Chapter 9
LYLE LOVED the park, and so did the dogs.
They also loved the ducks, or at least trying to terrorize them.
Daisy growled and barked, desperately trying to get to them.
The others joined in until the ducks all fluttered to the far side of the stream.
With that complete, the dogs looked up at them as if to say “See, we did good, right?” Then they trotted off.
“You guys really are nuts,” Lyle told them, and James just chuckled.
“They’re keeping you safe from the killer ducks,” James teased as they continued down the road until they reached the exit to the park. Then they headed back toward home, keeping the dogs away from the road.
By the time they returned Lyle’s townhouse, it was getting dark. Lyle let them inside and went right to the kitchen. He fed the dogs and then began dinner. “I can make burgers if you like.”
“That sounds good. But you don’t need to keep feeding me.”
“It’s not a problem.” It didn’t cost him much, and when they went out James seemed to insist on paying, so this was the least he could do. “I can make fries or maybe a salad.”
“Lighter is better, so I’d prefer salad, but whatever you want to make is good. I’m not going to be fussy.”
“Okay. If you need to work a little more….” He wasn’t sure what James had yet to do, but he grinned as James wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. “I take it you don’t need to.”
“No. I got plenty done, and I think it’s time for a little fun. We could play cards after dinner.”
Lyle snickered. “I was never very good at those kind of games. But we can play if you like.” He might have a deck in the house somewhere. He wasn’t really sure.
James rested his head on Lyle’s shoulder, and he stood still, just enjoying the closeness. The dogs seemed happy, laid out on the sofa after all the excitement of their walk. The house was quiet, and Lyle liked it like that. “I should get dinner started.”
James didn’t move, and Lyle chuckled. “But I like it like this.”
“Me too.” Neither of them moved for a long time.
THEY DECIDED on a movie instead of cards, and they ended up with the original Star Wars because they both loved it.
Like that afternoon, they settled on the sofa with the windows open.
The cool evening air drifted in, so they snuggled under the blankets with the dogs and settled in for space opera fun.
Unfortunately, by the time the Death Star exploded, James had fallen asleep, and the dogs were all curled around him, napping as well.
So instead of waking him, Lyle switched to The Empire Strikes Back and settled in for more Luke Skywalker.
“What’s going on?” James asked about halfway through the movie. “Oh, it’s over.”
“I just continued with the next movie.”
“Cool.” He lightly stroked Lyle’s leg as the movie continued.
Lyle was getting tired as well, but he didn’t want to move.
He was comfortable, and James was here with him.
The dogs were all spread out around and on top of them, sleeping happily.
It seemed a shame to move, and yet his legs were starting to ache.
“Maybe we should move,” James said softly and flexed his leg.
The dogs growled, and James did it again.
Dash lifted his head, and James moved once more.
The dog got the hint and jumped down, leading the others to do the same.
Lyle stretched and stood, checking the time.
It was after midnight. With a yawn, he scratched his side and tossed the blankets over the back of the couch.
“I need to let the dogs out,” he said softly and went downstairs.
What he really needed to do was think. He wanted James to stay, but he wasn’t sure if he should ask him.
Would that seem desperate… and was that something James wanted?
Sure, they had kissed and James had held him, but they had never talked about anything more.
He was probably being stupid about all this.
He opened the door and let the dogs out into their area, where they did their business.
He cleaned up after them and was just closing the door as the first drops of rain began to fall.
He waited and listened as it picked up. There were few things as soothing as the simple sound of rain on the trees.
“Is everything okay?” James asked as he came down the stairs and joined him.
“Just listening,” he said softly, and James stood next to him, putting an arm around his waist. They stood together until the rain picked up.
Then Lyle closed the door and locked it.
He led the dogs upstairs and got them settled in their beds before taking James’s hand and guiding him up the stairs.
“I have stuff if you need anything. It’s in the bathroom,” Lyle told him, and James went inside. Lyle sat on the side of the bed, waiting and wondering.
“I can hear your mind going in circles,” James told him when he came out.
“You worry too much.” He tugged off his shirt, and Lyle’s mouth went dry.
He had always known James was built… and hot, but seeing him this way for the first time wowed him.
