Eighteen

"D ad says he wants thin slices," Nova's mom said as she set the cucumber on the cutting board.

As usual, they'd been relegated to putting a salad together because his dad didn't trust them to assist with the entrée or sides.

"How thin? Supermodel thin or paper thin?"

His mom laughed and said, "Split the difference."

Nova sliced off the rounded ends of the cucumber and pushed them out of the way. He assessed the vegetable and placed his knife where he thought a thin slice would be. "Here?" Nova asked.

"Maybe a little thinner," she replied.

Nova moved his blade over a fraction of a centimeter and cut through the cucumber. He held the slice up for inspection, and his mom nodded her approval, so Nova went to work slicing the rest.

"Did you have a better day at work?" his mom asked as she set three colors of peppers on the cutting board.

"Much better," Nova replied. "Do we really need green, yellow, and red peppers in our salad?"

"Those are for the main course," she replied. "Steak and peppers over jasmine rice."

Nova's mouth watered. "So, thin strips for these too?"

"He didn't say, but that's my best guess."

His mother had washed, cored, and cleaned out the peppers, making it easy for him to slice. "Can I get your opinion on something?" Nova asked.

"I think you have excellent knife skills," his mom replied.

Nova chuckled. "Thank you, but I didn't want your advice on slicing and dicing."

"Oh?" she asked. "Is this about your new guy friend?"

"Nope, but nice try," Nova replied. "It's about Scott and Kai."

His mom crossed her arms over her chest as if bracing herself for bad news. "They're not moving to California permanently, are they?"

"No. Not that I know of anyway. Scott told me he's proposed several times, but Kai keeps telling him no."

"Get out of here," his mom said.

Nova set the knife down and started to walk away.

"Not you, smartass," she said, gripping his arm and tugging him back. "Seriously, though?" Her astonished expression made Nova chuckle.

"Yeah, and it's really bothering Scott," he said.

His mom frowned. "But why? I don't know Kai well, but they seem so well suited, and the guy obviously loves Scott and Millie June."

"Everyone loves Millie June," Nova countered. He told his mom about his conversation with Scott before he left for California. "I'm just curious if I should say something to Kai to ease his concerns. Maybe I should play the Taylor Swift song about never getting back together when I pick Kai and Millie up from the airport tomorrow."

His mom laughed. "Would you sing along to really drive the point home?"

"If I thought it would help."

She shook her head. "This isn't something you can fix, honey. We all know you and Scott are never ever ever getting back together, but Kai needs to figure it out for himself."

Nova sighed. "I guess so. Scott would be pissed if I said something and made the situation worse."

"He would," his mom agreed. "Maybe you could mention to Kai in passing that you're seeing someone. It would be a lot more subtle than playing the song on repeat during your car ride. And if you're uncertain about what to say, you can practice on me right now."

Nova stopped cutting long enough to look at his mom. She wore a guileless expression on her face and batted her eyelashes. "Not a chance, Mom. Too soon."

"Fine," she huffed. "Guess I'll be the only one spilling secrets tonight."

Setting the knife down, Nova gave his mom his full attention. "What do you mean?"

"Please don't get upset—"

"Oh God. This never goes well," Nova said.

His mom chuckled and patted his cheek. "Silly boy. I'm not about to confess to robbing banks or anything. In fact, I don't plan to involve you at all."

"Good," he said and returned to cutting the peppers. A few slices later, a different kind of dread spread throughout his body. Nova set the knife down and turned to her once more. "Who does your confession involve, then?"

"Jimmy," she said softly.

"What could you possibly confess about him?"

His mother sighed and looked heavenward, lifting her hands in the air as if to ask for divine intervention. "Not about Jimmy, but to him."

"I'm still clueless here, Mom."

"I want to tell Jimmy the reason for my hiatus, Nova. Otherwise, I feel like a fraud. How can I give relationship advice when I was blinded to my failings in my own marriage? Who trusts a person to guide them through their marital problems if they can't sort out their own issues?" His mom shook her head. "I was so blinded by my success that I didn't see the toll it was taking on my personal life until it was almost too late." Nova hadn't been aware of his parents' relationship struggles until his mother withdrew from public life and they started attending couple's counseling. "I know you were concerned about Jimmy's motives—"

"Not anymore," Nova told her. "It didn't take me long to figure out he's not that kind of journalist."

His mother smiled softly. "So, you don't mind if I tell him."

Nova hugged his mom. "It's not my secret to share, but it will be safe with Jimmy." Just saying his name spread warmth throughout his body. Nova pulled back and looked at his mother's upturned face. "You're neither a failure nor a fraud. You're human. That's the how-to book you need to write."

