* * *
Dillon lay on the bed, flat on his back, his stomach muscles clenched in an effort to keep from coming as Jamie slid up and down his rigid length. Dillon gripped Jamie’s hip with his left hand as his right hand fisted Jamie’s erection, doing its best to bring the two of them to the edge at the same time.
“Oh God, Jamie, ride me.”
Jamie moaned in response. A minute later, he threw back his head and poured out his release, the inner clasp of his tight body bringing Dillon to the brink and over at the same instant. Jamie collapsed against Dillon’s chest, and Dillon wrapped him up tight in the strength of his arms, filling Jamie with everything he had to give.
When they came back down to earth, Jamie said, “Wow.”
Dillon laughed, using what little breath he had left. “Wow yourself.” He kissed Jamie’s forehead. “Mmmm. You taste better than those chocolate bunnies your aunt gave us for Easter.”
Jamie snuggled in closer. “I bet you say that to all the boys.”
“Only the ones I’m married to.”
“That narrows it down to one, then.” Jamie opened one eye to look at the bedside clock. “What time do you have to be at work?”
“Six.” Dillon turned his head and gave the clock his own inspection. “Four-thirty. I have enough time to grab a shower. Wanna take one with me?”
Jamie laughed and rolled off Dillon’s chest and to his side. “Nah. You’ll just want to have your wicked way with me again.” His voice took on that teasing tone that Dillon loved so much. “Geez, you’d think after a week of living together in married bliss we’d have had enough hot sex to at least last us a few days.”
Dillon stretched and got out of bed, swatting Jamie’s naked rear as he went. “Never happen, my friend. I have the feeling you and I will still be on our honeymoon when we’re sitting in matching rocking chairs at the Shady Oaks Retirement Village.”
Jamie closed his eyes and pulled the covers over himself, too sleepy, Dillon guessed, to even bother with cleaning up. “Sounds nice. The honeymoon part, I mean. Not the old folks’ home.”
Dillon laughed and went to the apartment’s small bathroom. As he started the water and climbed into the shower, Dillon thought back on the last week. Well, one week and four days to be exact. He, Jamie, and that crazy mix of folks they called family had spent all of Easter weekend cleaning and moving. The minute Dean Nash and his son Wayne had pronounced the place in good condition, Gale and Sadie had orchestrated what Dillon called Operation Move-in. Under their direction, walls were painted, floors were cleaned, and furniture was moved. Thanks to them, Dillon and Jamie were able to move in right after church on Easter Sunday. Dillon thought that was fitting. Easter was a time of renewal, rebirth. He certainly felt like a new man. Amazing what love did to a person. Not even Morgan’s smug smile when Dillon and Jamie had gone in together last Monday morning--one week ago that very day, in fact--to give the office their change of address, had dampened Dillon’s spirits. He had Jamie, and Jamie was all he needed to be happy.
Well, Jamie and food. Dillon’s stomach growled, reminding him that he had just enough time to slap together a sandwich before work. He’d only meant to drop Jamie off after school, maybe get a little bit of his homework done before he had to be at the pharmacy. But as soon as Dillon and Jamie had stepped into the bedroom to put their things away, Dillon had been seized by a lust so strong he’d had no choice but to grab Jamie and take him. Smiling at the memory of what had just transpired between them, Dillon shut off the water and toweled himself off. He came back into the bedroom only to find Jamie sound asleep under a mountain of covers. Careful so as not to wake him, Dillon grabbed his clothes from the tiny closet and made his way to the kitchen.
As usual, the first thing that caught Dillon’s attention when he entered the eat-in kitchen was the bright yellow refrigerator and the booger green stove Heath had bought from his friend at the appliance store. The colors clashed a thousand times over with the cheerful blue Sadie insisted they paint the kitchen, but Dillon didn’t mind. His brother--the only blood family Dillon considered himself as having left--had gotten those appliances for him and Jamie, and Dillon loved them, as ugly as they were. He’d done his best to convince Heath to let him pay for the stuff, but Heath wouldn’t hear of it. Heath wanted to do it, especially since the two of them wouldn’t be living together anymore, and there was nothing Dillon could do to change his mind. Heath had also gotten Dillon and Jamie a washer and dryer, which the Nash’s had hooked up for the two of them in the garage part of the carriage house, right downstairs. Dillon cringed just a little when he thought of the muddy brown hue of the washer and powder pink color of the dryer. At least they’d lucked out on the living room suite Brandon and Nate had given them. Two chairs, a sofa, and a loveseat, all in a nice, normal shade of blue. Combine that with Jamie’s bedroom set from Sadie’s house, the lace curtains Megan had found in Brandon’s attic, and the mountain of groceries Sadie and Gale had brought over, and Dillon and Jamie had one heck of a first home.
