by Andrew Grey
“I know you will,” Clay told her gently.
Andrew loved how Clay interacted with the kids. He seemed to know what they could do to help and made them feel good about it.
Andrew put place mats on the counter, and she took those too, heading to the table.
“What do I do?” Duane asked.
“Why don’t you get the glasses? But you have to be careful.” Clay handed two to Duane. “Take those to Auburn and then come and get these.”
Duane walked to the table as though the glasses were super important. He set them on the table and then hurried back for the others. “What else?” he asked when he returned.
“Just sit here so you don’t get burned. Uncle Andrew is going to drain the spaghetti, and it’s going to make a lot of steam.” Clay held Duane back, and Andrew took care of the pasta and checked the sauce before adding both to the pot and getting the garlic bread.
“Can we have soda?” Auburn asked.
“One glass,” Andrew answered.
Clay got a can from the refrigerator, split it between them, and then helped them into their chairs, while Andrew dished up bowls for each of them and brought them for the kids. He also gave them each a piece of garlic bread. He knew this was going to be interesting, and he’d cut the pasta into small pieces for them. Still, it wasn’t long before Petey had one heck of a buffet.
Clay chuckled as he got extra napkins and handed one to Duane. “Wipe your mouth and hands. That’s good.” He ate his dinner and helped Duane with ease. The kids seemed to like their cooking. It wasn’t bad for doctored jar sauce, and Andrew tucked in himself.
“How did it go with your parents?” Clay asked, holding his garlic bread.
“As well as can be expected.”
“Are we gonna see Grandma?” Auburn asked.
Andrew pointed to her napkin, and she wiped her mouth. “In a few days.” Hopefully Mary would be up to visitors by then and they could take the kids to see her too.
Andrew didn’t have much of an appetite, but he forced himself to eat anyway. He needed to not let the kids know just how nervous he was.
Clay squeezed his leg and met his gaze. He seemed to know what he needed before Andrew knew himself. “Take a deep breath and try to relax. He doesn’t know where you are.”
“I know.” Talking to his dad always made him nervous as hell, like he was still eight years old. “I’ll be okay.” Maybe if he told himself that enough, he’d start to believe it.
Andrew managed to eat a few more bites of dinner, finishing up the small amount he’d taken, and then began cleaning up. He was at loose ends and needed something to do, and for now dishes would have to suffice. He rinsed plates and loaded them in the dishwasher.
“You know, doing dishes is not a contact sport,” Clay whispered as he brought over more dishes and returned to the table.
How did Andrew explain that his skin felt too small and he needed to get out of the house so he could do something normal… or at least something that felt like himself?
“Not my doll! Play with your own toys,” Auburn said in a tone that raced up and down Andrew’s spine.
Okay… so it was probably going to be quite a while before he felt like himself again. Hell, who was he kidding? His life had changed, and he had nothing at all to say about it. Andrew’s skin crawled with the fact that no matter how much energy he expended to be in control of his life, he managed to fail at it.
“Guys, let’s settle down. Duane, why don’t you build a house with your Legos, okay?”
“I wanna play with Auburn,” he whined as Andrew closed the dishwasher door.
“Then you need to ask her nicely, and just because you want to play with her doesn’t mean she needs to play with you right now. She might need some alone time.” Clay was so patient, and Andrew wondered why he wasn’t like that. Auburn yelling or Duane whining made him want to scream, and he had to try extra hard to keep it together, but Clay handled it all so easily and made things better.
“What’s alone time?” Duane asked as Andrew found a container and put the rest of the pasta into the refrigerator before washing up the pot.
“It’s when people need some time to themselves. See, most boys like cars and building Lego houses… though girls can do that too.”
Andrew filled the pot with hot water, rinsing it out as he listened.
“And most girls like dolls and things. That’s okay, because dolls are cool. But you know how you don’t like it when Auburn plays with your truck? Well, she feels the same way about her dolls.”
“But we share the Legos,” Duane said. “We both like those.”
