Jeb was in the kitchen, and Kevin smelled onions grilling. He heard the distinctive sizzle of meat grilling. Jeb glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “I had a hankering for a burger.” He turned back to the stove and flipped the patties. “There’re some tomatoes in the basket next to the fridge, how about you cut them up.” Jeb nodded toward a cutting board and knife sitting on the table.
“Sure. That smells great. I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.” Kevin found the tomatoes, set one on the cutting board and started slicing. He had to look closely at his work, making slow, precise cuts to the tomato.
He sat and watched Jeb toast the burger buns, then he put thinly sliced pieces of white cheese on the burgers. “I hope you like provolone cheese.”
“Yeah, sure,” Kevin said.
“Mushrooms?” Jeb waved at the patties with the spatula.
Kevin grinned. “Hell yeah.”
Dipping his head to the refrigerator Jeb said, “In there.”
Kevin pulled the cardboard box of mushrooms from the refrigerator and sliced several before scooping them up and dropping them in the pan with the onions Jeb had sautéing. It didn’t take long before they were sitting at Jeb’s kitchen table, enjoying freshly grilled burgers, washing them down with iced tea.
Between the hot shower and filling meal, by the time Kevin ate the last bite of his late-night meal he was yawning and his eyelids were drooping. Jeb stood up and took the plates, setting them in the skink.
“I’ll clean this up in the morning. Let’s get you settled for the night. You look beat,” Jeb said. There was no point in Kevin arguing and he didn’t want to, he was exhausted.
Kevin followed Jeb down the hall to the spare bedroom. “Thanks again,” Kevin said. The room was sparsely furnished, but functional. There was a bed, night table, dresser and a treadmill. Jeb crossed to the window and shut the blinds before pulling the drapes closed as well. The extra blanket and pillow Jeb had retrieved earlier was sitting on the bed.
“Everything will work out all right.” Jeb put one hand on Kevin’s shoulder and squeezed. Kevin watched while Jeb unfolded the blanket, tossed the pillow to the head of the bed and then turned down the bedclothes. “Sleep well and holler if you need anything.” Kevin’s shoulder was given a slight squeeze as Jeb walked by and out the door.
Kevin pushed the door partially closed, switched off the light and climbed under the covers of the bed. The mattress was much nicer than his and the pillows were soft and comfortable. He rolled to his side and gave no effort at all to staying awake. Kevin was safe here, it felt right and he had that ‘at home’ sort of feeling.
There was smoke and noise, a lot of noise. Everything was confusing and the racket intensified until Kevin’s thoughts were drowned out. Heat and smoke filled the space he was in, threatening to consume everything in its path.
Shouting and screaming was all around him. Everyone’s voices blended together into one tone and they all sounded like Kevin.
Kevin jerked awake and sat up so fast his head spun. The voice shouting had been his own. He didn’t know where he was, he was lost in a fire. No matter which way he ran he couldn’t find a way through the smoke highlighted by bright flames. One flame broke free of the main body and rushed toward him. The entire area where Kevin stood, helpless was engulfed in a light that flooded in and surrounded everything close to where Kevin stood, trembling. He was lost and alone, having no idea where he was. Finally he woke up more and his brain kicked into gear. It was then he remembered he’d come home with Jeb. He was in the spare bedroom of Jeb’s house.
The light was coming through door to the room, now all the way open. The large, dark wave of smoke wasn’t smoke at all. Jeb rushed inside heading straight for the bed and Kevin. Without missing a beat Jeb sat on the bed, pushing himself close to Kevin and gathered him into a secure hold all in what seemed to be one movement. Kevin’s response was immediate and without thought. He dropped his head to Jeb’s shoulder and relaxed against his bigger body.
“Hey, it’s okay. Bad dream. You’re safe, all the people got out of the building.” Jeb brushed one hand over Kevin’s hair and he could swear Jeb softly kissed his cheek.
Kevin shivered uncontrollably and got his arms around Jeb’s waist, pulling in even closer. He sat there, feeling Jeb’s steady breathing and smelling his clean scent, taking comfort in being held. “Crap, I was dreaming.”
