“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-Five
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.
“Umm.” 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 the recipe from Esther. 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’s mouth 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, was beginning 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. 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 tugged 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 was already straining 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 on 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, where he drew in Brandon’s earlobe and sucked it between his lips.
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 wetplop.
