Chapter 41
Brendan
One year later
As soon as the last staff member leaves for the weekend, I start packing up, frequently checking my watch.
I have big news to share with Ky, and, although I could’ve called him, I want to tell him in person.
He should arrive any minute now since he’s already texted to say he’s dropped Lu off with James for the weekend.
We’re going out for dinner tonight to celebrate my divorce being finalised.
Ky’s came through a couple of months ago so we’re both finally closing those chapters of our lives.
The divorce process has been straightforward and amicable between me and Chris.
He kept the house, and I kept the business.
It was a fair division of assets, especially after I paid Chris back the start-up capital he’d loaned me.
Since moving in with Ky a little over a year ago, the business has grown rapidly, securing more and more commercial contracts.
While much of my money is currently tied up in expanding the business further, it doesn’t change the fact that between the two of us we have more money than we’ll ever need.
It makes me laugh to think that two rough, gay kids from The Pines ended up respectable millionaires.
I had been seriously worried about moving in straight away, and there were a few hiccups at first as we learned how to live together again.
We argued over stupid things like whose turn it was to stack the dishwasher or take out the bins, and he hated it when I left wet towels on the bathroom floor.
But we worked through it and now our household runs like a well-oiled machine.
The only thing we still struggle with is jealousy.
There have been some short-lived but epic arguments over other guys.
It doesn’t matter if it’s someone coming onto Ky or someone coming onto me.
The possessiveness remains, perhaps fuelled by some unconscious fear that we will lose each other again.
But it’s not all bad: the make-up sex is mind-blowing.
In the early days, I’d been so concerned Lu wouldn’t accept me, but those fears were unfounded.
Within months, we had started to feel like a family, and now, I know we are.
I love Lu with all my heart as if she is my own flesh and blood.
She’s smart and sassy and welcomed me into her life without judgement.
Dropping her at school or picking her up from netball training makes me feel useful in a way I never thought possible.
We talk about everything, have the same sense of humour, and gang up on Ky just for fun; simple shit, like what movie we’ll watch, or where to go on holiday, or what to have for dinner.
Ky doesn’t stand a chance against the two of us when we’re a united front.
But, most of all, I cherish the time all three of us spend together.
“It’s just me, Bren.”
Ky steps into my office a few seconds later and I smile nervously.
“What’s happened?” he asks, squeezing my shoulders.
“Tiffany finally answered. Ethan’s studyin’ at Melbourne Uni and she’s agreed to give him my number. He’ll call if he wants to make contact.”
Ky pulls me into his arms, calming me. “Looks like we’ve got two things to celebrate tonight.” He steps back and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “How do you feel?”
“Fuckin’ nervous. What if he doesn’t call?”
“Bren, he’s twenty-one. You can contact him if you want. I know you wanted to get Tiff’s approval first, but he’s a man now and can make his own decisions.”
“I know, I know,” I say. “It just seemed like the right thing to do.”
For months, I’d been in two minds about trying to contact Ethan before finally tracking Tiffany down.
Ky is supporting me all the way, and that means the world to me.
I don’t have high hopes of Ethan wanting me in his life, but I want to try anyway.
Finding my way back to Ky and being able to develop a father-daughter relationship with Lu opened my eyes to the fact that it’s never too late.
Just because I missed the better part of two decades doesn’t mean I have to lose the next thirty or forty years.
Ky pulls me into another hug, rubbing my back in comforting circles. “Give him a week or two and if you haven’t heard anything, then go ahead and contact him yourself. Okay?”
Ky steps back, placing a kiss to my forehead and I swoon a little. I love letting him lead, letting him take care of me. A long time ago the thought of allowing myself that would have filled me with shame, but now, I welcome it. Ky makes me feel safe and loved.
“Okay,” I agree. “How was your day off?”
“Better now I’m with you.” Ky cups my face and kisses me thoroughly this time.
When we come up for air, I playfully shove him away as I adjust my erection. “Ky, we need to get outta here before you end up fuckin’ me on my desk. I don’t wanna lose our reservation.”
