Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “The man is a saint, putting up with your grumbly butt,” Lawrence returned, taking their glasses off the side table and leaving again.

  Theron chuckled. “Ahh… the one who’s threatening to have a clearance sale on your overflow of furniture.”

  “Yep. That’s him. He’s a bossy little pain, but damn good at what he does.”

  “He must be pleased you got rid of so much of the stuff.” Theron imagined that, with Aristotle furnishing his place, it had to be almost gone.

  “This doesn’t even put a dent in it. It’s been accumulating for years. Most is from when I was in Rhode Island. Even donating the bookcases to Treble Duo left a lot of them there. And all sorts of other things.” Aristotle was amused.

  “Wow.”

  “You can come by and see my barn of growing furniture, as Dalton calls it. He thinks they are like bunnies and mating to produce more.” Aristotle laughed. “Also, you can check out my workshop.”

  “I definitely will come to see them.” Theron rubbed his hand along Aristotle’s knee.

  “Dante wants me to talk with a friend of his who owns a store that showcases various artisans who create decorative items, including furniture makers.” Aristotle rolled his eyes. “Such a hoity-toity way of saying he sells knickknacks.”

  “What they both want is for you to be nice and go along with their plan.”

  “Yeah, I know. They are such pains in maneuvering me into doing what will work out to be a good thing. But they know I hate change.” Aristotle grinned. “I’m only planning to talk with this man Dante wants me to, but I know Dante. I’m betting he and Dalton already plotted to get some of my barn stuff to be shown at this man’s place.”

  “Just go along with it. They are gentle steamrollers.” Theron paraphrased what Dante had told him.

  “Humph. That’s what Dante likes to say. It’s anything but that. He’s a determined man when he sets his mind to it. That’s what makes him such a good lawyer.”

  “I’ve heard about him in action, but not seen it yet.” Theron thought of Jordan. “I hope he is very good at what he does.”

  “There is no one better.” There was pride in Aristotle’s voice.

  They fell silent, relaxing against each other. Theron picked up the remote and clicked off the DVD player. He flipped through the channels and found a show to watch.

  “Do you mind if I take a shower? I’m feeling a little grimy,” Aristotle said.

  Theron looked into his eyes, then commented, “I thought I’d have to talk you out of your clothes.”

  “Not necessary. It’s as I said. There is only so much a man can take.” Aristotle pressed his lips to Theron’s, before pulling back. “I’ve been thinking of all our kissing.”

  Theron smiled, because if it had the same effect it had on him, Aristotle was as horny as he was.

  “Go get your shower while I try to hurry them along.” Theron gripped his knee. “You’re spending the night.” It was a demand.

  “I planned on it. My overnight bag is in your bedroom.”

  Theron hadn’t noticed it, but he was pleased Aristotle had already planned ahead. He stood, holding out his hand for Aristotle, who took it and rose beside him. They walked to the bottom of the staircase and shared another kiss. Theron stayed where he was, watching Aristotle go upstairs, enjoying the view of his full ass—a butt he planned to be gripping really soon. When Aristotle made the left toward his bedroom and out of view, Theron went to the kitchen.

  “Come on, enough chatter. Hurry it up, guys.” Theron clapped his hands. “Chop chop gets it done.” He started giving them directions to get them moving.

  “Someone is in a rush,” Lawrence commented.

  They all laughed at Theron. He wasn’t amused and kept telling them what to do. In short order, he was at the front door watching them leave. Theron closed the door and headed to the stairs. He’d already closed up the house and set the alarm. In moments, he was standing in his bedroom doorway. Theron breathed out when he viewed Aristotle, with his lower body covered, lying down in the center of his king-sized bed.

  “Take a shower, then come to bed.” Aristotle put his hand behind his head.

  Theron opened his mouth to protest, then changed what he was about to say. “We should have taken one together.”

  “If we had, I wouldn’t get to fuck you in bed like I planned.” Aristotle partially lowered his lids over his eyes. “We’ll have shower sex another time.”

  “I plan on us having lots of sex, all over.” Theron walked toward the master bathroom door, stopping to look back at Aristotle. “We have lots of rooms to explore.”

