by BA Tortuga
“Mmm. Water would be great. Hey.” He took a kiss. “You’re amazing. Did I say that?”
“Thank you. You… this was… so fucking good, Lex.”
“Yeah.” Okay, he could tell Brant meant it. On the same page again. He was falling hard.
“Cool. Two waters. I’ll put a new toothbrush out for you. I buy them in four packs at the Costco.”
“Smart move.” Nurses. He didn’t even worry that Brant meant he had a lot of guys over. Medical people were germ phobic. They really liked to have single-use things for hygiene.
“How long can they stay clean, right?” Brant sat up, and he got to see that hip as he walked by. It was, at once, horrifying and not that bad. There were scars from the surgery, but the actual bullet hole was clean. He knew from seeing too damn many examples that it was the exit wound that caused the big holes. This bullet had to have lodged against a bone. Lex let his fingers slide over it as Brant passed, then got up to follow Brant to the bathroom. Of course, he turned right around to grab his phone, then texted Trav.
Staying out overnight. See you tmrrw.
Brant had pulled out towels, washcloth, and a toothbrush for him, and even stole a kiss on the way out of the en suite.
He danced a moment, hands up like little pistols. He felt like a frickin’ king. Washing up and brushing his teeth took only moments, and he was tickled to see Brant used Crest Whitening too.
God, it was amazing how mutual orgasms made life better.
By the time he made it back to bed, Brant had locked up and procured water. All they had to do was slip into bed together.
That huge beast of a cat was at Brant’s feet, a giant fuzzy lump. As long as he stayed there and didn’t try to claw Lex to bits, that was okay. He was a gorgeous animal.
Brant turned on the television, the sound of the Lord of the Rings movie starting up. “This is a perfect movie to sleep to.”
“I used to use The Thirteenth Warrior.”
“Oh, I love that one. Tons of eye candy.”
“Totally.” Lex loved younger Antonio Banderas. The guy was kinda… wrinkly now. Lex guessed that happened to everyone sooner or later.
Brant’s hand landed on his hip, solid, sure. So Lex scooted closer, pressing a kiss to Brant’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
“Glad you came by, huh? We needed this.”
“We did.” Lex might be damn sad if he never got it again, in fact.
He got a long, lazy kiss, and then Brant settled next to him with a soft little sigh.
Time to let everything go for the night and just sleep. Tomorrow would be tomorrow.
Chapter Nine
BRANTLEY’S PHONE rang at six thirty, and he grabbed for it. “Yeah?”
“Is Lex there? His phone is going direct to voicemail.”
“Trav, it’s six thirty in the morning.”
“Oh. Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t look.” Travis sounded more… normal. Brantley hoped he’d gotten some rest.
“No worries. He is here. He’s asleep. You need me to wake him?”
“Um. Well, I would love to take him to breakfast.”
“How about I have him call when he wakes up?” After a morning quickie.
“Sure. Thanks. Is he okay? He didn’t get all drunk and sloppy, did he?”
“He’s fine, Trav.” He slipped from the bed and went to feed the cats. “We watched movies and ate pizza.”
“Oh.” Now Travis sounded a little baffled. “Well, thanks, Brant. Just have him holler.”
“I will. Are you…?” Not okay, of course he’s not okay. “Did you get some sleep?”
“I did. Look, Brant, I’m sorry.”
“I know. It’s okay.” What else was he supposed to say? Fuck off and die? He poured out kitty kibbles.
“No, it really isn’t. I was an asshole. Like a giant, spoiled, gold-plated one.”
God, he needed coffee. “It’s understandable.”
“That’s really kind, but God knows I know when I’m bitchy. Anyway, thanks.”
“I’m your friend too, Trav. I’m not going to disappear on you.” He made himself a mocha with the Keurig.
“I might push it sometimes. I’m bitchy.” Travis laughed, the sound far less tired. “Later, hon.”
“I’ll have Lex call. Bye.” He went to the backyard and sat. It was cool this early, before the sun was really awake.
It didn’t take Lex ten minutes before he peeked outside. “Hey.”
“Hey, you. How goes? Did I wake you?”
“Nah. The cat did.”
