He swiped his thumb along Reese’s jaw. “Tell me you love me.”
A faint smile formed on that beautiful mouth. “You know I do.”
“Say it.”
A glimmer of light returned to Reese’s eyes, telling Brantley he was fully present, no longer trapped in his own personal hell.
“I love you.”
Brantley smirked. “I know.”
A soft chuckle rumbled in Reese’s chest, then he was pulling Brantley’s head down, their lips colliding once more. Brantley was aware of Reese reaching for the lube on the nightstand. Their lips never separated although Brantley lifted his hips, giving Reese room to slide his hand between them. He groaned softly as Reese slicked his cock, preparing him. Aside from the leisurely stroke of that big, strong hand along his shaft, there was no foreplay. And when Reese drew his knees up, shifting his pelvis, Brantley guided his cock home. He slid in slowly, loving the way the muscles in Reese’s arms and chest tensed as he filled him, the way his body gripped him tightly in invitation.
They remained like that, their tongues swirling together, their bodies rocking in unison as Brantley fucked him slow and deep.
“Brantley … that feels so good.”
Brantley lifted his head, peered down, and held Reese’s stare as he claimed his body in a way no other man had ever done before him. Every time he acknowledged that fact, it gave him a sense of intense power. Knowing that Reese had never been with another man made him feel invincible. Like a god among men. To know that this man trusted him with his body and his heart was something he would never take for granted.
“Stroke yourself,” Brantley whispered, still holding Reese’s gaze.
He felt Reese’s hand move between them, pumping his cock in a rhythm that matched the gentle rocking of Brantley’s hips. It wasn’t long before they were both panting, the pleasure building to a crescendo. They continued to stare at one another as they took that final leap over the edge and into the abyss, the two of them coming at the same time.
Two hours later, right before the sun broke over the horizon, Brantley roused once again. He was alone in the bed, but he could hear Reese moving around the room.
“The rain stopped,” Reese said softly.
Brantley grunted an acknowledgment, opening his eyes and letting his gaze linger on Reese’s naked back as he pulled a shirt over his head. He was getting ready for their morning run, something they were back to doing every day without fail.
“She’s not gonna wait for long,” Reese said, turning around and looking at Tesha, who was now on the bed.
Brantley peered over to see the dog staring down at him, her tail wagging insistently, causing her entire body to quake. He reached up and rubbed her head, smiling. “Good morning to you, too, girl.”
Her tongue lolled out of her mouth in that way that made her look like she was smiling.
“All right. I’m gettin’ up,” he assured her, throwing the blankets off.
Ten minutes later, they were out the door, feet pounding the soft earth beneath them as Tesha led the way. Neither of them said a word, but that was the norm. Since Reese’s return, Brantley had started taking his cues from him. They hadn’t yet made it back to their full ten miles each day, but with every week that passed, they were getting closer as Reese’s body got stronger. He figured it wouldn’t be long before he was the one trying to keep up, but he didn’t care to rush it.
Once they made their way back to the house, their morning routine set in. While Reese headed for the shower, Brantley started the coffee. Then they traded, Brantley going to clean up while Reese started breakfast. When he returned, fully dressed and ready to start the day, Reese was standing at the kitchen island, his phone to his ear.
Reese’s tone was placating when he said, “I hear you, Z.”
Brantley headed for the cabinet, retrieved a coffee mug, and poured himself a cup. He took a sip, stepping back to give Reese room to move to the stove where bacon was frying in a pan.
“Hold on a minute,” Reese said, pulling the phone away and setting it on the counter before tapping the screen. “You’re on speaker. Brantley’s here.”
“Mornin’, Z,” Brantley greeted when Reese set the phone on the counter.
“Mornin’,” Z responded, his voice chipper, a direct contradiction to the look on Reese’s face. “Hopefully, you’ll be more amenable to my request than my brother.”
Brantley glanced at Reese to see he was shaking his head as he turned the bacon in the skillet.
“I wasn’t under the impression you made requests,” Brantley said, keeping his tone upbeat despite the tension he could feel coming from Reese.
“Everyone has an off day,” Z teased.
“This certainly qualifies,” Reese muttered as he kept his attention on the bacon frying in the pan.
