by Andrew Grey
Reggie chuckled. “You better not, because this—” He looked down at both of them. “—is going to bring on a load of God knows what, and we’re both going to need all the strength we can get.”
“So there is an us?” Willy asked.
Reggie pounced, capturing Willy’s lips as he wound his arms around him, holding tight. “You better believe it. I’ll fight the very hounds of hell if it means keeping you safe and in my arms. The town, your father, and everyone else be damned. That is, if you’ll have me.” Reggie’s stomach clenched and he held his breath.
“Have you? I wanted you that first night, and dammit, you made me wait so long. Of course I’ll have you.” Willy tugged open Reggie’s shirt, buttons flying in every direction.
“That was a uniform shirt.” Reggie looked down at what was left of it.
“Did I destroy police property? Are you going to have to lock me up and throw away the key?” Willy had a weird sense of humor. He giggled as he held out his hands. “Put the cuffs on me and take me in.” He fell back on the bed.
Reggie shrugged off his shirt, and Willy’s giggles died away. Reggie watched his throat work, swallowing hard, as he closed the distance between them to capture Willy’s lips, pressing him back onto the bed. Reggie’s control snapped. He delved deeply into Willy’s mouth, taking what Willy gave and giving it back to him. He managed to slither out of his pants, groaning softly when Willy lightly bit his lower lip, adding roughness, earnestness, even desperation. Willy clutched him close, fingers digging into Reggie’s back as he devoured as much of Willy as he possibly could.
He worked the last of Willy’s clothes off, then removed the last of his own. “You are stunning. Have I ever told you that?”
“Once or twice,” Willy said with a smile. “But I like hearing it.” His eyes darkened, and Reggie closed the distance between them once again. Willy wound his legs around Reggie’s waist and groaned as Reggie cupped his smooth butt in his hands. Few things were more exciting than Willy as he put himself in Reggie’s hands.
Reggie liked being in control; it made him feel safe and secure. But there was nothing like the sounds Willy made when he was turned on, soft whimpers and moans that grew louder when Reggie worried that spot at the base of his neck or tweaked a nipple until he could hardly breathe. And when Reggie slid his lips down him, taking all of Willy’s slender, long cock into his mouth… no song was ever as sweet or stirring.
“I want it all,” Willy said, gripping the bedding. “All-the-way sex.”
Reggie stopped. “Are you sure?” God, just the thought of being buried inside Willy’s tight heat had his cock leaping for joy, but he didn’t want to rush.
“Yes!” Willy cupped Reggie’s cheeks. “Please. I want to feel you from the inside.”
Reggie’s breath hitched. He fumbled with the drawer of the bedside table, dropping the first condom on the floor and rummaging for another. He found the lube and then finally got his fingers around another foil packet, leaving the drawer where it was because he’d probably slam it shut with enough force to knock the lamp to the floor. It had been a long time since Reggie had been a virgin, but he felt like one tonight. His palms were sweaty, and his hands shook a little as he opened the lube, spilling more than he meant to on his fingers.
“I want to make this really good for you. If it hurts at all, just tell me and I’ll stop right away.” He teased Willy’s opening, slowly sinking a finger into him. Willy grew still, and Reggie bit his lower lip until Willy gasped and groaned.
“Oh God.” He clamped down on Reggie’s finger, shivering a little.
Reggie took his time, listening to every breath, studying each moan and shake, watching as Willy arched his back, keening softly.
“I’m ready, please God, I’m ready.” Willy drew him down into a kiss, deepening it quickly. “Don’t make me beg. I will if I have to.”
“I don’t want to rush,” Reggie said as his leg shook. He’d been ready for a while, his cock pointing to the ceiling, each of Willy’s cries sending a wave of desire racing through him. With shaking hands Reggie reached for the condom, rolled it down his length, and slicked himself well. He knelt between Willy’s legs, locking their gazes together, and slowly entered him.
