Chapter Twenty | Brody

Ten in the morning couldn't come soon enough. After five days in the hospital with the constant intrusion of light and noise, my mind was ready for some solitude. Noah told me my home was ready for me to do just that. Decompress and regain my mind-body balance.

When Noah had suggested moving in with me, my brain had pulled me in two directions. One part wanted it so bad, to have him near me every night and the most of every day. The other part of me worried that we'd be incompatible living together and doing so would ruin everything.

I loved that man and wanted to hang on to him for as long as possible.

I placed my hand on Noah's. He'd been waiting with me since 9 am. He was as anxious to get me out of there as I was to leave. The past few days, he'd been at my townhouse every day at some point. Sometimes twice. He'd kept me updated about the animals. They'd all taken to Noah which I didn't find surprising. He really did love animals. They could feel that in him.

"God." Noah looked at his phone. "It's 10:10. Where's the doctor?"

"I'm sure she has more than me to discharge this morning."

"How can you be so calm? I'm going squirrely."

I smiled at him. "They've got me on good drugs."

"Okay. Yeah. That would do it. "

"Mr. Carlisle." The doctor strode into the room. "I'm going to discharge you today. I'm satisfied you're on the right track with your injuries. A nurse will come in and explain to Noah what he needs to do to keep your lacerations and dressings clean."

The nurse had already done that; given us the rundown. Noah had been adorable as he listened intently and asked questions. He was taking this seriously.

He loved me.

And I was trusting him to come into my home and potentially mess with the order I had created there. I was trusting him to occupy real estate in my sacred space.

I studied his face as he listened to the doctor. He'd remember everything she said for me. My mind was no longer paying attention. He'd fill me in on anything I needed to know.

The sound of my name snapped me back.

"Brody?" The doctor gripped her clipboard and looked at me. "Any questions?

Noah flipped his hand so he could hold mine. "I think we have everything."

I nodded. "We're good."

If felt good to say we . Noah would be by my side as I recovered. We were going to tackle the next couple of months together. He'd already moved some belongings into my townhouse after consulting with me about where he could put his things. He was being incredibly respectful. I wouldn't expect anything less from him. He understood me better than most people ever had.

Noah jumped to his feet once the doctor left.

I think he would have carried me out of there if two nurses hadn't entered the room and helped me into a wheelchair. Carrying my crutches, Noah stayed close as I was wheeled to the lobby.

"I'll get the car." He grinned at me. "Don't go anywhere. "

"I was going to launch an escape, but you have my crutches."

Noah laughed and leaned in for a quick kiss. "Be good."

The nurses left me to wait. The smell of coffee from the hospital's coffee shop permeated my senses. Noah had been bringing me cups of cappuccinos throughout each day. Concentrating on the familiar scent helped to distract me. The lobby was busy. I was feeling exposed.

I looked down at my altered clothing. Noah had brought in a pair of my sweatpants and a sweatshirt. A pair of surgical scissors had removed one arm and one leg to accommodate my casts that I needed to have for another nine weeks. Noah was going to stay with me the whole time.

I was drawn to Noah's smiling face as he came in through the sliding doors. He wrapped a coat around my shoulders and plunked a toque on my head.

"Okay, let's break you out of here."

With a bit of effort and a near mishap, we managed to get me into Noah's car. He put the crutches in the backseat and ran the wheelchair back inside the hospital as I waited impatiently.

Thankfully, my home was close to the hospital.

Noah was nervously attentive when I used one crutch to mount the stairs to my front door. We were met by Bentley, his tail nearly whipping his body off balance, and whining for my attention. I was able to reach down far enough to scratch the top of his head.

"Let's get you into bed," Noah said as he guided me out of the foyer.

"I'm sick of being in bed. I want to sit on the couch for a while." I hobbled toward it. Noah raced ahead of me and arranged an array of throw cushions to support me.

I groaned as my ass descended among them. I suspected the pain killers they had me on were good but moving still hurt. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if I didn't have them .

"What can I get you?" Noah asked, hovering at my side.

"I'd kill for a cup of coffee."

Noah leaned down and kissed my head. "Not necessary. All you have to do is ask."

I grabbed his wrist as he moved to walk away to fulfill my request. He peered down at me, love in his eyes. "Thank you, Noah … for everything."

"No need to thank me." He sat on the arm of the couch. "You're my man. I love you and want to take care of you. I'm looking forward to spending time with you."

"Are you sure your pub isn't going to suffer?"

It concerned me that Noah was going to be spending so much time with me. He had a business to run. The few hours a night when he could get away might not be enough.

