Composing a Family Page 8
“I needed the pocket money. And I wound up discovering something I was made to do.” Tenor yawned. “Sorry. It’s not the company, I swear.”
“No problem. If you want to head off, I understand.” He could totally entertain himself.
“Well, we could settle in with a movie, if you want. Something not kid-friendly that we’re not going to be able to watch once your little ones get here. In my room where we can lock the door.”
“Can we hear Britt? I’d hate for her to go up to look for me and get scared.”
“Sure, let’s slip a monitor in her room.”
“She’s just used to being able to find me upstairs.” She ended up in his bed every time.
“So, if she wakes up before we’re done with the movie, you go upstairs so you’re there.” Tenor shrugged. “If you’d rather not, I’m easy.”
“That works.” He grinned over at Tenor. “You’re the only person I stay up late with.”
“Your late-night buddy.” Tenor waggled his eyebrows outrageously, making the words seem so much dirtier than they were.
Daniel’s cheeks started to heat, but he nodded and grinned because he imagined there’d be a night or two where he’d have to ask for a hand.
Tenor chuckled as they went upstairs and grabbed one of the baby monitors from the nursery and snuck it just inside the door of Britt’s room. Then they headed for Tenor’s little suite, the love seat in front of the big screen TV very inviting.
“Should we do a scary movie?” Tenor asked. “I like a clever one, as long as I don’t have to watch it alone.”
“Sure, why not? You have any suggestions?” He’d done one or two scary scores.
“Are there any you’ve done the music for?” Looked like Tenor was on the same wavelength.
“A few. I did Why? and Don’t Hide.” They’d been a blast, to be honest.
“I haven’t seen either of those. Let’s see if Netflix has either of them.” Tenor settled on the love seat and got the TV turned on, working the remote like a pro.
“I’ll check on Britt and make sure the monitor is working.” He grabbed the receiver end of the little walkie-talkie looking thing and turned it on before heading for Britt’s bedroom.
She was an angel, sleeping hard, her face at peace. He felt the surge of love for her he always felt when he saw her. Would he feel the same way with his own girls? He certainly hoped so.
He checked the monitor—the light was on. He whispered “test, test, test” near the monitor, then backed out and went to Tenor’s suite again.
“I totally heard you testing the monitor.”
“Excellent. Those are handy, aren’t they?”
“They rock. And for a lot longer than kids being babies. I found Don’t Hide on Netflix and it’s all cued up. You want some popcorn? I bought myself a little microwave and snack supplies.”
“Not yet, thank you. I’m still full from the noodles.”
“Yeah, you don’t eat a ton. I’m not going to have any, then because I may have to grab you out of fear and I don’t want to get greasy handprints all over you—Elle would tease you forever.”
“She would. I’ll make sure to sit closer.” Was that flirty?
Tenor smiled and it was sweet, maybe a little flirty, too. “I’ll try not to grab you too hard.”
“I’m stronger than I look.”
“Then I won’t worry about it, I’ll just grab.” Tenor got the movie going and shifted slightly, their shoulders touching.
He was just sitting and enjoying Tenor, listening to the music, half watching the ghost story. About halfway through the movie, Tenor jumped about a foot in the air at a scary part, and reached for him with both hands, a soft gasp filling the air.
Tenor’s fingers dug into his arm for a moment, but then Tenor let go and rubbed his skin. “Sorry. That one got me,” Tenor whispered.
“I have you. I have you.” He wrapped their fingers together.
“Gonna keep me safe?” Tenor settled a little closer and kept holding on.
“I’m going to be the dad; that’s probably my job.”
“Does that make me the mom?” Tenor asked, glancing over at him.
“Now, that’s not what I said.”
Tenor laughed and leaned his head on his shoulder. “I’m just teasing. Besides, I’ve never had a problem being seen as a mother figure. I’m a nurturer by nature.”
“I don’t know what I am. A musician.”
“An artist. You make the world a more beautiful place.”
