He smiled widely and stroked his thumb over my hand. “You’re more than enough, Tanner.” He paused a moment. I watched closely as his lips twisted a little and he started chewing on his bottom lip. With a small clearing of his throat, he said, “I think he needs help, or at least to talk to someone who knows the truth. It’s the reason why I invited him over toourplace.”
The next morning,we were up early saying goodbye to Carter’s folks. The week had gone by crazy fast, not only filled with our usual day-to-day living and working, but with the drama and outing of Scott.
I’d admitted to Carter, as I’d dragged his ass out of bed, that I would be glad when the day was finally over so we could shut ourselves away from the world. Not only would I have to be on my best behavior with Scott, which rubbed me the wrong way, but all I wanted to do was work out the logistics of moving myself in officially.
Carter had laughed when I’d whined earlier this morning saying I just wanted to get shit done. Though when he’d straddled my face and then taken hold of my erection with his mouth, my complaints became a distant thought as we’d sucked each other off.
“Now, Tanner, do not let our boy run circles around you.” Marcy gave me a tight hug, and I laughed. “You know by now how he can overreact sometimes—”
“Mom, seriously, leave him alone, stop telling tales, and get your butt in the car.” I moved my gaze to Carter’s, and Marcy released me from her surprisingly solid grip. After just one week, I knew she was a force of nature. She was also pretty wonderful.
I saw Marcy sharpen her gaze on her son before a smirk that would have had me cowering if it was aimed at me lit her face. Thank fuck it was directed at Carter.
“Marcy,” Jack said, no doubt completely aware of what was about to come.
“What?” Her response was too innocent.
Jack shook his head, his lips twitching. “Come on, let the boy go. No stirring.”
“Humph. Me? Stir?” She made a great show of appearing disgruntled. I laughed, but stopped immediately when she turned back to me.Damn.That smile was still there, but this time…. I grinned at her. The smile was definitely conspiratorial.
She leaned into me one last time. “I have your cell number.” I nodded, not quite sure where she was going with this. “Ken,” she whispered with a wink.
My grin stretched wider. This woman was my goddamn hero.
It took another fifteen minutes before Carter’s parents were on the road, with our promise to visit them soon. Once they’d left, Carter went into panic mode tidying and rushing around the kitchen. I watched on, a little startled and honestly scared he was going to either run into an open drawer and do himself injury or have a minor heart attack.
After standing on the sidelines for another few seconds, I made my move. I captured him from behind and drew him close. “Slow down.” He sagged in my arms before leaning back into me. “Just breathe, okay?” He nodded and took an exaggerated inhale and then exhale. I nipped his neck. “I mean it.” He squeaked, and I smiled around the kiss I placed on his skin.
“Just promise me you’ll be kind.”
I snorted. “When have I ever not been—”
“You know what I mean.” He turned and looped his arms around my waist. “I know you want to kick his ass.”
He had me there. I didn’t even deny it.
He shook his head and offered me his bright eyes. “Thank you.” He leaned up and placed his lips against mine, apparently reading something in my expression. His kiss was soft, tender, and immediately created a simmer in my veins. “Nuh-uh.” He pulled away just as I attempted to take the kiss deeper.
Groaning in frustration, I refused to release him as he tried to pull away. With raised brows, Carter looked at me expectantly. “You seriously think that’ll get me through the douche—”
“Scott.”
“—coming over for breakfast and me not kicking his ass.” I was deadly serious, and from the mollifying look Carter gave me, he knew it too.
“How about when he’s gone, we’ll take the dog for a walk, pick up some more of your stuff, and then we’ll come back here—” Soft, heated lips pressed against my jaw and worked their way to my ear. “—and I’ll fuck you.”
Holy fucking crap. I pulsed just as my ass clenched. “You can’t be saying that to me just before dick—Scott arrives. Fuck, Carter.” I was almost certain my goddamn knees trembled at the thought of finally,finallyCarter fucking me. The cheeky bastard knew what his words would do to me. He also knew how much they meant too.
In our time together, he’d still yet to top me. We’d discussed it a few times and I’d all but begged for him to do so, but he’d always held back, not fully revealing his reasons why, other than he wasn’t ready. While I respected that and he spoiled me in so many amazing other ways, just the thought of him topping had precum leaking. I literally had to change my boxers before we had company.
I swallowed hard, looking into his gorgeous fucking eyes, eyes I could happily get lost in. “For real?” I needed to check I hadn’t misheard. It was a strong possibility. I could barely hear myself think over my thundering heart.
Happiness lit his face. “For real.” He gave me a chaste kiss before looking down at my groin and saying, “Get a cold shower, no jacking off, and hurry on down.”
I nodded dumbly, my brain-to-mouth function deciding it needed some time out. Then I hightailed it out of the room, heading for that much-needed cool shower.
Chapter Twenty
