10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Marc
I pulled up in front of Alonso and Elena’s house just after lunch on Friday afternoon, the tires of my old truck crunching on the gravel driveway. Mia unbuckled herself from her booster seat and grabbed her backpack, bouncing with excitement. “Uncle ‘lonso said we’re going to bake cookies!” she cried out and grinned up at me.
“I thought you liked my cookies best.” I smoothed back her wavy hair and kissed the top of her head. She’d had a doctor’s appointment that morning, so I kept her home from school, and she’d chattered all day about spending the night with her cousins, her first real sleepover. “But that sounds like fun, mija . You be good for them, okay?”
“I will, Papi.” She hopped out of the car and ran up to the front door as it opened.
Elena greeted us at the door, pulling Mia into a tight hug. “You look taller every time I see you,” she said, squeezing her shoulder. “Hey Marc.”
“Hey there. Thanks again for this weekend,” I said as Mia jogged inside the house. “I told her that you were probably still working on your computer for a few more hours today and to stay out of your hair.”
Elena tossed her hair back and laughed. “I finished up my last Zoom meeting for the day, and now I get to spend time with this beautiful little girl. It’s not easy having boys around all the time,” she added, her eyes tracking Mia fondly as she chased a small terrier down the hallway and toward the back of the house. “Even the dog is a boy.” She touched my arm. “How did it go at the doctor’s office? What did he say?”
Mia’s laughter drifted in from the hallway, and I exhaled slowly. “The doctor said her tests looked good since her last hospitalization. No signs of any serious aftereffects.”
Elena took a deep breath and sighed. “Thank God. That seizure was so scary.”
I nodded, pulling a small prescription bottle with Mia’s meds from my pocket and handing it to her. “He thinks a fever might have triggered it, not food or stress. She’d been out of sorts the day before it happened. I should have taken her temperature, but—” I shook my head, berating myself again for not paying close enough attention with her health. “But the doc wants us to keep an eye on things like caffeine and artificial sweeteners, just in case.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure she steers clear of those. Honestly, we all should,” she added with a laugh. “And the credit union? How did that meeting go?” A big smile spread across her face. “Any luck there?”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “It sounds promising.”
Better than promising, but I didn’t want to jinx myself. My meeting with the loan officer at the local credit union had gone as good as I hoped for. “Mr. Mendez, your application looks complete, and your business plan is very strong. I believe you’ll find a lot of success here,” Jenna Alexander had said, her desk covered with the small business loan documents I’d completed and handed off to her. Her eyes met mine with a professional warmth. “We’ll review it thoroughly and let you know if we need any more documentation.”
The numbers and legal jargon had swirled in my mind, but I’d kept my focus sharp. This was for Mia and our future. “Thank you,” I had replied, my voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath. “I appreciate it.”
This business wasn’t just a dream; it was a necessity for our future in this town. “The lady I talked to said she’d be in touch if they needed more documentation, so we’ll see.”
“Fingers crossed,” Elena added, then grinned as Mia came tearing back into the living room.
“She’s sure excited about this sleepover, but I bet she’ll be knocked out by seven.” I glanced down at my watch. Ken should be home soon, and I needed to pick him up.
But the idea of leaving Mia behind hit me harder than I thought it would. “I’d better be going…”
Elena seemed to read my mind, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. “Don’t worry about a thing, Marc,” she said, her voice low and reassured. “We’ve got Mia. You just focus on enjoying your time, a little rest and relaxation. Call if you ever want to check in.” She reached out, squeezing my hand.
I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the sudden tightness in my chest. This was the first real sleepover for Mia, and though I trusted Alonso and Elena completely, it was natural for me to worry, right? What if she had a seizure? What if she needed me? But I had to let go a little—for both of our sakes. “Right. Well, you guys call as well if you need anything.” I kneeled down to hug my daughter, my mind already missing her presence. “You be a good girl, okay?”
I was protective of her to a fault, but I had to trust that she’d be alright.
Mia threw her little arms around my neck. “Love you, Papi.”
“Love you too. See you in a couple days.” I hugged her tight, kissed her cheek, and stood. With a last wave, I got back in my car, and took a deep breath.
This was it.
Once in the car, I sent Ken a quick text, then pulled into the street.
My heart beat fast in my chest as I steered toward Ken’s apartment, each stop sign a mere suggestion. Fingers drummed impatiently on the steering wheel, and my mind imagined the weekend ahead of us, hand-in-hand walking downtown and tangled in hotel sheets.
I shook my head, grinning to myself. Easy, Mendez. Still need to pick up Ken first.
