Take It SLOW

by AKM Miles

  “Um, thanks, but I don’t have any trouble learning. I was ahead of my class. I always made straight As. Not that the old man cared. Mom thought it was cool, and I liked that it made her happy. I guess I kind of miss it.” Bass looked embarrassed when everyone looked at him with wide eyes. “What?” He sounded like he was afraid he’d said something wrong.

  “Maybe you’ll end up helping some of the boys with the GED so they can get their diplomas. If you’re that smart, you should be able to get a scholarship to do anything you’d like to with your life. You’ll figure it out.” Nick sounded impressed with the new development.

  Boddy got up to go back to the kitchen, rolling Mama Rosa with him. Easy and Mano got up, too, and said they had to go show how thankful they were to have each other. Everyone laughed when Mano took off running and Easy sprinted after him, out the front door and around the side of the diner. Franklin and Bass got up and headed back to the dorm, leaving Benny and Daniel with Mama Sasy and Nick.

  “I can’t tell you how this makes me feel. It’s what I want to do more than anything. This is just unbelievable.”

  Nick reached into his pocket and put his hand across the table toward Daniel. Holding out his hand, Daniel accepted the keys that Nick placed in it.

  Nick smiled and said, “The apartment is finished, and I had the men move in most of the furniture. I thought you two might like to check it out, maybe move in over the weekend.”

  “That’s great. I didn’t know it was that close. We haven’t been over there in a couple of days.” Daniel was thrilled. He and Benny had both been feeling like they were ready, more than ready, for more in their physical relationship.

  “Sally Ann helped me stock the cabinets and refrigerator so you’re ready to move in. We’ll see how it goes with commuting from there to here. If needed, Boddy’s room will soon be available if you have a reason to stay here. Sally Ann will move in with me after the wedding next week. Everything is going to change, but after the first period of getting used to the new set up, we think it will be wonderful for all of us.” Nick finished his speech by turning to give Mama Sasy a peck on the cheek.

  “I think so, too, Dad. I really am happy for you, and now Mama Sasy will be Mama for real. I hope Easy’s okay with having a new brother, sort of.” Daniel wasn’t making much sense, but he was a little flustered.

  “Silly. He’s thrilled. He’s so caught up in Mano, he wouldn’t care if we adopted a bunch of Chilean monkeys.” Mama Sasy looked surprised when they all laughed at her words.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Did you know about this?” Daniel couldn’t help but ask Benny as they headed down the hallway to the dorm.

  “No, but I think it’s great. Wait, don’t you? I mean, really?” Benny stopped and leaned his back against the wall, pulling Daniel into him. Daniel took the moment and rested against Benny.

  “There was just this look between you and my dad, and I thought something was up, but couldn’t figure it out.” Daniel nuzzled his nose into Benny’s neck and settled more comfortably with his arms around Benny’s shoulders, holding on.

  “Oh, I figured it out before you, but the look was just two people who love you enjoying the moment. I can’t believe you got the keys. Do you think that’s yet another way for him to show you how he accepts you now? I mean, he’s almost been throwing us together, finding ways for us to be alone and now this.” Benny nuzzled right back, sliding his cheek along Daniel’s. Daniel leaned his whole body in, letting Benny know that he was very appreciative of the thought that they’d soon be able to really be alone and together in many new ways.

  “I’m so ready to do this,” Daniel said, his hips rubbing against Benny’s. He had to stifle the moan that wanted to erupt at the intensity of feelings that ran through his body.

  “We’ve waited a long time, huh?” Benny said, rubbing right back.

  “I’m sorry.” Daniel automatically felt it was his fault. His apologizing was a habit that had become ingrained while living with Jack Basham.

  “Hey, stop that. That wasn’t an accusation. It will be nice to get to know each other a little better, all interruptions aside, huh? Hey, I wasn’t ready at first, either. This is the perfect time for us. We’re gonna be great, Daniel. If we’d rushed it, we might not even be a couple now. And, Daniel, we are definitely a couple, for the long haul as far as I’m concerned.” Benny tightened his arms around Daniel and held his head still on Daniel’s shoulder, waiting for a response.

