

"Absolutely not. I will not put you out. I can sleep on the couch."

"Will you two stop being all proper on account of me? Just sleep in the same bed as Dad. It's a king size. You'll never touch each other unless you want to."

I stood there, mouth agape, which as I looked over at Jay, was precisely the same facial expression he wore.

Sam however, had already seated himself and was spooning out a massive load of basmati rice onto his plate.

Dinner turned out to be delicious and after the kitchen was tidied up, which Sam did most of while we made small talk, the evening was spent playing Sam's favourite video game until it was past nine o'clock.

"Well, that's my bedtime." Sam stood up and announced, then turned to me, "It was really cool to meet you. I hope you come back and visit again. See you for breakfast."

And then he scampered off.

I turned to looked at Jay, and he shrugged. "That is not normal behaviour," he said. "I'll go tuck him in."

With a few minutes on my hands, I decided to stash the video game console away and tidy up a little — had to be a decent guest after all — and before I could start thinking much about my day, the business with Pam, and the glorious house that was the old McCauley place, Jay returned.

"My son is up to no good." Jay rolled his eyes.

"What do you mean? He was great!"

"You don't spend much time around kids, do you?"

"No, what am I missing?"

"Don't get me wrong, Sam was on his best behaviour tonight, as well he should have been, but he was also manipulating the situation too."

I scrunched my brows together, and Jay immediately picked up on my confusion.

"He's trying to get me a boyfriend."

I straightened my back at hearing the word "boyfriend".

"You mean?—"

"Yes. He apparently thinks you and me would be a good thing."

"Well, I?—"

"Okay, time to address the big elephant in the room," Jay said, then turned away, walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of wine that sat on the counter and returned to where we had been sitting on the couch for the last few hours. "More?"

"Absolutely," I said, shifting in my seat. "Have I done something wrong?"

"Good God, no." He poured half a glass for me. "But maybe I have."

I took a sip, then held the glass close to my chest as I leaned back into the fluffy cushions of the couch. "I can't imagine what you're talking about."

"Cade, you're a client. All day we've been flirting back and forth, and as much as I have enjoyed it, I have to tell you this is not how I conduct my business." Jay sat in the far chair, lifted his glass to his lips, and took a big swallow. "You've got me acting rather badly."

"Jay McClaren, are you nervous? Is that sweat I see forming on your brow?"

He chortled, then pulled his mouth into a thin line as he squinted at me. "Yeah, I am."

"Okay, this is ridiculous. We're both grown men. Can I be honest with you?"

"Please."

"Then come sit next to me."

Jay hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded, stood, and relocated next to me.

I scooched over so our thighs touched. If we were going to have this conversation, then I wanted to be touching him.

"Okay. I like you. You've been great to me all day. You've never made me feel like a superstar from the big city or worse, some pariah for being mixed up in the occult. Believe me, I get those reactions all the time. Thank God you're bi, because me being gay can sometimes toss yet another layer onto the existing issues, and people end up treating me like garbage.

"You didn't do that. In fact, you've been just the opposite. Easy to get along with, fun to talk to, and despite the ghostly bits, and that grisly affair with your office assistant, you've been fairly relaxed and calm, in spite of what we've been through today. I've never had someone in my life who was interested in just me. Everyone I've ever dated wanted to use me for my talent, connections, or celebrity status — such as it is. I mean, people know who I am and recognize me in Edmonton. Outside of the city? Probably not.

"So, yeah, I thought there was some flirting going on, but I didn't put much stock into it." I leaned over and bumped my shoulder into his playfully.

"What if I wanted you to?" Jay arched an eyebrow.

"You mean what, exactly?" I asked.

"I think I like you. I mean physically? Holy hell, yes. But I would want someone in my life, and Sam's too, who had more going than a set of furry pec muscles."

I laughed at that. I definitely had those…but no relationship should be based purely on physical looks or attraction.

"So, what does that mean?"

"It means Sam would like to see you here for breakfast tomorrow, and perhaps you could come back and visit with us again?"

"Jay McClaren, are you asking me out on a date?"

Jay laughed. "I guess I am. See, I told you, Sam was manipulating the situation. He likes you. He's fiercely protective of me, and he's pushed other people away. But he likes you and wants to see you back here, so…" Jay shrugged.

"Should I ask what Jay wants? I'm more than happy to oblige Sam. He seems like a great kid, and I could play video games with him forever. Never mind he whooped my ass at it."

"He's pretty good with these things. But he should be. He spends enough time on them." Jay went quiet.

"Jay?" I cocked my head to the side and then glanced at him. "What do you want?"

"I seriously want to kiss you." The pink in Jay's cheeks rushed in to colour his face, and then turned an even brighter red which travelled down the side of his neck. "Not only because you're stunningly handsome, and because I haven't had some adult connection in a while, but also because I'd really like to forget about everything that happened today and focus in on something awesome."

