Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “No problem, kid.”

  “I’m onto you. You call me kid when I compliment you, or you’re trying to get a rise out of me,” Bernie said.

  “I have no idea what you mean, kid. Time for bed.” Tomas picked him up.

  “I can walk.”

  “And I can carry you. Let me carry you to our bed, honey,” Tomas said.

  Bernie put his head against Tomas’s shoulder, and Tomas carried him into the house. He placed him gently on the bed, then slid in next to him and pulled the quilt over them. Tomas tucked him against his body. Bernie drew in the scent of him.

  “We’re going to find Dillard. I hope he’s okay.” Bernie’s heart clenched.

  “I’ll help. I’ll talk with Miguel in the morning.”

  “Wilbur said he’d take care of it,” Bernie said.

  “Don’t know about him just showing up like that.” Tomas grunted.

  “He said someone sent him a letter that brought him here,” Bernie admitted.

  “Who, and what’d it say?”

  “He doesn’t know. And it showed that my parents are not just sadistic, they’re greedy,” Bernie said bitterly.

  “What do you mean?”

  Bernie shrugged.

  “Have you ever talked to someone about what happened to you?” Tomas asked hesitantly.

  “I told you I hadn’t. I just told you.” Bernie frowned.

  “Not when you were a child. I mean a psychologist. You need to talk all this out with someone,” Tomas said gently.

  “I can’t.” Bernie pulled away.

  “You don’t have to decide tonight. But you need to deal with what happened to you. Think about talking with someone.” Tomas held him gently.

  “I’ll think about it,” Bernie replied stiffly.

  “Don’t be pissed. I’m just….” Tomas trailed off.

  Bernie sighed and hugged him. He knew Tomas was concerned. And he was right, but Bernie wasn’t ready to deal with it now. Tomas kissed the top of his head.

  “Sleep.”

  “I don’t know if I can,” Bernie said.

  He was drained, but his mind was filled with everything that had happened. Bernie listened to Tomas’s heartbeat as Tomas continued to stroke along his back. Slowly, Bernie relaxed.

  WHEN BERNIE went boneless, Tomas withdrew slowly. Bernie made a sniffling noise. Tomas stopped. When he resettled, Tomas slid off the bed and went to the chair, collapsing onto it. Gripping his hair, Tomas closed his eyes that burned with unshed tears. The horror of what Bernie had revealed still echoed in his mind. He swallowed, stifling the urge to vomit. The thought that someone could do that to another person, let alone their own child, was reprehensible.

  Opening his eyes, he studied Bernie. With all he’d been through, it was amazing he still had that sense of innocence. Bernie hadn’t even been bitter. He had told him in such a mechanical and cold way. Detached from it. It was as if he’d slipped into a shell to protect himself. Bernie might not want it, but Tomas would make sure he got help to deal with the abuse he’d suffered.

  A sound made him stand. Going out the bedroom door, he went to the living room. Standing in the doorway, he observed Bur, who was standing looking out the window. In the low lighting, Tomas could make out some sort of tattoo that covered the expanse of his bare back.

  “You know, when I left, I used to hate. Hate him for making me feel so guilty for leaving him there.” Bur shrugged into his T-shirt.

  “Is that why you’re back? For revenge? I won’t let you hurt him.” Tomas strode into the room.

  Bur turned to him. “If anyone hurts him, I’ll bloody well skin them, then mount them on my wall.” He gestured with the lollipop he had then put it back in his mouth and studied Tomas. The cool analysis was unnerving.

  “Then why are you here?”

  “Redemption and revenge.” Bur made a motion with his hands. “Being Bernie’s brother again. Hoping he’ll forgive me for being so weak and leaving him. Revenge for what they did to Bernie when we left. They need to pay. To almost kill him… those bastards.”

  “How’d you know about that?” Tomas demanded.

  “I heard. They couldn’t just leave well enough alone and take what they were given.” Bur sounded anguished.

  “What are you talking about?” Tomas asked.

  Bur’s face went shuttered. “Nothing.”

  “You and your brother like to say that a lot. You both need to get psychological help,” Tomas said in frustration.

  “I’ve been there and done that. I’m fine.” Bur laughed.

  “But not together with Bernie. You need to go jointly.”

  Bur sobered. “I’ll do it for him.”

