Better Than Beginnings: A Better Than Good Short Story Collection (Better Than Stories Book 5)

by Lane Hayes

  So no…the wave of unease didn’t come. I didn’t feel anything at all. Except maybe cold and irritated that I was freezing my ass off in a Christmas tree lot. Same as before.

  I continued down the aisle and called his name. He waved at me and pointed at the tree he’d propped up. The girl turned too, and I could have sworn I saw a flicker of recognition.

  “Here, let’s test this one, see what he says,” Aaron said to the girl. He was basically hidden behind a large noble fir that he propped from behind for me to critique. I gave the tree a once-over. It looked the same as the others.

  “Perfect.” I stuffed my hands deeper into my coat as the wind whistled down the aisle.

  “Ha! See I told you he wouldn’t notice this spot.” He set the tree where he found it and walked around to stand at my side and point at a small bald patch. That was when he noticed that his new friend’s attention was on me rather than the poor tree. “Do you know each other?”

  “I think I know you. You’re Matt, right? It’s been forever, but we went to Georgetown together,” she blurted, pushing her hair behind her ears before extending her hand. “I’m Allison.”

  “Hi, yeah. I remember. It’s been a while. I see you’ve met my boyfr—” I tripped over a cord and grasped her hand to avoid falling flat on my face. I apologized profusely and fumbled through a round of introductions. “Sorry…um yeah, we’re getting a tree for our place.” Awkward. “We need to get a move on, though. It’s cold, right, Aar?”

  “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were—” She stopped short, casting a confused look between us. I wasn’t sure where she was going with that. Maybe… “I didn’t realize you were freezing your ass off,” or “I didn’t know you were gay.” I didn’t care enough to ask, and I was grateful when Aaron took over. He was good at this sort of thing.

  “Don’t be sorry. Matt just agreed to do the heavy lifting. I guess this one will do. Nice to meet you,” he said a little too cheerfully before sauntering away.

  What the hell? I stared after him with my mouth open and my brow knit so hard, my head hurt. I didn’t get it. I was holding a fucking tree and standing next to a girl I hadn’t seen in years, who I happened to just come out to…and he walked the fuck away?

  I hefted the tree with one arm and smiled wanly at Allison. “Nice to see you again. Merry Christmas.”

  “Wait. I’m sorry. I hope I’m not being rude, but are you…are you with him? That guy who was just here…”

  “Yes, Aaron’s my boyfriend. I thought I mentioned it, but…” I shifted the tree to my other hand and nodded a good-bye, but she stopped me again.

  “I think you started to before you tripped. Um…so you’re gay?” She sounded curious, the way people are when they run into someone they used to know. Not judgmental.

  “Bi.”

  “I didn’t know. I mean, we only went out a couple of times, but I heard you had a girlfriend.”

  “No. Aar and I have been together for a while now.”

  She smiled. “Cool. He’s funny and he seems sweet. Best wishes to you both. Merry Christmas, Matt.”

  “Thanks. You too.”

  Aaron gave me a frosty once-over when I found him by the front register. I countered it with an overly bright grin.

  “Can we go now? This one is a good one, right?”

  “Sure, it’s fine,” he replied sullenly.

  I rolled my shoulders, hoping to relieve some tension, but it didn’t work. It skyrocketed when he set his hand on my elbow as I pulled out my wallet.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. But it’s my tree, Matt. I’ll buy it.”

  “No. I got it,” I insisted.

  I gave the attendant my card and threw a sharp look at Aaron. So “our” tree was now “his” tree. Hmm. What the hell had happened? It had to be Allison, or whatever her name was. I could have sworn she called herself Alli in college. Still. I’d introduced him as my boyfriend when he was standing there. Or I’d tried to. What was the deal?

  I paid for the tree and some mistletoe and garland he had stashed at the front too. We trudged to my car with our purchases and began the arduous process of tying the tree to the top of the car. Aaron followed my instructions, but he didn’t say much. A sure sign of trouble brewing.

  I blasted the heater once we were in the car and turned toward my sullen companion.

