Avery smiled at Kane and ran his fingers down along his open jaw. "You're so beautiful like this." And he was, his blue eyes hooded with desire and his full lips stretched wide around him. Kane hummed around his sensitive dick and went back to work. The hot wet suction of Kane's mouth threatened to undo him. He rolled his hips, pushing deeper, and began to fuck his husband's face with vigor. Heaven. Yes, heaven, that was exactly how he would describe the draw of his lover's skilled mouth. He closed his eyes, Kane's mouth felt so good, too good, and now he was torn between pulling away or coming down the moist cavern of his throat.
Kane took the decision from him when he suddenly released the mind-numbing suction on Avery's cock and flattened his hand against his chest, pushing until he tumbled back onto the mattress, legs splayed wide. He heard the bottle hit the nightstand next to them and opened his eyes to see Kane coating his fingers and ridged cock with lubrication. Kane leaned down and took his mouth in a bruising kiss, he could taste himself on Kane's tongue as it was pushed between his lips and deep into his mouth. He greedily sucked him in, enjoying the mingling of the flavors melting across his own tongue. Kane's mouth was the only part of his partner's body touching him. And God, he loved that mouth, but he craved skin on skin. Avery cupped the back of Kane's head and tugged him forward begging for more of this man against him. Kane broke from the kiss and stood watching him, an evil glint in his eyes.
"On your stomach, babe." Kane urged him over, and before he could fully get his knees under him and his ass in the air, Kane sank a long slick finger into his channel. He clenched around the digit and pushed back against Kane's hand, seeking more. Another finger quickly joined the first, and he moaned at the feel of the thick fingers scissoring inside him. His lover withdrew his hand, and he whimpered at the loss.
"Kane, I want you in me now." He wiggled his ass, begging to be filled.
"Not just yet. I'm enjoying watching you squirm." Kane pushed three fingers back into him and slowly pumped them in and out of his entrance, twisting and dragging them against his prostate with each stroke.
"Jesus," Avery groaned and pushed his upper body off the mattress, forcing his weight back, and began fucking himself on those wicked digits.
"Now, Kane. Fuck me…now," he demanded and tried reaching behind him to stroke Kane's length, hoping to set them both on even ground, but his teasing husband kept what he was searching for just out of his reach. "Dammit, Kane, don't make me beg."
He swore he heard a low chuckle as a warm hand palmed his balls, then moved to his leaking cock, gripping and stroking in long tight pulls from root to tip.
"Kane, I'm gonna come if you don't stop."
"Isn't that the idea?" Kane growled and continued his delicious assault.
"Yes, but I need you buried inside me when I come. Please." He heard a strangled groan, and the maddening fingers pulled free from his ass, causing his entrance to clench hungrily, trying to draw them back in. Kane released his cock and gripped his hips, pulling them back and angling them against his body. The wet tip of Kane's length slid along his crevice, making him whimper, while the warmth of Kane's groin pressing tightly against his ass caused him to tremble with need.
"It's gonna feel so good to be inside you." Kane teased his ass with the thick head of his cock, then suddenly pushed into him, stretching him, filling him in one swift thrust. The slight burn in his ass still so sweet even after all this time. Kane began to move in and out of him, each thrust going deeper than the next. Avery dropped his chest to the mattress and gripped the sheets as his husband moved inside him. There were no words to describe the feeling overwhelming him. His nerves fired, sending electrical impulses shooting from the base of his spine and settling firmly in his groin every time his husband's length banged against his gland. Kane's fingers dug into his skin as he drove himself into Avery. Without a doubt, there would be bruises tomorrow, but the exquisite pain was exactly what he needed right this minute.
"Ahhh, babe, that's it." He panted, arching his back and fisting the linens tighter. His knuckles turned white as he held on while Kane pounded into his ass, driving him into the mattress with every powerful thrust.
"Yeah?" Kane grunted behind him and pulled out. A small sound escaped his lips as his lover flipped him to his back. "Need to watch your face when you come, babe." Kane panted and grabbed his leg, placing it over his broad shoulder before pressing himself back into his entrance and setting a relentless pace. The heady smell of sex filled Avery's senses, and the sound of flesh slapping against flesh resonated throughout the room.
He moved his legs to wind them around Kane's waist, pulling him forward as he dug his fingers through the silky strands of his lover's hair, urging his head down for a kiss. Kane's mouth descended on his in a frenzy of teeth, lips, and tongue. Kane nipped and bit, licking into his mouth in a fevered exploration, sucking his tongue roughly then softly between his firm lips. Avery straightened his tongue and fucked Kane's puckered lips in the same rhythm their bodies collided with one another. The passion and need in the scorching kiss clawed at him, bowed his body tight.
Avery gripped his knees, pulling them back, opening himself wider for his lover as he slid in and out of his body. He writhed as Kane drove deep, plunging into him, banging against his spot with each thrust of his hips. "God, yes, Kane!" His vision blurred, he wasn't even sure he could form coherent words—fuck, he didn't even care. All he could concentrate on was the delicious pounding Kane was giving his prostate.