“Ah. I fed them. Travis is trying to get hold of you. Coffee?”
“Please. What did Travis want? I didn’t have a charger on me, so my phone is out of juice.”
“Oh. I have one.” He stood up and offered Lex the K-cup carafe deal. “He wants to take you to breakfast.”
“Mmm.” Lex chuckled. “I’m a Cinnamon Toast Crunch kind of guy. Maybe a late lunch.”
“I’m a coffee and orgasm kind of guy.”
“I like the sound of that too.” Lex hummed, grabbing him to take a quick kiss.
Oh good. It wasn’t too much. He wrapped one hand around Lex’s waist and held on, and the kiss went a little deeper, Lex moaning.
“Mmm….” They could share his coffee. He walked them to a chair so they didn’t fall down.
“Good idea. Good morning.” Lex grinned at him, smiled against his lips.
“Morning.” He liked Lex on the chair, him on top better.
He took one kiss, another, then another. Brant really wanted to taste Lex. To feel him.
“I like how you wake up, Brant.”
“Do you? I would have woke you up in bed if I’d’ve known.”
Maybe they could try it tomorrow. Was that too much? He didn’t know. Lex made him feel new things. Different from anything things.
Lex laughed for him, hands sliding down along his arms, warming him up. He hadn’t realized he’d had a chill, but Lex was like a furnace. “You’re cold, babe. You ought to come snuggle with me, in bed.”
“I could. It’s early.” He stood, then took Lex’s hand. “No one will care.”
“Maybe the cats.” Lex moved with him, climbing the steps with him side by side.
“They’ll live. They’re used to having me to themselves.”
“I guess so. I saw one of the Persians when I was in the bathroom. I think she was judging me.”
“She didn’t run. That’s amazing. She’s a fraidy cat.”
“Well, I was kinda stuck.” Lex winked over at him when they crawled into opposite sides of the bed. They pushed under the covers and into each other’s arms. Lex kissed his jaw, then his chin just under his lips, warm and easy. He was shivering—least of all from being cold. He was mostly just jonesing on being with a hot cop in his bed. And Lex was hot. Like physically as well as in charisma. He really revved Brant’s motor. Lex seemed to agree. Or feel the same way. About Brant.
Lex dragged him in and rocked them together in a slow, steady rhythm. That big hand on his good hip made him smile, because Lex was hyperaware of his sore spots already. One kiss became two, then three, and suddenly he was dazed, trapped in their embrace. His breath came hard, his cock stiff. Damn. Orgasm was on the way.
“Mmm.” Lex draped one leg over his, bringing their cocks together, wrapping them in one of Lex’s hands.
Electricity shot up Brant’s spine, surprising him with its strength. He wasn’t a virgin by any means, but this was taking things up a level.
“Mmm. You like this.”
“What’s not to like, honey? Seriously.” Orgasms were a good thing.
“I’m just glad, is all. I was afraid you’d be all, see ya. Not that you gave me reason to believe you would. I just don’t want to be weird and pushy.” Uncertain Lex was downright cute.
“Not weird. Not pushy. You’re welcome back, anytime. I still owe you enchiladas.”
“You so do. I might be pushy and ask when.” Lex moved his hand, reminding t
hem both there was hardness going on.
“Sup—oh God. That’s good. Please, honey.” His leg drew up, and he pressed it against Lex’s balls, careful as could be.
“I know.” Lex panted a little bit, rocking with him. Their bodies slid easily against each other, both of them doing their dead level best to keep things moving. Lex’s thumb worked their tips, every single upstroke, and he found himself just holding on, clinging. His breath sounded so loud in his ears, and Lex was talking, hot, filthy little sex words strung together in no particular order. It liked to light him on fire, and he did his best to encourage.
Finally he needed more, though. Brant didn’t think of himself as particularly demanding, but he rolled Lex to his back, wanting to press all along that muscled body.
“Oh baby. Yeah. Look at you.” Lex grabbed his ass with the one free hand, jacking him and pushing him all at once. God, the man’s hands…. Those calluses were inspiring.
“Want all of you.” Solid, strong—Lex was like a jungle gym, just for him to explore.
