by SJD Peterson
“Love you too.”
They found their perfect rhythm, their bodies working in harmony. Eric’s hands tightened on Jimmy’s hips; he pulled out slow, the slick walls of Jimmy’s ass gripping him as tightly as the hold he had on Jimmy’s hips. The instant his cockhead pulled free, he pushed back in hard and fast. Jimmy took every brutal thrust, gave back as good as he got, and begged for more. Eric gave him everything he had, every bit of strength, passion, and love in each thrust. The room was filled with the sounds of the headboard slamming against the wall, grunts, harsh noises, and pleas of more, harder, now.
Eric was shaking with the need to come, his balls full and drawn up tight, but he refused to let go, not without Jimmy. He slid his hand over, took Jimmy’s cock in a tight grip, and jerked him off to the same brutal pace he pounded into his ass.
Jimmy cried out Eric’s name a split second before his arousal fountained over Eric’s fist. Then Eric’s willpower was stripped bare by the look of bliss on Jimmy’s face as he continued to come. Eric’s brain short-circuited, there was no more air, no sound, no thinking, nothing. Only Jimmy’s name rising higher and louder than all the other sounds as he broke wide open and dove headfirst over the edge into his own bliss.
With the last of his strength, Eric pressed a breathless kiss to Jimmy’s parted lips and whispered, “Love you,” before he collapsed on top of Jimmy. His body drained and content, he held Jimmy, listening to him breathe.
Never in a million years had he imagined it would be so good with Jimmy. Well, he hoped, but fuck, he couldn’t have known, couldn’t have dreamed how perfect it actually would be. Long after he’d cleaned them up and Jimmy had dozed off, Eric still stared at his best friend in complete and total fucking awe. Jimmy not only owned his heart, but he knew Jimmy owned his mind, body, and soul from this moment on. As he continued to stare at Jimmy, Eric finally figured out what label he could attach to himself—completely and utterly in love.
Chapter Twenty-Four
THE HOUSE was filled with the scents of baked ham, fresh baked bread, as well as cinnamon, nutmeg, and other pleasing scents. The old farm table was set, decorated as it had been for the past twenty-plus years. Christmas carols played from a small radio sitting on the counter, barely audible over the happy chatter and laughter. Jimmy looked around the gathering, his heart nearly bursting. Mom, Dad, Hank, Garrett, Phillip, Josh, Mr. and Mrs. Halter, and, of course, Eric, who was sitting at Jimmy’s right, laughing at something Josh was saying. Throughout the years, Mom and Mrs. H took turns hosting Christmas dinner. It was always a special event, yet this year it seemed all the more special. Jimmy knew the reason. He laid his hand on Eric’s thigh and smiled.
“So is anyone going to talk about the elephant in the room?” Hank asked as the meal was replaced by dessert and coffee.
“Hey, that’s not a very nice thing to call Dad,” Josh teased. He then ducked as Hank threw something at him.
“Not him, you moron, them,” Hank clarified and pointed at Jimmy and Eric.
Eric leaned in close to Jimmy and in a stage whisper said, “I think he just called us a couple of pachyderms.”
Jimmy rounded his fingers as if he were holding on to a trunk and did his best to sound like an elephant, but it came out more like the squeak of a sick mouse, causing everyone to laugh.
He shrugged. “I tried.”
“But seriously,” Garrett piped up. “You two are like… you know… a couple? And when did this all happen?”
“Yeah, Garrett, like an official couple,” Eric responded easily.
“So you’ve been hiding this all these years?” Phil added. “Although, I must say, not very well. I always knew you’d jumped the fence.”
“Shut up, butt wipe,” Eric complained, but his harsh words were softened by the big smile on his face.
It still amazed Jimmy how easily Eric was handling his so-called “coming out.” Then again, his family had always been accepting of Jimmy. But it still had to be strange for them to see Eric committing himself to Jimmy—beyond best friends, that was.
“We weren’t hiding our relationship,” Jimmy explained and swiped a finger through the whipped cream on his pie. Before he popped it into his mouth, he added, “We’re still best friends.”
