Chapter Five
Bo drove to his house after stopping at the pharmacy to pick up Travis’s new prescription. He was happily surprised when Dr. Gordon introduced himself and wanted to discuss the schedule with him. It made him feel as though he was part of Travis’s life, exactly where he wanted to be. He would find a way to make Monday and Thursday work.
Travis had been quiet since his appointment and Bo wished he could do something to make this easier for him. But in truth all he could do was stand by him and wait until Travis was ready to tell him. If he ever would.
“I’ve gotten us steaks for dinner. I can barbeque like a pro, but not cook on a stove or oven. I also picked up fixings for salad and baked potatoes. I figured I couldn’t ruin that.”
Travis seemed to come out of his thoughts and smiled. “I should cook something special for you but my kitchen isn’t big enough to handle that.”
“My kitchen is at your disposal anytime you wish.” Bo wanted Travis to feel comfortable in Bo’s world.
“Okay, I may take you up on that someday. I love trying new recipes. You could be my guinea pig.” Travis smiled.
“I’m perfectly fine with that.” Bo smiled back. “And before I put this off any longer, I don’t want you to be worried, but there’s something you need to know. There’s been a rash of armed robberies in towns bordering the interstate and they’ve come close to Brighton. I need you to stay safe. I want you to keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. Like a person you’ve never seen before. We’re a small town, you should be able to recognize a stranger.”
“I will. I promise,” Travis replied quickly. “But I’m sort of still new and I’m sure I don’t know even a tenth of the people that live here. I’d be calling you all the time.”
“Good point. Okay, how about this? If someone comes in and Sarah doesn’t know him and you think he poses a threat, either by his body language or verbally, call the station.” Sarah had grown up in Brighton and had lived there for over sixty years. Bo knew she’d notice anything even slightly out of the ordinary.
They pulled into Bo’s driveway and he went around the front of the truck and waited for Travis. Bo took hold of Travis’s hand and, thankfully, he held Bo’s hand just as tightly.
“How about I help get the baked potatoes ready and we get those on before we make the salad and put the steaks on?” Travis suggested as he walked through the front door. Bo noticed how much more comfortable Travis was now compared to the first time he’d come over, and Bo liked that.
Travis headed straight for the kitchen and Bo happily followed. The bag of potatoes sat on one of the back pantry shelves and Travis immediately brought it over to the sink.
“How hungry are you?” Travis asked.
“Famished,” Bo replied before rounding the corner of the kitchen island, taking Travis into his arms and claiming the beautiful man’s lips in a deep, wet kiss. He’d been waiting days to do that. Of course, he kissed Travis every morning when he left the diner, but he’d kept it PG. Not tonight, though. Tonight he wanted to taste the man he’d been hungering for. His tongue explored Travis’s willing lips and mouth until he heard Travis whimpering softly. Bo pulled back to look down at Travis’s dilated eyes and kiss-swollen lips.
“You are so beautiful,” Bo whispered while caressing Travis’s stubble-covered cheek.
“No, I’m not,” Travis mumbled as he attempted to pull away.
Bo would never allow Travis to feel less because of his scars. He was beautiful and it was time he heard it more often. “You are beautiful, and that’s a fact that I’ll be happy to remind you of repeatedly.”
Travis stared at Bo. Travis’s pale blue eyes seemed to pierce straight through Bo’s chest directly into his heart. He didn’t flinch under Travis’s gaze, willing him to see the truth of his statement.
Bo knew he’d succeeded when Travis’s body relaxed into Bo’s and Travis tucked his head under Bo’s chin. He marveled at how well they fit together and wrapped his arms even further around Travis’s body.
“As long as I’m beautiful to you, I can live with that,” Travis whispered.
“Always beautiful, and not only to me.”
Travis’s blue eyes looked up at him in confusion. “Not only you?”
Bo had to be honest and tell him about Grady. “There’s this guy at work that asked about you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” Bo looked at the ground before he continued. “I kind of warned him off.”
“Warned him off, why?”
Bo looked at Travis and said his piece. “Because I want to be the man you look to. I want to be the one who holds you, kisses you. I want to be your boyfriend.” And there it was, out in the open.
Travis’s eyes went wide and his mouth opened and closed several times without making a sound. Bo hoped he hadn’t blown it already but he was trying to be honest.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“But what if I can’t be physical with you? What if I can’t get over this? I’ve never been with anyone.” Bo was sure Travis hadn’t meant to add that last part but it was too late to take it back.