“I try. I want to.”
“I believe you do. Your kiddies will too.” Tenor looked back at the TV as someone screamed and he winced. “Oh man, I was hoping she was the one who was going to make it to the end—she had spunk.”
“You never know. That’s part of the deal, isn’t it?”
“Sure, some of it’s nature—they’ll arrive with their own personalities already right there. But I believe nurture does a lot, too. It shapes how those personalities and each baby’s talents develop.”
He’d meant the movie, but that was okay. He knew the babies would be musical. They’d have to be.
They got absorbed in the movie again, and Tenor jumped and grabbed him again at the next scary part. It felt strange and odd and a little wonderful to have someone reach for him.
“Sorry. I did warn you I was a wuss, though.”
“Are you having fun? Enjoying the boo?”
Tenor gave him a warm grin, eyes sparkling with life. “I am. And you make a great scare-buddy. Are you enjoying it?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s nice to have someone to relax with.” To have a friend that was there.
“Yeah, exactly.” Tenor shifted, lying with his head on his shoulder, and it felt good, comfortable and warm. Surprisingly easy.
He supposed that was a good thing. Tenor was going to be around for a while.
A few more boo moments had Tenor gripping him, and he had to admit that it was kind of like a date. A date in his house, in Tenor’s rooms. Weird.
When it was over everyone had died and Tenor sighed. “I have to admit I do like it when at least one person lives. I don’t know, maybe I’m too soft.”
“Yeah, you want the one person to make it, right?”
“Exactly. I’ve noticed a trend toward everyone dying off, though. I guess that little bit of hope is going out of fashion.”
“It’ll come back. I know it.”
Tenor stretched and yawned. “Is it wrong that I want to curl up next to you like a cat and go to sleep?”
“No. I don’t think so. We slept well together.”
“We did. It had been awhile since I’d slept with anyone. A long, long while.”
“We could take the monitor into your room…”
“I’d like that.” Tenor nodded and stood, stretching again, shirt riding up. He grabbed the monitor and then stopped. “You wanted to be in your room, though, in case Britt woke up and went up there.”
“Did you want to come up? Is that weird? If she does?”
“Her moms sleep together, so she gets the concept of grown-ups sleeping together—but she will ask why I’m there too. So it’s up to you if you want to talk to her about it or not. I’d love to come up, but it’s totally your call.”
“Well, I’m not ashamed. Come on up.” He guessed it was okay, right? Nothing to be ashamed of. “Would you like to put on pajamas?”
“Yeah. Just bottoms okay?” Tenor already had his shirt off.
“Totally. I’ll meet you upstairs?”
“Be up in five.” Tenor handed him the monitor.
Daniel headed upstairs, peeking in on Miss Britt before going to undress and find his most comfortable pants. He supposed with the triplets coming he really should invest in a few pairs of pajamas.
Tenor arri
ved moments after he had changed, wearing flannel pajama pants with Muppets on them. They were adorable.
“Those are cute as hell. Seriously.”
“And kid-appropriate.” Tenor grinned and did a little pirouette for him. Tenor was just a little chubby, love handles inviting him to touch.
His fingers curled into fists because it wasn’t his place to reach out.
“This side mine?” Tenor asked, going to the side he’d slept on last time.
“Works for me. Do you find it odd to sleep with someone?”
“Odd, but surprisingly nice. Like I said, it’s been a long while since I slept with another grown-up.”
“I like to sleep with someone. It’s comfortable. Comforting.”
“I liked sleeping with you the other night,” Tenor admitted as he slipped beneath the covers.
“Yes.” It had felt normal. Was that reasonable? Was it all right?
Tenor lay down, then shifted over to push onto his side of the bed so they’d be close when he got in himself.
“Would you like to watch something simple while we go to sleep?”
“Sure. Or some music.”
“I can arrange that.” That pun was not lost on him.
Judging by Tenor’s snorting giggle, he’d gotten it too.
