Chapter 11 Candrin
CANDRIN
A huge misunderstanding
It was almost the end of a very long week.
This time last Friday I was… I checked my watch. Right, I’d just been told I was homeless and had no money. And not only that, an imposter had stolen everything by hoodwinking my father.
But unlike the hour or so after the reading of the will, today I had a place to stay and had fallen for my sexy airline pilot landlord.
We’d had sex, he’d cooked for me most nights, and we’d cuddled on the couch.
While I didn’t know where that was headed, I hoped it would become permanent because what I was feeling was close to… love.
Nah, I pulled back a little. A week to fall in love?
Sure it was possible but we needed a foundation for our relationship.
While I was aware Tanner had two brothers I’d yet to meet, he could cook, enjoyed watching movies with me on the sofa, and liked a clean home, I’d never seen him outside the confines of the house.
Maybe he was rude to waiters or was a dangerous driver. Perhaps he tossed litter on the street or shoplifted. While I didn’t believe he did any of those things, we needed to experience life together in the big wide world.
I was the last one to leave the office and as I was heading out the door, I got a text from Anders saying someone was interested in my car, and did I want to meet with them.
I absolutely did because like the restored motorbike was for Father, that car was my baby, and I refused to sell it to an asshole who wouldn’t take care of it.
Yes, please. Set up a meeting outside of office hours and I’ll be there. Thanks, I texted.
Sitting on the bus, I got a seat and was lost in memories. Thinking of my parents, Molly and Saul, left me teary-eyed and an elderly man offered me a tissue. My thoughts drifted to Tanner and us sharing a meal which led to me recalling us in bed.
The phone beeped. Maybe Anders. Nope it was Tanner.
Forgot to tell you I’m back at work as of tonight. Long haul flight so I’ll be gone a week. One of my brothers will be back this evening. Let’s plan something nice for next weekend. Tanner.
Bummer. I was looking forward to spending Saturday in bed and Sunday exploring the city with him. I could take him to my favorite haunts—the ones that were free—such as the museum and the park.
Oh, well. I had to research Charles and how to set up a sting operation. Ha! I pictured myself in a black overcoat, hat, and a fake moustache peeking around corners as I tried to catch Charles out in the lie.
I’ll miss you, I messaged Tanner. I’ll plan something fun for next weekend.
I suddenly realized I was almost out of food. I’d been relying on Tanner to feed me. I had enough to get groceries for the week, sort of. It’d be pretty basic eating but I couldn't expect my landlord to fork out for my food. Another reason why I had to sell the car.
Instead of my usual stop, I got off the bus earlier and shopped for groceries. Luckily, it didn’t cost much and I lugged it three blocks to the house. Letting myself in, I dumped the stuff on the kitchen counter, only to discover a note on the fridge.
I cooked. There are five dinners here, one in the fridge and I froze the others. And there’s fruit on the table.
Apples, oranges and bananas were piled in a huge dish.
“How lucky am I?” I said out loud. I owed him big time and would repay him once I had my finances sorted.
I phoned Tanner to say thank you but it went straight to voicemail.
After putting away what I’d bought, I stuck the meal Tanner had prepared in the microwave and grabbed a soda. But as the microwave dinged, a car pulled up in the driveway.
Tanner! Perhaps his flight had been delayed. Should I rush out to greet him? Let him sneak up on me? Get naked and offer him my hole or maybe my cock to suck on? Footsteps on the porch alerted me that he was almost here. So I yanked down my pants and underwear.
My landlord’s scent greeted me first but it was a little different. But with the aroma of the food swirling around me and the increased blood flow to my cock, I dismissed why it had altered. With my length in one hand, I yelled, “Surprise” as a man appeared in the doorway.
“Oh my Gods,” he shouted.
Not Tanner. Someone who kinda looked like him, his scent was similar but… oh shit was this the brother? But that wasn’t the worst of it. Or the best? My befuddled brain couldn’t piece everything together.
The guy staring at my dick, a look of horror etched on his face, had the most fragrant, enticing scent, and my cock went from a semi to hard as a rock. What the ever-loving fuck was happening?
“Not the person I was expecting,” I choked out.
The guy… I guessed he was the brother… unless I’d exposed my length to someone intending to rob the place…
he was leaning against the doorway… no more like propping himself up, one clenched fist at his side.
Blood had drained from his face and his dark eyes flickered, almost as though he was waging a war with himself.
That was so silly. How could I see that in his gaze? It was my mind trying to make sense of a messed up situation, one of my own making.
How did I get out of this? There were no rules. But I was overcome with sadness because I’d been falling in love with Tanner and now this guy had stolen my heart after saying three words and not the words that expressed love.
Accompanying my despair was loathing that I was… what… cheating on Tanner by being attracted to this guy?
“Are you the brother?” I managed to get out.
He nodded as he positioned himself behind a chair.
I caught a glimpse of his crotch and could have sworn he was aroused.
Not only was I insanely attracted to Tanner’s brother, but he might feel the same way.
I was going to break up their family because neither would ever forgive me or the other for…
Stop. My mind was racing at a million miles an hour, conjuring up scenarios that might never happen.
“Wasn’t expecting you.” That much was obvious.
“I can see that,” he said, his gaze fixed on my length.
“I was just heating—” Why did I say that? My entire body was on fire.
“Mmmm.” A droplet of sweat trickled over his cheek and I almost leaned over and licked it off. What was wrong with me? I’d always been a one-alpha at a time guy and here I was wishing the brother would yank down his pants and plow into me.
“I should—”
He cut me off. “Yeah. Probably for the best.”
With trembling fingers, I pulled up my briefs and pants and washed my hands. I couldn’t introduce myself to the guy after I’d been gripping my dick.
“Well that was awkward.” I cringed hearing the words come out of my mouth.
“I guess.”
As I studied Tanner’s brother, he appeared to be in pain. He was hunched over and mumbling to himself.
“Sit. You look like shit.” I was inviting a man to sit in his own chair in his own house.
He gripped the edge of the table and muttered, “If you only knew.”
“Candrin.” I sat opposite him. “That’s me.”
“Huston.”
“Ahhh.” The microwave dinged again and I leaped up. “I was just about to eat. You can share my dinner.”
Huston pushed his chair back and it screeched over the wooden floor. “I couldn’t. Sorry.” He raced out the front door and dashed past the kitchen window out back before I lost sight of him.
I collapsed in my chair. After losing both my parents, I’d assumed that last Friday was the worst day in my life. And the best because I met Tanner. But now, seven days later, his brother appeared and all I could think of was I wanted to see his cock. Maybe suck on it.
The voice in my head urged me to stop. With my dinner forgotten, I tore up to my room and stuffed my belongings into the suitcase.
Tanner would wonder where I’d disappeared to but hurting him by vanishing was preferable to falling for his brother right in front of him.
And I still had the same feelings for Tanner as I did before meeting Huston.
Glancing around the room, I figured I had everything. Shit, I didn’t have a car, only a motorbike that I refused to ride. If I got a rideshare to Anders’ garage and begged him to meet me there, I’d take the car, sleep in it and figure out my next move in the morning.
But as I reached the door of my room, Huston barred my way.
“Going somewhere?”