by Ana Ashley
"Tiago, I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone again, and I'm still trying to figure it out because it's so much of the same I felt for Dri but also so different. I knew I was falling for you, but I didn't know how deep in I already was until my son pointed it out to me. I'm tired of denying it."
His hold around my waist tightened. I put my hand on his chin to make him look at me again.
"If you feel for me even a fraction of what I feel for you, please let's work this out together. Don't go."
"I feel it, Vítor. I feel it."
I didn't need to keep looking at his beautiful face, because I'd already mapped it during the few times I'd had him asleep in my arms, or when he didn't realize I was looking at him. I closed my eyes and placed kisses all over his face, licking the tears clean and using my lips to feel my way around the curves of his face.
"Vítor," he whispered.
"Yes, baby."
"Will you take me to see Rodrigo?"
The request came as a surprise, and for a moment, I wasn't sure how to reply, but Tiago had been nothing short of considerate and attentive whenever I mentioned Dri. Whatever his reasons were to want to see him, I realized I was happy to let him.
"I would love to."
When the oven dinged, I went over to the kitchen to finish up dinner while Tiago took his stuff back to the room. He wouldn't need to unpack as such since we were going back tomorrow.
The rest of the evening was quiet. I could tell Tiago was trying to fit all the pieces of the puzzle in his head, and I was patient enough to give him the time. I suspected he hadn't had many relationships in the past. Considering much of his focus was on his work and finding his brother, I would be surprised if there were many guys out there willing to take second or third place in his life. I would take whatever place he was willing to put me in.
After dinner, we settled on the sofa with him nestled against my chest, watching some reality show on TV about people's tattoo regrets. The longer we stayed in that position, the more relaxed he became until he was crying from laughing so much.
"Oh my god, that's horrendous. I'm not sure if he should sue the tattoo artist or if he deserves it for asking for that tattoo in the first place."
I tightened my arms around him and placed a kiss on his head. He looked up and smiled.
"What?" he asked.
"I like you like this."
"Like what?"
"Relaxed. Laughing. In my arms."
He turned around and pushed me so I was lying flat on the sofa. He rested his head on his hands on top of my chest.
"I like me in your arms, too."
I ran my hands through his hair, and he leaned into my touch. I wanted him like this all the time, and I wanted the underlying sadness caused by his missing brother to be gone.
"Can I ask you something?" he said. "This is probably really weird."
I smiled. As if I could deny him anything at this stage.
"I want to speak to Rodrigo before we take things further. I know it's weird because you can't really ask for permission from a dead person, but I just… I feel like I need to speak to him."
I kissed Tiago to show my feelings because if I dared to speak in that moment, I would cry, and not from sadness or happiness but from the honesty and respect he showed for my husband.
As soon as I showed Tiago which one was Dri's grave, he asked if I could leave him alone for a few minutes. Since I'd seen Sebastião's car parked outside the cemetery, I thought I'd go look for him.
"Vítor, son, how are you doing? Back so soon?" he asked.
"I had a few things to deal with. I was only here for the weekend; we're going back this afternoon."
"We?"
I looked at the spot where I'd left Tiago. He was sitting cross-legged on the grass facing the headstone. He looked like he was engrossed in an animated one-way conversation.
"Sebastião, my friend, when you suggested I try out the other side of the bridge, you never said I might find love."
His eyes went wide as they went from me to the young man by Dri's gravestone, and he laughed.
"Well I'll be damned."
I laughed. "I met Tiago during a trip to Lisbon before moving there was on the cards. The day you saw me here, I was telling Dri about it, but I was also scared about moving and leaving him behind. You gave me the perspective I needed to move on with my life, and only a few days later he waltzed into my life. He even had the right key."
I remembered the moment when I'd come out of the shower to find Tiago coming into the apartment. Even despite the confusion, my first thought had been that I wanted him.
"He will always be here. Just like my Margarida. I will keep an eye on them both, but you promise me you'll visit."
"I promise. Do you want to meet him?"
"It would be my pleasure."
I wasn't surprised that Sebastião and Tiago got along straight away. We decided to treat Sebastião to an early lunch, and as a local man born and bred in Porto, he declared that Tiago needed to try the francesinha.
It was clear that the traditional steak sandwich dish covered with melted cheese and a tomato and beer sauce wasn't Tiago's favorite, but he ate it all and then invited Sebastião to visit Lisbon so he could try his friend's food.
The three-hour drive to Lisbon was an exercise in self-control. Tiago wouldn't stop touching me every few minutes. He rested his hand on the back of my neck, ran his fingers through my hair, and the absolute worst, he put his hand on my thigh, stroking it so each time it went closer and closer to my cock.
When one of his fingers brushed past the now fully hard cock, I had to send him a warning look. He simply shrugged.
Keeping the car under the speed limit was a supernatural feat considering I was dying to get to the apartment so I could reciprocate the torture he was bestowing upon me.
Whatever he'd told Dri at the cemetery had clearly put his mind at rest, and he'd given himself permission to have free rein over my body.