Ky groans and palms his own hard-on. “Jesus Bren, don’t mention me fucking you if you don’t want me to fuck you.”
Grabbing my work bag off the desk I saunter past him with a smirk on my face. “Keep in it your pants now and I’ll ride you later.”
Ky follows behind me. “Well stop swinging that bubble butt in my face.”
I chuckle knowing his eyes are planted firmly on my ass.
The restaurant is classy, and the food is great, even if the serving sizes are on the small side.
But all throughout dinner I can’t stop thinking about marrying Ky.
The same question keeps running through my head—how much time needs to pass before it’s okay to propose?
He’s probably not ready to jump into another marriage just yet.
Right? And the ink on my divorce papers is barely dry.
But goddamn it, I want to put a ring on his finger.
I never thought I’d be the type of man that wanted—no, needed—to be married, but I am that man with Ky.
Maybe I’m still carrying insecurities from the past, but the world should know Ky belongs to me, and me to him.
That’s not to say our relationship isn’t rock solid, it is, along with a sex life that continues to burn hot and heavy.
Every day, and often twice, because once isn’t enough to put out the fire in my veins.
It’s even better than it was years ago, and it was something special then.
Now we have freedom and maturity and maybe a little wisdom, and it makes our sexual and emotional connection that much stronger.
We alternate between making love and indulging in the filthiest, kinkiest sex you could imagine.
One day we’re making slow passionate love for hours on end in a room full of candles, and the next Ky has me bound and blindfolded, spanking my ass and fucking me into oblivion.
I’m deeply satisfied—body, heart and soul.
“Do you want dessert?” Ky asks once the server takes our empty dinner plates away.
“That’s a stupid question. Of course I want dessert.”
He laughs, grabbing my hand across the table. “You’ve cut right down on smoking and we’ve both been eating less sugar, which is great. But you’re forty-one now, and you’ve gotta start thinking about your health.”
I roll my eyes. “Jesus, you’re only one year younger than me.”
“And I go to the gym four days a week and have quit smoking altogether. Plus, I rarely drink.”
“Quit worryin’,” I say, knowing Ky’s concern comes from a good place. He still fears the worst, and that he’ll somehow lose me. “How was Lu when you dropped her off?” I ask, changing the subject.
Ky sighs, placing his forearms on the table. “She said she’s seriously thinking about reducing her visits. Either once a month or maybe just stay one night instead of two. I told her it’s her choice and we support her no matter what.”
“Do you think it’s because of Xavier?”
“That’s a big part of it. She doesn’t like the guy, and I can’t blame her. But I think it’s mainly because James doesn’t spend much time with her when she’s there. He still goes golfing and works in the office.”
“He’s a fuckin’ dick. He’s not still hasslin’ her for information about us, is he?”
James only found out about me about a month ago because Ky asked Lu to keep our relationship quiet until their divorce was finalised. Ky felt terrible asking her, but she thought it was for the best and happy to oblige.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Ky says, shaking his head. “When we get around to buying a house it would be good if James doesn’t know the address. Remember, he thinks we just met. He doesn’t know we’ve been living together for the last year.”
“Can we do that?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll check with Charlotte. Legally, he most likely has the right to know where his daughter lives.”
I brush my leg against Ky’s under the table, wanting to show my support. “In less than two years, Lu will be eighteen and then you’ll never have to deal with that prick again.”
“True. Now let’s order dessert and stop talking about James. We’re supposed to be celebrating us. We’ve got the house to ourselves tonight and I intend on making use of it.”
We get the date back on track and by the time we finish dessert, Ky looks like he’s about to crawl under the table and blow me right here in the restaurant. “You got somethin’ on your mind, Davies?” I ask, licking my lips.
“Tease all you want, Bren. You might be in control right now but we both know the moment we get home you’ll be on your back, legs spread, offering me your pretty hole.”