  He went into the bathroom, pausing to look at the large tub he wanted to get Aristotle into, then hurried to the glass-enclosed shower. Theron quickly cleaned up, imagining Aristotle in the shower with him. They had lots of room to get very creative. Theron gripped his erection, then let go and got out. He dried off quickly and went back into the bedroom.

  Theron gripped the doorway, his knees going weak as he viewed Aristotle’s naked form. He’d pushed off the covers and was tugging on his hard cock. All Aristotle’s delicious muscles were on display. Theron walked toward him in a daze, moving to the foot of the bed. He gripped Aristotle’s ankles, unable to get his fingers completely around them. Theron smoothed his hands out on the thick lower legs, deepening his touch.

  “Theron.” Aristotle’s voice rumbled out his pleasure as he arched into his touch.

  Touching was his favorite part of sex. He climbed onto the bed between Aristotle’s spread legs, continuing the journey up his body, digging his nails lightly into Aristotle’s thighs. They moved beneath the touch as Aristotle clenched and relaxed them. Theron ran his fingers through the hair on Aristotle’s groin, but didn’t touch the shaft with precum glistening on the tip. He moved up along the top of his groin, then up to the stomach, tracing the ridges of the muscles there, and up his rib cage. Aristotle didn’t form any actual words, but his sounds rose with each touch, and he moved into it.

  Theron paid special attention to Aristotle’s nipples, squeezing them lightly, then more firmly, enjoying each rise of Aristotle’s voice, that catch of breath. He smoothed up Aristotle’s neck, then along the throat, lying against him to reach. Finally, he traced Aristotle’s features, then rubbed fingers on his lips. Aristotle rocked against Theron, his erection pinned between them, coating their bellies with precum. Theron went to sit back, but Aristotle caught him, holding him tight.

  “Let me… please,” Theron whispered.

  Aristotle’s arms clenched briefly, as if he were reluctant to let him go, and then he lowered his hands back to his sides. Theron sat back on his heels, focusing on that thick erection he couldn’t wait to touch. With a firm grip, Theron stroked his thumb over the tip, pressing at the slit.

  “Theron!” Aristotle bucked, almost unseating him.

  Theron held him, working his cock, moving faster as he touched each inch of it. With his other hand, he reached under, and Aristotle shifted to give him access. He touched that puckered skin, running his fingers along it, then inside. Aristotle moved between the hand on his shaft and the one in his crease. Theron shuddered, wanting him. He released him and lay over Aristotle, kissing him hungrily. Aristotle opened wide, sucking in his tongue, moving against him, holding his ass.

  “In me now.”

  Aristotle blinked. “You’ve got me all ready. Fuck me, Theron.” He handed him the condom and lube that lay beside him.

  Theron noted there was another beside it. “I want you in me later.”

  Theron kissed him fiercely, then sat back, donning the condom, slicking it with lube and coating his fingers, then pushing into Aristotle, who clenched, then relaxed on his fingers. In quick motions, he touched Aristotle, enjoying the feel of him. Theron pulled out, then lined up his cock and pushed in. Aristotle braced his feet on the bed and moved to counter him. They set a fast, deep, and hard rhythm. Each clench of Aristotle around Theron’s shaft was sweet agon
y and utmost pleasure. Sweat dripped off his face as Theron moved, shaking with the need coursing through him. Theron braced his arms on either side of Aristotle on the bed, getting more leverage, snapping his hips faster. Aristotle gripped his ass tight, moving with him.

  “Theron.” His deep voice was almost incoherent.

  “Aristotle,” Theron moaned, staring at the fierce pleasure on his face.

  They rocked together, striving for release. Theron’s sac went tight, and he grunted as he came, shuddering against Aristotle, then slumping against his big body.

  “My turn,” Aristotle growled, then rolled Theron beneath him.

  Theron watched, bleary-eyed, as he put on a condom and lube. Aristotle lifted his leg, then pushed in a coated finger, then in moments moved into place. With a sound of need, Theron took him in.

  ARISTOTLE PUSHED into his clenching hole, stilling his shaking as Theron took him in. With slow motions, he moved in and out. Theron’s hair was spread under him and his head thrashed on the bed.

