Chapter Seven #3
“The real things we’re both hungry for. The kissing and touching.
” Keegan had thought he was ready for more, but a single date with Danny had him questioning so much.
Not his sexuality, at least. He was primed and ready to embrace that, so why had he frozen up when Danny dialed up the heat on his flirtations?
He’d been charmed by him when all they’d done was talk or text, but that had all changed the moment Danny laid a hand on him.
And that was before Danny became aggressive. What had gone wrong?
Kerry groaned and tugged Keegan through the open floor plan to the kitchen at the back of the house. “I’m trying to be good.”
And Keegan had his answer. The in-person date forced him to acknowledge that Danny wasn’t the man he wanted.
Flirting was one thing, but he hadn’t wanted anything deeper with the guy, not even a kiss.
It was Kerry or bust for him, which meant Keegan had a big decision to make.
He could tiptoe around and hope things worked out, or he could fight for what he wanted.
Surviving versus thriving. Yeah, there was no real choice to make.
“Who the hell asked you to do that?” Keegan teased.
“I demand it of myself.” Kerry stopped next to the kitchen island and turned to face him. “This is too important for me to fuck up.”
Keegan threatened to melt right there. “Will you tell me one thing right now?”
“Anything.”
“Back in the bathroom, I said that you must think I’m desperate and dumb.
You replied that you didn’t think either of those things, but Sven barged into the room before you could say what you think of me.
That exchange felt like it was gearing up to be the most honest conversation we’d ever had, and we didn’t get to finish it. ”
Kerry slid his arms around Keegan’s waist and tugged him into his powerful embrace.
“I was going to say I think you’re beautiful and perfect and so fucking brave.
Sometimes I think you’re too good for this twisted world.
That I could cause you a moment of hurt fucking kills me, Kee.
You make me want…things. Things I never considered for myself. You terrify me.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” Kerry lowered his head and nuzzled his nose at Keegan’s temple. “Losing my sister to a murderer and my father to grief didn’t kill me. It set me back a lot, but I built a fortress around my heart and moved forward as best I could. And then you came along and…”
Keegan tilted his head back and stared into those dark, bottomless eyes. “Fed snacks to your dragon and sneaked past your defenses.” He cocked his head to the side and considered. “I at least crossed the crocodile-infested moat, but I don’t think I’ve cleared the drawbridge.”
Kerry chuckled. “You’ve battered my portcullis until it’s a misshapen hunk of metal.”
“How?” The mere idea was laughable.
“By breathing.”
Keegan snorted. “If it were that easy, some young buck would’ve come along and stolen your heart a long time ago.”
“It took the right guy,” Kerry said.
“Feels like we’re venturing way off topic,” Keegan teased.
“Or maybe hearing that I think you’re extremely rare and precious makes you uncomfortable.”
“A diamond of the first water?” Keegan asked, though he didn’t know where he’d heard that reference. The ranch was on a Bridgerton and Regency-era kick, so that was probably his source of reference.
Kerry placed his hand under Keegan’s chin and notched it higher so they were staring into one another’s eyes again.
The intensity in Kerry’s expression made Keegan’s pulse leap.
Damn, this guy really knew how to wreak havoc on his nervous system.
“We’re really running the gamut of historical references. ”
“And getting further off topic.” Keegan slid a hand up Kerry’s neck and curled a silky lock of hair around his finger. “Let’s agree about a few things to make both our lives easier.”
“Okay. You go first.”
“We’re intensely attracted to one another,” Keegan said.
Kerry’s hands inched lower until his fingertips brushed the upper swells of Keegan’s ass cheeks. “Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Your turn,” Keegan prodded.
Kerry remained silent long enough for Keegan’s nerve to waver. But then he raised a hand and traced the curve of Keegan’s face with a finger. “We both want to explore these feelings to see where it can take us.”
Keegan silently urged himself to remain calm and cool. Don’t blow it now, Kee. But being bold and honest was what had finally led to this moment. Keegan placed his hand over Kerry’s heart. “Let me in. At least unlock the door and give me a chance to walk through it.”
Kerry’s response was a yielding moan, followed by an impassioned kiss that rocked Keegan to his core.
The first press of lips ignited a spark in his belly that turned into an inferno when Kerry slipped his tongue into Keegan’s mouth.
He’d been kissed before, but nothing had ever felt like this.
Kerry licked into his mouth, teasing and sucking on Keegan’s tongue and eliciting the neediest moans that only seemed to add gasoline to the fire burning in his veins.