She smiled. "How to be human?" she asked.

"Yeah, sort of," Nova replied. "I'm sure there are a lot of couples who find themselves in the same place you and Dad were in, especially the ones who are battling empty-nest syndrome for the first time."

His mom pursed her lips together for a second. "I have thought about writing a book like that over the years, but I worried it would send the wrong message, especially to women."

"How?" Nova asked.

"Working women are constantly forced to choose between their career and their families. I don't want them to feel like they must sacrifice their professional dreams to achieve happiness. They can have it all."

"As long as they have a support system who believes in them," Nova countered. "You're not just writing the book for the badass working women. You'll be addressing their partners too. You could even have a section for the stay-at-home parents who think they need to schedule an activity or appointment for every hour of the day to justify their worth."

The doorbell rang, signaling Jimmy's arrival. His dad called out that he'd get the door. Nova's pulse started to gallop, and he willed himself to calm down and not give anything away.

His mom jolted him out of his lecture by throwing her arms around Nova's neck and squeezing him tight. "I'm so proud of the feminist I raised."

"I said stay-at-home parents ," Nova reminded her. "There are plenty of dads filling that role these days. Think about the added pressure on them for defying antiquated gender norms. Yikes."

"I stand corrected," she said. "I'm so proud of the human I raised."

"Better."

Footsteps echoed as his dad and Jimmy neared the kitchen. Nova's heart swelled when Jimmy stepped into sight. A kaleidoscope of memories from their weekend washed over him, each one beautiful and poignant.

"Hi," Jimmy said, sounding nervous.

Nova smiled and replied, "Hi."

His mom slapped him on the arm and said, "You little hellion!" Then she hooted with laughter and danced around in a circle. "I told you the stars don't lie."

The men in the house exchanged confused glances until Nova noticed Jimmy's shirt. He'd worn the one he received from the dealership, announcing him as a proud Subaru owner. Nova's laughter joined his mother's, leaving Jimmy and his dad confused as hell but grinning from ear to ear.

"She's onto us, Jimmy," Nova said.

"Pardon?" he asked as a blush crept up his neck and face. Nova told him about the nosy neighbor who'd called his mom. "Oh," Jimmy said, his blush getting darker. "Um."

"Neither of you need to say anything else," Nova's dad declared. "Dear," he said to his wife, "maybe you dial down your gloating before you distract the chef."

"So sorry," she said in a voice that expressed how not sorry she was. "If you don't need me, I'm going to dash up to my office really quick to jot down some notes for a book idea Nova gave me."

"He did?" his dad asked, looking between them.

She nodded. "I'll tell you all about it later. I'd love to have your input."

"I'd be honored," his dad said, leaning toward his wife for a kiss as she passed by. "I guess that leaves the two of you to be sous chefs."

"I'd love to help," Jimmy said.

"He might be able to teach you a few things, Dad," Nova announced.

"I'd be happy to learn a new trick or two."

Jimmy shook his head. "I can only do one thing well, and that's pancakes."

His dad laughed. "Maybe we can have breakfast for dinner next time you come over. I can do the meats and potatoes, and you can do the pancakes."

"I'm really good at putting together the topping bar," Nova announced. "And I can thinly slice things." He sounded ridiculous for a forty-year-old man but didn't care.

His dad looked over at the cutting board. "Not bad," he said. "Do you mind cutting the rest of the peppers while Jimmy helps me with the marinade?"

"Shouldn't you have done that yesterday?" Nova asked. "The chefs on television soak their meats in brines and marinades for hours or days."

"This is a thirty-minute marinade," his dad explained. "Long enough to enhance the beef without overpowering it."

"That sounds good," Jimmy said. "I'll try to replicate your recipe and surprise my mom and grandma this week."

"Will they be back soon?" Nova's dad asked as he circled around to the opposite side of the kitchen island.

"Tomorrow afternoon."

"Our Millie June comes home tomorrow too," his dad said excitedly.

Jimmy nodded. "My mom and grandma arrive a few hours after her."

His dad instructed Jimmy on the various ingredients and why he chose them. He soaked it up like a sponge and even entered notes into his phone. Nova tried to pay attention to his vegetables, but Jimmy's laughter and comments kept distracting him.

"You're going to sever a finger," Nova's mom said when she returned to the kitchen. She took the knife from Nova's hand and pointed toward the sliding glass door. "Out."

Jimmy and his dad glanced up. The former smiled and blushed while the latter laughed.