Dillon slapped together and woofed down two bologna sandwiches before rushing off to work. He felt good, in spite of the fact that Nora had called earlier to let them know they could pick Ben’s car up tomorrow. Dillon wasn’t exactly eager for Jamie to reopen his investigation, but there wasn’t really anything Dillon could do about it. Besides, as long as he and Jamie had each other, the two of them could make it through anything.
Dillon pulled his car into the drugstore parking lot and got out. The temperature was beginning to change for the warmer. Dillon didn’t bother to put on his coat, the thick sweatshirt he wore being more than enough. Dillon entered the drugstore, whistling as he went. His good mood was cut short the minute he saw Jim Pembroke’s face.
Jim barely gave Dillon time to get in the door before he said, “Dillon, follow me to my office, please. I need to speak with you before you begin your shift.”
Uh oh. That one didn’t sound so good. Dillon was rapidly developing a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He followed Jim into the cramped confines of his small office, noting the pictures of his kids and grandkids on the wall. Dillon had been in Jim’s office more times than he could count, but this time felt different. When Jim waited until Dillon was seated, then took his own seat and began to speak, Dillon’s feelings of unease intensified.
Jim sat across from Dillon at his desk, his arms crossed against his chest. “I got a rather disturbing phone call from your mother this morning, Dillon.”
Oh, God. “Look, Jim, I--”
Jim put up his hand. “Let me finish, son. Like I said, I got a call this morning from Angela. The woman was hysterical. Told me she’d just found out from someone she used to work with at the school that you and James Walker were living together. When I told her that lots of boys your age took a roommate when they moved out of their parent’s house to help with expenses, your mother informed me that you and Jamie were much more than roommates. She came right out and told me that the two of you were lovers.” Jim’s eyes pinned Dillon where he sat. “Is that true, son? Are you and James Walker lovers?”
Dillon knew his job probably depended on his answer, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to deny Jamie for anyone, not ever again. In a clear, strong voice he said, “I prefer the term life partner, but yes, Jamie and I are living together, and we’re a heck of a lot more than roommates.” Dillon’s voice softened despite the severity of the situation. “He’s everything to me. My husband, my lover, my best friend.”
Jim nodded. “I gathered as much. I didn’t think your mother would be that upset if it weren’t true. You should have told me, Dillon.”
Dillon swallowed. “I know, but Jamie and I need the money to help out with college next year, and I was afraid if I told you it would affect my job.”
Jim leaned forward, placing his hands in front of him on the desk. “You’re right about that one, son. Your relationship with James does affect your job. I’m afraid this changes everything.”
It wasn't like Dillon hadn't expected it. He and Jamie had talked about this very thing the day they'd moved in together. In fact, it had been Jamie's idea not to tell Jim that the two of them were partners. Jamie was afraid if Jim found out, he'd make some excuse to fire Dillon. And from the way the conversation seemed to be headed, it looked like Jamie had been right. Dillon sat back in his chair and waited for the words, "you're fired" to come rolling out of Jim's mouth.
But they never came. Instead, Jim said, "Dillon, is it your assertion that James Walker is your spouse?"
Why was Jim asking questions Dillon had already answered? "Yes, sir, it is."
Jim nodded again and reached for a stack of papers at the side of his desk. "In that case, I have a few forms I need you to fill out. Oh, and we'll have to increase your hours so that you get at least twenty-five in each week, but that's doable."
Dillon wondered if Jim had been taking samples from the pharmacy's narcotics section. "You're increasing my hours? Why?"
Jim pushed the stack of papers over to Dillon's side of the desk. "I know it might be a bit of an adjustment at first. I remember how hard it was for me to leave my wife right after we moved in together." He gave Dillon a sappy smile. "Heck, I have a hard enough time leaving her now, even after twenty-seven years and three kids." He cleared his throat. "But you already work about twenty-hours a week, so five more won't make that much difference. And I wouldn't ask you to do it, but company policy is ironclad on the subject." Jim quoted word for word as if reading from the employee handbook. "All employees wishing to qualify for health benefits must work an average of at least twenty-five hours per week."
Health benefits? "Mr. P., are you telling me you're bumping up my hours so that I can have health insurance?"
Jim shook his head. "No, son, I'm telling you that I'm bumping up your hours so that you and Jamie can have insurance. Savings Central offers benefits for same sex partners just like they would for a married man and his wife." When Dillon started to speak, Jim said, "I know at your age you don't think much about getting sick, and I pray you don't, but everyone needs health benefits, just in case. Now, I spoke with your mother, and I know for a fact she and your father cancelled your insurance as soon as you moved out. And I imagine James has insurance through his aunt, but it would be better if it came from you. For all intents and purposes, you're a married man now, Dillon. It's up to you and James to take care of each other. I'd say this is a step in the right direction, wouldn't you?"
