Well, this could get interesting.Iwas suddenly grateful for the heads-up, even thoughKevinhad no idea why it was necessary. “Andyou’re sure there won’t be anyone there playing or having public sex?”
“No, no one,” he promised. “Iwouldn’t throw you into the deep end like that.”
“CanIask you another question?”Hehadn’t mentioned anything about his past inPinevilleor his previous relationships, but nowIneeded to know.Ididn’t want to think about the possibility that he’d played in the same club my brother-in-law used to work at.Kevinnodded. “Didyou go to the club when you lived up there?”
“No.”Hesquirmed, andIcouldn’t figure out if it was embarrassment or arousal that had him unable to sit still. “Iwanted to, but it never worked out with my schedule.AndIwasn’t sure it was a good idea to spend too much time there whenIwas an officer inPineville.Eventhough it should have been fine, it felt strange.AndIdidn’t want there to ever be an incidentIhad to respond to and have someone not take me seriously because they’d seen me there during my off time.”
“Arethere problems often?”Thiswas a whole new world to me, andIdidn’t want to go into it blind.
“No, not really.IthinkRowanonly ever mentioned something once or twice, and those were because of people who slipped through the screening process before showing their true colors.”
Ifelt better knowing there wasn’t a chance he’d seen more of my brother thanIwas comfortable with.Ipushed my concerns about what would happen if we ran into them to the back of my mind.Kevinsaid tonight was nothing more than aNewYear’sEveparty, andItrusted him.Therewas no reason to be concerned.
21
KEVIN
Byday,Rowan’sbarn looked like any other you might see while driving through the country.Okay, not exactly the same because it wasn’t built for sheltering livestock and renovated the way so many were.Instead, he’d set out to create something that looked like it had been on the land for decades while being fully customized to host parties.I’dseen it during the day, but approaching at night with a party in full swing was a whole other experience.Thedriveway to the parking lot behind the building was lined with lanterns.Despitethe chill in the air and blanket of snow on the ground, a large group of people gathered around the bonfire just outside the entrance to the barn and across the gravel drive.Therustic barn doors were pushed to the sides, allowing those approaching to see into the building thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Whenyou said the party was at a barn, this isn’t exactly whatIimagined,”Ansonmused as we passed the two-story building.Theonly thing that surpassed my excitement at finally attending one ofRowan’sparties was anticipating the look onAnson’sface when we toured the upper level of the building.Whilethe lower level could easily pass as nothing more than a rental facility, the rooms upstairs were easily transformed into private play areas when needed. “I’mstarting to feel underdressed.”
“Youlook fine,”Iassured him.Helooked better than fine in a pair of fitted dark-black jeans and a hunter-green button-down shirt that looked as though it had been tailored to fit his physique.Knowinghow he wanted everything just so, it probably was. “Thebuilding might look fancy, but that’s just soRowancan get top dollar on the weekends it’s rented out.Iguarantee you’ll see plenty of people dressed more casually than you are.”
Athumping bass line greeted us when we stepped out ofAnson’struck.Iclosed my eyes and tipped my head back to the sky, taking a few deep breaths to tamp down my nerves.Tonightwas important to me on so many levels.Obviously,Iwanted my friends to likeAnson, butIalso wanted him to be comfortable with what went on here when it wasn’t something as innocuous as a get-together for friends and acquaintances.Hewas still finding his footing, but there was something exciting about the thought of playing outside of the bedroom.
Therewould likely be a large number in attendance who’d been part of the club inPineville, but that didn’t concern me too much.Itwould allowAnsonto see that kink was a part of who they were, not all of it.Ihadn’t missed the way his nostrils flared and his pupils dilated any timeIslipped in something less than vanilla into dirty talk, butIgot the feeling he still struggled to believe it could be something he enjoyed even though he wasn’t sexually motivated.
“Whatabout me?”Iteased asAnsonslipped his hand into mine.Ilifted our hands high in the air and spun around, nearly falling on my ass when the ball of my foot caught a patch of ice. “HowdoIlook tonight?”
Hiseyes glinted under the light of the full moon.Thealmost predatory look on his face as he pulled me against his body had my dick taking note.Ifthey’d sprayed some sort of pheromone into the air to set the mood,Iwas going to askRowanto bottle some up for me.Ansonhad gone from somewhat nervous to downright playful in less than a minute.Hisfree hand cupped my ass, pressing my erection against his. “Doesthis answer your question?”