“That’s right, and you have to be a big boy and be nice. Auburn is your big sister, but you’re her brother and you have to act like it. Just like Uncle Andrew and your mom.”
Andrew turned in time to see Clay give Duane a hug, and then he sat down, playing quietly. Andrew turned away and went back to the dishes, trying to look like he hadn’t been listening in.
Once he’d finished, Andrew went into the living area, where the kids played on the floor. He was exhausted and sat on the leather sofa with a sigh. God, how much upheaval could he take?
“Hey,” Clay said, flopping down next to him.
Andrew sighed, lying back and closing his eyes. The uneasiness wasn’t letting up no matter how much he wanted it to. Things were so damned out of sorts, and he had no idea how he was supposed to make them feel right again. It was stupid. He was an adult and had plenty of things he needed to do. There were court cases he needed to hear, and he had plenty of work waiting for him.
“You know things will work out,” Clay told him quietly.
Andrew shrugged and didn’t move. “It doesn’t feel like it.” He turned to Clay. “I have a psycho who’s obsessed with me for no apparent reason.” He turned to the kids, rose, and stepped out of the room as the pressure built inside him. Clay followed. “My sister’s cheese fell off her cracker, and I’m looking after her kids. I can’t live at my own house, not even in my own town, because of the aforementioned psychotic asshole, and—”
Clay smacked his shoulder. “Knock it off,” he said a little loudly, and both kids stopped what they were doing, looking at him, blinking. Then they turned back to playing, and Clay lowered his voice. “Yeah, my cousin is a nutball of epic proportions, but look what you’ve got. The kids are amazing, and think about it—I got to know you. It’s the one thing I will always be grateful to my cousin for… even if he is in prison for the rest of his life.”
Andrew couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t take him out if I had to.”
“Of course,” Andrew chuckled. “I’m sure you have a point in there somewhere.”
“Yeah, I do. Instead of trying to control everything in your life… in my life too—” Clay draped his arm over Andrew’s, the heat inside rising in seconds. “—why don’t we both try to enjoy what happens?”
Andrew turned, looking into Clay’s eyes. “Is this one of those ‘because shit happens’ situations?”
“You said a bad word,” Duane scolded. “You have to tell God you’re sorry. Mama says baby Jesus cries when we say bad words.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.” Andrew had no idea his sister had become religious. “Do you and Auburn go to church?”
“Sometimes.” Duane returned to his play. “It’s yucky, though. We have to sit still for a whole hour.”
“Do we have to go?” Auburn asked.
“No,” Andrew answered, then wanted something to cheer the mood. “Tomorrow we’re going to go swimming and ride horses.” He stood and opened the cabinet under the television. “Why don’t we have a movie night?” He looked through what was there and found a copy of Beauty and the Beast. Andrew put it in the player. “Both of you go on upstairs and get your jammies on. We can watch once you both come back down.” He stood and went along with them in case they needed some help.
By the time they returned, w
ith Duane in his dinosaur pajamas and Auburn in her Cinderella nightgown, Clay had made popcorn. They all settled on the sofa, and Andrew started the movie.
“ARE THE kids in bed?” Clay asked as Andrew came in and closed the master bedroom door. Clay had conked out soon after the movie started, and Andrew had kept the kids quiet so he could rest some.
“They’re asleep. I read them a few more stories. I swear they are both so excited about tomorrow and the horses that I didn’t think either of them was going to get to sleep.” Andrew handed Clay his phone. “There were two more messages.”
Clay took the phone and checked them. “It sounds like he’s having a temper tantrum because he can’t get what he wants.”
“Yup. You should call them in while I get cleaned up.” There was nothing more he could do about this right now. “I figure as long as he’s sending messages, he’s frustrated, and that means we’re safe. He can say whatever he wants, but he can’t find us.”
Clay made his call while Andrew used the bathroom. It was strange how normal getting threatening messages could become. When he was done, he joined Clay in bed.
“I sent in the information. Harper is starting to mention the family.”
“Is that good?” Andrew asked.