His chest was smooth and sleek, with lines down his belly and a light treasure trail below his belly button.
James gently tugged at Lyle’s shirt and pulled it over his head. Lyle wanted to cross his arms over his chest, but he refrained. James leaned down, kissing him and pressing Lyle back onto the mattress. There didn’t seem to be any sort of rush, which Lyle liked. “Come on.”
“What?” Lyle asked.
“Get undressed and into bed. Okay?” James asked softly. Lyle did as he asked, slipping under the covers. James opened the bedroom window a little, letting in the sound of the rain. Then he slipped out of his clothes and under the covers.
“Do you—” Lyle began.
“It’s late. So just try to go to sleep,” James told him as his hand slipped over his belly, tugging him close. “You and I can take things slow.”
“Is that what you usually do?” Lyle asked. “I know I’m not your first boyfriend. You’re hot, so you must have a lot of guys interested in you.”
James sighed after a deep breath. “No. I usually rushed into things, and in the end they didn’t work out so well. So I think this time, I want to try to go slower. You and I can get to know each other before we go down that road.”
“Oh… I see…,” Lyle said and lay still.
“I don’t think you do.” James lightly kissed his shoulder.
“It just means that if I want a different result, then I should do things differently.” He pressed closer, and Lyle got the full extent of what James meant.
“This has nothing to do with my desire, because I do want you. But not rushing into things is good. Now let’s try to go to sleep.
It’s been a long day with a ton of excitement. ”
“Okay… yeah.” Lyle yawned and closed his eyes, trying to fall to sleep.
HE WOKE to a chill in the room and realized he was alone in the bed. At some point in the night, the dogs had come into the bedroom, but they were gone and so was James. Lyle wasn’t sure what was going on and got out of bed, pulled on his robe, and headed downstairs.
The house was quiet, but the scent of coffee filled the air. He followed his nose to the kitchen, where James sat at the table in his boxers and T-shirt, the dogs on the floor nearby. “Why are you up so early? It’s a Sunday morning and we get to sleep in.”
“The dogs were restless, so I brought them down here so they didn’t wake you. I fed them and let them out a little.”
“Like that? Geez, I hope the neighbors didn’t see you. Otherwise they’re going to be lining up at the door looking for the hunk.” He grinned, and James tugged him down into a kiss. “You had more work to do.”
“There is always a ton of it.” He closed his book. “Do you want some coffee?”
Lyle swallowed and leaned close. “Not at the moment. I think I very much want something else.” He took James’s hand, leading him out of the room. “You spend the night pressed to me and all you can think about in the morning is coffee.”
“I see,” James said as they climbed the stairs. The dogs followed, but Lyle led James into his room and closed the door, keeping the dogs out. This was the time for him and James, and the dogs were going to need sit in the hall and wait.
“Do you think they’ll leave us alone?” James asked as Lyle dropped his robe. “Never mind….” He groaned, and it wasn’t long before James had his shirt off and his boxers slipped to the floor.
James came to him, wrapping Lyle in his arms and kissing him hard, their lips exploring as their hands did the same.
It was wonderful to be able to touch James without his shirt, and he ran his hands over his chest as James drew him more tightly to him.
Once again, he got the feeling that there was no rush.
The passion between them built, but James seemed in control of it.
He gently led Lyle to the bed and then down onto the mattress. Only then did he pull away.
“You’re so serious,” Lyle said with a smile.
James seemed confused. “Isn’t this serious business? It means a lot of things, and it isn’t just sex. Unless….”
Lyle rolled his eyes. “Of course it’s serious, but it’s fun too. You look like you’re going to explode.” He ran his finger over James’s bottom lip and then down his throat to his chest to tweak a nipple. “Just relax. I’m not going to grade you on your performance.”
Finally James snickered.
“Okay, I may grade you, but I’d never tell you if you got a bad grade.
” He cocked his head and smiled before tugging James down closer.
“I can’t see you getting anything other than a perfect score.
So relax and let yourself enjoy it.” He wondered who in the hell had gotten James so uptight.
Under most circumstances he was calm and a man of action with a clear head.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Lyle asked.
James gaped at him. “Now… when we’re in bed and…? God, no.”