Silver Fox in Cedarwood (Cedarwood Pride)

by Megan Slayer

  “Doesn’t bother me. I want to see you.”

  Isaac smiled. The dimple showed in his cheek. “I’d like that. Where, and is eight-thirty-ish okay?”

  “Eight-thirty-ish is perfect. I’m on Delaney Drive. Six-seventy-two. I’m the only blue house on the north side of the street.” He wanted to reach for Isaac and smooth the wrinkles in his shirt.

  Isaac grasped Len’s hand and grinned. “I’ll see you as soon as I pick up Stan.” He darted in and kissed Len.

  The connection was quick, but damn. His knees wobbled and his lips tingled. Len wanted more. Lots more. “Until later.” He nodded to gather his wits. “I’ll see myself out.”

  “This way.” Isaac pointed to a door at the back of the office. “It’s my private exit.” He lingered another moment. “You made my day.”

  “I’ll try to make your night too.” He’d been suggestive and loved every second of it.

  “Naughty.” Isaac opened the door but didn’t kiss him. “I’m late and I need to behave when the staff can see me. Until later.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” Len strolled out of the office. He could’ve been walking on air, he felt so free. He had a date with a hot guy. Not a pity date or something last-resort. An honest-to-God date. Dorian wasn’t an issue and Isaac was interested. How lucky could one guy be?

  Chapter Six

  After a quick trip home at lunch to let Stan out, Isaac returned to the clinic and managed to get through the remainder of his day, but his thoughts never traveled far from Len. He hadn’t seen the surprise visit coming. If he had, then it wouldn’t have been a shock, but still. Len was Dr. Gates’ patient and could be at the practice. Still, he wondered what had changed Len’s mind. Did the reason really matter? No.

  He drove home at ten minutes to eight. As soon as Isaac walked through the door to his condo, Stan darted across the living room. Ollie licked his paws on the back of the sofa.

  “Hiya, guy. I wasn’t gone that long, but I’m sorry I left you cooped up for the last couple hours.” He scooped up Stan and carried him through the living room to the kitchen. “We’ve got a date tonight. You’re going to visit with Cissy, and I’m going to see Len.” He placed Stan on the floor, then opened cans of dog and cat food for the pets. Ollie left the couch, strolled across the counter and sat beside his dish.

  Isaac filled both bowls. “Sorry, Ollie. I’ll feed you first.” He scooted the bowl over, then put Stan’s on the floor. “Did he bother you too much today?” Like the cat would answer him. Instead, Ollie glared at him with his yellow cat stare, then resumed eating.

  Isaac shrugged. He left the kitchen and made the rounds of his condo, looking for accidents. “You’ve had a good day, Stan. No messes.”

  He strolled into the bedroom and stripped out of his button-down shirt. The disinfectant scent from the office seemed to cling to his skin. He loved his job and helping people, but sometimes he wished he didn’t have to smell like chemicals. The bone-deep weariness from being at work hit him hard. He finished removing his clothes and stood naked in the middle of the bathroom. When he glanced over his shoulder, Stan sat in the doorway, watching him.

  “I know, I know,” he mumbled. “I need to run some more.” Isaac rolled his shoulders. He hadn’t thought about his looks much, other than that he’d hoped to be good enough for Len. Now he didn’t want to see himself in the mirror. The lines around his eyes would be deeper, he’d have forehead crinkles, and he probably could use a shave. Oh well.

  He stepped into the shower stall and turned on the water. The icy spray hit him, jolting him out of his half-sleepy state. “Damn.” He opened his eyes wide and waited for the water to heat up. He’d needed that cold rush from the showerhead.

  Water sluiced down him. He lathered a washcloth, then scrubbed his body. His thoughts turned to Len. He wondered what Len looked like naked. Probably chiseled and sexy, although Isaac wouldn’t know. He hadn’t peeked while Len was at the hospital. Plus, it hadn’t been a good time, being that Len was with someone and he was a patient. Sure, Len had let Aiden know he was interested in him, but hadn’t said a word about possibly dating Aiden’s father.

  Christ, he was fucked in the head. Wanting a damn patient. Okay, so Len was a former patient and now said he liked Isaac. There was a whole lot of wrong in desiring a man that much. Isaac rested his head on the tile wall. He’d never done anything reckless in his life. Never drank to excess…no drugs, cheating… He even dated safe guys, ones he knew wouldn’t want commitments but wouldn’t hurt him. Now he wanted Len.

