Chapter 20
E rik took Nathan by the hand and pulled him into an embrace. Cupping Nathan’s cheek, Erik lowered his head to capture his lips in a sweet kiss. Nathan had thought for sure the kiss would be more hungry than soft. He opened his mouth to Erik, accepting the seeking tongue inside.
Erik reached down to cup his ass, lifting him off his feet to set him on the counter. The show of strength heightened Nathan’s lust for him. He wrapped his legs around Erik’s waist and pulled him closer, his hands tangling in the strands of hair at Erik’s nape. Erik continued to kiss him, his tongue dueling with Nathan’s while he slipped his hands underneath Nathan’s shirt. The roughness of Erik’s calloused fingers scraping over his back and stomach sent a shiver through him.
Erik broke the kiss long enough to strip the shirt from Nathan’s body before removing his own. When Erik recaptured his lips, Nathan mapped out the muscles along Erik’s shoulders and back, lightly raking his fingers over the tanned flesh along his spine.
“Fuck, angel. You feel so good,” Erik groaned into Nathan’s mouth.
Nathan arched into Erik, panting. His head swam with how much he wanted the man touching him, kissing him, and fucking him. He reached between them to unsnap Erik’s jeans, desperate to feel his hard length in his palm. A ragged moan came from Erik when Nathan wrapped his fingers around Erik’s cock. Nathan gently squeezed and stroked him, his thumb swiping over the weeping tip. The clear fluid called to him, and he brought his thumb to his mouth, lapping at the salty liquid. He locked gazes with Erik while tasting his lover. Erik’s hazel eyes darkened to a gorgeous amber, pure heat blazing out of their depths at Nathan.
Gripped with the need to taste more of Erik, Nathan hopped off the counter, grabbed Erik’s hand, and tugged him over to the couch. He’d have gotten on his knees in the kitchen if it hadn’t been for his bad leg. Nathan dropped onto the cushions and leaned forward to slide his tongue over the mushroom-shaped head. Erik slid a hand into Nathan’s hair, freeing it from its confinement, and he guided Nathan onto his cock, slowly pushing in deeper. Another groan rattled in Erik’s chest and Nathan looked up to see his head tilted back, his eyes closed. Using the flat of his tongue, Nathan caressed along the steel shaft. He went a little too far and gagged, immediately reversing.
“Easy, angel,” Erik rasped. “You don’t have to take it all at once.”
Determination set in. Nathan wanted to please Erik, to make him feel good. It took several tries before Nathan could take most of his cock. Erik tightened his hand on Nathan’s hair slightly. The musky pre-cum came faster the longer Nathan worked at Erik’s prick. He applied a couple of moves he’d seen in a porn film before, gently rolling Erik’s balls in one hand while the other moved up and down the length of his shaft.
Erik gave a sudden hitch of his hips and Nathan felt the head enter his throat. He swallowed around it without thinking. He increased the suction, moving his head a little faster. It may not have been the most elegant or well-practiced blowjob, but Erik didn’t seem to mind. A moment later, though, he grunted and pulled free from Nathan’s mouth. “Fuck, you’ve got me so close.”
He reached down and pulled Nathan to his feet. “Let’s go upstairs,” Erik said.
Nathan followed him to his bedroom. Erik quickly disrobed and then removed the rest of Nathan’s clothing. He walked Nathan back toward his bed and coaxed him down to the mattress, immediately covering Nathan’s body with his own. But Erik didn’t jump into prepping Nathan. Instead, he began kissing Nathan again, trailing down his neck to his collarbone. His fingers traced over Nathan’s ribs, causing him to squirm and chuckle. “Ticklish, hmm?” Erik teased.
“A little,” Nathan panted. Erik nuzzled and kissed along Nathan’s sternum until he reached his belly button. The slick slide of Erik’s tongue pressing into his navel made Nathan’s cock weep a thin line of fluid, which Erik lapped up immediately. Nathan tossed his head against the pillow as Erik followed the line to its source. He arched his back from the mattress when Erik licked along the entire length of his cock down to the sack beneath. Only, Erik didn’t stop there. He went farther and Nathan almost jumped off the bed when Erik pushed his legs up and took a swipe at the tight muscles hidden in the valley of his rear end. “Oh my God, Erik!”