“I’d still want you. The question is, do you want me? Do you want to find out where these feelings are leading? Are you willing to take a chance on me?” Bo had laid himself out to be crushed, but he could wait for an answer, he could be patient.
*****
Boyfriend. He wants to be my boyfriend. The words kept playing over and over again in Travis’s mind. Bo wanted a committed relationship with him. Travis couldn’t think of anything he wanted more, but was that fair to Bo? He didn’t know if he could give Bo everything a normal relationship had. But he’d never know if he didn’t give this a chance. Of all the people Travis had met since that night, Bo was the kindest, the most steadfast, and the most open. That he saw something in Travis that was good and true was a miracle. And no doubt, Travis was attracted to Bo both physically and emotionally. If Travis didn’t give this a shot he’d regret it for the rest of his life, and he already had enough regrets.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“I would like to be your boyfriend. But I can’t promise anything but to try.”
Bo looked so happy, and Travis knew he’d made the right choice. Bo lowered his lips for a kiss that Travis was all too willing to give. Bo met him halfway, bringing his mouth to Travis’s for a kiss more impassioned than any they’d shared. Emboldened by Bo’s eager response, Travis explored that tantalizing mouth with his tongue. Bo was quick to capture it and began sucking on it. Travis felt the pull all the way down to his cock, which was hardening by the second. Bo had to be able to feel it against his leg.
Slowly Travis pulled back, not wanting to get too carried away. His body had other ideas, and his hips flexed against Bo’s thick leg while they were parting.
“So how about we get these potatoes ready?” Bo asked as he released Travis.
Travis licked his lips and gained Bo’s laser focus, his eyes dark. “Yes, we should get dinner started.”
Bo smiled, caressed Travis’s cheek before turning toward the counter. Travis’s heart was racing and his cock was rock hard. That was two hard-ons in one week, compared to nothing over ten years. It was thrilling, but he needed to calm down. He concentrated on dinner and over the next hour and a half he was able to slow his racing heart and hold a meaningful conversation. Bo talked about his family with such love that Travis felt as though he knew them himself. He found it funny that in ninety minutes he knew more about Dot Mason than his own mother over his lifetime.
“You okay?” Bo asked as they were getting comfortable on the couch. Obviously Travis hadn’t been able to keep all the thoughts and feelings that had been stirred up in his session with Dr. Gordon under wraps. How bad would it be to share a little of his past with Bo? Bo had shared with Travis after all.
“I’m not close to what remains of my family. Honestly, I have no idea where my mother is living.” Bo held onto Travis’s hand but remained silent, allowing him the time he needed to organize his thoughts. “We were never close and after the…the accident, I became a constant memory of what happened. She couldn’t live with that. I was recovering from my last surgery when she left me to fend for myself.” Travis looked down at his inked arms before saying, “I used to get a new tattoo to commemorate each surgery. I think they’re beautiful.”
“They are beautiful,” Bo agreed.
“Thanks. I haven’t gotten a new one in a long time.”
“How did you pick the designs?”
“I drew them.”
“I can’t wait to see one of your sketches. You’re still going to show me, right?” Bo asked, while tracing the outline of one particularly intricate tattoo.
Travis smiled. It’d been ages since someone asked to see one of his sketches. Since before his father’s death. “Sure. I’ll show you soon.”
“I’m holding you to that,” Bo insisted before changing the subject. “Um…there’s something that I’d like to ask you. This Saturday my parents are having a barbeque for family and friends and I wanted to take you with me.”
Immediately doubts crept into Travis brain. What if I make a fool of myself? What if they take one look at me and disapprove? Travis knew he was panicking, but he hadn’t been invited to anything in a while, let alone a family barbeque. At work in his kitchen he felt safe and secure, and in his apartment the same, but now he was being asked to a social gathering with strangers. He liked the anonymity of the streets; no one noticed the homeless guy, but at this party he knew he’s be a star attraction. He could see it now—Bo’s new boyfriend.
“I promise if you’re uncomfortable we’ll leave. I would really like you to come. Even if it’s for only a little while,” Bo assured.
Travis could tell this was important to Bo. And if Travis wanted to get better, wanted to enter the land of the living, how could he refuse? “Okay, I’ll come for a bit, but I work until four that afternoon.”
“I’ll pick you up after your shift,” Bo was quick to reply.
“Since we’re at it, I have a favor to ask.” Travis figured now was a good a time as any. “Dr. Gordon needs a next of kin of sorts for me and I thought that maybe you would be okay with being mine.”
