“Get what?”
“Why people want to have sex… fuck, it’s never felt like this.”
“Really? Never?”
“Seriously. Never.” Zach gasped. “Fuck, Cael. I’m gonna come. More. Need more. Oh, fuck…”
With Zach’s words alone, Cael came as he slammed deep, grunting as he shot his load and his body locked in place. He tried to move, but he couldn’t, and instead, pressed in as far as he could as his dick pulsated and emptied. Seconds later, Zach gasped and groaned, spurting between them.
“Jesus. Fucking. Christ,” Zach breathed.
Slightly dizzy, Cael collapsed on top of him, sweaty and sticky, and buried his face in the damp curve of Zach’s neck. “I have a confession, Pook.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s never felt like this for me before either.” Cael lifted his head and kissed the tip of Zach’s nose, unable to stop the big, dopey smile from stretching across his face. He stared down into Zach’s warm brown eyes and ran his fingers across Zach’s forehead to his temple. The reverence and affection and unadulterated joy he found in Zach’s gaze made his heart stutter. Then, Zach beamed at him, and Cael’s heart somersaulted in his chest, knocking the air out of his lungs as it did.
“Jesus fuck, Manning. Keep looking at me like that and we’ll never get anything done.”
Cael blinked, then laughed. “Well, in my own defense, it’s not every day my deepest wish comes true.” The last words came out breathy even though he’d tried not to let his emotions overtake him.
“Yeah. We’re so not getting anything fucking done today,” Zach replied. He grabbed Cael’s face and pulled him down for a kiss.
“We have to,” Cael mumbled against his lips. “God, I don’t want to, but we have to.”
“Fine,” Zach griped. “But you’re sleeping at my house tonight.”
“I’d already planned on it.”
Zach’s mouth curved into a wry grin.
“Anyway.” Cael cleared his throat and blew out a breath. “Okay. Shower then food. We’ll figure out the rest of the day over breakfast.”
***
Cael lifted Taylor from her car seat and made sure her binky clip was securely attached to her little tan cardigan sweater.
“We need to get this kid more sweatshirts.”
“Hey, I can’t help what Abbey bought for her,” Zach replied as he grabbed the pink canvas diaper bag from the floor behind the driver’s seat and slung the strap over his shoulder.
“Well, she’s gonna need more durable clothing if I’m ever going to teach her how to play football and lacrosse. These little sweaters are cute, but they ain’t gonna cut it.”
Zach’s voice softened. “I think we’ve got some time before she’s ready for that.”
“Hey.” Cael clasped Zach’s hand as they rounded the back of the car and pulled him close to his side. He pressed a soft kiss to Zach’s lips, and Zach relaxed a bit, sighing into their kiss.
Zach remained quiet but seemed less depressed than usual as they crossed the hospital parking lot and entered the cool, sterile environment of St. Anthony’s.
Zach held the door to Abbey’s room open for Cael then followed him in, setting the diaper bag on the vinyl chair against the wall. Taylor caught sight of her mom the moment they entered Abbey’s room. She giggled and squealed, extending her arms and attempting to leap out of Cael’s hold. “Mama!”
Cael held on tight and adjusted her in his arms. “Shh, sweetie. Mommy’s sleeping right now.”
Zach shot him a heartrending look as he stood beside Abbey’s bed. He took her frail hand and brushed the few loose strands of brown hair off her forehead.
“Hey, Abs. I was hoping you’d be awake when we stopped by today. Cael’s here, and we brought Taylor too. She misses you. We all do.”
Cael moved to Abbey’s other side, Taylor clinging to him.