"I have good people. The pub will be fine."

"You're sacrificing a lot for me."

Noah rose. "Like I said, I love you. You're mine. You're stuck with me."

I laughed. "I could think of much worse things."

"Not a glowing admiration of my sacrifice but I'll take it." He disappeared into the kitchen and the smell of coffee soon filled the room. I was practically drooling when he handed me a cup.

He leaned close to me as he helped me set the cup on the side table. His soapy essence cut through every other scent in the room. My cock took notice, swelling.

"Can I get you anything else?"

I perused his body from his focused eyes to his strong shoulders, to his tight hips.

"Take off your shirt."

Noah's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "You are feeling better."

"I want some of what's mine. "

The look in Noah's eyes changed from loving warmth to fired up desire. He stripped out of his shirt and flung it across the room. "Now what?"

"Your pants … nice and slow."

Noah edged open the button on his pants then dragged his zipper down. I forgot to breathe when he cupped his bulge and moaned, swaying his back, and sticking his ass out.

Slowly off one hip and then the other, the band of his jeans until his trimmed pubes were visible. He crept his jeans down a centimetre at a time, agonizingly drawn out.

I rubbed my cock through my sweatpants as his beautiful one sprang free.

"Straddle me."

"Mm. I like where this is going." Noah climbed onto the couch with incredible care and straddled my hips. He placed his hands on my shoulders. "Now what?"

"Put your arms up over your head." I needed to inhale the intoxicating scent of him. He placed his hands on the back of his head, his chest heaving. I used my good hand to draw him near to me so I could draw my nose along his underarm, his aroma washing over me.

I held his arm in place and licked a swathe through the dense fragrant hair. He tasted of soap and sweat. My senses buzzed, blinding me to my surroundings. This here was heaven.

Noah moaned and squirmed in my lap.

"Fuck, yeah."

I dragged my tongue leisurely until his hair was wet and flat against his skin. Getting close enough to lick his other underarm without the use of my broken arm proved impossible. Without my asking, Noah leaned right in against me, offering himself to me .

He undulated his hips, whimpering as I nosed and licked under his arm until I was satisfied. His scent was fresh on my lips as he took my face in both his hands and kissed me.

I slipped my tongue between Noah's lips and claimed more of what was mine. He dragged his fingers up and into my hair and clung on tight, nearly tipping my head back.

My vision shifted as Noah slipped off my lap, kneeled at my feet, and eased my sweatpants off my hips. He encased my stiff shaft in his fist and ran his tongue across my slit.

I hissed and lifted my hips. He took it as a sign to continue. I reinforced that by running my hands into his hair, clasping his head, and directing his mouth to where I needed it to be.

Noah emitted a sultry wail that sounded like a mixture of pain and pleasure as he took my cock into his mouth. He pumped the base of my shaft as he used his tongue and a perfect amount of suction to bring me to the brink of losing myself. That wouldn't do. I wanted more of him.

"Climb back on. I want to fill you."

Noah rose to his feet. "I'll nip into the bedroom first. Gather supplies."

As he walked past the edge of the couch, I grasped his arm, stopping him. "When was the last time you were tested?" The words came out and then the prayers started.

"I get checked every three months." Noah furrowed his brow at me. "You want to—"

"I want to claim you completely. Make you mine."

Noah groaned as his gaze consumed me. "Fuck, that's hot."

"We're both good?"

"Never had a bad result." Noah returned to me, climbed back on, and ground his cock against mine. "I've never done this before … fucked raw. "

"Me neither. On both counts." I used my good arm to stroke his back from his tailbone to the space between his shoulders. Noah shivered for the entire trip of my fingers.

"We're still going to need lube," he said.

"There's some in the basket under the coffee table."

Noah raised his eyebrows at me, making me laugh. "Didn't know you were a boy scout … always prepared. Do you entertain yourself out here often?" His smirk slipped into a smile.

I loved Noah's cheeky side.

I loved every part of the man.

"Just get it and stop asking questions."

A quick retreat and then Noah was back, stroking a handful of lube on my tight aching dick as he kissed me into near oblivion. He adjusted the position of his knees and used one hand, his arm slung around behind him, to position my cock at his tight ring.

"We'll go slow," he said, answering my concern about not prepping his hole. And he did, lowering himself in gradual increments of descent and pause until he was fully seated on me. His glove was tight. Tight and warm—and perfect. My bare cock belonged in him.