The spiral of heat continually building at the base of his spine burst free, traveling like molten lava through his body and churning heatedly in his balls, drawing them up tight, before exploding in thick creamy ribbons of warmth across his chest and stomach.
"Kane," he hissed, staring into his husband's eyes as he came. The name was uttered as the last bit of air left his lungs, driven out by the waves of pleasure seizing his body. Avery's ass clamped greedily around Kane and shuddered uncontrollably while his heart thundered loudly in his ears. He was lost in Kane's gaze, completely caught up in those blue orbs. The love and devotion he saw reflected in their depths embraced his soul. He had never felt closer to Kane than he did in this moment.
"Avery," Kane moaned, his mouth remained open, but no sound was made as the force of his driving rhythm faltered. Kane's dick twitched and jerked deep in his ass, liquid warmth flooded his insides, drawing a final shudder from him. His husband's frantic thrusts slowed and finally stilled before Kane collapsed against Avery's chest. Avery lay there, not moving, quietly willing his racing heart to settle.
Each beat echoed through his body as he tried to catch his breath. It took longer these days for the gripping pressure in his chest to calm and the tingling he felt in his fingers and arm to subside, but he'd never mentioned any of this to Kane. Knowing that information would worry Kane even more, and his fretful husband would make him swear off sex. He'd given in to Kane's demands for the most part, but sex with Kane was something he wasn't willing to do without.
"Damn, I needed that," he professed, still out of breath and completely sated from their love making, and only faintly aware the pounding in his chest had ebbed.
"Me too," Kane said, staring down at him with a big grin plastered across his handsome face. Kane slipped free from his body and rolled partially to his side, kissing Avery's chest as he curled in against him.
"I love you more than life, Kane."
"I love you too, Avery. And I don't want to live without you, ever. I want us together always," Kane whispered, his head resting on Avery's chest, his arms tightening around Avery, drawing him closer as he spoke the words.
"Baby, I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Avery placed a kiss on Kane's damp hair.
"This is too much. I know I agreed to all of this and I'm proud of you, but Avery I don't want you to run for president. I know it's a long way off, but it's too much stress. I've been reading, stress is a leading precipitator of heart attacks and heart disease. Please let this be enough. We a
ren't young men any longer, we don't have a lot of time left on this planet, and you've forged ground no one thought you could, " Kane said, lifting his tear-filled gaze to Avery. "I've followed you for years, asking very little. Please let it end here."
Avery's heart lurched in his chest. Kane was his everything. One heartbeat passed, and then a second, before Kane's tears began to spill from his eyes and roll silently down his cheeks. He recognized what he thought might be uncertainty and apprehension in his husband. Kane started to pull away from him. Knowing his partner felt so much anguish over his position almost slayed him where he lay.
"No more. I promise this is it. We'll see this through and then we'll bow out," Avery reached for Kane, pulling him back reassuringly against his body.
"Thank you!" Kane's expression lit up, and he climbed back on top of Avery, placing random kisses all over his entire face. "Thank you!"
"All right, all right," Avery said and rolled Kane onto his back. There was a time they would have gone again, making sure Kane knew who the real boss was, but not so much anymore. Instead, he looked down at his smiling love. "But I believe I burned a few calories, so can I have my snack now, please?"
Chapter 30
2004 ~ Georgetown, Washington, DC
Avery sat in his usual place, directly across the kitchen table from Kane, the house phone stuck to his ear as he gave the occasional and unsure 'yes' while Autumn eagerly explained her new Christmas plans. The ones that differed from any other itinerary they had discussed before. This year's plans gave him pause as he stared at Kane, trying to figure out how his husband would feel about this latest development. Kane loved Christmastime with their family. He looked forward to the weeklong festivities leading up to the big day.
As if he already had a clue something was up, Kane kept his gaze glued to Avery, never rushing the conversation, but waiting for his turn to talk to their daughter. Autumn was in her final year of graduate school at Yale while Robert had chosen Duke, and they were both very busy and excited about their chosen careers.
"Dad, you tell Daddy for me. I have to go to class. I'm late," Autumn said hurriedly.
"Wait a minute. No way, you tell him," Avery immediately shot back, breaking his standard uh-huh response.
"I don't have time. Besides, he'll take it better from you," she said, but Avery wasn't buying any of that, he knew his husband too well. No way would he be stuck with the task of breaking Kane's heart.
"Kane, she has to go," Avery clicked the speaker phone on so Kane could hear her.
"Daddy! I love you! I'll call you tomorrow. I'm late for class," Autumn yelled into the phone, making sure she was heard. Then came her signature giant smack from the other end of the line—Autumn's kiss goodbye to both of them.
"I love you, too. Study for finals," Kane called out, but she had already ended the call and the phone went dead. Damn, she'd left Avery holding the bag! He hadn't been fast enough at seeing where her sneaky, middle of the day phone call was headed. He should have known that something was up when she sounded surprised they answered the phone, and then insisted on talking to him first.
"What was all that about?" Kane asked as Avery reached forward to click the phone off.
