It took at least two weeks for a semblance of normality to filter through the town and our lives. There were still empty properties spread around town, places remaining unliveable, but on the whole, life carried on.
School had finally started after the hiccup of the delay. Dan was returning to work next week but would stick to the joinery shop rather than fitting for at least a week. Craig appeared back on form, having admitted he’d been struggling with the aftermath of disasters. He’d even mentioned talking to a professional to help him, which I was totally supportive of. And then there was the whole elephant in the room. Nick.
Perhaps one day we could be friends, but I was nowhere near ready for that. We were polite, friendly even, and I happily let him bring his son by last weekend to see how the baby goats were getting on, and that was more than enough for the time being.
The positive was he respected that completely, and I no longer hesitated or caught my breath in the worst of ways when seeing him.
Even today, we’d invited him and his family around to Mum and Dad’s for our delayed Australia Day celebrations. Dan had suggested the invite last week once we’d changed our get-together, and I hadn’t even hesitated in agreeing that I thought it was a good idea.
“I swear to God, Dan, if you don’t put that gas bottle down, I’m going to cause serious damage.”
While I wasn’t surprised Dan made a crappy patient, my threat was real. When having a “good” hour or so without a headache, he quickly forgot he had to take it easy.
“It’s only a small one for the barbie.”
I quirked my brow at him. “Are you seriously pouting and arguing about this?”
There was a beat of hesitation as he put the bottle down. “No. Not me.” He followed up with a smirk, and I forgave him instantly.
I picked up the bottle, took it over to the barbeque and hooked it up. “Don’t suppose you want to brave the kitchen and check if Mum needs help?” I asked over my shoulder, not realising he was standing close behind me. I smirked at how his stare lingered on my backside. “See something you like there?”
At my words, he adjusted himself, his shorts not doing a thing to disguise his hard-on. Yesterday was the first time we’d had sex since his accident. We’d been needy as hell to the point where it didn’t take Dan much to convince me he was fine and his head wouldn’t explode when he blew his load.
I’d all but pounced on him as soon as I agreed.
“My dick can’t cope when you’re on your knees like that. He gets ideas.”
I snorted out a laugh, my own cock perking up at his interest and the thought of sucking Dan off. “Maybe we have enough ti—”
“Ross, can you come and grab the steaks” was hollered from the house.
I groaned. “Maybe not.”
Dan twisted his lips, discomfort warring with amusement. “She asked for you, not me. There’s no way I can go inside with this.” He gave a hard squeeze of his dick, and I struggled to tear my attention away.
“Not helping,” I mumbled, thinking of anything but the taste of Dan. I stood and adjusted myself. At least I had canvas shorts on, so I could shift my positioning a little. Dan’s chuckle chased after me as I headed into the house. I flipped him off for good measure, still trying to will my hard-on to go down.
Helping Mum take things outside to the table did the trick of calming my libido. By the time I was filling up the Esky with more ice to keep the beer cold, Alec had arrived, and so had Nick, George, and their boy. Brie, Hannah, and their son, Nathan, had just pulled up and were getting out of their car.
I made my way over, Dan already there to greet them.
“You found the place okay?” I said, offering to take a covered plate off Hannah.
She handed it over. “Yeah, thanks. Sat nav got us right here. Ross, right?”
I grinned. “In the flesh. Pleased you could make it. And this must be Nathan.” I smiled down at the little boy dressed in a brightly coloured tee and a unicorn horn hairband. “Wow, you didn’t tell me you had a unicorn in your family.”
The boy grinned widely at me. “My unicorn name is Princess Flower Poop.”
Dan chuckled. “Cool name, Princess Flower Poop.”
“It’s pretty special,” Brie said, closing the door and sending an amused smile our way.
“Let’s head in out of the sun,” I offered, keen to get Dan out of the bright light, all too aware he wasn’t wearing his sunnies, which in the past had triggered a headache when outside.
We headed to my parents’ wide veranda and placed the few plates on the three tables they’d put together to seat everyone. Dan was doing the introductions to his parents and mine, while Craig and Alec stood off to the side with George, beers in hand, talking and laughing at something. Alec was already bent low, saying something to Nathan and Murphy.
I stepped inside to grab the fan I’d forgotten to take outside earlier. Picking up the extension lead, I headed towards outside, only to be stopped by Dan, who was now in the kitchen.
“You okay?” I eyed him, concerned as he finished off a glass of water.
“Just took a couple of painkillers. Preventative if anything, so wipe that worry off your face.”
He moved towards me, and we both glanced outside when Alec’s loud laughter caught our attention. Dan sidled up behind me, snaking his arms around my waist as I watched out the window at the group of people filling my parents’ veranda.
“Quite a crowd out there,” he mumbled close to my ear, then kissed on my neck.
“It’s nice, right?”
I felt him bob his head, his chin settling on my shoulder. “You know, I remember that whole ring spiel.”
It took a moment for his words to register, and I smirked. “You do, huh? It was one of your finer moments.”
His strong arms squeezed my middle, and I sighed into his embrace.
“Perhaps one of my finer ideas too.”
I froze at his words, which earned me a chuckle.
“Don’t panic. I’m not saying right now.”
While I heaved out a sigh, I wasn’t entirely as relieved as perhaps my reaction indicated.
“I’m just saying this is nice, being with family, being with you. I love what we have but am excited about our future, you know?”
I placed the fan and lead down and turned in Dan’s arms, my heart expanding. “I do know, and I’m sure we both want the same things, have the same plans.”
He bobbed his head. “More baby goats and maybe a dog or two when I move in?”
My grin was instant and so wide it hurt. “You inviting yourself to move in?”
“Maybe. I still have a few months left on my lease, but having your kickarse kitchen as mine too wouldn’t be so bad.”
I chuckled and dotted a quick kiss to his mouth. “It is a pretty awesome kitchen. You should have seen the fitter.”
“Was he hot?”
“The hottest.”
“Did he have a big co—”
“Boys, are you heading back out? Your dad’s burning the steaks. They need saving!” Mom called. Dad grumbled something in response, but Dan held most of my attention.
“The answer’s yes.” Elation swirled in my stomach, fluttering high and wrapping around my full heart.
“That I have a big cock?” Dan quirked his brow in question.
I rolled my eyes and flexed my fingers against his back, loving every inch of this man before me. “Well, yes, but on the other thing too, sharing my kitchen with you.”
“Yeah?”
“Definitely.”
His intense gaze pierced mine, need, desire, love burning brightly in their depths. “I love you,” he whispered, his breath ragged.
“Love you,” I said as he leaned in. I didn’t keep him waiting, meeting him halfway in an instant.
Our lips connected with a soft groan escaping the both of us. Despite the need and urgency for more, our kiss remained gentle—soft lips, easy warmth, and a smooth stroke of tongues. We eased apart, my breathing shallow, and Dan’s eyes blown.
The reverberation of more laughter outside drifted through the open door, and I smiled, happy to hear the sound despite the interruption.
“We best get out there before Mum sends Craig in to track us down.”
“You lead and I’ll follow.”
He meant so much more than this single moment. I moved out of his embrace and held his hand, making a promise to let him know tonight that I would do exactly the same for him.
I’d do everything in my power to make sure this future we imagined would happen. And together, there was every chance we’d survive anything this life threw at us.
I hope you want to hug these guys as much as I do. If you’re looking for more low-angst M/M romance, check out my stand-alone book Not Used To Cute. Want something to get your heart pumping? Then Thicker Than Water should be next on your 1-click list.
Thank you for reading!