Chapter Eight
Daniel headed down to the studio to work out his shit.
That was how he dealt with… well, everything.
Tenor had made him feel so much, none of it was bad, but what if… what if Tenor regretted this? What if Tenor never wanted to do it again?
They hadn’t talked about it at all. Like not a word since it had happened. To be fair, Britt had climbed into bed with them, and then he’d been invited to tag along on the grand pre-school shopping trip, which had left him needing time on his own…
Now they had to go to the ultrasound appointment with Marsha tomorrow morning and…
He hit a sour note and shook his head. This wasn’t going to work. He needed to speak with Tenor and see which way the wind blew.
He headed upstairs and took a right to head to the kitchen when he heard whistling. He found Tenor in there, putting together what looked like a huge lasagna in a large pan.
“Wow. That’s impressive.” He blinked at the big casserole, then inhaled deeply. Oh, tomato sauce and garlic and basil. Yum.
“Thanks. It’s always a big hit, and it tastes better every day too, so leftovers are yummy. I’ll do up some garlic bread tonight to go with it.” Tenor slipped the lasagna in the oven and set the timer. “I know you have meals made, but I think I’ve mentioned how I enjoy cooking, and when the kids get older and I think it’s an important skill to teach them. So I want to stay in cooking shape, so to speak.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I… Do you have a minute to talk? About Saturday night?”
“Yeah, I do. I’ve been hoping we could talk about it. You want a water or something?”
“I do. Please.” He sat on one of the stools and perched, his heart fluttering wildly.
Tenor grabbed a couple bottles of water out of the fridge and handed one over. Then he sat on one of the other stools and opened his own bottle, taking a swig.
“So, this is weird, huh? There aren’t any rules about what happened the other night.”
They both sat for a long moment, then Tenor laughed a little. “This would have been easier to start on Sunday morning while we were both still in bed.”
“Yeah, but I suppose getting interrupted by little girls is going to be constant soon enough.” He was beginning to look forward to it, the fear easing back some.
Tenor grinned. “Absolutely. Of course, by then we won’t have just slept together for the first time.”
“Right. Are you… I mean, you liked it?” God, he was a dipshit.
Tenor’s eyes went wide. “Did it seem like I didn’t? Because yes, yes, I did like it. It was phenomenal. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been blown?”
“Probably as long as me. It was stunning.” He’d had his world turned upside down.
“Yeah, yeah, it was. It was great. And I have to admit, I’m hoping it wasn’t a one-off.”
“Oh.” He couldn’t hide his grin. “No? Cool. That makes it… easier because, well, me too.”
They were teenagers in adult bodies somehow.
Tenor beamed at him. “That works out well, then.” Reaching out, Tenor touched his hand lightly. “What about when we’re not in bed?”
“I don’t know. I don’t like the idea of hiding like we’re ashamed. If we’re ashamed, we shouldn’t do this.”
“Then we don’t hide, because I’m not ashamed. I’m not talking playing tonsil hockey or anything, but touching, holding hands, stuff like that. Maybe a hug. It won’t freak Matt or Elle out will it?”
“I’ll speak to them, but it’s really not their place to comment on it.” He was an adult and so was Tenor.
“No, it isn’t, but they’re in our lives, and I wouldn’t want to upset anyone. I mean, I don’t see why it would, but…” Tenor shrugged. “I’d rather know now than unexpectedly later.”
“They both know I’m gay. I mean, I’ve had lovers. So have they—both of them. Is it weird? To be on the payroll and in the bedroom?”
“It wasn’t until you asked that.” Tenor laughed. “As long as it’s not my duties, then no. If we’re just us in the bedroom, then the pay for looking after the kids shouldn’t matter.”
“Okay. Well, I… I want to be upfront and everything, so if it starts bothering you, you should talk to me, okay?” That was important. Lying never got anyone anywhere good.
“Yeah, I’ll let you know. Like I said, though, if at night we’re just two bodies instead of boss and employee, then I’m good.” Tenor let go of his hand and came around to stand next to him. “Right now I’d really like the kiss I wanted to give you the other morning.”
“I think I would like that.” He lifted his chin, his body aching the barest bit.