  It wasn’t long in coming. Daniel wouldn’t leave Benny wondering. He just chose to not use words. They were out of sight of the rest of the dorm, and Daniel took the opportunity to kiss Benny the way he’d wanted to for a long time. He took Benny’s mouth like he hadn’t seen him in months and was starving for just a taste. Slipping his tongue inside, he shivered as Benny met it, and they both sighed at the same time. Instant internal combustion! Yeah, they needed to take this somewhere private. His mind was telling him he had to stop, had to pull back, ease up, but he pressed his hips tighter to Benny’s and continued mapping the inside of Benny’s mouth. His breathing was becoming labored and he could hear Benny trying to breathe through his nose. He finally had to admit defeat and give up. They could not finish this here. He slowly eased back a little, pulling his tongue back, using it to lap Benny’s moist lips now, bringing them both down a little, or trying anyway.

  “Gotta stop, honey. Can’t do this here.” He wasn’t really ready to talk in full sentences.

  “Need you.” Evidently Benny wasn’t, either.

  They stood there for a long time, pressed together and letting their breathing and their painfully hard cocks calm down a little. Daniel found that he enjoyed this just as much as the kissing and the frottage. Holding on and feeling the same things, knowing that they both wanted more and that they were close to getting it made this embrace all the sweeter.

  “So, we’re moving to the apartment this weekend, huh? I think a stop at the drug store is in order. You and I,” Daniel pulled back enough to look into Benny’s eyes, “have a date Saturday night. We’ll probably have help moving, not that there’s that much to move, but then we’re going to be alone, Benny, really alone. God, I can’t wait.”

  “I love the way you speak my mind,” Benny mumbled, eyes staying on Daniel’s in the muted light of the hallway.

  “Speak your mind? I thought it was the way I speak my mind.” Daniel was confused.

  “Nope, you just said exactly what I was thinking, so you were speaking my mind. I’ve noticed it happening before, a few times. I think something, and you say it out loud. It’s kind of cool, really. Just more proof that we’re perfect for each other. Let’s go to bed, roomie, not that I’ll be able to sleep.” Benny slid his hands up and down Daniel’s back as he said this and Daniel shivered again, loving the feel of Benny’s hands on him.

  “That’s all right. Just resting in your arms is better than sleep anyway. Come on.” Daniel took Benny’s hand, and they headed to their bunk. Daniel’s mind was running a mile a minute. He was going to manage Mama Sasy’s. Well, eventually he would, but how perfect was that? And he was finally going to get to make love with Benny. In a matter of minutes, he was wrapped in Benny’s arms, and he had no doubt that there would be no nightmares, if he even made it to sleep.

  § § § §

  Daniel was exhausted, and if Benny’s dragging feet were any indication, so was he. He was smiling, though. They’d done it. They were completely moved in and set up in their new home. He was pleased to find out that his dad had worked with the carpenters to arrange both an outside and an inside entrance to the apartment over the garage. There was room in the big garage for their car, so they could park there and use the new stairs in the back corner to get to their place. The outside stairs were still there and would be used in the warm months, but he was pleased to find they wouldn’t be going up and down on icy stairs.

  He opened his arms as he leaned back on the kitchen counter. “Come here, baby. You
look like I feel. Why are we so tired when we didn’t have that much to move?”

  “Mmm,” Benny said, against his neck, “lack of sleep, excitement, forty trips up and down the stairs, which are great, by the way. Are you as hungry as I am?” Right on cue, Daniel’s stomach growled and they both chuckled.

  “Want to see about ordering pizza? We might need to get them used to this address. I’m not much of a cook yet, but I’ve learned some things from working with Boddy. You?” Daniel asked, easing over to reach into one of the drawers to find where they’d put the phone book that his dad had given them.

  “I can do the basics. I think it would be fun to learn how to cook some more things. I know we can always eat at Mama Sasy’s, but I’d like to have some meals here, just the two of us. We’ll learn together, how about that?” Benny turned and they looked through the book, looking for a pizza place that was close.

