Chapter 23 #2
At last Mike eased out of him and shifted to lie beside him, stroking across his chest, both of them damp with perspiration.
He gazed at Tommy and grinned. “Wow. Obviously I need to go away more often, if this is the reception I get when I come back.” Tommy opened his mouth to speak, but Mike stopped his words with a gentle kiss.
When they parted, he smiled. “I missed you too.”
It was a while before either of them spoke, which was fine as far as Mike was concerned.
Their beating hearts, exchanged looks, and tender caresses said more than words ever could.
It had been a long time since Mike had felt this close to someone, this…
connected, and there was a rightness to the relationship that Mike felt bone deep. He couldn’t deny it.
He was in love with Tommy.
Tommy got out of his truck, locked it, and waited for Mike to join him. He observed the way Mike kept straightening his tie and smoothing down his shirt. Tommy shook his head and chuckled.
“What?” Mike stared at him, brows knitted. He glanced down at himself and then back at Tommy. “Is there something wrong?”
Tommy walked across to where Mike stood next to his truck and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re nervous. You’re actually nervous.” It was really sweet.
Mike made a gruff noise in the back of his throat. “Let’s just say it’s been a while since I’ve had to pass an inspection, okay?” Then he smiled. “So, will I do?”
“You look fine.” Tommy ran his hand over Mike’s chest, his fingertips brushing over his nipple. He loved how Mike shivered. “You like that?”
Mike pulled him closer and growled into his ear.
“You know I like that. I liked it last night, and this morning, and every other goddamn time you do it. And if we didn’t have to come here, we’d still be in my bed, where you could get your mouth around it.
And then we’d be making love like we were last night. ”
It was Tommy’s turn to shiver. “About last night,” he began, but Mike cut him off with a kiss. When he’d finished, Tommy let out a slow exhale. “Wow.”
“‘Wow’ is right. I haven’t got a clue what got into you last night, but I gotta tell ya….” Mike broke off and wrapped his arms around Tommy’s waist, looking him in the eye. “You were amazing, and I loved every second of it.”
He kissed him again, slow and thorough, holding Tommy tight against him, for which Tommy was grateful. Mike’s kiss was leaving him weak at the knees.
It had to come to an end, of course. Mike broke the kiss and stepped back.
“And now it’s time for me to make a good impression.
” His eyes gleamed as he held out his hand for Tommy to take it.
The intimate gesture sent a thrill trickling down Tommy’s spine.
They walked hand in hand to the main door of the house.
Mike glanced up at the house and shook his head.
“They may live in the same neighborhood as me, but this place is worlds away from mine.”
“It is a great house,” Tommy admitted. “Wait ’til you see the inside.
” He lifted his hand to ring the bell, but the door swung open before he could connect with it.
Caroline stood there, dressed in cream slacks, a cream cotton shirt, and a button-up sweater in pale green, open at the neckline to show her string of pearls.
Her eyes widened the tiniest bit when she saw Mike, but she schooled her features quickly and gave him a warm smile.
“You must be Mike. Hi, I’m Caroline. Please, come on in.
” She stepped aside to let Mike enter and kissed Tommy on the cheek as he passed her.
“Hi, honey.” Once she’d closed the door, she led them through the airy hallway into the formal living room and gestured to the two-seater couch.
“Take a seat. My husband will be here shortly. He’s just taking a call in his den.
Lunch is nearly ready, but I thought it would be nice to talk a little first.”
Mike’s eyes twinkled. “What you’re really saying is you want to know what my intentions are.” He sat down on the couch, flicking his head to Tommy to indicate that he should sit next to him. Caroline took the armchair facing them.
She beamed. “I like a man who’s a straight shooter.” She leaned against the seat cushions. “Tell me about yourself, Mike.”
“Not that much to tell.” He reached for Tommy’s hand and placed it on his leg, Mike’s hand covering his.
There was a rightness to the gesture that sent a flood of warmth slowly spreading through Tommy.
He sat there and listened as Mike talked about college and his life as a bartender, the sound of Mike’s voice comfortable and familiar.
Caroline listened intently, focused on Mike.
The living room door opened, and Ben and Bethany walked in.
Bethany was all smiles when she caught sight of Mike, and when he wasn’t looking, she gave Tommy the thumbs-up.
Ben was a different story. He stared at Mike, mouth open.
Caroline noticed instantly and frowned at him before turning her attention to Mike and smiling.
“Mike, these are my children, Ben and Bethany.”
Mike rose to his feet and extended a hand to Bethany, who shook it vigorously. “A pleasure,” he said. “Tommy’s spoken about you a lot”—he winked—“and all of it good.”
Bethany giggled. “I’ll bet.” She glanced at Caroline. “Anything I can do in the kitchen, Mom?”
“The rolls are warming in the oven. Could you get them out, please, and put them on the table along with the butter?”
Bethany nodded, and with one last smile at Mike, she left the room.
Ben stood at the end of the couch, still staring.
The tight knot of tension in Tommy’s belly proved difficult to ignore.
