Chapter Thirteen

Kendrick had a late bartender, which was fine because he needed to calm himself. He didn't get angry very often, but the thing that could push him over the edge quicker than anything was when someone shut him down. He didn't like being ignored or dismissed. And it appeared Brad was good at doing both.

Kendrick didn't want to say anything out of anger, but he would if he confronted Brad. Plus, he wasn't sure if Brad was home yet.

Kendrick's cell phone dinged, indicating he had a text message. He sighed and picked up his phone, leaning against the counter as he opened the message.

Jaron Heath's name popped onto his screen along with a series of photos. The first one showed Brad, who seemed annoyed and amused all at once. There was one where Brad seemed as if he were trying to solve the world hunger problem but didn't know how. There was a picture of Brad in perfect light, making him appear as if he were an angel sent from heaven. His expression said he might have had his wings clipped, and he wasn't sure if that gave him feelings or not.

And then Kendrick came to a video which took a while to load, but once it did it was a close-up of Brad's face. He stared directly into the camera and said something about not wanting to be a part of Jaron's ex-convict documentary. Jaron spoke from somewhere off-camera, mostly asking questions. There was no doubt Jaron annoyed Brad. They interacted more like siblings than anything else.

Kendrick's anger disappeared.

Someone walked through the front door, so Kendrick paused the video.

His late bartender seemed apologetic as he made his way behind the bar. "Sorry. I don't have a good excuse. But it won't happen again."

Kendrick nodded and grabbed his keys from the drawer. "Um…Call Calvin if you need someone to come in. I'm…um…off for the night."

Walt's eyes widened. Kendrick had always said for them to call him if they needed him.

Kendrick didn't wait for a response but left the bar. It wasn't until he sat in his car with the key in the ignition, but the engine turned off that he restarted the video. When he heard Brad say he liked Kendrick, he smiled. But his smile died when Brad suggested that Kendrick listened to gossip.

Oh, Kendrick had a few things to say to that. He put his phone in the center console and started the engine. Brad's house was only a few miles from Kendrick's, so it didn't take him long to get there. He was even more worked up when he parked behind Brad's truck.

He didn't think about anything except making Brad hear him when he got out of the car and walked down the path to the front door. He knocked. Caden answering disappointed him.

"Oh good, you're here. I have some ribs I need you to show me how to cook." Caden sat on the couch and watched whatever was on the television.

Kendrick didn't pay attention. He didn't care. "Okay. Um…where's your brother?"

"Luis isn't home from work yet." Caden met his gaze, grinning.

Kendrick might have feared Caden's size upon first meeting him, but the teasing turned it into annoyance. Part of the reason was because Kendrick felt brave in his frustration. Plus, he knew Brad was in the house somewhere. All he had to do was start yelling and Brad would save him.

Kendrick narrowed his eyes. "Your older brother."

"Luis is older than me."

"Caden." Kendrick sighed. "You know who I mean."

Caden chuckled. "Brad's in the shower."

Kendrick walked down the hall and knocked on the bathroom door, waiting for Brad's response. He could hear the water running and pictured Brad naked under the spray.

"Come in. Again. You pee more than anyone I know." Brad must have thought he was Caden.

Kendrick opened the door and closed it behind him. He sat on the closed toilet seat and gathered his thoughts. Faced with starting a conversation, he didn't know how or even what to say. Kendrick settled on, "I don't like it when you won't talk to me."

Something crashed to the tub floor and Brad cursed. "Ouch. Shit."

"Are you okay?" Kendrick wanted to pull the shower curtain back so he could have the conversation face to face. And if he got a peek at Brad's body then that was a bonus and well worth being accused of invading Brad's privacy, but he had already done that anyway, so whatever.

"What are you doing here?" Brad sounded irritated and a little put out, which should have scared Kendrick, but the few cautionary misgivings he had had disappeared on the roof. It was the way Brad had watched Kendrick climb over the bricks that had done it. Kendrick had thought nothing of making it over the two-foot edge, but Brad had worried about him the whole time, even though Kendrick had irritated him.

"You wouldn't talk to me earlier."

"Can it wait until after I get out of the shower?"

Okay, that was it. The attitude had to go. "What better place to talk than right now." When Kendrick had Brad all vulnerable and unable to get away.

"I don't see the point of beating a dead horse."

He stood and pulled his shirt over his head before unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans. He took his shoes off and then his pants and underwear before stepping into the shower behind Brad.