"I'd like that," I said, wrapping my hand around his waist.

Jay put his glass down on the coffee table, then turned slightly toward me. He put a hand on my thigh.

I smiled.

He grinned, then glanced away.

I leaned into him.

He didn't look up, so I took his chin in my paw of a hand and gently guided his face toward mine.

"Jay McClaren, are you shy?"

"A little. I want you to understand that I don't date many people. I haven't had sex in forever, and I never bring anyone home because, well…" He gestured toward the hall where Sam had disappeared, presumably toward his son's bedroom.

"I get it. It's okay, you know. I too haven't had sex in a while. My last boyfriend was six months ago. Ended disastrously." I could feel Jay's breath on my face.

Despite our evening eating Indian food and drinking wine, it was the most intoxicating closeness I'd had in months. As much as I was on the search for a home that would grant me some solitude, I longed for this type of intimacy—the proximity of flesh, the warmth of another man, the primal energy between two guys when getting down and dirty in the sheets.

I didn't want to sequester myself away from that.

I wanted it badly.

And I wanted it right now with Jay.

I leaned forward and placed a tentative kiss on his lips.

He returned the gesture.

A heavy sigh left Jay when we pulled away.

"This is terribly unprofessional," he mumbled. His eyes were glassed over, and his pupils blown.

"I'm not particularly interested in your professionalism right now. I'm more eager to see what you look like naked."

"Let's go to my room," Jay whispered as he took me by the hand and led me down the hallway where Sam had gone not too long ago.

As we entered into his primary suite, he closed the door behind us, then whispered, "We'll have to be quiet." His head nodded toward the hallway. "Sam's room is just across the hall."

I took Jay by the shoulders and pulled him in close so I could lean close to his ear and whisper, "I'm not usually good with quiet, but for you, I'll not make a single sound."

I started to unbutton Jay's shirt until I could pull apart each side exposing his chest. His time and attention at the gym had sculpted him a spectacular body, and although he had some chest hair dusting the bottoms of his pectorals, he kept it trimmed very short.

I slid my hand across the mass of muscle. His flesh pebbled in response to my light touch. Jay's knees buckled. The short hair prickled the skin on my palm, leaving me wanting to pet him all night long.

I slid my free arm around his waist and held him close to me.

His enthusiasm and excitement were evident by the steel rod that rubbed up against my thigh.

I kissed him again. This time, my tongue danced across his lips. He opened his mouth, allowing me to explore deeper.

Jay was an amazing kisser, and even though he'd gone a little wobbly on me, which was one hell of a compliment, his hands knew exactly what to do.

He had my T-shirt untucked and my belt buckle undone within seconds.

As my pants slid down to my ankles, he pushed me back and tugged up on my shirt. I lifted my arms to give him the access to get me stripped down.

"Fuck me, you're a furry guy."

"Hope that's okay? I hate shaving."

"Are you kidding?" Jay threaded his fingers through the thick matt of hair that covered my chest. He worked his way down, stroking the fur with his fingertips until he got to the waistband of my briefs. My cock throbbed in response to the physical touch. "I love it. All of it. Don't ever shave a thing for me. I'm pretty smooth, so this is heaven."

"I concur. You've got a great bod." I unbuttoned Jay's khaki's, slid the zipper down, and pushed his pants over his bubble butt. I then wrenched his shirt off.

Our clothes lay in a heap by the side of the bed, and it didn't take long before we were both lying there, kissing, pawing, and panting over each other.

The sensation of a new body, new skin, new curves intoxicated me.

I was damn near out of breath, but then I reached down and slid my hand into Jay's briefs.

He was monstrous: thick, uncut, meaty, and a hefty handful.

He reciprocated the gesture.

"I'm not as big as?—"

"Yeah, I know, most guys aren't as big as me. I don't care."

He squeezed my boner as I leaked into his hand. "Hot damn. You drool from your tool."

"Lots. Like to the point where it's embarrassing."

"I wanna taste." Jay began to descend.

My stomach tightened in anticipation.

Jay's tongue lashed out, warm, and wet, licking the end of my cock. He stroked me a few times, as he leaned away, examining my meat, milking my excitement from me.

"Fuck me. You might not be as thick as I am, but I'm pretty sure you're at least as long." Jay said as he straddled me, keeping his hand on my erection, giving it several playful tugs.

More pre-come leaked out.

Jay took his own cock and then placed mine on top of his. He tried to put his fingers around both of us but that proved to be impossible.

"See, not as thick, but damn you are as long." Jay smiled as he stroked us.

I leaned into Jay, kissing him, and gently tweaking his hard nipples. "I hope this isn't too forward given it's our first time, but I really want you to fuck me with that beast."

Jay's response was to slip is hand between my legs and find my hole, running his finger around the outside, teasing me, using my own pre-come as a lubricant.

"Oh yeah. We're gonna have—" I began.

And then the screaming started.