by J. D. Ryan
No, it was best to keep this relationship a pretend one. After all, he wasn’t falling for Max or anything. Just because they’d shared a couple of very interesting kisses didn’t mean anything. It was just like Val said—he needed to get out more often.
Thursday night found him on Max’s balcony with a Coke in his hand, looking out over the city streets as Max grilled burgers and veggies. Ebon made a face at the latter, but Kit would make sure he at least ate half of his serving. He was currently in front of the PS4 with one of the nephews’ games.
“I’ve got some bad news,” Max said, flipping the burgers. “Mom’s not taking ‘No’ for an answer, I’m afraid. She wants you to come for dinner next weekend.”
Kit had to roll his eyes at that. This might just backfire on them. “Val’s been after me for the same thing, too.”
“Would it bother you?” Max jerked his chin toward the living room. “Maybe we ought to come clean.”
Kit checked to be sure the balcony door was still closed. “If we were really dating, we’d meet each other’s family. I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Except Mom might be even worse now she thinks I’ve found Mr. Perfect. She wants a fairy tale: love at first sight, violins when we kiss, happily ever after…the works.”
“Val thinks I’m hiding something.”
Max heaved a sigh. “Well, we are, aren’t we?” He dropped into the chair next to Kit. “I have to say I did enjoy kissing, though. I got the feeling you got just as much out of that as I did. Am I right?”
Kit felt his face flame. “It’s been a while since I actually…er…well, with Ebon to think of…I just…”
“I get the idea.” Max’s cheek dimpled. “I’m happy I could help.”
“You’re not going to convince me you’ve done a whole lot more dating than I have, not as busy as you are.”
“Well, not a whole lot—but more than you, evidently.”
“Hey, it’s hard to date when you work three jobs.”
“Of course it is. I was just joking.” Max clapped Kit on the shoulder. “I was trying to say I had a good time. I’d like to try again some night. Maybe get a little more serious if you’re up for it.”
“Really?” Kit’s heart thudded hard. Was he ready to get serious? “It’d have to be here. I don’t have any place we could be alone.”
“I think we could work something out. If you’re sure you’re ready, that is.” Max gave him a searching look. Standing there, brandishing the spatula, wearing an apron that read Eat my meat—he looked so domestic, Kit had a hard time focusing on just what the man was trying to say to him.
“You’re proposing we do more than just pretend,” he stammered, feeling his face flush once more.
“I really did enjoy that kissing session. I’d like to see if we’re compatible in the bedroom as well, yes.”
Kit swallowed hard. For once, he wished his drink was a little more than a Coca-Cola. “I…er…”
Max turned back to the burgers, dishing them onto a plate. “Think about it. If you want, we can come here Tuesday instead of going out to eat. I’ll make some sandwiches or something and we can see where it goes.”
Kit could only nod like an idiot, trying to keep a big, dopey grin from spreading across his face. He didn’t want Max to think he was desperate.
Chapter 12: Afternoon Delight
The week dragged by. Ebon’s Friday night sleep-over with Max’s nephews came and went, with the boy making a couple of new friends and talking about his experience the whole weekend. They’d bonded over a love of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it seemed, and now Ebon was even more eager to become a Boy Scout. Kit now knew more about the nephews than he’d ever wanted to.
Over spaghetti on Sunday, he and Max arranged a family dinner for the following Sunday, with Max’s mom, sisters, and Val. Turned out that she and Sophia had already been planning this, for the two of them had both asked off work that evening. “They’re still trying to orchestrate our lives,” Max muttered over the tiramisu. “I’m not sure this is working out properly.”
Kit waffled back and forth all week. One day, he was convinced he was falling in love with Max Hill, and sex was the next logical step in that process. They had such chemistry when they kissed, surely they belonged in bed together. The next moment, he was petrified of the whole thing. What if this ruined what they had between them? What if it turned out the kissing session had used up all the chemistry that was between them? What if Max thought he was lousy in bed? By Tuesday, he was a wreck.
