Ben groaned, rutting against Jason. “Want my cock in your ass?”
It clearly turned Ben on to hear things out loud, and a frisson of power snaked down Jason’s spine. “Yes. Fuck me, Ben. I want your cock in me. Stretching me, filling me. I want all of it. All of you.”
Ben practically growled, and Jason found himself bent over the counter, Ben on his knees behind him, spreading his ass. Licking the crease. Gasping, he thought, Good thing I had a shower last night.
Ben’s laughter huffed against his tender flesh, and he realized he’d said it out loud. Then Ben’s tongue found his hole. He coated it with saliva, licking and kissing and poking inside as Jason clung to the counter and tried not to moan too loudly, incredible sensations pulsating through his body. He pressed his forehead to the mirror, glimpsing his red face and wet lips, desire-dark eyes.
He inhaled sharply as Ben’s slick finger slid inside him. The pressure burned beautifully, and Ben added a second finger. Jason’s whole body was on fire. “Fuck me.”
Standing, Ben’s teeth grazed Jason’s earlobe. “How about you fuck yourself?”
“Huh?”
His ears rushed with so much thick, heavy want that he wasn’t sure he’d heard right. But he understood when Ben stretched back on the bathmat on the floor and urged Jason to straddle him.
Ben rolled on the condom and slicked it, then guided Jason to sit and press down. “Take only as much as you want.”
Inch by glorious inch, Jason impaled himself on Ben’s cock, controlling his descent, his body flushed and alive, muscles flexing. He leaned over to kiss Ben messily, their tongues seeking.
Having Ben inside him was the sweetest pain he’d ever experienced, and soon he was fully impaled, pubes brushing his ass. “Ben,” he moaned.
“You’re beautiful,” Ben whispered. “This is what you’ve wanted all these years, isn’t it? What you’ve denied yourself.”
Jason could only nod, throwing his head back as he rolled his hips, experimenting with different angles before lifting a few inches up and back down, fucking himself, his hard cock leaking, Ben’s fingers digging into his hips.
He met Ben’s dark, lustful gaze again. Jason was open and vulnerable, Ben so deep inside him, seeing him laid bare. But this time he felt wild and free. He didn’t fight his emotions—love and trust and pure primal pleasure vibrating through him as he found just the right spot.
Jason wasn’t going to last, and he took hold of his shaft. “Want me to come on you?”
A flush spread all the way down Ben’s chest as he bit back a cry, ramming up forcefully, bending his knees and digging in his heels as he fucked up into Jason. “Yes. Give me your cum. Want it all.”
Jason stroked himself roughly, meeting Ben’s thrusts. He wanted to yell, but the walls were thin, and there was something strangely intimate and powerful about their whispers and hushed moans, the air thick with sex.
Pain and pleasure truly became one, and Jason came with a strangled moan, turned inside out as he splashed over Ben’s chest, the thrill of giving Ben what he craved adding an extra dimension to the power of Jason’s orgasm. Ben thrust frantically, shaking and groaning as he emptied himself into the condom.
Head back on the mat, mouth open, Ben smeared Jason’s semen over himself, and Jason helped with the dirty finger painting before dropping his head to Ben’s collarbone, panting. They had to move and clean up, but not yet.
A minute turned to five, giving way to lazy kisses. Bumping and laughing in the small tub, they showered, then wrapped themselves in towels. Jason brushed his teeth, then looked at himself in the mirror. He liked what he saw. Who he saw. Behind him, Ben kissed his shoulder, wrapping his arms around Jason’s middle.
“Dad?” Maggie knocked at the door. “Are you suddenly becoming a morning person? I always get to pee first. Hurry up, I have to goooo.”
They laughed, and Ben squeezed Jason tighter. “We’re getting our own bedroom and our own bathroom.” When he moved to step away, Jason threaded their fingers together, just for another heartbeat.
Ben was right. Jason was grabbing happiness, and he was never, ever letting go.