I gripped his hip tight as he adjusted, his eyes closed, groaning, his lips parted. I licked my lips as I admired him. He was beautiful up there. I'd never wanted anyone more.

Noah's eyes reappeared, lusty, and hungry as he gazed down at me. He placed his strong hands on my shoulders and lifted away from my hips. Then sank back, impaling himself.

"Fuck," we both muttered.

I never wanted to wear a condom ever again. I could feel every velvety surface of Noah's channel as he began to ride me, my dick not compacted and gloved .

"Oh, Jeezus, that feels good," Noah cried, increasing his pace until he was bouncing on my lap, his fingers digging into my shoulders. I licked my palm and gripped his cock.

He bucked up into my fist.

"Yes, baby. Yes."

I stroked him faster—then slower until he whined. It was the most tantalizing sound, his desire. I wanted to bottle it and keep it with me always.

Tongue first, coming at me, he kissed me, tasting and seeking, licking every surface behind my lips. Then my lips. Sucking and biting, his fingers threaded in my dampening hair.

He moaned and tipped his head back as his cock pulsed in my hand.

"Fuck." Noah gripped the back of my head, pulling my forehead to his chin, and spilled into where my hand was teasing his glans, constricting my dick in a spongey vice grip.

His body stilled.

I grabbed his ass and angled up into him. My battered ribs and abs objected, but I was too far gone to care. I could deal with the fallout of the impending increase in pain later.

"Yeah, Brody," Noah chanted, riding each thrust of my hips. "Fill me. Make me yours."

His words tipped me over the edge, and I emptied my cum into him, my cream coating his insides. Where it belonged. With the increased slickness, my cock slipped easily in and out of Noah's hole as he lifted and fell in my lap.

Mine.

We stayed like that, moving slightly, not wanting to part. On Noah's next ascent, my soft cock slipped from his hole, and he came back down to rest on it. He cupped my face and kissed me.

After a leisurely minute, our lips speaking their own language of love, Noah separated from me—barely, nose to nose, still breathing my breath. "I love you, Brody. "

Mm, that felt good hearing those words. "I love you too."

Felt even better to say them.

I groaned and shut my eyes, nudging Noah to climb off me. My arousal had dimmed what was increasing pain in my leg and back. Fucking Noah probably hadn't been a good idea.

"What can I get you?" Noah stood before me, flushed, worry on his face.

"My pain meds. I think I'm due."

"God, what were we thinking." Noah fussed with his underwear and pulled them on. I wasn't ready for his ass to disappear. I needed to see. I needed to see for myself.

"Wait." I tugged on his underwear. "Pull this back down. Turn around and bend over for me."

Noah gave me a sly smile then did as I'd instructed. He ditched the underwear, leaned forward, and put his hands on the coffee table. I traced my finger down his crack.

"Let me see."

He used one hand to hold himself open. It was enough to see his pink pucker. It was still glistening along with the cheeks on either side of it. I pressed my finger into his hole. It was warm and wet in there. I'd marked him. Put my scent in him. Noah was truly mine now.

I slid my finger out and patted his ass. "I plan to keep that ass of yours filled."

Noah laughed. "And I won't object. But first, let me get your pills."

"Keep the underwear off. I want you to stay naked."

This time Noah's laugh was deep and throaty, on the verge of a wave of lusty sounds. "Is that the way things are going to be? You want me naked and waiting on you, is that it?"

I growled. That sounded really good.

Noah ran his fingers through my hair. "Did you just growl? "

"I might even bite you."

Noah wandered away in the direction of the kitchen. "Promises. Promises." He returned with a glass of water and my pills. I took them and turned to my coffee. Due to its neglect, it had cooled.

"I'll heat that up for you." Noah took the cup and disappeared. The room turned fuzzy. I nodded off and jerked awake. Faded again. The sound of the microwave finishing snapped me back. Noah set down the cup beside me. I didn't feel like I had the energy to lift it.

"Let's get you into bed," Noah guided me to my feet. "You can have that coffee later." I used my crutch to take the stairs and follow Noah down the hall to the bedroom. I leaned against a wall as he turned the covers back on the bed and piled a load of pillows against the headboard.

"Come on." He led me to the bed and helped me in. "If you're really good and have a nice long nap, I'll ride you again before I make lunch."

My smile of appreciation for the idea must have been goofy because the pain meds were hitting me, because Noah gave me the most adorable look.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm just so happy to be here with you, that's all."

"Me too." I pulled the covers up over my chest and watched his naked muscular, spectacular ass walk out of the room. The image gave me a lot to dream about.