Brad faced the faucet with his hand on the tiles and his head under the spray. When Kendrick entered, he wiped around. "Jesus Christ, Kendrick."

What seemed like a great idea just two seconds ago turned into a fantasy come true. "I should have thought this through."

Did he say that aloud?

He couldn't tell based on Brad's expression. Brad ran a hand down his face, brushing the water away, and stared at Kendrick as if he were a piece of his favorite candy. "Probably."

"Huh?" Every ounce of blood in his body went straight to his dick, making it hard. He took a hold of his own cock, holding it because he needed something around it and neither one of them wanted to do anything but stare at each other.

Brad wasn't just big. He was chiseled. He had one of those bodies that everyone wanted, and no one had. He was beautiful in every way. His farmer's tan only added to the appeal because it made him more human and less godlike, and Kendrick needed the reminder that Brad wasn't perfect if he didn't want to become sensitive to his own flawed body.

And then Kendrick's gaze moved to his hard cock. He licked his lips, imagining what it would feel like in his mouth. He bet Brad tasted like the best dessert ever. Kendrick never thought of himself as a size queen but damn. "That thing could ruin me for all others."

He knew he said that out loud because Brad laughed. While that was an improvement to his irritation, it did nothing for Kendrick's embarrassment.

"You have no filter at all."

Kendrick met Brad's gaze through his lashes. "Only around you because you're so beautiful."

Brad smiled. "So are you."

"I want to touch you."

Brad shook his head, closing his eyes against their shared desire. "I can't and then have you pull away."

"I won't. I want to date. You didn't let me tell you before." Kendrick let his cock go, even though the conversation did nothing to quell it. "I'm scared of reacting badly. Like I did. But I…I want you."

"Like a relationship or something less?"

"Relationship. Of course. I…um…I can't do anything else. I'm not really the type."

Brad nodded. "I'm not either, but it mostly has to do with my childhood. I won't settle for anything less than serious."

"Trust doesn't come easy for me, but I trust you." Kendrick didn't know how to say what he needed to. He wanted to make sense but didn't know if he would. "I just…I didn't know if I had good judgment."

Understanding dawned. "You don't trust yourself."

Kendrick nodded and averted his gaze. "I've made mistakes before. It cost a lot."

"But you still want to try."

"It's because I'm right about you."

"How do you know?"

"Well, it's because…because you…watched me on the roof. Like you thought I was going to fall."

"I didn't want you to get hurt. No offense, but you're too short to climb over the ledge. And I can't believe you're making me have this conversation in the shower while we're both naked." Brad chuckled at that last part.

Kendrick grinned and stepped into Brad's space, touching his pectoral muscle. "In the video you said you respected my decision."

"What video?"

"The one Jaron texted me."

Brad's expression hardened for one moment and then he sighed, shaking his head. "Meddling little shit."

Kendrick ran his hand across the expanse of his chest. He could feel Brad's hard length press against his stomach. His cock pressed against Brad's thigh. The pressure felt too good to keep talking, but Kendrick had one last thing to say. "I'll respect your decision too. I just want you to know that."

Brad cupped Kendrick's nape and kissed him. The kiss was searing right from the start, with open-mouthed kisses designed to taste. He licked across Kendrick's lips and then inside his mouth. No one had ever made love to Kendrick, but that was what the kiss was, making love with their mouths. If it went on forever, it would end too soon.

Kendrick's knees weakened, so he wrapped his arms around Brad's shoulders for stability. He didn't feel how cold his backside was getting, exposed to the air, until Brad ran his hand along his back and to his ass.

When Brad turned them, so Kendrick was under the spray, the kiss ended naturally.

Kendrick focused on Brad's chest, licking across his nipple.

Brad hissed and moved his hands everywhere he could reach. "Everything about you turns me on."

He licked Brad's nipple again before working it between his lips.

Brad's grip on his ass tightened until he pressed Kendrick's cock against him even harder.

Kendrick worked his hand down Brad's body, getting a good feel of all those hard muscles before taking Brad's cock in hand. The weight of it felt right.

He couldn't resist getting another peek at it. The flesh was a shade or two darker than the rest of Brad. It still wasn't as dark as Kendrick's hand. He tightened his grip, wanting a reaction. And he got one when Brad moaned.

"I want to taste you. Can I?" Kendrick whispered the words as he kissed his chest, getting a taste with his tongue a second time.