“Just now with added benefits, huh, Jimmy?” Eric bumped his shoulder.
They both laughed when Josh covered his ears and shouted, “We are not talking about this. There’s a child in the room.”
That got the rest of the table laughing. Josh only ever referred to himself as a child when he didn’t want to do something. Ninety-nine percent of the time he was doing his best to prove he was as capable as his four older brothers.
“All right, simmer down and y’all leave Eric and Jimmy alone and eat your dessert in peace.” Mr. H then pointed a finger at Eric. “And no more benefit talking at the dinner table.”
“Yes, sir,” Eric responded, but it came out as a snort as he miserably failed at keeping his laughter in.
The feel-good mood of the Christmas meal came to a screeching halt for Jimmy when the alarm on his cell went off. With a heavy sigh, he pulled the phone from his pocket and shut it off. “That’s my cue to head out. Sucks being a first year.” He dreaded having to leave, but as the rookie, he had to cover the crap shifts and he was thankful he’d gotten to spend at least part of the holiday with his family.
“Aww, my poor baby. Come give your mom a kiss.”
Jimmy pushed to his feet, as did Eric. “I’ll walk you out.”
Jimmy said his good-byes, complimented the amazing chefs, and headed out the door hand in hand with Eric. He stopped next to his car and pulled Eric into a hug. “Looks like you’re going to have to explain our relationship on your own.”
“Hey, I’m surprised it took them this long to bring the topic up, but I’m ready for them. When the guys start drilling me for info later, I’ll tell them about drilling you and that should shut them up.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I might. But seeing as everyone seems to be taking it pretty good, I may spare them the details. But it will be fun threatening it.”
“Ugh, I don’t want to go, but I have to. Call you later?”
“I’ll be waiting with bells on,” Eric assured him and then pressed his lips to Jimmy’s.
Jimmy hugged Eric tighter, nuzzling against his neck. “Thank you for making this one hell of a special Christmas.” He placed a small kiss below Eric’s ear before pulling back to meet his gaze.
“Stop getting all sappy. I’ll show you special when you get some time off.”
“And you call me sappy.”
“Me? Ha! I’m just horny.” Eric grabbed a handful of Jimmy’s ass and squeezed.
A tingling sensation raced down Jimmy’s spine. He reluctantly pulled away from Eric before it got any more difficult to leave. “Hold that thought. Talk to you tonight.”
Eric stuck his bottom lip out in an obvious attempt to pout, but he started to laugh, ruining the effect. “Merry Christmas, Jimmy. Love you.”
“Love you too,” Jimmy responded. Damn he’d never get tired of hearing that pass Eric’s lips.
Jimmy slid in behind the wheel and started up the car. He waved out the window as he headed down the drive. He knew it was foolish to wish time away, and yet he couldn’t help it. The sooner he got through his first year of residency, the sooner things would start to calm down a little and he’d finally get to spend more time where he wanted to be most—home with Eric.
ERIC STOOD watching Jimmy drive away, the feel-good mood of the day crashing to a halt. At this point he should be used to Jimmy leaving, but each time he left, it became more and more difficult to deal with his feelings. He fucking hated it, plain and simple. Morning chores were just that—chores—when he wasn’t doing them with Jimmy. While he loved working the land, spending time with the animals, the little spark Jimmy brought to the day would be dimmed until he returned. Eric sighed heavily. One day they wouldn’t have to deal with these goo
d-byes and he couldn’t fucking wait because they sucked!
“How you doing, son?” his dad asked as he came to stand next to Eric.
Eric cut a glance at his dad but couldn’t meet his gaze, not with the swell of emotions he was dealing with. “I’m good. I just hate waiting for him to come back, ya know.”
“You’ve been waiting on that boy to show up your whole life. I couldn’t get you to do a damn thing on weekend mornings until Jimmy showed up.”
“It’s different this time,” Eric mumbled.
“Nah. You’re just finally admitting out loud what your heart’s been telling you all your life. You love that boy.”
Eric tilted his head and finally met his dad’s gaze. There was an understanding and tenderness there that caused Eric’s chest to tighten. “I know we really haven’t talked about it. Things have been a little crazy. But how are you feeling about this… you know… turn of events?”
