by Jaclyn Quinn
Chris sprang up from the chair, quickly crossing the room. Suddenly, Avery had his arms full as Chris clung to him, sobs wracking his whole body. “Thank you,” he whispered over and over again.
Avery couldn’t hold back the tears, relief and happiness overwhelming him. So he cried with Chris, saw Nina with tears in her eyes, but it was seeing them streaming down Ryder’s cheeks that caught him off guard.
Chris fell to the side, sitting next to Avery on the couch. He covered his face with his forearm and continued to cry, pressed up against Avery’s side.
Avery placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”
Chris took a couple of deep breaths and nodded. “It’s just…I prayed every night before I went to sleep that you guys would want me to stay, but I didn’t think anyone was listening.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore, okay? JoAnn seemed pretty optimistic that it’ll all work out, but you’ll most likely have to tell a judge that this is what you want.” Avery turned to look at Ryder. “It’ll all work out; I promise.”
Ryder wiped his cheeks then pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. “Ugh. Why’d you have to go and make me cry, man? If Novak finds out about this, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Avery chuckled. “Good to know.” He looked over at Chris and winked then turned back to Ryder. “So, what’s in it for us if we stay quiet?” Chris cracked up, and the sound was music to Avery’s ears.
“Blackmail?” Ryder turned shocked eyes on Nina and pointed at Avery. “Do you hear this?” Nina just sat there with a huge grin on her face. “Unbelievable.” He leaned forward so he could see past Avery to look at Chris. “I know you won’t say anything.”
Chris shrugged. “I could really go for some ice cream. Just sayin’.”
Avery barked out a laugh to which Nina and Chris joined in.
“Oh, I see how it is!” Ryder feigned insult, but Avery could see him fighting not to laugh with them. “You think you know someone—three someones!”
“Did I hear someone say Ryder’s getting us all ice cream?” Stan asked from the doorway.
Ryder gasped dramatically. “Not you, too? This is a mutiny!”
“Come on,” Avery said to Ryder, taking him by the hand to pull him up. “We can both go.” After Avery took down everyone’s orders and they got in the car, Ryder continued to mumble about wanting this agreement in writing.
“I won’t tell Jake; I swear on Eddy,” Avery said and watched Ryder’s eyes enlarge as he sucked in a long breath and covered his dick with his hand.
“You’re not allowed to swear on my dick! What the fuck!” Ryder looked like he was trying not to laugh when Avery lost it, making Ryder finally crack as he busted out laughing.
As the laughter died down, Avery asked in a raspy voice, “Am I allowed to swear while I sit on your dick?”
Ryder’s eyes darkened and a sexy smirk lifted the corner of his mouth. “Ice cream then you cream?”
“For fuck’s sake…” Avery adjusted himself. “I sense brain freeze in my future.”
Ryder wiggled his eyebrows. “Then my work here is done.”
By the time they walked in Avery’s door a few hours later, Avery couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. Chris’s reaction to living with him blew him away. He’d never seen the kid so happy, and that happiness had reflected in everyone else’s eyes. This was actually happening, and it was so surreal and amazing and terrifying all at the same time.
“Chris was ecstatic when we left. Poor kid probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.” Ryder sat down on one of Avery’s stools. “You’re pretty great, you know that?”
Avery approached Ryder slowly. “You’re pretty great yourself.” His voice was husky as he swooped in, claiming Ryder’s mouth. He wanted the man all the damn time lately, but the way Ryder stood by him today sealed the deal. He’d completely fallen for him, and he was willing to wait for Ryder to be on the same page.
Avery held Ryder’s arms and pulled him until he stood up, backing toward the bedroom with a hungry Ryder still attached to his mouth in a bruising kiss. When they got to the bed, Avery maneuvered Ryder down on it first and then followed, pressing his body onto the man beneath him. “You know, I’ve been thinking…”
“About orgasms? It better be about orgasms.” Ryder dragged his mouth down Avery’s neck, biting and sucking along the way.
Avery laughed, leaning his head to the side to give Ryder’s delicious mouth more room. “Sort of.” He pulled his head back so he could see Ryder’s eyes. “Silent orgasms.”
