21. Lochlan
CHAPTER 21
Lochlan
My heart is pounding, and my blood is racing. Not unusual for a high adrenaline call, but I’m fully aware this has been like no other job I’ve ever done for one simple reason.
Dario was here with me. And my god, he was brave as all hell.
I knew that already. But seeing him jump into the fray like that was incredible. That asshole ex of his tried to break him down and make him feel worthless. It was all for nothing, though. Dario had the guts to break free of his control and start a new life. And today I saw that he has it in him to help rescue other people as well. Not everyone has that kind of strength.
Once it’s clear that everyone has safely been removed from The Maiden Voyage, the One-Thirteen takes a breath before we start work helping clear the enormous amount of debris. That’s when I suggest to Dario that he call a taxi and head home, as it’s obvious we’re going to be here a long ass time, possibly all night until the end of our shift at eight tomorrow morning. Dario says he’ll take care of Clover for now, but he can drop Rocky back at my place on his way home. We have a spare of each other’s keys for exactly this kind of dog-sitting emergency.
I know Rocky will probably be fine, especially as I’ve got the same kind of camera system set up at home as at the station and at Dario’s place, so I can check in on him whenever. But before I can stop myself, I blurt out that Dario should pick up Queenie and come stay at my place. After everything we’ve been through, I want to keep him close, even if I have to work and can’t keep him in my arms.
The thought of him chilling on my sofa, drinking my beer, eating my leftover lasagna and sleeping in my bed with both our dogs brings me a sense of calm that I know will mean I can do my damn job for the next several hours.
When he agrees with a shy but eager smile, I feel like my heart might actually burst in my chest with happiness.
The rest of my shift flies by after that. A crane has already been scheduled to come in the morning to deal with the wayward swing boat, but there’s plenty our crews can do in the meantime to kickstart the cleanup. As with any business after a disaster, we’re aware that Critter Canyon will want to reopen as soon as it’s safe. The more we can power through after the initial aftermath, the better.
I’m grateful for the kinda mindless manual labor because it means my thoughts can mostly keep swimming around my favorite subject. But not just the general awesomeness of Dario this time. I can’t get over how amazing he was going with Rocky to try and help Zoe. How he stayed with her while he called 9-1-1. That might not seem remarkable to some folks because that’s what you’re supposed to do in a crisis. But after years on the job, I can assure you that so many people get overwhelmed with adrenaline and freeze up.
My man might have just saved our teacher’s life.
If I was on a high before when he came to the firehouse and met my other family, that’s nothing to how I’m feeling right now.
We have to tap out and bring the rigs back to the station so we can get them ready to hand over to the second watch when they clock in. I’m bone tired as I force myself into the shower then change back into my civies. However, when I check my phone before heading to my truck, there’s a message from Dario saying that he was able to speak to a nurse at San Clemente General and find out that Zoe is going to be just fine. I sag in relief as I read that she’s got a couple of broken ribs, a concussion, and a shit ton of bruising, but she’s expected to make a full recovery.
Then there’s a second message. Actually, it’s mostly just a photo of Dario snuggled up in my bed with the three dogs on top of the duvet pressed against his belly and legs. He says that he’s working from home today, so he’ll be at my home whenever I get there.
I fucking run to my truck after seeing that, barely pausing to yell goodbye over my shoulder at whoever’s still at the station.
The thing about adrenaline is that it can cause all kinds of reactions in your body afterward that you might not expect. Sometimes, it can make you sleepy, or starving, or cranky (probably because you need to sleep or eat). After one particularly nasty pile-up on the interstate, I rearranged my whole damn kitchen and somehow that made me feel less sad.
As I head home, I definitely make plans involving foot-high stakes of pancakes covered in maple syrup and sleeping for twelve hours.
But another side effect of getting your juices flowing is that they can keep flowing…down south…if you catch my drift. I’m glad everyone else on the team was just as tired as I was and didn’t stop to talk to me for long as I was on the way out, because the truth is, I’ve been half hard since I got into the damn shower.
Now I’m so horny, I’m slightly worried if I’m okay to drive.
Thankfully, I make it back home without incident or even running any stop lights. I do have to go back and double check I locked my car, which I hadn’t, but then I’m running up to my apartment as eager as a kid at Christmas.
I need Dario, now. More than ever before.
The dogs rush to greet me as soon as I open the door. “Hello, hello,” I say as I fuss them. The blissful scent of freshly brewed coffee hits me, making me sigh contentedly. That’s nothing, however, to the way my stomach swoops when Dario steps into the landing, holding a mug and wearing nothing but pajama pants. He said he was going to grab overnight supplies when he picked up Queenie yesterday evening, but in that moment, I decide I’m going to insist on him leaving some stuff like that here.