“Oh God. I want that. I mean, this is perfect, but maybe soon….” Lex’s eyes glinted with pure need.
“Yes. Yes. Please.” He approved. He’d go buy good lube and rubbers.
“Oh.” Now those eyes went wide, almost black. “Okay. Oh, fuck.” Lex moved faster, bucking beneath him.
“Uh-huh. Over and over.” He leaned down and fastened their mouths together before he said something else. Lex made him babble, made him do all sorts of things that were firsts. Like offer to let Lex fuck him on the first date.
Although, if they had another meal before supper, it would be the third date and that wasn’t too slutty. Yeah. So there.
Lex bit his lower lip. “Why are you laughing?” Lex asked breathlessly.
“Happy. Horny. Trying to rationalize how bad I want you.”
“I hear you.” Lex drove up, cock sliding against his, then slapping against Brant’s balls when he overbalanced. “Whoa. I got you.”
Oh. Lex did. Those hands were sure, holding him tight, keeping him from going ass over teakettle, which was good. He didn’t want to forfeit his orgasm one bit. No, he was on track for a spine-tingler.
“Good catch. God, I need you,” he murmured, moaning against Lex’s lips, the stubble there enough to make his eyes cross.
“Thanks. I have a vested interest.” Lex chuckled but got him resettled so they could rub and bump and get cooking with oil again. Lex slid that hand down between them again, and they were roaring toward the finish in no time.
Brant cried out, digging his fingers into Lex’s shoulders so he didn’t lose his place again. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold on this time so he could see Lex’s face when Lex came. He’d missed it last night because he’d been very busy sucking that fat, heavy cock.
Which he’d just promised to ride like a prized pony.
“Close, baby. So close.”
Fuck, he loved a man who called him baby. He was a Texan, after all. That was hardwired into his DNA.
“Yeah. Now, Lex. Now.” He couldn’t hold back. He shot so hard he thought his head might fly right off. Hell, the first rush of it made him dizzy.
“Uhn!” Lex’s shout rang out, bouncing off the walls of his bedroom. Christ, the man was gorgeous. Brant watched every moment, keeping his eyes open by sheer force of will.
Then he slumped down on Lex’s chest. “Whoa.”
“Mmm.” Lex helped him ease off to one side, one hand lingering on his hip, rubbing away any stiffness. “Whoa indeed.”
“Did you want to call Travis?”
Lex drew back to stare incredulously at him. “What? No. Why? To brag?”
Brant burst out laughing. “No, to tell him about lunch.”
“It’s still only sevenish. I’ll call him after we snuggle and have coffee and something like carbs.”
“My charger is over here….” Brant trailed off because he felt a huge yawn coming on.
“Later.” Lex pulled him close, and even though they were gonna stick together when they woke up, it felt too good to argue. There was nothing a nap or two couldn’t fix. That was his professional opinion as well as his personal one.
Phone calls could come later.
Chapter Ten
LEX HUNG out with Travis for a whole day—helping with paperwork and cleaning up. Travis had been calm, apologetic, almost dear when Lex had shown up, which was good, because he was done with the drama. They’d managed to do some of the hard work, and then they ordered the hottest Thai food in history and cussed and sweated their way through it.
“Jesus, Trav. You eat this shit every week?”
“Uh. Uh-huh. I love it.” Travis was sweating like a whore in church.
“You’re insane.” Still he kept eating, didn’t he? “You mind if I head over to see a friend tonight?”
“A friend? Another cop?”
His cheeks started burning, but he let himself blame the food. “I’m going to go see Brant.”
“Brantley? Really? Are you sure?”
“What?” Lex grinned, not taking that obvious shock personally.
“He’s so… staid.”
Staid. Oh, so not his Brant. “He’s got his moments, honey.” He thought Brant was pretty damn exciting.
“Huh. Are you and him…? Uh….” Trav flapped his hands in the universal idiot sign for “together.”
“Yeah.” His face heated again, but Lex wasn’t one to lie.
Travis gaped at him, looking amazingly like a landed trout. “You horndog!”
“I know.” He shrugged. What could he say? “Brant does it for me, man.”