Tenor stepped closer, moving between his legs. Then Tenor cupped his face, fingers sliding on his skin, and slowly brought their mouths together.
This kiss was almost gentle, was sweet and slow. It was like Tenor was breathing him in and tasting him all at the same time. He let his hands slide up along Tenor’s ribs, just touching carefully.
Tenor shivered slightly and stepped a little closer, legs pressing against his inner thighs. He could feel the heat between them despite their clothing.
The kiss deepened, Tenor sliding his tongue along Daniel’s lips. He moaned, the sound slipping out of him in a rush.
“Oh man. I think I want more than just a kiss,” Tenor confessed, pressing their foreheads together. Tenor rubbed the sides of Daniel’s lips with his thumbs. “I want to take you back to your bed and explore every inch of you.”
“What about your casserole?”
“It takes lasagna an hour to cook.”
“I can take it out for you,” Matt suggested from the doorway.
Uh-oh. Busted. Tenor mouthed the words silently.
“You two know what you’re doing?” Matt asked.
“Being two men who are interested in each other.” It was the best answer ever.
Tenor smiled. “Yeah. And that’d be great if you could take out the lasagna. It’s got about fifty minutes to go.”
“I can do that. No problem.”
“Come on. Let’s go upstairs and… chat.” He took Tenor’s hand.
Tenor’s fingers curled around his as they left the kitchen and headed up. “I hope we’re going to do more than just chat.”
“I do too. Come on. My room?” Was this weird?
“Yeah. I’d like that. I’ll even resist kissing you ’til we get there so we don’t trip and fall down the stairs.”
“Very safety first. I appreciate it.” He hoped Tenor got the joke.
“Always safety first.” Tenor moved a little faster. His eagerness was gratifying.
“Uh-huh. Maybe we could be a little naughty.” Just a touch.
“You mean like this?” Tenor let go of his hand in favor of sliding his palm along Daniel’s ass.
Oh. Oh, that made his toes curl. “Please.”
Tenor squeezed gently, and he swore he could feel his ass tingling, just beneath the surface. “Are you into assplay, Daniel?”
Oh. Oh, that was… so erotic.
Tenor squeezed again, fingers sliding along his crack, and he found himself pushing back into the touch.
“That feels like a yes.”
“Does it? It sort of feels like a yes for me.”
“Only sort of?” They went up the last few stairs, and Tenor rubbed his fingertips more firmly along Daniel’s crack.
Oh. He stumbled, his cock so hard it ached.
Tenor caught him, arms sliding around his body. “Careful.” He went in for a kiss, pressing their lips together and stepping closer so they touched all along their bodies. His own body responded like he was a virgin, like he’d never been taken. It was an amazing rush.
They sidestepped their way over to the bed, moving slowly and kissing all the time. He loved the way Tenor tasted and the way he felt, tongue sliding against his.
“Naked, Daniel. I want to see you in the sunshine.”
“Oh.” That was a great lyric. A fabulous thought.
Tenor’s fingers moved along his shirtfront, popping open buttons, all the way from the top to his waistband.
He was so pleased his bed was private and big enough to play in.
Tenor pushed his shirt over his shoulders where it dropped to the floor. Then those clever fingers pushed his t-shirt up and off before moving over his skin, exploring him with a touch so gentle it made him ache.
He leaned into the touches, then reminded himself he could touch too, play the with sweet, smooth warm skin, make Tenor’s nerves sing. First he had to ditch Tenor’s T-shirt. He dragged it out of Tenor’s jeans and pushed it up and off, being sure to drag his palms along Tenor’s firm, warm belly.
“You’re lovely,” he whispered before bringing their lips back together.
Tenor opened up his mouth, letting him in, inviting him in. This time he explored, taking his time to lick and learn the way Tenor’s mouth was hot and slick against his tongue. Sweet groans filled his mouth and Tenor grabbed hold of his biceps, holding on tight. It felt so good, fresh and warm and just right.
Damn, he liked that, the way they fit together like a harmony.
Tenor rolled gently against him, then moved to touch his nipples, fingers light on his skin, then a little harder to rub at his nips when they went hard. “Mmm. So pretty. You’re so pretty, Daniel.”