  Before long, with the order in and directions given to the apartment, they went to the living room, which was decorated in shades of green, from olive to forest. The couch was big and soft with huge pillows. It and the two recliners were a gift from his dad. There’d been a lot of gifts from his dad. Daniel and Benny felt bad taking so much from him, but Nick wouldn’t listen to any of their protestations. He’d said only that it was his right to spoil his son, so they’d have to just get used to it.

  Mama Rosa had thrown in a big beautiful afghan for the back of the couch. Daniel could picture Benny and himself snuggled under it watching TV — or not. Mama Sasy and Boddy had pitched in and gotten them a nice set of dishes and cookware. Easy and Mano, besides helping with the moving, had chosen to give them a large, oak entertainment center, complete with TV, audio equipment, and shelves that Daniel and Benny looked forward to filling with their favorite movies and music. The floors were hardwood but covered by several really nice rugs. It was a home. They were truly blessed, Daniel thought.

  Daniel had no doubt that Nick would be here now, but he and Mama Sasy had gone out to dinner, at Benny and his urging. They wanted this night, this time together. He smiled as he thought of his dad and Mama Sasy.

  “What’s the smile for?” Benny asked, as he raised his arm for Daniel to slide over to him on the couch.

  “Thinking about Dad and Mama Sasy and how sweet they are, trying to act like they don’t want to be alone. They’re cute.”

  “You’re cute.” Benny just left that out there.

  “Cute? Me? Yeah, I’m cute.” Daniel didn’t think so at all.

  “Okay, cute may be a little too young. You’re more like gorgeous.” Benny tightened his arm around Daniel’s neck and pulled him until he was forced to turn into Benny. Deciding to follow the action through, Daniel straddled Benny’s lap. “Shit.”

  “Now that’s romantic,” Benny teased. “Shit, what?”

  “Gorgeous, my ass. You’re crazy,” Daniel said, looking into Benny’s eyes. For some reason he needed to see into Benny’s heart to know he wasn’t making fun of him.

  “What’s wrong with you? You do look into mirrors, right? What makes you think you’re not good looking, like really good looking?” Benny’s face was an open book. He meant what he said.

  Daniel didn’t treat the conversation lightly. He thought for a bit and answered truthfully. “I used to think I was all that, you know. Then for a long time, vanity was the farthest thing from my universe. I just wanted to live, to eat, to not hurt, to not be raped. I saw myself occasionally in mirrors then and didn’t know myself at all. I can’t get used to thinking any other way. I’m sorry.”

  “Daniel, sweetheart, that part of your life is over, gone, done. You weren’t as gorgeous when you first showed up, I’ll give you that. You were thin and pale, and your hair was darker and not as healthy as it is now. You’ve come back to yourself in so many ways. You seldom have those horrible dreams anymore. You’re remarkable, Daniel. I really mean that.” Benny’s earnestness was evident in his eyes and his voice.

  “You’re responsible for a lot of it. The others have been there for me, but it was being close to you that helped me heal, Benny. I can never thank you enough for all you’ve done for me.”

  “Thanks are so not what I want from you, Daniel.” Benny raised one brow comically.

  Daniel laughed. “Oh, yeah? What do you want from me, Benny?”

  “You know exactly what I want, silly. After pizza, I say we shower together in that nice big shower, then try out the new bed. Damn, that thing is huge. I hope we’ll be able to find each other on that thing. It’s like three times the size of the little one we’re used to using. I’m thinking it won’t be a problem, though, hmm?”

  Daniel just nodded his agreement before bending just that little bit necessary to take Benny’s lips with his.

  They both sighed and melted into each other as they kissed. This kiss was very special. For the first time, they weren’t afraid someone was going to come around the corner and interrupt them. Daniel sank into the sensation of Benny’s lips, his tongue moving against his own.

  A horn honked below and they both jumped. Oh, well.

  “Supper,” Benny mumbled. “Let’s eat and get to the other plans. What do you say?”

