“Yes, and then we can go look at dorm rooms together, or maybe an apartment!”
“I’m living in the dorms, Charlie.”
“Oh. Well, then you can come visit me in my apartment.” Charlie grinned, waiting for the information to sink in.
“Wait…what?” Steve asked in confusion.
Charlie pulled the letter out and handed it to him.
He opened it and his eyes went wide. “You’re coming to Boston with me?”
“Yep.” She smiled and clapped her hands together.
“Oh my God! This is great!” Steve picked her up and twirled her around.
“Yeah, you’re happy?”
“Oh, you have no idea.” Steve kissed her.
Charlie pulled him in tighter. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long for me to realize I wanted you,” she whispered in his ear.
“You were well worth the wait, Charlie Youngblood.” Steve smiled at her.
*~~~*
Heath’s graduation ceremony was outside at two in the afternoon and Stefan was sweltering.
“Did they talk this much at Isabelle’s graduation?” He wiped his brow.
“I think they talked more.” Jordan smiled.
Caleb couldn’t stop smiling. He had a perfect view of Heath and was busy snapping pictures with his phone. Heath looked adorable in his cap and gown.
When they called Heath’s name, the whole stadium went nuts and Stefan couldn’t contain his smile.
“That’s my boy,” he whispered proudly. Jordan barely resisted pointing out that it was his son, too, but settled for clapping a little louder as he shoulder-bumped his husband.
Afterward, they waded through a sea of gowns until they found him.
“I did it! I love you, Dad,” Heath whispered as he hugged Stefan.
“I love you, too. I’m so proud of you, son!”
He hugged Jordan. “Love you, Dad. And since I’m going to Fort Worth U, I’ll be close — so don’t worry.”
“Heath, I know that’s what you said you wanted to do, but you don’t have to stay close to home just to keep your old man happy.” Jordan smiled.
“I know — I want to.”
Heath hugged everyone and then he kissed Caleb.
“Did you hear me? I shouted,” Caleb laughed.
“I think everyone heard you!” Heath hugged him hard.
The whole family was at the house for the graduation party. Stefan’s stepfather, Heath Sanders, hadn’t been able to keep his mother, Alma, from cooking enough food for an army. His namesake was sitting on Caleb’s lap opening his graduation presents.
“Your Dad and I weren’t sure if you wanted to stay in the dorms or have an apartment of your own,” Jordan pointed out.
“I’ll leave that up to you. I’m fine here; I have my own room and school isn’t that far.”
“Heath, don’t do this for us,” Stefan insisted.
“Dad, let’s see how it goes. If it’s bad, I’ll move out before I try to strangle you both,” Heath laughed.
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Jordan clutched at his heart.
The party died down and Stefan was cleaning up the kitchen when he called for his oldest son.
“Heath, can you come here please?” Stefan dropped down at the breakfast bar.
“What’s up, Dad?”
“You and Caleb take off now, okay?”
“What?”
“I’m saying I’m allowing you to spend the night with him. We’re going to re-evaluate the rules.”
“No curfew?” Heath eyed him.
“Well, can you be back for brunch?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then. Go have fun. And, Heath?”
“Yeah, Dad?”
“Be safe — if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do.” He hugged Stefan hard. “I love you, Daddy,” he whispered.
Stefan swiped covertly at his eyes. Heath hadn’t called him ‘Daddy’ since he was twelve. “I know you’re only calling me Daddy to make me feel better. I love you, too, Heath. Now go.”
Heath and Caleb left and Stefan propped his chin on his fist and strolled down memory lane. He went back to the day his son had come to him crying about how mean Charlie was. The little face with brown eyes and pouty lips had been irresistible. Now that little boy was a man.
“Hey, come on, Stefan.” Jordan stood him up and hugged him.
Bethany and Trent hadn’t left yet, so they hung out talking about old times until four in the morning. Stefan curled into Jordan when they finally hit the bed.
“I love you, Jordan.”
“I love you too, Stefan. Everything’s going to be okay, babe, I promise.”
Stefan fell asleep with images of his little boy playing through his memory.