“Huh? What the hell are silent orgasms? Is that even a thing? I don’t think that’s a thing.”
Avery hung his head and laughed then covered Ryder’s mouth with his hand. “It’s a thing when we’re not the only ones here.” He locked eyes with Ryder, seeing the moment realization hit, and then let go of his mouth.
“Ah…okay, so we have to make that a thing because I can’t go without the thing—mpff.” Avery effectively shut him up with his mouth as he opened Ryder’s jeans and shoved his hand down the front of his boxer briefs. Ryder groaned loudly, and Avery chuckled against Ryder’s mouth.
“That’s not silent. Do I need to teach you how to stay silent?”
The pupils in Ryder’s half-lidded, gray eyes dilated, and he pushed his erection up into Avery’s hand. “You gotta do what you gotta do; however long it takes,” Ryder challenged.
Man, those words shot straight to Avery’s cock. “Get undressed.”
“Yes, sir.” Ryder smirked, like he was deliberately toying with Avery.
Avery returned the smirk as he removed his clothes. Then without a word, he went over to his closet. When he came back out with two neckties in his hands, Ryder sucked in a breath. “Seems the only way to accomplish this is with conditioning.”
Ryder licked his lips, eyeing the silk ties Avery was holding. “Hell yeah.”
“Move back on the bed with your arms out to your sides.” Ryder quickly complied. Avery leaned over Ryder, taking his lips in a soft kiss. “Are you okay with this? Do you trust me?” It was a heavy question, but one Avery needed to hear the answer to before going any further.
“Yes, I trust you,” Ryder breathed out with absolute sincerity.
Avery took Ryder at his word, believing Ryder would tell him if it was too much. He nodded and slid his hand down Ryder’s left arm to his hand. He secured the blue silk tie around Ryder’s wrist then tied the other end to the headboard. By the time Avery got over to the other side of the bed, Ryder had moved his right arm into position, completely offering his body and his trust over to Avery. The gesture was powerful, solidifying in Avery’s mind that he just had to give Ryder time for all the rest.
Avery secured Ryder’s right wrist with the crimson silk then slid his fingers down his arm and over his nipple. Ryder hissed when Avery leaned down and took the hardened nub in his mouth, grazing it with his teeth. He moved over to the other side, this time biting a little bit harder.
“Oh fuck,” Ryder called out, and Avery pulled away.
“Nope. Too loud; we’ll have to try that again.” He took Ryder’s nipple back in his mouth.
“You do realize, if you insist on doing something until I’m quiet, I’m never gonna shut up.” Ryder yelped when Avery bit his nipple again.
“That’s the chance I’ll have to take, I guess.” Avery wiggled his eyebrows then got on the bed between Ryder’s legs. He slid his tongue down Ryder’s chest to his belly button, dipping into the indentation. Ryder bit his lip and squeaked. Avery snorted. “I suppose that was quiet enough. Moving on…”
He leaned his head down, breathing in Ryder’s scent where the dark patch of hair was nestled above his hard cock. Licking a long line up the side of Ryder’s shaft, he relished in the moan Ryder released—then did it again and again until Ryder bit his plump bottom lip and held in the sound.
“See? Not so hard, huh?”
Ryder lifted his head. “Are you ki
dding me? Yes, it’s very fucking hard and swollen and ready to fucking blow.” He was breathless and flushed and so damn gorgeous.
Avery took the purple head in his mouth, tasting precum from the slit in the tip then swirled his tongue around the smooth surface and over the piercing. Ryder’s head bounced back on the mattress as an, “Oh fuck yes,” left his mouth. Just when it seemed like Ryder was going to lose it, Avery pulled his mouth off him. Ryder’s head shot back. “No,” he groaned.
Avery simply cocked an eyebrow and smirked. “What was that?”
“Oh my God. You’re fucking evil—and I love it.”
With that, Avery proceeded to do anything and everything he could think of to drive Ryder crazy. He tasted every inch of inked skin, used his tongue to enter Ryder over and over again, holding his legs up and back as he circled his sensitive opening. And every time Ryder cried out or cursed too loudly, Avery would start the delicious torture all over again.