Fuck! I love it when Ky talks dirty. My dick hardens as I imagine it—spreading my ass cheeks to give him a show. Maybe I’ll finger myself too. Ky’s blue eyes will turn black with hunger. “Take me the fuck home.”
Ky throws cash on the table as he stands, then leads me out of the restaurant with an urgency I admire.
The moment we’re out the door, he shoves me up against a wall and kisses me filthily, his huge cock pressing into my stomach.
I plan to blow him in the car on the way home, sending him right to the edge but not allowing him to come.
Tearing our lips off each other is a challenge, but we need to take this home.
Out of breath, we link hands and hurry towards the car.
We’re almost there when Ky’s grip tightens, and he stops walking.
I’m about to ask what’s wrong when my eyes land on the problem.
James and Xavier are walking straight towards us.
Ky never sees James anymore, staying in the car when he drops Lu off or picks her up.
They exchange the occasional email regarding Lu’s schedule, but Lu mostly organises directly with her dad.
I attempt to redirect Ky across the road, but James spots us, and there’s no way to avoid the confrontation without running off like two pussies.
“Kyle,” James drawls loudly, as they come to a stop in front of us. “Nice night to be out on a date, isn’t it?” He sneers at Ky then raises his chin and stares down his nose at me.
We’d been back together for months before Ky had the courage to reveal the full extent of James’s abuse.
It fucking kills me that I wasn’t there to protect him, and I’ve thought about taking things into my own hands once or twice before.
The only thing that stops me is the thought of getting locked up again.
“James,” Ky says curtly. “I guess this must be the Xavier I’ve heard so much about.”
I give Ky’s hand a squeeze, trying to tell him to stay calm.
“And you must be the infamous Kyle. Quite the kooky character I’ve been told,” Xavier says, laughing.
Stepping in between Ky and Xavier, I size the twink up. “Pretty boy, how ‘bout you stick to suckin’ your sugar daddy’s micro penis and shut the fuck up.”
“Wow, Kyle. Moving up in the world, I see. Found yourself a real class act.” James’s voice drips with sarcasm, but underneath it’s clear he’s fuming at the insult.
Ky drops my hand and moves up beside me. He’ll stupidly want to defend me, but that’s the last thing I want. He shouldn’t have to deal with this prick anymore.
Ky offers James a shit-eating grin. “James, you think you’re so fucking clever but you’re nothing but a manipulative little bitch who relies on your money to get what you want.”
James leans forward, nostrils flaring. “It got you, didn’t it? But then again, you used to get on your knees just for a free meal.”
The words trigger something inside me, and I see red.
I lunge forward, cocking my fist, but somehow Ky anticipates the punch and intercepts it.
I thrash against Ky, my sole purpose to hurt James like he hurt Ky.
“You motherfuckin’ piece of shit! I’ll fuckin’ bury you for what you fuckin’ did! ” I sound unhinged.
James and Xavier retreat while I continue to advance, their petrified faces making me want to laugh. Ky’s arms tighten around me, and he pulls me back. He’s begging me to stop, but the only thing I care about is the hatred pumping through me.
“Brendan, stop! He’s not worth it. He’ll press charges.” Ky somehow gets in front of me and cups my face with his hands. His voice is quiet yet determined. “Look at me, Bren. I can’t lose you again. I can’t. Please stop.”
It’s the fear in his voice that finally helps me focus on his terrified eyes.
It’s enough to disrupt the anger inside me and force me to take a deep breath.
I hate that James knows Ky had to prostitute himself to survive when he ran away as a teen.
Because of me. Because I married Tiffany.
It was my job to protect him back then and I failed.
But I understand why he’s pleading with me and why he’s afraid. With my record, any charges would end in a conviction, and any conviction would end with me back behind bars.
Taking a few more deep breaths, I nod my acquiescence.
James and Xavier scuttle away, but Xavier pushes his luck, yelling over his shoulder. “You two fucking psychos deserve each other.”
Ky crushes me in an embrace. “Thank you,” he whispers.