“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 let finally let go of Brandon and turned around, Ash and Luke were talking quietly on the sofa with their mother. Neil had retreated to an armchair in the corner and was reading a magazine.
“How was it when you first saw each other?” Tash nodded to 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’s 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 never could 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’lldeal 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.”