“I told you that fire will mess with your head.” Jeb drew him in even more tightly.
“I—damn, I—” Kevin used a shaking hand to run through his hair and over his face. His body shuddered again, more violently, then again. He turned so he could press against Jeb even more and commanded himself to stop crying like a baby.
“Shh…it’s okay. We’re safe here.” Jeb was holding Kevin with one hand and doing something with the other. In the next instant they were both wrapped in one of the warm, thick blankets. Jeb leaned back and pulled Kevin with him. “Get some sleep. I’m here,” he murmured softly.
The tremors coursing through Kevin’s body eased and lessened. Eventually he fell asleep with Jeb holding him. When Kevin woke up the sun was streaming through the window. The drapes and blinds had been opened, as well as the window. Fresh air blew in, making the drapes flutter ever so slightly. Like earlier it took his brain a few seconds to orientate itself and then it clicked, he wasn’t in his dingy, crappy apartment, he was at Jeb’s house.
Movement, probably Jeb getting out of bed, opening the window and leaving the room must have been what had woken him. Jeb must have slipped out of the bed, but not too long ago. When Kevin put his hand on the spot beside him it was still warm to the touch. Stretching, Kevin twisted his torso side to side and stood up. He moved his arms in wide circles, they popped, indicating his joints and stiff muscles were loosening.
After a few minutes of bending and stretching Kevin went into the hall and looked up and down. He heard the shower running in the bathroom and Jeb’s deep voice humming loudly and off key. The door wasn’t completely closed and he thought about walking in, but didn’t.
He ran his fingers over the spot on his cheek where Jeb’s lips had brushed over so lightly the night before. Kevin could almost convince himself he’d dreamt that as well, but he knew he hadn’t. A slight tingle worked its way from his fingertips along his arm and down his spine. His reaction wasn’t sexual exactly, it was more of a mix of physical excitement and emotional awakening. He felt warmth spread through him and yes, it cause a bit of interest from his cock. This was more of a feeling of acceptance and love.
He loved Jeb, he had to come clean about it with the man. Kevin owned it to them both to confront his feelings and let the chips fall where they may.
“Morning,” Jeb said. He wandered down the hall wearing only a pair of board shorts, little drops of water trickling down his chest and creating tiny rivers in the spaces between his ribs. He looked down and wiped his hand over his torso, snorting a small, soft, self-conscious laugh. Kevin swallowed and cleared his throat, turning away when he realized he was staring. Jeb smiled. “We need to talk.” He walked briskly to the kitchen. “But, first I need coffee.”
Kevin followed Jeb and sat at the table watching him make coffee. “Thank you for letting me stay here last night. I’m sorry if I was a bother.”
Jeb set a mug of coffee in front of Kevin and a cream and sugar bowl on the table before he sat in the chair opposite Kevin. “You were no trouble, but I’m afraid I might have crossed a line.”
Kevin looked down for a minute, studying the liquid in his mug. “I sure didn’t think I’d be that affected. It wasn’t like anyone was hurt.”
“It’s human nature to be afraid of fire. I think it’s in our best interests,” Jeb said with a shrug. “And I’ve found in my case something like that hits you later, after you’re out of danger. Delayed reaction seems to also be in our collective best interests.”
“You didn’t… I….” How was he going to say this? “I liked it. Not the f
ire, that would be sick, but you… what you… how you took care of me. No one ever did anything like that for me.” Kevin looked up, meeting Jeb’s gaze. “Did you ask me to your family function only because you didn’t want to go alone? And do you really check to see if I get to work okay just because I’m one of your fighters?”
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Jeb said in a quiet voice.
“You didn’t. I think I’m just confused,” Kevin admitted. “I never thought about loving another man. This whole thing sort of took me by surprise.”
Jeb reached across the table and took Kevin’s hand for a few beats. “Is that how you feel about me?” His expression was definitely one of hope, Kevin decided. That made him feel good and excited in a totally unexpected way. The second Jeb let go Kevin felt the loss of contact deeply.