  “What’s wrong, Aar?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Try again. We got the tree. In fact, I’ve been freezing my ass off for over an hour to make sure we picked out the perfect one. This was not a snap decision. I didn’t hurry you or remind you that you told me you could do this in under thirty minutes, right?”

  “Right,” he muttered.

  When he didn’t continue, I growled in frustration before pulling onto the main street. “If this has anything whatsoever to do with running into that girl, I’m going to be pissed. I barely remember her, and I introduced you as my boyfriend anyway. So knock off the silent treatment. I fucking hate it,” I hissed. “And by the way, do not think I didn’t notice that you called me the manual labor.”

  I glanced sideways at Aaron, hoping for a clue. Any clue. I really needed a guidebook ’cause I was shit at reading his moods some days.

  “You’re mad,” he said softly.

  “Yeah, Aar. I am. To be honest, I think you treated me like shit back there because you were afraid I’d do it to you first.”

  He was quiet, and it was probably better that way. I was keyed up now. Being cold and hungry on top of pissed off was a dangerous combination. My instinct was to retreat, but I knew that was a bad idea. Aaron and I rarely fought. I hated being angry but worse, I hated feeling so out of my depth. I turned into our parking garage, glad to be home, though I wished the hostile air in the car would clear.

  He bit his bottom lip and fidgeted with his mittens nervously as he twisted to face me. “I’m sorry. I was wrong and I was out of line.”

  I inclined my head, then reached out to rub his chin. “Was it the girl?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. I know that. But God, did you notice how she looked at you? I mean, before she recognized you, her eyes were walking all over you. And when she said she remembered you in that…ugh, that tone. I saw red. I’m sorry.”

  “I accept your apology, but no, I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. I didn’t see her looking at me that way or using any particular tone, whatever that means. We dated maybe twice, years ago. But Aar…none of that matters. I’m with you. I couldn’t even remember her name, and I honestly don’t remember anything about dating her. It’s not fair to punish me for having a past. You said the same thing to me when that guy was all over you at your birthday party. I think you were setting up some scenario where you thought you’d look like an idiot and decided to put me in that position instead. Let me mess up for real before you start that shit. I promise you, you’ll be waiting a long time. I’m with you. You’re it for me. There isn’t a chance in hell some chick I barely remember is going to make me want anyone but you. Got it?”

  He nodded, still staring straight ahead.

  “All right. Let’s get this fabulous tree upstairs.”

  “Wait.”

  I groaned dramatically. “Aar, I’m cold, hungry, and just getting over being pissed off. Can we get the fucking tree upstairs and then talk? Please?”

  “Yeah, okay, but…”

  I growled and smacked my hand against my forehead before turning toward him and wrapping both hands around his neck. He giggled. It was a beautiful sound. A clear bell on a cloudy night kind of sound.

  “What is it?” I asked, kissing his nose.

  “I love you.”

  Wow. That would never get old.

  “You’re a pest, but I love you too.”

  He nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I guess that was our second fight. Neither of us does jealousy very well.”

  I chuckled. “Maybe not. Let it go. Wann
a decorate a tree?”

  We carried the tree into our condo, then pulled the decorations from storage. When we were finally home with everything he claimed to require to make Christmas magic, I helped myself to a huge bowl of the chili Aaron had made earlier for us, and an even larger glass of wine. I deserved it. Picking out the perfect Christmas tree was fucking exhausting.

  “This is good. Aren’t you going to eat?”

  Aaron circled the tree, making adjustments surely only he could appreciate. He looked up at me as if suddenly remembering I was there. Part of me wanted to joke that I’d been used for my brawn, but after our earlier argument, I wasn’t going there. Plus, I knew better than to assume for even a second that Aaron wasn’t capable of doing all this on his own. He was small, but there was nothing weak about him.

  “No, I’m fine for now,” he said in a distracted tone.

  Aaron turned on Christmas music and hummed to himself as he worked. He asked me to help string the lights and hang a few high ornaments, but otherwise he was guarded and kind of possessive over his masterpiece in the making.

