Great. Now I’d have to spend the rest of the party trying to conceal my hard-on.
14
BILLY
Askingmy mom to take Henry for the night was more a formality than anything else. Since we’d admitted to the family that Michael and I were together, she’d fallen head first into her role as Henry’s “Lola.” I had no clue where the honorific came from, but I wasn’t about to question her.
“Why don’t you call us tomorrow when the two of you wake up?” she suggested, already pulling on her muck boots.
Somehow, Henry had his own pair next to hers in the mud room, adorned with spaceships and planets. Funny, when we’d been kids she refused to buy anything that wasn’t a solid color, citing that kids were fickle and she didn’t want us refusing to wear them a month or two later.
“We’ll meet you at the diner for a late breakfast before I head up to Pineville to do my shopping.” She stood, grabbing a pair of canvas gloves off the shelf. “Is there anything the boys still need for school? I know you and Michael weren’t counting on buying for two this year.”
Two? More like I hadn’t anticipated buying school supplies for anyone other than the back-to-school packs at Harmony House. In a million years, I’d never anticipated my life as a pseudo-dad of two, one just starting school and the other getting ready to start his senior year. It was insanity.
“Uh, Michael’s been taking care of that,” I admitted. “But I’m pretty sure we’re just about set.”
“Well, if the boys need clothes or anything, the four of you can follow us up there. Since no one’s given me grandbabies before now, I have a lot of spoiling to catch up on.”
I simply shook my head, sighing as I draped an arm over Mom’s shoulders and kissing her on the cheek. “You don’t have to do anything of the sort, but I know better than to argue with you. I’ll see what Michael says and let you know in the morning.”
Speaking of, Michael strode through the back door, a stack of mismatched butter and whipped topping containers filled with leftovers in his hands. “Henry’s changing into his farm clothes. Did you know he has farm clothes, Billy?”
I exchanged a knowing look with Mom, who simply smiled and shrugged. “And it’s a good thing, too. Couldn’t have him running around with the chickens wearing his slacks and dress shoes, now could I?”
“No, I suppose not.” I shook my head. “At some point, Michael’s going to sit you down for a talk about not spoiling Henry.”
“Michael will do nothing of the sort.” The traitor beamed as he set the containers on the rail, reaching out to hug my mom. When she drew him into her embrace and patted his back, I thought I heard him let out a ragged sigh. He pulled back, placing his hands on Mom’s shoulders. “Thank you for accepting both of us into the family.”
“You’ve always been,” Mom corrected him. “So it only makes sense I’d love that little boy as if he were my own. Now, the two of you get while you can. Henry and I have chores to do and then your father’s going to take him out to the shop for a little while.”
A few minutes and another round of goodbyes later, I finally led Michael to the car. I leaned in, pulling the belt across his lap. Both of us stiffened. “Uh, sorry.”
“I mean, the timing could be better, but I get it.” Michael glanced back at the house, relaxing when there was no one watching us. He cupped my cheek. “I think it’s sweet, but don’t think you’re going to do that all the time.”
I knew better but something about tonight felt different. Michael had dropped a few hints about wanting to explore a bit of pain, and tonight was the night he’d get his wish. I wanted to get him out of his mind, to make him forget every burden he carried around on a daily basis. To once and for all shed the pain of his past.
It took a concerted effort on my part to not speed through town on the way home. To Michael’s. Whatever. At some point soon we needed to talk about living arrangements, because my place was one hell of an expensive storage unit at this point.
When we arrived home, Michael headed straight for the kitchen. “After you put the food away, get the coffee set up for morning. I’m going upstairs to get things set up for tonight. I want you in the living room when I get back.”
My hands shook as I laid out the various accessories I wanted to consider including in our evening of exploration—a leather flogger, a wooden paddle, and a pair of velvet-lined handcuffs. I placed each one carefully at the foot of the bed, my mind racing with possibilities.
I didn't think too hard about the history of the implements Michael kept locked in a chest at the back of his closet. Nor did I consider whether Michael had ever been on the receiving end of any of them. The important thing was he wanted to be, and I was the one he trusted to make him fly.
When I made my way back downstairs, Michael wasn’t in the living room where I'd told him to wait for me. Instead, he stood at the kitchen island, eyes closed and his breathing steady. When his gaze turned up to mine, I saw such longing it nearly buckled my knees. We had both found our way home and saved each other along the way.
“Are you ready, baby?” I tugged his shirt from his pants, sliding my hands along the lines of his back. “Remember, we don't have to do anything you're not ready for.”
“I want this, Billy. With you.” He responded quietly, eyes searching mine. “There's no one else I can trust to take me out of my own head and explore without shame or fear. I know you won't hold my past against me. That you won't think I'm weak because I want to let go.”
I cupped his cheek and a gentle smile crossed my lips. “You have no clue how much that means to me.” Taking his hand in mine, I spun him around, pressing my forehead to his. “Let's go uncover your secrets together,” I murmured softly against his mouth.
I pressed my lips against his in a soft kiss that promised more than just exploration. It promised connection and understanding between us, no matter how intense things became.
I stepped inside the bedroom and locked the door behind me, my eyes never leaving Michael's. The corner of my mouth tipped up in a wicked grin when his body tensed at the snick of the lock. Since we were home alone, there was no reason to lock the door other than that exact reaction. It was all about the illusions tonight.
“Strip,” I commanded in a low voice, watching as he slowly pulled clothes off his frame until he stood before me, naked. He looked up at me with a mix of fear and need in his gaze as he dropped to his knees. His surrender felt complete, and I could feel the trust radiating from him.