“You want me to stand in as your next of kin?”
Travis scratched at his shirt before answering. “Yes.”
“I’d be honored.”
“Thanks. Really.” He wasn’t sure of it being much of an honor for Bo, but Travis would take it. He cuddled close as the television came to life. He still couldn’t quite believe that he was somebody’s boyfriend. He’d never expected to be anything close to that, ever. He wasn’t ready to jump into bed with Bo but he was willing to see where all these changes and feelings were leading.
*****
Saturday
Travis sat in Bo’s big black truck as it rumbled toward doom. Okay, that is a little dramatic, even for me. It’s not like the Masons are going to tie me to the spit and barbeque me. Okay, not a good example. How bad could it be? Travis looked over at Bo in his button-down shirt and jeans. The man made everything look good. His blond hair shone in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the driver’s window. God, he’s so handsome, and he’s mine…for now. Travis wasn’t all that sure if he was going to be able to keep him.
“Sweetheart, everything is going to be fine,” Bo reassured. He reached across the seat and took Travis’s hand. Bo was a constant source of strength, and Travis knew he could easily get used to it.
He had learned to be apprehensive of all unknown situations because they usually led to him being beaten, robbed, or losing his spot to sleep for the night. Living on the street or even in shelters could be dangerous. He was constantly on guard. He had trusted people who said they wanted to help him, at least in the beginning. But every offer had strings attached. They turned out to be drug dealers or pimps, and even the odd cult masquerading as a church group wandered through.
That was one of the many reasons Travis volunteered at the site for Brighton’s new youth center and halfway house. He wanted to support his boss, Jesse, who was building and donating it to the town. It was geared toward homeless youths living on the street, a lot of whom identified as LGBTQ.
“I’d really like to continue volunteering at the youth center, but will there be enough time with the therapy?” Travis asked. Considering Bo was his ride to therapy twice a week, that didn’t leave a lot of extra time when he included work and everything else that came with having a life.
“Your appointments are what’s important right now. But we should be able to work something out, okay?”
“Yup. I don’t want to stop going to the site and pitching in.” This was important to him. If he’d had a safe place to go, who knows how his life would have changed? Then he looked over at Bo. He would have never met him. Travis’s stomach began to roll at that thought. Over the months since they’d first met, Bo had become a part of Travis’s life, from his multiple visits during the day to their private times. Bo had wormed his way into Travis’s heart and that’s exactly where he’d stay.
Bo slowed the truck and Travis saw all the vehicles lining the street. He took a deep breath. He could do this. This was stepping way out of his comfort zone, but that was what he needed to do to get better. He wanted to be part of this community. Bo pulled up to the driveway and into a spot that looked to be waiting for him. Luck or planning, Travis didn’t know. All too soon he found himself outside a light tan brick house similar to Bo’s. There was no turning back now.
He slid out of the truck and met Bo at the front of his vehicle. Travis reached for him. He knew he was acting like a child, but even though he’d seen most of these people through his window from the kitchen of the diner, he hadn’t socialized with them.
Bo kissed the back of Travis’s hand. “I’ll be right by your side, I promise.” Bo smiled. “Trust me, this is the safest place you could ever want to be.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that.”
“You’ll see.”
Bo led the way to the side gate of the fenced backyard and Travis heard the hum of voices echo all the way to the front. It sounded like the party was bigger than he’d presumed. As they rounded the corner and the huge yard opened up Travis knew he was in trouble.
The backyard was crawling with people—talking, eating, laughing people. What if they take one look at my tattoos and decide I’m a freak? Travis wished he was back in his kitchen.
“Bo, Travis, you’re here,” a short, plump woman yelled from across the yard, and everyone stopped to look straight at him. Shit.
“Mom.” Bo shook his head and the lady smiled as she started walking toward them.
“Sorry, sorry. Everyone go back to what you were doing,” she announced as she got closer.
She had a wide smile much like her son’s, the same brown eyes and blonde hair. When she was less than two feet away she opened her arms wide and Bo leaned down and hugged her. Then she turned to Travis and did the same, and he had no other choice but to hug her as well.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. We’ve come into the diner but you’re always back in the kitchen. I’m Dot Mason, Bo’s mom,” she stated proudly.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” Travis replied.
“Call me Dot.”
“Okay. Dot.”
“Come with me. I have so many people to introduce you to.” Dot grabbed both their hands and began leading them over to the grouping of barbeques.
“Mom, remember what I told you.”