Seeing him so at home in my place does all kinds of funny things to my insides.
“Hey,” he says softly, still looking a little sleep rumpled as he pads over to me with the coffee. “I wasn’t sure what time you’d be back, but I put a pot on as soon as I woke up, and I saw there’s bacon and stuff in the fridge if you want breakfast.”
I pluck the coffee from his fingers and place it on the sideboard without even taking a sip. I can reheat it or pour a fresh cup later. Dario’s thoughtfulness has sent me over the edge.
“I want you,” I growl, slipping my hands under his ass and picking him up. His little squeak of surprise is adorable, but he soon gets with the program, wrapping his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck as his lips crash against mine. “You were so fucking amazing last night,” I mumble as I start shuffling us toward the bedroom.
“I didn’t do anything,” he says with a laugh between kisses. “You’re the hero here. I was so proud watching you work.”
I growl again, somehow managing to get us over the threshold and shut my bedroom door with the dogs on the other side. Rocky and Clover might protest for a bit, but Queenie will soon calm them down.
She probably knows the human beings need some privacy right about now.
“I would like to implement a new rule,” I say as I deposit Dario onto my mattress. He bounces and grins up at me.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I tell him as I crawl up his body, making him shuffle back and lie against the pillows. The bedding is still all over the place from where he slept here last night, and I realize it smells like both of us now.
I always want it to smell like that.
“New rule: no one is allowed to put my boyfriend down like that, not even him.”
He blinks and suddenly looks more serious. “Boyfriend?”
My heart is pounding again. I cup my hand against his face and caress his cheek with my thumb. “I know we said we’d take it slow. But I think that’s because you were worried I’d change my mind and realize I’m not into dudes after all. But that’s not going to happen, Dario. I’m crazy about you, and I’d really, really like to tell the whole world that we’re together. So long as that’s what you want.”
Tears pool in his eyes as he reaches up and mirrors me, pressing his palm to the side of my jaw. “I want to be your boyfriend more than anything. So long as you promise to be patient with me. I’m still scared, Lochlan. Still broken. I don’t want to let you down, but I might not be able to help it.”
I scoff and arch an eyebrow at him. “You’re not broken. You’re a survivor. No, you’re like one of those fancy vases that they put back together with gold so it’s even more beautiful than it was before.”
Dario laughs, twin tears escaping down his temples into the pillow behind his head. But he’s smiling up at me, so I know he gets what I’m trying to say. “Kintsugi. That’s what the art form is called. It represents resilience.”
“Well, there you go,” I say smugly, pleased as punch that I remembered a smart thing even though I didn’t know the word for it. “That’s what you are. And Rocky and Queenie. Fighters, all of you.”
Dario takes a shuddering breath and presses his lips together before speaking softly. “I’m not sure if I believe in fate or destiny or whatever. But I can’t help but feel like the universe brought us all together for a reason, and for that, I’ll never stop being grateful. I…I’d be honored to be your boyfriend, Lochlan. For real this time.”
I lean back on my heels and punch the air. “WOOHOO!”
He laughs at my dumb ass, but then I drop down and start kissing him again until neither of us are laughing. We’re moaning and panting and writhing.
I break away to yank my T-shirt off. “On the theme of not wanting to go too fast but possibly doing it anyway,” I say as I reach for my nightstand. “I don’t want to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Getting naked with you is my new absolute favorite thing. But…”
When I pull out the brand-new box of condoms and bottle of lube, I watch him closely for his reaction. His eyebrows shoot up and he looks to understand what I’m suggesting. “You’d want that?” he asks quietly.
“Baby, I’m desperate for it,” I tell him with a rueful chuckle. “I’ve been jerking myself raw to all kinds of porn. It hits different when you know what you’re watching could become reality. My only question is if you’re ready? No, wait, I have two questions. The second is what are you into? Whatever you like the most is the thing I want to do. Or things. There can be a wish list.”
I waggle my eyebrows at him and am relieved when he laughs, even if he is still looking a little shellshocked. “I don’t want to go in too hard too fast, though.”
“We’re way beyond hard, sweetheart,” I say, shaking my head and rolling our thickened cocks together through our pants. He groans and closes his eyes. I use the opportunity to lean down and trace wet kisses along his throat. “Tell me your desires,” I murmur against his skin. “You’re safe with me, Dario. I want to make you lose your mind with pleasure.”
He trembles underneath me in the most delicious way. “I…oh…um…well…you can always say no.”
“I can,” I assure him. “But I doubt I will. I think you like being in charge, don’t you, baby? I love that. Boss me around. I’m a dirty boy, remember? Tie me up. Spank my ass. Whatever you like, and I’ll tell you you’re perfect and good and all mine.”