After bringing Ryder to the edge several times, Ryder’s skin glistened with sweat, whispered pleas left his lips, and his muscles trembled. Avery suited Ryder up and covered his dick in lube then got himself ready. Spreading Ryder’s legs, he planted each of his feet firmly on the mattress. “Don’t move them,” he ordered, climbing over Ryder and straddling his groin as he carefully lined Ryder’s cock up with his hole. As Avery took Ryder into his body, he reached his hand back and slid a finger around the trembling man’s hole.
Ryder pulled on the restraints; his muscles tensed and his skin flushed. Avery began to lift his hips, and when he sat back down, taking Ryder deep, he pushed his finger inside Ryder. The gorgeous man beneath him clenched his teeth, his neck straining, but he didn’t make a sound except for the trembling breaths he was heaving. He wants to come…
Avery picked up speed, his thighs working overtime as he fucked himself on Ryder’s cock and added another finger in Ryder’s hole. He made sure Ryder pegged his prostate while tapping his fingers against Ryder’s.
On a silent scream, Ryder’s whole body tensed up and then jerked as he released into Avery. Spasms seemed to control Ryder’s body, his hips pumping up until finally Avery threw his head back and came. He held in the curses begging to leave his mouth while hot liquid shot out of his dick and landed on Ryder’s stomach and chest.
“Holy shit,” Ryder whispered, licking his lips, his eyes pressed tightly closed. “Holy shit…”
Avery snorted, pulling his fingers out of Ryder before holding the bottom of the condom as Ryder’s sated dick slipped out. Avery kneeled above him, reaching for a tissue on the nightstand to discard the condom. Then he grabbed a second one to clean Ryder off. Ryder’s eyes remained closed, his breathing heavy when Avery released his wrists and checked each one to make sure he wasn’t hurt. Exhausted, Avery dropped down on the mattress next to Ryder.
Ryder looked over at Avery, and somehow, Avery knew whatever he was thinking had to be significant. “I’ve never let anyone do that to me before.” He held his own wrist, never breaking eye contact with Avery.
“Are you okay?” Avery asked between breaths, his heart racing.
“Okay? You just edged me to within an inch of my life and made me shoot so hard I had a come-to-Jesus moment…” His head rolled to the side on the pillow and their eyes met. “I’m fucking fantastic.” An ear-to-ear grin spread across his face, and he licked his lips again. The relief that swept through Avery— the complete and utter trust Ryder had just given him—was overwhelming.
Avery returned the smile until they were both laughing. “I think that lesson went well, don’t you?”
Ryder rolled to his side facing Avery and ran his fingertips up and down Avery’s overheated skin, leaving a tingling sensation in the center of his chest. “Well, I mean, practice makes perfect. What was it you said? We have about two months until Chris moves in?”
“Give or take a couple weeks.”
“I’m pretty sure I can’t be trusted. I’m going to need at least…” He looked to the ceiling, counting off with his fingers.
When he got to ten and started all over again, Avery laughed, pushing Ryder back onto the mattress. He covered Ryder’s mouth with his own, sinking his tongue in to taste him. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get enough of the man.
Ryder groaned…dramatically…but failed to keep the laugh in. Avery broke away from their kiss and shook his head, sighing. “I’ve got my work cut out for me, don’t I?”
“Yup. Better get to it.”
With Christmas and the New Year coming up, it felt next to impossible to get the licensing inspector out to Avery’s place for the final safety check. It was the last step before Chris was allowed to move in with him. In the meantime, Avery and Ryder brought Chris to the store and let him pick out some things to decorate his new room, including paint. Chris was hesitant at first, and Avery assumed it was because the caseworker hadn’t said he was allowed to move in yet. But after about twenty minutes of trying to convince him, he finally loosened up and had a little fun.
Considering Jake, Eli, and the boys were spending Christmas in Riverside Falls, the family was celebrating the holiday a week early so they all could be together. Avery could only imagine how Chris would feel taking in the madness that was about to commence. Sunday dinner was one thing, but a Sunday feast followed by every dessert known to man and presents? Yeah, even Avery wasn’t sure he was prepared for that.
“You ready?” Ryder asked Avery from the passenger seat. “Thank God Nina didn’t let Novak shop again. Not taking any chances after the nightmare at Thanksgiving.”