Dillon was too shell-shocked to do more than nod, but it was enough for Jim. He pulled some more papers out of a drawer and added them to the stack in front of Dillon. "Good. Now that that's settled, we need to renegotiate your pay. Since health insurance takes money out of your check each week, I'm giving you a raise to cover the difference. And since you're a full-time student as well, you get a discount. So, with the raise and the extra hours, you'll actually come out making a few dollars more each week."
Dillon wasn't sure what to say, but he was fast learning that honesty worked best. "Jim, I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. When you called me in here, I though sure you were gonna fire me."
"Fire you? Are you crazy, kid? Not only are you one of the best employees I've got, you're also someone I've come to think of as a friend. Like a son, even. I love all three of my daughters, but it would be nice to have a son to pal around with. You fit that bill rather nicely, I must say." Jim took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I was hurt when you didn't tell me about you and James, though, Dillon. I want to help you in any way I can, but I can't do that if you won't let me."
The emotions swirling inside of Dillon at Jim's words were overwhelming. "I'm sorry for not telling you, Mr. P. Jamie and I have been through so much, and with my folks acting the way they are, I just wasn't sure how to handle it." Jim put his glasses back on, stood up, and came around to Dillon's side of the desk. He clapped his hand on Dillon's shoulder. "I wasn't criticizing you, son. I know you've been through a lot. I could tell that just by talking to your mother this afternoon." Jim rolled his eyes. "That woman is the poster child for a massive dose of Prozac. For the record, I don't give a rat's rear about you being gay. I'm just glad you've found someone to share your life with. Oh, and before I forget," Jim walked back around to the other side of the office and grabbed yet another sheaf of papers. "I have another offer for you. I recall you mentioning to me once that you were going to attend Garman College in the fall, up in New York, right? Are those plans still on?"
"Yes, sir. They are."
"Good. Savings Central has stores all over the country, including one in Rochester, about a twenty-minute drive from Garman College. I'm recommending you for a transfer when the time comes for you to move up there. I'm guessing that James is going with you?"
"Yes, he is."
Jim gathered all the papers together and handed them over. "That works out nicely, then. You can keep working for Savings Central and still keep your insurance benefits."
Dillon stood up, holding the papers against his chest. "Mr. P., I'm not sure what to say. Somehow 'thank you' just doesn't feel like enough."
Jim reached out and patted Dillon on the cheek. "It is, son. Trust me when I say it is."
* * *
Dillon took the stairs from the garage to his and Jamie's apartment two at a time. He flung the door wide and found Jamie bent at the waist, rummaging through the fridge and wearing nothing but a thin pair of boxers. Dillon dropped his papers on the small kitchen table they'd inherited from the apartment's last occupants and came up behind Jamie, finding the position too good to pass up. Jamie started a bit when he felt Dillon's crotch pressed against the most intimate part of himself, but he quickly warmed to the feeling.
"Mmm. If that's gonna be what happens every time I bend over around you, I'll be sure to do it more often."
Dillon laughed and pulled Jamie up, closing the refrigerator door with his foot and turning Jamie so that the two of them were facing. "You do that." Dillon nuzzled his neck, inhaling Jamie's hair. "You smell good. Is that my shampoo?"
Jamie looped his arms around Dillon's waist. "Yep. I bogarted some of it. I like the way it smells. Reminds me of you. Guess we'll have to stock up. You get it at the pharmacy, don't you?"
"Uh huh." Dillon looked down and into Jamie's eyes. "Speaking of the pharmacy, I have something to tell you. My mother gave Jim Pembroke a little a phone call this morning."
Jamie leaned his head against Dillon's chest and groaned. "Oh no. I can just imagine what she said."
Dillon pulled him in closer. "Yep. Gave him a real earful, from what he told me. But it's okay. Jim knows about us, and he doesn't care."
Jamie lifted his head. "Really?"
"Really. He's even arranged for the two of us to have health insurance. I'll have to work a few hours more a week, but we can deal with that. And here's the best part. He's transferring me to one of the New York stores in the fall so I can keep working while we're in college."
Jamie hugged him tight. "That's amazing. I was so afraid he'd fire you when he found out about us."
Dillon strummed his fingers up and down the tender skin of Jamie's neck. "So was I, but it didn't happen." He drew Jamie up on his tiptoes and gave him a tender but promising kiss. "You know this calls for a celebration, don't you?"