Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
K ai lay nude on his back in Conner’s bed, the covers pulled up to his chin. The conversation they’d had on the balcony kept playing through his head. It didn’t sound plausible that Conner would up and change his life like that. Those were some really big changes all at once.
Conner opened the door to the bathroom, shut off the light, and stepped to the side of the bed. He dropped his boxer briefs down and stepped out of them, his cock already hard. He climbed in next to Kai and lay on his side. “Why are you all covered up? Let me see you.” He dragged the covers down, licking his lips. “You aren’t still mad at me, are you?”
Kai rolled to his side, taking in Conner’s stunning face. “No, I can’t stay mad at you for long, anyway.” He brushed his hand down Conner’s side, over his hip and to his hard cock, giving it slow, soft strokes.
Conner bit his lip and shut his eyes, letting out a soft moan. In a breathy voice, he said, “There’s no reason for you to be mad at me.” He rocked his hips, pre-cum beading at tip.
Kai swiped his thumb over the end of Conner’s erection, slickening it.
Conner whimpered, his body shuddering .
“Yeah, okay.” He’d let it go this time. Secrets had a way of coming out on their own. “Are you close? Should I get you off now and then again?” He watched Conner’s reaction, his own cock aching with need. He loved being in bed with this man. Every time was the best he’d ever had.
Conner opened his eyes, the lids hooded. “What do you want to do?”
Kai claimed his mouth in ravenous kisses and placed quick jerks over his shaft.
Conner tensed his face. He broke the kisses and took heavy breaths against Kai’s neck, wrapping an arm around him. “Fuck.” He dug his nails into Kai’s back and cried out, his cum bursting up between them. As it slowed, he rolled to his back and lifted his forearm over his eyes, panting.
“I decided you were coming twice. As usual. I mean, why change a good thing?” Kai licked the cum from his hand, then moved over Conner, hovering over him, and licked the droplets of come off his muscled chest and taut stomach. His cock twitched as a pulse of lust raced up his spine. “You are so fucking hot.” He dropped down over him and placed chaste kisses over his lips, rocking his hips slowly over Conner’s thigh, taking sweet friction from him a little at a time. He wanted to savor every second of their time together like this.
Conner moaned against his mouth, roaming his hands up and down Kai’s back, then squeezed his buttocks, bringing their hips tighter still. “What do you want, Kai?”
Kai licked down his neck, then bit at the sensitive flesh with a groan. He could eat him up right now. “Damn, I don’t know. You, I just want you.” As he worked his shaft over Conner’s thigh, pleasure knotted in his gut and shivered over him.
Conner’s cock stiffened again. He arced his head back and released a soft gasp, writhing under him. “Do you want to fuck me, Kai?”
He sucked on Conner’s earlobe, then whispered, “I want you to fuck me this time.” He hadn’t felt what it was like to have him inside him yet. It was time they did this.
Conner stopped moving. “Kai, I’ve never done that before.”
Kai lifted his head. “Seriously?” He swiped his thumb over his cheek. “B-but that time I fucked you wasn’t your first. Was it?” He searched his face.
Conner shook his head, gazing at him with wide eyes.
“S-so you’ve let guys do you, but you haven’t done it to a guy?” Kai lifted his brows. Somehow, this was hard to believe. Conner was full of surprises.
“No.” Conner blinked fast and turned his head.
Why does he seem embarrassed? “Do you want to?” Kai skimmed his hand over his forehead, swiping his bangs back.
“I-I don’t want to hurt you.” Conner focused on him.
Kai lifted the edge of his mouth. “You’re not going to hurt me. I’ve done it more than a few times before.” That might be an understatement, actually. He usually ended up being the bottom. Of course, Conner was different. Everything about Conner was different.
“I don’t need to hear that.” Conner clenched his jaw.
“Sorry.” Kai watched him, caressing his cheek, then his forehead. What was going on in his head? “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I just thought?—”
“I want to.” Conner rolled him onto his back and crushed his mouth in deep, penetrating kisses. He thrust his hard cock against Kai’s hip, gasping against his mouth. “Fuck, I want to.”
