“Oh my God, you’re worse now that I know what’s going on,” Ryan complained. I wadded up my napkin and tossed it at his head. His expression softened. “I’m just giving you a hard time, Dad. I’m happy for you. He’s a great guy and at least with you dating him I don’t have to worry about you hooking up with a total dick.”
“And what makes you think I’d go for a guy you thought was a jerk?” I asked as we made our way to the counter. My taste in men wasn’t that bad. Not that I’d given the subject enough thought to have a type for anything other than getting off.
“Not saying you would, but it’s always a crapshoot. My friend Matt wound up with a total prick of a stepdad. While it’d be nice to eventually have two stepdads as awesome as Frankie and Jack, that’s a bit much for any kid to hope for.”
Ryan settled into the passenger’s seat as though he hadn’t just dropped another atomic bomb on our casual lunch stop. It was way too soon to think about Frankie and I getting married, but long after Ryan had passed out for the remainder of the drive, I was still questioning if that was where I hoped things were eventually headed. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I could admit that yes, I wanted coming home to Frankie to be my normal.
* * *
Marisa and Jackstopped by late in the evening to pick up Ryan. She flashed me a few knowing looks but didn’t say anything. Of course, she’d figured out Frankie and I were together. Which reminded me, we needed to sit down and talk about who we were comfortable telling because the longer we were together, the less comfortable I was keeping him a secret.
Before any heavy conversations could take place, I needed to help him unwind. Seeing how keyed up he was when we got home tonight, I hated that this was going to be a frequent occurrence for the next few months. And to think, this was a short trip.
As soon as the front door was closed and locked, I rounded on Frankie. “Why didn’t you tell me how you were feeling this weekend?”
“I was fine, Calvin,” he lied, unable to meet my eyes.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” I demanded. Other than a brief stolen kiss while Ryan changed, Frankie had been avoiding me all evening.
“It was a long weekend, that’s all.” At least he was getting closer to the truth now. I led him through the house to the en suite attached to the master bedroom. Releasing him, I drew a bath. “Cal, I’m tired. Can’t we just go to bed?”
“We will, once you relax a bit.”
“Don’t want a bath. I just need to feel your arms around me and I’ll be fine.” While the garden tub filled, I began to strip Frankie, ignoring his protests. We were on the same page, because I needed him just as badly. Tonight, I fully intended to dole out his first punishment, and even though I knew it was what had to happen, I was nervous that I’d hurt him. No, that wasn’t right. I remembered William’s words from the first time we visited The Lodge. Frankiewasgoing to hurt by the time I was through with him, but I’d never forgive myself if I injured him.
Frankie relaxed against my chest as I reached around his body to unbutton his jeans. I nipped at his neck, smiling at every elicited moan. “Let me do this for you, baby. I’m sorry I wasn’t home this weekend and want to make it up to you.”
I allowed my fingers to brush against Frankie’s dick as I pushed the denim down his legs. He arched into the touch, hungry for more. I swatted his hip, a nonverbal warning that he wasn’t in charge here.
Once Frankie was naked, I guided him to the edge of the tub and told him to wait. His brow furrowed and he shivered slightly as the central air kicked on. I rushed to undress myself, amused when Frankie tried to stop himself from ogling my exposed flesh. I reached up and brushed a hand over his cheek. “Don’t hide from me, boy. I want to see your reactions. Love knowing that I turn you on. You’re good for my ego.”
“Oh please, like you need anything other than a mirror to know how hot you are,” Frankie scoffed. I pinched his ass as I stepped closer. “I’m serious, Cal. I don’t get how you could possibly think you’re not.”
“Give it time, brat.” I carefully stepped over the edge of the tub and held out a hand for him to join me. Before settling into the water, I drew him to my chest, running a hand up his side. He buried his face in my neck and inhaled deeply, his body relaxing on exhale. I pressed my lengthening erection into the crook of Frankie’s ass, rocking gently, giving him a preview of how the night would end. “Missed you. The bed was empty without you.”
“Yeah, you probably hated waking up naturally instead of with me crushing you.” It was true that I’d grown accustomed to waking up when Frankie laying on top of me restricted my ability to breathe, but I loved that about him. It was as if he could no longer resist being as close to me as possible in those last moments of sleep. But that often led to lazy frotting and making out, morning breath be damned, and it’d become my favorite way to start the day.
“I did,” I insisted. I sat first, pulling him into the space between my legs. As we talked about our respective weekends, I soaped up a washcloth and cleaned every inch of Frankie’s body I could reach.
I paid careful attention to his reactions, moving on as he started to squirm against me, never giving into what he craved. Spent extra time cleaning his stomach, allowing the back of my hand to lightly graze his dick. Focused on his upper thighs, never intentionally touching his balls. “Quit teasing me, Cal. I need you.”
“And you’ll have me,” I assured him, brushing my lips against his shoulder. “WhenI’mready and not a moment before.”
“That’s not fair,” he whined.
“It’s completely fair. You need to remember that sex isn’t just about getting off as quickly as possible. Sometimes, it’s about seeing how long you can draw out the pleasure.” This was especially important to me, because I never wanted sex to be a transaction between us. Frankie needed to realize everything I did for him, even seeing how many times I couldalmostmake him come, was because of how much I cared for him. Cherished him. Loved him. “Quickies should be the exception, not the rule, when two people love each other.”
Frankie twisted around, slipping for purchase against the bottom of the tub. I caught him before he completely face planted. “Do you?”
“Do I what, brat?” I smirked, because I knew damn well what he was referring to. I hadn’t meant to tell him I loved him so soon, but now that the words were out there, I wouldn’t take them back. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t toy with him just a bit.
“Love me.” He kneeled between my legs and grabbed the washcloth from the edge of the tub. My eyes rolled back in my head as he started washing me. “You said ‘when two people love each other’.”
“I did,” I confirmed, resting my head against the edge of the tub.
“Does that mean you do?” He sounded uncertain, as if he couldn’t believe anyone would fall in love with him. Through all our talks, I hadn’t gotten the impression that he’d had a bad relationship in the past, so it didn’t make sense that he felt so unworthy.
I wrapped my arms around his back, holding him against my body. I slid my hands down to cup his ass, allowing one finger to slide into the crack. “I do. I don’t want you saying it in return out of obligation. If and when the time is right and you feel the same way, you’ll tell me.”