Reggie’s chest ached, in the best way possible, as the trust and love that shone in Willy’s eyes nearly overwhelmed his senses when combined with Willy’s heat surrounding him. He had to go carefully, even though every fiber of instinct pushed him forward. He had to take it slow. This was for Willy, to make sure he was happy. Reggie’s own words echoed in his head about Willy being with someone who would make his first time special. At that time, in the parking lot of the club, he had never dreamed that weeks later, he’d be the one Willy trusted to take care with his first time.
“What are you doing?” Willy asked, pulling Reggie out of his thoughts. “Don’t stop.”
“I was just thinking about you.” Reggie grinned and kissed Willy, holding still inside him, letting him adjust, and catching his own breath. “Something I’ve been doing a lot lately.”
“Yeah. Me too. I think about you all the time.” Willy groaned softly as Reggie began moving once again. This time his eyes rolled back and he gasped. “Damn….”
“I know.” Reggie moved slowly, rolling his hips and making sure he kept pace with Willy’s breathing. “You’re driving me out of my mind.”
“Me? You’re the one with the rolly hips and the dick that keeps touching me in places I didn’t know existed. Holy crap, you’re making me see stars.” Willy clung to him, and Reggie placed his hand in the center of Willy’s chest.
“I know this is new, but I want you to look at me, feel me.” Reggie took Willy’s hand, placing it on his chest. “I can feel you. It’s like you’re part of me.”
“I know.” Willy held still as Reggie closed the distance between their lips. “I wish we could stay like this forever. When I’m with you, no one can touch me and I feel strong.”
“You are strong. You proved that today.” Reggie blinked back the moisture that filled his eyes. “I want you to stay with me. I want to look after you and have you look after me. I know it’s awfully soon and we have a lot more we need to learn about each other, but that’s what I want.” He rolled his hips. “I want to sleep with you at night and wake up next to you. I want so many damn things, but I can’t seem to think of what they are right now.” He smiled and kissed Willy hard, driving them both toward the pillows. He’d tried using words to express what he felt and wasn’t sure if he’d been successful, so he let his body do the talking, and if Willy’s moans and whimpers were any indication, his message was getting through loud and clear.
“I love you, Willy,” Reggie whispered as he reached the limits of what he could take. He was determined that Willy reach his pleasure first and held off by the skin of his teeth.
Willy groaned loudly, his body stilling, and then Willy’s euphoria as he tumbled into release yanked away the last of Reggie’s control and he careened into his own powerful orgasm.
Pink clouds carried him away, floating blissfully for a few seconds. As awareness returned, Reggie smiled, his joy increasing. Willy grinned up at him, his eyes half-lidded, looking debauched and so completely beautiful that it took Reggie’s breath away. No words came to mind; this was too big for mere words. He was completely in love with Willy Thomas.
Reggie blinked to make sure this wasn’t some sort of dream. Thankfully it was real, and he slowly climbed off the bed, took care of things, and returned with a cloth. Reggie lovingly cleaned Willy up, tossed the cloth and towel back into the bathroom, and climbed into bed.
“What do we do now?” Willy whispered.
“Sleep.” Reggie wound his arms around Willy’s waist.
“I mean, about my dad, the people in town, everything?” Willy rolled away from him. “I think I really messed up.”
Reggie tugged him closer. “We take things one step at a time. Don’t worry about your dad or the people in t
own, or anything else. Your dad will be who he is, and so will the good folks of Sierra Pines. The important thing is that you chose to be who you are. That you don’t want to live a lie… and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”
“Why?” That question was back. Reggie was quickly coming to believe that the day Willy stopped asking would be the day he died, and that was perfectly fine with him.
“Because you’re here with me.” Reggie kissed Willy’s shoulder. “You did all that and then you called me.” He held him tighter. “I’m in love with you. It’s that simple. And I meant what I said. I will protect and care for you, and I’ll move heaven and earth to make you happy, because you’ve made me happy.”
“But how did I do that?”
