Authors: Faith Gibson
Erik
couldn’t listen to Lee talk about fairy tales and happily ever afters. Those
things weren’t in the cards for him however much he wanted to believe they
were. He should have left Delilah with Lee since he was here to see her after
all, but he needed something to do to preoccupy his mind. Giving her a bath
would do that. The task gave him a small reprieve and then he found himself
putting her to bed. He could keep her up, but that wasn’t fair to her. He
wouldn’t use her to prolong the inevitable. He was going to have to face Lee
and ask him to leave. The front door opened, so he didn’t have much time.
Erik
started singing as he did every night. As corny as it was, it was their thing.
He began the song, and Lee’s voice filtered in with his. Erik sang the tune as
he knew it. Lee accompanied him with a lower version, harmonizing like the
musical genius he was. Lee had learned the song well enough in one day to make
it sound like the two of them had been singing together forever. Even though
Delilah was asleep, Lee wrapped his arms around Erik’s waist, and they didn’t
stop until the song was over. Lee leaned around Erik, kissed his own finger,
and placed it on the baby’s cheek. “Goodnight, Princess.” He walked out of the
bedroom alone.
The
back door opened and closed. “Oh, God.” Lee was leaving. That was what Erik
wanted, though. He was going to ask him to leave anyway. “Oh, God. Not like
this,” he whispered. He made it to the driveway just as Lee started the Jeep.
He felt the backs of his eyes stinging. The last time Erik cried was at his brother’s
funeral. He ran barefooted across the driveway, thanking the heavens it was
paved. The driver’s window was down, so he placed his hands on the door, trying
to find the words to say. He knew his heart was going to get broken. This man
sitting not one foot away had the ability to shatter him.
Finally,
he found his voice. “Please don’t go.”
“Why?
You’ve already made up your mind we’ve failed before we begin.”
Erik
reached inside, grasping onto Lee’s arm. At that moment, he needed to feel the
connection. “I’m scared. I know nothing in life is a sure bet. Life isn’t even
guaranteed. I told myself I could have you for these two weeks and let you go
afterwards. I convinced myself having you around, in my bed wouldn’t mean
anything but sex. I was wrong. Lee, you have the capacity to break my heart,
but if you drive away now… Please. Just come back inside.”
Lee
searched his eyes for a beat before nodding and turning the motor off.
Erik stepped back so he could open the door. Lee
angled out of the jeep and asked, “Is this for a few hours or for the night?”
Erik
reached around Lee and grabbed his bag off the passenger seat. “All night.”
Lee
followed Erik inside. Erik wanted to melt away the tension of the day for both
of them. He turned off the lights throughout the house and locked the doors.
When Lee stood unmoving in the kitchen, Erik grabbed
his hand and led him down the hallway.
They both peeked in
Delilah’s room. She was still sound asleep with Duke watching over her.
Erik
took the bag from his hand and tossed it on the chair in the corner. He pulled
Lee to him and asked, “Will you take a bath with me?”
Lee
raised his eyebrows but then he nodded. Erik placed his hands on Lee’s face and
kissed him. Rubbing his thumbs over the rough skin of Lee’s face, he sighed
into his mouth, “You’re going to wreck me.”
Lee
jerked his head back. “No, I’m not. Goddamnit, Erik. Give me a little fucking
credit.” Lee ran his hand through his hair. His bangs fell back down over his
forehead, hiding the creases.
“I’m
sorry. And you’re right, of course. No more negative talk. Now, about that
bath.”
Erik’s
house might not be rock star worthy, but his bathroom was. The shower had heads
on both ends with a waterfall in the middle. The tub was jetted and plenty
large enough for two grown men to enjoy. He turned the water on hot and added
some bath oils that he’d found to be soothing. While the tub was filling, he
pulled Lee’s shirt over his head before taking his own off. Erik usually worked
out a few nights a week to keep fit. Now that he had Delilah, he would have to
figure something else out.
