Page 142

“Yes, yes. God, yes, please.”

And he’d had no idea. Not even in his most lascivious dreams had he imagined it could be so good.

Cass’s hand slipped under the waistband of Ash’s sweatpants, his palm flattening down Ash’s erection before wrapping around him. At the same time, he lowered his mouth to Ash’s stomach and kissed him again, smiling against his skin.

“Let me know what you like,” Cass said softly, and he started pumping slowly, firmly, confidently. As though he already knew exactly what Ash liked.

Tendrils of heat and desire coursed through him, a hot pressure immediately building in his groin. He moaned, and his hips bucked up to meet Cass’s hand.

“Mmm, god, yeah. Just like that,” Ash breathed. “Like that. Perfect.”

He felt himself drifting closer and closer to the edge, and it was so different, so much fuller and more intense and real than when he’d touched himself. Cass continued stroking him, slowly and deliberately, then speeding up a little as Ash’s breathing became shallower. He moaned and cursed, and his hands found Cass’s shoulders, squeezing insistently.

“Cass, mmm, I . . . I think I’m close.”

“I’ve got you,” Cass murmured, and a second later, a wet warmth enveloped the head of Ash’s cock.

Heat surged through him, and his eyes screwed shut tighter. “Oh, fuck. Cass—”

He pushed his head back into the couch, gasping for breath. Cass’s hand continued working him as Cass’s mouth took him in more and more with each stroke. Pressure and heat and arousal built up and pulsed and grew. Then, in a burst of relief and the sweetest, most overwhelming pleasure Ash had ever felt, he came hard, pulsing his release into Cass’s mouth.

Dad (Thursday, April 20, 2023 – 7:45 p.m.): We made it. Trip was good, not much traffic. Your mom is doing great and said to tell you so you wouldn’t worry

Dad (7:46 p.m.): We’re heading down for dinner at the hotel restaurant and then to bed early

Dad (7:46 p.m.): You mom says to tell you she loves you. I love you too. Have a good time, and tell Ash we said hi

Chapter Forty-Four

Cass

Ash’s body shuddered as he came, Cass’s name on his lips.

Cass thought it was maybe one of the most beautiful things he’d ever experienced.

He swallowed as he let Ash’s spent erection slip from his mouth, and he closed his eyes, scooted up along Ash’s body, and lowered his forehead to rest on Ash’s chest. He could feel how hard Ash’s heart was thrumming, and he was sure his was doing the same.

After a few seconds, Ash groaned and rubbed one hand down Cass’s upper back. “Mmm, wow,” he said, his voice thick and rough. “That was incredible.”

With a lazy, contented smile, Cass kissed Ash’s skin, then planted slow kisses up the rest of Ash’s chest and along the side of his neck until he reached Ash’s lips. Propping himself up on one arm, he brought his other hand up and cupped Ash’s cheek. He pressed a kiss to Ash’s forehead and then his nose and each of his cheeks before capturing Ash’s mouth in a more lingering kiss.

They both smiled into it, and Cass hummed as he pushed himself up. Ash closed his eyes and let his head fall sideways with a quiet sigh.

It was beautiful. Ash was beautiful. So, so beautiful.

And unlike every time they’d messed around on a video call or the phone, this time, Cass could do what he’d always, always wanted to afterward.

He gathered Ash up in his arms and placed more of those same gentle, loving kisses on Ash’s cheeks and mouth and forehead, and then he hugged his boyfriend, burying his head into the crook of Ash’s neck.

That was beautiful too. The warmth and smoothness of Ash’s bare skin against Cass’s cheek. The way Ash clung to him, his arms looped around Cass’s waist. The feel of Ash’s breath ruffling his hair.

It was perfect.

Hours passed. They cuddled more, talked a little about nothing of much importance. Eventually, they put on a movie, though they got distracted partway through and ended up turning it off in favor of a heated make-out session.

When it got late and Ash’s eyes began to droop, Cass kissed him one last time and ran his hand through Ash’s hair. “Bedtime, huh?”

“Mmm, maybe, yeah,” Ash agreed, though he slumped against Cass on the couch like that was the most comfortable place in the world to be.