Home to Cedarwood

by Megan Slayer

  “Cool.” Gage left the bowl on the counter, then skidded out of his seat and ran up the stairs.

  “He can be the best kid and then the biggest slob.” Colin carried the bowl to the sink. “But I love him.” He poured water into the cereal bowl, then turned the water off. “So? What’s the big news?”

  “You hit the jackpot, so to speak. Your video was crystal clear. I need to get a system like you’ve got. We identified the vandal and brought her in—well, I didn’t. Delaney did. The woman admitted to the whole thing. According to her, she wanted to rid the town of gay people. If she harassed you enough, then you’d go. You outwitted her.” Jordan clapped his hands. “I’m proud.”

  “Then what happens?” Colin sat on Gage’s chair. “It’s over?”

  “She’s been arrested and charged with felony trespass and vandalism since the tires were destroyed and the paint wrecked. The estimated cost to correct the problems is over five hundred dollars, so it’s a felony. Anyway, the case has been handed over to the court and will be handled there. We’ve got her statement. She admitted to the whole thing because she hates you and everyone else who is gay. It’s a hate crime, so she’ll really get the book thrown at her.”

  “But it’s over. It goes to court and she won’t be able to bother us?”

  “I’d get a restraining order so she has to stay a certain distance from you, but that’s up to you.” Jordan leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. “But it’s over.”

  Colin put one hand in the air, pausing Jordan. Gage’s footsteps thumped on the floor as he ran down the stairs. He scooped up his backpack. Colin handed him his lunch.

  “There you go, kid.” Colin hugged Gage. “I’ll walk you out to the bus.” He waved to Jordan. “Be right back.” Colin escorted his son to the sidewalk in front of the house. “Have a good day at school, kiddo. Only one left until the weekend.”

  “Yeah.” Gage gave him a high-five as the bus came to a halt in front of their home. “See you when I get home, Dad.” Gage waved, then climbed onto the school bus.

  Colin waited until the big yellow vehicle rounded the corner before he headed back inside. Jordan remained at the counter. He liked how Jordan looked in his home. He breathed a sigh of relief.

  “It’s not totally over until she goes to court and even then there’s a chance she won’t get the message. Some people don’t.” Jordan left his chair and captured Colin in his embrace. “Her kid will probably continue to pester Gage. If the mother is upset, I don’t doubt the kid knows. He’s more than likely soaking in what he’s seeing. But you’ll work with Gage to be the better man.”

  “True enough.” Colin slid his hands into Jordan’s back pockets. “Speaking of court, I’ve got my date next Tuesday. Traffic court. I’m pleading no contest and accepting the fine.”

  “Probably good.” The corner of Jordan’s mouth kinked in a halfhearted smile. “I’m still sorry.”

  “I know you are, but you were doing your job. I learned, so even though it’s embarrassing, it’s going to be over soon.” He squeezed Jordan’s ass. “According to Gage, you’re the police cop. Think you can live up to that?”

  “I can.” Jordan kissed Colin, nipping Colin’s bottom lip. “As long as I’m with you, I’m willing to do pretty much everything.”

  “Then show me.” Colin squeezed his boyfriend’s ass. He never would’ve thought they’d get together and now that they were a couple, he couldn’t be happier. He’d found the man of his dreams. They’d need time, but they were on their way to their own kind of forever.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jordan swayed with Colin, loving the feel of Colin’s strong body in his arms. The scent of Colin’s cologne wrapped around him and lulled him. The taste of Colin’s kiss lingered on his tongue. He replayed Colin’s words in his head. ‘Then show me.’ Oh yeah. He planned to show Colin exactly how he felt. A thought occurred to him.

  “Eventually, we’re going to have to figure out how to have sex with the kid in the house.” Jordan ground his hips against Colin’s. “We’re lucky now, but it’s going to get tougher.” He’d never had to worry about his partners already having kids.

  “It’s a matter of waiting until he’s asleep and being careful. We can do it.” Colin moved his hands from Jordan’s pockets. He tugged Jordan up the stairs to the second floor. “I want you.”

  “I’m all yours.” Jordan followed Colin into the bedroom. “I’ve wanted you all night.” In a frenzy of flying clothes and kisses, Jordan shucked his uniform. Colin disrobed a bit slower but not by much. When they were both nude, Colin tumbled to the bed with Jordan on top. He wanted fast, hard, claiming sex.

