Starting Over in Cedarwood

by Megan Slayer

  Shaun grazed his hands over Kevin’s chest. He licked and nipped at Kevin’s mouth before swiping his tongue along Kevin’s teeth.

  Kevin groaned and opened to him. He breathed in the scent of Shaun’s cologne, tasted the spice of the pizza on his kiss, and held tight to his lover. The power and devotion in Shaun’s grasp blew his mind.

  Shaun turned the water on in the shower. He shoved his hands down the back of Kevin’s pants, massaging his ass.

  “Shaun.” Kevin whimpered. The pressure on his dick sent a shiver down his spine. He fumbled with Shaun’s shorts, opening his fly. He needed to touch Shaun’s dick. Warmth flooded his body and craving filled his veins.

  Shaun withdrew his hands and unbuttoned Kevin’s pants. He used no finesse as he pushed the denim down. Kevin’s boxers ended up around his ankles. Shaun’s gaze heated. “Get in the shower.”

  Kevin could do nothing but comply. He kicked out of the clothing, then removed his socks before climbing into the shower. The water stung his body, so hot and prickly. The steam billowed around him. He rested his head against the wall. His life had changed so much once he’d met Shaun, but in good ways. He’d opened up more and embraced what he wanted. He wasn’t afraid of getting hurt or that Shaun might leave eventually, but not scared of Shaun or his own feelings. Now he just had to say the words.

  Shaun joined him in the shower and caressed Kevin’s chest. “You’re still so tense.” He nibbled Kevin’s shoulder. He trailed his hands down Kevin’s abs then to his groin. He didn’t touch Kevin’s dick and instead toyed with the hairs at the base of his erection.

  The gentle caress scrambled Kevin’s brain. Water sluiced down his face and stuck to his lashes. Heat infused his body.

  Shaun angled him enough to face him and resumed stroking Kevin’s pubic hair. “Let go, babe. Let your mind wander and enjoy this.”

  He gazed into Shaun’s eyes. He’d never seen anything as sexy as his lover wet. Shaun’s skin shimmered. A slight smile curled on his lips as he continued to stroke Kevin.

  “You carry so much stress.” He slid one arm around Kevin and curled his free hand around Kevin’s dick. “You work so hard to keep yourself in line. You want to make everyone happy while forgetting yourself.”

  A groan vibrated in his throat. The stroking was so rhythmic and soothing. Kevin rocked into Shaun’s fingers.

  “You don’t have to be strong with me all the time. You can crumble.” Shaun brushed his lips against Kevin’s cheek. “Come apart. I’m right here with you and I won’t let you be destroyed.”

  Kevin threaded both arms around Shaun. Something shattered in him. It splintered, broke…changed him. No one ever spoke to him like this or cared this much. He rocked his groin into Shaun’s hand, bumping against his boyfriend’s shaft.

  Shaun opened his hand and collected his cock against Kevin’s, stroking them together.

  Kevin tensed. His synapses misfired. His balls were heavy and need nearly consumed him. Shaun had the magic touch. “Shaun.”

  Shaun kissed him hard and sucked on Kevin’s tongue. He stole Kevin’s breath.

  Kevin forgot all about the water and ignored the world. All that mattered was Shaun.

  Shaun bit Kevin’s chin. “Want to come?”

  He hadn’t realized how close he was to falling apart until Shaun said those words. He pushed into Shaun’s hand, loving the feel of dick on dick. He dug his fingers into Shaun’s side, holding on for dear life. He had no thoughts, no worries. Shaun consumed him. His knees weakened as he pistoned into Shaun’s hand. He panted and the sound of his growl was loud in his ears.

  “Do it,” Shaun said. He stroked faster. “Come for me. Gets me hot seeing you lose control.”

  Kevin shuddered. His body tensed as his resistance shattered. He embraced the orgasm. “Fuck.” He jammed his cock into Shaun’s hand and came. A ribbon of cum landed on the floor of the shower stall. His head swam. He wobbled into Shaun and panted again.

  “Beautiful,” Shaun murmured. “Love it.”

  Kevin sagged into his boyfriend’s arms. Every inch of his body tingled.

  “You’re sexy when you come,” Shaun said. He stroked Kevin’s chest. “I want to be inside you.”