“I’m not going to lie, I’m glad you gave me some time to come to terms with it. You two being best friends was easier to deal with than thinking of you as lovers. Talked to your mom quite a bit about it and…. Well, your mom, she’s a smart lady.”
“That’s an understatement, but what makes her so smart this time?”
“She just reminded me that we’ve always hoped our children would find someone that makes them happy. Your mom and I are best friends. It’s what has been the biggest factor in the longevity of our relationship. Hell, you and Jimmy have been the best of friends for over twenty years. Guess I don’t have to worry about the longevity of yours.” Dad chuckled, but Eric could hear the nervousness in it.
Eric bumped their shoulders together. “I know it’s weird. Hell, I’m still a little shocked at times, but I love him and he does make me ridiculously happy.”
Dad smiled and patted Eric on the back. “I can see that. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you and your brothers. I’ll get used to the lovers part as long as you make me a promise.”
“Sure.”
“I do not want details. Ever.” Dad shuddered a little, and Eric couldn’t help but laugh.
“I promise as long as you don’t ask.”
“Trust me, I won’t.”
“I have a feeling Hank, Phillip, and Garrett won’t be quite as smart.” Eric snickered. He was looking forward to the looks on their faces when he let them in on the joys of man-on-man sex.
“I know that look.” Dad shook his head. “Just give me time to get out of the room before you enlighten them.”
“Deal.”
Dad patted him on the back again. “C’mon, let’s go finish our dessert. Your mom is dying to get the presents.”
Eric followed his dad into the house, smiling like a fool. The happy mood had returned. He was sure he and Jimmy would face some hate, but with the support of their families, Eric knew they could face anything that came their way.
Epilogue
WINTER’S CHILL gave way to a warm early spring. Jimmy leaned against a fence post, looking out over the green fields of his land and enjoying a much-needed break from the hospital. Not that he was getting a whole lot of rest. The trees and flowers weren’t the only things bursting with new life and growth. The sheep, goats, chickens, and even the bees were all buzzing, and the herds and hive that were manageable in the fall were now growing by leaps and bounds, sometimes on an hourly basis.
They were definitely going to have to look into hiring more hands to help with the number of animals and escalating amount of work. Unfortunately, until they did, Jimmy was stuck spending his days off working like a dog—and that included shoveling shit. Funny thing was, if anyone had asked him a year ago what his least favorite job was, he would have quickly responded: messing with any kind of animal shit. Hell, he’d spent his whole life trying to avoid it and vowed he’d never do it as an adult. Now?
A smile curled his lip. How things had changed. Whether shoveling shit, building stalls, running barbed wire, or grooming animals, they were all jobs he’d rather be doing than anything else in the world as long as Eric was at his side. Jimmy shouldn’t be so surprised, considering that while they were growing up every horrible job was made better or at least more enjoyable when he and Eric were doing it together. What did surprise him and perhaps always would was that he and Eric were no longer only the best of friends but an actual couple looking toward a future together.
“What was it you once said? Something about where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Eric came up behind him and placed a kiss to the back of his neck. “I could smell the smoke from the barn.”
Jimmy laid his head back on Eric’s shoulder and turned it to meet his gaze. “I don’t doubt it. This superior brain puts off a lot of heat.”
Eric snaked his arms around Jimmy’s waist and pressed his groin against Jimmy’s ass as he jerked Jimmy’s hips back. “Not the only thing that puts off a lot of heat. I think we are fucking combustible.”
Yes, they were, as evidenced by the molten heat rushing through Jimmy and the rumbling groan from deep inside his chest. “This is what I was thinking about,” Jimmy admitted, his tone deep and husky as his arousal grew.
“You were standing out here thinking of me dry humping you? You really need to start dreaming bigger.”
“No, you goof,” Jimmy said and turned in Eric’s arms, meeting his gaze. The rush of arousal mingled with the ache in his chest when he looked up at those warm laughing brown eyes. He really was the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet. “I was actually thinking about how blessed I am and how much I love you.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Eric said wryly, released his hold on Jimmy, and shoved his hand into his pocket.