Erik continued to lap at his entrance, nudging it open a little more with each pass. Nathan gripped the sheets in his fingers, attempting to find an anchor in the storm threatening to drag him under. Small cries and whimpers echoed off the surrounding walls. When Erik slipped a finger inside of him finally, Nathan let out a high-pitched cry, thrusting his hips downward. His body craved the feeling of Erik deep inside of him.
“Erik,” Nathan sobbed.
A second finger pressed in alongside the first one, leaving Nathan panting for so much more. Erik continued to batter Nathan’s senses. By the time Erik moved away long enough to sheath his cock with a condom and drip lube on the hard shaft, Nathan could do nothing except watch with hooded eyes, his chest heaving with panting breaths. Erik stroked the length of his cock, coating it with the slick liquid, before he rose over Nathan again.
Nathan eagerly spread his legs wider, accepting Erik between them without thought or fear this time. Erik caught his lips in a thirsty kiss as he slid inside Nathan. They both groaned when he bottomed out. But when Erik moved, Nathan broke the kiss to cry out, clinging to him. He brought his legs higher up Erik’s sides, encouraging him to go deeper. A sexy growl left Erik and the man bent over him, nipping and suckling at every place he could reach. Every sensation overwhelmed the last until Nathan couldn’t separate them. All he knew right then was he never wanted Erik to stop.
Sweat built on both their skin, coating the fringes of Nathan’s hair. The salty scent only inflamed Nathan’s pleasure, stoking his craving for Erik higher. “Erik, I-I need…” He couldn’t finish the thought, tightening his hold on Erik in hopes the man understood.
“I know, angel. I’ve got you.” Erik grunted, fucking Nathan harder, faster. Both were gasping for breath when Erik shifted his hips, tagging Nathan’s prostate. Nathan shouted, his climax ripping through him unexpectedly. Hard spurts of semen bathed their chests and bellies. Erik sat up, pulling Nathan with him until he straddled Erik’s lap, never once leaving the tight sheath of Nathan’s body. He grabbed hold of Nathan’s rounded bottom to lift and drop him, impaling Nathan again and again.
Clawing at Erik’s broad shoulders, he burrowed his face against Erik’s neck. Nathan could feel the heat rising in him once more, another orgasm on the heels of the one he’d just had. Erik never faltered or stopped. Nathan locked his ankles behind Erik’s back, his arms holding on tightly around his neck. “Erik,” he moaned.
“You going to soar for me again, angel?” Erik crooned.
Nathan pushed down onto Erik with each motion. The sound of Nathan’s ragged breathing only beat out the sound of skin slapping against skin. “Oh God,” he moaned.
“That’s it, angel. Let go. Come for me.”
Nathan splintered again, shouting to the heavens. Erik gave another several thrusts before he let forth a loud groan, his fingers tightening on Nathan’s ass. Nathan could feel Erik’s cock pulsing inside of him, each one like the beat of a heart. Eventually, Erik slumped against him, his forehead resting on Nathan’s shoulder. They remained locked together in silence. Their breathing was the only sound as they settled from the most amazing sex Nathan had ever experienced. Not that he’d had anything to compare it to prior to the previous time with Erik.
Erik carefully laid Nathan back down amongst the pillows and slid free of his body. He crashed down to the bed beside Nathan, disposed of the condom, and wrapped an arm over Nathan’s waist to yank him close. The cooling sweat caused Nathan to shiver slightly. “You okay, angel?”
He really didn’t want to speak, so he just gave a low hum in response. Erik gave a breathy chuckle. “Did I leave you speechless?”
“Uh hmm.”
“So, I rocked your world again, huh?”
Nathan couldn’t contain a grin. “Twice.”
Erik gave a deeper laugh and pressed several kisses along the line of Nathan’s shoulder. He started running his fingers over Nathan’s arm and down his chest. Nathan tensed when Erik traced along the jagged scars he had where his shoulder had ripped open during the accident. “Also from the car accident?” Erik asked.
Nathan took a small breath and nodded. “Yeah.”
Soft butterfly touches flickered over the scars, almost tickling Nathan. Erik rolled him onto his back, leaning over him slightly. He could see empathy, not pity, in Erik’s gaze. “Will you tell me about it?”