Kai fought to keep up with his demanding kisses and thrusting hips. His peak taunted him, just under the surface. He took heavy breaths.
Conner broke free and rose up on straight arms, then opened the nightstand and snatched a condom and lube.
Kai’s cock jerked and a pulse shot through his body. “Hurry.” Damn, he was going to spill it before he even got it in if he wasn’t careful.
Conner squirted lube over his fingers and lay next to Kai on his side, then gazed into his eyes and brought his slickened fingers to his entrance.
Kai lifted his knees, keeping his gaze affixed to Conner’s.
Conner circled his entrance and slipped a finger inside, hitting his internal bundle of nerves.
A shock of pleasure jolted up his spine. “Oh, fuck.” He bit his lip. “Keep going, right there.”
As Conner slid a second finger in and stroked his insides, he pressed his lips over Kai’s, his tongue tangling with Kai’s.
Kai rocked his hips into the air, pre-cum seeping down to pool on his stomach, his cock and thighs twitching with each thrust of Conner’s fingers.
Conner ground his hard cock against him, rubbing himself on the side of his hip. In a gravelly voice, he said, “You ready? ‘Cause seeing you like this is making me so fucking hot.”
“Yeah. I’m ready.” God was he ready.
Conner pulled his fingers out, rolled the condom over his engorged cock, slickened it with lube, and moved between his legs, sitting up. He lifted Kai’s bent legs back and pushed his cock at his entrance, coming down over him on straight arms. He looked at him and bit his lip. “Tell me if I hurt you.”
“I will. You won’t.” Kai wrapped his legs around his waist, driving Conner’s cock harder against his entrance.
Conner released a sharp gasp, then rocked his hips, sliding the tip inside him.
The familiar burning sensation rolled through him. He wanted more. Now. “Deeper.”
Conner dropped to his elbows and slowly drove his cock inside him. He hung his head. In a choked voice, he said, “You’re so fucking tight.” He pulled out and pushed back in, taking deep, ragged breaths, his body shaking. “This is so damn good.”
A shudder of sensation twisted inside Kai’s gut. “I’m close, go harder.” Damn if Conner wasn’t going to make him come like this.
Conner thrust into him, over and over, his hips slapping against him, placing hungry kisses over his lips. He snatched Kai’s hair and jerked his head back, then licked and sucked at Kai’s neck.
As tingling prickled Kai’s neck, pleasure built in his groin and his sac tightened. “Holy shit, Conner, I’m coming.” He clenched his teeth as sensation coiled deep inside and pulsated over his body, curling his toes, spurting cum onto his chest.
Conner shuddered over him, arcing his head back and crying out, his hips thrusting in an erratic rhythm. As it slowed, he pulled out and lay on Kai’s chest, his head on his shoulder. “Fuck, that was good.” He took deep draws of breath.
Kai wrapped his arms around him and kissed his head. “No one has ever made me come like that, you know, without jerking me, too.”
“Really?”
“Really. Guess we both had a first.”
Conner nuzzled into his neck. “I was so afraid I was going to lose control and hurt you.”
“Well, you didn’t.” Kai tightened his hold. “You were perfect.”
“No, you’re perfect.” Conner lifted his head and looked into his eyes. “I love you, so much.”
Kai let a contented grin work its way over his mouth. “Love you, too.”
Conner tapped his nose. “Let’s get cleaned up. I have to work in the morning.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Kai, wearing a white, button-down shirt and jeans typed in the text interface on his phone as he paced from Conner’s kitchen to the main room, then bit at his thumbnail. His heart pounded as if would break free from his chest.
Kai
How’s mom? Should I really do this?
Kai watched the three dots as they blinked at him, then glanced at Conner, sitting on the couch in a blue shirt and black jeans.
“Kai, it’ll be fine. Relax.” Conner held out his arm. “Come here.”
Kai stepped into Conner’s arm as it wound around his waist.
Conner pulled Kai down into his lap and embraced him. “It’ll be fine. Let’s just go.”