He wondered if their difference in ages was what caused Ben’s reaction.
Whatever it was, he didn’t like it, and neither did Caroline, judging by the warning glances she kept sending in Ben’s direction.
Benson made an appearance, and more introductions were made.
Mike seemed at ease, chatting with him about his job as an international lawyer.
Tommy was delighted to see how quickly Caroline and Benson warmed to Mike.
The three of them talked at great length about what was going on in Atlanta, and Mike seemed sincerely interested in Caroline’s work with her charities.
He mentioned fund-raising events he’d undertaken or organized for several LGBT charities, and Caroline’s face lit up.
Tommy couldn’t help smiling as he watched their conversation grow more animated.
Bethany appeared from the kitchen with a tray of glasses full of sweet tea, and Mike accepted a glass with a smile.
Ben, on the other hand, was a mystery. After about ten minutes or so he’d quit staring, but he didn’t say a whole lot.
Mike appeared puzzled, and Tommy could understand that.
He’d told Mike so much about his roomie, and this just wasn’t like him.
It was something of a relief when they all went into the dining room to have lunch.
Caroline had prepared roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, and gravy.
Mike complimented her on the meal, and when he took a second helping of beef and mashed potatoes, she smiled widely.
The atmosphere was relaxed for the most part, except for Ben talking very little.
Tommy kept glancing at him, trying to work out what was bugging him, but Ben seemed to be avoiding meeting Tommy’s gaze.
Throughout lunch Tommy was aware of Mike next to him.
Now and again, Mike would stroke his thigh under the table, a light touch to connect them.
His arm would brush against Tommy’s, and he would catch a whiff of Mike’s scent, a mixture of his cologne and, underneath it, the warm, earthy smell of pure Mike.
The meal would have been perfect, if not for Ben.
Coffee followed, and Mike appeared genuinely sad to have to leave.
A couple of hours had flown by, and Tommy was really pleased with how things had worked out.
He guessed from Caroline’s initial reaction that she might have something to say about Mike’s age, but from the way lunch had gone, he wasn’t so worried. Mike had obviously worked his magic.
“It was lovely meeting you,” Caroline told Mike as she walked him to the front door. “You’ll have to join us for dinner soon.”
Tommy stood beside Mike, resisting the urge to take his hand.
Mike shook Benson’s hand firmly and then leaned forward to kiss Caroline’s cheek. “It would be a pleasure. I had a great time, and it was good to finally put faces to the names.” He straightened, and his expression grew more serious. “I’m glad Tommy has you in his corner.”
Caroline’s cheeks flushed, and she smiled. “We love that boy like he’s our own. And I feel a whole lot better about him going away with you, now that we’ve met.” Her blush deepened.
Mike chuckled. “Caroline, I didn’t mind in the least. You were looking out for Tommy, and that’s a big deal in my book.” He glanced at Tommy. “Gonna walk me to my truck?”
“Sure.”
With one last nod to Caroline and Benson, Mike turned and walked down the driveway, reaching for Tommy’s hand, their fingers entwined. When they got to the truck, Mike darted a glance toward the house before taking Tommy in his arms.
“I’m glad they invited me,” he said quietly.
“And I’m also glad I’ve put their minds at rest. So that means…
.” He cupped Tommy’s cheek and kissed him slowly, taking his time, as though he was savoring the taste of him.
Tommy closed his eyes and molded his body to Mike’s as he leaned against his truck, thoroughly engaged in the kiss.
He was aware of birdsong, the distant hum of traffic, the slight breeze that caught his hair where it was longer on top.
But most of all, he sank willingly into Mike’s embrace, his heartbeat quickening at the thought of his lover leaving.
Mike broke the kiss and leaned back. “I’ll be calling you tonight when I finish, if you’re still awake.”
“I’ll be awake,” Tommy assured him. He wouldn’t miss a chance to talk to Mike.
“And tomorrow we can discuss where we’re going to go next week. Then I’ll book us some flights, and we can be off for three or four days.” He craned his neck and kissed the tip of Tommy’s nose. “I can’t wait.”
There was that huskiness that made all Tommy’s blood head south. “Me neither,” he confessed.
Mike kissed him once more and then sighed. “It’s no good. I gotta go, baby.” He released Tommy and climbed into his truck. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“I’ll be waitin’.”
Mike rolled down his window and regarded Tommy in silence. Tommy’s skin prickled. He had the strangest feeling that Mike wanted to say something, but the moment passed. Mike switched on the engine and, with a wave of his hand, pulled out of the driveway.
Tommy watched him until the truck was no longer in sight. He turned back toward the house and slowly walked up to the front door, which was ajar. When he got inside, he expected to find Caroline waiting for him, but instead it was Ben, who seemed agitated.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded, eyes wide. “For God’s sake, Tommy, how could you keep that quiet?”
“Tell you what? Keep what quiet?” Tommy shook his head. “You’re not makin’ sense.”
Ben gaped at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re dating Scott Masters?”