  I fell asleep on the sofa and awoke later when Aaron threaded his fingers through my hair. He kissed my cheek and nuzzled my neck.

  “Come to bed, sleepyhead,” he purred in my ear.

  I stretched and made as if to get up from my prone position on the comfortable sofa. I decided it was too much work and pulled him on top of me instead. He chuckled but gave in and snuggled up. I tucked his head under my chin and closed my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t fall back asleep, though. I was too aware of everything about him.

  I ran my hands down his spine, dipping them under the elastic of his naughty snowman PJs and kneaded his bare ass. Aaron rolled his hips a few times before lifting his chin and fusing his lips to mine. Slow, sweet kisses morphed into something infinitely more passionate with twisting tongues and roving hands. He bit my chin as he swayed against me in a feverish quest for friction. I took the hint. I lowered his pajama bottoms over his ass, then traced his crack and massaged his hole.

  “Oh, fuck. More,” he moaned.

  I pushed my middle finger inside him and teased him a bit, pulling all the way out and tapping his entrance before adding another digit. I loved the blissed-out sound he made and the way he moved his pelvis like a pole dancer, fucking himself on my hand as he chanted my name and something that sounded vaguely like, “So good, so good.”

  “I want to fuck you, baby.”

  “Yes, do it. Please, Matty.”

  I smacked his ass, wordlessly requesting him to move. Aaron jumped up and slipped his PJs and T-shirt off. He opened the side-table drawer next to the sofa for some lube. There was a time I’d been amused at his funny habit of strategically stashing supplies in the back of a few drawers per room. Now I thought it was fucking genius. I undressed quickly, shucking my work clothes out of the way, then tossing the cushions off the sofa and spreading a throw blanket down. I stroked myself, squeezing my cock at the base as I watched Aaron finger his hole. His expression was a cross between concentration and pleasure.

  “Damn, you’re sexy,” I growled in a low voice.

  Aaron climbed over with a wicked grin, placed my thick cock at his entrance, and slowly lowered himself. I licked my lips and stared up at him, transfixed, as he took me in completely. He went still for a moment, allowing his body to adjust before gently rolling his hips as if testing his readiness. I could barely breathe. I felt overly warm, like I was about to combust. I willed myself to relax and let Aaron take the lead. He could ride me however he wanted.

  He rocked his hips a few times, caressing my chest and tweaking my nipples. When I groaned, he picked up the pace. His cock slapped my stomach as he gyrated like he was sitting on a mechanical bull at a cowboy dive bar. He flattened his feet on the cushions and slid up and down…faster and faster. He leaned back, bracing himself on my thighs as he moved in a frenzy. I smeared the precum dripping from his cock and held his gaze when I licked my thumb. That stopped him.

  “Oh, my God. Fuck me.”

  I obeyed. I grabbed his hips and bucked mine upward, setting one foot on the floor for better control. Aaron moaned and closed his eyes. I grabbed his ass and fucked him from below. But I needed to be deeper. I needed more control.

  “Get up. I want you on your knees,” I commanded.

  Aaron bit his lips and nodded before lifting himself off me. He got to his knees and held on to the sofa cushion, wiggling his hips seductively. I plunged inside him from behind, holding his shoulder with one hand and smacking his ass with the other. He went fucking wild.

  He braced a hand on the wall and jacked himself furiously. “Oh, fuck. Yes! That’s so—ungh…I’m gonna come.”

  He cried out a moment later, shooting cum over his fingers and the red blanket. And I was close behind him. My rhythm faltered as the first wave of pleasure hit. I wrapped my arms around Aaron and pumped my hips like a man possessed until I fell apart.

  It took a minute or two to catch my breath. I kissed his neck and his shoulders and carefully pulled out, replacing my dick with my middle finger. Okay, maybe it was a little weird, but I liked to feel my cum in his ass. He loved it, and I still couldn’t get over how fucking amazing it felt to be inside him with no barrier. I wiped my fingers on his ass, chuckling at the amused look he threw over his shoulder.