For the first time since it happened, Nathan wanted to lean on someone besides Troy. It had been a long time since he’d even talked about any of it with Troy. He knew Troy would never stop him, but he hadn’t wanted to continue to burden his friend once he’d gotten out of the hospital. But he was tired of going through it alone.
So, he started, and the words just tumbled out of his mouth. He told Erik everything. Except about his ability. How he’d wanted to go to the party with his friends, but his parents had insisted he go with them. He told Erik about how selfish he’d been in demanding they leave. “If I hadn’t, they’d still be alive,” Nathan whispered, turning his face away from Erik. “They wouldn’t have been in that intersection and that drunk asshole wouldn’t have hit us.”
“Stop,” Erik said. He gripped Nathan’s chin gently and forced him to look at him. “You were a teenager, Nathan. You couldn’t have known what would happen and you can’t spend your life blaming yourself. That man’s choice to drink and drive was his own. He is the reason your parents are gone. Not you.”
Tears welled in Nathan’s eyes. “But—”
Erik stopped him with a finger on his lips. “No, angel. You are not at fault. No buts, no ifs, nothing. You need to stop blaming yourself.”
The tears trickled down Nathan’s temples, dripping into his hair. Erik pulled him to his chest again, wrapping his arms around him. “That’s why you refuse to let anyone help you.”
A sob caught in Nathan’s throat. He swallowed hard to clear it away. “I don’t want anyone else to be hurt because of me ever again.”
Erik held him tightly, running a hand along Nathan’s back in a soothing gesture. “Life is full of uncertainties, Nathan. There are no guarantees that we’ll live to see tomorrow, even. All we can do is hope and enjoy the time we have on this earth.”
Nathan rested his forehead on Erik’s chest. Was he right? The guilt he’d carried around for so long didn’t feel as heavy as it used to. He sighed and closed his eyes.
“Rest, angel. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to breakfast before work.”
Yawning, Nathan burrowed deeper into Erik’s arms. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. As he drifted off, he felt Erik kiss his temple and he could have sworn he heard Erik murmur something, but he couldn’t focus enough to understand it.
T he following morning, Erik kept his word and took Nathan to CJ’s Diner for breakfast. Nathan hadn’t been in there during the morning hours before. Of course, Harriet wasn’t there since she worked the late shift, but they still got into his usual booth. Thankfully, there were no more spirits in the diner. At least not that day. Nathan didn’t want a repeat of the last time he’d been there with Erik. For that matter, he hadn’t seen the one in the music store either. He frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. They had never left him alone before when a ghost had figured out he could see them. They’d always come back, begging him to help them.
“Something wrong, angel?” Erik asked.
“Hmm?” Nathan shook himself and realized the server had returned, patiently waiting for Nathan’s order. “Oh, no. Just lost in thought.”
Erik smiled. “Good thoughts, I hope.”
He didn’t answer as he ordered a glass of orange juice, a coffee, and his usual bagel with cream cheese. After the food came, Erik tried to ply him with some of his bacon, but Nathan declined. He really didn’t enjoy eating a lot in the morning. Doing so usually made his stomach hurt. They talked about random topics and what time Nathan’s shift ended. Erik told him he’d pick him up, treat him to dinner, and then take him over to the café for his gig. Nathan agreed, still trying to think of a reason the spirit in the music store hadn’t returned.
When they were back in the truck, Erik said, “Penny for those thoughts?”
Nathan shrugged and shook his head. “It’s nothing. Really.”
Erik didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Since the diner wasn’t far away, it only took a couple minutes for them to reach the store. Nathan slid out of Erik’s truck. “Thanks for the ride.”
“I’ll see you at five, right?” Erik asked.
He nodded. “I have to be at the café before seven.”
“I’ll get you there.” Erik waited for Nathan to enter the store, then reversed out of the spot and left. Nathan watched the tail end of Erik’s truck until he couldn’t see it anymore. Once Erik was out of sight, Nathan turned and got ready to work.
T he day went by quickly. Nathan didn’t realize the time until Erik walked into the store. He looked at the clock on the wall in surprise. “I just have to clock out,” he said to Erik. “I need to run to my apartment to get my guitar, though. If that’s okay.”
“Anything you need, angel.”