The fear he’d felt with Danny was nowhere in sight.
Instead of clamoring to get away from Kerry’s touch, Keegan had to restrain himself from climbing him like a tree.
Maybe Kerry sensed his need because the next thing Keegan knew, his feet were off the ground, and his ass landed on the kitchen island.
Kerry cradled Keegan’s head with one large hand and rested the other on Keegan’s thigh.
Parting his legs and making room for Kerry seemed as natural as breathing, and fuck, they notched together so perfectly.
Desire pooled in Keegan’s core, spreading out until every pore and hair follicle was on fire for the man between his legs.
Kerry moved his hand from Keegan’s thigh to his ass, scooting him closer until they were groin to groin, hard and aching for one another.
Keegan wasn’t sure where to put his hands since he’d told Kerry sex was off the menu for the moment. He didn’t want to be the tease Danny had accused him of being. The thought dampened the moment a little, and Kerry must’ve heard the hitch in his breath. He eased back and searched Keegan’s gaze.
“Too much, too fast?” Kerry asked.
Keegan bit his bottom lip and shook his head. When he didn’t answer right away, Kerry reached out and gently rescued the abused flesh from his teeth. “I…um…didn’t want to put out mixed signals. And…”
Kerry’s eyes darkened with something like malice, but Keegan knew it wasn’t directed at him.
“I’m nothing like that asshole. If you ever want me to stop, I’m stopping.
Period. And for the record, a person may change their mind at any time.
Maybe you green-light me right up through penetration but decide it’s too much.
No means no. Stop means stop. I will be your safe place, Kee. ”
Relief flooded Keegan’s system, and tears filled his eyes. “But what about your pleasure? I feel how hard you are. I don’t want you aching and miserable.”
Kerry brushed away the few tears that escaped Keegan’s eyes. Then he raised his right hand. “I’ve been making do with my bestie since we met. We can get by for as long as you need.”
Delicious images of Kerry pleasuring himself sprang to mind, and Keegan couldn’t contain his moan. “Damn, that’s hot.”
Kerry nuzzled his nose against Keegan’s neck. “I’ll let you watch anytime you want.”
Keegan tried to scoot off the island, but Kerry stopped him with a dark chuckle. “Food and talking first.”
“We are talking,” Keegan said. He reached over and snagged a shiny red apple from the fruit bowl.
He crunched into it and offered it to Kerry for a bite, but he pressed his tongue inside Keegan’s mouth and stole his bite instead.
Dark eyes crackled with smug pride as Kerry chewed and swallowed the apple.
Kerry held the fruit up to Keegan’s mouth, but he wanted to taste the apple on Kerry’s lips.
Keegan cupped his neck and pulled him down for another deep kiss.
The sweet, crisp fruit juice made Keegan’s mouth water and his hunger grow.
The apple fell to the island and rolled to the floor.
Keegan and Kerry simultaneously reached for each other, their hands shifting, seeking, and exploring over their clothes.
Kerry eased his mouth free, then immediately kissed a path down Keegan’s neck toward his collarbone.
Keegan angled his head back to give him access and grabbed a fistful of Kerry’s hair.
It would be so easy to lie back on the island and surrender to the feeling surging inside him, and he was mere seconds away from doing that when Kerry abruptly pulled back.
“Huh-uh,” Kerry said. “I promised to feed you, and I said we’d talk.”
“I had fruit for dinner, and there’s nothing else we need to discuss right now.” Keegan pointed to Kerry and said, “You want this.” Then he pointed at himself. “And I want this. That’s all we need right now.”
Kerry’s stomach growled pitifully in rebuttal. And if he was honest, Keegan would admit he was hungry too. Kerry stepped back between Keegan’s thighs and captured his lips for a sweet but too-short kiss. “Let me feed you.”
Keegan pursed his lips like he was mulling it over. Then he straightened up and smiled wickedly. “Fine, but I want the show you promised me.”
“The show?”
Keegan made a fist but didn’t have to gesture crudely for Kerry to get the point. “You know the one.”
A dark blush swept over Kerry’s tanned cheeks. “I’ll give you the best show you’ve ever seen.” It was Keegan’s turn to blush, and Kerry smiled at his reaction. “Don’t go anywhere. I might need kisses to tide me over until after we eat.”
“Maybe for your opening act, you can tell me just how you and Sven came to be at the bar tonight,” Keegan said.