Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Quinton
We survived the week. I switched to night shift, and I didn’t see Leo again—but he made it through to Friday.
The autopsy concluded a blot clot to the brain had caused the massive stroke.
And that Leo’s surgery had been perfect.
Although that didn’t bring him the comfort he deserved, he found the courage to step back into the OR on Wednesday.
Then he went to Gideon’s for the family dinner that night.
Finally, he went to counseling at Healing Horses on Thursday after work.
I’d been surprised when he mentioned he’d been going for some time.
Yes, I’d suggested it. And Gideon had provided the number for the counseling center.
But the choice to go, several times now, had been all Leo’s.
Interesting his counselor was Justin Bridges-Powers.
A friend of mine. Who would one-hundred percent keep Leo’s confidences.
Was I curious if I ever came up in conversation?
Sure. Was I ever going to be so arrogant and confident as to ask? Hell-fucking-no.
As I lay on my bed, after having stayed up for twenty-four hours, I yawned.
At eight o’clock, I was barely coherent.
But I needed to reset my clock. I was off this weekend and then back to days on Monday.
Always flipping shifts could be hard sometimes, but I loved my job and so did whatever was necessary.
I turned off the light, but kept scrolling. So bad. Light before bed will mess with your sleep. I yawned again. No, I didn’t believe anything was going to mess with my sleep.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text.
—The kids are asleep. —
That made me smile. We’d managed only a couple of text exchanges since we were on opposite schedules. But he’d send me one before his bedtime and one before mine.
He’s smitten.
Yeah. So am I.
—Good night with them? —
—The best. Kraft dinner with ham and peas. Cuddles and snuggles while I read a few books. Now in bed. —
—Sounds like you survived. —
—I did. —
Then a long pause.
—I miss you. —
My hand hovered over the keyboard. Aw, fuck it. I hit Call.
He answered immediately. “Yeah?”
“How are you really?” Damn. I didn’t mean to go so deep so quickly.
After a long pause, he answered. “Better than I thought I would be.”
“That’s good to know.” I wasn’t certain how much I believed him, but his texts had been generally upbeat and positive—so I’d take that for a win. Even if he was putting on an act for my sake. “Can the kids hear you?”
“They sleep pretty soundly, and my bedroom is down the hall from theirs.”
“And you’re certain they’re asleep.”
“Oh yeah. They played outside for hours after school. Before I picked them up. Gideon wanted them to be as tired as possible tonight so the transition would be easy. Dinner, then bed. Tomorrow they’ll be up and ready to go.”
“Sounds like he thinks of everything.”
“He really does.” Leo sighed. “I’m a damn lucky man.”
“You make your own luck. You opened your heart to forgiving someone you loved deeply for a long time. That takes courage.”
He chuckled. “I suppose. Archer really knew which buttons to push—even as he was aware the possibility of reconciliation between Gideon and me existed.”
“Oh?”
“Well, no. But he didn’t know that when he approached me. He’s such a good guy that I think he would’ve accepted that outcome. Anything to get Gideon greater access to our kids.”
“Did you consider reconciliation?” Do you really want to know this?
“No. Not even for a moment. Our marriage was over. But I was able to see clearly, for the first time really, that Gideon had changed. Was getting help. Would never endanger our kids again.” Another chuckle.
“He and Archer are in Vancouver this weekend on a lovers’ retreat.
I get the feeling someone is proposing—I just don’t know who. ”
“Oh, I thought they were already engaged.”
A long pause. “I suppose that might be true and they just haven’t shared the news. If the kids knew, though, Melodie would tell me for certain.”
“Unless Gideon asked them to keep it secret?” I couldn’t imagine that—but it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
“He would never do that. Ever. We’re very honest with the kids. I’d never ask them to hide something—nor would he.”
“That’s a relief. So they might make the engagement official. How do you feel about that?”
“Honestly? A little relieved. I want them to be happy, of course. I also would be reassured that Gideon has someone there for when things get rough. Maybe they won’t.
I can hope, right? But his injury is still occasionally causing him pain.
Having someone to physically and emotionally back him up is damn powerful. ”
“I’ll be here for you.” Sheesh, way to lay it on the line.
“Yeah?”
“And I might’ve gotten my test results.”
“Yeah?” Said with just a hint of amusement.
Better to get him off the analysis of the I’ll be here for your statement. “Negative. So that’s two tests in a row, and I haven’t been with anyone in some time.”
“How long?” A second later, he said, “Oof. None of my business.”
“Just before New Year’s. Lovely woman. We were both lonely over the holidays—Mama had shifts and because I worked Christmas, I was off for those couple of days.
Carmen and I hooked up, but we both knew this wasn’t a serious thing.
Hell, I didn’t even invite her to my New Year’s party.
I seem to recall she had other plans anyway. ”
“Oh.”
I struggled to discern his tone. “Look…I totally respect you’ve only been with two men—your husband and then me.
That’s not the life I’ve lived. I haven’t had hundreds of lovers—” Although the number’s still pretty high.
“—but I was always honest with everyone I’ve been with. I wasn’t looking for serious.”
“And now?”
Oh shit. You walked into that one. “Now, I’m thinking that I want you to fuck me. Really badly.”
He coughed. Several times.
“You okay?”
“Choking on my spit.” He wheezed.
I laughed. He wasn’t going to die, so we’d be okay. “Pique your interest?”
“I have two kids in the house. I’m not sneaking out, and you’re not sneaking in.”
