Smoldering Desires

by C. E. Knipes

“Fuck. Talk about rotten timing.”

  I left the door unlocked and quickly returned to Sebastian.

  “We have to go downstairs. If we don’t show up in the next five minutes, she’ll come looking for us. Or send one of my brothers.”

  “Crap. Okay, one more kiss before we go.”

  He pushed me backward and down onto the bed. He sprawled on top of me. His weight as well as his lips felt good on me. Suddenly, we were bathed in the light from the hall. My heart pounding, I looked up to see Brandon standing in the doorway.

  “Dinner’s ready, you horny bastards. You can finish that later.”

  “Don’t you believe in knocking.”

  “Don’t you believe in locking your door?”

  “Touché. We’ll be right down, Brandon.”

  After Brandon left, we dressed and went downstairs. The family was gathered in the kitchen. As with Thanksgiving, we would need to use both the kitchen and dining room tables for seating. No food was being served yet, but the alcohol was already flowing. While we were napping, Rory and his wife, Madeline, and his two girls, Bridget and Katie, had arrived. They’d left a day early because of the snow and had just made it before the interstate closed. Introductions were made. I had been anxious about Sebastian meeting Rory. However, Rory was pleasant enough to both of us, but did not over-engage us in conversation. I had expected no less. Rory was still uncomfortable with having a gay brother and continued his reticence toward me. Margaret, however, had been one of my staunchest supporters.

  “So nice to see you again, Evan.”

  “You too, Margaret.”

  My mother came in from the dining room.

  “Now that Evan and Sebastian have joined us, we can serve dinner. Madeline, would you and Sherry give me a hand setting out dishes?”

  The look on Sherry’s face indicated it was the last thing in the world she wanted to do. But with a nudge from Ian that no one missed, she followed Madeline and my mother into the kitchen. The three women began an elaborate dance between the dining room and the kitchen, placing steaming casseroles and bowls on one of two sideboards. There were three large casseroles of shepherd’s pie, three large bowls of green salad, two bowls of homemade applesauce, two bowls of squash, two large platters of spare ribs and sauerkraut, and two platters of homemade bread, bottles of red wine, and, finally, pitchers of ice water.

  When the three women were seated once more, my father said grace. After a chorus of “amens” the feeding frenzy began, as did an endless stream of conversation. Punctuated by a “pass me the…” the clink of utensils on china, and the unmistakable sound of wine, beer, and whiskey glasses being filled again and again. As usual, my family ate as if this were to be their last meal. Several times, I glanced sideways at Sebastian to see how he was holding up. To my pleasure, he was doing fine and genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself.

  After gorging myself on two helpings of everything and consuming a half dozen glasses of wine, I laid my fork down.

  “Mom, that was a feast fit for a king.”

  “Thanks, Evan.”

  Everyone agreed with my assessment.

  “Why don’t the sons clear the table while everyone else relaxes in the living room?” This suggestion was met with a chorus of approvals from the women, plus my father. The TV in the living room was turned on to the game. Sebastian, my brothers, and I cleared the table. Brandon loaded the dishwasher, Ian and Colin tackled the pots and pans, and Sebastian and I stored the leftovers in the garage fridges. Sebastian was entranced by the dozen pies cooling on the counters in the garage. And half as many cakes and assorted cookies.

  “Christmas is a big deal here, Sebastian. Your waistline will definitely be larger when you leave.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. Do we have to wait till after Christmas dinner?”

  “No, we’ll break into those tonight after dinner. McGarritys aren’t famous for their patience.”

  When we returned to the kitchen, Ian and Colin were getting ready to take out the garbage.

  “Why don’t the two of you relax with everyone in front of the game?”

  “Not yet, Colin. I think we’ll go for a walk to work off some of the calories we ingested. We’ll be back in about a half hour.”

  Ian patted me on the shoulder.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Just then, my mother came into the kitchen. I told her we were going to take a walk in the snow.

  “Okay. Have fun. When you get back we’ll have dessert.”

