Building Heat

by K. Sterling

  Avery,

  Sorry about last night. Sorry for having to apologize again so soon. I’m not sure why it made sense to sleep on your doorstep but thank you for picking me up and being there for me. I’m all right, just had a really hard week. I can’t promise you won’t find me sleeping outside your door again but I’ll try to be quieter next time.

  Love you,

  Mason

  Avery cursed softly as he willed his body to stay put. Everything within him screamed for him to run to Mason’s apartment. His body needed Mason and his heart ached for him. Avery focused on breathing as the wave of pain crested within him. When it finally receded he went back to his bedroom and launched himself into his bed, clutching Mason’s letter to his chest. Avery decided that even though it was way too early and a little risky, he was going ring shopping the next day. Just doing it and having the ring would help him stay focused on the future. It would remind Avery of why it was important to suffer without Mason now and keep him optimistic.

  Chapter 31

  The third movement of Beethoven's Hammerklavier always mesmerized Mason. He was lost in it when his phone rang. He looked at the Caller ID and smiled as he swiped to talk.

  “Hey, Linda!” Mason said as he rested his elbows on top of the piano. “How are you?”

  “I’m good. How are you, sweetheart? Ben and I were just thinking of you and I thought I’d call and check on you.” She said. Mason had grown used to Linda and Ben calling and checking on him over the last three weeks. After he called Linda for help, one of them made sure to at least text him every day.

  “I’m doing really well. How’s Ben feeling?” He asked as he turned and rose from the bench.

  “He’s great. Your idea about adopting a dog was just the thing. Those long walks are doing him wonders, he’s lost six pounds!” Linda said excitedly. Mason nodded as he opened the fridge and pulled out a beer.

  “Who? Ben or Clifford?” Mason asked and Linda laughed. Clifford had been a large, shaggy red mess when Ben and Linda adopted him. He’d thought they were out of their mind for choosing him but it was turning out to be a great fit for Avery’s parents and the dog.

  “Ben, but Clifford is looking much better too.” She was quiet for a moment and Mason waited. “You sound good, Mason. How was your appointment this morning?” Linda asked carefully.

  “It was good. My therapist is very pleased with my progress.” He said as he fell onto the couch and crossed his ankles on the coffee table.

  “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You should talk to Avery.” She said softly. Mason cringed.

  “I will soon, I promise.” He insisted. Linda had been urging him to talk to Avery for over a week. “I want to wait until I can prove to him that I’m doing the work, that I’m making progress. It’s still too soon. I want him to know that I think he’s worth fighting for, Linda.” He explained and she sighed.

  “I think you should just talk to him. He needs to see how far you’ve come.” Linda urged. Mason shut his eyes as pain rippled through his chest at the thought of talking to Avery. He wanted it more than anything.

  “I will, soon.” Mason stated as he stared at the wall between him and Avery. “How is he?” He asked. Linda sighed again.

  “He’s trying to keep busy and stay positive but he misses you, Mason.” She sounded so frustrated with the two of them. Mason was sure Linda would reach through the phone and slap them both, if she could.

  “Thank you for putting up with me, Linda.” Mason said sincerely. “And thank you for not telling Avery.” He added.

  “I don’t understand why I can’t at least tell him that you’re going to therapy. Then, he’d know that you’re working on it.” She argued for about the twentieth time. Mason shook his head.

  “I don’t want him thinking I’m using you to pressure him. And I don’t want you pressuring him any more than you already are.” He said and he was sure he could hear her eyes roll.

  “I love you both but I think you’re being idiots.” Linda said sternly. Mason laughed softly.

  “I love you too. Give Ben my love. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Mason said.

  “All right. Bye, Mason.” She said before she hung up.

  Mason sighed as he took a long drink of his beer. His and Avery’s mother had taken the “on pause” thing badly. Linda understood it a little more than Mason’s mother but wasn’t a fan of the concept. Mason wasn’t either but it was what Avery needed. The last thing Mason wanted was to cause Avery more stress, so he needed to respect Avery’s boundaries. Also, Mason didn’t know how to measure his progress or how to tell when he’d made enough for Avery to take him back. At the moment, all Mason could do was wait for a sign or for Avery to come to him.