  He smoothed his hands down his chest to his groin. His cock stood out from the thatch of blond curls. The soap slickened his way as he stroked himself. His insides heated and water slid down his face. He panted. Part of him swore he should stop, but the rest of him didn’t give a shit. He needed to climax to relax for the date. Plus, he wanted to envision Len there with him.

  He could almost feel Len’s hands on his sides, then up to his ribs. You’re a beautiful man.

  Isaac groaned. He stroked himself faster, mashing his thumb across the tip of his dick.

  So hot. Len’s breath warmed Isaac’s neck. Faster. He kissed along Isaac’s pulse, then reached around and pinched Isaac’s nipples. Isaac shivered and closed his eyes. What would it feel like to kiss Len during sex? Probably fucking awesome. Dear God, he wished Len were really there. He widened his stance and braced his free hand on the wall. Each stroke nudged him closer to coming apart. His knees buckled, and the heat in his belly spread through his body. He panted and rocked into his fingers.

  He closed his eyes. “I need to come,” he said out loud. His steady rhythm, in and out of his fingers, turned feral. Nothing held him back. He embraced the raw need and excitement in his veins. His throat ached, and he jerked forward into his hand. Cum splattered onto the wall and down to the floor. He leaned on his arm as the water prickled on his back. Although his legs wobbled, he managed to curl into a sitting position. His breathing turned steady and he opened his eyes. Now he could face Len. He sighed.

  Isaac stood, then rinsed off. He breathed in the scent of his shampoo and washed his hair. Before, he’d dreaded meeting up with Len because he’d thought Len might change his mind. But playing with himself energized him, and he lost his concerns. He couldn’t wait to get there and give whatever they were building a chance. He washed the suds from his hair and rinsed again.

  Once he toweled off and righted the bathroom, he stood in front of his closet. Shit. What was he supposed to wear? He selected a pair of jeans and boxer briefs. Something Len had said came to mind. He was making mocktails. What a gentleman…thinking about them both having to get up in the morning and not needing a fuzzy head. Isaac loved a courteous man. He picked out a pullover shirt. Something soft but which showed off his physique. He wanted to be perfect for Len.

  Isaac checked his look in the mirror three times. Christ. He hadn’t been this nervous in forever. What was he worried about? Not looking good enough for Len, that was what. His worries and fears collided with his desire to please Len. If he talked himself out of going to Len’s, he’d never get anywhere. Fuck it. He stuffed his bare feet into his loafers, then forced himself to leave the bedroom.

  “Ready, Stan?” He picked up the dog’s leash.

  The rattle of the leash caught Stan’s attention. He abandoned his food bowl and danced around Isaac’s ankles. His claws scraped the tile floor in the kitchen. Isaac clicked the leash onto the ring on Stan’s collar.

  “We’ll do a pit stop in the front yard. Then we’re off to see Cissy.” He led the dog out of the front door. After a few moments, Stan held up his end of the deal. Isaac locked the condo, then opened the car door for Stan. “Cissy will love seeing you.”

  Isaac made the short trek over to Delaney Drive. His heart hammered the entire way. He couldn’t wait to see Len. As he pulled onto Len’s street, he remembered the neighborhood. He’d looked at houses in the area, but didn’t need more than one bedroom, and at the time hadn’
t wanted the heftier price tag. The single-unit condo he’d found had been perfect.

  When he parked in front of Len’s garage, he paused. Would it be terrible to live here? Giddiness slid through his brain. He was here. He hadn’t chickened out.

  He turned off the engine and helped Stan out of the car. Should he have brought along a bottle of wine or something? Shit. He hated to be empty-handed.

  Len opened the front door. “You made it. Hi, Stan.”

  The dog perked up and darted away from Isaac to Len. He barked until Len moved out of the way.

  “I thought you’d gotten lost,” Len said. “I see Stan found Cissy.”

  “He does like her.” He stepped into the townhome and brushed Len’s chest as he passed. His arm tingled. Damn. “I, uh, had to take a shower.” To take the edge off. “I smelled like the office. Plus I wanted to change.”

  “I like.” Len closed the door, then swept his gaze over Isaac. “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure you’d show.”

  “Why?” He unclipped Stan from his leash. The dog chased Cissy.