He clings to my shoulders and buries his face against my neck. “Holy shit, Lochlan.”
“You like the sound of that, huh?”
He nods then leans back enough to look into my eyes. “Where did you come from?” he asks in wonder.
“Homegrown in Redwood Bay, sweetheart,” I tell him with a wink. “Been waiting here just for you. Tell me what you want, Dario, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything for you.”
For a moment, he simply slides his hand around the back of my head, drawing me close to kiss my lips softly and with reverence. “I want to do everything with you,” he says, his voice cracking a little as his eyes search mine. “But right now…how would you feel about me topping?”
I’m relieved I did at least some basic research so I know he means that he wants to be the one who fucks me. Lust flares through me at just the thought of it. “I’ve never done that with anyone before,” I say, beaming down at him. “So it’ll be extra special for us.”
Again, he seems to search my face to see if I’m being honest. “A lot of gay men freak out at the idea of bottoming, especially if the other guy is, um, smaller. Less masculine. Until very recently, you thought you were straight. Are you absolutely sure?”
“People are dumb,” I say, genuinely baffled. “Because I’m buff I’m not supposed to want something like that? Pshh. It’s a good thing that I’m not gay or straight, but instead a mighty bisexual who wants his hot boyfriend to hurry up and fuck him in the ass already.”
I tickle his sides and we’re both laughing, but then he pushes me so I roll onto my back. I gulp as lust pulses through me. Both our chests are rising and falling as we breathe heavily, pupils blown with desire.
“Anything you want,” I promise him again, making sure he’s really listening. “Show me how you like it, gorgeous.”
For a moment, he just breathes as his gaze trails seductively over my body. I watch as he slowly gets off me. His hands are shaking, but he doesn’t hesitate as he begins untying my laces, easing my boots and socks off. When he unzips my jeans, I lift my hips to help him slide them down along with my briefs.
The fact that my cock bounces around like a goddamned wacky inflatable tube man, flicking pre-cum over my stomach, just makes me grin proudly. I need Dario to see how much I want him to be the one in charge here.
I want him to feel free.
We’ve been naked together several times now, but something feels different as I watch him slide his pajama pants off. It was obvious from the obscene tenting going on that he was already hard as well. However, the way he keeps his eyes locked with mine as he strokes his length hungrily is entirely new.
“Christ,” I choke out. “You look so hot, baby. Is that all for me? Are you going to give it to me?”
“If you’re good, dirty boy,” he says as if he can’t believe his own daring.
Good? I’ll be fucking outstanding for him. Gold stars and everything.
“How do you want me?” I rasp. There are so many positions we can try. I’ve read that on all fours is often the easiest, but I want to face him. I want to kiss him. So I grab my heels and lift them as high as I can. “Like this?”
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this exposed in my entire life, but it doesn’t make me vulnerable. I’m excited to share this with Dario. It’s like I’m a wild animal, ruffling my feathers and showing my ass to my potential mate, hoping to be claimed.
Dario’s jaw has dropped. “That’s the hottest thing I’ve seen in my whole life,” he says in a strangled voice before crawling back onto the bed and touching my thighs. “For now, can you hug your knees to your chest for me?”
“Like this?” I ask as I change position.
His expression is so sweet and soft. “Perfect, baby.” My breath hitches and my heart floods with affection at hearing him call me that for the first time.
I want to be his baby just as much as he’s already mine.
“Remember,” he says seriously as he trails kisses down my inner thigh. “If you don’t like anything, tell me stop. Even if you’re not sure and need a second to think.”
“I swear,” I say, knowing he has to trust that I’m being honest with him if he’s going to enjoy this. I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it all, though.
He hums and keeps mouthing his way down my body. I’m slightly surprised when he skirts around my straining cock, but I don’t get long to think about it. When his tongue swipes across my hole, I yelp, jerk, and blink rapidly, all at the same time.
“Whoa.”
“Okay?” he asks.
I blink some more, very glad I had a thorough shower before I left work. “Uh…yeah. I think so. I really think so. Do it again?”
He chuckles, but within seconds he’s back between my cheeks, giving my hole little licks like a kitten lapping up milk from a saucer.
I manage to keep ahold of my knees, but they fall further to my sides as I try and push my ass toward his mouth. He surprises me with a slap to the top of my leg, just where it meets my butt. I gasp and he grins. “Naughty.”
His confidence is like a shot of the good stuff going straight to my head. I feel dizzy and tingly all over as I watch him dip back down and really go to town on the most intimate part of my body. I moan and wail and gnash my teeth as he kisses and sucks and licks, driving me wild. When his tongue starts pushing inside my tight ring of muscle, I’m sure I shake the whole building with my bellow.