*~~~*
Caleb had rented an apartment near the Santorno offices once he had gotten the job there. It wasn’t much, just a one bedroom, but he liked it. It was cozy and it had a fireplace. He walked in and threw his keys on the table. He ran his eyes over Heath.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great.”
Caleb took off his jacket and put a log in the fireplace. It might be May, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t set a romantic mood. Hell, he’d crank up the air conditioning if he had to.
He watched Heath take off his jacket and sit on the edge of couch. God, he was nervous. He didn’t know if they would end up making love, but he was nervous anyway. Even before he met Heath, he hadn’t had sex in a while. After meeting Heath — well, he just couldn’t. Heath had occupied his thoughts ever since.
He walked over and sat next to him on the couch. He palmed his face.
“What are you thinking?”
“Remember the first night at the club?” Heath looked sideways at him.
“Yes.”
“You told me you wouldn’t be my first.”
“I did.”
“You were wrong.” Heath kissed him. It was slow and sensual and Caleb couldn’t help his soft moans.
Caleb broke the kiss. “Wait — are you saying…?”
“I’ve never been with any man but you.” Heath blushed. “After meeting you, I wasn’t interested in any other man.”
“Heath.”
“I want you, Caleb. I’ve wanted you for so long.” Heath kissed him again.
Heath unbuttoned Caleb’s shirt. He slid it off his shoulders and trailed fingers along his biceps. Caleb was immediately hard. It sounded clichéd, but he had honestly never felt like this with anyone else. Heath made him feel things he never knew were possible.
Caleb pulled the other man’s shirt over his head and admired Heath’s bare chest. God, he was fantastic. Unbelievable. Breathtaking. Gorgeous. He ran his fingers down Heath’s chest and stopped at the waistband of his jeans. He looked into Heath’s eyes.
“Take them off,” Heath whispered, nearly pleading. He stood to allow him better access.
Caleb took Heath’s pants off slowly, running his hands down his thighs as he peeled them down.
Then Heath was completely naked.
“You’re stunning, Heath. I almost can’t breathe.”
“Come here.” Heath took Caleb’s hands and tugged him from the couch. He took Caleb’s pants off and they stood naked before each other for the first time.
Heath stretched out in front of the fireplace. “Make love to me, Caleb. Please?”
Caleb crouched down and kissed him. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Heath smiled.
Caleb ran to his room and grabbed some lube and condoms. He returned and joined Heath on the rug, moving between Heath’s legs.
“I’m not going to lie to you. This is going to hurt at first, okay? But I’ll take it slow. Anytime it hurts too much you’ll tell me?”
“I promise. I trust you, Caleb.”
Caleb kissed him again, slowly and softly. After several minutes of touching and petting, Caleb lubed up his fingers and looked Heath in the eye.
/> “Okay, you ready?” he breathed.
“I’m more than ready.” Heath nodded.
Caleb slowly inserted a finger, watching Heath’s face the whole time. They had done this part before.
Caleb rolled the condom over his hard cock and lubed up Heath and himself. He bent forward and kissed him.
“Okay, try to relax.” Heath looked scared.
He blew out a breath. “I’ll try.”
“Heath, we don’t have to do this.”
“I want to. Please, Caleb?” Heath’s brown eyes were pleading.
“Baby, have I ever refused you anything?” He smiled when Heath opened his mouth to correct him, and covered the beautiful lips with his own.
Caleb positioned himself and started out slowly. Heath was so freaking tight. Heath gasped and closed his eyes.
“Heath, look at me.”
Heath opened his eyes. He watched Caleb’s face as he slowly pushed in further.
“Caleb…oh, God!” Heath closed his eyes again.
“Try to relax, okay? Hey! Look at me.”
Heath stared into his eyes.
“I love you. I would never hurt you on purpose. I promise it will be better soon. ” Caleb kissed him, pushing in a little further.
“I love you too,” Heath whispered. The pain began to subside and the sensation changed to something that felt much better. When Caleb began stroking his cock, he almost came immediately.