Lee
moved closer and touched the family crest tattoo on Erik’s arm. “I wanted to
get a closer look at this. The work is really good.”
Erik
eyed the myriad of ink on Lee’s body from the reflection in the mirror. “You
should know. Do all of yours have a meaning, or are some just because? And why
don’t you have any on your chest?” Erik wanted to know the stories behind each
and every tattoo, if there was one. His was obvious. He and Torfinn had gone together
and got their family crest right before Tor shipped off to boot camp.
“I’m
saving my chest for ones I want to look at in the mirror every day, ones that
remind me of the good in my life. Someday, I’ll go over the current pieces with
you. Someday when I have my emotions in check and don’t need to relax in the
bath with my boyfriend.” Lee removed the rest of his clothes and turned the
water off. He lowered himself into the tub, turned the jets on, and leaned his
head back against the wall.
Boyfriend?
Breathe, Erik.
He removed his jeans and briefs and got in the hot water
with Lee. When he sat at the opposite end, Lee opened his eyes. “What are you
doing? Get down here,” he said and held his hand out. Erik grabbed hold, and
Lee turned him around so he was settled between Lee’s thighs and reclining back
against his chest. Lee wrapped his arms around Erik and splayed his hands
across Erik’s abs. He didn’t have a defined six pack, never thought he needed
one. That took too much time and dedication. As long as he was healthy, that
was okay with him. Lee didn’t seem to mind the lack of sculpture, either. Erik
rested his arms on Lee’s legs, running his fingers through the not so dark
hair.
When
he was admiring Lee’s body earlier, he took note of the happy trail leading
from his navel to his groin. Lee kept his pubic hair practically shaved, but it
was defined enough for Erik to see it was light brown. Erik was curious to see
how Lee looked without his hair dyed black. “Do you want me to shave?”
Lee
kissed Erik’s temple before replying. “You shave every day.”
“No,
down there,” he said, pointing to his dick.
“Oh.”
Lee slid one hand down Erik’s stomach to the hair around Erik’s cock. He didn’t
have a bush, but it wasn’t neat like Lee’s either. Lee stroked his fingers back
and forth through the hair, not touching Erik’s dick. “It doesn’t bother me.
And you know how much I love the way you smell. Having more hair probably holds
in your scent, so leave it if you want.”
The
touch of Lee’s fingers on his groin should be turning Erik on; instead it was
sensual and relaxing. He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy just being in
this man’s arms, the only noise coming from the jets and bubbles shooting
across their skin. When the water no longer held the heat, Erik turned the jets
off. Soft snores sounded in his ear. He hated to wake Lee, but if the man was
so tired he fell asleep in the tub, Erik wanted to get him dried off and
settled into bed. Erik pushed the drain stopper and stood to dry himself off.
Lee grumbled and rubbed his eyes. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
Erik
smiled down at him. Rubbing his eyes, Lee looked like a little boy. “Don’t be.
We both needed to relax. Come on. Let’s get dried off and into bed.” He helped
Lee stand and handed him a fluffy towel. Erik had no plans on doing anything
other than sleeping. He opened a drawer and took out a pair of boxer briefs,
sliding them up his legs. Lee didn’t bother. He walked naked to the bed and
climbed in under the covers. Erik checked on Delilah one more time before
getting in next to Lee.
Erik
set the clock and turned off the lamp. When he slid down to his sleeping
position, Lee rolled over so he was lying halfway on top of Erik. Lee wrapped
an arm around his waist, slid a thigh across Erik’s legs, and laid his head on
Erik’s chest. “Is this okay?” he asked into Erik’s neck.
“Perfect.”
And it was. He’d never slept with Bradley curled up against him. Erik wrapped
his arms around Lee and held him close. He wouldn’t allow himself to get his
hopes up. He would take what time they had together, and if he got his heart
broken in the end, he’d know fairy tales were for fools.
He whispered into Lee’s hair, “Goodnight, King Lee.”
“Goodnight,
Doc.”