When we arrived, I picked up both our bags from the car, so the first thing I did when Tiago opened the apartment door was to throw them on the floor and pin him against the door, claiming his lips. All the pent-up frustration from three hours of teasing was released in that kiss.
Tiago moaned under my touch, and I swallowed every single one of them. If I could merge with him, I would, just to keep bringing him this much pleasure every second of the day.
He tried to pull me even closer by wrapping his arms around me, but I had better ideas on what to do with him.
"Have you ever heard that revenge is a dish best served cold?" I asked, pulling his shirt off and latching onto his left nipple and then the right one.
"I think we've established you're the chef in this relationsh—fuck…" He bucked against me, trying to get some friction through his jeans. I pressed my palm against his erection and heard him exhale in pleasure just before I removed it again.
"Fuck you."
I took his wrists and held them over his head, my body finally covering his from head to toe. I angled my head so I could whisper in his ear, "Yes, please."
His sharp intake of breath made me release his hands and stand back to look at him. He wasn't the only one surprised at my words, but now they were out, I wanted nothing more. Dri and I had enjoyed switching, but more often than not, he'd wanted to bottom.
I hadn't missed Tiago's previous references to wanting to feel me inside him, and to a certain degree, I'd assumed that would be the case for our first time together in that way, but I needed to make sure it was what he wanted, too.
"Are you sure?" His eyes were searching. I could tell he wanted it but also wanted to give me the option to change my mind.
"There are very few things I've wanted this much, baby." I took his hand so he'd follow me to the bedroom. "Unless you're afraid you can't give an old man the time of his life."
He jumped on my back and wrapped his legs around my waist, his mouth latching onto the muscles on the side of my neck, sucking h
ard until he said in my ear, "You may have experience on your side, but I have stamina."
I let out a curse because I was already on edge. Being around him put me in a constant state of arousal, and I knew it would never take much for him to draw an orgasm out of me. I just hoped I could last long enough to make this good for him, too.
As though he could read my mind and feel my insecurities, he jumped down from my back and led me to the bathroom, turned the water on in the shower, and pulled me in with him. It was only after we'd washed each other's bodies that he spoke softly into my lips.
"It's going to be perfect, Vítor. I know it."
Tiago picked two towels from the cupboard and gave me one. Once we were both dry, he took me to bed and asked me to lie down. I was expecting him to lie down with me, but he left the bedroom, coming back shortly with lube and condoms.
I hadn't had sex with anyone other than Dri, so once we were tested after we'd met, we hadn't needed to do it again, and we hadn't used condoms, either.
It was a good thing at least one of us had supplies and a thinking brain because I was already too far gone and couldn't wait to feel him inside me.
"Next time I'm going to lick every single inch of your skin, but not today. I don't think I can hold very long once I'm inside you." We'd both been hard throughout the shower, even though we'd ignored our erections, apart from when they'd touched and we'd allowed ourselves a moment of pleasure as they'd rubbed against each other between our bodies.
"Fuck, please do it," I begged as he kneeled down on the bed.
I took in a breath when I felt the cold lube at my entrance. His fingers were gentle as he massaged around my rim as though they were seeking permission.
Even though I knew what to expect, it still felt like the first time, and I couldn't deny that it hurt when Tiago was able to get his first finger all the way inside me.
Our eyes were locked on each other when he finally moved the finger so it touched my prostate. My cock was leaking even though he hadn't even got near it. I closed my eyes and fisted the sheets on either side of me as Tiago continued to draw his finger in and out. I didn't even notice he'd added another finger until he whispered in my ear.
"Look at you, taking my fingers in your tight heat. You're so ready for me, baby."
"Nhnn, Tiago, please…"
He removed his fingers, leaving me empty and on the verge of something, but I didn't know what it was. For all I knew, I was on the brink of dying from pleasure. I just needed more, more of him, more of us, until I felt the pressure of his thickness and stopped breathing.
Tiago kissed me like he was worshiping the ground I walked on. He didn't push any farther than I could take until I was ready. Once the initial burn was gone, I started moving under him to get more of his thick cock inside me.
He got the message and soon he was allowing himself to give in to the need to move in and out of me. I ran my hands down his back, settling them on his ass as though I could push him farther inside than he already was.
My cock was aching from the need to come. I tried to get my hand between us so I could stroke myself and find the sweet relief I needed, but Tiago slapped my hand away. Instead, he lifted one of my legs over his shoulder and increased the speed of his movements. That caused him to rub against my prostate with every single thrust.
I was sure I wouldn't survive this and told him as much.
"Oh Vítor. Vítor." He kept repeating my name as he found his release inside me.
My orgasm followed his. I didn't even touch myself because, between his thrusts against my prostate and the friction I got from having my cock trapped between us, I had all I needed for the most intense orgasm of my life.
Tiago kissed me and whispered in my ear. "Didn't I say it was going to be perfect?"
"So perfect."