  “I was a dick the other day. Then today I go and change my mind. I teased you without realizing it.”

  “Sometimes you need the chance to come around.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. Every cell in his body urged him to snag Len in an embrace, but he held back.

  “I suppose.” Len gestured to the kitchen. “I’ve got mocktails mixed. Sangria. I knew you had to work tomorrow and figured you wouldn’t want the booze in your system. Aiden says I’m not supposed to drink anyway, but I have a beer from time to time.” He offered Isaac a goblet. “Enjoy.”

  “So it’s juice cocktails?” He sipped the dark juice. Whatever was in it tasted good.

  “Yeah.”

  “Perfect.” He grinned. Len had thought of everything. Isaac wondered if he had condoms and lube in the other room too…just in case.

  “I’m volunteering at the library tomorrow, and I can’t read to the little ones if I’m hungover.” Len laughed. He’d shaved and combed his hair back. The crinkles around his eyes weren’t so deep, and red infused his cheeks.

  “True.” Isaac clinked glasses with Len. “Here’s to working and reading with a clear head.” Because God knew his brain wasn’t clear right now. All he could think about was getting time alone with Len. Naked time with Len sounded good too. He swept his gaze over Len. The shirt clung to his upper body and showed off the muscles in his arms. The shorts were a tad on the baggy side and gave him a surfer look. Isaac licked his lips. Len swam and probably looked hot as hell in those trunks. What was he hiding under the baggy shorts?

  “Cheers.” Len sipped the juice. “Make yourself at home. The dogs already have.” He nodded to an oversized dog pillow. Cissy was stretched out on the pillow, and Stan had tucked himself in against her belly.

  Isaac sat on the couch and placed his glass on the side table. God help him—if he wasn’t careful, he’d spill the juice on the sofa. Wouldn’t that make a great impression? He noticed photos of Aiden and Matt on the mantel. A guy he didn’t know was with Len in many of the pictures. Another friend of Aiden’s? He looked a tad old for Aiden. The guy could be one of Len’s exes, but he wasn’t Ross. A twinge of jealousy started in the pit of Isaac’s belly. Not only did he want the kind of relationship that Aiden and Matt probably had, he also wasn’t fond of seeing Len with anyone else. Len had a past, but that didn’t mean Isaac wanted to see it. Was he jealous? A little.

  Len put his glass down. “I see you noticed Keye.”

  “Who?”

  “Keye. He was my first husband.” Len left the sofa long enough to retrieve one of the pictures. “I guess he’s my only husband, but since I was married to Aiden’s mom, it’s my second marriage.” He shrugged. “We had a good time together, Keye and I. I miss him.”

  “What happened?” He didn’t want to know and hadn’t ever asked Aiden about his father. But now he felt obligated. He stole glances at the photo. Len and Keye looked too happy together. Too perfect. He bit back a groan. Yes, he was definitely jealous.

  “AIDS. He had the virus before we met, but I didn’t contract it. He had the disease under control until he didn’t. We were monogamous, and every three months I got tested in case he passed it to me. It relieved him when I came back negative.” Len caressed the edge of the frame. “He helped me raise Aiden. He was a good man and I miss him.”

  “I’m sure.” He hated himself for the streak of dislike aimed at Keye. Len’s husband was handsome and perfect-looking. “He seems nice. Aiden never really talked about him.”

  “Aiden wouldn’t. He prefers to be private.” Len’s smile wobbled. “Keye told me when he neared the end of his life that he wanted me to keep living. I was supposed to find someone new. I’m guessing Ross wasn’t who he had in mind. He was a bad decision made from loneliness.”

  Isaac nodded. He’d hated Ross from the second he’d met him. “He was bossy, I’ll give you that, but we all make mistakes.”

  “He was sneaky too. He didn’t want to tell Aiden I was in the hospital or the ICU after the TIA. I certainly learned my lesson.” Len finished his juice. “I know what kind of man I want to avoid now.”

  Isaac frowned. “Why’d he leave Aiden in the dark?”

  “He didn’t like Aiden. The feeling was mutual, and I know Matt told him off at least once.”

  “Good.” Someone had needed to give Ross a piece of their mind. The guy hadn’t helped Len recover at all—not with his horrible attitude.

  Len smiled and put the photo of Keye down. He slid Isaac’s hand into his. “You don’t look well. Is that the green-eyed monster I detect? Or are you allergic to my sangria?”