Brad nodded and shut his eyes as if the idea would send him over the edge of bliss and he wasn't ready for it. He didn't keep them closed long.

Kendrick sank to his knees. Poised with Brad's cock in front of him, he met Brad's gaze. He needed to make sure Brad was still comfortable.

Brad watched Kendrick. The devotion came through loud and clear. Kendrick wasn't sure how he missed it before, but he was sure it had always been there. Maybe recognizing it was easier with the intimacy.

Brad cupped the back of Kendrick's head, not making demands but simply touching. They both needed the contact.

Kendrick licked over the head, gathering the pre-cum onto his tongue and getting his first real taste. The water diluted some of his flavor, but it still came through.

Brad braced himself with a hand on the shower tiles.

Kendrick wrapped his lips around the head and took as much of it into his mouth as possible, which wasn't nearly as much as he would have liked. He used his hand on the rest, wanting to make it good for Brad.

Kendrick had always loved sucking cock, but it had never been so good. Maybe it was the way Brad didn't make demands but let Kendrick take the lead. Or maybe it was the fact that Kendrick hadn't ever felt so secure in the presence of someone. It made the act of making love more freeing. Kendrick had never let go and enjoyed it so much. Sex minus the fear was one of the most liberating experiences of his life.

Beneath the clean smell of soap and water was something unique to Brad. Kendrick craved it like a drug. Their proximity allowed Kendrick to take his fill.

With his free hand, Kendrick jacked himself off, matching the rhythm on Brad's cock.

Brad moaned again, his hips moving with the rhythm Kendrick set with his hand and mouth. "I'm gonna come already, baby."

Kendrick didn't stop, although he appreciated the warning. The anticipation of Brad's orgasm tipped Kendrick over the edge even though he had barely touched himself.

Brad stiffened right before Kendrick tasted the bitter saltiness of his cum. And then Brad shuttered. He breathed Kendrick's name as he came down from his orgasm.

Kendrick let Brad's cock go, giving it one last kiss before he stood. He slid his arms around Brad, laying his head on his chest.

Brad returned the hug, drawing him close. "Thank you, baby."

Kendrick chuckled. "It was that good, huh?"

"Better but I meant that you made me feel safe." Brad was talking about his childhood trauma.

The realization of that hit Kendrick, making his heart ache for the poor boy who'd endured such horrors. And how the man he had become still felt the scars on his soul. "We have that in common, don't we?"

"Abuse?"

"Well, that too, unfortunately. But I meant making each other feel safe." Kendrick kissed the center of his chest before laying his cheek against him.

"I want to reciprocate." Brad rubbed his hand over each cheek.

"I came when you did, but if you keep doing that, I'll get hard again soon."

Brad stopped his hand mid-stroke. He pulled back just enough to meet Kendrick's gaze. "You came from sucking me?"

Kendrick nodded. Heat rose to his face. "That's not a bad thing, right?"

Brad shook his head. "So hot, baby. I didn't know that was a thing, is all."

Someone pounded on the door. "Don't use all the hot water," Luis yelled.

"I'll be out in ten minutes." Brad yelled back. To Kendrick he said, "Tilt your head back, baby."

Kendrick complied, letting Brad take care of him. Water ran down his head, but he could still hear Luis speak through the roar of the water.

"Hi, Kendrick." The sweetness in Luis's tone didn't fool anyone. He wasn't happy about having to wait.

"Hello." Kendrick raised his voice enough for Luis to hear.

Brad grabbed a bottle of shampoo and put a dribble into his palm. "Okay, head up."

As soon as Kendrick moved out of the water, Brad working the shampoo into his hair.

Kendrick had inherited his hair's texture from his mother. He would have soft curls if it was longer, but he kept it short. He might consider growing it out if Brad would massage his head more often.

God, Brad's fingers were like magic.

"Since the entire town heard you guys fuck in the shower, can you kindly get out now, please?" And then Luis had to kill the moment by yelling at them.

"He's in a crappy mood." Brad tilted his head back again, rinsing the shampoo from his hair. As soon as the water ran clear, Brad grabbed a washcloth and a bar of soap. "Give us a few minutes."

Luis pounded on the door hard enough that it nearly sent Kendrick into a panic attack. But Brad took him in his arms again, whispering in his ear, telling him he was safe. That Brad was there. And then Brad said, "Please, don't leave, baby. Please."

Brad's soft tone turning to pleas, more than the words, calmed Kendrick most.

"I won't." And he meant it.