"Well, honey, it seems neither of our children can make time for us this Christmas break, but they both still plan to be here for Christmas day. They don't want us to be alone while unwrapping presents, can you imagine that? Anyway, Robert evidently has a minimester and Autumn is traveling to meet her current boyfriend's family before heading to New York City for New Year's with her friends. We'll apparently be the stop in the middle of her jaunt," Avery announced, watching Kane closely, worried about his reaction. Kane had dedicated his life to raising their children, and now it appeared they were back to just the two of them at home.
"She's like you, go, go, go," Kane said, picking up the empty sandwich plate taking up space in front of Avery on the table.
"I can call and ask them to come home," Avery started but Kane stopped him as he placed the dish in the sink.
"I think we should go to Aspen this year," Kane surprised him by saying. Avery watched him even closer as he turned on the faucet and washed the dish. Had he heard him right? He had been certain the holidays without the children would have depressed Kane.
"Why are you looking at me that way?"
Avery rose, trailing a finger around the center island as he walked toward Kane. He kept his gaze focused on his husband, trying to figure out why the man was okay with a change of plans this year. He wrapped his arms around Kane from behind and kissed his neck before he answered. "I've always wanted to go to Aspen for the holidays."
"I know. I think it's the perfect time," Kane stated, leaning his head back to look at Avery.
"What about the children?" Avery asked cautiously.
"They can come there for the day, just like they can come to Georgetown. They're twenty-four years old, they're moving on with their lives, and it's back to just us now. It's time for them to leave the nest. We have to let them jump. It seems they're past ready to spread their wings and fly," Kane said, shutting off the water and drying his hands before he turned in Avery's arms.
"So does this mean No-Clothes-Thursday can be added back to our weekly schedule?" Avery gave Kane a grin and waggled his brows.
"I'm old enough to collect Social Security, Avery, I don't think anyone wants to see me naked," Kane replied, leaning in to give Avery a small kiss before pulling away. Avery wasn't having any of that. They were going to have the house to themselves again. Kane was settled with their children creating their own lives away from home, so Avery found this the perfect moment to reinforce how much he loved his husband. Because Kane was very wrong, his need for this man had never faded, it had only grown stronger over the years.
"Whatever! You're the hottest, silver-haired fox around. I want you naked all the time." Avery tugged Kane back against him and slid his hands underneath Kane's shirt. "Actually, why wait till Thursday, I want you naked right now…"
"Baby, you have to get ready for your speech tomorrow…" Kane began, but Avery cut him off by tugging his shirt over his head.
"And you have to lead a Bible study class in two hours. We need to get started so you aren't late." Avery captured Kane's lips with his and pushed his man backward through their home, to the bedroom, where he purposefully left the door open.
Chapter 31
Present Day
The waiting was the absolute worst. For Kane, the minutes ticked by incredibly slowly. The hospital staff stayed vigilant to his needs, as did Autumn, who'd sat in the same chair by the waiting room window, holding his hand, for the last few hours. Autumn worked hard to keep Kane talking, never letting the crazy, scary thoughts of Avery's surgery take too much root in his mind. She helped, even though he never stopped the ongoing prayer running through his head. God, please keep Avery safe and here with me. Please.
"Daddy, I was thinking of redecorating my living room. I like the fall colors this year. I think I could live with those for a few years. What do you think?" Autumn asked, drawing his attention back to her.
"I think you should have gone into interior design instead of law," Kane said, patting her hand with his own.
"Probably, but I wouldn't have gotten to work with Dad had I done that," she said and cut her anxious eyes up to Kane's. The entire afternoon she had concentrated on keeping the topics of conversation flowing and not centered just on Avery. She was perfect that way. It was also why she had made such an amazing assistant district attorney.
Avery had been proud of that accomplishment.
"It's okay, baby. I wish they would give us an update. I don't know why this is taking so long," Kane said, and as if on cue, the waiting room door opened. Like so many other times today, Kane steeled his heart, bucked up his spine, and prayed there were positive, smiling physicians there, not the hospital aides coming to check on them again.
He got one part right.
A team of doctors cam
e through the door still dressed in scrubs from head to toe. Each entered, holding the door for the one behind them. Robert was nowhere to be seen. Autumn stood first, and Kane rose at a slower pace, his eyes staying trained on the doctors. They wouldn't make eye contact with either of them. What did that mean? Kane's breath hitched, he tripped, stumbling when he tried to get to his feet. Robert had been the last physician to enter the waiting room. He was tugging the cap off his head when his red-rimmed eyes connected with Kane's.
Kane stopped. He held his breath as everything around him stilled as if he were standing alone in the middle of the waiting room instead of surrounded by people. Everything he never wanted to hear, never wanted to know, was held in his son's gaze.
"Daddy, I'm so sorry. They did everything they could. He didn't make…" Robert started, but his voice broke, unable to say the last few words. The weight of Robert's unspoken words registered in his mind, crushing him. Avery. Oh, God, his Avery…gone.
Surprisingly, his legs held him upright. Although, he wasn't sure how long that would last. Instinctively, his hands went to his face, covering the flow of tears that erupted as his heart dropped from his chest and shattered into a thousand little pieces on the beige and honey-limestone floor of the waiting room. Pieces that Avery had held together, pieces that could never be put back right, pieces that would remain lost forever.
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