16
Tiago
The morning sun warmed my face, but it was the body half on top of mine that kept me all warm inside. I was in two minds about asking Vítor to take the rest of the week off so we could spend it in bed, especially as he was grinding his morning wood against my hip. I really, really, never wanted to leave this bed. Ever.
"I can't take the week off," he said into the side of my neck.
Shit, did I say that out loud? I turned to face him.
"Why not? I think it's a great idea. The best idea ever had by someone."
His laugh turned into a moan when I moved to straddle him and took his nipple in my mouth.
"Fuck, baby, there's no time. I need to get ready for work."
I let out a frustrated breath and lay against his chest.
"Fine, I'll go make you some coffee to go while you get ready."
He came into the kitchen looking like the poster boy for suit porn. I didn't even try to hide my appreciation of how nicely he filled out those suit pants and shirt. His blue eyes stood out like shiny beacons trained on me, which in turn made me so hard I knew the first thing I'd be doing when I got in the shower. I couldn't even hide it since I was still only in boxer shorts and a T-shirt.
"You need to leave right now because I'm not going to take responsibility for what I may do to you."
"Oh really?" He came close enough that I could smell his aftershave but not so close that we were touching. Fuck, I wanted to rip his clothes off and lick him all over, starting with that damned sexy chin dimple.
I couldn't help tugging on my hard cock to find some measure of relief.
"What are you up to today?" he asked as he leaned closer, kissed my cheek, and picked up the travel mug from the counter behind me.
It took me a moment to think about the answer because my brain function had flatlined. When it did start to work, it was like I had a bucket of cold water spilled on my head, and my cock deflated immediately.
"What's up? You look like you've been punched."
"No, I just remembered I have to check in on the center and hope the plumber is managing to fix the leak without creating the need for other building work." I put my arms around his shoulders and pulled him down for a kiss. "I'll see you later. Have a good day at work."
"Thanks, sweetheart. I'll pick up some shopping on the way home, too."
It didn't take me long to grab a shower and drive over to the center. I didn't even bother with a coffee because I knew I could grab one later.
The center was a hub of activity. Mr. Pereira, the plumber, had two young guys working with him, and he was pleased to tell me he was ahead of schedule. He introduced the young guys as his sons. The youngest one looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. He was probably roped in to help while he was on his school break, but the older one seemed happy to carry on working as his dad came with me to my desk so we could catch up.
"Mr. Pereira, thank you so much for coming at such short notice."
"It's my pleasure. I've seen the work that you do here, and I'm impressed."
I must have shown my surprise because he smiled and told me that as it turned out, one of the volunteers that had come in over the last few days went to school with his older son.
"I'm very supportive of my son, and I couldn't care less who he wants to be with other than whether they're a good person. But we've met with our own share of challenges. Being openly gay in a business like ours leaves you vulnerable to all sorts of discrimination, and sometimes worse." I could understand Mr. Pereira's fear as he told me one day his son would take over the business.
"Now the little one over there will chase anything with a skirt. I can only hope I won't become a granddad before he's able to grow a full beard." The pride in his voice as he spoke about his sons was heartwarming. We spent another half hour going through the outstanding work and some suggestions he had, and then, as if he hadn't already done enough for the center, volunteered his and his son's services anytime we needed anything done.
I tried to focus on the high from my meeting with Mr. Pereira as I drove south to Caparica so my nerves wouldn't get the best of me. I'd asked David to meet me at Pedro'
s little snack bar on the beach instead of the café because I wanted a neutral place for our conversation.
When I'd asked Vítor to take me to see Rodrigo, it was because I felt I needed to somehow tell him about what I felt for Vítor, that I wasn't trying to replace him, and that I was shit scared I'd do something wrong and end up hurting him.
It was like Rodrigo himself was asking me the questions.
How can you care for someone so deeply after only a few weeks?
What is it about Vítor you like?
I'd answered the questions. That was the easy part. The hard part was confessing I could end up hurting him when I told him about his family. That had been the reason for wanting to see David because I needed to give Vítor a choice.
"Hey, man," Pedro said, coming from behind the counter to shake my hand, "haven't seen you for a while."
"Yeah, things have been busy with Isaac gone, you know."
"Yeah, yeah, you kids are always busy these days."
We chatted while I waited for David. Pedro had gone to school with David and Joel's moms, and his snack bar by the beach had been their hangout since they were kids.
"Don't let him give you grief," David said as he pulled up a chair to sit next to me. "We come by all the time. He's getting needy in his old age."
Pedro gave David a playful punch before he went back behind the counter.
"So, why the mystery meeting?" he asked.
"I've been thinking… what if Vítor doesn't want to be found?"
David stared at me like I was crazy, but not a moment later, his gaze dropped.
"I hadn't thought of that. I know how much Uncle Mário would love to have his brother back in his life. That's all I was thinking. Do you think we shouldn't search for him?"
He looked like I'd taken the wind out of his sails.
"No, I just think you have to be prepared for the fact that Vítor may not want to have contact with his family."
"Surely once he knows that his parents aren't alive anymore he'd want to see his brother."
That was a possibility, one that I could test out on Vítor, but there were still no guarantees.