They’d agreed to meet at the park to allow them an out if they changed their minds about going ahead with it. Kit was so nervous he arrived nearly half an hour early and spent the time pacing back and forth on the path, drinking his second cup of coffee. When he saw Max strolling his way, his heart started galloping like a racehorse.
Max shot him a worried look. “You look nervous. Are you up for this, or should I rein it in?”
Kit swallowed hard. He’d have to take the risk. He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t try to find out where that kiss could lead. “I’m in,” he muttered.
Max sprang for a taxi and they were at the doorway to his apartment within a few minutes. “I…um…bought some protection, just in case,” he said as they went inside. “I was hoping you’d say yes.”
Kit closed the door and stepped into the living room, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I almost didn’t. I’m kind of nervous.”
Max ran a hand along Kit’s back. “I’m a little nervous myself. It’s been a while for me, too. Let’s start where we left off the other night.”
He led Kit to the sofa and leaned in for a kiss. There was that electricity again. No, they hadn’t used up their chemistry at all. In fact, Kit wanted Max more than ever. Kit inhaled the strong, earthy odor of the man, breathed deeply of his scent. He cuddled close and gave himself to the kiss whole-heartedly. Within minutes, he felt Max’s strong hands tugging his shirt out of his jeans and sliding beneath the T-shirt. Each movement seemed to leave a heated trail across Kit’s bare chest and back.
“I want you,” Max murmured into Kit’s mouth. “Let me make love to you.”
How could he say no to a request like that? Kit’s last date—the week before Anita had dropped Ebon off on his doorstep—had ended in a drunken fumble in the bathroom of the bar and a wet stain on his trousers. Kit wasn’t certain anybody had ever made love to him at all, now he thought about it. Kit made no protest when Max slid his shirt off and Max’s lips fastened onto Kit’s chest, tongue running along the heated trails left by Max’s hands.
“I love your artwork,” he said, kissing each tattoo. “Who knew you had all this ink under that shirt?”
Max knew exactly what felt good, too. Max’s tongue was every bit as talented on the rest of Kit’s body as it had been in his mouth. Before Kit quite realized what had happened, Kit was naked on the sofa and Max was sliding a condom onto his long organ with one hand, while the other continued to run along Kit’s trembling skin.
“May I?” Max asked, pulling a tube of lubricant from the end table drawer. “I need to be inside of you more than you know.”
Kit leaned back with a groan as Max slipped a hand between his legs and pressed a finger into his tight hole. “I’ll be gentle. I know it’s been a long time for you.”
Kit was more than ready. He pushed back on Max’s hand, begging for more. Max slid another finger inside and hit the sweet spot that had Kit writhing beneath him. His mouth closed on Kit’s chest once more, tugging at one nipple, then the other. His free hand closed over Kit’s organ.
“I want to watch you come,” he murmured, stroking gently, then harder and faster. Kit squirmed, his hips thrusting upwards. Max’s fingers inside him kept stroking in rhythm, soon sending him over the edge. He cried out as Max milked the last drop from his organ, rubbing the hot liquid into Kit’s belly like lotion.
He then tugged Kit’s legs upwards. Kit spread his legs, groaning with need as
he felt Max’s tool at the edge of his hole.
“Look at me,” Max said softly. “I want to see your face as I enter you.”
Kit stared into the big chocolate eyes, squirming as Max’s hands continued to pull sensation from his body. The strong fingers tugged and massaged, leaving waves of pleasure in their wake. Kit sucked in a breath as he felt himself opening wide. Max went slowly, thrusting a little way, then letting Kit get used to it before moving further inside. Soon he was completely inside, and Kit moaned at the sensation.
Max leaned over to kiss him hard. “Hold onto me. Make love with me.”
Kit wrapped both arms around Max’s waist, pulling him close. He opened his mouth and deepened the kiss as Max’s hips thrust forward. He’d never felt like this before, never felt more alive. He’d always been a little bit ashamed of his desire to be entered, but with Max, it felt right, felt like making love instead of just screwing.
