Chapter Thirty-Six #2
Alex smiled and stroked Joshua’s bare chest. “Naomi is probably under the covers, her ear buds in, listening to whatever passes for music these days. However, if Simon were here? She wouldn’t even be giving us a second thought.
Micah and Greg are in the garage, and as for what they’re doing?
” He grinned. “Pretty much what we could be doing right now, if you weren’t lying there, worrying about it.
” He moved his hand lower, still stoking, but making it obvious what his destination was.
“Let me share some wisdom I’ve gleaned over the years.
No kid wants to think about their parents having sex.
Even a kid as clued in as Micah. Oh, he can talk about it with you, sure, and he’s obviously got no hang-ups about sex, which is healthy.
But I guarantee that theory and reality are two very different animals.
Your kids are happy for us, that much is clear, but more than that?
” He leaned over and kissed Joshua on the lips.
“The only people in this house who are thinking about us having sex? Is us.”
Joshua blinked. “You’re thinking about us having sex?”
“Uh huh.”
“Right this minute?”
Alex grinned. “Every damn second.”
Joshua shuddered out a sigh of relief. “When I was younger, I thought about it a lot. Then I met you.” He snickered. “These days, if I’m not thinking about it? Feels like there’s something wrong.” Joshua chuckled. “I thought your sex drive is supposed to decrease once you get past forty?”
“Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Alex rested his head on Joshua’s chest, listening to the beat of his heart.
“I had a wonderful time this evening.” Trimming the tree had been something special, especially when Joshua had handed him the angel to place on the top.
Nothing was said, but Alex got the impression it was kind of a big thing.
“I’m glad,” Joshua said quietly. “Are you going to call Manda tomorrow?” The sound of his voice reverberated through his chest, tickling Alex’s ear.
“First thing.” Alex raised his head. “Are you sure about this? You’re going to have a house full.”
Joshua cupped his chin and kissed him. “I’m sure. It’ll be good to have her stay here.” He grinned. “Besides, I’m looking forward to her meeting Naomi. Could be interesting, seeing which one can outsnark the other.”
Alex snorted. “My money’s on Manda.” Not that he didn’t love the idea too. Well, she did say she wanted me to make plans for the holidays. Then another idea occurred to him, and Alex started laughing, striving to repress the sound, but unable to stop the bed from shaking.
Joshua gripped his shoulder. “What’s tickled you?”
Alex wiped his eyes. “Just had a really great idea, that’s all. Something to give Manda and all the kids for Christmas.” God, he could even picture their faces, tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal… A fresh belt of laughter burst from him.
“Well? What are you gonna give them?”
Alex straightened his features and cleared his throat. “Ear plugs.”
This time both of them were laughing. “You’re wicked,” Joshua managed to blurt out as he fought to catch his breath.
Alex guffawed. “As if you’d… have me any… other way. You … love it.”
Joshua finally got control of himself. He rolled on top of Alex and gazed into his eyes. “I love you,” he said simply.
Alex spread his legs, before wrapping them around Joshua’s waist and locking him in a tight hold. “Then love me,” he whispered, curving his palm around Joshua’s cheek, before drawing him down into a long, sensual kiss that he hoped would be the precursor to an even longer night.
~ 0 ~
Joshua had no idea what time it was. He only knew he had to pee.
He pushed back the covers and crept into the bathroom, determined not to wake Alex. They were both going to be tired enough by the time morning came.
Joshua braced one hand against the wall and smiled to himself in the darkness. Well, you’re not a teenager anymore. That’s what you get for fucking when you should be sleeping.
Except fucking didn’t even come close to describing what they’d shared. Hours of whispered conversations, endless kissing and caressing, intimate touches that had paved the way to slow lovemaking, as he and Alex rediscovered each other.
I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Then he grinned. And the sex grow hotter. He shivered in the cool night air. Back to the bed, where a warm man awaited him.
Joshua had thought it might prove a little strange to be sharing his bed again. One thing he had noticed was that the bed had suddenly become way too small. Maybe it was time to upgrade.
He climbed back into the bed, whereupon Alex immediately shifted closer, until—
“Oh my God, your feet are freezing!” Alex retreated to his side of the bed.
Joshua snickered. “Then let me warm them on ya.” He inched closer, ignoring Alex’s protests that were a mix of indignant noises and laughter. “Hey, you said you love me. Well, love me, love my cold feet. Come on, share the heat.”
Alex chuckled. “Oh, so you want to get warm? Sure, I’ll get you warm.”
Then Joshua found himself under attack from prying fingers that teased his ribs and tickled his inner thighs and sides, until he was crying with laughter and begging for mercy. Alex finally relented, and they snuggled up together in the center of the bed, cocooned beneath the covers.
What struck Joshua as he settled down to sleep in Alex’s arms?
In all that hilarity, he hadn’t thought about the kids once.