“No, I have to be sure.” He fixated on the phone. Why wasn’t she answering? Was Mom already starting something with her? The phone chimed.
May
It’s fine. Come over.
Conner peered into the phone. “See? She says it’s fine. Lets’ go.”
Kai stood up and rubbed the sweat off his hands on his jeans, still fixated on his phone.
Conner stood and seized Kai’s hand. “We’re going. Stop looking at your damn phone.”
Conner pulled his BMW up to the curb at The Village in front of the familiar plain cream-colored building in wood siding, the bottom floor a two-car carport and the top floor holding the living quarters. The sun was setting behind the walls of the complex. He turned to Kai, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Stop worrying. What’s the worst that can happen? She says something nasty to you and we leave?”
Kai peeked at him, his nerves fraying. “It’s not what she might say to me that I’m worried about. It’s what she might say to you.” He rubbed his eyebrow, frowning.
Conner grabbed his hand. “Stop it. There is nothing she can say to me that’s going to change how I feel about you.”
Kai’s turned to him. “Are you sure?” He certainly wasn’t so sure about that. He attempted to swallow, but his throat was dry.
“I’m sure.” Conner leaned over the center console and kissed him on the mouth. “Come on.”
Kai opened the car door and stepped out.
May came trotting up to the car, her long dark hair bouncing across her shoulders, wearing a red blouse and jeans. “Kai.” She clapped her hands together.
Kai walked around the car and threw his arms around her shoulders. “May.” She was already making this easier for him.
She wrapped him up in a strong embrace. “Settle down, you’re shaking.” She brushed a hand down the back of his head.
He released her. “I’m sorry. I’m just so fucking nervous.” This might be the best or the worst day of his life. He’d find out soon enough.
She glanced at Conner and held out her hand. “Hi, Conner, I’m May.”
Conner took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’m really happy to formally meet you. I know we saw each other at school.” He released her hand.
“Oh...” She giggled and gave him a shy grin, tapping her fingers to her mouth. “Well, everyone knew who you were in school.”
With a wide grin, Conner grabbed Kai’s hand. “Well, shall we?”
Kai freed a long exhale. Under his breath, he said, “Fuck.” How did he let Conner talk him into this?
As they strolled into the carport, Conner yanked Kai close and kissed his head. “Relax. We got this.”
Kai looked at him and his heart swelled with emotion. God, how he loved him .
They jogged up the steps, behind May, and into to the main room of the townhome.
Kai looked around him, the memories piling up in his mind, some good, but mostly bad. The old green couch was as worn as ever and the same old oval oak coffee and end tables surrounded it with the white ceramic lamps and maroon shades.
Kai’s mother approached them, wearing a gray frilly blouse, and jeans, drying her hands on a green kitchen towel. Her cropped dark hair was streaked with gray, and her blue-eyed gaze caught on Kai. “Kai, it’s about time you came home.” Her eyes wrinkled as she smiled at him.
“Mom...” He tightened his hold on Conner’s hand.
His mother stepped closer, then looked at their entwined hands. Her smile faded. She gestured to Conner. “So, this is the boy May’s been gushing about?”
“Mom.” May touched her mother’s arm and whispered in her ear.
His mother pursed her lips, then held out her hand to Conner. “Pleased to meet you. Conner, is it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Conner shook her hand and nodded his head at her. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“Aren’t you going say he’s told you so much about me?” She turned around and walked toward the kitchen of white cabinets with round, gold handles and white appliances. “I’m sure he has.”
May followed her, talking too low for them to hear.
Kai’s heart sank. It was going to be the worst day of his life. His lower lip trembled. A lump formed in his throat. This can’t be. Under his breath, he said, “Fuck. Let’s go.” He went for the stairs, tugging Conner’s arm.
“Stop.” Conner said, between his teeth. Conner yanked him back and looked him in the eyes. “Don’t run away. Face her.”
In a soft, but stern voice, Kai said, “You don’t know what you’re saying. She’s not someone you face , unless you want your face ripped off .” They had to get out of there before things got worse.