Reggie closed his eyes, searching for an answer. Only one came to him. “I had these rules about how I was supposed to live my life. Be the sheriff here in Sierra Pines, and be a gay man everywhere else. But that pretty much sucked. I wasn’t myself and I wasn’t happy. You made me happy, and you are here with me.” God, he wasn’t even sure if he could explain it. Reggie knew he’d made a poor job of it. “Just relax and try to get some sleep. I know there will be repercussions and everything else on the horizon.” But for right now, Reggie had what he truly wanted, and he wasn’t going to let go if he could help it.
“But I have to ask, what if they fire you?” Willy bit his lower lip, and Reggie did his best to kiss the nerves away.
“Then I’ll get another job, and I’ll just have to hope that you’ll come along with me.” That was the only answer he had that didn’t break his heart into a million pieces.
Chapter 11
GETTING OUT of bed after spending the night with Reggie had been nearly impossible. Reggie had to go in to the station, and Willy needed to go to the store for work. What Willy really would have liked would have been to hole up at Reggie’s for a few days and hide from everything and everyone.
“Good morning,” Mr. Webster said as Willy met him at the back door to open up. “Is everything okay?”
Willy shrugged. “I took your advice. I know you were right, but I was honest with my father and now I have no idea what’s going to happen. He isn’t going to be happy, that’s for sure.”
“Where did you stay?” Bless Mr. Webster for his concern. He unlocked the door, and Willy followed him inside.
“With Reggie.” Willy closed the door and locked it from the inside. “I wasn’t sure where to go. My friend Tony is in town, but he’s staying with his family, and I knew I could count on Reggie.”
Mr. Webster smiled. “That’s because he cares for you, and you for him. Part of building a relationship is having someone to rely on. So what is it that’s bothering you, besides your father?”
“It hasn’t been that long. I met Reggie a few weeks ago, and now I came out to my dad and everyone in town is going to know. People will be talking about me, and who knows what’s going to happen? Reggie is great, but what if he realizes I’m just some kid and he meets someone better and…?” Willy forced his mouth closed because he was rambling like an idiot. “I need to take a chill pill and stop everything from running in circles.”
“Did you talk to Reggie?” Mr. Webster asked as he turned on the lights.
Willy opened the office door and paused before going in. “I don’t know what to say.” After last night and all the amazing things Reggie had told him, he didn’t want to ask a bunch of questions that made it seem like he had doubts.
Mr. Webster chuckled. “You kids. Everything is a big production and so full of angst and worry. Just tell him how you feel. I doubt a man like that is going to be upset or afraid. In fact, my guess is that he’ll answer your questions as best he can.” He passed Willy and sat in one of the office chairs. “What if he feels the exact same thing? Everything isn’t going to be perfect for you or for him. There’s a lot going on with his work, your work, and all the family drama.”
Willy sat down, his leg bouncing. “I love him and I’m still scared.”
“If you weren’t, I’d be worried. My advice is to talk to him and take things one step at a time.”
“What about my dad?” Willy said as someone knocked on the back door. Willy jumped up and went to open it. “What are you doing here?” he asked Reggie, who was a sight in his full sheriff’s uniform.
“I wanted to bring you a key to the house.” He set it in Willy’s hand, and Willy nodded, looking at the small piece of brass.
“Thank you.” Willy wasn’t sure what else to say. “Ummm….” He stepped back, and Reggie came inside.
“We can talk about anything you want to, but I wanted you to know that you have a place to stay and that you can come and go as you need to.” Reggie checked his watch. “I only have about five minutes before I have to be at city hall for a meeting. But don’t worry, okay?” He hugged Willy, cradling him in his arms. “Just relax and try not to worry. Things will work out as long as you want them to.”
Willy nodded. “I do. That’s what scares me. Stuff doesn’t work out very well for me.”
Reggie smiled. “Then maybe things are about to change.” He didn’t move, just holding him for a minute, and some of Willy’s inherent nervousness slipped away. “Text me if anything happens.” Reggie released him and moved away. “I have to go.” He took Willy’s hand, teased his palm with his fingers, and leaned closer. “I meant what I said last night.”
