DAKOTA STIRRED and nestled closer to the warmth beside him. It smelled like Brenden. He nuzzled his nape and slid his hand down his side to his ass. Fully clothed, sweet, sassy ass. Yep, definitely Brenden. The snores should’ve clued him in, but the ass definitely did it.
He spooned Brenden, his cock stirring to aching life. It was grossly unfair to be in bed with Brenden and the man still have his clothes on. There ought to be a law that said Brenden had to be naked in between the sheets, always.
Bits of memory slipped through his fuzzy thoughts, and he smiled. They’d talked. They’d danced. And Brenden was his again. He’d missed out on the chance of waking up Brenden with lovemaking in Kent Island, but he could make up for that now.
Dakota slipped his hand under Brenden’s nightshirt with a soft murmur of contentment. He loved touching Brenden, loved feeling him stir as his snoring ceased. Waking up to this was the only damned reason to ever get up in the morning. But first, he had to get Brenden naked.
Brenden made a sleepy groan of protest as Dakota sat up. Then reality hit. He was clothed too. “Fuck me,” Dakota groaned, falling back against the pillows. No seducing Brenden. He could touch him and kiss him all he wanted, but that was it. At least until Brenden believed in them and a future.
At least Dakota thought that was the plan. It was seriously muddled this morning. Knowing Brenden lay right next to him and would be receptive to morning sex did not help his state of mind. Dakota sat up and scraped his hands through his hair. He needed a run. That would help.
“Dakota?” Brenden murmured, his voice heavy with sleep. The husky sound begged for kisses. Dakota gritted his teeth and stood up before he gave in to temptation. “Where are you going?”
“For a run,” Dakota replied shortly. He made the mistake of looking down and found Brenden watching him with heavy-lidded eyes. He claimed a quick, possessive kiss from Brenden’s soft mouth that elicited another tempting groan from Brenden. “When this is all settled, pajamas are banned from our bedroom.”
He changed into some running shorts, warmed up, and jogged out into the early-morning misty air. It was cool, and that helped his fevered body. The first run around the length of the island didn’t do a damn thing to ease the need gripping him, so he pushed for another loop. Sweat dampened his body and a stitch formed in his side, slowing him down. It also helped him to focus on other things, like what he was building with Brenden, which was a life together.
Brenden had blown his mind last night with his reveal. It disgusted Dakota that he’d gotten so shitfaced he couldn’t remember kissing Brenden before. But there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about his past except make sure he was fully aware of every other kiss he gave Brenden from now on.
Then there was the promise he made Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Trev. That was a sticky problem. This was Brenden. He took things like that so seriously. When he made a promise, a commitment, he meant it. Unlike Dakota, who could give or take it depending on the circumstances. Which was how he’d landed in his current state of serious blue balls. He had to show Brenden he meant his commitment to him, not just use words.
When Brenden believed him. Hell, when Dakota believed himself, then they’d tackle the rest of their family. It came down to Evelyn’s and Trev’s desire to see all their boys happy and secure. It wouldn’t take much to convince them that they belonged together. Just some time and adjustment.
Dakota couldn’t believe Brenden had held on to that secret all this time. In a way, it was fascinating to discover they could still learn new things about each other even after years of friendship. How many more hidden pockets would he find in Brenden? How many more mysteries?
He slowed down to a walk as he turned the last curve toward the little house. The last thing he wanted right now was sex. First thing, the biggest damn cup of coffee he could find. Then a long, hot shower to soothe the ache in his knee. Then he’d see if he could find Brenden and steal another kiss from him before the rest of the house woke up.
He stretched out his muscles as he caught his breath and walked around to the backside of the house. Brenden sat on the screened-in porch, his laptop on the low table in front of him, his phone in his hand, and a cup of coffee by his elbow. He was still in his pajama shirt, which meant he hadn’t showered yet.
Dakota grinned as a sudden urge for mischief hit him. Well, if Brenden didn’t want romance, maybe he missed the shit Dakota loved to pull. Brenden glanced up as Dakota climbed the steps and came through the door. “Hey, how was your run?”
“You look too put together for the morning,” Dakota said as he advanced.
Brenden’s eyes widened as he realized Dakota’s intent. “Get your stinky, sweaty ass away from me!”
Dakota laughed and pounced, enveloping Brenden in a hug and rubbing his face against Brenden’s neck as he squealed loud enough to set the neighbor’s dog barking. “What the hell is wrong with you, man?” Brenden laughed as he tried to shove Dakota off him. “Gross.”
Dakota cursed the presence of Aden and his girlfriend because he wanted to kiss Brenden until he wiggled underneath him for other reasons. “It’s your fault,” he said as he straightened and caught sight of Julie in the kitchen. “I needed to work out certain issues. Excuse me, I’m going to go make Julie shriek. Then I’m grabbing a shower. What’s for breakfast?”