“You okay?” Caleb searched Heath’s eyes.
“Ohhhhh, that feels good!”
“I’m going to go slow, all right?”
Heath nodded. The way Caleb felt inside him was unbelievable. He had waited so long for this moment, when he and the man he had loved almost instantly were one. To actually have him was beyond comprehension.
Caleb pulled out slowly, pushed back in, and kept his eyes on Heath the whole time.
“Are you okay?” Caleb watched his face.
“Yes — faster!” Heath gasped.
Heath put his hand over Caleb’s and stroked with him. Caleb increased his pace — he knew he was going to come any second and he wanted to make sure Heath came first.
He didn’t have to wait long.
“Oh God, Caleb! I’m coming! I’m coming!” Heath came all over his chest and seconds later felt Caleb pulse inside him.
He grabbed Caleb’s face and rained kisses all over it. “I love you. I love you so much, Caleb!”
Caleb laughed softly and captured his lips. “I love you, Heath.”
Caleb pulled out slowly, removed the condom and threw it away. He grabbed a towel and cleaned up Heath, then himself. He grabbed the blanket off the couch and settled down on the floor beside him.
He rolled to his side and rested his head on his hand, admiring Heath in the afterglow of sex. There were no words to describe Heath. There just weren’t.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Caleb trailed a finger along Heath’s pouty lips.
“I’m a little sore, but it felt good. I can’t believe I came that hard.” Heath blushed.
“Yeah well, I haven’t come that hard since — wait. I’ve never come that hard.”
“Really?” Heath glowed.
“I’m in love with you, Heath. Making love is so much more intimate than just having sex.”
“I love you, too.”
Caleb kissed him again, pulled Heath close and ran his hands to his ass to pull him even closer. “Mmmm, you smell good.” He buried his nose in Heath’s neck.
“I’m not wearing anything but soap,” Heath laughed.
“You smell like Heath. It’s a unique smell all on its own. It’s intoxicating.”
“Really?”
“You’re so damned cute, Heath.” Caleb palmed his face. “But so manly at the same time. You’re my perfect eighteen-year-old! Damn, you filled out over the years!” He ran his hands over Heath’s abs.
“I work out a lot.”
Caleb saw the lust in Heath’s eyes. He felt his hand on his cock. He stroked it slowly before he pushed Caleb on his back and nudged his legs apart.
“Can I make love to you?”
As if he would — could — say no. Caleb smiled and watched as Heath carefully lubed his fingers.
He felt the cool lube on his entrance as Heath kissed him and the first finger slid inside. His head went back and he moaned. Heath licked his neck. He bit and sucked, leaving a mark, and then claimed his lips again. He slowly slid in another finger to stretch Caleb, and scissored the fingers.
“Oh, God! Heath!” Caleb couldn’t stop the trembling in his legs. He wanted Heath so badly. “Please, Heath, please!”
Heath grabbed a condom and lined himself up. He locked eyes with Caleb.
He pushed in slowly, trying to imitate Caleb’s previous actions.
“Jesus.” Caleb arched his back as he felt Heath enter him.
Heath’s hand gripped his cock, slowly stroking him as he pushed in even deeper.
“Caleb, I won’t last long,” Heath gasped. He stroked Caleb more quickly as he increased the tempo of his hips.
“Faster!” Caleb wasn’t going to last long either. It had been well over two years since he had sex — and that hadn’t been with someone he adored.
Heath began pumping faster — a lot faster. Caleb heard his breathing, felt the pants of air from the small grunts.
“Heath, God I’m coming right now!” Caleb spurted all over Heath just as Heath let out a loud cry and came inside Caleb’s warmth.
Heath was still perched above him, elbows propped on either side. His arms were shaking. Caleb grabbed his arms and eased him down. Heath, breathing hard, was dead weight on his chest.
“You okay?” Caleb pushed Heath’s hair out of his face; his lips were bruised and he was covered in sweat.
“Yeah, I just…wow! Damn! And I thought I came hard before!” Heath grinned.
“Did it feel good? To be inside me?” Caleb stroked his hand up and down Heath’s back in a slow rhythm.