  “Good. Then maybe you can help me convince him to go.”

  “I’ll try.” Bur cocked his head to the side. “You don’t seem to like me, yet you’re talking to me about this. Why?”

  “I don’t know you. But I’d do anything for Bernie. And if you fuck with him, I will kill you,” Tomas said calmly.

  “Fair enough,” Bur said.

  Bur turned back to the window. Tomas joined him.

  “Why aren’t you with Bernie?”

  Tomas shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “Me either.” Bur rubbed his hand through his hair.

  “How about watching the SyFy movie?” Bernie asked.

  Tomas looked at him, startled. He hadn’t heard Bernie come down the hall. “You should be asleep.”

  “I was, but I missed you. Let’s watch that SyFy movie.” Bernie sat on the couch.

  “SyFy?” Bur asked.

  “Yeah, and what of it?” Tomas replied in a tone daring him to say anything about his choice of movie.

  “Nothing. I enjoy it too. Which movie is it?”

  He told him.

  “Haven’t seen that one.”

  “Tomas likes to make commentary about it,” Bernie said.

  “Is it snarky?” Bur asked.

  “Is there any other way to watch SyFy?” Tomas asked.

  “Nope.” Bur chuckled.

  Tomas went over and sat next to Bernie. Bernie leaned his head on his shoulder. Bur sat in the chair.

  “Come sit here, Wilbur,” Bernie said, patting the space next to him.

  “Bur,” he corrected as he moved to sit next to Bernie.

  Tomas turned on the TV and started the movie. He and Bur kept up a running commentary that had Bernie laughing.

  Chapter Seven

  TOMAS OPENED the bedroom door to the low knock. Spotting Bur, he went out, pulling the door closed.

  “What’s up?”

  “Wanted to let Bernie know I’m heading to the hotel to get my stuff. I’ll be back in a few hours,” Bur said.

  “He’s asleep. Be back by one so we can head to the poker game.”

  “What game?” Bur asked.

  “We have a weekly game. And you’re coming.”

  “That’s not a question,” Bur replied, his tone snotty.

  “I know. One o’clock,” Tomas said.

  “Why’re you inviting me to a poker game?”

  “Bernie would want you to come.” Tomas shrugged.

  Bur looked unconvinced, but said, “One o’clock.”

  He went down the hall. Tomas followed, locking the door after him. He went back to the bedroom. He lay next to Bernie, putting his arm over his waist.

  “Nice of you to ask Bur to the game,” Bernie said sleepily.

  “You wouldn’t want to leave him here alone. So he’s coming,” Tomas said.

  “We have a few hours.”

  “Yeah. You hungry?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll make us something to eat.” Tomas moved away.

  “I’m not hungry for food.” Bernie pulled him back and straddled him.

  Tomas looked at him, startled. Bernie leaned over and kissed him. Tomas held him away.

  “What’s wrong?” Bernie looked confused.

  “Are you okay?” Tomas asked.
/>   “I’m f….” Bernie trailed off. He frowned and was silent for a bit, then spoke. “I’m not going to brush off what happened last night. Wilbur being back feels weird. And now we’re going to look for Dillard. I didn’t think I’d ever see them again. I know I have to deal with what happened to me in my childhood. And to be the man who is worthy of you, I will. I’ll ask Alejandro for a recommendation.”

  “Get this you’re-not-being-worthy shit out of your head, kid. Te amo, Bernie. That has no restrictions.”

  “I realize that. And it’s your support that will get me through this.”

  “Get us through this. It’s us,” Tomas corrected.

  “Us. I like the sound of that,” Bernie whispered.

  Bernie leaned down and kissed him, and Tomas opened his lips. Bernie stroked his tongue inside his mouth, and their tongues dueled lazily. Bernie undulated over him, making Tomas gasp. His cock leaked as Bernie set up a steady motion, rubbing their cocks together. Tomas held his ass, grinding up against him. Bernie moaned against his tongue. Sliding his hand along Bernie’s crease, Tomas spread his cheeks and pushed his finger against his hole.

