Embrace the Fire

by Felice Stevens

  “I knew Ash and Luke were different; people whispered about it to me when we lived back in Georgia. I chose to ignore it. But you too?” She shook her head. “I can’t say I understand it, but if that’s what you want…” She fingered the cross at her neck.

  “Mom, it isn’t a choice. It’s who we are.” He let out a sigh. “I can leave and find somewhere to stay tonight if you’re uncomfortable with me in the house.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Her eyes flashed. In all the years, he’d never seen her temper rise except for now. “I lived for years with that man who abused me, and if anyone saw my bruises, they did nothing. Many times, I heard people say it’s the woman’s fault; she should listen to her husband. I listened to him, and he still beat me.”

  Her small hands clenched into fists, and Brandon thought she might be the strongest person he’d ever met.

  “So no one will force me to turn my back on my child.”

  “I love you, Mom. And I’m sorry for everything we both went through.”

  “I love you too, Brandon, and I wish…” She stopped and shook her head.

  Brandon heard a knock downstairs. “Are you expecting anyone?”

  He followed her down the steps and turned the lamps on as they walked through the dark living room.

  “Sometimes people from the church stop by to check on me.”

  “Well, let me see who it is first.” He opened the inner door to peer through the torn screen. There was no light on the porch, and the road was dark. “Who’s there?”

  “Brandon? It’s me, Tash. Can we come in?”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Though the light was dim, the surprise on Brandon’s face was evident.

  “Tash? Is that you?” Brandon’s forehead pressed against the torn screen.

  “Yes. It’s me with Luke, Ash, and Jerry. Please. Can we come in?”

  He heard whispering inside and then the door opened to allow their entry. One by one he and the others entered the weathered little house. Six people could barely fit inside the cramped living room. Tash was happy to see Brandon seemed fine, though he couldn’t say that for the woman who was next to him. She was deathly white and shaking. Tash was certain she’d pass out if Brandon didn’t have a firm grip on her waist.

  Ash and Luke both approached her. “Mom?” These two grown men, one a tyrant in the courtroom, the other a financial whiz on Wall Street, were stripped down to the studs, revealing two young, broken men. The raw and naked pain on their faces, along with the trepidation and hesitancy in their voices, hurt Tash’s heart. He knew they were wondering if they’d be accepted by their mother. He’d treated people who’d found their relatives after a long search. The fact that this woman was their foster mother didn’t lessen their pain. She was the only mother they’d ever known. Treating his patients, Tash had seen so much rejection between family members and the disillusionment that came afterward. He promised himself that he’d give these men whatever support they needed.

  The smile that transformed Mrs. Munson’s face, however, told Tash that a different story, one with a happy ending, would be the case here.

  “My boys. My darling boys. I’m so sorry.” Both Ash and Luke embraced her, and her arms came around both men, holding them all together. They remained locked in that private circle for several minutes, shaking with long-held emotions. Tash turned away, pretending to study the lamp in an attempt to give them some sort of privacy. He couldn’t imagine the mental toll this reunion took on them all.

  When Tash turned back around, both Ash and Luke were wiping their eyes. It seemed full closure on this family’s terrible history was about to come to pass. Brandon, however, had to deal with his legal problems before any of them could rest easy.

  Before Tash could say anything, though, Brandon spoke. “He died in a bar fight. You were right about the time difference, Tash.” His voice rang out, giddy with happiness and relief. “That’s why it didn’t mesh with what I thought. Munson died three days after I left, exactly like you said.”

  Heedless of what anyone in the room might think, he grabbed Brandon and hugged him tight enough to combine their DNA, pure unadulterated joy washing over him. If Tash had his way, he’d never let Brandon go. Though it was nighttime and the only light came from the feeble glow of the cheap lamps, Tash’s entire world lit up. He was through making excuses or being intimidated by their age difference or any other problems people threw in their path. No one would ever keep him and Brandon apart again.

