Getting There

by Black Deja

  “You, my brother, are still recovering from your heart attack. There is fruit and oatmeal for you as well as orange juice,” Kiku said as she removed the plate from Maddox’s hand.

  Shaking his head, Maddox asked, “Can I at least have a biscuit?”

  “One.”

  Lucas covered his laugh discreetly while Maddox picked up the biscuit and the oatmeal, as well as fruit, mumbling under his breath.

  “Yes, brother?”

  “Nothing, Kiku.” Maddox looked up at Lucas, a sneaky grin sliding over his face. “Sleep well, Lucas?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Good, cause with all that racket, somebody’d have to wonder.”

  “And you are aware of that, how, Maddox?” Kiku said.

  Maddox’s face reddened, and he coughed. “Oh… uh… Just had some things to check on over that way, and I… uh… heard some noises. Dammit, woman. Can’t an old man have any fun?”

  Kiku smiled. “Yes, an old man can, when I see one. Now, hurry before you’re late.”

  Maddox continued eating, not looking any happier with his meal.

  “So, children, Lucas?” Jareth continued as if the conversation never stopped.

  Maddox coughed, and this time he was the one who looked like he’d choke.

  The rest of the day was pleasant. Kiku was more than proud to show Lucas her home. While she didn’t touch on children for Lucas and Creed, that didn’t stop her from pointing out the places where children could play, and how the grounds were more than capable for a family to thrive on.

  When Lucas shook his head, she laughed. “Don’t blame us for being so eager, Lucas. We have wanted grandchildren for a while, to see our sons abundant with their own family. When we lost Niko, and Creed stopped living, we were worried we’d lose our chance. We’re better now, Jareth and I, but we ache for our son’s life to be complete, to have grandchildren running through our home. You can’t blame us for wanting it all.”

  Lucas nodded and allowed what she said to settle in his mind as she walked him through another floor of rooms with a theater, a pool, an incredible library, and miles of artwork.

  When they arrived back at the sitting room, Lucas was delighted to see Creed reclined in one of the chairs. He was such a beautiful man, and he was Lucas’s. Immediately, Creed opened his arms and welcomed him to sit next to him and Lucas did, enjoying the feeling of Lucas’s arms clasped around him.

  “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”

  “Bad? No, not at all, but I can definitely tell your family has plans in mind for you. And, for me, it would seem.”

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll get them to slow it down a little.” He kissed Lucas softly on the forehead. “Ready for that ride?”

  All the soft kisses in the world wouldn’t take away the ball of nerves in his belly at the thought of riding. “I’ve never ridden a horse before, Creed. I don’t know if I am.”

  “You weren’t ready for me, and look where we are. All you have to do is hang on.” And, isn’t that what Lucas had been doing? Hanging on?

  “You want so much.” His head fell against Creed’s shoulder.

  “Baby, I want it all with you.” Lucas had to smile when Creed laughed.

  Later when Lucas found himself behind Creed in the saddle, he still couldn’t believe it. “Now, all you have to do is hang on. Just keep your arms around my waist, and enjoy. Okay?” With Creed’s sweet ass against Luca’s hardening dick, Lucas had no objections.

  “Oh, I see what you want, Lucas. You want to fuck my ass, baby?”

  Lucas laughed. Creed was always so direct, never held anything back.

  “Don’t be shy. I can feel you there, that pretty dick of yours riding my ass. I wouldn’t mind, Lucas. In fact, I’d love to ride you, have you inside me. Would you like that, Lucas?”

  “Oh, God, Creed. Stop it.” But, Creed accomplished his mission. Lucas wasn’t deathly afraid anymore with his arms wrapped around Creed like steel bands, hanging on for dear life.

  Instead, he settled into Creed’s body as he guided the horse over the land, at first slowly and then a little faster.

  Lucas’s ass was still sore from the night before, and even that morning in the shower, but riding with Creed on the horse was wonderful. He enjoyed the way he bonded with the animal beneath them. It was quiet, and birds flew overhead, and he loved it. Loved the air, the open space, and the way it felt to be with Creed.

  He could visualize many more days here. He liked Jareth with his straightforwardness, Kiku with the calm way she ruled, and the irascible Maddox. He imagined having a family, the time to raise them with him and Creed as fathers.