***
Ken stood on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building, his lean frame etched sharply in the late afternoon sun. As our eyes met, his face blossomed into a grin, and my heart stumbled. I mirrored his smile as he slid into the passenger seat.
“Hey, you,” Ken said softly. His hand found mine, intertwining our fingers.
“Hey, yourself,” I replied, my voice low and rumbly. “You ready for this?”
Ken nodded, bouncing in his seat. He looked around to see if anyone was on the street, then leaned in and brushed a quick kiss on my lips. “More than ready. I’ve been counting down the minutes until we were alone.”
The kiss surprised me, but I wasn’t about to complain.
I shifted into drive, guiding the truck out onto the street, our joined hands resting on my thigh as we set off.
A whole weekend together, just the two of us, no need to hide or sneak around.
The air between us buzzed with unspoken excitement as we drove to San Antonio. Ken fiddled with the stereo, landing on an indie rock playlist on his phone. He crooned along, deliberately off-key, his auburn hair alive with streaks of gold, his hazel eyes lit up like jewels.
A laugh burst from my chest. God, he was adorable. Then he turned my way and smiled, and my heart ached at how much I wanted him. Not just the sex—though I couldn’t wait for that. But I wanted to be with him, to spend time with him, to wake up next to him.
Wherever Ken was, I wanted to be there too.
“Hey, how was Mia’s doctor’s appointment?” he asked curiously, pulling me from those thoughts. “We missed her in class this morning.”
I squeezed Ken’s hand. “The appointment went really well. Mia’s doctor said the new medication is working, aside from that last incident which appears to be isolated.” A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I relayed everything the doctor had said. “She’s doing great, Ken. I’m so grateful.”
The words were almost hollow compared to the depth of my relief. Seeing Mia thrive was like a ray of light breaking through the storm clouds that had been our lives.
Glancing over at him, I saw the worry in his eyes melt away, replaced by a look of pure joy. He understood. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy to hear it.”
I nodded. “She’s been through so much, but she’s such a tough kid.” Letting out a long sigh, I turned my attention back to the road. “And you? How was your day at school?”
Ken’s face dropped, shoulders slumping as he settled deeper into his seat. “I actually had a bit of an incident today before I left.” He hesitated, then continued. “Someone complained about this little pride flag on my desk. Principal wants it down, says it might upset parents.”
What? “That’s bullshit.” A surge of frustration washed over me as I glanced over at him. Ken was an amazing teacher, and yet someone wanted to make things harder for him or get him in trouble. “What are you going to do?”
A small, proud smile tugged at the corners of Ken’s mouth. “I’m keeping it up. It’s important for my students to see that everyone is welcome in my classroom, no matter who they are or who they love. It’s never too early to teach acceptance and understanding.”
I gripped his hand tighter, proud of this man sitting next to me. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure about that. I just…I’m tired of feeling like I have to apologize for existing. We should be past all of that by now.”
“You’re absolutely right,” I told him. “Don’t let anyone tell you different. And for what it’s worth, this parent thinks that having that flag on your desk is a fabulous idea, if your principal needs to hear another viewpoint on that.”
Ken’s smile widened, and he leaned in for a quick kiss on my cheek before sitting back and gazing out the window, the weight of the world momentarily lifted. “Thanks for being on my side.”
“Always,” I replied, and I meant it. I’d found something rare and precious in this small-town kindergarten teacher with a heart full of honor and integrity. Ken was a good man, and with any luck, he’d be my man. “And I’m glad you told me—but I want you to put all that away from your head this weekend, birthday boy.”
Ken laughed. “Will do. Nothing but good thoughts.” He glanced out the window, grinning at some cows laying in a pasture. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. A whole weekend, just the two of us.”
I took his hand, lacing our fingers, marveled at how perfectly they fit together. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself,” I said, my voice low and promised.
The easy affection between us, the effortless banter—it was like a balm after Jacob’s rejection. Being with Ken made me feel lighter than I had in ages. I lifted our joined hands to my lips, brushing a kiss on his knuckles. “Just…thank you. For being you. For this.” I gestured vaguely at the highway. “I didn’t realize how badly I needed it until now.”
“We both need it,” Ken replied softly, understanding shining in his eyes. “No matter what happens when we get back to reality, we’ll always have this weekend—and I intend to make the most of every second.”
The dark promise in his tone, so strange coming from that innocent face, sent heat unfurling through my belly. My jeans grew uncomfortably snug as all the blood in my body rushed south.