  “Stay here. I’ll get a washcloth,” I said, kissing his ear.

  “That’s okay. I’m gonna jump in the shower. Will you turn off the lights on the tree and lock up?”

  “Yep. Meet you there in a sec.”

  I stripped the throw blanket and tossed the pillows onto the sofa haphazardly. Then I picked up our scattered clothing and turned off the lights before joining Aaron in the bathroom.

  He smiled when I stepped into the shower with him. I grabbed the soap and lathered it between my hands. I washed his back and traced his crack, spreading his cheeks and gently rubbing my finger over his entrance.

  “God, that feels good,” he hummed. “I love the way you feel inside me.”

  “Fuck, I do too,” I agreed.

  Aaron turned in my arms and rested his arms over my shoulders. “I’m sorry about earlier. I hate that I got so…”

  “Jealous?”

  He nodded sheepishly. “Yeah. I know you love me, but…”

  “But what?”

  “You always tell me I’m beautiful, but you don’t seem to notice the way people look at you. Especially women. Sometimes I get these flashes of insecurity out of the blue, and it’s so not me. I hate it. I shouldn’t have done that tonight. I wish I could apologize to that girl. I wish I could—”

  “Hey, cool it. Let it go, Aar.”

  He laid his head on my chest. “Okay.”

  “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Of course not. You live here.”

  I smacked his ass, then squeezed it. “That’s right. This is my house, you’re my man, and that’s my cum in your…”

  He threw his head back and laughed when I stalled. I had all kinds of dirty thoughts going through my mind at any given time. But talking about them made me blush…and Aaron knew it. “Say it.”

  “Inside you.” I tugged his hair and crashed my mouth over his.

  Warm water sluiced between us as we kissed in a slow connection that was slightly possessive as though we each needed to stake a claim. When we broke for air, I brushed my nose against his, then turned off the water.

  We dried off and hurried to our room to snuggle naked under the thick duvet. I scooped him into my arms and chuckled at his theatrical sigh of contentment.

  “This feels good too.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  He was quiet for a moment, then he wiggled in my arms and whispered, “I’m never going to want a fake tree, Matty. Unless it’s realistic. But it would never really smell like Christmas. I guess I could be happy with pine-scented candles and cinnamon and—”

  I put my hand over his mouth. “S
hh. Go to sleep. We’ll talk about it next year, baby.”

  “Okay.” He was quiet for a moment. It didn’t last. “It’ll have to be seven to eight feet tall and I prefer a noble fir.”

  “Shh.”

  “Douglas firs are okay, but noble is my favorite.”

  “Shh.”

  “And no flocking. It’s fabulous, but not always in style, you know? I don’t want our kids to be mortified one day when you pull a tired, old white tree from storage. I can hear them now. ‘Daddy, can we get a real one?’ You’ll probably say yes, but we’ll look at each other and remember this tree…and this night and—”

  “Aar…”

  “—you’ll remember that I love you and I always have…even when I couldn’t say it with words.” He sighed sweetly, then yawned. “Night, Matty. Te amo.”

  I kissed the top of his head and swallowed hard. Fuck, I loved him.

  This wasn’t always easy, but it was so damn worth it. I loved that we’d started our own traditions. I loved that we already had stories to share. We had a long way to go, but I was grateful to be part of his narrative…even the crazy Christmas parts.

  7

  Better Than Engagement

  Part 1-

  My computer screen seemed brighter than normal this morning. That had to be why the words blurred and nothing made sense. Or maybe it was caffeine deficiency. I had two hours to read over a government contract before forwarding it to the Department of Defense. I needed to snap out of it and concentrate. There was no point in daydreaming about my warm bed or the sexy man I’d left there an hour ago. As if on cue, my cell phone vibrated on my desk.

  “Hi, baby. Why are you up? I thought you were sleeping till seven.” I swiveled my chair away from my computer and closed my eyes. Fuck, I wished I was with him.

  “I can’t go back to sleep. That was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’ve never done that before, Matty. You were so…forceful. But in a good way. A sexy way.”