“I told the sheriff about my conversation with my mother, and I’m willing to bet that she called Harper’s mom. This is confirmation that Harper has been in contact with her, so the sheriff is going to bring both his parents into the station and see what he can get from them.” Clay set the phone aside.
“Should you be there?” Andrew asked.
“No. It’s family, and Sherriff Hunter said he’d handle this personally. He’s pretty pissed off and hates being lied to. If they have any idea where Harper is, he’ll find out.” Clay turned out the light. “My job is to keep you and the kids safe, and I can’t take my eye off the prize.”
“Should we be going swimming and riding tomorrow?” Andrew asked as he shifted closer.
“I don’t know. I think we’re safe here.” Clay turned to him. “How easy will it be to trace this place to your parents?”
“It shouldn’t be. Mom inherited the property before she was married, so it’s still in her maiden name, I believe. Not that it means anything any longer, but it would make it difficult for anyone to do a simple search and find the records. If I thought we’d be in any danger here, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
“Okay,” Clay sighed. “Then no one is looking for us here, and we should be able to take the kids out. It’s a resort. There will be a large number of people and tourists, so no one is going to pay us any special heed as long as we don’t draw a lot of unnecessary attention, and I doubt that’s going to happen.” Clay tugged him near, kissing hard, greedily. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.” He tugged on Andrew’s lips, and he pressed closer, slipping a leg between Clay’s.
“All I want is quiet and my stomach to stop clenching.” Andrew closed his eyes. “God, that was super romantic, wasn’t it? The kids aren’t bad and I love them. It’s just that I have to see myself as a parent. At least a temporary one.” He sighed. “Does this make me a bad person?” He sure as hell felt like one. Duane and Auburn needed him, and he was acting like a selfish ass. “I want things to be normal again.”
Clay pushed him over onto his back. “Let’s see. What’s normal for you? Being a prickly ass.” He smiled. “Or maybe someone who spends most of his time alone.”
“You live alone,” Andrew countered.
“Yeah, but I hate it. I love having you around. You make me smile.” Clay nuzzled his neck. “And I love the way you heat up when I touch you.” Clay ran his hand over Andrew’s belly, sending the muscles into a flutter of activity. He closed his eyes in the darkness. “So, things in your life don’t look the way you thought they would.”
Andrew clung to Clay. “Upstairs I have two kids who love and need me, and in here I have the sexiest man I have ever met, naked… doing naughty things to me… and I’m whining about how I want my dull, boring life back.” He pressed his lips to Clay’s. The kiss didn’t change things, but it helped make Andrew grateful for what he did have, and as the seconds wore on and Andrew grew more and more heated, his gratitude combined with Clay’s, and Andrew didn’t care about much of anything other than how Clay made him feel. And when Clay’s lips slid down his length, surrounding him in heat, all Andrew felt was him. He could have joy as long as he had Clay.
In his life, right now, just as things were…. He had love, and ecstasy—passion in heights he never dreamed were possible—and it was his, given freely, and all he had to do was take it. Andrew closed his arms around Clay’s neck, gazing into his eyes, and drew him upward, their bodies meeting as Clay pressed him into the mattress. Their lips met, and Andrew wound his legs around Clay’s waist. Hell, he could have the entire world. Sure, things didn’t look the way he’d always dreamed they would, but he had it all, right here, right now. All he needed to do was be smart enough to see it.
He held still as Clay found a condom and rolled it on, leaving him alone and cold for a few seconds. Then Clay was back, between Andrew’s legs, his face right where Andrew could see him.
“I love you, Clay,” Andrew whispered as Clay slowly pressed into him, joining them deeply enough that he could feel Clay’s heartbeat. “Is it too soon to say that?”
Clay snapped his hips. “I doubt it’s ever too soon to tell someone how you feel.” He shook, and Andrew felt his arms quiver. He held him tightly, moving along with him.
“Good.” He held Clay’s cheeks. “Because I’m not made of glass and I’m not going to break.”
Clay swallowed. “What are you saying?” he whispered.
“That I want you to fuck me like you mean it.”
