9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Tanner

By the time we arrived at Key's neat little home in his tidy little neighborhood, my rush of adrenaline was waning. Worry was trying its best to take its place.

"Come on in," Key said after unlocking his front door. The inside of his home was pretty much the complete opposite of mine. Everything had its place. The walls were pristine white, the hardwood floors were unmarred by dog toenails, and the furniture was free of dog hair. There were no squeaky toys thrown about or rumpled doggie beds.

"It's really nice," I said because it was. Much nicer than my old farmhouse with the creaky floorboards, loose shutters, and rattling pipes. This place was so new you could still smell the paint. All you smelled in my house was dog.

"You must feel like you walked into a museum," he commented while dropping his keys into a clay dish atop a long table by the front door. "I don't spend as much time here as I should. Workaholic. Plus, my time in the military drummed into me the need to be tidy."

"Hey, this place is beautiful. You don't have to make excuses for being neat or having a clean house. Probably I should be the one trying to explain why my house is so…" Slovenly was the term that popped into my head.

He took a step that got him so close I picked up the subtle undertones of his cologne.

"Homey. Lived in. Loved." He moved even closer, his chest now brushing mine. My body began to react as if I'd stepped into a pool of water that had been electrically charged. "I love your place. It's where I feel like I can be the truest Keyshaun. I bought this place as an investment. It's nice and new and shiny, but it lacks the things your home has."

"Dog nose prints on the windows and a dripping bathroom faucet?"

His lips found mine. A soft little peck that made me forget what we were talking about. Oh right, my house.

"Those add to the charm," he whispered, his mouth brushing mine time and again. I reached for him, shifted to the side, and let my hand travel up his side. The movement tweaked my knee, sore from being on my feet for so long after the win. I must have made a sound of discomfort because Key moved back quickly. "Why don't we sit down somewhere? I can get you some ice. Maybe rub down your calf if it's tired?"

And here we were. That moment where I had to decide if I was ready for more than a few kisses. Given how hard my dick was becoming, I was pretty sure I had my answer. Key was special to me. I wanted to lie down with him on a soft bed and explore each other as well as a possible future together. Looking into his soft brown eyes, I felt the trepidation ease away.

"Can we sit down on your bed?" I boldly asked.

"Are you sure? I'm good with us still taking things slow."

"I am as sure as sure can be."

"Then come with me." He held out his hand. I slipped mine into it and we climbed to the second floor, the stairs lit by a small nightlight. The second story was dimly lit, a soft light from a bath falling into the hallway. Two doors stood open. He led me to the one on the right, pausing as we entered the main bedroom. His gaze found mine. "At any time you can say whoa, okay? Even if we just lie here and watch something properly Austen, I'll be happy with that."

"I'm ready for more with you."

His smile was genteel. It stole more of my already captured heart. "Then let me give you some more of me." He steered me to the bed. The room was cool, the AC churning strongly enough to shuffle the sheers on the windows. I liked the vibe in here. Lots of space with minimal furnishings, all modern, all without dings or mars. The bed was huge, the coverings a pale green with white swirls. An abstract painting hung over the metal headboard, something with lots of dark green and white splashes. It fit the color scheme well. "Sit, you look tense."

"I think I overdid it," I confessed, easing my heft down onto a soft as a cloud mattress. "Soft," I commented, my nerves returning even as desire raced through me. "My bed is harder. For my back. I kind of have a trick thing from a back injury in college. You'd think from hockey, right? Nope, I crashed a dirt bike coming down a steep hill in Samuel D. Champlain Park. Boogered up my chin and torqued my back. I have a scar under my chin from…oh."

Key had gone to his knees as I had been blabbering about that stupid old Kawasaki KX60 that I'd ridden all over Canada. He placed my cane to the side and was unlacing my sneakers. It shouldn't be so erotic. I mean, I don't get stiff when a shoe store clerk fits me for shoes. My cock was all about the man removing my Converse and socks.

"Okay?" he asked, and I bobbed my head. He wiggled my pant leg up to the brace, baring my hairy calf, and then began kneading it. Hand to Christ, I nearly blew apart just from a leg rub. His fingers were strong, working the tired muscles until they felt like limp noodles. I locked my arms behind me, my sight pinned on him. He never looked away from me unless it was to move from the left leg to the right. "I remember getting killer cramps in basic training. I'd never run so far or for so long in my life. I'd thought I was in good shape until the Army proved me wrong." He smiled fondly at the memory. "I learned really fast how to massage sore legs. One day, I'd like to take a course to become a licensed massage therapist."

