The next day dragged by. Joe did his best to steer clear of Kris, but he had to see him at meals and, of course, his mom dragged them all together in the evening to watch another Christmas movie. She was a bit of a nut when it came to old holiday films, and in the past, Joe had always enjoyed their movie time. It had become a tradition to watch one, drink cocoa, and have holiday snacks.
Now that Michael was here, it changed the dynamics, but Joe tried to put on a positive face for his mom. He didn’t want her worrying about him or thinking he had a problem with his stepfather.
As they all sat together in the living room, debating what to watch, Joe’s phone pinged. He slipped it from his pocket just as Michael and Karen voted for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He glanced at the screen.
Chase: You busy?
Joe: Sort of.
Chase: Going to show at P&L. Join?
That sounded great. Anything to get away from Kris. It was killing Joe that the guy wouldn’t even look at him, and he’d barely said a word to Kris since they got back from Chase’s yesterday.
“Hey, guys, would you mind if I head out?” he asked, his eyes on his mom.
Her eyebrows rose. “Why?”
He shrugged and glanced at Kris just in time to see him look away. “Just need to get out. Chase is heading to the Power & Light District for a show.”
“Power & Light?” Karen asked.
“It’s a cool area in downtown KC. Lots of shops and restaurants. Bars, too.”
Her eyes lit up. “That sounds like fun!”
Joe pressed his lips together. It would be rude if he didn’t invite her now. “You want to come with me? Chase says there’s a show.”
To his chagrin, Karen turned to Kris. “Want to go?”
Without a glance at Joe, Kris nodded.
Joe looked at his mom.
She waved him on, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at him. “I didn’t want to watch Lampoon Whatever anyway. Us oldies will stay in and watch something good.”
“Hey,” Michael exclaimed. “Who you calling old?” He threw his arm around her shoulders, and she cuddled in close.
Joe felt torn between happiness for his mom and jealousy that he didn’t have anyone special in his life. He hazarded a glance at Kris and caught him staring at the cozy couple, too. Joe wondered what was going through his mind.
Kris finally brought his gaze to his, the heat in his eyes undeniable. He still felt a connection. When Kris’s cheeks pinked, Joe bit back a smile. Maybe he hadn’t completely blown it after all.
* * * *
After changing into nicer attire, they piled into Joe’s car, but Kris insisted on sitting in the back.
“Where are we going?” Karen asked.
“A small bar with live music. A friend of Chase’s is playing tonight.”
“You know Kris and me are only twenty, right?”
Actually he hadn’t been sure. “That’s okay. They card at the bar, but let in eighteen and upward. You just can’t drink. I just turned twenty-one, but I won’t be drinking since I’m driving.”
Joe glanced in the rear-view mirror and tried to get a peek at Kris. When he’d come down the stairs in a pale blue V-neck sweater that fit him like a glove, it had taken everything Joe had in him to keep from pulling him into his arms.
God, it was all so confusing. Why should it matter if Danny was getting married? Or if he’d cheated on Joe? They were over and done with. No longer in love. If they’d ever been in love to begin with. The more he’d thought about their relationship, the more he’d come to realize it had been little more than puppy love.
Karen chattered on about some band she liked while Joe pretended to listen as he pulled off the highway into downtown. He’d been to this area enough to know where to find the best parking, and pulled into the lot.
“The bar’s just down the street,” he told them, pointing south.
“Lead the way.” Karen stepped out and straightened her miniskirt.
Joe had a feeling Chase would be all over her. She was just his type. “I think you might like my friend,” he tossed out.
“Is he as cute as you?” She winked at him.
He laughed. “Can’t say that he is.”
Joe caught a glimpse of Kris smiling and heat spread through him. Now to just figure out how to get back on the man’s good side after being an ass yesterday.
Kris had made his feelings clear, though, and Joe had to respect him for it. Who wanted to be the rebound guy? Or think they were someone’s second choice? The funny thing was, Joe wasn’t missing Danny at all. Yes, he was confused and dealing with some anger about the possibility of Danny having cheated on him, but so what if Danny had gotten married? They’d been over for months. Hell, Joe had spent most of their relationship trying to figure out why Danny had always found fault with him. Why would he waste any more time on a man like that? No, Joe wanted a guy who accepted him and loved him. A man who he really knew and understood. One he could trust.