  Unable to hold back any longer, Tash kissed Brandon, deep, hot, and hungry. As always when he touched this man, that magic clicked into place. “This is the best news possible. Your nightmare is over. And not only did you find your brothers, but you have your mother as well.”

  “I know.” Brandon kissed his cheek but didn’t move from within the circle of Tash’s arms. Their foreheads touched, their lips scant inches apart. “What about us? In your voice mails you said you loved me. But—”

  “I do. You left the carriage house last night before I regained my sanity and told Valerie she needed to back off.” He brushed the silken strands of Brandon’s hair off his face. “I’m sorry for all my doubts. I won’t lose you again. Not to my fears or doubts or our family’s mistaken belief that they know better than us who we should love.”

  “I’d never want to be the cause of any problems between you and Valerie.”

  “You aren’t, and she understands now how important you are to me.” Tash hugged him again, loving the feel of their bodies together, wishing desperately they could be alone. When he finally let go of Brandon and turned around, Ash and Luke sat talking quietly on the sofa with their mother. Jerry had retreated to an armchair in the corner and was reading a magazine.

  “How was it when you first saw each other?” Tash nodded toward Brandon’s mother, who was looking at pictures both Ash and Luke were showing her on their phones. “Was it good between the two of you?”

  Brandon glowed from the inside. He looked like a kid who’d gotten every present on his Christmas list. “We cried a little but had a good talk. Something we could never have done before. She’s so alone, Tash. I can’t leave her to live here by herself. I want to bring her back with me. The place is decrepit and hanging together by some nails and glue.”

  “I agree.”

  Brandon’s attention fixated on his brothers and mother on the sofa. “Look at them sitting there. I never in a million years thought I’d be back in this house again at my own choosing. Add to that Ash and Luke being here?” He shook his head. “It’s awesome.”

  Tash laughed. “You sound like one of your students.”

  Brandon shrugged. “It is awesome.” He leaned into Tash and kissed him softly on the mouth, sending a flood of warmth to pool in Tash’s groin. “You’re awesome, and when we get home, I’m going to show you how awesome we are together.”

  Tash could’ve groaned with frustration. By the teasing light in Brandon’s eyes, his lover was well aware of the heated response his kiss caused.

  “You’re a bit of an evil bastard, aren’t you? Last night you promised me a home-cooked meal and some hot and dirty sex, only to disappear. Now you tease me with that mouth of yours. You owe me big-time.”

  Brandon smirked. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

  Tash glanced at the others and, seeing they were still involved in their reunion, took Brandon by the forearm and yanked him close. Brandon’s eyes darkened, and his breathing increased.

  “Your absence makes me hard. And when we get back, I better not find you anywhere but in my bed. Every single night. I don’t want to ever be without you again. Understand?”

  Brandon curled his fingers around Tash’s jacket. “There’s nowhere else I want to be. Ever.”

  Tash held Brandon close, soaking in his scent, loving the way their bodies molded together. Nothing in his life had prepared him for falling in love with Brandon. The man was like a drug; the more Tash saw him, the more he craved him.
Their future together now seemed guaranteed, stretching out before them with infinite possibilities. Since meeting Brandon and falling in love with him, he’d moved beyond the prison walls he’d lived behind since Danny’s death. Brandon might have been running away from his troubles and in hiding, but Tash had been running from his past and hiding from life and himself as well.

  “I’ll admit I was scared to death all day, wondering what you were doing and if I was ever going to see you again.”

  Brandon nodded. “I know, but I had to do it and do it on my own. You have an instinctive need to protect, but you need to let me find my way. If I make mistakes and fall, I can pick myself up.”

  Tash rubbed Brandon’s back. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “It’s part of life to try, fail, and get hurt. You can’t prevent it unless you lock me away, which is not happening. But I can make you one promise.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Tash couldn’t help the silly grin he knew was plastered on his face, but he was so damn happy it didn’t matter. “What’s that?”