DamnRowanfor not having the upper level open for use tonight.EvenifAnsonwasn’t ready to get his kink on,Iwould have happily dragged him up there and begged him to get both of us off before joining the revelers downstairs. “I’llhave to remember to get dressed up more often if that’s how you’re going to react.”
Dressedup was a bit of an exaggeration, but more often than not lately,I’dbeen in sweatpants and aT-shirt.Itwas my go-to outfit, especially during the winter becauseIdidn’t see a reason to be uncomfortable ifIwasn’t planning on leaving the house.Buttonight,I’dpulled out a pair of artfully ripped jeansIused to wear whenIwent dancing withRowanand the rest of our friends, pairing it with a white undershirt and my leather jacket.Itwas completely out of character for theHarmonyGroveversion of me, but tonight,Iwasn’t trying to fill the role of the friendly cop.Iwas a man who wanted to ring in the new year with my boyfriend before heading home and bending over for him.
Ansonplayed with the attached belt on the jacket, holding me in place. “Inever thought leather would do it for me, butI’mdefinitely seeing the benefit of keeping you right whereIwant you.”
“Tobe fair, it wasn’t too long ago that you didn’t think men did anything for you either,”Iquipped asItwisted away from him.Heprotested as the leather slipped out of his hands.Asmuch fun asIwas having out here, it was cold.Iwas sure it wouldn’t take long forAnsonto relax once we were inside, and then we could get back to the long, torturous foreplay.I’dalso be lying ifIsaidIwasn’t looking forward to beingAnson’sfirst-ever midnight kiss. “Comeon, old man.Let’ssee if we can’t find a few more things you never thought would excite you.”
“Don’tmake me put you over my knee,” he growled.Itwas so fun to give him a hard time about our age difference, even though it no longer worried me as much as it had in the beginning.Hewas an easy mark.
“Don’tmake promises you can’t keep,”Ishot back, already a few steps ahead of him. “Aroundhere, no one would bat an eye if you took off your belt and punished me in front of everyone.”
Myentire body buzzed with energy the closer we got to the back doors.Thiswas somethingI’dwanted for years, but it felt symbolic thatI’dwaited to explore this side of my sexuality untilAnsonwas here to join me.Rowan’sdad,Jeremy, stood sentinel at the door.I’dnever admit it toAnson, butJeremyhad also been on my shortlist of men at one point.Somethingabout the permanent silver scruff on his jaw with his messy dark-blond hair and ice-blue eyes had fueled more than a handful of my fantasies over the past few years.Buttonight, there was no zing of attraction.Icould admit he was a good-looking man for his age, butIdidn’t wonder what it would be like to feel his broad, work-roughened hands against my flesh.
“Kevin, it’s been too long!”Jeremygave me a quick hug, thumping my back once.NoticingIwasn’t alone, he quickly released me. “Andwho’s this?Rowandidn’t mention anything about you being in a relationship.”
“JeremyRivers,AnsonLangsford.”Theintroductions were awkward, with the two men staring each other down.IfIwasn’t mistaken,Ansonwas jealous.Thatwould be cute if it wouldn’t risk ruining what was looking to be a great night, soIlet him off the hook. “Anson,JeremyisRowan’sdad.Helives on the other side of the field.”
“It’sa pleasure to meet you.”Icouldn’t tell in the low light at the entrance, but it sounded as ifAnsonwas clenching his jaw.Ireached back, offering him my hand as a silent reassurance he had nothing to worry about.
“Likewise.”Jeremyopened the door, ushering us inside. “Ihope you two enjoy yourselves.Kevin, don’t be a stranger.Iwas starting to think we’d never see you once you moved down toHarmonyGrove.Theymust be keeping you busy down there.”
“There’sdefinitely no shortage of things to keep me busy,”Iresponded, givingAnson’sfingers a reassuring squeeze so he’d know he was what was occupying all my free time andIwouldn’t have it any other way. “ButIhave a feeling we’ll be back before too long.”
“Gladto hear it.”Jeremyoffered a quick wave as he stepped back into the cold night air.
Ilooked around the crowd, trying to findRowanand the rest of my buddies so we could take care of the rest of the introductions before hitting the bar.Ansonwasn’t drinking much tonight since he was driving, but the man needed something strongASAPto loosen up a bit.Notseeing my friends,IledAnsonto one of the alcoves along the side of the room.Asmuch asIthoughtI’dliked seeing him jealous, it wasn’t sitting right with me.Wewere just finding solid footing, andIdidn’t want him sinking into his own head ifIgot into a conversation with someone.