He led them to a brick building with double glass doors, gesturing for Kris and Karen to go ahead of him. Music and conversations filled the air. As Kris walked by, his arm brushed against Joe’s, and the electricity shot straight to his cock.
Joe entered behind Kris and couldn’t stop staring at his sexy ass.
“Joe! Over here.” Chase’s voice cut through the loud chatter.
For Karen and Kris’s benefit, Joe pointed to Chase’s table near the stage. Joe bit back a smile when Karen immediately patted her hair.
Chase’s big blue eyes widened as they joined him.
Joe gave him a quick hug. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Of course,” he said, his eyes glued on Karen.
Joe chuckled. “This is Karen, Kris’s twin sister.”
Chase glanced at Kris. “Hey, man. Good to see you again.” His gaze flicked back to Karen. “You guys look a lot alike!”
Karen smiled. “Yeah, we get that a lot.”
She reached out her hand. Chase clasped it and tugged her closer to whisper something in her ear. She laughed and glanced at Joe, nodding.
“What?” he asked, disgruntled.
“Nothing,” Chase said.
Karen blushed while Kris frowned at Chase.
Shit. Joe realized that introducing Karen and Chase wasn’t his best idea. Not if it pissed off her brother.
“Have a seat,” Chase said, gesturing to the table. “The band’s starting in about fifteen minutes.”
“I’m going to the bar,” Joe said. “You guys want anything?”
“Diet Coke, please,” Karen requested.
“Ice water,” Kris added, not taking his eyes off Chase.
Joe grabbed Chase’s elbow and led him away. “We’ll be right back.”
“Hey!”
Halfway to the bar, Joe turned to him. “You need to cool it. I’m not sure what you said, but Kris isn’t happy.”
Chase pulled away his elbow and huffed. “Is he her keeper or something?”
“He’s her brother, so in a way, yes. What the hell did you say to her?”
Chase rolled his eyes. “I told her I was glad to meet her. That this was the first time I’d ever seen you arrive with a beautiful girl.”
Joe laughed. “True. Well, there’s nothing inappropriate about that. I’m sure Kris will calm down.”
“You really like him, don’t you?”
They arrived at the bar. “Yeah. But I fucked it up yesterday. Talking about Danny.” Joe paused to give the bartender their order, then leaned against the counter. “I wish I knew why I’m so messed up over Danny getting married. I keep thinking I shouldn’t be, and then I get so fucking confused. I really like Kris, but I don’t want to hurt him. My feelings are all over the place. One minute I think I want to be with Kris, the next I’m pissed at Danny.”
Chase clasped Joe’s shoulder. “First of all, man, you need to take a breath! You just met Kris, right? Then just go slow. Take the time to figure things out. And you’re just mad about Danny because he was such an ass and you couldn’t see it.” Chase nodded to the bar to let him know the drinks had arrived.
Joe pulled out his wallet and paid the bartender. Chase grabbed two of the glasses.
Joe took the others and they made their way to the table. “Yeah, but now that I’m looking back at how things were, I can see what a douche he was.”
“But that’s good. At least you see it now and you won’t put up with that kind of treatment again.” Chase grinned. “Kris doesn’t seem like that type of guy.”
Joe couldn’t help but smile. “No. He’s really great.”
When they arrived at the table, they found Kris and Karen in a heated discussion.
“Just stop,” Karen said.
Kris frowned at Chase. Joe set down their drinks and slipped into the empty chair next to Kris, while Karen slid her chair closer to Chase.
Joe bumped his shoulder against Kris’s. “Chase is a good guy. I wouldn’t worry.”
Kris blanched. “That obvious, huh?”
Joe smiled. “Just a little.”
“Fuck. I don’t want her hurt,” he whispered into Joe’s ear. “She got out of a relationship with a total player last summer. I didn’t watch out for her and I can’t let that happen again.”
Joe nodded. “I get it. But I promise Chase isn’t like that. He’s a little full of himself sometimes, but he’s a nice guy.”
The band entered the stage and some of the guests yelled. Chase pointed out his friend, Jacob, on drums before he and Karen turned their chairs to face the stage.