Erik
didn’t flinch. Lee was turning the nickname from a bad memory to a good one. He
was starting to like it.
Erik
was startled out of his sleep by Duke licking his face. He looked at the clock
and saw it was two minutes before it was set to go off. Once again, he was
alone. One time, he wanted to wake up with Lee in his bed so they could take
care of their morning wood together. Echo’s high laugh mixed with Lee’s deeper
sound floated down the hall. Erik closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. Duke
whined and Erik said, “Okay, okay. I’m getting up.” If Echo weren’t there, he
would walk around in his underwear. Since she was, he pulled on his jeans and
padded to the kitchen. He didn’t bother looking in on Delilah since he knew Lee
would have already gotten her up.
The
kitchen table was covered in various pastries. Echo must have stopped on the
way in. Erik said, “Good morning, sunshine.”
Both
Lee and Echo replied at the same time, “Good morning.” They both laughed, and
Erik smiled. This morning was starting off better than the one before. Lee
handed Erik a cup of coffee. It was in his favorite mug and had just the right
amount of milk in it. Lee kissed him briefly on the lips, not caring if Echo
saw.
“Our
girl here stopped and got breakfast.” Lee grabbed a donut and sat down in what
was becoming his usual seat.
“I
did. Erik doesn’t have time to cook, and you can’t cook. Plus, I know how much
you like your sweets.” Echo shrugged, grabbing an éclair.
Lee
laughed, “And you don’t? I’ve seen you about rip Sloane’s hand off over the
last bear claw.”
Erik
sipped his coffee while he enjoyed the banter. He stood by Delilah and rubbed
his finger down her cheek. Her blue eyes were bright, and she cooed at him when
he told her good morning. Erik worried about Lee breaking his heart, but this
little girl? She offered him nothing but unconditional love.
“What’s
that you say? You want a donut? Hmm… Maybe when you get some teeth in.” Erik
continued to fuss over the baby until he realized all eyes were on him. “What?”
Lee
smirked. “I was thinking. I don’t want you teaching her any words while I’m
gone on the road.”
“By
the time you get home, I’ll have her singing
Hey There Delilah
with me.”
“Oh
my God, I love that song!” Echo laughed and started singing, even if she was
completely off-key.
Lee
caught Erik’s eye and winked. When Echo stopped, Lee nudged her arm. “And
that
is why you leave singing to the big boys.” Echo slapped his arm and burst out
laughing.
As
much as Erik wanted to stay and enjoy the moment, he had to get ready for work.
He finished his donut and took his coffee to the bathroom. He stopped short
when he noticed the extra toiletries on the vanity. “I hope you don’t mind. If
you do, I can move them to the hall bathroom,” Lee said from behind him. While
Erik was sleeping, Lee had put his toiletries out alongside Erik’s. It was a
simple gesture, but one that shouted, “I’m staying here now.”
“I
don’t mind. It’s easier than you hauling them back and forth every day.” Erik
set his coffee on the counter and turned, dragging Lee into his arms. “I don’t
mind at all,” he whispered against his lips. Lee rubbed his hips against
Erik’s, letting him know just how appreciative he was. Erik moaned, “As much as
I’d love to drop to my knees and taste your beautiful cock, I have to take a
shower. Alone.”
“I
like the thought of you at my feet with your gorgeous lips wrapped around my
dick.” Lee kissed Erik again, his warm tongue fucking Erik’s mouth. Lee broke
the heated kiss and slapped Erik on the ass. “Tonight.” He backed out of the
bathroom, adjusting the erection in his jeans.
Erik’s
day wasn’t as busy as the day before, but it wasn’t any less stressful. He
couldn’t stop thinking about what he was doing with Lee. If he allowed himself
to think of the man as Taggart Lee, rock star, Erik would nearly break out in a
cold sweat. He, Erik Henrikson, wasn’t rock star boyfriend material. So he
didn’t think of Lee as Tag. He thought of him as Delilah’s uncle, the
not-so-confident man who knew his way around a cock and a cup of coffee.