Kevin nodded. “You know in books and movies, it’s always this big thing, who you are attracted to and why. I knew a few guys in school who are gay and it was always huge for them. They’d tell me how they knew from the time they were little that they were turned on by other guys, not girls.” He stopped, took a sip of coffee and shrugged. “This wasn’t like that.”
“Sort of snuck up on us,” Jeb said.
“You’d really be interested in someone like me?” Kevin asked and inwardly cringed by how that came out sounding.
Jeb smiled. “I am interested in someone like you. And I could ask the same. I’m pushing forty and you’re barely old enough to vote.”
Kevin reached across the table holding his hands out, palms up. Jeb rested his own hands in Kevin’s. At the same time they each closed their hands around the other and squeezed. Standing up, Jeb leaned over the table. At the same time he side stepped around until he was in front of Kevin.
Still holding both of Kevin’s hands, Jeb coaxed him closer until their bodies were so close Kevin could feel the heat rising off Jeb. Twining their fingers together Kevin took that last step forward so he could lean against Jeb. The man was a tall slab of rock hard muscle. His chest was broad and comfortable all at the same time. Kevin easily could feel there was another part of Jeb that was rock hard as well.
Breathing in deeply Kevin stretched up to meet Jeb’s lips. Their mouths brushed ever so lightly against one another for a few seconds. Jeb tasted of toothpaste and coffee. It was sexy. Letting go of one of Jeb’s hands, Kevin slid his arm around Jeb’s waist so he could get even closer. The heat between them made Kevin dizzy. Kevin could feel every movement, every inhale and exhale Jeb made.
Jeb released Kevin’s other hand. That hand went to Kevin’s hair, his fingers combing through then tangling with his longish strands and gripping hard. It was exciting, being held like this. Kevin’s cock strained against the sweatpants. He swayed his hips side to side, rubbing against Jeb’s thigh. He loved how Jeb’s muscles twitched wherever he came into contact with Kevin’s raging hard dick.
Kevin hooked one arm around Jeb’s neck and tugged down. Closer, he had to get them closer together. All of a sudden, as if by some mutual unspoken consent the two of them erupted in a flurry of movement. Jeb was jerking his clothes off, then Kevin’s while at the same time moving them backward out of the kitchen and to the living room.
With one arm around Kevin, Jeb spun them so they were on the couch. They fumbled around getting the positioning right but in the end Kevin had Jeb’s cock firmly in hand, stroking and twisting. Jeb returned the favor. It didn’t take much time at all before Kevin was coming in big, powerful spurts. A minute later Jeb was joining him.
Kevin collapsed back against the arm of the couch, panting and smiling. “That was great. I feel a lot better.”
Jeb burst out laughing and grabbed his shorts, wiping the two of them off. “All part of my master plan.”
“Good plan,” Kevin said and nodded. He wiggled his hips when the material of the shorts skimmed across his oversensitive flesh.
Jeb lifted Kevin’s legs so he could sit on the couch and rested Kevin’s shins on his lap. He leaned back and threw one arm across the back of the couch while he used the other to gently caress Kevin’s calves.
“I’ve been thinking about something for a while and now seems a good time to bring it up,” Jeb said.
“I thought something, well two somethings already came up,” Kevin said and smirked.
Jeb laughed softly. “Hear me out before you say anything, okay?
“Sure,” Kevin said with a nod.
“Business at the gym is growing a lot fast than I thought. I’ve been thinking getting some help, a general manager. I can’t be there 24/7 and I don’t want to be.”
“That’s a good idea,” Kevin agreed.
“Good, I’m glad you think so. Since I was hoping you’d take the job.” Jeb was grinning ear to ear.
“Me? I don’t know anything about managing a gym, or any business.”
“I can’t pay much more than you were making at the warehouse. But I can offer some other perks. I’ve got plenty of room here,” Jeb said. “You’ve got as much emotional interest in my business as I do.”
“Whoa. Didn’t you hear me, I don’t know how to manage a gym. I don’t want charity,” Kevin tried to sound like he was protesting, but the fact was he was thrilled by the idea.