“Because you didn’t get any marshmallows?”
“He knows that’s my favorite part! Who forgets to buy the damn marshmallows? What are candied sweet potatoes without tiny marshmallows?”
Avery chuckled and opened his door. “Let’s go.” He walked around to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and laughed. “Seriously?” he asked, holding up two bags of mini marshmallows that were on the top of the bag holding all the gifts.
“I told you. I’m not taking any chances,” Ryder said as if Avery had lost his mind.
Avery shook his head in amusement and handed one of the shopping bags to Ryder. “Who knew I was going to be responsible for two children?” He closed the trunk and froze.
“Hey. You okay?” Ryder’s brows drew together, and he squeezed Avery’s arm.
“Yeah, I just…wow. I think that may have been the first time it’s hit me. I’m going to be a dad. To a twelve-year-old boy. That’s just…wow.” He couldn’t think of any other word for it. “I have no idea if that’s how he’ll think of me, but that’s what it means, right? Technically I will be a dad.”
Ryder cupped Avery’s cheek, and his eyes softened. “You’re going to be a great dad, Avery.” He leaned in, kissing Avery before turning to go into the house.
“I sure hope so,” Avery whispered to himself.
An hour later, just as Avery had expected, Jake and Eli’s house was a whirlwind of laughter, eating, and of course, the usual making fun of each other. It was perfect, as far as Avery was concerned. He could only imagine the stuffy holiday his own family would be having in a week. Avery had promised his mother he’d take her out for dinner but had refused, in no uncertain terms, spending the holiday with the rest of them. This year, he had something to truly celebrate, and he would be doing that with Ryder, Chris, Nina, and Stan.
As they gathered in the living room by the tree, Chris came and sat on the couch next to Avery. He still had a special bond with Ryder, but to Avery’s surprise…and relief…Chris was gravitating a little more toward him lately. This was going to be an adjustment for both of them, but things were moving in the right direction.
“Chris,” Dylan called out, handing a red and gold wrapped box to him, followed by a card and two smaller packages wrapped in Christmas paper.
Chris’s eyes widened. “Those are for me?”
Dylan, having no idea the question was asked in awe, replied, “Uh huh. I’ll
get the rest.”
Chris turned weary eyes to Avery and said softly, “But all I did was draw them some pictures.”
Ryder leaned forward and gave Chris a look. “All you did? It took you hours to draw all those pictures. There’s nothing cooler than a gift someone makes for you. They’re gonna love them.” Avery stared at Ryder, smiling at the ease in which he calmed Chris down. Avery could use a few pointers from him, yet Ryder still couldn’t see how great he was with Chris.
“Really?” Chris’s brown eyes looked hopeful.
“Yeah, really. You should be proud of yourself.” Ryder sat back, giving Avery a weird look and then shrugged his shoulders.
Just as Ryder had said, everyone loved their pictures from Chris; especially Nina who, of course, cried. Chris’s cheeks flushed with the praise, and he looked up at Avery out of the corner of his eye. Avery nudged his arm. “You did good, kid.” An ear-to-ear grin spread across Chris’s face, and his shoulders relaxed.
Avery was the happiest he’d ever been in that moment. He put his hand on Ryder’s knee, and when Ryder glanced at him and laced their fingers, Avery leaned in and kissed him.
“You guys do that a lot now,” Chris said scrunching up his nose.
Avery raised his eyebrows. “That okay?”
Chris shrugged his shoulder and bit the inside of his cheek, a shy smile on his face. “Well, yeah, it’s just…different, I guess.”
There was no denying that. The number of things that had changed in their lives over the past four months blew Avery away. All he could hope was that things would continue to get better and better. He had a feeling the two people sitting on either side of him could make that happen.
“Seriously? Why the heck didn’t you tell me?” Ryder grumbled. He looked around the room and saw Nina, Stan, Avery, and Chris staring at him. Shaking his head at their worried looks, he chuckled and tilted the phone away from his mouth. “Novak popped the question.” It was Christmas morning; Avery, Ryder and Chris were spending it with Nina and Stan while Novak, Eli, and the boys were with Eli’s family in New York.