Fortune's Slings and Cupid's Arrows

by Ari McKay

  When he reached Dane’s boxers, he mouthed Dane’s cock through the silk, then raised his head. “I like these a lot, but they need to go.” With that, he tugged them down and off, baring Dane completely. For several moments he just looked, his eyes having adapted enough to the low light that he could appreciate how gorgeous Dane looked, bare and aroused.

  “Do you like what you see?” From anyone else, that might have been a seductive question, but the hopeful look in Dane’s eyes made it clear he was asking for reassurance.

  Cal trailed his fingers over Dane’s stomach and around Dane’s cock without touching it. “I thought you were the most beautiful person I’d ever set eyes on when I first saw you. You still are, Dane. Because you’re just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.”

  “For a long time, I didn’t like myself too much,” Dane admitted, glancing away from Cal. “I thought I was weak. But my therapist says I’m stronger than I’ve given myself credit for being.” He looked at Cal again, his gaze open and trusting. “I just want to be worthy of you because you’re the strongest, bravest man I know.”

  “You’re more than worthy of me,” Cal replied, meaning every word. “You’re definitely stronger than you know.” He wasn’t going to mention Dane’s father, not now. Instead he smiled. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here. And now we’re both going to get what we want.”

  He reached for the bottle of lube, opening it and coating his finger before capping it and setting it aside. “Ready?”

  “God, yes,” Dane moaned, sliding his hands down Cal’s back to his ass.

  Cal wriggled against Dane’s hands, then leaned in to kiss Dane, quick and hard, before pulling back and settling between Dane’s legs. “This is going to feel strange,” he warned before pressing his fingers against Dane’s tight pucker. He circled them slowly. “Just relax, and I’ll take care of you.”

  Dane drew up his knees and spread them wider in a show of trust. “I know you will.”

  Taking his time, Cal stroked Dane’s thigh with his free hand as he slowly and carefully eased one finger into Dane’s body. He watched Dane’s face for any sign of discomfort. “Everything good?”

  “I’m good,” Dane said, watching Cal with half-lidded eyes as he relaxed against the pillows.

  Reassured, Cal smiled again, drawing his finger back out, then sliding it in, letting Dane grow accustomed to the sensation. After a time he added another finger, still going slowly and carefully. “You’re so tight,” he said, using his free hand to give Dane’s cock a teasing stroke. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to last once I’m finally inside you.”

  A shudder rippled through Dane, but from the anticipatory gleam in his eyes, his reaction was one of pleasure, not apprehension. “I can’t wait to find out,” Dane said, his voice low and husky. “So many nights I’ve imagined you pinning me down and fucking me senseless, but I couldn’t let myself hope it might happen for real—and now it is.”

  The thought of pinning Dane down sounded great to Cal, and his own arousal threatened to spiral out of control. He breathed in deeply, forcing himself back from the edge. “It is as long as I don’t come just from the thought of doing it,” he said, huffing with amusement. He added a third finger, then turned his hand and pressed upward, feeling for Dane’s prostate. “Let me know when it feels really, really good.”

  Dane’s eyes flew open wide, and he let out a startled yelp. “Oh, my God, what was that? Do it again!”

  Chuckling, Cal obliged. “That is your prostate, my darling. Not everyone likes it being played with, but you obviously do.”

  Dane arched and stretched like a pampered cat, practically purring beneath Cal. “Oh, yes, I do. That feels amazing.”

  “That’s a good thing,” Cal replied. He continued to stretch Dane, teasing him with unexpected nudges against the sensitive gland within and slow strokes of his cock. “I think you’re ready now, if you still want me to fuck you. If not, I can bring you off like this if you’d like.”

  “No, I want you to fuck me,” Dane said. “I’ve fantasized about what it would be like for years, and I don’t want to wait any longer.” He paused, smiling sheepishly. “My therapist said I should practice verbalizing what I want and need to people I feel safe with. I hope I’m not going overboard.”

  “As long as your therapist isn’t here in the bed, I think I can handle it,” Cal replied. He moved his fingers, reaching out to grab a tissue from the box on the bedside table and then wiping his hands. “I definitely want you to tell me what you want and need. Always. I will always listen and do my best to give it to you, no matter what it is.”