“You can learn. I didn’t know anything about running a gym, not really when I opened the place. That was always my brother, Jeremy’s dream. When he was killed it was the catalyst that got me into fighting. Turns out I was better at training.” Jeb stopped and shrugged. “You’re an honest man, smart, willing to learn and a hard worker. What else do I need?”
“What about fighting? I want to be a professional fighter,” Kevin reminded Jeb.
Nodding, Jeb said, “I know and I don’t think you’d have to give up that dream. But, face it how many years will you have that fighting career? You’ll need something else to do, a retirement plan if you will. If it turns out you are one of the few that makes it big, you can pay off my loans.” Jeb spread his arms wide. “Win, win.”
Kevin pulled in a few deep breaths. “Can I think about it for a day or two?”
“Of course you can.” Jeb stood up and held out his hand to Kevin. “Let’s spend the day together. We’ll get your car towed and go see a movie or something.”
“I’d like that.”
Getting Kevin’s car to the repair shop turned into more of a project than either anticipated. Jeb paid the mechanic, telling Kevin the charges could be taken out of his first paycheck. By the time that was all done there wasn’t any time left to do much else. Both of them had early starts in the morning and Kevin decided to return to his apartment. Living with Jeb sounded great, but he decided he’d like to know where they were going in their personal lives first.
They sat outside Kevin’s building with the Jeb’s car shut off. “There is that empty room behind your office. Could I bunk there for a bit? Until we figure things out?”
Jeb nodded. “Of course. The offer of my spare room stands, remember that.”
“I will,” Kevin assured him. “I think if I want to live with you, or anyone, I don’t want to be in a spare room.”
Jeb nodded. Kevin could tell though he was disappointed he understood.
Finally Sunday rolled around and they still had Jeb’s family function to attend. Jeb’s car pulled up in front of Kevin’s building, he had paid his rent until the end of the month, so was moving his things out slowly. Jeb waved at him.
“You are looking good,” Jeb said when Kevin got into the car. He leaned over and cupped the back of Kevin’s head, bringing him in for a kiss.
Kevin opened his mouth right away to Jeb’s tongue. He ran his hands up and down Jeb’s arm, feeling how his muscles bulged and slid under his skin. Kevin inched closer, wanting more contact.
“Hmmm… we’d better quit this if you want to actually go to this family party,” Kevin murmured.
Jeb leaned away and scooted back behind the steering wheel. “Right. Did you sleep okay last night?”
> Kevin shrugged. “I keep seeing the fire. I got a few hours.” He looked down at his hands.
“I’d love it if you spent the night with me tonight. Or any night you want. We don’t have to do anything, and you can sleep in my spare room.”
“What if I want to do something?” Kevin asked.
Jeb grinned. “I’d love that too.”
What Jeb had been referring to as a ‘family thing’ turned out to actually be a huge reunion. It was held in a hotel with a party center. Jeb parked the car and they crossed the parking lot holding hands. They were met by Jeb’s mother who winked at him and kissed Kevin’s cheek when she welcomed him.
They wandered through the main room where a buffet was set up. When it came time for introductions Jeb put his arm around Kevin’s shoulders, looking at him and would tell people shyly, “This is my boyfriend, Kevin.”
The day wore on, filled with lots of food, drinking and eventually people broke into small groups. Some began filtering out of the party center, leaving for their homes or going to their rooms at the hotel.
“What do you say, hit the road or would you like to stay here for the night?” Jeb asked.
It was late, and Kevin was tired, he knew Jeb was as well, but he had to be honest. “I know it’s a bit of a drive back, but I think I’d like to go home. I’m more of a sleep under my own roof sort of guy.”
“By home you mean…?”
Kevin smiled and looked down and felt a slight blush work its way up his neck to his cheeks. He didn’t answer until they were safely sitting in Jeb’s car. He reached over and took Jeb’s hand. “I’ve been thinking about everything. About us mostly. I thought that room at the gym would be cool, but now I’m not sure. The last few nights alone in my apartment just sucked.”
Interracial Romance: Gay Romance: Bound By His Own Desires (MMM Endowed Black Men Bondage Threesome Romance) (A Billionaire's Freedom Book 3) Page 135