EPILOGUE
“Mmm.” Ben shifted and stretched his legs, smiling at the sensation of Jason’s soft lips and light stubble brushing over his shoulder.
“Happy birthday,” Jason murmured, pressing up behind him, his erection poking Ben, hot and hard against his bare ass.
“Now it is.” Grinding his hips back, he reached down and stroked himself. “Do you think we can squeeze it in? Pun entirely intended.”
Jason pulled Ben onto his back and slid on top, both of them moaning as they kissed slowly, waking up their bodies and waking up to the day, the soft glow of sunshine through the half-open blinds already warm on Ben’s skin.
Tongues exploring, they rubbed together, legs tangled, breathing faster. Ben cupped Jason’s head, running his fingers through Jason’s mess of hair. He pushed up with his hips and whispered, “Want to play cowboy and go for a ride, baby?”
From the hallway, Maggie called, “Are you guys up? Come on. I have to get to school eventually, and there are presents to open!”
Ben groaned. “This tradition of opening gifts at the crack of dawn needs to be revisited.” He called back, “Coming!” before grumbling under his breath, “Or not, as the case may be.”
“Oh, you will. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.” Jason nipped Ben’s ear, his breath hot. “I’ll ride you so hard you’ll—”
Dylan’s wail pierced the dawn stillness, echoing in stereo over the baby monitor. Ben sighed. “Hold that thought, because I’m going to hold you to it tonight. As God is my witness, we are going to have sex.”
Dylan cried louder, and Jason rolled out of bed and stepped into track pants before tugging on a tee. “How about you hold me to it this afternoon? Mrs. Leung down the street agreed to babysit. I’ll come out to the park, and you can take a break. Out in the woods.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Why, Jason Kellerman. Are you suggesting we go off the trail?”
He opened the door and winked over his shoulder. “I know I’ll be in good hands.”
Ben stretched back on the mattress, arms over his head and toes pointed. Dylan’s cries tapered off, and Jason’s low lullaby murmured over the monitor, his voice as bad as ever as he warbled the campfire song about barges Ben had taught him and Maggie years ago.
After pulling on a tank top and flannel pajama bottoms, Ben headed downstairs, hardwood smooth under his bare feet. At the bottom of the stairs, he paused at the framed picture Jason had drawn of him and Maggie that day on the Road to the Sun. The crinkles still showed in the faded paper, but Jason’s pencil strokes were strong and true.
He couldn’t imagine what his life would be without Jason and Maggie. A terrible ordeal had cemented their bond, but they’d survived it. Not simply survived—thrived and grown stronger together.
He swallowed thickly and laughed at himself. He always got a little emotional on birthdays. With a tap of his fingers on the wooden picture frame, he walked on. Maggie still saw a local therapist every month, and was one of the most remarkably well-adjusted people Ben knew. They’d never forget Harlan Brown, but he was a speck in the rearview mirror.
Ben walked into the open-concept kitchen and squeezed Maggie’s shoulder on his way to the coffee machine. “Morning.” A bigger dining room spread out beyond the granite-topped peninsula, along with sliding doors to the wide verandah, where Ben’s rocking chairs sat, dew glistening on the faded wood.
At the little round kitchen table where they usually ate, Maggie had gathered a few gifts and cards, the rising sun highlighting her long, golden hair. “Hey. Happy birthday!” She held up a box with an artful eye-roll. “From Brad and Tyson. Probably something super pretentious and ‘zen’ or whatever now that they’ve discovered Buddhism. They’re so enlightened, don’t you know.”
Ben laughed. “Oh, I know. They mean well.”
H
olding Dylan, Jason appeared and strapped him into his high chair at the kitchen table. “Just as long as we never have to chant at dinner again. A simple grace will do me.”
“And me. Good thing we only see them about once a year.” Ben poured a cup of coffee from the pot that brewed automatically every morning, inhaling the rich, bitter scent deeply. “Next time they come through they’ll probably be wearing those red string bracelets Madonna used to.”
