Always (With Bonus Material) (Always & Forever Book 1) Read online

  "I had no idea you were gay until you cornered me downstairs. How did you know I was?" Kane asked.

  "I paid Markie for the information right after I got there tonight. I couldn't wait to know. You're all I've been thinking about since I met you," Avery said, taking a step or two toward Kane.

  "I was convinced I'd completely insulted you somehow." Kane used the chair between them as a protective barrier.

  "I know, I just don't know why you thought that," Avery said.

  "You never spoke. You never acknowledged me when I greeted your table," Kane said.

  "You stunned me," Avery said, stepping closer as he reached up to run his palm across Kane's cheek, his thumb lingering. Kane had no idea how to respond, so he stayed quiet.

  "If you don't do one-night stands, how many men have you been with?" Avery asked. He seemed content to keep the chair between them. Avery had gone completely soft, but slid his palm down Kane's arm to take the hand lying on the chair. He entwined their fingers together. That was so not a question he wanted to answer, so he chose to stay silent.

  "You don't lie very well, do you?" Avery asked, grinning now.

  "No. It's in the way I was raised." Finally, something he was willing to answer.

  "More than ten?" Avery asked. Dang, why were they back here?

  "More than five?" Kane stayed silent.

  "Just tell me how many," Avery said, pulling Kane from behind the chair, to stand before him. Avery loosely wrapped an arm around his waist, keeping their hands intertwined.

  "Two," Kane whispered and looked away from Avery. He'd just confessed his ludicrously small number to the worldly grandson of the president of the United States.

  "Two? How old are you?" Clearly Avery had a hard time believing him. He could lie. Just lie, Kane! You'll never see him again.

  "Thirty-three, how old are you?" Kane shot back, feeling defensive now. He needed to leave. Hell, he shouldn't have even come here in the first place. Why weren't they having sex right now?

  "Thirty-five. How long have you been out?" Avery asked and held on to Kane as he tried to pull away from the embrace. He was seriously starting to regret this decision. Humiliation never occurred to him as a possible outcome. He wanted out.

  "I was eighteen when I told my family," Kane said, and this time, he tore free of the hold, looking through the clothes for his underwear.

  "Two men in fifteen years?" Avery asked. Kane immediately began pulling all his clothing from the mix he'd picked up from the floor. He bent forward to slide his underwear back on, but Avery stopped him, actually taking the boxers from his hand. "Are you here to get back at your boyfriend?"

  "No," Kane said and laughed. For the first time in several minutes, Kane looked deeply into Avery's eyes. The truth? Something he hadn't admitted before right this minute—he was here because he'd never been kissed like he'd been kissed by Avery in his wine cellar. Avery had somehow branded himself on Kane's heart in those few short minutes. Kane was compelled to see what more was there between them, even if it were just one night. Brian hadn't even been considered until Avery brought him up. How had he not thought of the man he had dated for the last four years?

  Avery studied Kane, examining him as if he were being dissected under a microscope until he held Kane's boxer's out to him. "I'm shallow enough that I want to have sex with you anyway, but you need to tell me now if this is it between us. I want more than tonight, but if you don't, tell me."

  This turned into a night of so many firsts. No one had ever said anything like that to him before. What did wanting more mean? He took the underwear and dropped them back on the pile of his clothes while he stood there silently contemplating his answer. He stared at Avery, trying to discern if he spoke the truth, but he sucked at detecting lies. Avery's face hardened as he watched Kane. He started to move forward but physically stopped himself and waited for Kane to answer.

  "My last two boyfriends broke up with me because I'm too intense. I work too much and I have strong religious views." That truth pained Kane to say, but he hoped it answered Avery's question.

  "I like intense. I respect work. Religion can be good. What kind of religion?" Avery asked, back to wrapping Kane in his arms.

  "I'm a practicing Christian. Not currently in a church," Kane said. He was naked in the living room of a man he'd known for less than a few days, talking about religion. He wondered how many Southern Baptist rules he was currently breaking.

  "Was your father a pastor?" Avery had hit the nail on the head and Kane only nodded. He was laying himself open for Avery to reject him, but he couldn't stop himself. He hadn't given Brian this much information for the first year and a half they'd dated.