  We grabbed our coats from the rack. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, I whispered to Sebastian, “Let me grab a joint before we head out.”

  I ran upstairs and returned momentarily. All of the family was gathered in front of the television. I found a pair of boots in the front hall closet for Sebastian, as well as a pair for me, and we stepped out onto the front porch. The snow was still falling steadily. The air was crisp and cold.

  When we reached the sidewalk, I lit the joint, took a deep drag, and passed it to Sebastian. The snow was about a foot above our ankles as we walked. The night was silent except for the plows working the adjacent streets. We reached an old mansion around the corner that was for sale. Sebastian opened the black wrought iron gate, and we shuffled up the sidewalk to the front porch. We stood there and finished the joint. When I stashed the roach in my pocket, Sebastian pulled me to him. He kissed me on the lips, long and hard.

  After a second kiss, he undid the button on my jeans and unzipped them. He pulled them, along with my briefs, to my knees. I was instantly fully erect in the cold night air. Flakes fell softly on my cock.

  Sebastian dropped to his knees in the snow. He took me lovingly into his mouth. He began bobbing on me, using his tongue and lips to full advantage. The minutes fell away as the snow covered us, and I was lost in the warmth and wetness of his mouth. I gripped his shoulder as a powerful release surged through me. When I was spent, Sebastian rose and kissed me on the lips. Moments later, I was on my knees, returning the favor. It didn’t take long for Sebastian to come.

  When he was spent, I stood up and he embraced me.

  “We should get back before a search party comes looking for us.”

  “Thanks for a wonderful evening, Evan. I love your family.”

  “They seem quite enamored of you as well.”

  When we reached my parents’ house, Rory and Ian were on the front porch, smoking cigars. That was one vice my mother did not allow in the house. They were also sharing a bottle of whiskey. Ian handed me the bottle.

  “A little something to warm you up, lad. That is, if you’re needing something else.”

  I took a long pull from the bottle and handed it to Sebastian. He took a drink and handed the bottle back to Ian.

  “I’m good, Ian. Thanks for asking. Sebastian was able to work the cold out of me just fine.”

  This elicited a chuckle from both he and Rory. Was my older brother starting to come around?

  “That’s my little brother. You can’t fight that McGarrity passion.”

  Sebastian laughed out loud and I groaned and punched Ian in the arm.

  “Let’s go inside and have dessert.”

  When we went inside, the kitchen table was littered with cakes, pies, and cookies. Tubs of vanilla and chocolate ice cream were wedged in between them.

  My mother was slicing cakes and pies with wild abandon.

  “You’re back. We were starting to get worried.”

  “No worries, Mom. I think he was in good hands.”

  It was Rory this time who made the wisecrack.

  My mother shot him a disapproving look. However, she then turned her head away to hide a smile, but didn’t quite pull it off. When she faced us again, she was all business.

  The pies were all lined up on the sideboards, two of each: apple, peach, pumpkin, cherry, banana cream, and blueberry. There were three others for Christmas day, as well as a chocolate cake and a large assortment of Christmas cookies
.

  We sat down in the living room to watch a Christmas movie with the family. When it was over, I said good night to all who remained awake, as did Sebastian, and we climbed the stairs to my room. We brushed our teeth, washed our faces, and got ready for bed. I texted Jessica, bringing her up to speed on Sebastian and Max.

  I was nervous, knowing very well I would be hard-pressed to keep my hands off Sebastian. But I didn’t want to get busted having sex in my parents’ house. We undressed unselfconsciously in front of each other. I made no bones about checking out Sebastian’s body. I admired his thick, muscled chest, covered in a pelt of fine black hair. His cock was fully hard, sticking straight out from his body.

  “What do you propose to do with that? We’ll wake the whole house. This bed squeaks like a giant mouse. Plus, you know how noisy you can be.”

  “I’ll be quiet. If it gets too loud, we’ll stop.”

  “Sure we will.”