“Ah, but you’re not using that brilliant mind of yours. Other ways exist to make someone come.”
“Oh.” A pause. “Oh.” An elongated o. “Do you, you know…?”
“Have a toy? Hell, yes. And Mama’s out with friends tonight.”
He laughed. “You don’t use toys when your mother’s in the house?”
I returned the laugh. “Oh, I totally do. I was just pointing out that I don’t have to be quiet.”
“While I do.”
“While you do.”
“Yep.”
“So, uh—” He cleared his throat. “How big is the toy?”
“Not as big as you.”
He coughed. “Jesus.”
“Keeping it real. You’re…a decent size.”
“Thank you. I think.”
“Oh, that’s a huge compliment.”
“And you’d be willing to—”
“Already reaching into my nightstand for the dildo and lube.”
“Ah.”
“Getting hard yet?”
“Well—” Again, he cleared his throat. “I’m going to lock my door. The kids can knock. Remind me to unlock it?”
“Yep.” Since I slept naked, I didn’t need to undress. “You’ll need to pull your pants down.”
“Uh, why?”
“Because I’m going to make you come. Hard.”
“Oh really?” A note of skepticism.
“Yep. But here’s the deal—the one who comes first has to give the first blow job when we’re back together.”
He snorted. “That’s hardly a bet I’d mind losing.” He lowered his voice. “I love giving you head.”
Damn. “What do you propose?”
“First one to come has to buy morning coffee for a week.”
This wasn’t a hardship—but it implied we’d see each other every morning next week while we worked. A bit risky…but totally worth it. “Deal.” I grinned. “I’m coating my fingers with lube so I can work myself open.”
His breath came harsh. “Yeah.”
“And you’re grasping your cock.”
“To try to keep myself from coming?”
“Oh, no. You have to stroke yourself. You should grab lube as well. Unless you want a bit of discomfort.”
“Never hurt me before. But I’ll grab some lube.”
I grinned to myself. He’s never had phone sex before. Well, I might’ve been wrong. Except I was certain I wasn’t. I circled my hole with my lubed fingers.
“Okay, I’m back. I’m spreading some lube on my cock. I’ve also turned the volume down on my phone because you can be fucking loud when I’m fucking you.”
“Oh my God, you did not just say that.” Despite my words, though, happy heat suffused me. We’d connected on so many levels—and that was just another one.
“I did, it’s true, and what are you doing?”
“Sliding my finger in.”
“Oh, Jesus.”
“I don’t hear you stroking yourself.” Whether I’d hear him actually doing so, it wasn’t entirely clear.
He groaned.
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
“Quinton?”
“Yes?”
“I need you to stick two fingers inside. Like I do.”
“You’ve got big fingers.” Not much different from mine—except mine were skinnier and longer. All the better to find my— “Okay. Well then.”
“Found your prostate?”
“Yep.” And I touched it again. That feeling of rightness settled over me as I relaxed into the sensation of bliss.
“I’m there with you, Quinton. Kissing you and making you feel good. Do you feel good?”
“Mmm.” I blinked. “Are you stroking yourself?”
“Uh…I am now…”
I laughed. “Okay, I’m going to ride this dildo.”
“Oh, okay.” That might’ve come out a little strangled.
I lubed the dildo up and positioned it by my entrance. “I’m ready.” I considered. “Run your thumb over your slit.” That always got him revved up.
“Uh. Sure.” That might’ve come out like a squeak.
“Don’t come.” I issued the warning as I slowly slid the toy into myself. The initial stretch from the crown only stung a little and then I was able to work it in. Involuntarily, when the thing was seated, I moaned.
“All the way in?” His words were a little breathy.
“Mmm.” The full sensation was one of my favorite in the world, and it sparked electricity through me as I moved the dildo in and out—rubbing my prostate.
“Faster, baby. I want to hear you.”
Hear me what? I didn’t figure he could hear the squish of the lube, but everything else was up for debate. “Fuck, Leo.”
“Yeah. Now grab your cock.”
Unable to resist, I did just that. A bit of lube remained on my fingers, so the glide was easy.
“Run your thumb over your slit. Like I just did. The way I do with you.”
I did as bade. And moaned. Then blinked. “Are you jacking yourself?”
“What? Oh.”
“Leo—this goes both ways.”
“Twist the dildo.” He moaned. “And I’ll keep stroking myself.”
“Are you close?”
“Uh…is there a right way to answer that question?”
“Stop focusing on me and get off, for God’s sake.”
“Are you twisting the dildo?”
A little awkward to do that and jerk myself—but I was totally capable and had done this many times before. I had a high sex drive and didn’t always have willing partners.
I saw stars as my vision narrowed and darkened. “Leo—”
“Come for me, baby. Just do it, okay? You can—”
I let out an inarticulate cry as I came. Hard. I clamped down on the dildo even as cum spurted from my cock. Trying to control where it shot proved impossible, so I merely sank into the bliss of one of the best orgasms of my life. As sanity returned, I managed to utter his name. “Leo.”
He let out a long moan. “Fuck, it’s like you’re here with me. It’s better when I’m in you, but this—” Another long moan.
I chuckled. “Good?”
“Fucking brilliant. I can’t feel my toes.”
“Toe curling is always good.”
His harsh breathing labored through the phone. “That was…amazing.”
“And here you thought you couldn’t have any kinky fun when the kids were around.”
“Uh…”
“Remember to unlock the door after your shower. Goodnight.” I cut the line.
You lost the bet.
Yeah…and I might just be losing my heart as well.