He felt Max’s hands clamp on his backside, pulling his hips close as Max pounded in and out. Max moaned into Kit’s mouth. He pulled away to stare down at Kit as he thrust. “Take it, Kit. Take everything I’ve got.”
Kit shoved backwards in time with Max’s thrusts. He tightened his grip on Max’s waist as the man’s tempo increased. This was some backbeat rhythm they had going here. He felt like an E-string stretched tight, plucked hard by an expert hand. Max’s big organ slid in and out, stroking that sweet spot even better than his fingers had done. Kit threw back his head and called Max’s name aloud as he felt hot cream erupting deep within his body.
Max shoved hard, once, twice, then collapsed atop Kit’s chest, breathing hard. “God,” he panted. “That was the best sex I’ve ever had. And I still want you just as badly.”
He closed his mouth over Kit’s again. Kit lay back on the sofa and gave himself over to the kiss.
“Give me a few minutes,” Max murmured as they came up for air. “I want another chance. Maybe three.”
“As many as you want.” Kit’s legs still trembled with his release. He wanted Max inside him again. He wanted Max in bed with him for the rest of his life. He thought he might be falling in love with Max Hill.
Chapter 13: Family Time
“So you’re the young man who’s caught my Max.” Max’s mother was a short, round woman who looked like Kit’s idea of the personification of Mom. She looked like she’d just finished baking a batch of your favorite cookies, which wasn’t far from the truth, as Kit could smell delicious odors from the kitchen.
Mrs. Hill lived in the suburbs in a house just big enough for her and the two cats now sprawled across the floor in front of the sofa. Ebon had exhausted the animals by throwing their favorite toys for them and now sat at a card table with the other children, chatting happily about cartoons and video games and Scouting.
Max’s hand closed over Kit’s. “You promised not to get nosy, Mom. You know everything about Kit that you need to know.”
“I wasn’t being nosy. A mother has a right to make sure her son’s boyfriend is good enough for him.”
Kit wasn’t sure how to take that, but Max’s sisters—and Val—laughed as if Mrs. Hill was onstage at the Comedy Club, so he figured it was her idea of a joke.
“We’re good for each other,” Max said firmly. “Now, let’s talk about something besides my love life.”
Kit had to agree. After Tuesday’s marathon session—they’d ended up making love three times before he’d had to stagger away to pick Ebon up at school—he and Max had squeezed in another round Thursday night on Kit’s sofa after Ebon had gone to sleep, then yet another in the shower afterwards. And they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other: kissing, holding hands, acting just like real boyfriends. Maybe they were. Maybe Kit’s feelings for Max would be returned.
Val was staring at Max speculatively, but as Max’s family was doing the same to Kit, he didn’t say anything to her. They sat down to Mrs. Hill’s baked ham and silence reigned for a good few moments. Finally, the lady grimaced at her son. “If we can’t talk about you two, what shall we talk about?”
“There’s a musical performance in the park next Sunday afternoon,” Max’s oldest sister volunteered. “It’s geared for families, so I’m taking the kids.”
“Will Julio be off?” her mother wanted to know. “I can’t keep track of which nights the man works.”
“No, I thought Max could come with me.” She turned toward her brother. “You could invite Kit and Ebon, too. The orchestra is doing popular songs and Disney hits.”
Max gave Kit a grin across the table. “Sounds right up your alley, then. Want to join us?”
“You could all come over for dinner afterwards,” Mrs. Hill said pointedly.
Max rolled his eyes. “Actually, it sounds like the perfect excuse for a picnic.”
“I’ll pack us some of my fried chicken, then, and potato salad.”
Kit had to laugh. Even if his relationship was a pretense, he was enjoying the feeling of being part of a large family. “I think you’d better give in gracefully,” he told Max.
He’d already planned on taking Ebon to the event, so he agreed readily to Mrs. Hill’s plans for a large picnic.
“You don’t know what you’re in for,” the middle sister’s husband put in, giving Kit a wink. “You’re joining a crazy family that thrives on gossip and thinks they know how the world should be run.”