Joe sipped his Sprite and leaned back in his chair, acutely aware of Kris’s closeness. He gave him a sidelong glance.
Kris slid his chair even closer. “To see better,” he explained.
“Here, let me move over and give you more room.”
“You’re fine,” Kris said hastily, his face flushing.
Fuck. He was adorable. And Joe got hard as hell. He fought the urge to nuzzle Kris’s hair.
The band started, diverting Joe’s attention to the stage. The loud music thrummed through his body. He shivered when his arm brushed Kris’s.
“They’re good, huh?”
Kris gave him a small smile and leaned in closer. “Yeah.” His hot breath hit Joe’s cheek, making him tremble.
Kris’s eyes darkened as they stared at each other. The man chewed his lower lip, and it took everything in Joe not to touch him.
They stayed like that through the first song and well into the second before Joe shifted in his chair and broke their gaze. “Shit. I’m losing my fucking mind.”
Kris’s eyes widened.
Joe grabbed his hand. “Come with me.” The huskiness in his voice warned Joe he was losing control.
He led Kris through the crowded bar and out the front door. Cold air blasted them, but Joe didn’t stop until they turned the corner of the building into the empty alleyway. Away from the glow of a nearby streetlamp, he pushed Kris against the wall.
Joe’s mouth came down hard on Kris’s. He groaned at the soft lips against his, slanting his mouth over and over. He couldn’t get enough as he cupped Kris’s cheeks.
Joe’s tongue tasted all Kris offered. And he wanted it all. The music from the bar pumped in his blood as they kissed. Joe pressed his body against Kris’s, and when Kris moaned deep in the back of his throat, Joe nearly lost it. His hands slid down Kris’s body to his hips, and he growled when Kris thrust at him.
He pulled back, panting, his heart pounding in his ears and his cock throbbing. Joe pressed his forehead against Kris’s. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
Kris rolled his hips against him and smiled. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”
He felt Kris’s hard cock through his jeans and he grasped it. “You like that? Like it when I touch you?”
Kris’s eyes fluttered shut. “Fuck, yes.”
Shit. Kris did things to him he’d never felt in his life. Confidence surged through him as he moved his hand up and down. Even with the music, Joe heard Kris mewl like a kitten. He felt powerful, and it dawned on him that this was how some men got in over their heads. The power to pleasure someone could consume a man. But to Joe, he felt like he’d been given a gift. One that he never wanted to take for granted. He somehow knew he’d do anything to hear Kris say his name. When Kris opened his eyes, Joe saw lust and desire and heat.
Joe kissed his sweet neck. So silky soft. He licked at the pulse in his neck and nipped with his teeth. They ground hard against each other, and when he started to get down on his knees, yearning to suck Kris into his throat, he pulled away.
Kris reached for him. “What?” he asked, nearly begging him to come back to his arms.
Joe had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. The streetlamp allowed just enough light so Joe could see his rosy, flushed skin. Swollen, wet lips. Pupils blown. “Fuck!” he groaned. “I can’t take you right here. I’m going to lose control.”
Kris licked his lips and grabbed Joe’s belt loop, yanking him forward. “Lose control with me, Joe.”
“Kris…I…want you so badly.”
A smile spread across Kris’s face. “You want me, Joe? Tell me what you want?”
Joe’s cock throbbed and he pushed his hips against Kris. “Feel that?”
Kris threw his arms around Joe’s neck. Heat coursed through him the second their lips met. Jolts of desire ran down his spine. His balls ached and he had just enough foresight to pull back again before he gave in to his lust. Kris deserved better than that. And Joe wasn’t the kind of guy who had sex out in the open. Although the idea of doing something so hot with Kris made him rethink his views.
His phone pinged, thankfully distracting him. He pulled it from his pocket. “Chase wants to know where we went.”
“Chase?” Kris’s brow scrunched.
Joe grinned. “My friend. In there with your sister.”
“Oh, shit. How long have we been gone?”
Joe shrugged. “I was a little too preoccupied to keep track of time.”
Kris playfully slapped at him. “We better get back inside.”
Joe’s phone pinged again and he assumed it was Chase. He glanced down and froze.
“What now?” Kris asked. “Are they mad?”
Joe cleared his throat. “It’s not from Chase. It’s from Danny.”