  “Your eyes are wild.” Colin smoothed his palms along Jordan’s chest. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking I want you inside me right now. I don’t want to wait.” He reached past Colin to the nightstand and withdrew a condom and the lube. Hell, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold off until he actually got Colin in his ass before he came apart. Just looking at Colin beneath him turned him on and pushed him to the edge.

  “Gonna need prep.” Colin tried to take the condom. “I need to get you ready.”

  “I’m so there.” Jordan rolled the protection down Colin’s dick and dribbled lube down Colin’s shaft. He needed the burn. Needed to know he belonged to Colin and that this love bubbling between them was real. He rose up on his knees long enough to line Colin’s cock up with his hole. Jordan grunted and bore down on his lover. Inch by inch, Colin filled him. The burn drew an ache from deep within Jordan, but the ache turned to pleasure in seconds.

  “Wow.” Colin held on to Jordan’s hips. He buried himself balls-deep in Jordan before he moved. “Ride me.”

  Jordan exhaled and balanced on his knees. Up and down, in and out. Colin’s cock stretched him and massaged him from the inside. Jordan rolled his hips. He needed more. He closed his eyes and pinched his nipples. Fuck, yeah, there was the added burn he craved.

  “I should spank you for not looking at me,” Colin said. He swatted Jordan’s hip. “That’s the best I can do.”

  “I like it.” Jordan opened his eyes and leaned forward. He rested his forehead on Colin’s. Their noses bumped and each time they tried to kiss, they succeeded for only a second or two. He didn’t care. He wanted someone he could be with—in serious times and not, someone to laugh with.

  Beneath him, Colin jerked. He gritted his teeth. “I’m there. Touch your dick.”

  Jordan stroked himself in perfect rhythm with Colin’s thrusts in his ass. He’d gone to heaven. Being with Colin and knowing he was loved…better than he could’ve imagined. His dick throbbed, and his balls contracted. Heat spiraled through his veins. He groaned and stared deep into Colin’s eyes.

  “Ready?” Colin asked. He looked up at Jordan from under heavy-lidded eyes. “Fuck.”

  Jordan nodded, unable to form a coherent word. He panted. From his toes to his hairline, he shuddered. His bouncing on Colin’s hips turned feral. He yanked hard on his cock, then moaned. A thick rope of cum shot across Colin’s chest. Jordan curled forward and shivered.

  “Jesus,” Colin bit out. He surged up into Jordan and tensed. His dick twitched within Jordan, then Colin relaxed. He exhaled and tugged Jordan to his chest. His wilting erection slipped from Jordan’s ass.

  “I already love this, and I can’t wait for more.” Jordan stretched out on top of Colin. “I wish we hadn’t waited, but I’m glad we found each other.”

  “Me too.” Colin patted Jordan’s ass. “Give me a minute. I want to chuck the rubber, then we can stretch out together.”

  Jordan slid onto the mattress. He watched Colin. The play of muscles in his body reminded him of beautiful music. Colin moved with grace as he removed the spent condom, then returned to the bed. He crawled across the mattress until he settled beside Jordan. Neither spoke for a while. Instead, they held each other and basked in the afterglow of sex.

  “I never expected this to work out, but
I’m glad it did.” Jordan kissed Colin’s shoulder. “I never forgot you, even if I wasn’t sure if you’d give a shit about me.”

  “I remember a class in college—literature, I believe—anyway, we learned about timing. Back then, I thought about you a lot. I wondered where you were and what you were doing. I wondered if you’d had your heart broken like you did mine. It’s silly, really. We weren’t much more than teammates, and I’d built what we shared all up in my mind. But I remember in that class, the instructor told us that things happen for a reason and in due time. Back then I thought she was nuts. I see where she was coming from.” He rolled onto his side. “Any earlier and that hurt would’ve still been too fresh between us. You might have tried, but I wouldn’t have budged.”

  “I can’t say it enough. I’m sorry for the past.” Jordan tangled his legs with Colin’s. “Truly.”

  “I’m not sorry. We needed to grow up and to figure ourselves out. Now we can do that.” Colin kissed the tip of Jordan’s nose. “We’ve got each other and Gage. That’s a pretty strong bond.”

  “I like it.” Jordan flattened his palm over Colin’s heart. “So, no regrets about coming home to Cedarwood?”

  “Not a one.” Colin grinned. “I’ve got the business, my brother and my son all here, but I’m convinced. I came home for you.”

  Jordan cuddled in his lover’s arms. Coming home and fitting in had never sounded so sweet, and now he wouldn’t have to be alone. He had the man of his dreams and the rest of their lives together to enjoy each other. Pretty sweet deal indeed.