Brenden sat up and straightened his shirt, flushed and torn between amusement and exasperation. One of Dakota’s favorite expressions on him. “Hey, this was your plan. I fully expect you to deliver on all meals.”
“Okay, eggs and toast it is.” One day soon, Dakota would use tactics like this as an excuse to get Brenden naked in the shower. This morning he’d have to go at it alone.
Julie spun around as Dakota came into the kitchen and waved a spatula at him. “Don’t even think about hugging me. I can yell louder than Brenden.”
Dakota snickered and grabbed a coffee mug. “How about an exchange? You add several more eggs to that mess you’re about to cook, and I promise not to abuse you with my stink.”
“That’s not an exchange. It’s blackmail.” Julie ducked out of the way as Dakota came toward her with arms outstretched. “Okay, we have a deal. Troublemaker.”
“I’ll make it up to you for dinner, I promise.” He poured himself a cup of coffee and dumped in a liberal amount of cream. “Damn, I do stink. Heading for the shower.”
“Hey wait, before you go.” Julie looked out at Brenden on the sun porch. “You’ll give me a straight answer. Aden thinks I’m crazy.”
“Sure.” Dakota mentally crossed his fingers. Brenden might be okay with Aden knowing their secret, but not Julie. Good thing he was an excellent liar if she had picked up on the vibe between them. “What’s up?”
“Brenden hates me, doesn’t he?” Julie gave Dakota a troubled frown. “I mean, he’s always been distant, but it seems like ever since Aden and I got back together, he’s been more standoffish.”
Dakota stirred some sugar into his brew as he considered the best way to explain Brenden. “He doesn’t hate you. He’s a big mama bear. He will forgive anybody who hurts him no matter the wound. But he holds on to grudges against those who hurt the ones he loves. His dad is a case in point. Brenden can forgive him for abandoning him, but he’ll never let go of the fact that he also abandoned his mom when she needed him the most.”
“I knew it.” Julie’s expression fell even more. “I don’t have a chance at all in making it right with him, do I? It’s taken me this long to get to a point where Aden and I are good. Really freaking good. I’m definitely not where I was when I left him. Which was the stupidest mistake I’d ever made.”
“Don’t worry about it. Brenden will come around. He sees how happy Aden is, and that’s all he wants. He wouldn’t jeopardize that happiness by holding a grudge against you. He’s thawing. It might not show, but he is.” It wouldn’t hurt if Dakota laid more groundwork. Julie and Aden had a good thing going, and he’d need the extra support when medical school started.
“If you think so,” Julie said, doubt still in her voice as she pulled out a carton of eggs. “Like what time frame are we talking about before he thaws?”
“Oh, by the time you have your second child for sure,” Dakota teased, hoping to get a smile out of her, and it worked.
“You are terrible.” Julie snapped a towel at him. “Go, take your stinky self off before you ruin the eggs.”
“Yes, ma’am.” And Dakota strolled away whistling. By the time he was showered and dressed, Dakota felt ready to take on whatever plans Brenden had for the day. He had no doubt they were thorough and detailed.
He glanced over at Brenden as he came into the bedroom and his body stirred. This would’ve been easier if Aden and Julie hadn’t shown up. Then Dakota could retreat to his own room when Brenden was about to get naked and wet.
“Julie says breakfast is ready. You, sir, are a moocher.”
“She already had it half made.” Dakota swept his eyes over Brenden as he walked over to him. “Tell me I wasn’t dreaming about yesterday.”
Brenden gave him a long, inscrutable stare. Dakota’s heart skipped a beat as Brenden shrugged out of his shirt and came to him. Brenden made him weak inside when he looked at him that way. He made him think that it might be allowable to surrender sometimes. Brenden wrapped his arms around him. “If it’s a dream, then I want to stay in it because I can do this.”
Dakota could only hold on as Brenden kissed him, a sweet kiss that devastated his senses and his heart. He would sacrifice a hell of a lot to be able to do this for a very long time. Dakota groaned as Brenden pulled back. “I should’ve said screw you to the run and shower because I’m as fucking horny now as I was before I left.”
Brenden’s eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. “Well, we’re even.” He strode off toward the bathroom as Dakota fell back on the rumpled bed with another groan. This was cosmic justice biting him in the ass for all the times he’d tormented Brenden. Even though Dakota hadn’t known he was tormenting the man.
One thing was for certain. Life would never be boring again.
Dakota tried to think of banal things as he got dressed, but it didn’t help when he could hear Brenden in the shower. He made the bed and picked up his clothes. That ought to make Brenden happy when he emerged, and it wasn’t because Dakota wanted a glimpse of him coming out of the shower half naked and damp.