"In your spare time," I teased, and he laughed. "That is amazing. I should look into massages now that I'm getting back to some training. Oh shit, that is…damn that is good."

He winked, lowered my leg gently, and slowly rose from the floor. I fell back onto the bed, arms over my head, bare feet on the plush area rug under his bed. Key straddled me, long legs on either side of my hips, and fell forward, his strong arms catching him.

"This is good as well," I whispered before his mouth slanted over mine. I palmed his ass, pulling him down onto me so that not even a whisper could pass between us. Looked like any reservations that had been lingering about us were gone. I'd dreamed of feeling this toned ass, and now it was in my hands. Mostly. Fabric was in the way. The cotton barring me from his skin had to go. "We need less clothes."

"Yeah, yeah, we do," he concurred as he worked his way from my lips to my throat, rubbing his cheek in my beard and purring like a cat in an anchovy factory. "I love how hairy you are. Damn, it makes me hard."

I could feel that. His cock was like an iron bar pressing into my hard prick. Using my good leg, I rocked up. Our dicks rolled left and right. I groaned out loud. Key hissed and moaned. My fingers dug into his buttocks. We were quickly losing all measure of restraint, and I fucking loved it.

"Clothes…" I huffed as he feasted on my neck, his groin moving over mine in a rhythm that made me unable to think. Parrots could form longer sentences than me right now.

"Yeah, shit…" He had to move from atop me, which sucked, but as he stood in front of me and stripped, all was forgiven. His body was divine. Hard muscle under dark skin, a broad chest with some light curls that thickened into a plush line. His nipples were mahogany nubs, hard as glass, that I planned to lavish attention on.

Then his pants dropped. His cock sprang up to slap his flat belly. Okay yeah, that prick of his was also getting all the lavishing. His cock was long, thick, and cut. Weeping now, the fat head slick. His pubes were neatly trimmed, his balls heavy and full. I lie there spellbound as he stepped out of his pants.

"I want to taste you," I croaked, pushing up to sit on the edge of the bed. I reached for his cock, took the velvety shaft in hand, and wet my lips.

He stepped forward, silently, his fingers moving into my beard to rake through it as he led my mouth to his prick. I opened for him, eager and starved, and let him glide into my mouth. The salty taste of his precum hit my tongue. I groaned. He shuddered and fed me more. I took all he had and wanted more. He rocked in and out, cradling my face, easing his cock between my tender lips.

"You look so good with my cock in your mouth," he huffed. I hummed and got a low moan that made my balls draw up. "Okay, baby…" He eased out and gripped the base of his cock. "That was close."

"I would have taken it," I breathlessly replied and tugged my shirt over my head. Key made a sound akin to a hungry predator spotting prey. He pressed me back into the bed after I whipped my shirt over my head with abandon. His lips closed around a dark pink nipple. I jerked and twisted in pleasure. He suckled one tiny bud, then licked a wet trail to the other, all the while fumbling with the zipper on my pants. When he had it down, he popped off, pressed a kiss to my nipple, and slid off to peel down my pants and boxers. He had a moment when my underwear snagged the Velcro on my knee brace. Once that was rectified, I was freed. He took a moment to drink me in splayed on his bed, cock stiff, and nipples slick with his spit.

"You are the sexiest thing ever," he purred, his dick leaking steadily. "We still good? Anytime you want to apply the hand brakes, just say so."

I took my cock in hand. "I am so hard for you. I want to lick you all over."

"Mm, now that sounds like a dream I had the other night," he replied, his voice now a raspy thrum. "Let's get you comfy."

I hauled my backside around and up. Key plumped and rearranged pillows, his touch gentle when he tucked a pillow under my healing knee.

"Do you want this off?" he asked with a nod at my brace. Yeah, I did, but I didn't want to gross him out looking at my bright scar. The swelling would be bad as well since I'd way overdone today and tonight. "I've seen my share of scars, so if you want it off, I won't be upset."