Quinn didn’t miss the endearment, and Nathan knew he was going to say something smart. “Aww. That’s so cute !”
Nathan rolled his eyes at Quinn while trying not to grin. “Shut up, Quinn.”
He heard Erik laugh as he went into the storeroom to punch his time card. A warmth he’d never felt before settled in his chest. Stopping in his tracks, Nathan wondered if what he felt toward Erik bordered on love. He knew he loved being around Erik, and he wouldn’t mind repeating last night every night. But was he falling in love with Erik? In such a short amount of time? He’d never loved anyone outside of his family and Troy. How the hell did he know what love felt like? For so long, he’d cut himself off emotionally from everyone, even his aunts. His feelings had been frozen because he never wanted to feel the deep ache he’d experienced at the loss of his parents.
“Nate, buddy, you okay back there?” Quinn called from the front, and he shook himself mentally. Hurrying to the clock, he grabbed his card, punched it, and slipped it back into the box. Erik stood by the front desk, chatting with Quinn, and Nathan almost came to a halt once more. The man was utterly gorgeous, and Nathan was certain Erik didn’t even know it. The deep cleft in his chin, a body to die for where most of the clothing he wore hugged him like a second skin, and the kind heart beating inside Erik’s chest were only a few of the things that made Erik so damned special.
Erik looked over at him and smiled, obvious pleasure in his eyes. “Ready to go, angel?”
Nathan nodded, trailing Erik out of the store. The second they were on the road to Nathan’s apartment, Erik grabbed his hand and entwined their fingers, not letting go until he’d pulled the truck into a parking space. “You can wait here. I won’t be that long,” Nathan said.
“I’ll come up with you,” Erik said, turning off the engine. Nathan didn’t protest. He exited the vehicle, closing the door behind him. Erik met him around the front of the truck and then placed a hand on Nathan’s lower back, guiding him toward the stairs. Once again, Erik stayed behind him to prevent the possibility of his knee giving out. Everything Erik did made Nathan feel special and cherished. He prayed Erik would still feel that way after he found out about Nathan’s ability to see spirits.
He opened his apartment door and entered, setting his bag down by the kitchen counter. The guitar lay against the side of the couch and Nathan moved over to pick it up. Erik intercepted him, taking Nathan into his arms and giving him a deep, heated kiss. When he broke away, Erik said, “Grab your guitar and let’s get out of here. I’m curious to meet Curtis, and I can’t wait to hear you play.”
Nathan blushed, suddenly nervous. He put his guitar back in its case and zipped it up. “I’m ready.”
They were back on the road in a matter of minutes. Nathan gave Erik directions on how to get to the café. He spent most of the trip quietly staring out of the passenger window. Before he felt ready, Erik pulled the truck into a parking spot and turned off the engine. As usual, the café was bustling, causing another burst of nerves to slam into Nathan. He hadn’t been anxious about playing in front of an audience since the first time he’d done an open mic night. “Curtis is probably in his office,” Nathan said over the noise.
He led Erik through the café to Curtis’ office. He knocked and heard Curtis call for him to enter. Curtis smiled at him when he saw it was Nathan. “Hey, Nate. Glad to see you’re doing better this week.”
“Yeah, sorry about last week.”
Curtis waved away his apology despite being ticked off before. “We all have those weeks. Who’s this?”
“Uh, this is my, uh, friend Erik.” Nathan didn’t know if he should introduce them as more than friends. They hadn’t exactly defined their relationship. Though the idea of calling Erik his boyfriend sent butterflies tickling through his stomach and a thrill raced up his spine.
Erik shook Curtis’ hand before placing his palm against Nathan’s lower back. “Nice to meet you.”
Nathan saw a knowing look in Curtis’ eyes when Erik touched him, but Curtis didn’t seem phased by the knowledge. “Always great to meet a friend of Nathan’s. Is Troy with you tonight?”
“Not tonight.”
“So, what do you do for a living, Erik?”
Erik and Curtis started chatting about the usual niceties when you first meet someone. Nathan slipped out of the office and headed to the small platform near the back of the café. He unzipped the guitar case and pulled out his guitar, ignoring the people already seated at the various tables. Everything faded away as he perched on the small stool and adjusted the mic down to his height. After ensuring the guitar didn’t need tuning, Nathan played a cover song, one he’d done dozens of times. The lyrics came easily, and he lost himself in the warmth and joy playing brought to him. Singing was only a part of it. He didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much, but he’d always been told he had a pleasant voice.