His cheeks went hot, and he ducked his chin. Tenor put his fingers under Daniel’s chin and tilted his head back up, smiled and took another kiss. Daniel opened up, fingers trailing along Tenor’s waistband.
“Less clothes would definitely be good.” Tenor moved to place kisses on the ball of his shoulder.
“You think so? We could try naked this time?”
“I’d like that.” Tenor opened the button on his jeans, worked on the zipper.
“I would too.” Together they managed to get each other naked, both of them limned in the sunlight.
“Beautiful,” murmured Tenor, hands sliding on him, gaze following.
He concurred. They were stunning together.
Tenor walked slowly around him, touching the entire time. Warm, wonderful hands moved over his body, leaving warmth in their wake. “I love your ass. It’s made for touching.”
He shivered at the words, then again as Tenor slid his hand across Daniel’s ass. Tenor squeezed, just as he had earlier. It felt so different, though, without his pants on.
“Bend over the bed? Let me explore?”
Oh God. Whoa. Wow. “That’s… intense.”
“If you don’t want me to, that’s cool. This needs to be good for both of us, you know?” Tenor kept touching his ass, almost massaging.
“I just… Unexpectedly erotic is a shivery feeling, isn’t it?” He let himself bend over.
Tenor moaned softly, then took a deep breath. Still, his reply was soft and wispy. “Yeah, I think it is.” Tenor wrapped his hands around Daniel’s shoulders and squeezed gently. Tenor’s body was close—Daniel could feel the heat of it against the backs of his legs. “Thank you for trusting me.”
If he didn’t trust Tenor, he’d hired the wrong guy—right?
Tenor’s fingers slid along his spine, making him shiver. He gasped softly, his back arching in a slow wave.
“Oh wow, that was stunning.” Tenor did it again.
“Making me ache,” he whispered.
“That’s a good thing, eh?” Tenor spread his fingers wide and dragged them down the sides of his back.
“Yes. Yes, that’s a good thing. This is a good thing.” He felt the warm press of Tenor’s lips at the base of his neck, then the slow explorations began again, Tenor’s fingers leaving warm tingles in their wake. Tenor touched his chest, his hips. It was as if, by ignoring his ass, Daniel’s entire focus was exactly there.
“So much lovely skin. I love the way you feel under my fingertips.” Tenor sounded breathless.
“It’s like you’re playing with me.”
Tenor’s fingers stilled. “Is that okay?”
“Yes. Not playing as in goofing around, playing as in instruments.”
“Oh… that’s poetic.” Tenor began touching again, feeling him up. Playing him like he was learning the instrument.
He moaned and arched into Tenor’s hands, rocking into them. Tenor began to place kisses on his back, lips warm and soft, and the touch of them even better than the brush of those fingers. Every one of his senses was focused on Tenor, on the lovely caresses.
“Your skin is so soft. I don’t want to stop touching.”
“You’re making me tingle all over.”
“Then it’s probably cool if I keep touching.” Tenor laughed softly, then licked from the top of his spine all the way down to his crack. Tenor stayed right there at the tip of it, teasing him with the promise of more.
He stiffened—in anticipation, not fear. He wanted more. Needed more.
Tenor’s breath travelled along his crack first, then came Tenor’s tongue. Hot and wet, it moved very slowly along his crack.
“Oh.” The single sound slid from him, soft and so needy.
“I love the way you smell. And the sounds you make.” Tenor licked his way down farther. “And the way you taste.”
“Oh please. That’s so good.”
“Uh-huh.” Tenor moved down, tongue like magic as it slid across his hole. Daniel couldn’t believe this was happening, here, now.
Another lick slid over his hole, then another and another, Tenor exploring just as slowly and thoroughly with his tongue as he had with his fingers.
He began to dance, rocking in smooth, steady waves, pressing back against Tenor. Low hums sent vibrations running through him, making him shudder.
He felt Tenor everywhere, the buzz growing stronger, his balls beginning to ache. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, Tenor pushed his tongue into Daniel’s hole.
Daniel bucked, humping back against Tenor like he was starving. Tenor fed his need, tongue pushing into him again and again, fucking him with it.