“Yes, and I am taking things slow. If I weren’t, your aunts would be huddling around him already planning the wedding.”
Wedding?
“Mom, please. I want Travis to have a good time.”
“He will, come along,” she insisted, still pulling them forward. For such a short lady she had a serious grip.
Travis couldn’t help but smile. This was what a mother was supposed to be. Loud, embarrassing, unapologetic, and filled with love for her child. He liked the woman from the start.
Bo looked over at him and mouthed, “I’m sorry.” Travis smiled and decided to roll with it. What’s the worst that could happen? Dot seemed to like him. They came to a stop beside a group of men, a few he recognized from the diner.
A tall man stepped forward and stuck out his hand. “Henry Mason, Bo’s dad. Good to meet you, Travis.”
Travis wondered how many people already knew who he was. He took Henry’s hand and said, “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Son, call everyone by their first names. We don’t stand much on ceremony here,” Henry chided with a smile. “And don’t worry about all these people. They’re mainly family.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of family,” Travis noted.
“That’s what I thought when I first met them all,” a man with curly blond hair interjected. He was standing beside a huge guy with a Brighton Fire Department shirt on. “I’m Johnny and this is Gabe, my fiancé.”
“Nice to meet you,” Travis muttered as he reached for the security of Bo’s hand. Dot had moved to stand beside her husband.
“Gabe is my cousin,” Bo explained. “He and Johnny are getting married in the spring.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Gabe smiled as he pulled Johnny close and kissed the top of his head. It was easy to tell they were in love. Travis could feel it.
“How about we take a walk around and I’ll introduce you to a few family members?” Johnny asked. “I promise to never leave your side.”
But Travis already had that deal with Bo, who he could see was about to clarify until Travis spoke up. “It’s okay, Bo. I’d like that.” Travis had no idea why he was changing the plan, but there was something about Johnny that made him want to trust the guy. Which was even weirder given Travis’s trust issues.
Bo smiled, leaned down, and whispered, “You are so strong,” before kissing him deeply in front of everyone in the yard. Travis’s cheeks began to heat up but he held his head high. He was allowed to kiss his boyfriend anytime he wanted.
It was a freeing feeling.
*****
Bo watched as Travis and Johnny walked off, straight toward the White Hair Crew. They might as well start at the top. He was mesmerized by Travis’s strength. He had been thrown into an unknown situation and dived right in even though he’d had apprehensions.
“He’s a cutie,” Gabe commented.
“He’s stunning,” Bo countered. Gabe laughed.
“Someone’s got it bad.”
“Oh, like you were any different when you met Johnny. You brought him home straight from the hospital without even knowing him but for a minute before that.”
“I just knew. Johnny was meant for me.”
“I feel the same way about Travis,” Bo admitted within earshot of his parents, aunts, and uncles. Big Mistake. He swore getting all the cousins married off was their favorite pastime and he’d added fuel to the fire.
“You feel that strongly about him, son?” Henry asked.
“Yes, I do. He’s an amazing man,” Bo answered honestly.
His mother smiled wide, gathering Bo’s five aunts around her, and it had begun. The Mason women meant well. They did everything with love in their hearts, but Bo knew he still had to get Travis on board with the idea. That might be one of the toughest challenges ahead of him. There was no doubt Travis was attracted to him and that he trusted Bo, but he had to make it through Travis’s layers. That would start tonight.
Ben, Bo’s brother and a Brighton firefighter, brought over a beer and handed it to him. “So you managed to get him to come out. Good job, big brother.”
“Thanks. I’m glad he’s here.” Bo couldn’t help but watch Travis working his way through the mass of family and friends.
“You can’t take your eyes off of him, Bo,” Ben said before laughing at him.
“Wait until you find your soulmate. You’ll act the exact same way.”
“Soulmate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you. But there is no such thing as a soulmate. You’re lucky if you can find someone willing to put up with your shit.”
Bo knew where this was all coming from. Ben went through a rather nasty breakup a few years back. An eight-year relationship came to an abrupt end when his partner was offered his dream position across the country in New York and didn’t want Ben to come along. It had broken his heart and the entire family was still concerned.
Bo turned away from watching Travis and gave his brother his full attention. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, big bro, just a cynic about love, that’s all.” Ben’s eyes shifted to something over Bo’s right shoulder.
Bo turned to find Grady standing inside the back gate, still in uniform. Bo had invited him to come over after his shift. Grady was new to the area and Bo had wanted him to feel welcome and to make a few friends.