  “Thanks,” Dane said, giving Cal a grateful smile. “If you’re listening, what I need now is for you to fuck me, because I’m ready to be yours.”

  Cal laughed. “All right, you impatient brat, I’ll give you what you want.” He reached for the condom, ripping it open and rolling it on before picking up the lube again and adding a generous amount. He moved one of the pillows beneath Dane’s hips, then lifted Dane’s legs up and settled them on his shoulders. “Comfortable, babe?”

  “Feeling a little Cirque Du Soleil right now, but otherwise, I’m good,” Dane said, his voice laced with amusement.

  “We can get a lot more acrobatic than this,” Cal said, looking down into Dane’s eyes. “But right now all I want is to be inside of you.” With that, he eased forward, claiming Dane’s body with one slow thrust.

  Dane tensed up briefly, but he released a long breath and relaxed again. “Feels good,” he murmured, reaching up to caress Cal’s cheek.

  Turning his head, Cal pressed a kiss to Dane’s palm. “Yes, it does,” he replied. “You’re so hot and tight. It feels perfect.”

  Tears shimmered in Dane’s eyes as he nodded. “I can’t believe I’ve finally gotten what I’ve wanted for so long. This is right. This is me.”

  “I can’t believe it either.” Cal smiled. “Now let me show you how much I love you.” With that, he pulled back, then thrust forward again. He kept the pace slow at first, watching the play of emotions on Dane’s face, wanting to bring Dane more pleasure than he’d ever felt before.

  Dane bit his lip as he moved with Cal, awkwardly at first but gradually catching Cal’s rhythm. His breathing grew ragged as his need grew, and he dug his fingers into Cal’s hard bicep. “More, please!”

  The breathless desire in Dane’s voice was more than Cal could resist, and he increased his pace, pounding into Dane’s body. He wrapped a hand around Dane’s cock, stroking him in counterpoint to the movement of his hips. “Let go for me, Dane. I want to watch you fly.”

  With a wild cry, Dane obeyed, and he snapped his hips up as he gave himself over to ecstasy. Cal watched avidly, stroking Dane through his release, the act of drawing out Dane’s pleasure intensifying his own. “So beautiful, Dane. You’re gorgeous, and this is where you were meant to be.”

  Shivering, Dane relaxed the tight grip of his fingers and smiled, his eyes going half-lidded. “Yes, it is.”

  Dane looked happy and sated, like a pampered cat. Cal chuckled, pressing his hips forward. “No one’s going to make you go anywhere. Now that I’ve got you, I’m never letting you go.”

  “Good, because after this, I never want to leave.” Dane rolled his hips provocatively, his smile turning seductive. “Now I want to watch you.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Cal nodded. He began to rock into Dane, slow and deep, but he couldn’t hold on to his control for long. He needed this, to lose himself in Dane, to be connected to the man he loved in the most intimate way possible. With a groan he began to move faster, climbing higher and higher until he cried out Dane’s name as he shattered, overwhelmed by the greatest pleasure he’d ever known.

  Dane watched avidly as he moved with Cal, appearing to savor the sight of Cal’s pleasure. Cal carefully lowered Dane’s legs, leaned down, and kissed him gently. “Thank you,” he murmured before moving away. He dealt with the condom. “You stay there. I�
��ll be right back.”

  It only took a few moments for Cal to retrieve a warm, wet washcloth from the bathroom. He smiled as he gently cleaned Dane up, then put the washcloth on the nightstand so he could slide into the bed and pull Dane into his arms.

  “Are you all right?”

  Dane nestled close and draped one arm across Cal’s waist. “I’m fine,” he said. “Better than fine. I’m happy.”

  Cal could see the truth of it on Dane’s face. Dane looked relaxed and content, and somehow that made him look even younger. “So am I,” Cal replied. “Happier than I ever thought I could be. I’m almost afraid I’ll wake up and find out all this was a whiskey-induced dream.”