  Want to see more from Megan Slayer? Here’s a taster for you to enjoy!

  Out of Bounds:

  Crossing the Line

  Megan Slayer

  Excerpt

  How come the right fit is never there when you want it?

  Ryan Malone sighed and pressed the last glazing point into place. He wished he was working on one of his paintings rather than framing artwork for the local high school. The man in the painting stirred something deep within him, something exciting and unattainable. He tapped the point into the frame, double-checked the fit.

  The man in the painting wasn’t just any guy. No, Paul Toth surpassed most men. Gifted in the art classroom and smooth in social situations, he turned heads with his effortless style. Ryan flipped the painting over. Staring at Paul for the last two months had seared his visage into Ryan’s memory. The guy had grace and damn was he cute. Brown eyes with just a hint of wonder. Thick, dark brown hair combed like he’d just walked out of a salon...and that body... Muscles where a man should be sculpted, but not boxy or bulky.

  Thank God Ryan had closed his office door. Anyone passing by would’ve seen the bulge in his pants. On the outside, Paul embodied everything Ryan wanted in a man.

  “But he plays for the other team,” Ryan said to himself. His phone beeped, reminding him of his appointment with the principal. “I haven’t met with a principal since I was in school.” He chuckled. Thinking about school didn’t make him feel much better.

  He wrapped the artwork in butcher paper, then grabbed his keys. Thirty minutes later he stood outside Northwood High School. He pressed the button to lock his Jeep.

  Just take the painting in, he probably won’t be there. Ryan gripped the painting and strode into the foyer. Northwood happened to be the home of the soon-to-be-named Teacher of the Year, aka Paul Toth. He pushed the second door handle, but nothing happened.

  “We need to buzz you in,” came a voice over the loudspeaker.

  Ryan cringed. He hated being caught off guard. “I’m Ryan Malone, here with the Teacher of the Year painting.”

  “Very good,” the woman said. “Door’s open.”

  Ryan headed to the office. The quicker he made his delivery, the sooner he’d be able to leave. Seeing Paul wouldn’t help things.

  “Mr Malone.”

  Ryan grinned at the principal. “Hello, Mr Laubenthal. I have the painting.”

  “Perfect.” George Laubenthal rubbed his meaty hands together. His salt-and-pepper eyebrows bobbed and his moustache twitched. “It’s been eating Toth alive not to be doing this for us this year.”

  “The painting?” He handed the principal the package. “I know he teaches art, but I wasn’t sure if he created the portraits.”

  “Yes. Mr Toth has painted the last four winners. I couldn’t exactly have him paint himself. Let’s show the girls in the office.” Laubenthal led the way to the main office. “Girls, you’re going to love this.”

  “Well, we can only hope,” Ryan muttered.

  “Nan, see if the work room is empty. Don’t want wandering eyes.” Laubenthal placed the painting on the nearest desk. His eyes sparkled behind his thick glasses. “I’m excited to see it.”

  When the secretary came back grinning, George unveiled the painting. He picked at the tape holding the paper closed, then gasped. “This is fantastic.” George stepped back from the painting and pulled an envelope from his coat pocket. He handed Ryan the envelope. “That’s for you. Board approved. We truly appreciate it.”

  Ryan stared at the image of Paul and suppressed a sigh. In the bright light, the highlights in Paul’s dark hair stood out. His brown eyes sparkled with poise and mischief. He’d folded his arms in the photo and Ryan had taken the opportunity to define his biceps a bit more. When he’d created the painting, he hadn’t been able to tear his gaze from Paul’s. Now, seeing the image with others around, Paul took his breath away. Paul embodied control and strength. Ryan forced himself to look away from the image that had haunted his dreams.

  “I’m glad you’re happy.” Ryan nodded and placed the folded envelope in his back pocket. “I’d love to hang around and gawk at the painting, but I’ve got some other things to attend to so I’ll be going. Thank you for asking me to do this for you.”

  “I’m glad Professor Pride suggested you.” George Laubenthal offered his hand. “I’ve seen your work down at the NEU Galleries. We’re honoured to have a piece here, as well. Thank you.”

  Ryan shook hands with the principal, then made his way out of the office. Only a few more steps and he’d be back outside in the safety of his Jeep and the seclusion of his office.

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  About the Author

  Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

  When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

  Megan loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website details and author profile page at https://www.pride-publishing.com

 

 

 
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