Jimmy cocked his head. “You doubt me?”
“No, but hearing you say it makes this a whole lot easier.”
Jimmy stared at the gold band Eric was holding up. He blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Even when they were young boys, Eric had always been adamant that he’d never marry. Jimmy blinked again—the band was still there and Eric’s dimples were shining from the broad smile on his face.
“You going to answer, or you going to make me stand here looking like a dolt?”
“You didn’t ask me anything.”
Eric stuck the ring in Jimmy’s face, nearly touching the tip of Jimmy’s nose. “This is the question. You make me get down on my knee and actually pop the question and I’m going to beat you.”
Jimmy tilted his head up, eyes to the sky like he was actually considering the question, which was hard as hell to do considering his heart was hammering and he was literally vibrating with excitement. The love of his life—and confirmed bachelor—was asking him to marry him.
“All right, if you don’t want it….”
Jimmy grabbed Eric’s wrist before he could pull the ring away. “Of course I’ll marry you, you goofy shit. I thought you’d never ask.”
“Good answer.” Eric beamed.
As Eric’s lips pressed against his, realization hit Jimmy square in the center of his chest. All the years he’d been searching for happiness and it was always right here in his hometown.
More from SJD Peterson
With his fauxhawk, sleeve tattoos, and visible piercings, Ridley Corbin has the whole badass vibe going on in spades. The image serves him well as the self-proclaimed protector of the underdog, and he wants nothing more than to be Alex Firestone’s hero.
Alex, a mild-mannered library assistant, has moved to Slater, a quiet college town, hoping to hide from his past. He keeps to himself, but that doesn’t save him from catching the unwanted attention of the campus bully. But not all is as it seems. Alex’s past comes calling, and it’s time he becomes top dog.
The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell didn’t come soon enough for Gunther “Gunny” Duchene and Macalister “Mac” Jones, career US Marines who met at boot camp in the 1990s. They’ve been somewhere between best friends and lovers in peacetime and wartime both, but as the clock ticks to
ward Mac’s and Gunny’s retirements, the guys have much more to worry about than coming out.
Whether their relationship will survive outside of the closet they’ve had to shove it into for over two decades is a big question mark. Gunny questions why a hot military man like Mac—who could get any guy he wanted, including a younger, sexier one—would want him. But as Gunny and Mac navigate emotional waters as choppy as any they saw on duty, they just might learn Semper Fi applies to more than their careers.
Beyond Duty: Book Two
A Guards of Folsom Story
Gunther Duchene, aka “Gunny”, and Macalister Jones, aka “Mac”, have overcome the obstacles of coming out and retiring after serving more than twenty years as Marines. Their exit ceremony is behind them, their wedding vows are made, and now it’s time for the honeymoon. What better way to kick off their marriage than enjoying the retirement gift Mac gave Gunny? With the leather pants and collar packed, it’s off to New York City and the Guards of Folsom club to celebrate—BDSM style.
On his sixteenth birthday, Francisco “Cisco” Aguilar first sets eyes on Maximilian De Ferrari, owner of Wicked Grounds, an exclusive BDSM club. Cisco has been lost, unsure of what is missing in his life. Over a century old, Max leads a vampire clan, and Cisco is drawn to him in a way he can’t explain. The moment he sees Max he knows his quest isn’t about what he’s been missing, but who.
Five years’ wait seems more than Cisco can bear, but he perseveres and on his twenty-first birthday he walks into Wicked Ground. He’s unafraid to meet the vampire he’s sure is his destiny. Max has been waiting for him, too.
What Max has known all these years, and what Cisco soon discovers, is that more than fate is drawing them together. Iunctiō Cōpula is a powerful binding link capable of restoring cold, dead hearts. With Max and Cisco bound, Cisco will be Max’s greatest weakness. Unable to let Max go, Cisco is thrust into a dark world, where he’s nearly powerless, left to fight for his life and his future with Max. Worse, he’s at the mercy of those who will use him—and hurt him—just to get to the powerful vampire.