“Who?” Maggie asked.
Ben pulled out his chair beside hers. “Ha, ha. You were singing along to her new song on the way home from junior rangers last night.”
She held up a cream-colored envelope. “This one’s from Grandma and Grandpa. Probably money. Nothing from Uncle Tim, but he’ll send a text just before midnight when he remembers at the last second.”
Jason sat and sipped a mug of coffee. “But we love him anyway.” He screwed the lid on a sippy cup and helped Dylan slurp. “Should we start with cards?”
Maggie thrust a brightly wrapped box toward Ben, her eyes bright. “No, open mine first.” Biting her lip, she tucked a long leg under herself and fidgeted, toying with the fraying hem of her pajama top. Ben still couldn’t believe how much she’d grown. She was almost thirteen and a real teenager, as she liked to remind them.
He shook the surprisingly light box, which didn’t seem to have much inside. Was probably a gift card under a pile of tissue paper. “Hmm. Is it that new super-super-super high-def TV?”
Maggie tilted her head and gave him a look. “Ha, ha.”
“Lawn mower? Oh, come on. You know I’m funny. Dylan thinks I’m funny, don’t you, buddy?” He reached over and tickled his little feet.
Dylan gurgled with delight and kicked, slapping his palms on the tray of his high chair. His dark hair stood up on end the way it always did, bedhead or not. After a two-year adoption process, they’d picked him up at the agency in Brazil six weeks before, and Ben still had to pinch himself.
He ripped the paper to reveal an old Amazon box. “Okay, what do we have here…” He opened the cardboard folds, and inside there was indeed a pile of tissue paper. He pulled it out, throwing it up in the air so it drifted down, Dylan clapping his pudgy hands.
There was a letter-sized piece of paper at the bottom, probably a printout of a gift card, as he’d guessed. He pulled it out, realizing it was several pages and stapled. Reading the words printed on top, his heart skipped.
“I mean, if you want.” Maggie watched anxiously.
Ben hoarsely read out loud, “State of California, application for adoption of a child.” He didn’t try to stop the tears that flooded his eyes as he looked between Maggie and Jason, who blinked away tears of his own. Ben was so full of love he could barely breathe. “Yes. Yes, I want this so much. Are you sure, sweetheart?”
Maggie nodded and sprang forward to hug him. He held her so tightly, and they cried as Dylan watched in puzzlement, Jason wiping his cheeks.
When Maggie sat back, rubbing her eyes and sniffling, she said, “You’re already my dad in every way that counts, so I want it to be official. And I want to call you that too. Dad, I mean. Or will that be weird?”
“Weird?” Ben could only laugh, joy shining in him like the sun through the oaks in the backyard. “Maggie, it would be the greatest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Okay. Dad.” She laughed too, and Jason joined in, Dylan drumming his heels.
Ben reached over the table for Jason’s hand. “I can’t believe I have a husband, a daughter, and a son. Thank you.”
Jason squeezed, their gold bands digging into their skin. “You haven’t opened my present yet.” He passed over a slim package. “It’s going to pale in comparison, but…”
“Nonsense.” Ben tore away the wrapping. “I’m sure it’s—” He stared at the title of the storybook. The words Road to the Sun arched over a drawing of… “It’s us,” he breathed. “Our family.”
He recognized Jason’s smooth lines and soulful artistic expression in the mountains soaring into blue sky behind them—Jason, Ben, Maggie, and baby Dylan cradled in Ben’s arms. With trembling fingers, he opened the book.
“Maggie helped me write it,” Jason said. “It’s our story, but in a magic kingdom.”
Grinning like a fool, Ben turned the pages, reading the tale of Prince Jason, Princess Maggie, brave knight Ben, and Dylan, the little lord. On one page was a recreation of the picture at the foot of the stairs, only this time he and Maggie wore old-fashioned garb. In the end, they all slayed the evil dragon and built a beautiful castle deep in the forest.