Christ. If the mere thought of what lay ahead affected me this strongly, I wasn’t sure I’d survive the night.
Death by sexy kindergarten teacher.
But what a way to go, lost in the throes of passion with the man who had captured my heart so completely.
***
We arrived at the hotel at the perfect time, missing rush hour traffic. The hotel soared above the heart of downtown San Antonio. A uniformed attendant opened the door and took my truck keys with a broad smile. Terracotta pots with vibrant flowers flanked the entrance. I grabbed my suitcase, joined Ken with his bag, and we leaned in close as we entered the building.
We crossed the polished marble floor of the lobby to the front desk. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegant space, and the faint strains of classical music drifted from hidden speakers.
It truly was a different world, one far removed from the simple familiarity of Blanco Springs.
Within minutes, we had our room keys and were alone riding the elevator to the top floor. Ken crowded close beside me, his thigh pressed against mine. His smoldering gaze and the thumb drawing circles on the back of my hand made his intentions clear, and I loved him for it.
Love? Yeah, might be.
Could be.
By the time the elevator doors opened, a low hum had spread across my skin.
The room was just as impressive as the rest of the hotel, all rich fabrics and sleek, modern lines, but it was the panorama took my breath away: floor-to-ceiling windows capturing a cityscape where the Riverwalk glowed below, and the Tower of the Americas reached skyward. “This view is amazing,” I murmured.
“It is,” Ken agreed, but when I glanced over, his eyes were fixed on me, not the window. The intensity in his gaze made my mouth dry, that delicate beauty of his dark and hungry. “Though I can come up with a few things that might top it.”
Ken closed the distance between us, his hands coming up to frame my face as his mouth found mine in a searing kiss. I groaned, my hands fisting in his shirt, tugging him closer, desperate to eliminate any remaining space between Ken and me.
“Marc,” he whispered against my lips, his breath hot and ragged.
“I know, baby,” I murmured back, my voice rough with need. “I got you.”
We stumbled backward until my legs hit the bed, and then we were falling—a tangle of limbs, seeking hands, and fevered kisses.
We undressed each other slowly, reverently, as I mapped out each inch of Ken’s body with my hands and mouth, delighting in every gasp and shudder I drew from him. I kissed the column of his throat, the slope of his shoulders, the freckled expanse of his lightly haired chest, my lips dropping baby kisses down his abdomen to the thin fabric of his slacks.
“You’re driving me crazy,” he gasped, his fingers threading through my hair.
“Good.” I chuckled softly and nipped at his hip bone.
Ken’s fingers worked just as tenderly on my clothes, his slim hands pushing my T-shirt up and over my head, his nails scraping lightly over my pecs, sending jolts of pleasure through me. Our pants followed, along with our briefs, every bit of clothing tossed aside in our haste to be skin to skin.
“Marc, I need you,” Ken moaned, his body arching into mine.
“I’m right here.” Capturing his lips in another deep, passionate kiss, we stretched out on that enormous bed, the soft plush cotton comforter cool against my back. I gazed down at Ken’s naked body—slim and compact and perfectly toned—his pale skin draped across my side. “You’re beautiful, Kenny.”
My hands slid down his shoulders and across his back, finally resting on that perfect round ass that had kept me awake at night. He grunted when I squeezed those muscles, his chest rising and falling as we stared at each other.
Ken straddled my hips, his cock hard and flushed against his belly, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. He was beautiful all over, and the raw need on his face when he looked at me made my chest ache with an emotion too big and too unfamiliar to name.
Ken reached for a small bag sitting on the nightstand, his fingers brushing against mine as he retrieved a bottle of lube and a condom, setting it next to us.
I rolled us over with a swift movement, pinning Ken beneath me, my cock pressing against his hip. In his wide, hazel eyes, a reflection of my own needs and hunger stared back. My hands traveled down his sides to grip his hips, his body arching off the bed toward me, craving more.
“Marc,” he breathed out, his voice shaky with need—and perhaps something deeper.
As I captured his lips in a fierce, claiming kiss, I wasn’t just marking him as mine; I was pouring every ounce of my longing, my hope, my newfound sense of home, into that kiss. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been truly seen and wanted, and it overwhelmed me with a heady mix of lust and tenderness.
I kissed my way down his body, lingering at the hollow of his throat, the jut of his collarbone, the delicate pink nipples that pebbled under my tongue.
“Fuck,” Ken gasped, his voice trembling. His fingers threaded through my hair, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps as I took my time, savoring every moment, every taste of him. “God, what’re you doin’ to me?” he panted, words slurring, his hips lifting slightly off the bed.