“Hey Grady, come on in,” Bo called out, but Grady’s eyes were locked on Ben and nobody else. As it turns out, Ben was laser focused on Grady. This was interesting.
Grady seemed to come out of it and walked over to where Bo and his brother were standing. “Hey Bo, thanks for inviting me.”
“You’re welcome,” Bo replied, but he noticed his fellow officer kept glancing over at Ben. “This is my brother, Ben.”
Ben stuck out his hand and Grady shook it but neither released the other quickly. Bo had a great idea.
“Grady, I have to go collect my boyfriend. Do you mind if Ben shows you around and introduces you to the family?”
Grady answered but never looked away from Ben. “Sure, if that’s okay with your brother.”
“All good. I’ll take care of him.” Ben barely acknowledged Bo was still beside him.
As the two men walked off to a private corner instead of into the party Bo knew Ben wanted Grady to himself. Bo scanned the crowd for his beauty and found him surrounded by the aunts. Shit. He began to weave his way over to the group to save Travis but stopped short when he heard Travis’s laughter. Bo took a few steps back and watched as Travis charmed his mother and aunts by simply being himself. His father came over and stood beside Bo with a metal spatula in his hand. After all, he was manning the grill.
“Travis seems to be having fun, son.”
“It’s good to see him happy. He hasn’t had an easy life.”
“Anything I can help with?” his dad asked, always ready to step in.
“Not this time, Dad. He’s already in therapy.”
“Good, as long as he’s getting the help he needs.”
“Dr. Gordon comes highly recommended.”
“He’s a good man. Hey, where did your brother go?” His dad turned, looking side to side through the throng in the yard.
Bo turned around and scanned the assemblage. Yep, no Ben or Grady. “He’s showing Grady around.”
“The new deputy?”
“That’s the one, and by the looks they were giving each other I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see them again tonight.” Which was fine considering they had these barbeques monthly at various family members’ houses.
“Really? He hasn’t shown interest in anyone in a long time.”
“Oh, there was interest. Now if you’ll excuse me I need a little Travis time.” Bo slapped his dad on the shoulder before heading toward the women surrounding his boyfriend. As he picked his way through the group he was stopped for quick conversations along the way. Eventually he made it to Travis who was smiling wide and discussing fried chicken with his Aunt Ellen, Gabe’s mom.
“Hey there, are you hungry, sweetheart?” Bo asked.
Travis looked up and Bo sank into those striking blue eyes. He looked so happy. “I could eat,” he answered.
Bo held out his hand and Travis took it. Once away from everyone, Bo asked, “How are you doing? Is this too overwhelming?”
“Better than I thought, and everyone has been so welcoming I began to calm down almost immediately. You really have a nice family.” Travis seemed wistful.
“They’re available whenever you need a little family time,” Bo offered. “They’d be happy to have you around. They really like you.”
Travis nodded but didn’t look up. It would take time but Bo would make sure Travis knew how much he was wanted. For the next few hours they ate and talked. Bo introduced Travis to people as they passed by. It turned out to be a wonderful evening and they left around ten p.m., much later than Bo had expected.
He pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine. “I have something to ask you, and if you’re not comfortable with it, tell me.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to spend the night, and it has nothing to do with sex. I wouldn’t betray your trust like that. I want to hold you. Maybe give you a bit of peace from the nightmares, at least for one night.”
Travis sat quietly, making Bo a nervous wreck. “I don’t have my clothes or medication.”
“We could go over and pick all that up. It would only take a few minutes. We both are on afternoons tomorrow so we can sleep in and have a late breakfast. But you may have to help me with that.”
Travis smiled, as Bo had hoped he would. “Yes, I’ll stay with you tonight.”
Before Travis could change his mind, Bo reversed the truck out of the driveway and headed toward the diner. Fifteen minutes later they were back inside Bo’s house getting ready for bed. He led Travis down the hallway and into the master suite.
Bo walked up to one of his dressers. “You can put your clothes in here whenever you stay over.” Stating clearly he hoped there would be more sleepovers.
Travis didn’t deny him, so Bo took that as a good sign.
“Do you mind if I take a shower?”
“Of course you can. There should be extra towels in there. I’ll take a shower in the guest bathroom and meet you back here,” Bo instructed before leaning down and taking Travis’s lips in a tender kiss. “Thank you for saying yes and trusting me.” Bo knew how much it took for Travis to agree to this.
“I wanted to spend more time with you. I don’t know where this is going to lead, but never doubt that I want to be with you.” Travis stood up on his tiptoes for another kiss before turning and walking into the bathroom.
