“I know.The courts are,” Charles said.
Derek shrugged his shoulders.“It’s out of my hands.Once criminal charges were filed, it’s up the district attorney and the judge what happens.William has made my life difficult going back over a year, but it’s been worse lately.”
Charles nodded.“He has mental health issues, and we need to get those treated.William would be admitted as an inpatient until proper medications and treatment can be determined.”He swallowed as Derek looked at Harm, whose eyes said it all.
“I don’t think William is necessarily a bad person, but there is little I can do.I’m in favor of William getting the help he needs.So if you can work out a deal with the district attorney, I’d be willing to listen as well.But I don’t know how much weight that will carry.”
Charles thanked him and held out his hand.“I appreciate it.William has always been obsessive about things, but this sort of behavior is not something the family has seen before.None of us want him acting the way he’s been accused of, but getting him help is going to be much more beneficial than locking him up.”
“Okay.”Derek didn’t want to think about William any longer if he could help it.His bail had been denied.The police had cited a flight risk, and Derek had been there to discuss his fears around William’s past behavior.In the end the judge had denied bail.“I don’t know if the judge would be willing to consider alternatives, but you are welcome to ask him.”
Charles nodded once more, thanked him, and then turned and left.
“That was kind,” Harm signed to him.
“I want William to leave me alone.I don’t want his life ruined.If he can get the help he needs, then that’s good.It’s what he truly needs, not jail.”
“Derek,” Grace said after opening the door.“Please come back inside.”He met Harm’s gaze and saw everything he needed.In an instant, Derek knew that Harm would be there whether he got the job or not.“Please sit down.”
He took his usual seat.“The board has discussed the topic of the library director for some time now.There are members of the board who have been cautious about hiring someone of your age and experience.But the last few months, the way you have taken the reins and run with them, have shown us some things.We have more community engagement than we have in a long time.Our programs are well attended, and they reflect the needs of the community.”
“And we love the idea of the book fair,” Mary added with a smile.
“Yes, we do.All of us.So we wanted to congratulate you on your new position as library director, effective the first of January.You’ve been doing much of the job for the past many months, so we wanted to reflect our gratitude for that.”Grace smiled.
“I think it’s important for you to know that the decision was unanimous,” Mary told him.Derek smiled and shook hands with each of the board members.Then he turned to Harm, who grinned back.It almost seemed too much to believe at the moment.He was on cloud nine, and after a little celebrating, the meeting was called back to order so that the decision could be officially entered in the minutes, and then the meeting was formally adjourned for the month.
“We expect you to take some time off before the new year.There is a lot that needs to be done, so spend some time with family and friends and then hit the ground running in January.I know you have more ideas, so keep them flowing.The library needs to be a dynamic place, and you’re working to make that happen.”Mary was all smiles, and she patted his shoulder.
“You heard her,” Harm told him.“Do you want to come to Arizona?”He cocked his eyebrows, and Derek nodded.That sounded like fun.
Chapter 17
CHRISTMAS EVEin Arizona felt kind of weird.Houses were lit up, just like back home, but so were the cactus and palm trees.Add to that the fact that it was warm and sunny, and it just didn’t feel right to Harm.Though Joe and Larry seemed happy and pleased to have him and Derek there.
“Breakfast is going to be out on the terrace in ten minutes,” Joe said from outside the door.Harm smiled and pushed back the covers slightly, baring Derek’s back.He snuffled and pulled the covers back up before rolling away.“Still tired,” he whispered.
Harm leaned closer, kissing Derek’s shoulder.He knew there was no way Derek was going to want to miss Larry’s praline french toast.That was just too good to pass up.He nuzzled Derek’s skin, kissing gently until he rolled over.Then Harm shifted, straddling Derek and kissing him hard.
“Do we have time?”Derek asked, his hands sliding down Harm’s back and over his ass, gripping him.Harm groaned and kissed Derek again before pushing the covers off to expose him fully.Damn, Derek grew sexier every time he looked at him.“Harm, he said that breakfast….”Derek whimpered as Harm sucked Derek’s rod in one motion, taking him deep.Instantly the room filled with whimpers and moans.If either Joe or Larry heard them, they said nothing.“This is the very best way to wake up.”
Harm pulled back, shaking his head as he grabbed a condom off the side table, rolled it on, and after using plenty of slick, slipped into Derek’s tight heat, holding back the world’s deepest groan because damn… this was justdamn.
“I love you, Harm,” Derek whispered as he held Harm tightly, then slowly began to rock.This was heaven, and Harm was right with him, rolling his hips a few times before going deep and staying still, his cock filling Derek.
He could almost feel his heart beat.There was something sublime about the idea of the two of them being connected this way.Derek’s eyes were deep and dark, his breathing shallow and excited.He wanted to tell Derek that he loved him too.That Derek had touched his heart and his life in ways he couldn’t begin to say.Instead, he snapped his hips, and Derek shuddered under him.
This was one of the times he wished he could speak most of all.He wanted to be able to tell Derek how he felt, but all he could do was show him, so Harm pushed Derek to the brink, pulled him back, and then pushed him again and again until Derek’s eyes seemed to go in circles and his breathing became ragged.Only then did he take them to the edge before tumbling them over into a mind-blowing release.
Harm stilled and waited as Derek breathed softly under him.Then he opened his beautiful eyes before rolling them.“You didn’t hurt me.”
He nodded and shivered as their bodies disconnected.
“Okay, you two.”Joe knocked on the door.“That’s enough of that.Some of us are too old for athletic sex, so don’t rub it in.Now come on down and eat before Larry goes apoplectic that his breakfast is getting cold.”
Derek snickered, and Harm rolled over, rolling his eyes at his dads.Derek kissed him and then bounded out of bed and into the bathroom.“I called it first.”He closed the door, and Harm took care of the condom and then got up and pulled out his clothes, dressing quickly.The bathroom door opened, and Derek bounded out once more and pulled on briefs and shorts before shrugging on a t-shirt.“Let’s go face the music.”
Harm snickered, pointed to the door, and made the sign for “jealous”.