  Kevin groaned. “Want you inside me.” He managed to turn around. He stuck his ass out at Shaun and flattened his cheek to the wall. “Do it.”

  “Yeah.” Shaun caressed Kevin’s asshole. He rocked against Kevin, sliding his dick along the crack of Kevin’s ass. He dribbled shower gel down Kevin’s back.

  A fresh wave of heat engulfed him. Kevin embraced the relaxation now. He flattened his hands on the tiles. “Shaun.”

  “Right here.” He ground against Kevin, not penetrating him.

  The anticipation ratcheted up Kevin’s need. He panted and arched into Shaun.

  Shaun added more slippery shower gel along Kevin’s back until the gel covered Kevin’s asshole. Shaun eased one digit into Kevin. “Breathe, baby.”

  Kevin wanted to. He’d been relaxed by Shaun, but his excitement returned to a fever pitch. His legs trembled.

  Shaun moved his finger in and out of Kevin while he raked his teeth along the back of Kevin’s neck. “Want me?”

  “Yes.” He loved how Shaun pushed and teased him. Shaun knew how much Kevin wanted him. “Please?” He rocked into Shaun’s finger. “Want more of you in me.”

  “Damn.” Shaun pumped his finger faster then withdrew. He prodded Kevin’s hole with the blunt head of his erection. “Breathe for me.”

  Kevin bore down as Shaun pushed inside him. The fit and oneness were too much to handle. Kevin’s thoughts scrambled again. He clawed at the tiles.

  “Fits me perfectly.” Shaun whimpered against Kevin’s neck. “I want to stay here forever.”

  He’d be okay with that. Kevin wriggled his hips, nudging Shaun’s cock against his prostate. “Yes.”

  “You make me so hot.” Shaun grasped Kevin’s hips. “Need you.” He eased most of the way out before pushing deep again, building into a steady rhythm.

  Skin on skin, soul to soul. Kevin backed against him. “More.”

  The one-word command must’ve been more than enough for Shaun. He increased the speed of his thrusts and mashed Kevin into the wall.

  Christ, this is hot. Kevin met him thrust for thrust, needing him deep inside. He lost himself in the divine feeling of being loved. Shaun loved him all the way, no kidding. As realization washed over him, the second orgasm hit. He’d never had so many multiple climaxes, but Shaun did that to him. He cried out and flexed around Shaun.

  “God. Squeezing me.” Shaun groaned. “I won’t last.” His thrusts increased in ferocity. “Fuck.”

  “Let go,” Kevin managed. “Do it.” He’d echoed Shaun’s words and didn’t care. His own resistance shattered again. He tensed, then relaxed. He hadn’t even touched his dick, yet everything within him mellowed as he basked in the post-orgasmic glow.

  “Yes.” Shaun pounded in him, then growled. He surged into Kevin and his cock twitched. Shaun slid his arms around Kevin and collapsed on him. His breath tickled against Kevin’s ear.

  Instead of speaking, Kevin lingered in the sublime thrill of being with his lover. He’d found his person. Hell, he’d been changed when he’d met Shaun, and even more now. He’d let his guard down without getting hurt. He was treasured and loved. He knew his heart, too. He loved Shaun more than anything.

  Water sluiced over his body as Shaun clung to him. His life was different. He couldn’t see his existence without Shaun. His loneliness was no more and he knew what he wanted.

  Shaun pulled out and eased away from Kevin. “You fry my brain every time.”

  Kevin faced Shaun and yanked him close. “I love you, Shaun.” His world righted and his heart was happy. “So much.” He had no regrets and didn’t even worry about how Shaun would react. He knew.

  “I love you, too.” Shaun kissed him. “We should make the coffee table our spot and this shower our place. I never want to l
eave it.”

  “Even if we get pruney?” Kevin asked.

  “You mean when?”

  “That, too,” Kevin said. “Whenever I’m with you, I’m home.”

  “You’re my home, too.” Shaun held him. “Be we should get cleaned up before the water gets cold.”

  “Good point.” Kevin added soap to the washcloth. “We should clean up the rest of the pizza, too. I’ll bet Leo is out there nibbling on the crust. It won’t hurt him, but he shouldn’t eat it.” He slid his hands over Shaun, scrubbing his lover clean. “But for next time.”