He’d never felt so wanton, so necessary, so alive.
Tenor moaned and again the sound wound through him, lighting him up along with the sweet licks. He wanted more, but at the same time, it was going to make him shoot.
It was a delicious conundrum.
Tenor dug his fingers into Daniel’s ass, and he bucked, his hips rolling madly.
“Love how needy you are. It makes me feel hot and sexy.”
“It’s a little dizzying, isn’t it?” How had this happened?
“Yes.” Tenor kissed his hole, before licking the sensitive skin beyond it and then his balls.
“Tenor. Tenor, you make me ache.”
“Good, eh?” Tenor slid his hand along Daniel’s cock, holding it lightly.
“More than.”
Tenor began to slide his hands up and down the backs of his thighs, making him shiver again. The touches were so soft and his skin so sensitive.
“I’m light-headed, tipsy off you.”
“Does that mean I can get you drunk off me and have my wicked way with you?”
“Yes. Yes, I think so.” He chuckled, went up on tiptoe.
He felt Tenor’s smile against his asscheek and the rubbing along his thighs moved to the insides.
Tenor encouraged him to climb up onto the bed, up on hands and knees.
The kiss to his ankle surprised him. How good Tenor’s warm lips felt around his ankle bone was more shocking. His toes curled, his entire body on full alert. Tenor chuckled, then teeth scraped on his skin.
A shudder moved through him. “Tenor!”
“I’m right here.” Tenor proved it with kisses to his calves and a long lick from the back of his knee to the bottom of his ass.
“God, this is… I feel so fucking good.” And raw. And right.
“Yeah. Yeah. Amazing.” Tenor blew on his wet skin, then on his hole. It was earth-shattering.
He sobbed, his cock dripping with his need.
“Do you want to make love?” Tenor asked. “I’d love to be inside you, feel all that heat around my cock.”
“Please. Please, I would love that. You. In me.”
“Oh good. Good. Thank you.” Tenor rubbed his ass with both hands. “Slick and condoms?”
“Slick is here by the bed. Let me see what’s in the bathroom.”
Tenor groaned. “We totally should have checked before we started this.”
“We should have. I know I have rubbers. I must.” Right?
That earned him another groan. “You’re not sure? I… well, I’m sure I don’t have any. I wasn’t expecting this. You.”
“I’m sure. I just don’t do this often. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I swear.” Tenor sank down and leaned against the bed.
Daniel went to the bathroom and hunted, finding the box of condoms he kept. “Ta-da!”
“That’s a good sound,” Tenor noted from the bedroom. “And I’m still raring to go, so it didn’t break the mood. At least not on my end.”
“My mood is spot-on, thanks.” He was still hard as diamonds.
“Yeah, I can see that.” He was, in fact, at eye level with Daniel’s “mood.”
“Mmm.” He bit his bottom lip and moaned. “Tenor, I… I want you in me.”
Tenor swallowed and sat back again. “Yeah, yeah. On the bed, before I’m tempted to blow you again first.”
“Hands and knees?”
“That works. Gives me the best view of your incredible ass, too.” Tenor cupped his ass, hand sliding over it.
“Oh. Thank you.” Also, fuck yes.
“You’re very welcome.” Tenor gave his ass a gentle smack. “Nice bounce-back. Oh my God, that was cheesy. I don’t know why I said it.”
His chuckle surprised him, but it was good to relax, to laugh together.
Tenor rubbed his ass, then kissed each cheek. A wet finger was next, pressing against his hole. He eased back, letting Tenor understand he was eager.
Tenor took the hint, sinking that single slick finger deep inside him. It had been a while since he’d done this, but just the one finger was the perfect stretch, with barely any burn. He felt his toes curl and he arched with his need.
“Oh God. So pretty.” Tenor fucked him with that one finger, pushing it deep over and over. “Look at you, taking it. Can’t wait until it’s my cock. I want to feel this tightness around me.”
Oh, how erotic was that? How needy?
“I’m putting another finger in, okay?” Tenor didn’t actually wait for his answer. Instead, that second finger pushed into him, opening him up wider.