  As the ride continued, Lucas relaxed against Creed and dreamed of what the future might hold.

  “You’re mighty quiet,” Creed spoke up, breaking the daydream.

  “I am. I’m just thinking.”

  “Good thoughts, I hope.”

  “The best kind.” Lucas smiled.

  When they stopped, Lucas found himself looking at a lake. “Is that where we’re going?”

  “Yes,” Creed said as he leaped from the horse like some ancient warrior from ages past. Turning to Lucas, he reached up and all but lifted Lucas from the horse. “You’ll probably ache a little, but I’ll be honored to massage it for you.”

  Lucas laughed as he landed on the ground, his body sliding along Creed’s hard one. “Will you?”

  “Oh, yeah. Quite the hardship, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice.” Laughing, he placed a kiss on Lucas’s lips. Reaching around him to the side of the horse, he retrieved a blanket. “I’ve been wanting to get you out here forever.”

  Lucas took in the surroundings, the water, and the open space. “I love it, Creed.” He allowed Creed to steer him to the lake shore and waited while Creed placed a blanket on the sand.

  “Sit with me, Lucas.”

  Lucas dropped down rather unceremoniously on the blanket. Creed sat behind him, legs straddled on either side, and took Lucas into his arms.

  “So, what do you think?”

  “About?”

  “About what you’ve seen today.”

  “It’s wonderful, Creed. Your family’s home is gorgeous, the grounds equally so. I’ve enjoyed myself.”

  Lucas felt Creed nod and sighed when Creed reached around to the front of Lucas’s pants unzipping them. When he had his cock out and was stroking it slowly, Lucas shuddered.

  “Good,” Creed said while he palmed Lucas, running his hand over the wet tip of his glans. “My parents are eager to have you move in here, but I know that’ll take some time.” Creed continued to move his hand over Lucas’s hard dick as he spoke.

  Lucas moaned as he thrust into Creed’s fist taking shallow breaths as Creed controlled his pleasure. “Oh, God. Creed.”

  “That doesn’t mean I won’t ask you, or try to get you to see that life here could be what you want. That life here with me is what you need.” Lucas almost screamed when Creed bit into the space between neck and collarbone. His teeth nipping the flesh there causing Lucas to tremble with all the sensations running through his body. Lucas rocked into Creed’s fist and backed against Creed’s mouth as he marked him, his tongue soothing the flesh.

  When Creed’s other hand reached underneath Lucas’s shirt to twist and pull his nipple, Lucas was desperate for more.

  “Come for me, baby.”

  Lucas’s seed exploded from him and he cried out, his body convulsing as the orgasm tore through his soul. It was crazy the way Creed made him feel, the way he pulsed with need at his touch and released at his command. He loved the touches, the kisses and would beg for more. But, he didn’t have to. Creed gave it all freely, and Lucas drank it in.

  “I love how responsive you are, how you quiver at my touch,” Creed said as he pulled Lucas back to lay on the blanket, then pulled his pants down his hips. “I love the way you make me feel, Lucas.” Creed pulled Lucas’s shirt over his head and arms. “I love the way you talk, the way you move
like a dancer, all liquid mercury.” Creed tugged off Lucas’s shoes and finished removing his pants.

  “Creed,” Lucas begged as Creed’s tongue traced one ankle then the next, as Creed pushed Lucas’s legs back, stretching him wide.

  “Yes, Lucas.”

  “Stop talking and fuck me.”

  And Creed did.

  It was well into evening by the time the two made it back, and Lucas was happier than he ever imagined. They ate dinner with Creed’s parents. Maddox had other responsibilities to take care of and had eaten earlier.

  When they finished, Creed took him back to the house they shared the previous evening. That night they shared tender kisses, long and sweet, and Lucas nearly cried from the pleasure. Creed kissed his eyes, his lips, and held him until they both fell asleep.

  It was perfect.

  Chapter Eight

  Lucas missed Creed as he sat at his desk at the university looking through papers. He shook his head wondering why he was still teaching here if the work he glanced over was any indication of how the classes would be. His students were given more than enough time to thoroughly approach the topic, and while some conveyed their thoughts in rich, flowing detail, others wrote as if they were still in high school.