  Shaun’s eyes widened and he rinsed. “I’ll take care of it.” He ducked under the spray and rinsed before he left the stall. “Leo?”

  Kevin chuckled, then ducked under the spray. The last of the hot water slid down his back. He washed himself, first his body then hair. His thoughts turned to Shaun. He’d finally found a guy who cared about Leo as much as he did. Shaun was the first guy to absolutely love him and Leo like a package deal. He had everything he’d ever wanted in Shaun with no regrets.

  Shaun was his other half.

  He turned the water off, then stepped out of the stall and grabbed a towel. He dried himself and listened for Shaun. “Everything okay?” He strode out of the bathroom and ventured into the bedroom.

  Shaun stood in the middle of the room, naked. “I got the pizza picked up and the glasses are in the sink. Leo seemed no worse for wear.”

  As if on cue, Leo hopped onto the bed, then sprawled out and cleaned himself.

  “It would appear.” Kevin ditched the towel in the bathroom, then slid between the sheets. “Come here. We’ve got the rest of our life to worry about Leo and be together. I want to hold you.”

  Shaun flipped the light switch and joined him in bed. “You had me at come here.”

  Kevin held his lover and snuggled in the sheets. He’d be happy as long as he had Shaun. His life was just as he’d always wanted—perfect.

  Chapter Ten

  A week and a half later, Kevin followed Shaun into the fourth house. If he’d have known house hunting would be so boring, he’d have stayed at the apartment. He hated traipsing through another person’s house and finding the faults with it.

  He stood in the living room of the blue house and admired the bland white walls. The room could use a bolder hue. He liked the view out of the bay window—sunny, but leafy and would be nice with a few plants or a cat tree. The neighborhood pleased him. He could run there and not have to worry about driving to the Metroparks.

  Shaun and Tony, the realtor, ventured off, leaving Kevin to himself. Just as well. Kevin trailed his fingers over the woodwork. The plain paneling appealed to him as much as the wall of recessed bookshelves. He liked the cottage feel of the house, too. If he remembered right, the neighborhood had been constructed in the forties and the home certainly displayed the midcentury charm. The window seat in the front room would be a great place for Leo to sun himself. The carpet in the living room might need an upgrade, but that wasn’t impossible.

  He’d seen the back yard in the photos online, but wanted to view the space for himself. He made his way to the rear of the home and pushed open the French doors to the patio. The yard was bigger than the photographs displayed. The line of bushes and fencing was higher than he’d thought, too. Walled-in and private, just like he wanted.

  Shaun’s voice filtered to him as Shaun joined him on the patio. “Hey,” Shaun said. “What do you think?”

  “Read me off the stats again.” Kevin sat on the half-wall lining three sides of the patio. “I like the back yard and the living room is great. The recessed shelves and window seat are wonderful. I’d change the carpet, but I don’t remember if this house was supposed to have hardwood under the carpet. Probably not. Is this the one with the hidden hardwood floors? I can’t remember, and the other houses all sort of looked the same.”

  “This one is four-fifty-two Hemlock. It’s got four bedrooms and the two-car garage like we wanted.” Shaun hesitated. “I wanted. The ranch style is nice because it’s all one floor, and the basement is finished. I love the giant oak in the back yard, too.” He folded his arms. “The community is quiet and the sidewalks look wide enough for runs.”

  “Agreed.” Kevin wondered if Shaun realized he’d slipped and said ‘we’. He must’ve, as he’d fixed his comment. “I like the dated look of the kitchen. The scalloped soffits are cute and we could refinish them or paint them down the road. It’s certainly all original.”

  Shaun nodded. “The blue is fetching.”

  “What was the price on this one?”

  “About twenty grand over my range.” Shaun sighed. “Tony said the seller will drop the price, but even with a drop, I’ll need help—either a roommate or partner.”

  Kevin crooked his brow. “So do you have a roommate in mind?”

  Shaun paled. “Kev, I really want you to move in with me, but I can’t force it. I don’t want to put you in that position.”

  Kevin took the preapproval form from Shaun and checked over the potential payment if they bought the house just under the asking price. “I can help with this—but it’d be nice if we can talk them down a bit more.” He needed to put down roots. “Why should we have two places when we only need one?”