"And there you have a simple marinade," Nova's dad announced. "I'll just soak the meat in it for thirty minutes."

"I can't wait to try it," Jimmy said.

"Come on," Nova said, extending his hand to the adorable ginger. "I want to show you something."

His mom snorted but didn't comment further as Nova led Jimmy from the kitchen. Instead of heading to the deck, Nova led him to the front of the house and up the staircase to the second floor.

"Where are we going?" Jimmy asked.

"I want to show you my very first observatory," Nova replied. Mostly he wanted to kiss those lips until he had his fill.

They stopped at a door in the hallway. "It looks like a linen closet, but ta-dah," Nova said as he opened the door to reveal another staircase. He reached around Jimmy and switched on the light. "After you."

He followed Jimmy up the narrow staircase leading to the attic. The space wasn't finished, but his dad had laid subflooring down over most of it to prevent Nova from stepping through the second-floor ceiling if he missed a beam. His galaxy posters and other signs of geeky awesomeness still hung on the uncovered two-by-fours. Nova pointed to the skylights incorporated into the roof. Beneath them was an overstuffed beanbag chair covered with a sheet to protect it from dust. The seat looked like it was big enough for half a dozen people, but Nova only wanted to invite one other.

He led Jimmy over to it and whipped off the sheet. Flopping onto it, Nova crooked his finger for Jimmy to join him. Then he tucked his hands under his head. Jimmy lay beside him and mirrored Nova's position.

"Dad intended to make it an office space for himself because the windows overlooking the sea are breathtaking." Jimmy made no move to check them out, though. "I don't know if Dad changed his mind because it wasn't practical or because I loved the room so much. I used to lie beneath these skylights and stare up at the sky for hours. I especially loved to watch storms rumble over us."

Jimmy rolled onto his side and rested his head on Nova's chest. "Your childhood sounds as lonely as mine was at times."

Nova rolled onto his side and cupped Jimmy's face. "I had ulterior motives for bringing you up here."

Jimmy swallowed hard before smiling. "You did?"

"Uh-huh."

Jimmy scooted closer and kissed Nova's lips. "What kind of motives?" he asked. "Are they nefarious?"

Chuckling, Nova moved in for a longer kiss before pulling back. "Scandalous, maybe."

Jimmy slipped a hand beneath the hem of his shirt and slid it upward, not stopping until he found one of Nova's nipples. He teased and pinched it hard enough to make him moan. "How scandalous?" Jimmy asked.

Nova rolled him to his back, pinning him to the beanbag and kissing him until they were both breathless. "Reach into my pocket and find out," he suggested.

Jimmy slid his hand between them and wedged it into Nova's pocket. Only a thin layer of fabric separated curious fingers from his dick. "It's empty, but this," Jimmy said, trailing his finger along Nova's erection, "is scandalous."

"Wrong pocket," Nova whispered.

Jimmy removed his hand and searched the other front pocket. "Is this a trick?" he asked when he discovered it was empty too.

Chuckling, Nova said, "Try the back pocket."

Jimmy nipped Nova's bottom lip. "You could've been more specific."

Nuzzling his nose against Jimmy's neck, Nova thrust his hips forward, grinding his erection against Jimmy's. "And miss the foreplay? Hell no."

Jimmy located the clues to Nova's nefarious plans in the last pocket he checked. He held up a condom and a packet of lube. "Scandalous indeed." Jimmy shifted his gaze to meet Nova's. "You want to do this in your parents' house with them here?"

"I got to be inside you in one of your special places, and I want to experience the same in one of my favorite spaces."

"Oh." Jimmy's eyes widened with understanding. "Ohhhh. You want me to…" His voice trailed off and he swallowed hard.

"Top me," Nova said before dropping down so his forearms bracketed Jimmy's face. "We don't have to do this here if you're uncomfortable. We can go to my—"

Jimmy shut him up with a kiss. "I'm just nervous I won't make it good for you."

Nova snorted. "That's the last thing you need to worry about."

Jimmy set the condom and lube aside and peeled off his shirt. Nova's heart thundered at the realization that they were actually going to do this. He whipped his shirt off too and tossed it to the floor, then pulled Jimmy into his arms. They quickly divested one another of their clothes between kisses and lingering touches. Nova ached to be filled but didn't want to rush the foreplay.

Jimmy planted his hands in the beanbag chair and pushed up, leaning over Nova. He skimmed his fingers from Nova's sternum down to his groin. There, he circled Nova's cock and stroked him until he bucked his hips, seeking more. "I love the thought of you on your hands and knees, but tonight, I want to look into your eyes."