  “I’m done with keeping secrets.” Brandon glanced over his shoulder at his mother. “I told her I was gay. I can’t say she’s happy about it, but I think we’ll be okay.” A sigh escaped him. “She said she always knew there was something different about Ash and Luke, but she thought I had a girlfriend.”

  “It’ll be fine, sweetheart. And if not, you’ll deal with it; we’ll deal with it together. Right?” He kissed Brandon’s cheek, losing himself in Brandon’s marvelous warmth.

  “Yes. Together. I like the way that sounds. I’ve moved so far beyond where I ever thought possible; a job I love, my brothers and I reunited, but none of it would mean as much if I didn’t have you.” He laughed a little self-consciously. “Yeah, I know, I’m corny.”

  “Hey, you two, break it up,” Ash called out, waving them over. “If you can tear yourselves away from each other, join us.”

  Tash walked with Brandon over to the sofa. He was yet uncertain how he’d be received by Brandon’s foster mother, no matter her smile earlier when he met her.

  “Mrs. Munson, I’m Tash Weber.”

  She looked him up and down, assessing him with a surprisingly fierce gaze. “That’s my baby. I know you think I’ve been a lousy mother, and you’re right, but they’re all still young enough for me to make it up to them.”

  “Mrs. Munson—”

  She continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “All my life I was told what to do. Listen to your father. Listen to your husband, your minister. They know what’s best. No more.” The loving looks she gave to Ash, Luke, and then Brandon, standing by Tash’s side, said everything. “I’m gonna listen to my heart. And my heart tells me if my boys are happy, then that’s all that should matter. It might take me some time to get used to it; I’m not gonna lie.”

  “I understand.” Tash smiled at her fierce earnestness. “I intend to make him happy.”

  “But if you don’t treat him right, I’ll make sure you won’t ever forget me. Y’hear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mom, please.” Brandon’s agonized face was bright red, and Ash and Luke chuckled.

  Tash understood her protectiveness. “Let her have these times,” he said, whispering into Brandon’s ear. “She never had the chance when you were young. I don’t mind.”

  “We were talking here, and I think we’ve come up with a plan that might satisfy everyone.” Ash had finished answering a text. He was smiling, and Tash assumed it was from Drew.

  “Let’s hear it, then.” Tash was anxious, knowing it was his future, as well as Brandon’s mother’s, that they were talking about.

  “This is what we’re going to do.” Ash began outlining his plan, and Tash sneaked a look at Brandon’s smiling face, knowing finally, it was all going to work out in the end.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The front door slammed shut. “Brandon? Are you home?” Tash’s voice reached him in the kitchen as he closed the oven door with a flip of his foot.

  “Mmm.” Tash gave the air an appreciative sniff from the entrance to the kitchen. “Roast chicken?” He walked in and gave Brandon a kiss hello. Tash tasted like coffee, and his skin brushed against Brandon’s, fresh and cool.

  “Yep. I got Esther’s recipe. And my mom’s biscuits are still warm. Want one?” He took one from the basket he’d left on the warming plate on top of the stove, spread a little honey on it, and brought it to Tash for a taste. Tash’s eyes closed, a groan of happiness escaping his lips as he chewed and swallowed. If Brandon had anything to say about it, there’d be a lot more happy groans coming from the man tonight.

  “Oh God, that was delicious.” He licked his lips, and Brandon’s cock stiffened. He remembered where those lips had been only last night and was already hard for a repeat performance.

  “Glad you like it. She said they were always a big hit, and Esther loves them now.”

  “They all seem to be settling in well together, don’t you think?”

  In the month since Tina Munson had moved into Brandon’s former apartment in Esther’s house, she’d blossomed into a woman who, though cautious, had begun to see all that life had to offer. Being with someone as vibrant as Esther could do that to a person.

  Tash had arranged for her to receive therapy from a female psychiatrist who specialized in treating victims of domestic abuse. In addition, she volunteered at the community center and had quickly become one of the children’s favorite storytellers.

  “She’s so happy. She and Esther and Louisa trade recipes and go shopping. I think tomorrow the three of them are going into the city to go shopping and then later on to the hairdresser.”