Travis stared at him like he’d grown another head. “So… what’s the plan, then?”
“What do you mean?” Surely Travis wasn’t asking what he thought the man was asking.
Travis rolled his eyes. “Are you going out? Staying in?”
“He’s making enchiladas.” Lex was so all over that. Food. Sweat. Spicy kisses.
Oh.
Spicy blowjobs.
Uhn.
“Oh… you must be special. He’s cooking for you. He’s a good cook, really. We keep telling him to start a restaurant.”
“Yeah?” Hoo, boy. Excelente. Lex rubbed his hands together.
“Yeah, so… what are you going to wear?”
“Um. Do I need to dress?” He’d been planning on jeans.
Travis rolled his eyes, lips gone prissy, and suddenly they were back in high school, the two of them about to go cruising. “Hon, maybe a little? A nice shirt, at least. He’s cooking for you.”
“Okay. A nice shirt and dark jeans.” He would make Travis happy.
Travis looked him up and down before giving him a nod. “Very nice. You do clean up well.”
“Thanks.” He hugged Travis. “You’ll be okay?”
“A couple of the teachers from school are coming by. We’ll be fine.”
“Cool. Call me if you need me.” He winked. “Just not too late.”
“Or too early, apparently….”
“Right. I mean, who calls someone at six thirty, Trav?” He’d been teasing Travis all day.
“Shut up,” Trav shot back. “Who has a booty call with someone at a funeral?”
“I didn’t do it at the funeral!” He cracked up, not able to keep the outrage.
Travis leaned against him, laughing too, and if the sound was a little bit wild… well…. Travis needed time. His emotions were on a roller coaster that was running off the tracks.
“Might as well have, huh?” Travis rested their shoulders together. “It’s going to be a week soon. A whole week.”
“The milestones are hard.” He leaned in, creating a little pressure, something they did so much when they were kids. “I can come up whenever. Like holidays.”
“Thanks. Thanks. I think I’m going to go back to work Monday. Get on the horse.”
“Cool.” Damn. That meant he had to stop waffling and go home. He needed to make that lunch date
with the guys here too.
“Yeah. You want me to iron a shirt for you?”
“I—do you think Brant will want me all ironed?”
Travis blinked. “No. But your shirt, maybe. I do. Pick a shirt.”
He laughed. “Okay, fine.”
“Thank you.”
NOW LEX wiped his hands on his jeans, his palms ridiculously damp as he stood at Brantley’s door. Enchiladas were probably not formal enough for what he was wearing—the dark denim and dress shirt over-the-top. Still, this was his date with Brant, right?
Right.
He knocked on Brant’s door, sure he was already drooling at the scent of roasted chile.
“It’s open, Officer. Come on in.”
“Thanks.” Travis had sent him with a bottle of wine, but he’d stopped to get beer as well. “Corona and limes.”
“Oh, my hero! I have chips and guac on the counter here.” Brant turned, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of loose shorts. “Oh, look at you! You dressed up! God, that’s a great look on you.”
“Travis made me.” He held out the wine too. “He even ironed my shirt.” This was hysterical. Really. Maybe he had workout gear in his truck.
“It’s gorgeous. You want something more casual? We’re going to be eating in the backyard.”
“I think I’d better. You’ve seen how sloppy I am.” Lex flexed. “Admire while you can.”
“Mmm.” Oh, he did enjoy the drag of Brant’s eyes on his body. “I tell you what, I’ll grab you something and watch you strip down. Fair enough?”
“As long as nothing will burn when I get to kissing you.” He waggled his brows because he wanted those kisses.
“I was in the chopping stage, not the heating.” Brantley grinned at him as they headed back toward the bedroom. He got a soft Lucky Charms T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
“Thanks.” Feeling a little silly, Lex still gave Brant a tiny striptease, unbuttoning the shirt slowly. He popped each one open, then pulled the edges apart to show more and more skin.
“God, honey. You make my mouth dry.” Brantley reached out and drew a single finger down along his chest.
“Mmm. Not the desert air?” His nipples hardened.
“I’m pretty sure. I’ve been here long enough to acclimate.”