Chapter 11 #2
“When I was growin’ up, I always thought I’d be outta here the first chance I got.
I hated workin’ with my dad. He took raisin’ me so seriously.
I’d get licks for goofin’ off, and the whole time he was wallopin’ me, he’d tell me it was for my own good, to make me strong.
But, the first chance I got, I didn’t bolt.
I dug my own roots in. I wouldn’t even know what to do if I wasn’t ranchin’ and runnin’ cows on this farm. ”
“You’re really good at what you do, Kitt. Mike talks about you all the time.” Austin showed some anger when Kitt spoke of his father, but never mentioned it or said anything.
“We all help each other out. Mike just didn’t come from that kind of life. It always surprised him when I’d show up to help, but he’s always the first one anywhere to lend a hand. He’s a good guy. I liked him from the beginning. Older than his years. He’s only twenty-three, you know,” Kitt said.
“There’s more to it than that. Besides, you act older than your years, too. I think it’s this farming lifestyle. Micah’s kids are the same way.”
“Mike’s a good hire for you,” Kitt replied, not saying anything more. He always shut down when Austin tried to compliment him.
“I can see that.”
Silence fell between them. Austin kept his eyes on Kitt, searching his face. Kitt resisted the urge to run a hand over it to see if any stray food might be left behind.
“You’re a very handsome man,” Austin said, a little louder than a whisper. Those eyes of his kept roaming his face, and Kitt couldn’t stop his crooked grin from stretching across his lips.
“Not so much. Not like you. I’m pretty scarred up and broke my nose one too many times,” Kitt said. That was his dad’s doing.
“I’ve been trying to think of anyone I’ve ever seen who was or is as handsome as you,” Austin said quietly. “But, I can’t come up with anyone.”
“You help my ego.” Kitt grinned as he ran a hand through Austin’s thick hair, and then down along his jaw until his fingertip had run the length of his face.
Austin was so good with the compliments.
He said them so matter-of-factly Kitt wanted to believe them, even the crazy, absurd ones like this one.
“I want this to continue between us. I don’t wanna slow it down.
Straight guys have friendships all the time with each other.
It can just look like you’re my buddy, but I don’t want this to slow down at all.
I like it. You’re unexpected, but very good for me,” Austin said, entwining their fingers together as he spoke.
“Okay. We can see how it goes,” Kitt said cautiously.
“I wish things were different. You need to know I would date you. Take you out, show you a good time and feel privileged to be with you.” Austin brought their joined fingers to his lips.
“I’m havin’ a good time like this. I don’t need to date.” A mischievous smile came to Austin’s lips at Kitt’s words.
“A good enough time to ditch Fisker for good?” Austin lifted his brow in question, but kept his eyes trained on Kitt.
Kitt stared back, not answering. How were they back here again? This was like the third or fourth mention of Sean in the last twenty-four hours. Kitt didn’t want to talk about this at all, and Austin wouldn’t give it up.
He’d already texted Sean, told him he’d met someone unexpectedly.
Sean hadn’t taken it well. He’d called Kitt a fool for wasting his time over someone who wouldn’t be there in a few months.
By the end of the text marathon, Sean made it clear he’d be there for Kitt when it was all over, but Kitt would have to work hard to get him back.
Apparently, Sean looked forward to the moment.
Kitt knew, without question, Sean was one hundred percent right, but none of that mattered right now because Austin already meant something to him.
Even if it was only for a few months, or hell, even if it were only days they shared together, he didn’t regret letting Sean go.
Austin tightened his grip on his fingers. “Don’t avoid the question this time. Answer me.”
“I’ve been with Sean for a long time.” As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Kitt saw the hurt they caused Austin although he quickly masked it, hiding behind something Kitt wasn’t sure about.
“I understand.” Austin leaned in to kiss Kitt, deepening it quickly.
He pulled his hand free to reach low and stroke Kitt.
It brought his half-aroused cock to a full, rigid hard-on in seconds.
Somehow the tables had turned. Now, it was Kitt who stopped Austin.
He pulled from the massage and the kiss, linking their fingers back together.
“Hold up, Austin. You didn’t let me finish.
You need to know I don’t play around. I’ve been with Sean a long time.
He’s the only person I’ve been with over the last five years.
I can give him up with no problem. It’s just, I don’t know how long you’re gonna be here or even want me.