He saw Erik come out of Curtis’ office and make his way to the table closest to the small stage. His heart started beating a little faster, nerves hitting him again. But they faded when he saw Erik smile at him. Nathan barely looked away from Erik as he transitioned from one song to another. Everything narrowed down to the man who’d slowly started becoming his entire world. His words faltered for a split second when that thought occurred to him. He knew if Erik tossed him away when he found out about Nathan’s scary as fuck ability, he’d never fully recover.
No one seemed to notice the slip, thankfully, and Nathan kept going. Halfway through his set, Nathan saw his aunts come into the café. They waved at him from the front and stopped at the counter to order. Every so often, they would come to the café to watch him. Afterward, they usually took him and Troy to dinner. He stifled a wince when he knew he was going to have to introduce them after his set. Hopefully, his aunts wouldn’t bring up the hospital or accident.
When he finished his usual set, Nathan lingered, taking his time to put his guitar in its case. Erik came over to the platform and took the case from him, wrapping an arm around Nathan’s shoulders and kissing his temple. “You were amazing!”
Nathan flushed at Erik’s praise before glancing at his aunts. He saw the realization on their faces. Shit. They approached the two of them. “Nathan?” Aunt Becky said.
Erik looked at the two women. “You’re Nathan’s aunts?”
They nodded. Erik smiled and held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Erik Moore.”
“Are you two… together?” Jessica asked, her eyes assessing Erik closely. She shook Erik’s hand lightly, followed by Becky.
“We are,” Erik answered. “I was hoping for a chance to meet you both. Nathan’s talked about you a lot.”
“Well, I wish we could say the same,” Becky returned with a side glance at Nathan. He’d already mentioned meeting someone, but he had given no details since.
“Aunt Becky, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy with work and school and stuff, I didn’t really have a chance to call you.”
Jessica looked Erik over and gave Nathan a discreet thumbs-up. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”
Erik smiled. “A couple of weeks or thereabouts, hmm, angel?”
“About,” Nathan muttered.
“How did the two of you meet?” Becky asked.
“He came into the music store,” Nathan replied.
“Why don’t we go get something to eat for dinner and we can chat?” Becky asked. “Give us a chance to get to know one another. Make sure you’re a good addition to our nephew’s life.”
“Aunt Becky!” Nathan slapped a palm over his face.
Erik chuckled. “It’s okay, angel. That would be great, Jessica, Becky. Maybe you can give me some stories about how adorable Nathan was as a child,” Erik said, smiling. “Anywhere in particular?”
“There’s an Olive Garden around the corner from here.”
“I know it. We’ll meet you ladies there?”
They agreed and headed toward the exit. Nathan trailed behind them with Erik. The moment they were in the truck, Nathan apologized. “I am so sorry.”
“For what, Nate?” Erik asked. “They’re your aunts. They love you and care about you. Of course, they’re going to want to be sure anyone you’re dating isn’t out to hurt you.”
“I just don’t want you to think it’s too much,” Nathan mumbled, staring at his hands folded in his lap.
“What’s too much?” Erik asked, frowning.
“Them. Me. Everything.”
Erik pulled the truck into a space in the Olive Garden parking lot and turned off the engine. He shifted in his seat so he could look at Nathan. “Baby, I don’t care if they give me the third degree, run a background check on me, or grab their torches and pitchforks. Nothing will ever be too much for me.” He took Nathan’s hand in his and pressed a kiss to Nathan’s knuckles. “If I have to answer a thousand questions from your very loving aunts, I will. Hell, I’d show them my stock portfolio and finances if they demanded it. I want to be with you, angel. Nothing is going to change that.”
Nathan shook his head, his breath catching at how adamant Erik was. “Okay,” he said. “If it gets to be too much, just please tell me.”
“It won’t.” Erik squeezed Nathan’s hand gently. “You ready?”
Snorting, Nathan twisted his mouth in a sardonic smile. “Not really.”
“We’ve got this. Now, come on.” Erik opened his door and got out. Nathan took a deep breath and followed, praying his aunts didn’t talk about the six months in the mental institution.