  “Maybe I’m a tad jealous.” Embarrassed was more like it. He’d been caught. He met Len’s gaze. “Although I liked Aiden, there was something about you… I never could look away. That’s probably why Aiden and I stayed friends. We weren’t love material.” He exhaled and clutched his glass. Getting those words out helped to calm him.

  “He’s perceptive.”

  “And?” Oh fuck… Len was touching him, but nothing good could come of Aiden’s response.

  “He’s fine with us—well, if there is an us. He said he wanted me to be happy.” Len shrugged. “He’s not going to get upset if we’re together. He worries about me, but he trusts me. He knows I won’t try to date someone he tried to hook up with.”

  Talk about the best news ever… “Are you serious?”

  “Uh-huh. The age thing still seems strange to me, but I can deal. The biggest issue we’ve got to face is if the dogs keep getting along and if you’re good in the sack.” Len scooted closer to Isaac. Their thighs touched. He rested his hand, still holding Isaac’s, on his leg. His breath warmed Isaac’s cheeks. “I’m pretty good between the sheets—or so I’m told.”

  “You are?” Isaac sagged into Len. “I guess I need to find out.” He faced Len and feathered his lips over Len’s. The man tasted good—like juice and sin. Was sin a taste? Isaac didn’t know. He slid his fingers into Len’s hair and massaged the back of his head.

  Len swallowed Isaac’s moan. He palmed the growing bulge in Isaac’s pants.

  Heat surged through Isaac’s body and centered in his belly. He scooted down in his seat and spread his legs. Being touched pleased him. His cock hardened beneath his jeans. The pressure from the zipper helped to keep some of his libido in check, but not much. He stopped touching the back of Len’s head and caressed Len’s cock through his trousers. When he opened his mouth, Len sucked on Isaac’s tongue.

  “Yes,” Len said, then resumed kissing Isaac.

  A shiver ran the length of Isaac’s spine. He needed more from Len but didn’t want to push. Who was he kidding? He craved everything from Len. He massaged Len’s dick through his pants. If he opened Len’s khakis, he’d find nirvana.

  Len pulled away from Isaac for another moment. “Shit, that’s good.”

  “Can be better.” He tugged the zipper on Len’s shorts
down, then parted the fabric. Instead of finding underwear, he freed Len’s erection and stroked Len’s shaft. “Commando? Nice.” He hadn’t expected Len to be bare. He wrapped his fingers around Len’s cock and resumed kissing Len. His brain refused to function, but he knew what he wanted to do—drive Len wild. He gave in to the bliss.

  “Isaac.” Len rested his forehead on Isaac’s. He closed his eyes. “I need to touch you.” He tore open Isaac’s jeans and freed his cock from beneath his boxer briefs. He moved in time with Isaac’s strokes.

  Isaac panted. He rested his head on the back of the sofa. He couldn’t speak or breathe—not when all he could do was focus on caressing Len. A moan bubbled in his throat. His restraint thinned and he gritted his teeth. He wasn’t new at mutual masturbation, but damn. Len blew his mind. Wasn’t he supposed to be doing that to Len? He shuddered as the orgasm built within him. He’d passed the point of no return.

  “Fuck.” Len growled. He jammed his dick into the circle of Isaac’s fingers. “Jesus.” Cum dribbled down Isaac’s hand.

  The warmth on Isaac’s skin and the thrill of giving Len pleasure was more than Isaac could handle. The climax hit him hard and overwhelmed him. He trembled as he came on Len’s hand. He’d thought the orgasm in the shower had been enough, but this one rocked him to his core. He met Len’s gaze and tried to speak, but no words came out.

  “Wow.” Len brushed his fingers over Isaac’s cheek. “So good.”

  “Damn.” He sagged against the couch. “I don’t want to leave. Don’t think I can.” He chuckled. “My knees are weak.”

  “Then stay.” Len rested his head on Isaac’s shoulder. “The dogs are good. We’re good. Stay tonight.”

  He sighed. He hadn’t wanted to go anywhere anyhow. “You had me at the dogs are good. I should’ve tucked work clothes into the trunk.”

  “I’ll set an alarm.”

  “You’re dangerous,” Isaac whispered. He’d fallen for Len. Even after a short time, he’d lost a piece of his heart. He hadn’t planned on falling in love, but he didn’t care.