  “Aristotle,” he whimpered.

  His name, coupled with the sounds Theron was making, made the shaking in his limbs increase. Aristotle shuddered as Theron dug his nails into his ass, holding him tight. Theron kissed him with wanton demand. Moving with those same slow thrusts, Aristotle lost himself in the sensation of them together. All his senses were engaged and overwhelmed with finally having Theron. His own desire to go slow was why they hadn’t been together already, but now that he was here, Aristotle enjoyed the connection that waiting had created. It was the deeper feeling of being with a man he had come to know, one who had come to mean so much to him in such a short time. Theron worked his crease over his cock, making him shake, and then his release came, catching him unaware.

  “Theron.” He shook, filling the condom, wishing he were inside of Theron with no condom between them.

  Aristotle collapsed, but braced himself on his arms so he didn’t crush Theron.

  “I can hold you. Rest on me, Aristotle.” Theron ran his hands up and down his sides.

  Taking him at his word, Aristotle let himself relax fully. Theron let out a pleased sound, slowing his caress. Aristotle was overcome by being with Theron. He wasn’t sure if he liked the feeling coursing through him. From the time he’d met Theron, he knew there would be a change in his life. He didn’t like change. Yet he’d been unable to resist getting to know Theron. There was something so alive about him, as well as innately warm and welcoming. He gave off such an easygoing air that you couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Aristotle had witnessed it with the kids who all vied to be around him. They talked about Doctor T so much. They all idolized him. All Aristotle wanted was a way to make him his in each and every way. He already knew Theron was very focused on his job at the center, and anything they had would have to work around that. It was important. He just had to convince Theron he understood the importance of what he was doing. Aristotle yawned, rubbing his face into the side of Theron’s neck, inhaling deeply before sleep claimed him.

  Chapter Four

  ARISTOTLE RAN the plane over the wood, then picked up his chisel, put it down, and instead used his blade to work on the finer detailing of the design. Bluesy jazz played through the speakers from his stereo. He paused, frowning, remembering that Lawrence had come by yesterday to say the computer system he was building would also come with a new stereo system that would be wired throughout his workshop, with speakers built into various walls and the roof for better sound. He hadn’t protested too much, since he loved music when he worked. The building of a computer and programming it was what bugged him. Knowing Lawrence, he’d want to show him how to work it. All Aristotle cared about was knowing how to check e-mail and getting through things he needed to run his business. All the other crap, he didn’t need to know.

  He decided to wait and see what happened when Lawrence was done with whatever he was doing. Aristotle focused on his project, getting lost in the delicate motions. His music cutting off caught his attention.

  “Dalton, what have I told you about messing with my music?” Aristotle glared toward Dalton’s entrance from the office to his workshop.

  He couldn’t see him through all the tools and various projects, but knew it was him. Only Dalton would be here this time on a weekday and have the balls to turn off his music.

  “Ignore his nasty attitude. He gets like that when he works.” Dalton Monroe came into view.

  He was in his usual type of dress—a T-shirt with some saying with a jacket over it, and jeans. As usual, he was barefoot.

  “Shoes when in the workshop.” Aristotle fingered the knife. “One day you’re going to get a splinter in your foot, and I’m going to hold you down and dig it out.”

  “Not on your life, you big oaf.” Dalton narrowed his steely blue eyes. “Like I would let you near me with a knife. Look at you, stroking that blade like that. People will think you’re a psycho or something.”

  “Only for you, my little demon assistant,” Aristotle returned, looking at what he had done on the wood.

  “You have that meeting Dante set up. We have to leave in ten minutes so we’re not late,” Dalton said.

  “Yes, I know, as I’ve said a million times. You don’t have to remind me every fucking moment.” Aristotle saw where he would make the next piece of the design. “I don’t know why you have to go with me. I can get there on my own.”

  “And as I said to your million rude words about my going—deal with it, buddy. I’m like a slime sticking to you. You’re not leaving without me,” Dalton said cheerfully.

  Aristotle blinked, then started to laugh. “Slime. I like that. I’m going to remind you of that.”

  “I know you will, you disagreeable man.” Dalton snorted rudely. “I don’t know why I even work for you.”