Erik
interviewed two of the four prospective nannies and showed them the room he was
going to set up in the back of the clinic. One candidate was a definite no; the
other a maybe. Lee’s lawyer had called earlier to talk about the set up for the
daycare, explaining his options. Gerard was considerably personable for an
attorney. Erik didn’t want to think about how much it cost having someone like
that on retainer.
Sarah
had called both the office phone and Erik’s cell phone, but he hadn’t returned
her call yet. For almost an hour the night before, they’d argued with her
calling Erik an idiot. She said if he wanted a family, she’d be his family. At
least he knew she wouldn’t break his heart. He asked how she could even say
that when he was gay, and she had the wrong equipment. Sarah said she would be
okay with a platonic relationship. He said he would not. There’s no way he was
going to have a marriage of convenience just to have kids.
As
far as he was concerned, Delilah was his family, and if things went the way he
hoped and prayed, she’d always be his. Erik was falling in love with the baby,
making plans for that swing in the tree, hoping one day she’d have a brother or
sister. Even if Lee ended up breaking his heart, he was certain he wouldn’t
take Delilah away from Erik. He’d already given him joint guardianship, so he
must want Erik in her life, in her future.
Erik
needed some space from Sarah after the way she’d acted last night. They didn’t
spend every day together before Lee came along, so it wouldn’t hurt her to go a
few days without seeing him now. He had eleven evenings before Lee left for
Atlanta. He wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Once he was back
on the road, maybe Erik would give Sarah a chance to redeem herself.
Right
before he left for home, he received a text from Lee telling Erik not to worry
about supper, just to come on home. When he arrived, he was surprised at all
the vehicles crowding his driveway. He recognized the SUVs as the ones driven
by the bodyguards. Erik was curious as to what was going on. Thankfully, the
cars were parked so that he could squeeze between them and get into the garage.
Before he got to the door leading to the kitchen, Lee met him with a smile on
his face.
“Welcome
home, babe.” Lee pulled Erik into his arms and really welcomed him home with a
scorching kiss.
“What
are you up to?” Erik asked. He tried to walk around Lee, but he kept his body
between Erik and the door. “Lee…” The kitchen door opened, and Duke barked. The
dog had betrayed him that morning, wanting to stay home with Delilah.
“Okay,
now we can go in,” Lee said with a smirk. He grabbed Erik’s hand, threading
their fingers together. Before he let Erik go inside, Lee turned him in his
arms and kissed him again. This one was full of something besides heat, but
Erik didn’t have time to think about it. The door opened and Echo chastised
Lee, “Would you please let the man in the house?”
“Yes,
Mom.” Lee grinned and pushed Erik towards the door.
Erik
was getting whiplash from the starting and stopping. When he was finally
allowed to step into the kitchen, a chorus of voices yelled, “Happy Birthday.”
The
house was full of streamers and balloons as well as people. Bethany and her son
Brady, Sloane and Pauly, some scary looking men Erik assumed were bodyguards,
Echo holding Delilah, and Lee filled his home. Duke barked again, adding his
voice to the mix. Lee pressed his front to Erik’s back and whispered,
“Surprise.”
Erik
was definitely surprised. He turned around and faced Lee. “How did you know?”
“Does
it matter? It’s your birthday, and we wanted to celebrate. Now come on, let’s
get you a drink.” Lee led Erik farther into the kitchen where everyone was
already having a drink in his honor. Erik stopped where Echo was holding
Delilah and gave the baby under the chin kisses.
Lee
handed Erik a beer and said, “I’d like to propose a toast.” When he had
everyone’s undivided attention, he continued. “I’ve met thousands of people
over the years, and very few have meant anything more than being a face in the
crowd. Then I met Erik. He practically saved me when I was drowning. Threw me a
lifeline that I cling to every day. Here’s to many years of floating with the current
instead of swimming against the tide.”