  Chapter 32

  “Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate everything you’ve done. This was pretty painless.” Avery said as he leaned against the doorframe. Jeff nodded as he waved the folder at Avery.

  “No, thank you! I appreciate you letting me intrude on such short notice and so early. This was my last bit of unfinished business, now I might actually get some time with my Mr. Perfect.” Jeff winked as he turned to go.

  There was a bing and the elevator opened and Avery’s worst nightmare started to play out as Mason stepped through the doors with Darcy on the leash. Oh, shit! No! Avery’s heart was trying to force it’s way through the front of his chest. He looked down at said chest and squeezed his eyes shut. It was bare. The only warning he’d had before Jeff arrived was a call saying he was outside the building. It was a little after 7:00 in the morning and Avery was still in bed.

  “Hey, Mason!” Jeff said cheerfully. Mason smiled brightly in return as he reached down and let Darcy off the leash. She went straight to Avery and he scooped her up.

  “How’s everything going?” Mason asked as he dug into his pocket for his keys. Jeff held up the folder.

  “Great! Just needed these signed and we’re all set.” Jeff missed Mason’s confused look, his eyes were flicking back and forth between Mason and Avery’s apartment doors. “You know, if you combined these, the value would skyrocket. And I know a good guy.” He turned and gave Avery a jaunty wink. No, don’t wink! Avery felt sweat roll down his back, between his shoulder blades. His eyes went to Mason but he must have missed it. Instead, Mason nodded thoughtfully.

  “We’ll keep that in mind.” Mason said as he smiled hopefully at Avery. Avery’s eyes flicked nervously between Mason and Jeff. He needed Jeff to go so he could explain to Mason before he had a chance to convince himself of the worst.

  “Thanks, Jeff. Definitely send me his contact info.” Avery said as he waved goodbye.

  “On it!” Jeff said as he went for the elevator. He pushed the button and looked back at Mason. “It was nice to see you again, Mason. I missed you in South Hampton.” He waved as he stepped into the elevator and Avery was sure he was well and truly screwed. The doors shut and Avery put Darcy down and rushed toward Mason.

  “You have to let me explain!” He begged as he held up his hands. Mason smiled and shrugged as he pushed his door open.

  “Come on, Darcy!” He called and she ran through the door. “Want some coffee?” Mason asked. Avery nodded as he followed. He was a little wary as he stepped into Mason’s apartment and shut the door. Was Mason going to blow up once they were alone or was he going to be passive aggressive and make Avery sweat more? “You look good.” Mason said softly as he tossed Darcy’s leash into the basket. There it is. Makes sense he’d start with the fact that I’m barely dressed. Avery rubbed the back of his neck as he grimaced. It did look pretty bad at this hour.

  “Look, he needed some paperwork signed and I had no warning. I was just waking up and didn’t have time to get dressed. He’s on his way out of town, with his fiancé.” Avery prayed that would help. Mason nodded absently as he opened the fridge.

  “I’m fine, Avery.” He smiled as he poured milk into the frothing pitcher. “That’s great news for Jeff,
though.” Mason seemed sincere as he started the steam. The espresso machine hissed for several moments and Avery used the time to try to make sense of what was happening. Of all the times for Mason to be reasonable, he picked the time when Avery looked legitimately guilty. Mason shut off the steam and poured the milk into two mugs. Avery frowned as he watched Mason calmly working.

  “You’re sure you’re fine?” Avery asked carefully. Mason looked over his shoulder and his smile was brilliant. It stopped Avery’s heart for a moment.

  “I’m really good, Avery.” He insisted as he pulled two shots of espresso and set the machine for two more. “I know you’re expecting me to freak out. I totally would have a month or two ago.” He admitted as he handed Avery his mug. “See, it wasn’t just Ryan. It was mostly Ryan but my dad’s rejection after I came out kind of started it all. Ryan didn’t do my confidence any favors and I had invested so much of myself in him. Doing it all with you, so fast, just warped part of my brain. I was constantly in that moment right before he left me. You know, when I thought everything was great between us and the bomb was about to drop?” Mason explained. He took a sip of his coffee and Avery nodded as he did the same. Hope started to bloom within Avery. Mason looked and sounded really well. He seemed to have done some serious soul searching.