“All women think that,” his wife said, elbowing him, “and it’s true. If you men would just agree, you’d see we could run things much more practically than you’ve ever done.”
After dinner, they sat in the kitchen to chat while the kids watched a Disney cartoon in the living room. Kit hadn’t felt this comfortable since his father had basically disowned him all those years ago. Mrs. Hill had a warm personality and welcomed him as just another part of the family. He was going to hate it when he and Max eventually staged their fake break-up. They’d have to, or both their families would expect them to move in together or something.
He hated to end the evening, but Ebon needed to get to bed. “So,” Val said as they headed for the subway, “You two really hit it off, didn’t you?”
Max squeezed Kit’s hand. “I guess you could say that. We’ve got a lot in common.”
“Do you like rock music, too?”
Kit could have kicked his sister for that. Max looked puzzled. “No, I’m a classical music lover, but Kit already told me he likes that sort of thing. It’s okay with me.”
Val gave Kit a speculative glance. She’d better not start talking about Radioactive or Kit really was going to smack her. He cleared his throat loudly. “Why don’t you tell Aunt Val about your report, Ebon?”
For the rest of the stroll, they were treated to a lecture on the famous mathematician who’d helped get NASA’s space program off the ground. Val’s expression said she was planning to have a good, long talk with her brother sometime in the near future, but she dutifully paid attention to Ebon’s excited speech.
Kit felt a little odd kissing Max goodbye in front of Val, but Max’s stop was before theirs and it would have looked more suspicious not to kiss his boyfriend. Once Max had left the train, Val scooted over to the seat next to Kit.
“He seems nice,” she said blandly, giving him a glare that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
“He is nice.” Kit glanced over to make sure Ebon was behaving himself, then smiled at his sister. “And I expect you to quit ragging me about my social life after this. I’ve done exactly what you said I should do, and you’ve got no reason to complain.”
“You haven’t even told him you’re in a band, have you?”
Kit winced. “The subject hasn’t come up.”
“I’ll bet he hates heavy metal the way I hate beets. What are you going to tell him when he wonders where you are Friday and Saturday nights?”
“I’ll deal with that when it comes up. He probably thinks I’m working at the restaurant.”
Val’s brows low
ered. “Kit, what if he thinks you’ve been lying to him? What if he says he could never date a rock musician?”
Kit kept his smile in place, though his heart dropped. He’d already thought of that. Max had made it plain he found that sort of music repulsive. What if he ran into one of their posters—or if Ebon or Val said something to make him suspicious? If they really were going to make a go of this, Kit couldn’t actually lie to the man. He’d have to break the news to Max someday…or quit the band, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for that big a step.
Fortunately, their stop was coming up—and Val’s apartment was two stops past theirs. Kit and Ebon said their goodbyes, but Val shot her brother a look that said she wasn’t finished with him. Kit tried to ignore the hairs on the back of his neck. As Ebon headed for bed, Kit relaxed on the sofa with his acoustic guitar. The inklings of a new song had been floating around in his head for a few days. Well, since that kiss if he must be honest. It wasn’t a heavy metal song at all, which was surprising.
Max didn’t make him feel like a rock song for some reason. With him, it was less like jumping up and dancing and more like being wrapped in a cozy blanket, feeling safe and secure in the middle of a scary world. No, this song wasn’t going to be something Radioactive would want to perform. He strummed a few chords, trying for a cohesive melody. He might need to borrow the school’s piano for this one. He was hearing something besides the guitar inside his mind. This might turn out to be an orchestral piece—something he’d not written since college. Max might be a pretend boyfriend, but he certainly was bringing out real emotion.
Chapter 14: Music in the Park
“Are you okay with all this?” Max whispered as he spread a blanket on the park’s lawn. His mother had already claimed a spot for her family, with a huge quilt loaded with two picnic baskets. The kids, including Ebon, were running off their excess steam with a bunch of the other kids waiting for the performance to start.