"Yeah, that sounds good." I'd never had a sexy naked man tending to my surgery site before. I must say that the sight of his big dick bobbing around as he removed the brace, found another pillow, and then jogged off to find an ice bag made things much less awkward. By the time he had me situated to his specifications, my dick was soft. His, I noted, was still rock hard. "See what happens when you get to my advanced age?" I waved a hand at my limp cock and pointed at his as he shimmied onto the bed, taking care not to wiggle the pillows under my sore leg. "You're still hard as a fence post."

"Okay, first thing, I didn't just have my recently operated on leg jostled about by an incompetent wanna-be nurse."

"You never jostled it."

He laid down beside me, his nose brushing the hinge of my jaw as his hand moved through the thick fur on my chest.

"I probably jostled. Second, there's not ten years between us, so this advanced-age stuff is bogus." He kissed down my throat while his fingers curled around my wilted prick. "Third, I think we'll have him back to attention in no time."

"If you say so," I replied and got a smug little smirk from him before he began licking a hot wet path down to my now perky peter. The man had confidence, that much I knew. It was one of the things that made him so appealing. He moved down slowly, nipping and sucking at me, leaving tiny red marks that I would wear proudly for the next few days.

His touch was magical. The strokes working me perfectly. By the time the tip of his pink tongue dipped into my cock's slit, I was rigid and leaking.

"Mm, I love your taste," he cooed, lapping each pearly drop that appeared. He released my cock to swallow it, taking it deep, the wet head hitting the back of his throat making him gag. He hummed softly, pulled off, and then went down again. This time he took me fully. My hips jerked. His free hand now crept between my parted legs. I spread them wider, letting my good leg flop open. He palmed my balls as he suckled loudly, his lips tight around my dick, the suction incredible. He gave them a squeeze while tonguing my frenum, his eyes on me lying propped up on a dozen throw pillows panting like a racehorse.

"Fuck, you are good at that," I panted and got a wink before he went back to driving me delirious. One finger crept under my balls. His name burst out of me when that fingertip found my hole. He brought it back, sucking loudly on my prick, gathered some spit from my soggy balls, and then pushed the tip in. "Key, shit, shit!"

My hips were rolling like an angry sea. He pressed into me, one long finger rubbing over that magical spot deep inside. I exploded. No warning for the poor guy. My fingers ripped at the sheets, pulling them up to my side as he enthusiastically drained my cock. His finger pushed on my prostate, making me howl like a demented coyote. By the time he eased off my cock, I was spent. Done. Kaput.

"My bones…are gelatin," I panted, arms akimbo. Key spread over my good side, his finger now easing out of my ass. As soon as it was gone, I wanted it back inside me. That finger and more. Two more, at least. Followed by his cock, the same cock that lay on my hip, solid as a digging bar. "God above…your mouth."

He wiggled up to steal a kiss. I ran my tongue over his to gather up the taste of myself. The kiss grew into something rabid in no time, his dick thrusting into my hipbone.

"Let me help you," I whispered over his lips. I slid my hand down between us, found his achingly hard prick, and fisted it. "You feel good."

"Mm, shit, that's perfect." He humped madly, his mouth capturing mine with heated kisses until he inhaled sharply as his orgasm claimed him. He buried his nose into the side of my throat, riding out his release with soft grunts as he painted my hip and hand with hot cum. The thick spunk ran between my fingers. His body went soft, his huffs dampening my shoulder and neck. He lifted his head, his gaze soft and lazy. I released his cock, brought my fingers to my mouth, and sucked them clean.

"Damn it, Tanner, that's hotter than jalapeno poppers."

"Tastier too," I replied around my fingers. He snorted in amusement before his nose found my thumping pulse under my ear. With a sigh of contentment, he melted into me and the bed, his thick thigh resting over my leg while one arm lay on my chest.

"We're a mess," he mumbled into my throat. I concurred but neither of us seemed to be in a rush to leave the sticky little love nest we'd made among the rumpled covers.

"I truly think I could lie here like this for years," I admitted a moment or two later, the cool air blowing over my overheated skin.

"Yeah, this is nice. Real nice. Even if my hip is glued to yours with cold spunk."

I laughed softly as I trailed my fingers over the swell of his bicep. My eyes lingered on the ceiling, looking at the sliver of light from the street lamp on the fan unmoving above us.

"My mother always said that almost everything a boy gets into will wash off. I always came home filthy as a kid. If there was a pond or mud wallow to be found, I'd be in it."