  “Look out, New York City,” said Tash, laughing as he took another biscuit. “How are you doing with all the changes?”

  Brandon sat down and poured a glass of wine for each of them. Since he’d moved into the carriage house, this had become his favorite part of the day—Tash coming home and the two of them sharing their daily stories together. Finally, like a family.

  “I’m great. Better than great.” He sipped his wine and watched Tash as he did the same. “I love living here, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe it all worked out like it did.”

  “Don’t pinch too hard. I wouldn’t want you to put a mark on that body of yours. It’s much too beautiful.” Tash finished off his glass.

  Brandon drained his wineglass and stood. “I might have given myself a bruise.” He walked past Tash. “Maybe you should give me a physical, being a doctor and all.” Tash’s chair scraped against the tiled floor, and Brandon took off up the stairs, laughing as he heard Tash’s growl of frustration from behind as he pounded up the wooden steps. He entered their bedroom and slammed the door shut.

  Everything was as he’d prepared it; the fire had been set earlier and flared behind the grate. He’d found a table at an antique store a week ago and wrestled it up the stairs, placing it in a perfect position before the fireplace. On it now rested a bottle of wine, some cheese, crackers, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

  The door burst open, and Tash stalked in. Brandon forgot about the food, forgot everything at the desire flaming in Tash’s eyes.

  “Come here.” Tash held out his hand, and Brandon went to him, mesmerized by Tash’s seductive voice and gleaming eyes. “Now take off your clothes.”

  Impossibly hard from the mere touch of Tash’s hand, Brandon managed to find his voice. “Take them off for me.” He undid the top button of his shirt. “Here, I’ll even start it for you.”

  Tash quirked his lips in a smile. “You want to tease me? I’ve been waiting all day to come home and start the weekend with you.” With sure, nimble fingers, Tash quickly divested Brandon of his shirt, his hands brushing the soft skin above the top of Brandon’s jeans, coming to rest on the waistband for a moment. His thumbs circled Brandon’s stomach, and Brandon almost came from that gentle touch alone. A quick pop of the button tab and Tash had the jeans tug
ged down to Brandon’s knees. “Now get these off, so I can give you a proper examination.”

  Brandon wriggled out of the jeans and glanced down at his boxer briefs, where his cock already strained for release. “I have this swelling I don’t know what to do with, Doctor.” He stroked himself, cradling both his cock and balls in his hand. “Perhaps you need to take a closer look.” Brandon slipped off the underwear and lay on the bed. He continued to stroke his cock and roll his balls. Tash, never taking his eyes off Brandon, removed his clothes in seconds flat, leaving them in a heap on the floor. He crawled up onto the bed to sit between Brandon’s widespread legs.

  “I think that’s an excellent idea.” Tash leaned down and kissed Brandon, who slipped his arm around Tash’s neck to hold him close. “First, though, I’m going to give you a different kind of oral exam.” He plunged his tongue into Brandon’s mouth, and Brandon moaned, grabbing on to Tash’s shoulders as he stroked Tash’s slick tongue with his own. True to his word, Tash nipped and licked his way down Brandon’s jaw to his ear.

  Brandon cried out, arching off the bed, his cock jerking and swelling heavily between their bodies. Desperate for some friction, he writhed and humped against Tash, who released his lobe with a wet plop.

  “Feel good, sweetheart?” He nuzzled Brandon’s neck, driving Brandon wild with desire.

  “God, yes.” Brandon’s breath came in pants as he thrashed his head on the pillow. “Fuck, don’t stop.” He thrust his hips upward, anything to get some vital pressure on his aching cock.

  Tash said nothing but continued his teasing licks and kisses down Brandon’s body, nibbling at his nipples and swirling around his belly button. Brandon almost screamed with relief as Tash grasped his cock. Tash kissed the head, and his tongue tickled the tiny slit, licking up all the liquid seeping out. “You like that, huh?”