  I opened the nightstand drawer and grabbed a small tube of lube. I tore it open and got myself ready. He kneeled on the bed and it gave out a loud groan. I put a hand over my mouth to stifle a giggle. He lay down beside me and turned me on my left side. He lifted my right leg and then he was sliding into me. I grunted as his full length filled me. He began kissing my neck and shoulders as he withdrew then entered me once more. His warm breath tickled my ear. I grabbed a mouthful of my blanket to stifle the anticipated groans.

  I grabbed my cock in my right hand and began stroking it to match Sebastian’s thrusts. As promised, he continued slow, easy plunges, making me feel every inch of him. I was getting close to coming, and I could tell he was too. With a final quick stroke, I sprayed the hairs on my stomach. Sebastian gave a final thrust, shaking the bed so loudly the entire house probably heard. He gently bit my shoulder as he emptied inside of me. We took turns using the bathroom, then I lay down once more. He wrapped me in his arms and I fell asleep.

  My alarm went off at six thirty. Sebastian’s arms were still around me. I turned to find him staring at me. I kissed him, morning breath be damned.

  “I’ll go first in the bathroom.”

  I brushed my teeth, skipped shaving, and took a quick but hot shower. When I got back to my room, Sebastian was sprawled naked on the bed, masturbating.

  “Do you need any help?”

  “I’m good. You can watch, though.”

  I lay on the bed next to him. Very quickly, my towel was gone and I was joining him in an explosive climax. I cleaned myself up while he took his turn in the shower.

  Breakfast was the usual mountain of food. There were pancakes, eggs, ham, bacon and sausage, waffles, homemade muffins, and a large platter of fruit. My father announced that it was still snowing heavily and that the interstate would be closed for at least the next two days.

  “Thanks, Shaun. I need to call my parents after breakfast with this update.”

  When breakfast was over, Sebastian stepped out onto the front porch and was gone for about ten minutes. In the interim, I played one of the latest video games with my nieces. He returned just as I was killed by a zombie.

  “What did they say?”

  They’re still going to hold Christmas till I can make it. One of my other brothers hasn’t made it home yet either.”

  Rory came in from shoveling the sidewalk and the porch and steps.

  “It’s still coming down. Dad, do you still have our sleds and the toboggans in the garage? Today would be a great day to go sledding on Dead Man’s Hill on the golf course.”

  The Lancaster Country Club was located about a mile from my parents’ house. We had been sledding on it since we were old enough to sled. Initially, our father and mother had joined the sledding party. But as they got older my older brothers had taken over spearheading the event.

  Ian had just come in from the kitchen.

  “Let’s make a day of it. We can pack lunches and bring hot chocolate and adult beverages.”

  I turned to Sebastian.

  “We’re going to need long underwear and sweaters. I have extra in my room. I’m going to call Jess to see if she and Sam want to join us.”

  Jessica picked up on the first ring.

  “That sounds like fun, Evan. Mom cancelled her shopping plans due to the snow, so I’m free all day. Sam is as well.”

  “Great. We’ll pick you up on the way.”

  When I hung up, Sebastian followed me upstairs and, as soon as we were in my bedroom, he closed the door. He pushed me against it and began kissing me ardently. Again, I felt his thick cock through the material of his jeans.

  “I’m glad I get to stay for Christmas, Evan. I’m concerned, though, about how Max is going to take this.”

  “I’m going to have to talk to him sometime today. He’s going to be here tonight for dessert, and I can’t have the two of you fighting over me.”

  I had just finished speaking when my phone rang. It was Max.

  “Good morning, Evan. I have good news. The store is closed today because of the snow. We can hang out if you’d like.”

  I cupped the phone in my hand and turned to Sebastian.

  “It’s Max. Do you mind giving me a minute?”

  “Not at all, Evan.”

  After he left the room, I put the phone back to my ear. Max was still speaking.

  “Evan. Are you there?”

  “I’m here, Max. We’re all headed to Dead Man’s Hill to go sledding. Sebastian is here. He got snowed in last night when he stopped to see me on his way home for Christmas.”

  There was dead silence on the other end.