  Lucas sighed.

  He’d much rather be with Creed, held in his arms again as he had been last night. Not more than two weeks and the man claimed him body and soul.

  When Creed dropped him off that morning at his brother’s home, Lucas entered the house with a smile on his face that warmed him all the way down to the pit of his belly. Fortunately, Anthony hadn’t been home to see the ridiculously elated smile, which left Lucas free to walk to his room in a daze, his body pleasantly used, and his thoughts anticipating the next time.

  He almost missed the vase of hyacinths on the table in the kitchen.

  Turning back to look at the arrangement, he felt a shiver of dread roll over him. Lucas dropped his bag and went into the kitchen. Stepping closer, he moved apprehensively as if the plants standing in the crystal vase would suddenly grow cobra heads and strike.

  The hyacinths were striking in their beauty and his favorite flower. Next to them, laying on the table was a box of pralines from Market Street Sweets. Also, a favorite. While he should have been charmed to see them, he wasn’t.

  Not a gift from Creed. He would have smiled to see that, but he didn’t even need to look at the name to know who this gift was from.

  He reached forward and pulled the card away from the clip thrust into the top of the flowers.

  Lucas, I made a mistake. But, nothing done is irreparable. I will forgive your dalliance. You must forgive my indiscretion. I’m waiting. Come home. Ira

  Home? He was done. Surely, Ira knew that. He’d told him several times already.

  He picked up his phone to call Anthony but put it down again. He was a big boy. He could handle it. What would he have told him, anyway?

  He left them on the table and walked away.

  Now, Lucas sat at his desk with student papers and a pen. Every once in a while, he glanced at the clock. Creed was going to drop by and pick him up for lunch today. He needed to focus, and later he’d enjoy the time with the man guilt free.

  He’d gotten into a rhythm when a shadow darkened his desk.

  “Did you like the flowers, Lucas?” Lucas looked up startled when he saw Ira standing in the doorway. Ira smiled at him and moved to come closer, but Lucas leaned back.

  “They were beautiful Ira, but—”

  “Lucas, surely you can’t still hold that thing with Tommy against me. Come home,” Ira said as he stepped fully into the room. He closed the door behind him, locking it.

  Lucas’s heart sped up. His office wasn’t large, only enough space for his desk chair, the desk, a small bookshelf and the chair in front of it. So, Ira’s presence swallowed up the room as he took up what little space there was. Lucas looked at the phone on his desk, debated over calling security, but Ira worked at the university like he did, was called by name often and touted as a marvel.

  How many meetings had he attended where Ira had been praised for his writing and for the students that attended because they knew Dr. Ira Feigenbaum was on the faculty? Too many.

  “Don’t you think you’ve punished me long enough?” Ira questioned as he moved closer.

  “Punished you?”

  “Yes. Spending the weekend with Creed Hamasaki. Like he’s any comparison to me, or could take care of you the way I do.” Ira’s tone grew cold.

  Lucas stood. “Ira, have you been following me? Were you at the restaurant?”

  Ira smiled, his eyes hardening. “I knew you received my call. I wasn’t permitted in the room, but yes, I was at Magnolia’s, Lucas. I saw the two of you walk in together like none of us mattered. Others did, too.” Ira’s voice rose, the calm façade he wore cracking as rage shown through. “You embarrassed me, paraded around like I was nothing to you.”

  “Ira,” Lucas said calmly, tried to appeal to the sensible man he knew. “You and I are no longer together. We were done the moment you brought Tommy into what was our home. The moment I found out the man I thought I loved was with someone else, someone close to me, we were done. You need help, Ira, if you can’t see how wrong that is, if you can’t understand what we shared is over.”

  Ira moved, rounding the desk and dragging Lucas to him. Lucas screamed in panic when Ira’s hand wrapped around his throat.

  “You are done with me when I say you are, Lucas. I. Made. A. Mistake.” Ira nearly screamed the words.

  Lucas struggled, his lungs gasping desperately for air as Ira’s hands gripped tighter around his throat. He reached up, pressing on Ira’s shoulders trying to push him back.

  “Ira,” he croaked, pleaded.