“It’s hard to explain, but yeah. Better than anything — like being home.” He kissed Caleb’s chest.
“You want to go in the bedroom and sleep?” Caleb traced his jawline with his finger.
“No, I want to stay right here.” Heath wrapped him up in his arms. “You’re my first everything, Caleb. First kiss, first lover, first love — I do love you.”
Caleb felt his heart beat faster. It dawned on him that’s exactly what he was to Heath. “I’m so happy it was me, Heath. I love you, too.”
Heath fell asleep with his head on Caleb’s chest, one leg thrown over him, and an arm across his stomach.
Caleb ran his fingers through the soft hair. He smiled and kissed his forehead.
“Night, Heath. I love you.”
He heard Heath mumble in his sleep. “Caleb.”
He smiled and closed his eyes. He was so in love. The boy he had met at sixteen, now a man, was lying in his arms. Caleb fell asleep with a smile.
*~~~*
Heath awoke enveloped in Caleb’s arms, and it felt incredible. He savored the slow rise and fall of his lover’s chest. He ran his tongue over Caleb’s Adam’s apple and then up to his chin to bite him.
“Hey.” Caleb smiled. “You trying to eat me?”
“Oooh, we haven’t done that yet!” Heath waggled his eyebrows.
“Yeah, neither one of us has.”
“Really? You never ... ?”
“Nope, that’s kind of an intimate thing, too.” Caleb brushed Heath’s face with his fingers.
“How many guys have you been with?” Heath sat up.
“Counting you? Three.”
“I guess I thought there would be more. I mean, you’re smart, funny and amazing looking. Why not?” Heath cocked his head, curious.
“I don’t know. After my parents dumped me, I guess I didn’t feel worthy of love, like I was dirty or something. My first boyfriend cheated on me, and the second one — well, let’s just say I’m glad I used protection a
nd got tested every six months.”
“Oh God, Caleb. I’m so sorry.” Heath kissed him. “I love you so much — you are SO worthy of love.”
“You make me feel that way, Heath. That’s why I said I’ve never felt like this; I’ve never truly felt wanted, valued.”
Heath leaned in and ran his tongue around Caleb’s ear. “I want you,” he whispered.
Heath kissed him slowly. He ran his hand down Caleb’s chest and wiggled his finger in his belly button.
“That tickles!” Caleb rolled on top of him and pinned his hands down. “You’re a bad, bad boy, Heath Youngblood!”
“Yeah? Spank me.” Heath smiled devilishly.
Caleb took one hand off and used his other hand to pin both of Heath’s together. He ran his hand down Heath’s stomach slowly and kissed him, running his tongue over his lips. His hand continued its way to its destination.
Heath moaned and his head went back, his hips moving with Caleb.
“That’s good, but it’s not spanking,” Heath pouted.
Caleb covered his mouth with his own and increased his speed. Hearing Heath’s moans, he knew it wouldn’t be long before he came. He brought his head down and took Heath’s cock in his mouth, simultaneously inserting a finger in his ass.
“Oh shit, Caleb!’ Heath bucked and groaned loudly.
Caleb’s tongue moved with ease as he took Heath in further, his finger working in more deeply. Heath’s hand tightened in his hair.
“I’m coming, Caleb!”
Caleb swallowed Heath’s cum and slowly withdrew his finger.
“Morning, baby. Now about that spanking?” Caleb smiled.
Chapter 12
Since Charlie was away in Boston with Steve, and Damon was at football camp with Tyler, Stefan had decided he wanted to take Isabelle to Malta.
Now he just had to explain why.
He called his father so they could talk to her together. They gathered around the breakfast counter and discussed a delicate issue with Isabelle.
“A woman called me claiming to be your mother. She wanted to meet you. I didn’t want to tell you this until the blood test results were in.”
“What? Why now?” Isabelle asked in disbelief.
“I don’t know, Isabelle, but I had our own lab in Malta run the tests. She is your biological mother.”
An Eye for an Eye (The Santorno Stories 2): The Santorno Stories Page 16