  “I’ll go down and get it. You get the paper plates and drinks out of the fridge, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I love this, you and me, here together. It’s good, Benny. I’m happy.”

  § § § §

  Happy was mild compared to what Daniel was feeling after they’d cleaned up their kitchen and turned the lights off, locked up, and headed for the bedroom. This room was so perfect, in Daniel’s eyes. Warm tones of browns and honey gold were there in the bed linens and curtains. The walls were light, some shade of off-white something or other. Daniel had no idea what to call it, but it wasn’t stark white, so he liked it. They needed some stuff for the walls, but he looked forward to shopping with Benny to find things they both liked.

  The colors in the bedroom followed them into the bathroom and made the whole space seem spacious and modern. Daniel was beyond thrilled with his new home.

  Now they had both stripped down and put their clothes in their new hamper and were side by side in the bathroom, brushing their teeth, while the water ran in the shower, warming up for them. Daniel tried to be subtle as he checked out Benny’s body beside his. There hadn’t been any awkwardness when they disrobed, more like eagerness. But they hadn’t touched at all, just watched each other, both wanting the heat and closeness of the shower. For a fleeting second Daniel wondered if it was weird that they were not all over each other immediately, now that they knew what was going to happen, but he thought he knew the reason.

  He and Benny had been living together and sleeping together for a while now, and they shared a closeness that most new lovers didn’t have. Daniel felt such trust and security with Benny, having spent all that time being near him. They thought alike, and it seemed that they felt alike also. Benny was watching him, too, he noticed, and all of a sudden they both burst out laughing, spitting toothpaste all over the sink and the mirror.

  They fell against each other and giggled, pointing to the mess on the mirror. Daniel grabbed one of the new washcloths and wiped the mirror down, still chuckling. Benny cleaned up the sink and they turned to each other at the same time. Daniel reached out and pulled Benny into his arms, almost groaning at the feel of Benny’s cock pressing against his. He tightened his arms and dropped a kiss on Benny’s shoulder.

  “Shower, now. I’ve waited a long time for this night. I’m through waiting. Want me to wash your back?” Daniel asked, turning and tugging Benny’s hand, leading him into the shower.

  “Definitely. Want me to wash your front?” Benny teased.

  “Definitely,” Daniel answered, sincerely.

  Soon they were close together under the water. Daniel embraced Benny and moved them until they were directly under the spray. He took Benny’s face in his hands and held him still, kissing him gently as the warm water ran down their faces. He slid his tongu
e over Benny’s lips, lapping the water and Benny, and enjoying both. Benny squirmed closer to Daniel and Daniel showed his appreciation by meeting his thrusts.

  “Oh, God, you feel good. Your skin on mine, Daniel, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. I sound like a dork, huh? I don’t know how to say it,” Benny said, when Daniel finally released his lips. He put his face in Daniel’s neck.

  “You said it perfectly, Benny. Your skin on mine is like nothing I’ve ever felt. That’s exactly how I feel. We’ve slept together, but we’ve never felt each other like this. I can’t decide whether I want to take my time in here, washing every inch of your body, or if I want to hurry through it and end up in that big bed in there,” Daniel murmured against Benny’s neck.

  “We’ve waited this long, and we have all night. Let’s enjoy this and not rush through any of it. I want to savor every single minute with you. We’ll do hard and fast some other time. Right now, I just want you. Let’s take it slow and make it thorough.”

  “You really do have good words, Benny. Slow and thorough are the words for the night.” Daniel took the initiative, and as he moved his hands over Benny’s back, he never took his eyes from Benny’s.

  “I love the way you look in the water. Your hair is slick. You look like a seal. It’s very sexy.” Daniel told him as he moved one hand up to smooth the back of Benny’s head, the short brown hair soft on his hands. Daniel had liked it when it was longer, but when Benny wanted to cut it short, he’d said that Benny should. Benny looked so grown up and Daniel was happy if Benny was. He got lost in Benny’s eyes.

  “Honey.”

  Benny looked puzzled before asking, “Hmm?”

  “Your eyes. Warm dark honey. I really like them.”