  “All of that makes sense.” Avery said as he let his eyes really drink in Mason. He looked so beautiful, relaxed and smiling in one of his rock band t-shirts and jeans. Dirty Pretty or effortlessly sexy? He was just perfectly Mason. This is why Avery stayed away. Being this close made Avery weak with need. He could smell Mason and the urge to get closer, to breath him in and try to get as much of Mason’s scent on his body was starting to overwhelm Avery.

  “I can’t take credit. My therapist has been beating the shit out of me, emotionally. The first week was really hard. We rehashed all of my darkest moments.” Mason admitted as he stared into his coffee mug. Heat burst within Avery’s chest.

  “You’ve been going to therapy?” He whispered. Mason nodded.

  “Pretty intensively. Three or four times a week. I started with your mother. She talked me through the first few days and put me in touch with a good therapist here. I kind of doubled down on the sessions, I wanted to get my act together as quickly as possible.” Mason laughed softly as he raised his cup to his lips. Avery was completely blown away.

  “Why didn’t she mention anything to me?” Avery frowned. Mason raised a brow.

  “I was sort of her patient and I asked her not to. I didn’t want you to feel manipulated.” He said softly.

  That was it. Avery broke. He had just enough sense left to set his cup down before he attacked Mason. Unfortunately, he didn’t warn Mason. Avery slammed into Mason, gathering his face in his hands as his body pushed against Mason’s. Coffee splashed out of Mason’s mug and he dropped it as Avery’s mouth crashed against his and Mason’s hands closed around Avery’s head. Their kiss was desperate and hard as their lips pressed, their tongues dueled and their teeth clashed. Avery released Mason’s face and his hands where everywhere, gripping and pulling as he tried to get closer. He wanted to crawl into Mason and never leave. Avery started pushing Mason’s t-shirt up so he could touch his skin and Mason pulled his lips back and panted.

  “I still have a lot of work to do.” He warned breathlessly. Avery shook his head.

  “I don’t need you to be perfect.” Avery said as he pulled Mason’s shirt over his head “I just needed you to realize there was something wrong and to find something to help you deal with it.” Avery attacked the fly of Mason’s jeans and Mason nodded jerkily.

  “Well… then, I definitely did that.” He agreed shakily as he untied Avery’s pajama pants. Avery kissed him quickly, hungrily as he pushed Mason’s jeans and boxer briefs down. Avery pulled his lips back and hissed as Mason’s hand closed around his pulsing cock.

  “I bought us a house.” Avery panted. Mason’s hand stilled and his eyes were wide.

  “What? Where?” He asked in shock.

  “South Hampton.” Avery groaned as he thrust against Mason’s hand, trying to get it to move. “That’s why Jeff was here. I signed the last of the paperwork and he dropped off the keys.” Avery tilted his head and bit Mason’s neck. “Please, Mason.” He begged softly. Mason shivered and his hand started to stroke Avery’s aching length.

  “Why didn’t you wait for me?” He moaned as he felt Avery’s tongue slide up his neck.

  “I fell in love with it. I could see you there so clearly. I could see our family there.” He breathed the words against Mason’s ear. “You taste so good.” Avery said and sucked on the lobe of Mason’s ear. “I love you so much.” He said as he let his lips slide along Mason’s cheek.

  Avery realized that this was home. Anywhere he could touch and taste Mason was home. Mason’s lips were warm and soft beneath Avery’s and his mouth tasted like coffee and mint as Avery’s tongue dipped in and twirled around Mason’s. Then, the heat. It burst and pulled them under. Mason became frantic. His kiss was demanding as the hand around Avery’s cock stroked hard and the other kneaded Avery’s ass. Mason pulled back and gasped.

  “I need you. Now.” He commanded as he turned in Avery’s arms and leaned over the counter. Lust slammed so hard into Avery at the sight of Mason’s tight, round ass, it was like a punch in the gut.

  “Here? Like this?” Avery asked for God only knows what reason. Mason reached back and grabbed Avery’s cock and pulled him close.