  Ira’s face was angry as he bent, kissed Lucas, biting his lips as Lucas kicked and punched him, determined to save his life.

  “Are you playing the whore?” Ira growled against him. “Is he fucking you, Lucas? Should I remind you of how it feels to be fucked by a real man?” Ira slammed Lucas against the wall, and Lucas’s vision dimmed. Instantly Ira’s hand was at his buckle, but Lucas was still reeling from the pain of being strangled.

  “No, Ira. Stop.” This time when Lucas punched out, his fist made contact with Ira’s face. “Get the fuck off me, Ira.” Lucas touched his throat, coughed, then pointed at the door.

  Ira laughed, the sound broken and off. He rubbed at his chin then smiled. “I’ll leave, Lucas, but we’re not done here.” He straightened his tie, then righted his slacks.

  “If you come back—” Lucas began.

  Ira stepped close, but Lucas picked up the paperweight on his desk, brandishing it as a weapon. Ira paused, but there was no trace of fear present. “If I come back, what, Lucas? You’ll call for help? You’ll tell them I was hurting you. The moment you say my name, they’ll forget all about it. I bring money to the school, Lucas. You’re a professor. My name, my family’s wealth? That’s what matters here.” He reached up and touched his nose that Lucas hoped he’d broken.

  Everything that Ira said was true. The university wouldn’t care that Ira was stalking him, had attacked him. In fact, Lucas would probably be strongly encouraged to teach elsewhere.

  “I’m going, Lucas, but make no mistake. I’ll fix this, and you’re coming home.”

  Ira turned and left the office, the door slamming behind him.

  What seemed like hours later but could have been minutes, Lucas fell rather than sat in his seat, moving back in surprise when Creed stepped through.

  “Lucas, I thought I saw Ira getting on the elevator as I was getting off. It’s like I’m seeing that fucker everywhere lately. Lucas? Lucas, baby what’s wrong?”

  Lucas looked up at Creed who rounded the desk.

  “Lucas, let me see, baby. What’s wrong with your neck?”

  “Ira. Ira was here. He tried. I fought him, Creed, but he was—” Lucas shook his head. What was Ira going to do? Rape him?
Tears threatened, but Lucas held them back.

  Creed picked him up, pulled him against him. “I’ll fucking kill him, Lucas.”

  “No, Creed. I can handle this. I stopped him.”

  “You shouldn’t have to, Lucas. I told you to tell Anthony. Now, that asshole thinks he can waltz in here and threaten you.” Creed’s body radiated tension, and Lucas felt the helpless anger roll through him. “That’s fucking it, Lucas. Either tell your brother or I will. Then, I’m going to find Ira and beat his face to a pulp.”

  “Creed, please.”

  “No, Lucas. This shit has got to stop. What if he hurts you when I finally fucking have you? No fucking way.” Creed held him tighter. “I promise you, Lucas. If you don’t do something to stop this, I will. Believe me.” Creed kissed the top of Lucas’s head, and Lucas melted against him, safe.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Later, instead of two, three were having lunch. Creed held Lucas’s hand tightly, offering moral support while Anthony looked on, his lips in a thin line.

  “How long?” Anthony asked.

  Lucas knew what he was asking, but he didn’t want to see Anthony blow a gasket. Creed squeezed his hand tighter and nodded. Lucas sighed. “For almost two weeks.”

  Anthony leaned back, the blue shirt he wore stretching across his wide chest. “So, you’ve been getting these texts for two weeks and said nothing.” Anthony looked back at Lucas’s phone reading through the messages. “Fuck, Lucas. Have you read these? This right here is a man spiraling into an abyss of crazy.”

  “I didn’t think, Anthony.”

  “Damn right you didn’t think. I arrest these nuts all the time, Lucas, but by then the damage is done. They’ve left a bloody hole in a family somewhere, and taken the life of a person who didn’t realize or believe the asshole would hurt them.” Anthony looked at Lucas, his eyes darkening. “I know you. What else? You didn’t call me just to show me these texts.” Anthony looked from Creed back to Lucas.

  Lucas literally felt the moment Anthony saw the bruises around his neck. No matter how Lucas’s hair fell, they’d be difficult to hide.