  “You and me both,” Dane said with a quiet sigh. “I keep thinking I’ll wake up and find myself back under Father’s thumb.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” Cal promised. He rolled onto his back, pulling Dane into his arms and holding him close and tight. “No matter what, you’re free now. I’ll never let Randolph hurt you ever again.”

  Dane pillowed his head on Cal’s shoulder and relaxed into the embrace. “I’ll never give up my freedom either. Even if you break up with me tomorrow, I won’t go back to that life.”

  Cal tightened his arms. “I’ve been waiting for you for two years. I’m not breaking up with you ever.” He turned his head to nuzzle Dane’s temple. “You’re so brave. I know it must have been the hardest thing you’ve ever done, and I’m so proud of you.”

  “It was, and I’m pretty sure Father won’t give up easily, so I’ve got to prepare for whatever he throws at me.” Dane’s expression grew pensive. “I’m going no contact. I packed up everything I wanted from the apartment and brought it with me, and I’m not going back to his firm. I’m going to block him everywhere and get a restraining order if I have to, but I don’t want to see or talk to him again.”

  “That’s a good plan,” Cal said. “If you want to work at Caldwell and Monroe, we’d be happy to have you. Or if you want to do something else—go back to school, change careers, find a different firm—I’ll back you. You’ve spent too long fulfilling Randolph’s desires for you. It’s time you got to have what you want.”

  “My bank accounts and investments are in my name only, so he can’t touch them,” Dane said. “I’ve got enough of a nest egg that I can take some time off to think about what I want to do. I’ll just need to find a new place to live, one I can decorate the way I want.”

  Cal considered inviting Dane to move in with him, but he had the feeling Dane needed to be on his own, to feel in control of his life, since he’d never had that before. “You can stay here while you look for a place,” he said softly. “Anything you want, Dane. I want you to be happy and have everything your heart desires.”

  “Thanks.” Dane smiled and gave him a one-armed squeeze. “I’d like to have my own place for a while, I think. I’ve got a lot of changes to adjust to at one time.”

  “Yes, but you get to do them at your own pace,” Cal said. He pressed his lips to Dane’s hair, giving a contented sigh. Now that Dane was free, he could woo Dane as he’d been longing to do. “I hope you’ll consider dating me now. I’d like to romance you.”

  Laughing, Dane propped himself up on his elbow so he could look at Cal. “Isn’t that moving backward?”

  Cal smiled, caressing Dane’s cheek. “Maybe it’s more filling in the gaps. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve talked about dating as though it were a chore. Would you be amenable to learning what it’s like when you’re going out with someone you really want to be with?”

  “Well, when you put it like that….” Dane leaned into the touch. “I suppose I’ve missed out on the fun parts of dating.”

  “Well, then, Mr. Coulter, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to breakfast in the morning?” Cal brushed his thumb over Dane’s cheek. “I know a great place, or if you have somewhere you’d like to go, I’m game for that.”

  “I’d love to have breakfast with you, Mr. Monroe,” Dane said, his smile widening.

  “Thank you.” Cal slid his hand behind Dane’s neck, urging him closer. “Breakfast isn’t for hours, though. What would you like to do in the meantime?”

  Dane took the hint and leaned in to kiss Cal, light but lingering. “I’m sure we can think of something.”

  Cal returned the kiss, then grinned, pulling Dane down and holding him close. He was happier than he’d ever been in his life, and he was looking forward to watching Dane spread his wings and finally learn how to fly.

  Chapter Eight

  DANE EMERGED from the bedroom in his plaid flannel pajamas and was guided to the kitchen by the scent of cooking bacon. Once there, he found Cal standing at the stove, wearing his sleep pants and bathrobe while he prepared breakfast. Dane approached and slid his arms around Cal’s waist from behind and then leaned against Cal’s broad back.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” Cal replied. He put down the spatula he was holding, then turned around and swept Dane into a hug. “The happiest Valentine’s Day of my life.”

  Dane arched one eyebrow. “Even happier than last Valentine’s Day?” he asked, thinking back to a year ago when he had broken free of his father’s iron grasp and finally admitted he was in love with Cal.