  “Now!” He demanded. Avery groaned as the head of his cock brushed against the cleft of Mason’s ass. He leaned forward and licked Mason’s shoulder and started to bend as his tongue traveled lower. Mason growled. “I said ‘Now!’” He almost yelled. Avery blinked down at Mason in shock.

  “I don’t like the idea of doing this dry.” He argued and Mason sighed in exasperation and looked around. His hand shot across the counter and grabbed a bottle of olive oil. Avery took it and started reading the label. “Are you sure…?”

  “Damn it, Avery!” Mason yelled. Avery shrugged as he opened the bottle and poured a little into his hand. He dipped his finger into it and was about to rub it against Mason’s tight hole when Mason shook his head. “Your cock. Now.” He ordered and Avery’s head pulled back in surprise.

  “I need to get you ready.” He insisted. Mason bounced impatiently.

  “No!” He whined. “I want you now. Just do it!” Mason urged. Avery pulled his lips tight and shook his head. Mason was always tight and that was with preparation. It had been a little more than a month since Avery had last had him.

  “Mason, just give me a minute to…” He was cut off by Mason’s smothered scream of frustration.

  “Avery, please! I need your cock in me now. I want it to hurt.” He looked back and his eyes were wide and pleading.

  Avery could only nod as he wrapped the hand with the oil around his cock and stroked quickly, getting it slick. It wasn’t like the lubricant that was thicker and clung to Avery’s flesh. The oil was thin and warm and felt cleaner, somehow. Despite Mason’s demands, Avery ran his slick fingers over Mason’s hole quickly before he positioned the head of his cock against it. He’d intended to go slow and give Mason time to adjust but as soon as the head slipped in, Mason pushed off the counter and drove back and his ass slammed into Avery’s hips. Mason screamed and Avery wasn’t sure if it was in pain or ecstasy. Maybe both? Avery wondered as Mason’s head fell forward and he moaned. Mason slid his hips forward, gliding off of Avery’s shaft a bit before he pushed and slid back. Avery’s eyes rolled back into his head as warmth and pleasure radiated from his cock.

  “Oh, fuck, Mason. So tight. TightTightTight.” Avery babbled as he started to thrust slowly. Mason nodded.

  “It’s… ah! Shit, it’s…it’s…it’s… soooo good.” Mason shuddered as he pushed hard against Avery. “I need it hard. Fuck me hard.” Mason begged. Avery grabbed Mason’s hips and pulled back as he rolled into him. Mason grunted and his
back arched. Avery leaned forward and bit Mason’s earlobe.

  “Like that.” Avery whispered. Mason whimpered.

  “Yes. Just like that. And fast.” He sobbed.

  Something inside of Avery snapped and he growled as he grabbed Mason’s shoulders and started driving hard and deep into his tight, slick heat. Mason braced himself by pressing his hands to the front of the cabinets above his head. Avery chanted Mason’s name as he thrust faster.

  “More!” Mason urged.

  Avery nodded as he pumped harder. The sound of skin slapping hard against skin, combined with their groans and panting filled the apartment.

  “Harder, please!” Mason gasped as he pushed back against Avery.

  Avery clenched his jaw as he used his knees and rose on the balls of his feet as he pulled Mason hard against him. Mason’s feet came off the floor and he started to scream. It was Avery’s name, “Yes”, “God” and “More” in one long, loud stream. Avery pulled on Mason as hard as he could as he drove relentlessly and ruthlessly, deep into Mason. Suddenly, Mason hauled in a deep breath and clawed at the cabinet doors as his head fell back and his mouth ripped open on a silent scream. His eyes were wide and blind as his body began to convulse. Mason’s ass clenched brutally tight around Avery’s cock and he saw stars and he felt his balls pull tight into his body. The orgasm that Avery wasn’t prepared for came on fast and hard as pressure and pleasure surged from his balls up the shaft of his erection. Bright, stinging heat burst from the head of his cock and Avery roared as come pumped deep into Mason’s tightness.

  Silence filled the air as Avery wrapped his arms around Mason’s chest and rubbed his cheek against his shoulder. Mason’s chest rose and fell rapidly as he leaned against the cabinets. They remained still for several moments before Mason raised his head and groaned.