He neededSterling.
Back arched, hips rocking at a constant pace, Adrian threw his head back and rode Sterling for everything he wasworth.
“Fuck,” Sterling panted. He thrust beneath Adrian, but the efforts were mostly useless. Adrian was the one in control, and he was the one who set the pace. “Holy fuck,Adrian!”
“You feel so fucking good.” Each downward motion put pressure right where it needed to. Adrian wanted to come more than ever, but he held back. “So—ugh!—sogood.”
“Let me come inside of you,” Sterling begged. The words he spoke were marked by urgency. “Please.Iwant—”
Adrian reached forward, back hunched as he closed some of the distance between his body and Sterling’s. Both of his hands found Sterling’s chest, and he pinched Sterling’s nipples. Sterling hissed out through his teeth, and his thrusting turned frantic. Every push upward brought Adrian new pleasure, and in return, Adrian gaveSterlingpain.
The bed shook. Tears beaded in the corners of Adrian’s eyes. A thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead and chilled his arms, and he tightened his hole around Sterling instinctively as he twisted Sterling’snipples.
There was no warning before Sterling’s knot inflated save for the primal, staggered cry that broke from Sterling’s lips. The sound of it, so guttural and raw, pushed Adrian over the edge, and he choked back a cry of his own as he shot his seed across Sterling’s tight stomach andchest.
When Adrian released Sterling’s nipples and slumped across his body, almost too weak from orgasm to undo Sterling’s restraints, Sterling kissed the top of his head and pistoned his cock in slow, deliberate ways. The knot didn’t allow him much movement, but he gave Adrian everything he could, and Adriancherishedit.
The tie came undone. Sterling lifted his arms carefully from where they’d been stuck, then wrapped them around Adrian to hold him close. Adrian’s cheeks were red-hot, and he was sure that he wasblushing.
“I’m so happy for you and Gabriel,” Sterling whispered as they laid together in the silence. “This is a big first step, and I know it’s going to mean a brighter future for bothofyou.”
“I think so, too,” Adrianwhispered.
But for Adrian, the biggest step had already been taken. Absolving himself of guilt and allowing himself to cast off the bitter person he’d been before never would have happened if it hadn’t been for Sterling—if it hadn’t been for their little ragtagfamily.
That night, when Adrian fell asleep, there were only good dreams. And when he woke up the next morning, Sterling’s arms were still wrapped around him, holding himclose.
Against all odds, he’d found his way—and Adrian didn’t think he’d ever be lostagain.
29
Sterling
The blue-green patinaof Stonecrest’s copper roof drew the eye, and as Sterling stood by the curb, hands in his pockets, he observed it. The sun beat down on his shoulders, the day particularly warm. He’d left his suit jacket in the car, his shirt light enough that the heat wasn’toppressive.
Adrian stood at his side, solemn. He’d tried to fit into one of his more formal shirts only to discover that it was a little too snug around the midsection, so he’d opted for a t-shirt and a pair of jeans instead. Sterling thought he looked no less stunning for it—and frankly, the thought that Adrian was beginning to outgrow some of his closer-fitting clothes gave Sterling a high he still hadn’t come down from. It was a reminder that their little family wasgrowing.
“This is… this is it,” Gabriel murmured. He stared at the toes of his shoes and rubbed his arm nervously. “I just… they’ll teach me how to be happy,right?”
“Only you can teach you how to be happy.” Adrian ruffled Gabriel’s hair, but Gabriel shrank into himself like he was more afraid than ever. “The counselors here are going to give you the tools you need to make sure you can find that happiness, but you don’t have to worry. You’re going to dogreat.”
The confidence in Adrian’s voice was inspiring. Sterling watched the exchange, allowing some of his pride to shine through on his face. Every day it became more evident that Adrian wasn’t the same young man Sterling had caught flipping through his phone on club grounds. In just a handful of months, he’d matured significantly, and Sterling couldn’t wait to see how he could continue to evolve in the monthstocome.
“Thank you,” Gabriel murmured, but it didn’t sound like he meant it. He picked at his sleeve and kept his head lowered. One day, when the damage to him had been undone and he was on the road to recovery, Sterling hoped he’d hold his head high and conduct himself with confidence. Until that day came, he was grateful that Gabriel had the courage to accept that heneededhelp.
The iron gate barring Stonecrest’s grounds from the rest of the world opened. Sterling looked up to find the culprit, and smiled when he spotted the young man dressed in a gray collared shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows. The counselor’s face was unfamiliar, but his expression was kind. Sterling had hoped that Owen Ellis would have come to meet them, but it was more than likely that Owen was taking time off after the birth of histwins.
That was fine. Sterling trusted that an institution run by Crawford Daniels would have top-notch employees. No matter who saw to Gabriel’s care, he’d be well lookedafter.
“Hi. I’m Counselor Kendrick.” The counselor’s smile brightened. “Are you the Lowefamily?”
“We are.” Adrian stepped forward, taking control of the conversation. Nothing would crush his will, and Sterling admired him for it. The ebb and flow of power between them suited Sterling, and he felt that it fit Adrian as well. “I’m Adrian, and this is my brother,Gabriel.”
“Nice to meet you.” Counselor Kendrick held out his hand, and Adrian shook it. Gabriel lurked behind Adrian like a shy child hiding behind his father. While introductions were made, Sterling remained by the car. Today was for Adrian and Gabriel, and he didn’t want tointerfere.
“Gabriel?” Adrianasked.
On command, Gabriel stepped forward, but his head was still lowered. “Hello, CounselorKendrick.”