Nova scooted down lower until his ass was near the edge. Jimmy rose from the chair and positioned himself between Nova's legs, spreading them wider in the process. Jimmy's hands shook when he stroked Nova's dick, fondled his heavy sac, and slid his fingers along his ass crack to tease his pucker.

Groaning, Nova reached over his head and fisted his hands in the corduroy fabric of the chair. "I'm all yours to do with as you wish."

"I wish for so many things." Jimmy looked up from his ministrations and smiled. "But you know this about me."

Nova returned his grin. "And I admire the way you apply yourself to making those wishes come true."

Jimmy tore open the lube packet and squeezed a small amount onto his finger. As Nova had done for him, he took his time teasing the hole before sliding a single digit inside him. Nova groaned and pulled his legs back toward his chest.

"Touch me deeper," Nova said hungrily. "Please. It's been so long."

Jimmy pushed the lube in, rotating his finger and grazing it over Nova's prostate. "Here?" he asked, pressing firmly against it.

"Yes," Nova hissed. "Give me two fingers. I want to feel the burn."

"Who's topping here?" Jimmy asked as he pulled free to add more lube.

"You are." Nova bit his lip to keep from crying out when Jimmy reentered him.

"Feel good?" Jimmy asked, bumping against his prostate.

Nova propped his ankles on Jimmy's shoulders and worked himself on the man's fingers. "So good," he groaned. "I'm going to shoot off like a rocket if you don't hurry."

Jimmy pulled free long enough to roll the condom on his erection. He smeared more lube along his length before nudging his cockhead against Nova's entrance. Nova bit the inside of his arm to keep from shouting out his pleasure during penetration.

Jimmy halted suddenly. "Am I hurting you?" he asked. "Do you want me to stop?"

Nova shook his head. "Fuck no. Give me more."

Jimmy snapped his hips forward, pushing all the way inside Nova with a moan. Jimmy paused again as a hard shiver washed over his lithe body, and Nova loved the look of awe in his eyes. Jimmy clutched Nova's thighs and began rocking in and out of his ass, slowly at first, then much faster. The rest of the world faded away, leaving the two of them in a private cocoon where the only noise was their heavy breathing, moaning, and the sound of skin slapping together. The only thing that mattered was them and the pleasure they brought to each other.

Nova reached between them and stroked his cock as his climax built. His breath snagged in his throat when the first jet of cum splattered onto his abdomen and held until the last drop fell. The air whooshed from Nova's lungs when he melted into the cushion, sated and complete in ways he couldn't define. But the delights weren't over. Jimmy gripped his legs hard enough to leave bruises and continued to fuck Nova. This beautiful man with the sun-fire hair and tawny eyes set his soul alight.

Jimmy tipped his head back, and his lips parted as he chased his pleasure. Nova wasn't content to just lie there and watch the emotions wash over his face.

"God, you're beautiful," Nova said, his voice thick and husky.

Jimmy's eyes snapped open in surprise, letting Nova see the emotion in them when his orgasm slammed into him. Watching the enthralling man take that level of pleasure from Nova's body was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Nova removed his legs from Jimmy's shoulders, allowing him to collapse onto his chest. The attic was considerably hotter than the rest of the house, so cuddling should've been the furthest thing from their minds. Nova tightened his arms around Jimmy's back and pressed kisses to his damp hair.

"I don't think I can look at your parents over the dinner table after having sex in their attic," Jimmy said.

Nova laughed. "Technically, it's my house now, even though they live here."

Jimmy raised his head. "Huh?"

"It's something their financial planner recommended. I could rattle off the legal jargon if I had any brain cells left. I own the house, but they get to live here for as long as they want or are physically able to. Basically, they're squatters," Nova said.

Jimmy chuckled. "Doesn't help."

"Here's what we're going to do," Nova said, kissing Jimmy's lush lips. "I'll tie off the condom and put it in my pocket."

Jimmy scrunched up his face. "Gross."

"And discard it in the bathroom," Nova continued. "Then we'll tiptoe out the front door and take a walk down the beach, which will explain our tousled hair, flushed cheeks, and dewy skin."

Jimmy traced Nova's collarbone. "Do you think we'll get away with it?"

"Probably not," Nova replied, "but we'll give it our best. If my parents do see through our charade, they'd never let on and embarrass you. I might hear about it later, but never you."

"Well, I know one thing is for certain."

Smiling, Nova asked, "What's that?"

Jimmy sighed dreamily. "I'm definitely vers."

"Hell yeah, you are."