He needed another cup of coffee and another family member to annoy and went in search of one. Aden was in the kitchen with Julie, bringing the dish of eggs and a carafe of orange juice to the table. “What are your plans for dinner?” Dakota asked as he poured himself more coffee.
“All my plans for this weekend have been sideswiped, thanks to you and Brenden.” Aden gave him a sour look that Dakota ignored. It wasn’t like his own plans had gone the way he wanted them. Next time he’d warn Aden first instead of just Evelyn and Trev. In fact, if Aden had done the same, they wouldn’t be in this predicament. “Why, do you have something in mind?”
“I ordered some beer and crabs. I planned on sitting out on the porch as we picked through them. Why don’t you put in an order for steamed spiced shrimp and we’ll split the meal?” Maybe it wouldn’t be as romantic as Aden and Dakota wanted, but it would still be nice as the sun went down.
Julie gave Aden a bright smile. “I’d love that. We haven’t had any seafood this season. In fact, after we put in the order, Aden and I will hike down along the river and give you and Brenden time to do your geek thing. We’ll run by and pick up the food on our way back.”
“That would be cool.” It was a win all around, though Dakota envied the idea of going for a hike instead of burying himself in paperwork. Southern Maryland had some awesome trails. As it got closer to the con, they’d have less time for outings like that. Maybe if they accomplished a lot today, he’d be able to convince Brenden that fresh air would be good for them both.
“Perfect.” Julie picked up her empty plate and paused to kiss Aden’s cheek, then Dakota’s. “I’m going to go get ready.”
Dakota waited until he heard the bedroom door shut, then turned to Aden. “How’d you figure it out? Did you see us last night?”
“That confirmed my suspicions.” Aden got up, retrieved the coffeepot, and topped off both their mugs. “I’ve wondered a few times after you both moved out, but that’s not a question you raise at Sunday dinners. Then Brenden had his meltdown, and I’m willing to give you benefit and guess that half of it was because he was sick and unintentionally high.”
Knowing that happened still made Dakota writhe in shame, though hearing about the secrets Brenden had been keeping helped him to see it differently. “I’d never deliberately put him in a state like that. Part of it was because I was a clueless bastard, and part of it was because Brenden holds too much in. That was a long time coming for many reasons.”
“Then I saw the way you two acted the night we went out for karaoke. Brenden never quite looked you in the eye unless he was singing, and you watched him like no one else existed. I’ve seen you at clubs and bars before. I know how you are. If anyone glanced at Brenden with interest, you stared them down with ill intent.”
Dakota hadn’t been that bad, though that might explain why Morris kept snickering and whispering with Theo.
“You think Zach picked up on it?” Dakota hoped not. He could count on Aden to keep his mouth shut. He didn’t expect the same restraint from Zach.
“Zach is utterly clueless, man. About so much.”
That was true. It gave them breathing room. “Brenden’s terrified of telling Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Trev.” Dakota wished he could ease his mind there. It wasn’t like he could even feel them out to see how they’d react and shield Brenden. It was a situation they’d have to face together.
“I would be too, but it’ll be okay,” Aden assured him. “Once everybody sits back and looks at it, they’re going to realize you and Brenden are still yourselves. And after they get used to the idea of you two as a couple, every single one of them is going to wonder why they didn’t see it before.”
That was Dakota’s sense of it too. He went silent as he heard a door open and close before he realized it was Brenden moving around. He made a plate for him and set it at the table as Brenden appeared, freshly showered and looking pounceable.
“Hey, you ready for war?” Dakota asked, indicating their whiteboard and Brenden’s laptop.
Brenden lifted one brow as he retrieved his coffee cup and sat at the table. “Only you would equate planning and preparation to war.”
“I’m all for the Sun Tzu method.” Dakota cleared off his space and pulled out his battered notebook. “It’s much more fun when you consider it a battle. For all intents and purposes, we will be under siege. Gotta make plans and keep the hordes in line.”
“I’m leaving you two to your plotting and getting out of the way before I’m forcibly recruited,” Aden announced as he took his plate to the sink. “Good luck and don’t let Dakota get you in over your head.” He grinned as Dakota shot him the middle finger.
Brenden shook his head and pulled out his phone. “Okay, first off, let’s examine our presale numbers after our latest guest announcement, and then let’s see how many of our volunteers we can wrangle together to set up a conference call. I want at least the team heads.”
Dakota fired up his tablet and retrieved his spreadsheet. He glanced at Brenden, who tapped his pen down the checklist on his clipboard with that little frown over the bridge of his nose. His heart tugged. That was his other half sitting there in his pressed shirt and khakis, so serious as they were about to dive into what they did best. Damn, Dakota was a lucky man.