I'm not sure how many hours passed before Noah was rubbing my good leg, and whispering my name, trying to wake me up. Pain crept in on all sides as I opened my eyes.

I was sad to see he was dressed.

He caught me looking. "Had to take the dog out. Didn't think the neighbours would appreciate me in my birthday suit. Plus, it's December. It's cold out there."

"Forgiven. "

Noah handed me a glass of water and two pills. "Time to take these."

"Then you'll get naked again?"

Noah laughed. "You're incorrigible." He lifted my phone. "Your phone rang. It was your office, so I answered it. I hope you don't mind."

"No. It's fine. Who was it?"

"A very exuberant woman named Alesia."

I chuckled. Yeah, that was her, all right. "What does she want?"

"She needs to stop by for a minute. You have a couple of things to sign." I grunted. I couldn't even escape work by nearly being killed in a car accident. "I tried to dissuade her."

"Not possible when it comes to Alesia. It must be important."

I tried to tidy up the bedding around me when I heard the doorbell ring. When Alesia walked into the bedroom she came to an abrupt stop, staring at me.

"Holy shit, Brody. Your face."

I pasted on the best smile I could muster. My meds weren't working yet. I was in a lot of pain. "Thanks for reminding me I'm hideous."

"What are friends for." Alesia sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you doing?"

"Surviving. That's the main thing."

"Noah tells me he's moved in with you."

Noah cleared his throat. "I'll leave you two alone. Lawyer stuff gives me hives."

When the door closed behind Noah, Alesia's concern bored into me. "Are you sure it's a good idea. Him living with you. You've only known each other a short while."

"We love one another. We'll make it work."

"Love, huh. "

I appreciated that Alesia wanted the best for me, but I was too tired to undergo an interrogation about my love life. "You have papers for me to sign?"

"Yup." She opened a file folder she'd brought with her. She'd been right to bring the papers to me. They were the first of what I expected would be many documents needing my attention.

I signed the papers then leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes, the pull of the drugs taking effect, dragging me into euphoria. One more week and my prescription would run out. The supply would be enough to get me through the worst of the pain.

"I'll leave you to rest." I could feel Alesia rise from the bed.

I opened my eyes. "Call me if anything comes up. Either Noah or I'll answer."

Alesia patted my shin. "It's nice to see you with someone. He seems great."

"He is."

"I'm glad. Talk soon."

Once she was gone, Noah returned to the room. In one hand a plate with a sandwich, on his shoulder a serene Philip. The parrot had never been comfortable enough to perch on me.

"Bugger!"

My eyebrows rose. "That's a new one."

"I was trying to teach him to say cheeky bugger, but he seems to be confined to two syllables."

"Cheeky!"

I laughed until I groaned and held my ribs.

"Asshole!"

"Enough, Philip. Good bird." Noah turned and kissed Philip's beak. My heart ached in all sorts of new places. This man was everything I needed in my life .

"You need to eat," Noah said and set the plate on my lap. "I make a mean sandwich."

I plowed through the layers of rye bread, turkey slices, cheese, and tomatoes. I hadn't realized how hungry I was. Noah sat on the bed with me, leaned against the headboard, stroking my leg, chatting with Philip as I ate. I felt at peace, enjoying the feeling of home.

With Noah at my side.

The next couple of weeks were rocky at times as we adjusted to living with each other. We'd both anticipated that would be the case. By the end of each day, we always made sure we'd cleared up whatever had been bothering us as we combined our routines.

Most days, though, Noah was beyond what I could have imagined in a partner. He had us curled up on the couch tonight watching Jeopardy. Turns out, we both love game shows.

He'd made popcorn. After shouting answers, laughing, and teasing each other, we'd cuddle as close as my casts would allow and switch to watching movies.

Today had been a bath day. Early evening, Noah had wrapped cling wrap around my casts and helped me into the tub. My leg and one arm dangling over the edge as he washed my body and shampooed my hair. Along with it being easier for me to pee into a container that Noah would then empty, my days with him had been humbling, being that helpless.

But Noah was always able to distract me by filling me in on stories from the pub. He went in for two hours each night, while my brother sat with me. I'd begun pressuring Charlie to allow me to hang out on my own while Noah was at work. I could get around to all the places I needed to go. Bentley was fine for a few hours, Noah taking him out right before he left for work.

Noah had come home around nine tonight and we'd started our evening, tuning into a streaming channel of endless game shows. He ate the last piece of popcorn and slipped off the couch. "Keep shouting out answers," he demanded.