“Sounds good.” And there was another one.
They began to laugh, both of them together, the sound ringing out. Tenor rolled toward him, face bright and happy, eyes shining.
The urge to lean forward, take a kiss, was surprising and huge, but he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. He was the employer and he had the power here.
“God, I want to kiss you. I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but it would have felt like I was hiding it if I didn’t. I can go if you want me to.”
“I… Would that be weird? Bad? I don’t want to make it bad.”
“Oh man, if you think kissing me might be bad, I should probably go.” Tenor pulled off the covers and sat up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I didn’t… I mean, I’ve never done this. I don’t want you to think I’m like… abusing you.” God, he was a fuckup. This was why he hired competent men to come help him out when he needed… physical assistance.
Tenor looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Abusing me? Because I want to kiss you? You mean taking advantage because you’re the boss?”
“Yeah. Yeah, exactly.”
“So, does that mean you want to kiss me, too? Because if you don’t, then the discussion is moot, right? We both need to want the kisses for a discussion of the ramifications of the kiss to make sense.” Tenor ran his hand through his hair. “Wow, that was convoluted. This is new for me, you know? The family I was with had a happily married—and both straight—mom and dad, so this kind of thing never came up.”
“I want to kiss you too. I… I like you. A lot.” He felt like a teenager.
Tenor got back into bed and lay down next to him. “So let’s kiss, eh? Maybe we’ll hate it or there’ll be no chemistry.”
“Maybe. I haven’t kissed another man in a while.”
“Me either.” Tenor leaned toward him, looking at him while they slowly drew nearer. “I feel like a teenager, actually. All unsure and excited at the same time.”
“Yeah, you and me both. Crazy, isn’t it?” It was insane, but sort of wonderful.
Tenor nodded, then closed the last of the distance between their lips to initiate the kiss. Tenor’s lips were soft and warm, gentle against his, and a small spark went off where their lips met. They breathed together, nice and easy, their air mingling.
Tenor smiled and pressed their lips together again, the warmth and spark returning, sliding through him.
So they had chemistry. For sure.
Tenor raised a hand and touched his cheek, sending tingles along his skin.
“Wow.” He licked his lips, his eyelids going heavy.
“Yeah. You’re something else.” Tenor continued to stroke his cheek and kissed him again.
This kiss was deeper, longer. When it was over, Tenor rested their foreheads together, panting heavily.
“That was… I liked that.” Liked. What a stupid word.
“Me too. I wanna do it again.”
“I can handle that.” He leaned forward, exhaling as they moved together.
Tenor slipped his tongue out this time, painting Daniel’s lips with warmth. He groaned and opened his mouth, letting Tenor in. He heard the way Tenor moaned, but he felt it too, deep inside.
Tenor brought his other hand up so he was cupping both of Daniel’s cheeks, and it made him feel cared for. Cherished. Each touch and kiss built a wave of warmth that flowed through him.
Daniel found himself opening, the kisses deepening, and he shifted closer, one hand on Tenor’s hip. Tenor moved too, coming toward him.
Tenor’s body was so warm, solid against him. “It feels really good. Lying with you. Kissing.”
“Better than good, I think.” He was thinking it was intense.
That made Tenor smile and push closer, bringing their mouths together again. He opened up to let Tenor’s soft tongue explore. Tenor was slow but thorough, touching his gums, exploring his teeth and stroking his tongue. He began to ache—his balls growing heavy, his cock filling.
Tenor dropped a hand to his crotch, fingers sliding on his cock. “Oh. Nice.”
He arched, his eyes crossing, breath catching in his chest. Humming, Tenor rubbed against him, their bare chests sliding warmly. Tenor’s hands were sure, hot, sliding his soft pajama pants over his aching need.
It would only have felt better if it had been skin on skin—Tenor was very good with his hands.
Still, this anticipation was delicious and he didn’t try to push it.