  Bernie pushed back against the digit, moaning as Tomas scissored in and out of him. Bernie shifted across Tomas, then brandished the lube. Tomas held up his hand and Bernie coated his fingers. Tomas put his hand back and rubbed his finger on Bernie’s slit. Moaning, Bernie lowered his lids, biting his lip. A blush stained his cheeks. With each push of Tomas’s fingers inside him, Bernie’s breath hitched. He rode Tomas’s hand, squeezing his fingers.

  “Yes… Tomas… I need….”

  “I’ve got what you need, honey,” Tomas whispered.

  Bernie moaned. Tomas spread the lube over his hole. Bernie slid down his body, licking along his chest. Tomas cupped the back of his head as Bernie suckled his sensitive nipples. Tomas shivered, moaning. Bernie swirled his tongue down the center of Tomas’s chest. His teeth scrapped along the flat plane of his stomach. Clenching the muscles, Tomas writhed.

  “Tastes so good. Different tastes here… here… and ummmm,” Bernie murmured against his skin.

  Tomas shuddered. Bernie’s hot breath fanned along the top of his cock. Wet heat engulfed him. Tomas arched back. Bernie swooped down onto his cock, sucking him down. The heated cavern of his mouth felt so good. Bernie made a humming sound. Tomas’s balls tightened. Bernie swirled his tongue along the top of his head. His tongue pushed into the hole, lapping up the pre-cum. Tomas arched, sacs tight.

  “Ugghhhh…. What the hell?” Tomas roared as his orgasm stilled.

  Bernie held the base of his cock. He raised his eyes.

  “Not without me.” Bernie looked impish.

  “Let me cum,” Tomas growled.

  “When I’m ready,” Bernie said.

  Tomas slapped his hand against the bed. Bernie chuckled and licked his cock. Tomas watched his hollow cheeks as he suckled him. The pressure and wet glide against his cock made his gut clench. He rocked inside Bernie’s mouth. Bernie widened his mouth and wrapped his fingers around his cock, jerking his erection. Tomas thrust into his mouth, pleasure rising inside of him. His balls went tight and he moaned. Pressure clamped down on the base of his cock again.

  “Motherfucker. Come on,” Tomas whined.

  “In me.” Bernie licked the head of his cock.

  Tomas jerked him up. He knelt, pulling Bernie over him. Spreading Bernie’s cheeks, he rubbed against Bernie as Bernie gripped his shoulders. Aiming, he pushed into Bernie’s wet heat. No matter how often he had taken Bernie bare since they had gotten their clean results, the feel of being inside of Bernie without anything between them still overwhelmed him. He groaned. Bernie tightened around him, rising up and down. Holding him, Tomas spread Bernie’s legs. Clenching his fingers, Tomas moved him against his cock.

  Bernie licked the side of his face, then said in a raspy voice, “You like me tight on you… the clench of my ass. Is that what you like?”

  Tomas grunted. It drove him nuts when Bernie talked dirty. He thrust harder. Bernie gripped his head and pulled it back. His eyes locked with Tomas’s.

  “Should I tighten around you… like this? Or grind myself on you? How about I ride you hard?” Bernie’s tone was pure devil.

  Tomas whimpered as Bernie matched action to words. Bernie continued to talk and act out what he said. Each word drove Tomas higher and higher. Bernie was merciless as he rode him. Tomas shivered and held on. Bernie licked along his ear, then whispered into it. “Cum for me, Tomas,” he demanded.

  Tomas quivered. His cock pulsed, filling Bernie. Bernie moaned, and wetness coated Tomas’s stomach. Smacking Bernie against him, Tomas kissed him hungrily. Bernie moaned, sucking his tongue.

  “Let’s see how fast I can talk you into coming without any stimulation.”

  “Oh boy. The mind is willing, but I don’t think I can come again so soon,” Tomas groaned.

  “I bet you can.” Bernie smiled wickedly.

  He rose up off Tomas and pushed him back. Tomas shifted his legs and spread out.

  “I’m gonna make you cum a few times before we have to go,” Bernie promised.

  “Are you?”

  “Uh-huh.” Bernie lowered his lids, leaving only a flash of pale green eyes.

  “That’s cheating. You know what that does to me.” Tomas’s cock went rock hard.

  Bernie chuckled wickedly.

  “IT’S EERIE how much they look like,” Malik said.

  “I can’t believe Bernie has a brother. Hell, two brothers, and he never said a word.” Alejandro sounded confused.