His mother brought a large platter with spaghetti in marinara sauce to an ova, oak dining table with farm chairs, all just off the kitchen. The table was already set with plates, silverware, and glasses of water. “Come and eat.”
“Come on, Kai. Let’s just go and eat. Okay?” He took both of Kai’s hands in his. “Come on.”
“Kai, get your ass over here and eat. I didn’t make all this food for nothing.” She placed a hand on her hip and scowled.
Conner’s eyes widened. “Jesus.”
“See?” Kai wrinkled his forehead. “Now we stayed too long, and we have to go eat.” Yep, this is nothing like the nice family dinner Conner had imagined.
“Come on, Kai and Conner. You two can sit here.” May smiled and placed her hands on two chairs sitting opposite to where his mother stood.
Kai scoffed and took a seat, being careful not to look at his mother. Maybe she’d get better somehow. Maybe May would say something to keep her from berating him.
Conner sat next to him, grinning. “Looks great, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Conner. And by the way, you can call me Margaret.” She sat in a chair next to May and spooned pasta and sauce onto brown plates. “The parmesan is over there.” She tilted her head.
Conner nodded, picked up the green container of parmesan and shook it over his noodles.
Kai stole a peek at his mother.
She twisted her fork in the pasta and glanced at him. “Son, you want me to get you a beer or something?”
And just like that, she changes. “Uh, no, I’ll get it.” Kai stood up and jogged over white linoleum to the refrigerator. “You want one, Conner?”
“Yes, please,” Conner said.
“Me, too, Kai,” May said .
He grabbed up three cans of beer, popped the tops on them and brought one to May, set one each in front of Conner and himself, then sat down and took a few gulps. Too bad they didn’t bring the bourbon. He grinned.
“Guess you’re pretty comfortable getting beers for people, being as you’re a bartender and all.” His mother shoved pasta into her mouth.
“He’s a very good bartender, Margaret.” Conner chuckled. “You should see the way he flips the bottles around at the bar.” He drank his beer.
“I know. I’ve seen him. He’s great.” May grinned at Conner.
“What, like a circus act?” Margaret sniggered.
Kai set his fork down and stared at his plate. She was going to berate him all night. He knew it. His gut clenched.
Margaret pointed her fork at her daughter. “May here is going to be a nurse. She’s a great catch, Conner, if you know what I mean.”
“Mom!” May slapped her hand to the table.
Kai flinched and bit back tears. This was going to end with him running from the house. He knew it.
Conner took a deep breath, then grabbed Kai’s hand and set them on the table. “Margaret, I love Kai. He’s really special to me, and for me, he’s perfect.” His voice became thick. “In fact, there are a lot of people I could probably be with, but I only want him. He’s everything I’m not. Everything I wish I could be.”
Kai gulped over the thickness in his throat. God, I love him. He’s trying so hard.
Margaret watched Conner, then ate more pasta and swallowed. “So, Kai is all that to you?”
“Yes. You raised a decent, strong man.” Conner met her gaze straight on.
May clasped her hands at her chest. “Isn’t that sweet, Mom? Kai found a really good guy who loves him. ”
“Conner, you passed the test.” Margaret gave him a wide smile.
Kai blinked a few times. “What?”
“Conner doesn’t look like a queer to me. I wanted to be sure he liked you. Guess he does.” She sipped at her water.
“Jesus, Mom. What’s a queer supposed to look like?” Kai lifted his brows. What sort of a thing was that to say?
“Like you .” His mother snickered. “And don’t use the Lord’s name in vain. Did I raise you in a barn?” She shook her head.
Conner laughed. “That’s sort of funny.”
“No, it’s not.” Kai grinned and slapped at his arm. He thought over his mother’s previous comment. She wants to be sure Conner likes me. His heart skipped and he watched her eat. That must be her way of looking out for him. It wasn’t warm and fuzzy, but he’d take it.
“So, Kai, what’s this stuff I hear from Bryce about a ghost in your house?” May sipped her beer.