That made me chuckle. “I’m taking care of my birthday boy, that’s all…” When I reached the juncture of his thighs, I looked up at what I had spread out before me—Ken’s flushed cheeks, the rapid rise and fall of his chest, and the glistening tip of his cock.
Perfect and mine. “I got you,” I repeated from earlier, then gripped his hips, holding him in place as I lowered my head and took him into my mouth.
Ken’s body bowed off the bed, a strangled cry tearing from his throat. “Fuck, yes,” he moaned, his fingers clutching my hair tighter.
I swirled my tongue around the head of his cock before taking him deeper.
“Oh, fuck, just like that,” Ken groaned, his voice ragged.
I worked him with a steady rhythm, my hand and mouth in perfect sync, relishing the sounds of pleasure that fell from his lips. His fingers tightened in my hair, his body tense, but the last thing I wanted was for him to be done too soon.
I wanted this to last. “Not yet, baby,” I murmured against his skin, pulling back just enough to keep him on the edge. “I want you to feel everything.”
I reached for the lube on the nightstand, slicking up my fingers, pausing long enough to lock eyes with him, to watch the array of emotions play across his face as I gently probed his wrinkled hole.
Ken’s eyes fluttered shut, his lips parting on a silent moan as I slid one finger inside him, then another, stretching him. His body welcomed me, tight and hot as I finger-fucked him slow and easy.
He was so tight—I couldn’t wait to feel him clench around my cock.
“Marc, please,” Ken begged, his voice barely more than a whisper, but it was a plea I couldn’t ignore.
I withdrew my fingers, earning a whine of protest from Ken, but I quickly silenced it with a deep, lingering kiss. “Shh, almost there,” I murmured against his lips, reaching once more for the condom.
But Ken took it from me. “Let me,” he said with a playful smirk as he shifted me onto my back, his fingers deftly rolling the latex down my cock. His touch was light, teasing, and it took all my self-control not to thrust into his hand.
Ken straddled me again, that beautiful face hovering inches above mine, our eyes locked as he positioned himself onto my cock and then—
“Fuck, yes,” I breathed out.
It was like coming home, like puzzle pieces locking into place. The feel of him, hot and slick and so damn tight as he sank down on my cock, was almost too much. I gripped his hips, my nails biting into his skin as I fought for control. Ken took me in slowly, his eyes fluttering shut, a soft moan escaping his lips.
“God, you’re so tight,” I groaned, my voice thick with need.
Ken’s response was to move his hips in a tantalizing slow grind.
We moved in perfect sync, a languid, unhurried rhythm, each thrust like a whispered promise. This wasn’t a race; it was a slow, sweet exploration of each other’s bodies as Ken rode me, his cock bobbing between us, leaking precum onto my stomach.
I reached down to stroke him in time with our movements, and his breath hitched at my touch. “Fuck, Marc,” he gasped, his voice ragged with need, and the sound of my name on his lips was enough to send me right to the edge.
But I held on, wanting to make this last, to savor every second of this stolen time with him. Ken’s pace increased, and he closed his eyes as his movements grew more frantic, and I knew he was close.
“Fuck, ride me, just like that.” My voice dropped to a low growl as I tilted my hips up, changing the angle enough to hit that sweet spot inside him with each thrust. His breath caught, and then he was coming, back arching as he spilled over my hand and painted my chest with white streaks as he clenched around me, pulling me over the edge with him.
I came with a low groan, the pleasure so intense it bordered on pain. My vision whited out as I exploded, my body shaking with the force of my orgasm.
We collapsed in a sweaty, panting heap. Ken’s head rested on my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around him, neither willing to break the silence that enveloped us. Then he lifted his head and found my mouth, kissing me with a shaky breath. In that moment, there was no past, no future—just the two of us, still joined in the most intimate way possible.
There was no doubt in my mind now. I had fallen hard for Ken Parker.
And for the first time in a long time, I had all I needed.
Afterwards, we cleaned a little, then I held Ken close, marveling at the depth of emotions welling inside me. Ken’s head rested on my chest, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my stomach. I messed with his soft, silky hair and was struck by a profound sense of rightness.
The pieces of my life, jagged and broken for so long, seemed to settle into place with him by my side.
My mind replayed the milestones that led us here—the tentative first kiss, the stolen glances, the late-night conversations baring our souls. Somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, I had fallen irrevocably in love with this man.
The force of the emotion stole my breath, and as I tightened my arms around Ken, I was overcome with the powerful need to protect him, to cherish him—to one day build a life with him.