“You know, I’m not scared.” Not scared at all. He craved assplay.
“I know. You’re not tense at all.” Tenor pushed in the promised second finger, and though it filled him pretty easily, there was more of a burn with it.
He groaned, loving the extra girth. He still wanted more, but right this moment, it was perfect.
Daniel let himself rock and feel, the steady motion stealing his breath. Tenor groaned, rocking with him, the front of his thighs hitting the backs of Daniel’s again and again.
He could enjoy this for hours. Literally hours. Tenor didn’t seem to be in a hurry, either, moving with him like there was nothing else in the world that mattered right now.
His ass warmed from the two fingers pressing into him over and over, the feeling spreading out from there. Tenor pulled right out at one point, coming back into him with more slick on his fingers.
“God. You’re making me ache.” His plea surprised him.
“Cool.” Tenor’s fingers disappeared again, and when they came back, there were three of them this time, the stretch much bigger somehow than he’d been expecting.
He spread wider, his breath catching in his chest.
Tenor moaned for him. The sound was so wanton and needy as it rang through the room. “You’re beautiful, Daniel. Seriously.”
He felt like preening beneath Tenor’s praise. His entire body heated, and he found himself rocking, trying to relieve the need.
“I think you’re ready for me now.” Tenor tugged his fingers out, leaving him empty.
His cry surprised him.
“Easy,” murmured Tenor. “Breathe, eh?”
“Sorry. Sorry, man. I just…” His cheeks heated.
“You want it. I know. I want it, too.” He could hear Tenor lubing up his cock.
“I do.” His cheeks burned, but it was true.
“We’re going to do this.” Tenor’s cock pressed against his hole, hot and blunt. It felt so good and he wanted it inside him. The urge was to press back, so he rolled his hips, begging for more.
Tenor moaned for him, the sound long and drawn-out. Then that lovely heat moved forward, Tenor pushing slowly into him. The pressure was thick and heavy, the burn sweet and welcome. Tenor moaned again, hands opening and closing on his hips. There was such heat everywhere that their bodies touched.
“Oh God. So tight.”
“Full.” He groaned out the word, his world spinning slowly.
“Hot,” Tenor murmured, hands still opening and closing on his hips, fingers curling and squeezing, then loosening again.
“Yes. God yes. Please, move. I need it.” Now. Right this very second.
“Okay. ’kay.” Tenor drew back slowly, cock gliding along his flesh. Then came the forward thrust, a little faster this time, a little harder before Tenor switched directions again, pulling most of the way out.
“Oh…” His toes curled and he cried out. He couldn’t help it. He was losing his mind.
“Uh-huh.” Tenor rocked, finding a rhythm like he was listening to and following his own private soundtrack.
Daniel searched for the beat, finding it and moving with his new lover. Tenor started making noises, moans and groans and soft whimpers that informed the beat they were following.
Fingers digging into his hips, Tenor pulled him back into each thrust, making their coming together harder, stronger, and Daniel was flying, drowning in need. Tenor moved faster, the beat picking up, driving them now as Tenor plowed into him. He fought to meet each thrust, to add his strength to Tenor’s.
At some point, Tenor wrapped a hand around his cock, fingers squeezing as Tenor tugged. Every time Tenor squeezed, they both moaned.
“Can’t hold on much longer,” Tenor warned him, pushing in harder with every thrust. The whole bed felt like it was rocking with them now.
“No. No need. Take it.”
Tenor really let him have it, hips slapping against his ass as Tenor went for broke, searching out his orgasm. His hand went really tight around Daniel’s cock, fingers pinching at the tip. The little sting was all he could take, and he jerked, his seed pouring from him.
Tenor groaned and rested against him, head on his shoulders. He didn’t have any words—none. He panted and held Tenor up with shaking arms.
Groaning, Tenor pulled out of him. “Garbage?”
“Huh?” He couldn’t think.
“Condom. I gotta throw it out so I need the garbage.”
“Oh. Right. Beside the bed, sorry.”
“Hey, don’t apologize that you’re fuck-stupid because of me. It’s a big compliment.” Tenor stepped away, his delicious heat disappearing.