Fucking Bryce . He didn’t want to talk about this in front of Mom. Bringing up the little ghost chat he had with his father, if that was really what it was, would not be good. “Uh, nothing. We had some weird stuff happen in the house, but it’s resolved now.” He ate his pasta.
“Ghosts? What the hell, Kai?” His mother’s eyes narrowed.
Shit. “It’s nothing. It’s done.” He stared at his pasta, twirling his fork in it.
Conner swallowed his food and glanced at May. “Kai was getting some poltergeist activity in his house, swinging cabinet doors, silverware on the floor, that sort of thing. I had some friends that are paranormal investigators come and do an investigation. Turns out?—”
“It’s handled.” Kai glared at him, squeezing his arm. “Right, Conner? It’s handled.”
Conner cocked his head. “It’s uh, handled.” He studied him.
“Not a big deal.” Kai moved pasta around his plate and shook his head. They should hurry and get out of there before something else came up.
“Oh, but paranormal investigators, you mean like Ghost Adventures ? I love those guys.” May beamed at Conner.
“Uh, yeah,” Conner glanced at Kai.
Kai slid his cell phone out of the back pocket of his jeans and opened the text interface.
Kai
I’ll tell you about it later. We can’t talk about this in front of Mom. It involves Dad.
May’s phone, resting next to her plate, chimed. She picked it up and looked at the display, widening her eyes, then nodded at Kai.
Margaret scowled. “Okay, you two. What’s going on? You think I’m stupid?”
May chuckled and touched her mother’s arm. “No, of course not, Mom. You don’t believe in ghosts anyway, right?”
Margaret gazed at May, then at Kai. “No, I don’t. That’s all bullshit. I can’t believe you’d do something like that, Kai. I couldn’t even get you to walk by the neighbor’s house when they decorated it for Halloween. You were such a scaredy-cat.”
Conner grinned at Kai, then cleared his throat and wiped his face with a napkin.
“I’m not a scaredy-cat. Anymore.” Kai flashed his eyes at Conner. Better keep your mouth shut.
Conner placed his hand over his mouth, attempting to stifle a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Kai lifted his brows at him.
“It’s just... I can’t...” Conner giggled and rose from the table, grabbing Kai’s hand. In a soft voice, he said, “Come with me a minute.”
“What?” Kai glanced at May, then his mother. What was wrong with him ?
“Maybe he realized being queer wasn’t for him after all.” His mother snickered.
Conner freed a choked chuckle. “Funny, but no, that’s not it.”
Margaret poked her fork at Conner. “Then maybe you’ve lost your mind.” She focused on Kai, smirking. “What have you done to him, Kai?”
Conner tugged on his hand. “Excuse us a moment.” He lifted his chin at Kai.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” What now? Kai stood up and followed Conner down the hallway.
“Language, young man!” His mother called out.
Kai followed Conner down the hallway and stopped. “What’s going on?”
Conner giggled. “I’m sorry, Kai. Your mother is actually pretty funny. You know that?”
Kai shifted his stance, his chest tightening. “Are you shitting me right now?”
Conner nodded. “I’ve never met anyone like her.” He smiled at Kai. “I mean, she loves to tease you, and you take everything she says so seriously. I don’t even think you realize it.”
Kai pinched his lips. This wasn’t fair. He wasn’t seeing it right. “Conner, she may be funny right now, but it could change in an instant, and then she says things that aren’t so funny. Cutting things.”
Conner’s face slackened. “I’m sorry. It’s just, with how you were acting about coming here, I didn’t know what to think. At least she’s trying to be nice right now, right? In her own way, I mean.” He took Kai’s hands in his.
“Yeah.” He’d never looked at his mother this way. May had told him the same thing before. Maybe they were right. Maybe he should stop being so suspicious of everything she said. “So, but don’t say anything more about the ghost stuff. I don’t want to have to bring up my father.”
Conner lifted his brows. “Oh, yeah. Guess I didn’t think of that. Sorry.” He kissed his cheek. “So, let’s go back out. Try to lighten up, okay? Just laugh at her little jokes.”
He drew a deep inhale. “Okay.”