I grinned as I looked down at him on his hands and knees at my feet. He slid my leg with the cast along the coffee table and nudged my other leg over. His two strong hands gripped the elastic of my sweatpants and eased them off my hips. Noah liked being down there as I continued to watch whatever game show we had on. He fondled my soft cock as he sucked one of my balls into his mouth. I grunted but kept my attention on the show.

"What is Budapest!" I shouted.

Noah grinned around my sac. As he suckled it, he gazed up at me, blinking his lashes, looking like the most beautiful man in existence. He moved from one to the other.

I'd missed a clue.

I listened to the next one.

"What is Lake Erie!"

Noah hummed and released my ball. "Huron. What is Lake Huron."

"Close enough."

"Owen Sound is not on Lake Erie."

"Fine."

Noah laughed and ran his tongue around my emerging cockhead. It wasn't long until he had me spilling down his throat, the rest of the show passing without our notice.

Two nights later, Noah decided to stay home. His manager Maddy was handling things at the pub. He trusted her implicitly. She'd offered to do the staff scheduling.

It was an awesome transformation to witness, Noah trusting people to run his business, no longer fixated on its perfection. The changes we had made together weeks ago were keeping the pub in the black. The staff was happy, and the place was almost always packed.

He had started measuring that as being a success.

We were expecting Liam to come by tonight. He wasn't working but he'd picked up our dinner from the pub and was bringing it to us. Noah, in all his preciousness, had tried cooking for us. It was a disaster. The only thing he could make was soup and sandwiches and that had worn thin.

We'd been ordering from the pub every night; Noah bringing it home with him.

It was just after eight when Liam arrived. He'd never been to my home before. We hadn't spent any time talking other than some chit-chat at the pub. To be honest, I was nervous. Noah loved this man. I didn't know what to expect from them away from the scrutiny of the pub.

Liam ambled into the living room. Six foot three of absolute gorgeous bliss. Noah had his arm around Liam's waist, tugging him further into the room.

"Liam, glad you could make it, man," Noah said.

"Wouldn't want you starving to death." He handed Noah a large paper bag containing our dinner. I suspected there would be enough for three. I liked that idea.

"Hey, Liam." He took my outstretched hand, giving it a warm shake. "Thanks for bringing the food for us. I'm terrified to let Noah into the kitchen. You saved us from certain death."

Liam laughed. "Yeah, he's not going to be a chef anytime soon." His gaze wandered my face. "You're almost your gorgeous self again. Noah told me you were pretty banged up."

"My entire body felt pulverized."

"How much longer are you in those casts?"

"Six weeks."

"That sucks. Any trouble claiming on your car insurance?"

I waved my hand at him. "It is what it is. "

"We should eat," Noah interrupted and went about grabbing cutlery and setting our dinners on the coffee table. He brought a tray table over for me and transferred my dinner onto it. We'd ordered the hot turkey sandwich tonight with all the fixings including cranberry sauce.

"Pub busy?" Noah asked as he cut up my food for me.

Liam watched our necessary ritual for a second then lifted his dinner into his lap. "Pretty standard for a Wednesday night. Maddy is killing it."

"She always does." Noah handed me my fork then turned to his own food. The following pub talk didn't interest me other than it excited Noah. When they turned to stories of their youth, the change in topic had me listening closely. They'd been through a lot together. Forming bonds by way of epic video game battles and battles with bullies prejudiced against their sexuality.

I learned more about Ethan and Owen too and how the Salish Sea Society had formed. Ethan, I had only experienced briefly, but I hadn't even met Owen. The love in their eyes as they talked about their friends was inspiring. They were incredibly lucky to have found one another.

"Movie?" Noah offered.

"Sure." Liam set his dinner container beside Noah's and tucked up against Noah's side. "Nothing sappy, though. I don't want you two getting all lovey-dovey on me."

"You'd be entertained," Noah replied. "Takes some doing working around those casts."

Liam looked at me. "Is he riding you too hard?"

I actually grinned. "Just the perfect amount."

We spent the rest of the night like that, watching the movie and talking over it. Liam was easy to like. Noah had told me about Liam's hangups, how he stressed over his appearance. I found stories of his self deprecation to be insane. The man looked like a Greek god. His constant battle with his body worried Noah a lot so it pained me. On the outside Liam appeared so confident.

We said our goodbyes then Noah tucked me in bed and joined me. Having Noah in my bed every night brought me peace. This felt like home. I never wanted him to leave. But that was the plan. Once my casts were off, he'd be moving back to his apartment. It was going to crush me.

Forever. I needed forever from him.