“I know. I love you too.” Saying the words made Willy feel so much better. “I have to get things together so we can open.”
Reggie nodded. “I know you’re nervous, but remember who you are and what you did. That took guts.”
“Amen,” Mr. Webster said from the office, and Willy grinned.
“I’ll see you tonight.” Willy took a deep breath, letting go of a little more of the nervousness. Reggie was in this right alongside him. He wasn’t alone. He had friends and people who cared, even if his family turned away, which he fully expected to happen.
Reggie hugged him again and then left. Willy closed the door and returned to the office to prep cash for the registers.
“You’re smiling,” Mr. Webster teased, clapping him on the shoulder. “Remember that feeling when things get a little tough and you’ll be just fine.” He left the office, and Willy finished the opening procedures and got the registers ready. Mr. Webster completed the rest of the tasks and opened the store as Willy got to work.
He spent his morning with his numbers and computer programs, getting everything up to date. Mr. Webster brought in some sandwiches, and Willy ate at his desk, then spent the afternoon working on the sales floor, building a display of snacks in preparation for the weekend’s games.
“Willy.”
He knew that voice. “Hey, Mom,” he said quietly, turning around and catching Ezekiel as he ran at him.
“I missed you,” Ezekiel said.
“I missed you too.” Willy returned his hug and set him down once more. “How are…?” He wasn’t even sure what to say.
“Sweetheart, go pick out one candy bar for yourself and one for Ruthie.” She sent Ezekiel off and turned to him. “You worried me when you left. Are you safe?”
“Yes, Mom. I’m fine. I have a place to stay with Sheriff Barnett. He’s a really good man, and he cares about me.” Willy hugged her tightly. “I couldn’t stay there with Dad. I hope you know that.”
She hugged him back fiercely. “I do. Your father doesn’t like to admit it, but he has a temper and….” She clutched him even tighter. “I let him get away with some of the things he did because I was scared of him too.”
“I’m not scared of him anymore, and I won’t let him dictate the rest of my life. I’m out on my own now and that’s how it’s going to stay. I have a job, and maybe I’ll get an apartment. Reggie gave me a key to his house, and I really like it there with him. He’s a special man.” Willy stepped back as the bell on the front door rang with a customer. This was a place of business, after all.
“I h
ope so.” She held his hand. “Your father and I have been talking a lot, and things have to change. We both went into a holding pattern after Isaac died, and I don’t think either of us broke out of it. We’ve been grieving for years and it’s time we stopped. I want to, but I don’t know if your father has figured out how he can do that.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue to dab her eyes.
“You have to, for Ruthie and Ezekiel. They deserve a life that’s more than regimen and going to hell. They need fun and laughter. We all do.” Willy squeezed her hand. “And, Mom, they deserve the chance to be who they are. Whether Dad agrees with it or not. So do I, and that’s what is going to happen.” He sighed. “Please tell Dad that if he wants to talk, I’ll listen, but he’s going to have to come to me. I will not seek him out.” He hugged her again and waved at the boxes. “I need to get back to work.”
“Please come to dinner,” she said. “I want to be able to see you.”
Willy nearly nodded. “I’ll think about it. But is that invitation only for me or for Reggie too?” His mom didn’t answer. “Think about it.” He turned as Ezekiel came running up the aisle with two bags of M&M’s in his hands, grinning. That was a real treat for him, and he was excited.
“Be good.”
“Will you let me read you a story tonight?” Ezekiel asked.
“Not tonight, but soon, I promise.” Willy turned to his mother, and she nodded. He knew this was hurting her and that jabbed at him. “I can’t go back to the way things were. I just can’t.” He hoped she understood. “He can be so overbearing, and I have to go my own way. No matter what he thinks.” Then he went back to work, realizing just how much he had to lose.
WILLY WAS scheduled to leave the store at five, but Mr. Webster was super busy, so he stayed on, watching the sales floor and helping customers.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Tony asked quietly as he approached. “You finally did it.”