Bottles
and glasses were raised with shouts of “Cheers” and “Here, Here”. Erik was
stunned at Lee’s admission in front of his friends and employees. He was even
more stunned when Lee pulled him into his arms and kissed him in front of
everyone.
Echo
handed Delilah over. “I need to make sure the food’s ready.”
Bethany
walked over with her baby boy. “Hey, Boss. Happy birthday. Why didn’t you tell
me you knew these guys?”
“I
don’t divulge all my secrets,” he said with a wink.
He
turned to Lee and asked, “Seriously, how did you know?”
Lee
took Brady from Bethany. “I don’t divulge all my secrets,” he replied. He and
Bethany laughed, and Erik just shook his head. Lee looked comfortable holding
the baby boy. He was going to make a great father someday. Erik hoped it was
sooner rather than later.
Echo
got everyone’s attention and told them the food was ready. They had catered in
barbeque and had tables set up outside since the weather was nice. Erik hadn’t
celebrated his birthday since before his mom died. Even Bradley hadn’t done
anything special for Erik. When they were dating, Erik’s birthday came and went
without Bradley acknowledging it, much less throwing him a party. Now, here he
was, celebrating with one of the biggest rock bands in the world. His heart was
full as he looked around at everyone laughing and having a good time. Even the
bodyguards were enjoying themselves.
Someone
had brought a game of cornhole, and Duke was chasing the flying bean bags as
they were tossed through the air. Erik had never thought about what rock stars
do in their down time, but seeing them play the backyard game reinforced the
fact they are normal people who have really exciting jobs.
Echo
brought out a cake and set it on the table in front of Erik. When everyone
gathered around, she lit the three rows of candles and told him, “Make a wish.”
Erik
didn’t look at Lee. Instead, he closed his eyes, wished for the impossible, and
blew out the candles. His guests sang
Happy Birthday,
and Erik smiled.
He was glad there weren’t presents to open. That would have been too much. But
the party was perfect. Pauly and Sloane were down to earth, just like Lee. By
the way they talked to and cut up with Erik, it was clear they had no problem
with their lead singer spending his spare time with him. Nobody mentioned Cade
which was fine with Erik. He didn’t want anything spoiling this perfectly good
birthday, not even Lee’s best friend. Erik thought about his own best friend
trying to get in touch with him earlier and wondered if she was calling to wish
him well on his special day or to apologize. Either way, he still didn’t reach
out to her.
The
party wound down, and Bethany was the first to leave. She had to get Brady home
and in bed. Sloane and Pauly hung around for a little while longer, obviously
wanting more time with Delilah. Echo and Lee cleaned up the mess and put the
leftover food in the fridge. Erik sat, drinking beer, enjoying not being alone
for once.
When
it was time to give Delilah her bath, everyone except Lee wished Erik happy
birthday again and took off for Lee’s house. Erik and Lee gave her a bath
together and sang her to sleep as they had the night before. Unlike the
previous night, Erik and Lee weren’t at odds. Lee led Erik to the living room
and directed him to the sofa. “I have something for you,” he said as he retrieved
a small box from the mantle. Lee sat down next to Erik, handing him the present.
“You
didn’t have to get me anything, Lee. The party was more than enough.” Erik had
no idea what could be in the box, but he was ready to find out. He untaped the
wrapping paper, taking care not to rip it. He opened the lid and inside the box
was an antique silver key. Erik removed it from the box and read the
inscription…
The key to my heart.
Lee
pulled Erik’s face up to look at him. “This is the key to the lock you have on
your own heart.” Lee removed a silver chain from around his neck, put the key
on the chain, and slid the necklace back on. “I’m going to wear this key for
the next three months, never taking it off. Thousands of people are going to
see it. When I get home from the last show, I will give it back to you. Then,
whenever you’re ready, you can use it to unlock your heart.”