  “Ah… it’s that time again. Just write yourself a raise.” Aristotle waved his hand, not caring.

  “If I were a crook, I’d make my salary a million dollars a week and you’d go broke in a few months.”

  “Humph. That wouldn’t happen, because I have smart brothers who taught me to diversify my investments, so that would take time. At least a year.” Aristotle glared at Dalton. “And I do review my finances and would notice your generous raise.” Aristotle grinned. “Besides, I trust you. And beyond that, I would sic Taggart on you.”

  Dalton didn’t respond to his statement. Instead he said, “Ten minutes. No time for nookie.”

  “Ew… I don’t want you.” Aristotle wrinkled his nose.

  Dalton lifted his nose. “As if you would be that lucky.”

  He strode back out of view.

  “I’m lucky already! I have Theron!” Aristotle called.

  “Glad you’re feeling lucky,” a familiar voice answered, and then Theron came into view.

  “Dalton, you’re slacking! You could have said we had guests!” Aristotle lifted his voice.

  “He’s not a guest! He’s your boyfriend!” Dalton returned in a loud voice that was moving away. “Ten minutes. Wait. Now it’s eight. Don’t make me have to come get you!” Dalton warned.

  “Aggravating man,” Aristotle groaned at Theron, rising from his seat.

  “Sit, sit.” Theron came closer to him, looking around. “This is an interesting place. Dalton showed me the big and smaller barns. All I can say is, wow, you weren’t kidding about them. They’re like a warehouse of furniture.” Theron stopped before him, stepping between his spread thighs where he sat on the low stool. “You and Dalton are funny.” Theron’s brow wrinkled. “I’ve never met him before, but I swear he looks familiar.”

  “He’s related to Taggart and Grayson. Their cousin,” Aristotle said. Taggart was a police officer who was a liaison with the center.

  “That’s it. His features and eye color are like them, but his hair is black. Until I took the job at the center, Grayson and I worked out of the same fire station, although he was an investigator and I was an EMT. I didn’t know him all that well.” Theron’s brow smo
othed out. “I heard he moved to Texas.”

  “Yep. A place called Encounters. Taggart misses his little brother,” Aristotle said.

  “I didn’t even know they were related.” Theron paused, then said, “Then again, as I mentioned, I didn’t know Grayson that well. And I only know Taggart through the center, and what I’ve heard from my friend who works with him.”

  “You’ll get to know him. We’re good friends.” Aristotle smiled. “In full disclosure, we did date very briefly when I first moved to Mapson, but we didn’t suit each other. Became better friends. He’s one of my best buddies.” Aristotle lowered his voice. “And Dalton. But don’t tell him I said that. It’d make his head swell.”

  “I know you love me.” Dalton stuck his head around the armoire, grinning. “Six minutes left. Better get to kissing, because that’s all you’re getting until later.” Dalton left again.

  “He has ears like a bat and likes to sneak up on people!” Aristotle yelled. “Which is not nice, Dalton!”

  “I’m not nice, Aristotle!” he returned in an equally loud tone.

  Theron chuckled. Aristotle put his hands on his hips.

  “I missed waking up with you this morning.” Aristotle pulled him closer.

  Theron had too. From Sunday to today, Wednesday, when they weren’t working, they spent all their time at Theron’s house and went to bed together. Aristotle’d quickly gotten used to waking up beside him.

  “I did too.” Theron straddled his lap. “But I was needed at the center. I ca—”

  “Whoa. You don’t need to explain. I understand. Just wanted to let you know I missed you,” Aristotle murmured, kissing him.

  Theron leaned on him, returning it. Aristotle held his ass, rocking Theron against his erection. Theron moaned into his mouth, arms wrapped tight around him.

  “You all look so hot together. But time is up.” Dalton spoke, and then pulled Theron away from Aristotle.

  Theron looked at Dalton. “You’re strong.”

  “Tsk, tsk. You should know not to underestimate someone because of their size.” Dalton looked up and down Theron’s lean frame, then to Aristotle. “How many times have you lifted someone like him”—he gestured to Aristotle—“when you were working as an EMT?”