  “What are his motives for showing up so suddenly?” Miguel asked suspiciously.

  Tomas was pleased to hear him ask.

  “He looks familiar for some reason.” Hector sounded speculative.

  “Hello. He looks like Bernie. Well, except for the piercings, red-tipped hair, and that accent,” Malik replied.

  “That’s not what I meant. I could swear I’ve seen him somewhere before. I wish Simon were here. He’s much better with faces,” Hector said.

  “When will he be back?” Alejandro asked.

  Tomas didn’t listen to the response. He touched Miguel’s arm and motioned for him to follow him. He went through the kitchen and outside. Absently, he noted that Malik had finished building the brick grill on the back deck. It took up the whole left side.

  “What’s up?” Miguel asked.

  “I want you to see what you can find out about Wilbur,” Tomas said, knowing Miguel would have access to more info since he was a cop.

  “And is Bernie in agreement with this?” Miguel sounded surprised.

  “He doesn’t need to know. Unless you find out something about Wilbur. I don’t like him just showing up like this. He claims that he received some letter and doesn’t know who it’s from,” Tomas said.

  “Really? Who would send him a letter?”

  “I don’t think there was a letter. I think Wilbur found Bernie on his own. This letter is a convenient excuse.”

  “What do you think he wants?” Miguel asked.

  “He claims he wants to reconnect with his brother. But I don’t know if that’s true. Bernie is too trusting.”

  “I’ll look into it and let you know what I find,” Miguel said.

  “Good. Can you also check to see if you find anything on Dillard?”

  “Sure. We’ll look out for Bernie. Make sure this Wilbur isn’t some kind of crook or out for something.”

  “Yeah. I’m going to keep an eye on him,” Tomas said.

  They headed back inside. Wilbur was laughing with Bernie, Robert, and Alex. Wilbur looked over at Tomas. He smirked, then went back to talking with the men.

  “He and Bernie act like they’ve never been apart. Wilbur fits in so easily,” Miguel said.

  Exactly. Too easily.

  TOMAS DRUMMED his thumb on the steering wheel. Humming with the radio, he was in a good mood. It was rare he had a Wednesday off. The job had wrapped up early for th
e day. He was heading over to Bernie, who had stayed home for the day. His cell rang.

  Tapping his Bluetooth, he said, “Hello.”

  “Tomas, where are you?” Miguel sounded grim.

  “I’ll be at Bernie’s in ten minutes.”

  “Good. I’ll meet you there,” Miguel said, hanging up.

  Tomas frowned. As far as he knew, Miguel was on duty. Tomas was surprised Miguel had found out anything so quickly since it had been five days, including Saturday, since he asked Miguel to check Bur and Dillard out. In moments, he pulled up in front of Bernie’s. Miguel pulled up right behind him. Miguel got out of his squad car and came over to the truck. He got into the passenger side.

  “I checked into Wilbur. I don’t know what he’s into, but I got a call from a man named Francis who said he was Bur’s solicitor. He said that if you wanted to know anything about Bur, to ask him directly. It was basically a warning to back off,” Miguel said.

  “What the hell?” Tomas scowled.

  “That’s not all. Moments after that one, I got another call. Some woman told me Dillard didn’t appreciate inquiries on his whereabouts. That if anyone was looking for him, to stop. She wouldn’t tell me who she was. Just told me to stop, or she would report it to my superiors. Made it clear she was talking about the head of the police force. What the hell is going on? Who the hell are Bernie’s brothers?” Miguel asked.

  “I don’t know. If Dillard doesn’t want to be found, then fine. But as for Wilbur, that I’m going to find out,” Tomas promised.

  He hadn’t actually seen or heard anything to match his suspicions that Wilbur was after more than renewing relations with his brother. Yet in his gut, he felt there was something off about Bur. Grabbing the bag next to him on the seat, he got out of his Avalanche. Miguel came over to him.

  “I’ve gotta get back on duty. Call me with what you find out.”

  “I will.” Tomas waved and went up to the door.

  He tried the door, then shook his head when he found it unlocked. Going in, he went to the kitchen. Not spotting anyone, he went back out. Hearing voices, he went across the living room. Pausing, he placed the bag on the side table and then went down the hall toward Bur’s room.