Erik
didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t say anything. He placed the empty box and
wrapping paper on the coffee table before pushing Lee backwards on the sofa. Erik
spread out over Lee, using his forearms to keep him from putting all his weight
on his lover. He was overwhelmed at Lee’s gesture and could think of no better
way to repay him than with a night of passionate sex. Erik still had on the
dress pants he’d worn to work. The thin material offered little buffer between
his hard cock and Lee’s jeans. He was ready for there to be no buffer. Tonight,
it was his turn to do the fucking. He had given his body to Lee, now he was
going to take what he wanted. Erik was going to brand Lee’s body so when he was
on the road, he wouldn’t want anyone else. And if the man happened to succumb
to temptation? He would be sorely disappointed, because nobody would measure up
to the eight thick inches Erik gave him.
“Thank
you for my party and my key.” Erik slanted his lips over Lee’s. He didn’t ask
permission to delve his tongue into Lee’s mouth; he pushed his way in. Erik
liked being dominated, but when it was his turn to be in control, he took the
bull by the horns, and the cock, and the balls. Lee’s hands grabbed Erik’s ass
when he pushed their hips together. Erik broke the kiss and licked Lee’s lips.
“I’m ready for my other present.”
“Yeah?
What’s that?” Lee tried to kiss him, but Erik pulled back.
He
kept his eyes on Lee’s face to see if he wanted the same thing. “I want to fuck
you. I want to bury my cock inside your sweet ass. I want to fuck you so hard
you forget your name. I want to hear my balls slapping skin every time I thrust
inside you.”
“Do
it. Make me feel you. Mark me as yours.”
Erik’s
bravado slipped at the sincerity in Lee’s green eyes. Between his words and the
key, Lee was throwing down a challenge Erik wasn’t sure he could meet. But
damned if he didn’t want to try. He rolled off the side of the sofa grabbing
Lee’s hand. He led him down the hall into the bedroom. By the time he turned
around, Lee was already toeing his boots off at the same time he was pulling
his shirt over his head. Someone was in a hurry. Erik couldn’t say he blamed
him; he was ready to get skin to skin as well.
While
Erik was undressing, Lee turned the covers back. He didn’t lie down, though. He
got on his knees in the middle of the bed. One hand was stroking his already
hard cock while the other rolled his balls. Erik could watch the show all night
long, but that wouldn’t get him what he wanted. “On your back,” he commanded.
The corner of Lee’s mouth lifted. He liked being told what to do. Erik was
going to enjoy this in more ways than one.
“Spread
your legs and hold onto your knees. I want to see you open for me.” Lee did as
instructed, and Erik climbed onto the bed, assuming the position Lee had
minutes ago been in. Erik stroked his erection from base to tip, eyeing Lee’s
pucker. Lee moaned and reached for his own cock, but Erik smacked his hand
away. “I didn’t tell you to move. Do you want me to fuck you, Lee? Do you want to
feel my long cock filling you up?”
Lee’s
eyes were full of lust. “Yes.”
“Yes,
what?” Erik wanted to hear him say it.
“Yes,
I want you to fuck me.”
Erik
wasn’t going to waste any more time with foreplay. He was ready to be balls
deep. He opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom and lube. He
didn’t know how long it had been for Lee, and he wasn’t going to ask. He really
didn’t want to know the answer, so he would pretend it had been a while and
stretch him out really well. As if Lee could read his mind, he said, “It’s been
years.”
Erik
nodded and poured lube on Lee’s balls, allowing it to slide down to his slick,
pink hole. Erik caught the liquid before it slid off Lee’s ass and smeared it
over his pretty pucker, teasing his entrance a few times before pressing all
the way in. When Lee’s breathing leveled out, Erik added his middle finger,
plunging in and out.
“Oh
god, Doc, that feels good. I’m gonna come without you touching my dick.”
“No,
you aren’t. You don’t come until I do.” Erik wanted to draw out both their
orgasms as long as he could. He added a third finger and twisted all around,
stretching Lee’s hole so it would accommodate the girth of Erik’s fat prick.