Ben traced the pages with his fingertips. “This is gorgeous. These drawings are exquisite.”
Cheeks flushed, Jason shrugged, beaming. “Professor Atherton had one of his friends at a publisher print it as a one-off. He said they really liked it. They do kids’ books, and they want to talk to me about an internship. Part-time, so I can still be here with Dylan most days.”
“Really?” Maggie bounced in her chair. “You’re almost done with school, so that would be perfect!”
Jason held up a hand. “We’ll see what happens. I still have two credits, and it’ll take a while doing them only at night. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
“Fair enough,” Ben agreed. “But that’s a very encouraging sign. Right, Dylan?” He tickled those pudgy, squirmy feet again. “Now who’s hungry? Do I get birthday pancakes?”
The smell of sizzling bacon soon filled the air, Jason at the stove as Maggie stirred the batter, telling them excitedly about her idea for a school project on butterfly conservation. She detailed her plans to track the alpine butterflies in Yosemite as Ben spooned steel cut oatmeal and pureed peaches into Dylan’s mouth, the vast majority of it seeming to drip down his chin and get all over his sticky hands.
Jason was right—they shouldn’t get ahead of themselves. Because they were in the most perfect, beautiful place.
The End
Afterword
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Ends of the Earth. I hope you enjoyed it! I’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to leave a review on BookBub, Goodreads, or wherever you’d like! Just a couple of sentences can help other readers discover the book.
Thank you again. Wishing you many happily ever afters!
Keira
<3
P.S. Keep reading to check out some more age-gap romances!
Flash Rip
On Australia’s hottest beach, the most dangerous current is between them.
Training to be a lifeguard is tough work, but Cody Grant loves a challenge. He spends long days in the sun and surf rescuing swimmers from treacherous rip currents while trying not to lust after senior lifeguard Liam Fox—who is deeply, painfully closeted.
Liam was supposed to be a football legend. Now in his mid-thirties, it’s been over a decade since his dream shattered along with his knee. Fans still recognize him regularly, and he’s terrified his sexuality will be discovered and his conservative parents will reject him. He has strict rules to protect his secret and keeps everyone at arm’s length. Liam never acts on his need to surrender after being shamed for it years ago by the first and only man he trusted.
Out and proud Cody fascinates Liam—and tempts him to break all the rules.
Cody is practically half Liam’s size and age, but has the confidence and compassion to take charge and give Liam the release, affection, and acceptance he desperately craves. But how long can a secret affair satisfy their hearts? As if saving lives isn’t hard enough, Cody faces his greatest challenge yet convincing Liam to trust him and find the courage to live out loud.
Flash Rip is an M/M gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring a slow burn, an age gap, scorching first times, and of course a happy ending.
Honeymoon for One
The wedding is off, but the love story is just beginning.
Betrayed the night before his wedding by the supposed boy of his dreams, Ethan Robinson escapes th
e devastating fallout by going on his honeymoon alone to the other side of the world. Hard of hearing and still struggling with the repercussions of being late-deafened, traveling by himself leaves him feeling painfully isolated with his raw, broken heart.
Clay Kelly never expected to be starting life over in his forties. He got hitched young, but now his wife has divorced him and remarried, his kids are grown, and he’s left his rural Outback town. In a new career driving a tour bus on Australia’s East Coast, Clay reckons he’s happy enough. He enjoys his cricket, a few beers, and a quiet life. If he’s a bit lonely, it’s not the end of the world.
Clay befriends Ethan, hoping he can cheer up the sad-eyed young man, and a crush on an unattainable straight guy is exactly the safe distraction Ethan needs. Yet as the days pass and their connection grows, long-repressed desires surface in Clay, and they are shocked to discover romance sparking. Clay is the sexy, rugged man of Ethan’s dreams, and as the clock counts down on their time together, neither wants this honeymoon to end.
Valor on the Move
He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.
Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef.
It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.
Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.
Ends of the Earth: Gay Romance Page 22