  “Max. Don’t be mad.”

  “I thought he might be. I’m not mad, Evan. We should talk though, sooner rather than later.”

  “I agree, Max. I like you very much and want to be honest with you. We’re old friends, after all.”

  “Yes, we’ve been through a lot, haven’t we? Let’s not do this over the phone, though.”

  “I can meet you after we go sledding.”

  “Okay, Evan. I’ll be at the bar.”

  He hung up right as Sebastian came back into my room.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “I think it’s going to be. Max didn’t get mad or shout or anything. I think he realizes this was just a rebound relationship. I’m going to meet him this afternoon at Spenser’s after sledding.”

  “Okay. I know this won’t be easy for you.”

  I stepped over to him and he opened his arms for me.

  “It won’t be easy, Sebastian. But it’s you I love and want to be with. I’ve known this the entire time I was with Max. I was hurt because I thought you were seeing Brent behind my back. Max was convenient, and safe, and we already had history.”

  “I love you too, Evan. I have since the first night we had dinner. I had never fallen for someone so fast, and didn’t trust my feelings. Also, I was still cautious because of what I’d just gone through with Brent.”

  In addition to long johns and a sweater for Sebastian, I also secured snow boots and a winter coat from my closet. Having everything we needed, we went back downstairs and joined the others. We filled the living room as we tugged on boots, gloves, scarves, and hats. When everyone was properly geared, we marched single file out of the house. My mother saw us off.

  “Have a good time, everyone.”

  Rory and Ian were already outside. They had pulled a half dozen sleds from the garage. These consisted of the traditional red runner sleds as well as various disks and saucers. There were also two old wooden toboggans. They were heavy as hell. We’d had them since Brandon and I were kids. However, my father cherished them and had kept them in tiptop shape all these years, waxing, wrapping, and storing them at the end of each winter. And replacing any worn or broken boards.

  Two large coolers were on one toboggan. The other quickly became filled with my nieces. I took the toboggan with the coolers, and Sebastian was sled dog for the other. We set out as a group, the snow quickly coating all of us. It was still eerily silent in o
ur neighborhood, except for the snowplows and the occasional snow blower. This changed as soon as we were two blocks from the golf course. A small stream of people, mainly kids but some adults, was headed there. We made a slight detour to pick up Jessica and Samantha. They each had a runner sled, and were well bundled. Each had also brought a flask of brandy. As soon as we reached the course, we headed straight for Dead Man’s Hill.

  We took turns piling on the toboggans, as well as on the runner sleds and the saucers. Within an hour, the golf course was filled with people. Laughter filled the air as the snow continued to fall. We took a break from sledding at noon. Everyone propped their sleds in the snow and gathered around Rory and Madeline. They each opened one of the large coolers and began handing out food. There were numerous sandwiches: PB&Js, ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, and tuna. These were accompanied by a variety of fruits: bananas, Granny Smith apples, pears, and grapes. Three large thermoses contained delicious hot chocolate. For the adults there was peppermint schnapps for the hot chocolate, in addition to several bottles of whiskey and Irish cream liqueur. Sebastian and I ate our fill, then stretched out on one of the toboggans to rest from the exertions of sledding. However, Katie and Bridget were back at it as soon as they’d finished eating.

  I was waiting for my turn on one of the toboggans when I got a text from Max.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Can we meet now?”

  “You bet. I’ll be there in a few.”

  Sebastian was just coming back up the hill from his turn on one of the saucers.

  “Max just texted. He’s ready to meet me. Are you okay here?”

  “I’m fine here. I’m having a blast with your family.”

  “Okay, I’m going to let Brandon know where I’m going as well. He knows the full story between me and Max.”

  “I’ll see you soon, Evan. Good luck.”

  Although Spenser’s was only a few minutes’ walk, it took me double the time to get there due to the snow. Most of the sidewalks were still not shoveled.

  As I neared the bar, I saw the neon signs glowing their various colors against the falling snow. Leave it to old man Spenser to not miss a chance to make a buck.