"Yeah, I was that way too. Never could pass up a puddle. Mama still calls me the dirty triplet. Ornell was never into digging in the dirt. Etta was one of those girls who would sooner die than touch a bug, which made for fun times when we were little."

"What is that like exactly? Being one of three? I have a younger brother, but that must be a different dynamic." He moved slightly, rolling to his back to stare at the ceiling as well, his hand skimming down my arm to find my hand. His fingers meshed with mine.

"It's cool. Sometimes it's difficult. School was hard at times as everyone wanted to compare us to each other. The teachers would comment when I'd not ace a test that Ornell passed with ease, or when Etta would star in the school play while I was happier doing anything that consisted of any kind of physical activity. I was that kid who lived for field day."

"Yep, that was me too. I spent my childhood on the ice or outside fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Never was one to sit around inside when there was so much to do outdoors. Now this leg is keeping me inside more than I would like." I sighed aloud.

"Before you know it, you'll be back outside." He pressed a kiss to my shoulder before easing away from me with a reluctant moan. "Guess we should clean up." He looked down at me spread over his bed as if I owned it. "Do you want to head home, or are you going to stay?"

Oh. I'd not thought I'd get an invitation to spend the night. "If you're okay with me staying…"

His smile nearly blinded me. "I would love for you to stay."

So, I stayed. All night. We woke up with me spooned up behind him. We made out in the shower, hands roaming until both of our cocks were in our joined fist. The slip and slide of soapy water had us both blowing apart quickly.

When I finally rolled out after a big breakfast of eggs, turkey bacon, and some fresh melon followed by some steamy goodbye kisses, I had a skip in my step and was whistling a happy song. Okay, so the skipping thing wasn't really true, but the whistling thing sure was.

I assumed that Rudy and Wade were probably still asleep when I drove up to my farmhouse. But not for long because the dogs had used their super dog hearing sense and were now announcing to the world that Daddy was home. Glorioski he was home after eons of being away!

They met me at the door, leaping about in sheer glorious joy. The dogs, not my brother and his sig other. I made it to the kitchen, plugged in my nearly dead phone, and handed out doggie treats to the delirious mob before turning them out into the large back yard. The notifications began rolling in at a steady rate, my phone buzzing like a demented bee. I started a pot of coffee and then began perusing my messages. Ninety-nine percent were from the team, players, staff, and upper management. A parade was in the works in four days, the route starting at the end of the main drag and proceeding past the western side of Seneca Lake, making a loop at the Schaffer Salt Factory, and then coming back to its end at the Watkins Glen Marina. Local businesses were already going berserk trying to ensure they had extra help for the influx of fans and hungry parade enthusiasts.

"I thought that sounded like happy barking, but Rudy said to check." I glanced up from a text from Liam to find Wade schlepping into the kitchen. His dark hair was a rat's nest, his brown eyes puffy. Other than that, he was a handsome man with the patience of Job. He had to be easygoing to live with my brother. Wade Jue was taller than Rudy but not me, lean, with a soft smile.

"Is my brother functioning?" I asked, waving at the coffee pot with my free hand.

"That depends on what you term to be functioning. He's breathing." Wade slipped past me to get a mug from the cupboard. The dogs began barking their mailman bark.

"Those mojitos will get you every time," I tossed out, then caned my way to the front step to fetch the mail. Junk, junk, a bill, a card from the vets telling me that Bingley was due for shots. What else was new? Someone was always due for shots around here. Amid the usual flotsam was a pale white envelope, very thick paper, addressed to Rudy and Wade but with my address. The edge of the flap was colored blue. I carried it back into the kitchen, handed it to Wade, and let the dogs in.

"What's this?" Wade asked, with coffee in one hand and posh envelope in the other. I shrugged while doling out a dog treat to each pathetic starving pup. They had this begging thing down pat. "Oh, huh. It's an invitation to Liam and Tarcy's wedding down in Georgia."

Well, that was unexpected. And also explained where I knew that soft blue edge on the back of the envelope. I had one just like it upstairs. I'd sent in my RSVP already. "There's a note apologizing for the late invite, but they assumed you would be taking Rudy. Did you put down your brother for a plus one?"

"No, I simply marked down a one with no plus."

Wade's mouth twisted into a shit-eating smile. "Hey, no shame in taking your brother to a wedding." I flipped him off. "It's cute. I like that you're so close. I wish I had siblings to force into things."