What if you go back tomorrow and decide to stay?
And if it’s not tomorrow, then the next time you get called back?
What happens when you decide you’ve had enough of this life, of this town, or of me?
You’re an international superstar. You’ve experienced life on a level I’ll never understand.
This is all I’ve ever done, or will ever do.
” Kitt’s voice was low, and he had a hard time keeping eye contact.
It felt like he rambled, but he forged on through everything on his mind, hoping he answered whatever question Austin was truly asking him.
“It’s so frustrating! I can’t get anyone to believe me.
I’m done with that world. That life isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.
I would put this past week up against any other time in my life, and I would pick you every time.
I’m done with that out there. I promise you, I’m done.
This is where I want to be. Right here, right now.
For me, I know if I stay off the radar, they’ll eventually leave me alone.
Someday, I’ll be able to lead a normal life but, Kitt Kelly, I swear to God, if the last five days with you are any indication, I can promise you I’m gonna want you there with me.
” Austin faltered in his words as he looked Kitt directly in the eyes.
“Austin… You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.” Austin’s reply was instant.
“Is this a commitment you’re willin’ to make in return?” Kitt asked, knowing in his heart Austin wouldn’t be able to handle it long term no matter what he said.
“Absolutely I will. I have fierce jealousy going on inside me about Fisker. He was too smooth…too good-looking. I think we could both easily give a commitment and follow it. Seriously, how much more could I need? I have you three, four, five times a night. I’m fucked good and happy, Kitt.
Unless, I had you all day, too. I’d like that more,” Austin said.
“How do you know that about Sean? When did you see him close enough to know that?” Kitt’s question rang sharply.
“Shit…damn it, Kitt, don’t be mad,” Austin said, and dropped onto his back.
“What?” Kitt rose immediately, looking down at Austin.
“I told you we followed him in. When he got to your place, we tracked him. You were so pissed off at my men you could’ve easily blown it for me,” Austin said, looking up at the stars now, avoiding Kitt who loomed over him.
It was an effort on Austin’s part to keep his eyes averted from Kitt who was right over his face.
“You told me you tracked him. It was dark. What did you do, watch me?”
“Kind of…” Austin said with a wince.
“So you knew without question before you ever asked me that night?” Kitt asked even though the answer was clear.
“Well, I didn’t see what went on in your house.” Finally, Austin’s guilt-stricken eyes came back to Kitt’s.
“Damn, Austin,” Kitt muttered, and fell back, breaking their stare.
“I know! I know and I deleted all the pictures.”
“You took pictures?” Kitt popped his eyes back in Austin’s general direction.
“We had to know who Fisker was…head off anything trying to get in. If I needed to leave, I needed to know.” Austin quickly defended his actions.
“He was there for me!” Kitt said and scrubbed his palms down over his eyes. Austin and his entire security team had known he was gay from the beginning. What if it got out?
“I know that, now! And it made me crazy, insanely jealous, and I didn’t even know you!”
“See? You don’t know me like I’ve been telling you. If you did, you’d know I wouldn’t ever tell anyone you’re here. I don’t spread a bunch of bullshit gossipy crap! Austin, you took pictures of me and Sean, shit!” Kitt sat up with his legs bent and stared out in the night.
“Kitt…damn it, I was wrong to have those pictures taken. I knew the minute I got them it was wrong, and I do know you now. Do you remember when we were in high school? You played baseball on varsity. I was a senior. Remember that?” Austin rose up next to Kitt, wrapping an arm around his back, trying to pull Kitt to look at him.
Kitt refused to answer.
“I watched you shower. I felt like such a perv, but I did watch you. You grew into this hot body that year. Everyone knew your dad sucked. He worked you hard, too hard. You stood in that shower with the water pouring down you. All these muscles, and I watched and I remembered. I still remember.”
Memories of that day came flooding back to Kitt.
He’d thought he was the only one in the showers, but he’d caught sight of Austin leaving the showers from the corner of his eye.
When he’d realized who had just turned away, his dick had grown instantly hard.
It was a hard-on to end all hard-ons, and he’d been worried Austin might have seen him get hard.
At the time, Kitt had thought Austin left because he didn’t want to be there with him.
And now…to think Austin stood there looking at him like he would look at Austin… damn!