  “Kevin?”

  He shrugged. “You love this house. It’s available and mostly move-in ready. Everything is clicking into place and I think this is the cosmos telling us to do this.”

  “You want to live with me?”

  “Do you want to live with me and Leo?” Kevin asked. “It’s better than trying to steal moments together here and there.” He stood next to Shaun and stared out at the back yard. “I can see that date we discussed, plus a lot more.”

  Shaun’s eyes widened. “Kevin?”

  “I want to do this. We can spend the rest of our lives here, making this house ours.”

  “Guys?” Tony joined them on the patio. “There’s another couple wanting to look at the house, but they’re not overly enthused. We can talk to the seller again and I’m thinking they’ll come down a bit more in price. They want to sell today if possible. The preapproval gives you the leg up. What do you think?”

  “We’d like to make an offer,” Kevin said. “What we’re each paying in rent for our individual apartments is more than enough for a house payment.”

  “Shaun?” Tony fiddled with his phone. “If this is what you want to do, I’ll contact their realtor.”

  “Yes.” Shaun nodded. “That’s what we want to do.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Tony grinned, then left them on the patio.

  “He’s intense.” Shaun shrugged, then turned his attention to Kevin. “So we’re doing this?”

  “Seems like.” He’d never been more sure of anything—except being with Shaun—in his life.

  “Marry me.” Shaun held Kevin’s hands. “I mean it. Marry me. If we’re going in this far, we should go all the way. I love you and I want this.”

  Kevin laughed. He should’ve seen this coming, and oddly enough, he wasn’t shocked by Shaun’s declaration. “Let’s buy the house first, then we can get married in the back yard when we’re ready.”

  “You’re not saying no, are you?” Shaun grinned and held tighter to Kevin’s fingers. “You do want to marry me.”

  “I do.”

  “You saw the vision of us having our wedding back here, didn’t you?” Shaun asked. “You saw it.”

  “I did. A silly archway of flowers, us tying the knot under the oak tree and lights ringing the back yard.” He’d seen a little bit more, but this was enough for now.

  “Yes.”

  “We need to run that race first, and get this house bought,” Kevin said. “Get through the summer and plan over Christmas.”

  “Will you marry me?” Shaun held Kevin’s hand. “We’re buying this house, merging our stuff and getting Leo a friend.”

  “Then we’ll get married.” Kevin kissed Shaun. “Here comes Tony.”

>   Shaun threaded his arm around Kevin. “Well?”

  “The seller has twenty-four hours to accept the sale and to go over the details, but I talked to their realtor and they’re wanting to move things along, so you should hear tonight.” Tony held out his hand. “Unless something goes sideways, you’re about to be homeowners.”

  “We are?” Shaun sagged into Kevin. “For real?”

  “For real.” Tony opened his folder. “Let’s go inside and talk through the details, but I’m expecting to hear from them within the hour.”

  Kevin squeezed Shaun’s hand. “Perfect.”

  * * * *

  Two months later

  Kevin finished the last touches and arranged the blanket. The summer was over and fall breezes kissed the Cedarwood landscape. He checked the bucket and fiddled with the ice. He needed this moment to be exactly right. Sheet in place, strings of twinkle lights on the fence and in the oak tree, projector on the table, wine chilling…all he needed now was to retrieve the plate of cheese and fruit.

  “Kev?” Shaun strode out to the patio. “Where are you?”

  “Here.” Kevin stood. “You’re early.” He hadn’t expected to see Shaun for another fifteen minutes.

  “I am.” Shaun held up the newspaper. “You have to see this. Kyle’s been arrested. We just printed the story today.”

  “What?” Kevin abandoned the blanket. “He has?”

  “For embezzlement. I guess the money trail at the stadium was longer than once thought. He stole more than a hundred grand.” Shaun pointed to the article in the paper. “Remy wrote it up himself.”

  A photo of Kyle in handcuffs graced the front page of the paper. “Holy shit,” Kevin murmured.

  “Yep. Sure looks like he’s out of our hair for good,” Shaun said. “And not a moment too soon.”

  “Nope.” Kevin took the paper from him. “I don’t want to talk about him any longer.” He held Shaun’s hands.