Bingley laid down at my feet with an exhausted huff, his morning complete now that Dad was home and the mailman had been put in his place.

"I didn't ask him to be my date. I'm not that pathetic." Wade sniggered. "I mean, if he wants to go, he can. Since you won't be around for a few weeks when the wedding is taking place, he's more than welcome to come, but he's not my date."

"Yeah, I hate leaving him alone so much. I wish I could find a way to peel off some of the family business over in Seoul for more time stateside, but my father won't allow anyone else to step in, even though my cousins are his chief advisors and live a block from Jue Energy Solutions. I mean, that trip is just to attend a convention in Buson."

I understood. Rudy disliked flying. Like a lot. Like he had to be medicated to even get onto a plane, so flying to South Korea was out sadly. A weak little sound pulled us from our discussion to a washed-out Rudy in the doorway.

"I'm never drinking again," Rudy vowed and wobbled his way into the kitchen right into Wade's open arm. He burrowed into his man's side and whined. The dogs all cocked an ear at the sound.

Wade and I exchanged looks. We'd heard that before. Mojitos were Rudy's kryptonite.

My phone buzzed. A text from Liam.

So we sent an invite to Rudy and Wade since we figured you'd want your +1 to be Key. We cool? ~ L

I had to snicker. Honestly, there were no secrets with this team. Not that Key and I were being secretive.

We're cool. I'll talk to Key. Wade won't be able to make it. ~ T

Oh crap. Bummer. Okay, well Rudy can come stag or bring a friend. Just let us know for the head count. ~ L

I looked over at my peaked brother. "So, Liam sent you and Wade an invitation to his wedding since I had marked just one and they assumed I'd want to bring Key."

"Aww, that is so sweet. Are you taking Key?" Rudy asked, steering Wade's cup of coffee to his lips with both hands over his boyfriend's. Wade, as ever, was eager to let Rudy have whatever he wished, even if it was his first cup of Joe. That there was true love.

"I have to ask him. I know Wade can't go so—"

"You know what? I just might cut that trip short and go to the wedding. I've never been to Georgia and my father will just have to rely on my cousins to ride shotgun at the energy convention they're attending. Might do him good to rely on someone other than me on occasion."

Rudy glowed. Well, as much as a hungover person can glow. Wade seemed set now, so all there was left for me to do was discuss it with Keyshaun.

"So, you never came home last night. Spill the tea," Rudy said into his—I mean, Wade's—mug.

"The tea is that I have a yoga class in thirty minutes." I left him sputtering as I went to find some stretchy bottoms and a comfy top. Yoga with Key. I couldn't wait to have him help me with all those sexy, bendy moves. It would be like foreplay for our next date.

***

It was not going to be like foreplay. At all.

The room was filled with senior citizens and one rather smug-looking Keyshaun, mat under his arm, tight leggings, and a tank top that put my joggers and tee with Captain America's shield on the front to shame. Key was color coordinated. What the hell?

"Welcome to the I'm Bendy Like Gumby Dammit senior yoga class," Key called to me as I stood at the door like a bewildered twit. This was not at all the gay fantasy that had been rolling in my head for a few days. This was a bunch of seniors in floral tights and no shoes. Key seemed to be enjoying this moment a bit too much. "Come on in, Tanner. Everyone, this handsome man is Tanner LaBrie, my new squeeze. His teammates call him Fossie."

"He's Captain America, so I'm calling him Cap," an older Black man in the front row of four announced. The older gals tittered. My face grew hot. Key grinned.

"Uncle Devon. Stop teasing my man." The group tittered. "Will you get Tanner a mat? Millie, can you scoot over to make room for Tanner? He's a big one, so he'll need lots of leg room." Key went about setting up. The room filled with harp music as everyone sat down cross-legged. Devon handed me a pink mat and motioned for me to sit down. I did, but it wasn't pretty. How I'd get up, I had no clue. Maybe this was a bad idea. I mean, sure, Key had talked with my therapist and they'd both agreed this would be beneficial to my recovery. But I was having second, third, and fourth thoughts now that I was here, and it was obvious that my dirty mind had led me astray.

"Okay, everyone, let's take a few minutes to center and find our breathing," Key called, yanking me back to the present situation and away from my horny brain. Stupid brain. I was never listening to it again.