“Oh…” He arched up, body trying to recover that heat.
“God, you’re sexy.” Tenor came back, running his hands over the back of Daniel’s thighs, his ass. “Let’s get you properly into bed, though, eh?”
“We don’t have anything else to worry about today.”
“Nope. Your baby scan is tomorrow.” Tenor almost manhandled him onto the bed.
“I know. We get to see the girls.”
“I’m really glad you’re letting me come along. I’ve gotten to see pictures of the scans before, but I’ve never been there for the actual thing.” Tenor slipped in next to him and pulled the covers up. “Oh my God. Is this okay? I just assumed it was—is it?”
“Matt is watching your lasagna. It’s okay.” He had been as clear as he could be about what he was about to do.
Tenor shook his head. “Cool. Sorry, I’ve never done this before.”
“I haven’t had a lover in a long time.”
“Me either. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone I’d call a lover,” Tenor admitted.
“I’ve had a few. One or two that were amazing, but it’s been a while.”
“I’m just glad you aren’t seeing anyone, ’cause I’d have hated to miss this.”
“I—” His phone began to ring, Marsha’s ringtone. “Let me grab this. She’s probably just confirming for tomorrow.”
“Go for it. I’m so looking forward to it.” Tenor backed off, moving to the side a little. Giving him his space, he supposed.
“Hey, Mar—”
“Can you come to the hospital?”
“Wait. What?”
“My water broke. They’re coming.” Marsha sounded panicked.
“It’s too early!” They had two more months.
“Oh shit.” Tenor got out of bed and grabbed his clothing, started dressing.
“I know, but they’re definitely coming. If you’re not fast, you’re going to miss it entirely. Please, Daniel, hurry.” Panic sounded like it was morphing into hysteria.
“Okay. Okay, I’m on my way.” He jumped out of bed, his heart going a million miles a minute.
“The babies?” Tenor asked, handing him the clothes he’d been wearing earlier.
“Yes. It’s not time. We’re not ready.”
Tenor grabbed his shoulders and squeezed them. He looked up, meeting Tenor’s gaze. “Take a deep breath, and then another one. This is your first lesson in babies. They work on their own schedule, not yours. You’re going to need to be able to roll with the changes and come up with a new plan whenever they blow your original one out of the water. With three at once, it’s going to happen a lot. But it’s okay. There’s two of us, and we know how to walk and how to open the fridge. We’ve got this.”
“But what if…” Oh God. What if they were… broken?
“Stop it. You’re going to go there, and you’re going to help Marsha get through this, and you’re going to greet your three babies. Two months isn’t even that early. They’re going to be small and healthy and wonderful. Now get dressed and I’ll drive.”
“I need to tell Matt and Elle.” He stumbled through putting his pants on.
Tenor grabbed him, steadying him. “You can call them in the car. Do you have a bag you packed ahead to bring?”
“I do. Sort of. It’s just my go bag.” Daniel grabbed Tenor’s fingers. “I’m scared. I know I have to not be, but I am.”
Tenor squeezed his fingers, then drew him in and gave him a tight hug. “I’m here for you, Daniel. You’re not in it alone. Now let’s go. She needs you, yeah?”
“Yeah. Yeah, they all do.” And that was it, wasn’t it? He was the daddy and they needed him, so this was his chance to be there. “Let’s go.”
“Good man. Grab the bag.” Tenor headed downstairs.
He texted Elle and then hollered for Matt as he ran downstairs. “Matt! The babies are coming!”
Matt came out of the kitchen. “What? No, it’s too early.”
“They’re coming,” Tenor said. “Can you take the lasagna out of the oven, please? And can you get the car seats prepped for when we need them?? We’re kind of in a hurry. They’re in the nursery. Still boxed, I’m afraid.”
“Of course. Of course. The baby shower is…”
“You deal with it, Matt? Please?”
“Of course, Danny. Of course. Call. Go. I love you.”
Daniel stopped and grabbed the man that was his family, all the way to the bone. “I love you. Thank you.”
“I love you too. You’ve got this. Go get our girls.”
Oh God.
“I’m on it. I’ll call.”
And then they were on the road.
Oh God.