  The past year had been difficult at times. Randolph Coulter had been reluctant to give up control of his only son, but Dane had managed to enforce his “no contact” boundary thanks to support from Cal, his therapist, and a restraining order. It helped too that Dane had a far better reputation than his father, and he’d discovered more doors were open to him than he’d expected. Now he was working for the New York City branch of the ACLU, and he’d never been happier.

  “I admit, last year was definitely good,” Cal said, a teasing light in his green eyes. “At least once you showed up. Prior to that, it was the worst one of my life. I think getting to wake up with you and have you for the whole day makes this one better. Especially since we have more than just the holiday itself to celebrate.”

  Dane glanced around for the newspaper, eager to see their engagement announcement for himself. “Does it look okay?”

  “It looks amazing.” Cal leaned in to give Dane a brief, hard kiss, then pointed to the breakfast nook. “It’s on the table. Go sit yourself down, and I’ll be right there with the food.”

  Dane hurried over to the nook, but he paused to admire the table once he got a good look at it. Cal had put out his fine china and strewn rose petals all over the table, which Dane thought was a romantic touch. The newspaper was at Dane’s usual place, and Cal had folded it so the announcement was visible.

  Dane took his seat and picked up the paper so he could admire the photo. Even in grainy black and white, he thought they both looked good, although no one could compare to Cal, especially when he was wearing his formal Munro kilt. Thank God they hadn’t cropped the photo so Cal’s sturdy, shapely legs weren’t visible. Whoever had done the layout must have appreciated the view as much as Dane did.

  The announcement was smaller and more tasteful than Dane and Portia’s announcement, but he hoped his father would see it. The thought of Randolph’s reaction was enough to make Dane smile wickedly.

  “Looks like your reaction is the same as mine,” Cal said as he stepped into the room. He had a laden plate in each hand, one of which held Dane’s favorite: a spinach and mushroom omelet, with several strips of perfectly cooked bacon on the side. Cal’s preferred ham and cheddar omelet was on the other. He grinned widely. “Think the old bastard will have a heart attack?”

  “I’m sure it’ll ruin his day, but I don’t care.” Dane picked up a slice of bacon and took a bite with a little hum of pleasure. Ever since he’d moved in with Cal two months ago, Cal seemed determined to spoil him. He’d had to get used to it because he was accustomed to being a people-pleaser, but he found it easier and easier to accept. “I love our engagement photo. Could we get it framed and hang it somewh
ere?”

  “Of course. I’d love that,” Cal replied. “Oh, I forgot the toast. Be right back.” A few moments later Cal returned, carrying a plate of buttered toast and a bottle of champagne.

  “Champagne already? If this is how you’re starting the day, I can’t wait to see how you plan to finish it,” Dane said.

  He had a few plans of his own, of course. He’d put together a gift basket that included several naughty toys and a bottle of chocolate-flavored lube wrapped up in a plaid fabric reminiscent of the Munro tartan. For a more romantic and serious gift, he’d bought a pair of cuff links with the Munro crest.

  “I definitely have plans.” Cal popped the cork, then poured the sparkling wine into their glasses. After placing the bottle into a bucket of ice next to the table, Cal picked up his glass. “But first I want to tell you how much I love you and how happy you’ve made me. You’re my heart, Dane Coulter. Thank you for agreeing to become my husband.”

  Dane lifted his glass and touched it to Cal’s, feeling a surge of gratitude that Cal had been so patient with him while he was still under Randolph’s thumb. “I should be thanking you. I just hope all the time you waited for me was worth it in the end.”

  “You’re worth everything.” Cal reached out to capture Dane’s free hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “If it weren’t for you, I’d be just another man with a career and not much else. As much as I enjoy my job, you’re what makes my life worth living. You make me happy, and you make me a better man.”

  Dane knew he was smiling soppily at Cal, but he couldn’t help it. Cal had a way of turning his heart to mush. “If it weren’t for you, I might still be blindly following my father. You make me happy too, Cal. More than I can possibly express.”

  “We saved each other, I think.” Cal released Dane’s hand with another squeeze. “Now we’d better eat while we can. When you look at me like that, I can’t think of much beyond hauling you off to bed. Which is definitely part of my agenda, but not until later. I want to give you your gift first.”