I’m a lucky man. Bo hurried down the hallway and into the guest bathroom. He quickly stripped and jumped under the stream of hot water. Bo grabbed his bar of soap and began building up a lather on his chest hair. He was excited at the prospect of spending the night with Travis. Even though they had no plans to become intimate, Bo’s body had a mind of its own and his dick was growing hard from having Travis in his master suite. A simple thump to his cock was not going to make this go away and the last thing he wanted was to sport wood while holding Travis tonight. He had to get this out of his system.
Bo reached down with his soapy hand and took hold of his hard cock in a firm grip. He leaned his back against the tiled wall, spread his legs and flexed his hips with every stroke. The pleasure was escalating as images of Travis flashed through his mind. He bit his lip to stop himself from moaning or crying out loud. The last thing he wanted was for Travis to hear him. His cock was rock hard and dripping with precum as his one hand began to pump faster and his other massaged his balls. He felt the rush as he pushed his thumb nail into his slit and his balls pulled up tight. Fire raced down his back and through his balls as he came. Bo leaned heavily against the wall, his spent cock in his hand as he tried to catch his breath. That had been one of the hardest orgasms he’d had in a long time, no doubt because of the man in the next room.
Bo slowly came back to himself and continued to wash up. By the time he was done, his breathing had evened out. He was quick to dry off and put on his sleeping pants. Typically he slept naked but he knew Travis wasn’t ready for that, so he’d stay in his loose-fitting cotton pants. By the time he returned to his bedroom Travis was sitting in one of the chairs by the window. He looked nervous. That wouldn’t do.
Bo reached out to Travis and waited. Slowly Travis stood and walked the few feet over to take Bo’s hand. The moment they touched Bo felt his body relax. Travis had that effect on him.
“Did you take your medication?”
“Yes.”
Bo gathered Travis close to his bare chest. The smell of soap and Travis filled Bo’s senses and he held him even tighter. “Good. Ready for bed?”
Travis smiled and nodded. Bo didn’t believe Travis allowed anyone close enough to do this since he was burned. Bo swore never to break the trust Travis was giving him.
“Then let’s get you in bed.” Bo reached out and turned off the overhead light. The bedside lamps still provided muted light for them to see by.
Bo led him over to the right side of the bed, pulled back the covers, and waited for Travis to jump in. Once he did Travis slid over to the middle, allowing Bo to follow him in. Bo hadn’t had anyone in his bed in a long time and the mere sight of his gorgeous boyfriend lying there made his cock twitch. He had to get himself under control all over again.
Bo crawled in, settled beside Travis and gathered him close. Bo could have purred when Travis laid his head on his chest and settled in. Bo ran his hand up and down Travis’s back and for the first time Travis didn’t tense. Bo’d take that as a victory.
“Comfortable, babe?”
Travis tilted his head back and looked up at him. Bo’s heart squeezed tight and he knew then and there that he was definitely in love with Travis. The realization wasn’t a shock. Travis was so easy to love.
“Much more comfortable than I thought I would be. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do this but I’m actually calm. Listen, if I have a nightmare, stay back. I don’t want to hit you again.” Bo could hear the guilt in his voice.
“It’s not your fault. I don’t want you to feel bad about that.”
“But I hit you.”
“Did you mean to hit me?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then you shouldn’t accept responsibility. You were asleep after all.”
Travis didn’t look convinced but nodded and lay down onto Bo’s chest. His slim fingers ran through Bo’s chest hair, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. If Travis wanted to explore his body, Bo had no problems lying still for him. He wanted nothing more than to feel his love’s hands on him.
Travis’s hand travelled down Bo’s abs, stopping at the edge of the covers before working their way back up to his pecs. Travis’s nail grazed Bo’s nipple before carrying on to his shoulder and bicep. Bo wanted to moan in pleasure but held back, not wanting Travis to stop. After a couple minutes Travis’s hand began to slow and finally stopped altogether as his breathing evened out.
Bo ran his fingers through Travis’s ebony hair. It was so soft. He wrapped it around his fingers and he couldn’t help but imagine holding that hair as he made love to Travis. Bo hoped someday Travis would feel safe enough to show him his scars willingly. Of course, Bo had already seen them in the hospital, but for Travis to trust Bo enough to bare them to him would be a completely different thing.
Bo wouldn’t make a move unless Travis initiated it, and then he doubted either of them would stop.
Bo would wait for that day, no matter how long it took.