“Oh, thank God.” Clay smiled, thrusting forward, driving into Andrew like a wild man. “I didn’t want to hurt you, or….” He stopped.
“But you like things a little more… athletic,” Andrew said. “So do I.” He groaned and arched his back as Clay let go, driving him to heights Andrew had never experienced.
Andrew ended up with the heel of his hand in his mouth so he didn’t yell at the top of his lungs. Clay knew how to touch him, how to read his movements. When Andrew panted and was about to ask for more, Clay gave it to him and then some. His head throbbed and his lungs ached, but he needed still more. Thank God Clay delivered, driving him to the peak of pleasure before hurling them both over the abyss, sending him soaring through the clouds before they tumbled back to earth in a tangle of arms and legs, bathing him in heat, security, and the cloudy postcoital haze.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Clay whispered as he kissed him.
Andrew took stock. He’d probably have a few bruises where Clay had gripped his shoulder, but other than that, everything was A-okay and all the soreness was in just the right places. “No. You’d never hurt me.” The way he knew that down deep was shocking. Andrew rested his hands on Clay’s strong chest as he heaved for air. God, he was sexy as hell, even when Andrew could barely see him in the dark room.
“I won’t. Not as long as I can help it.” Damn, he was so sure of himself.
Clay’s phone dinged, and Andrew groaned. Clay had to get it, so Andrew closed his eyes as Clay moved, disengaging their bodies. He really liked just the two of them, together, still joined, alone for a little while.
“Harper has been in touch with his mother. They got that out of my aunt, but they are insisting that they don’t know where their son is. The sheriff isn’t sure he believes them fully.”
“What will he do?”
Clay climbed back in bed after going to the bathroom, handing Andrew a towel, the light from the phone illuminating his chiseled features. “I don’t know.” Clay was typing. “I’m telling him to lean on them hard, especially my aunt. If anyone knows anything, it’s her.” He paused and then set the phone on the nightstand. “There’s only so much I can do. And right now, you and the kids are what’s important.�
�� Clay kissed him hard, gentling Andrew under the covers. “You need to get some rest.” He slipped out of bed.
“What about you?” Andrew rolled onto his side as Clay grabbed his phone. “You can’t sit up all night again. You’ll be a zombie in the morning.”
“Maybe. But if something happens, I need to be alert and ready.” Clay kissed him again, then rummaged in his suitcase and pulled on a pair of shorts and T-shirt. Then he grabbed a blanket and left the room.
Andrew lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what the hell had just happened. He understood Clay’s need to protect him, and it was incredibly endearing, but maddening as well. Andrew got up, pulled on a pair of shorts, and left the room.
The television flickered in the living room and the microwave beeped in the kitchen. Andrew followed the sound to where Clay was making coffee.
“You should sleep. The kids are going to need one of us wide-awake and functional in the morning.” Clay took the mug and returned to the sofa, where he sat down, sipping and pulling the blanket over his legs.
“Do you not want to sleep with me?” Andrew asked as he sat down on the other end of the sofa, the leather creaking softly.
“Of course I do,” Clay said, sliding closer. “I want to sleep with you and wake up next to you. Maybe wake you up in this really fun way sometimes….” He winked as he gazed over the coffee mug. “But I need you to be safe, and I can’t take the chance that Harper is going to find us and try to get to you. I’ve already checked outside and made sure the curtains are closed. The house is locked up tight, but if something happens, I need to be ready.” Clay set the mug on the coffee table and put his arms around Andrew’s shoulders. “But if you aren’t really tired yet, we could put on a movie, sit here together, and maybe neck like teenagers.”
“You’re insatiable,” Andrew whispered. “Just another thing to love about you.” He chuckled as Clay found a buddy comedy, slipped Twins into the player, and sat next to him again. They didn’t do a great deal of necking, at least as far as Andrew remembered the following morning, when he woke up on the sofa, under a blanket, with Clay next to him. He was barely on the sofa, Clay’s strong hold keeping him from falling off onto the floor.