Feeding him one kiss after another, Tenor continued to stroke, to explore the shape of him.
He was going to begin to leak soon, his balls too heavy, too tight. Tenor’s gaze stayed on his, eyes bright.
“I…” He wanted to push closer, rub madly against Tenor.
“You what?” Tenor asked, looking like he really wanted to hear what Daniel had to say.
“You make me ache.”
“Oh.” Tenor smiled. “Good. You make me want.”
That was an invitation to reach out himself, cup the heavy ridge in Tenor’s pants. Tenor moaned at his touch and pushed toward him.
“You’re big,” he whispered.
“I’m a grower, not a shower.” Tenor winked.
He chuckled softly, measuring Tenor from base to tip. Tenor’s eyes rolled back in his head, his mouth opening on a soft gasp. “Beautiful.”
God, he wanted to taste.
“Making me feel so good. Probably gonna come before too long.”
“I… We don’t want a mess.” He ducked under the covers.
“What?” Tenor asked, then gasped again as he kissed Tenor’s belly, then one soft love handle.
“Listen for the kiddo, please?” He pulled the waistband down, discovering Tenor’s heavy cock. The scent was heady, rich, and he wrapped his lips around the tip.
Tenor’s answer was almost a keening sound.
Salt and male heat teased his tongue, and he sucked, begging for another drop. Tenor’s hips jerked, the tip pressing deeper between his lips, spreading them wider.
He felt naughty, wicked, and he dragged his tongue along the base.
Tenor shifted, trying to spread his legs wider for him. “Oh God, please. So good. Your tongue.”
Yeah. Yeah, he hadn’t done this in too long. Tenor tasted good and warm. It was almost comforting.
He took more and more, sucking harder, bobbing his head.
“Oh God. Oh God. Daniel. My God.” Tenor’s hands dropped to his head, fingers sliding into his hair.
He rolled Tenor’s balls, gathering them close to Tenor’s body. Tenor’s low groan was heartfelt.
“Don’t stop. Don’t.”
No. No, he wasn’t going to. Not a chance.
Tenor began undulating, pushing his cock in along Daniel’s tongue. He groaned and sucked harder, demanding more of that flavor. He got it, Tenor leaking drop after drop, filling him with the scent and the taste of it. His nose was buried in the wiry curls, the scent of Tenor flooding him.
Tenor wrapped his hands around Daniel’s head, moving with more intent now. He could hear the way Tenor panted, pulling in each breath. It was arousing, exciting, and he opened wider.
Tenor cried out, cock pushing deep and slipping into his throat, and he swallowed hard, his throat closing around the tip.
“Daniel!” Tenor shouted, his only warning before Tenor shot, spunk pouring down his throat.
He took every drop, the salt and bitterness filling him, coating his tongue. A few more spurts kept the flavor going, and then Tenor moaned one more time, hands patting his head.
Daniel gasped for breath, forehead on Tenor’s belly.
“Thank you. That was incredible. Thank you.”
“It was… so good.”
“It’s a special guy who says that after sucking you off.” Tenor grabbed his arm and tugged. “Come back up and let me kiss you?”
He crawled up Tenor’s body, rubbing the whole way. Tenor’s lips dropped down over his, kissing him, as one hand slid down his body.
“Oh…” He arched, his head falling back.
“Want me to suck your cock?” Tenor asked, the dirty words making him hot.
“I do…” He grabbed for Tenor, dragging their mouths together.
Tenor kissed him back, tongue pushing into his mouth again as Tenor tugged at his pants, pulling them off his hips. He wasn’t as thick and long as Tenor, but he was hard and needy. When their kiss ended, Tenor wriggled down the bed. The anticipation built. He knew it was coming, but Tenor seemed to be taking forever.
His eyes landed on the baby monitor, and he said a little prayer that Britt didn’t wake up. Then Tenor’s lips landed on his cockhead and everything else flew out of his head. He tried to open his legs, but he was caught in his pants.