“Yes, baby, yes!” I scream, gripping my knees so hard for him I’m sure I’m going to leave bruises.
I hope I do.
“Need you,” I grunt. “Dario, please. Need you to fuck me now. Need to come.”
“Shh, it’s okay,” he says as he comes up for air. “Not just yet, but soon. Hold on a bit longer for me.”
“I will, I will,” I babble.
He quickly squirts some lube onto his fingers, pushing two in where his tongue left off. Then he wraps the other hand around the base of my shaft and starts sucking the top. Not enough to make me come, but enough to make me wild.
Unable to hold them up any longer, my legs flop down, but he doesn’t need me to spread so much like this. Instead, I thread my fingers through his hair as he bobs up and down, and grip the bed covers to try and keep myself anchored. I don’t want to blow my load too soon and ruin this incredible moment.
I can’t promise I’ll be able to hold off for much longer, though.
“Dario, baby, please, for the love of god,” I cry as he works a third finger inside me. It’s a strange sensation, and I wonder if I should have played around with a dildo to be better practiced for him. But I think I prefer that this is all brand new for us to share together.
Especially when he starts to stroke my channel, and holy shit it’s like he’s found my on switch.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I scream. That makes him laugh and pop off my cock with a filthy slurping sound.
“You like that, dirty boy, huh?”
I nod frantically as I squirm.
Without him working my dick, I’m less likely to come. However, I’m still frantically panting and writhing as he rubs my magic lamp.
“Would you really let me tie you up?” he murmurs, and I nod some more. “I could torture you like this for hours.”
There’s nothing restraining me right now, but I do nothing to free myself from my current torment, either. I’m in some kind of hellish heaven. The idea of trusting Dario like that—of being at his mercy—it makes something unfurl deep within me.
“Fuck me, please,” I beg him. “I want to feel your cock in me, baby. I want your cum.”
He leans up and kisses my mouth brutally. Then suddenly his lips and fingers are gone, leaving me panting and trembling at the emptiness. But when my gaze focuses, I see him slicking up his cock with a fuck ton of lube, then he drizzles even more down my fluttering crack.
“Heels up,” he says, and they fly back into my hands. I watch desperately as he positions himself between them, lining up his cock, then…
“Oh, oh,” I whimper at the intrusion. It’s strange but fucking awesome as he pushes farther inside me, claiming me, dominating me. He lets go of his length and places both his hands on my chest, digging his fingers into my flesh.
“Fuck,” he gasps. “You feel so good, Lochlan. Oh my god. Is it okay?”
“It’s incredible,” I tell him truthfully, letting the sensation consume me. “You’re incredible. You look so fucking beautiful right now.”
He really does. His taut body is glistening with sweat and his dark hair is falling into his eyes as he looms over me. His lips are swollen, and his pretty eyes are wild with pleasure. He gnashes his teeth and seems to get as far as he can go inside me, and we both take a second to gasp for air.
That’s not enough for me, though. I lean up, asking for his kiss. He gives it willingly.
With my legs held up to the ceiling in a restraint of my own making, he feels like he’s so far up me he’s going to puncture my stomach. But then he starts rocking his hips, and what little sense I still had goes flying out of the window.
All that’s left is Dario as he thrusts against my prostate, lighting me up like Vegas at Christmas. I don’t even know what I’m saying other than, “Yes! Please! More!” He’s in no better state, so I hope he doesn’t mind that I’ve turned into a blathering fool.
“Lochlan,” he cries, stealing more kisses from me as we slam our bodies together. “I’m gonna come. I can’t?—”
“Come, baby, please,” I urge him.
Within seconds, his back arches back and his mouth opens in a silent scream. I can feel his dick throbbing inside me, and even with the condom catching his load, it still feels so good.
I quiver as I watch him gasp for air and come down from his high. But before he’s even started to soften, he’s pumping more lube into his hand and jerking me off furiously.
“Come for me, baby. I want to see.”
I screw my eyes shut and let go, fireworks exploding in the darkness as the most powerful orgasm of my life rips through me. I don’t think I’ve ever come that much, not even when I was a horny teenager. It goes on and on until my hands drop my feet and my limbs come crashing down on the mattress. My body feels like it weighs a ton, but I’m so bathed in euphoria, I’ll happily stay here forever.
At some point, Dario slips out of me, and we lay in the crumpled sheets, covered in sweat and cum. I hug him tightly to me, absently kissing his forehead when I have a burst of energy.
“I think I like boyfriend sex the best,” I say eventually.
He laughs weakly. “Me, too,”
“I vote we have a lot more of it.”
“Me, too,” he agrees.
We stay in that moment that feels so perfect nothing could ever touch it.
That doesn’t mean something isn’t going to try, though.