  "Do they support you?" Kane shook his head and looked down at the floor. That was baggage and more than needed to be discussed right now.

  "Come on. I want to start this night over. I have a robe you can wear," Avery said, pulling Kane toward the back of the condo.

  "You don't have to do this," Kane said, reluctantly following behind him.

  "Actually, I do. I wanted to before, but I got desperate. I just don't want you back in your clothes. You need to be wearing something where I can get to you easier." Kane followed until he stood just inside the master bedroom door. Avery went to a closet and pulled out two robes, handing him a black terry cloth one.

  Avery purposely slowed them down. He and Kane sat in his living room for the next couple of hours getting to know one another. He kept Kane close, working hard to loosen the man's reserve. His overall plan was to ply Kane with wine as they spoke of their lives, mainly Kane speaking of his life. Avery learned how Kane met his mentor, Paulie, whom Avery unknowingly met tonight. Paulie had come to his table and introduced himself right before Avery and Kane had gone downstairs. He hadn't known the importance of their meeting. Though he'd picked up on Paulie being protective of Kane, he hadn't understood that Paulie was all Kane truly had in the world to call his family.

  Kane only spoke in brief bits and pieces about his biological family and those were just of his childhood and the years he'd spent in the church. Avery had an instant dislike of the Dalton family, but kept that to himself, at least for now.

  Avery did his fair share of talking about his grandfather and father. When Kane prodded, he spoke of his childhood and studying abroad. They sat close together on the sofa and exchanged stories as the night turned into morning. As time went on, Avery slowly began to touch Kane, small gentle caresses that were eventually returned.

  Avery found what he suspected to be true: Kane was smart, articulate, and after a few glasses of wine, relaxed. Kane suited Avery well. They would be good together. While Kane would be good arm candy and present a poised, sophisticated image, Avery knew the country wasn't ready for a gay statesman. Yet Avery couldn't help but speculate how Kane would be the perfect gentleman to have on his arm if he did run for office.

  Avery never spoke of his plans to run for office. Even when needled by Kane, he didn't truly admit why he'd moved back to Minnesota. He didn't want to scare Kane off before he figured out what was going on between them. Homosexuality was becoming more accepted. Avery could feel the movement just beginning to pick up steam, but they were still decades away from this country being anywhere close to ready for a couple like them.

  Avery leaned back against the sofa and rested his head in his hand, just staring at Kane while he spoke. Why in the world was Avery sitting with a man he'd only met a few days ago, speculating about them as a couple, and already moving them years down the road? Except, he knew the answer. It was the draw, the deep connection between them that pulled him in. These feelings were so new and fresh, yet unbelievably real.

  He'd heard the soul mate catch phrase tossed around a lot recently. It was the newest, latest way to describe love. Somehow everything inside him registered those words with Kane. His soul mate. The person who shared space inside his soul. He couldn't help the small grin he gave or how he scooted closer to reach out and run his fingers
through Kane's silky dark hair. As the candles flickered, Avery slowly lifted the short pieces and realized auburn might be the true color of Kane's hair. He loved auburn hair. God, he was so physically attracted to this man. Avery started to move forward again as though drawn by a magnetic force.

  Slow down, mister. You'll scare him off before you even get a chance.

  Avery managed to hold himself off until somewhere after four thirty in the morning. He stifled a yawn and set his wineglass down on the coffee table, then made the move to take Kane's glass and placed it next to his before scooting closer to him on the sofa.

  "I need to remember to call your last boyfriend and thank him. You wouldn't be here tonight if he hadn't ended things today," Avery said. He was as close to Kane as he could get. "I can follow your lead in this. We can wait if you want, but I want to try this relationship thing with you, see how it goes. What do you say?"

  Kane grinned, way more relaxed than Avery had ever seen him. He wanted to believe it was him, but he wasn't so certain since Kane had drunk six or seven glasses of wine in the span of an hour and a half. Avery hadn't let Kane's glass get empty.

  Kane leaned forward on his own and nuzzled Avery's neck. Avery tilted Kane's head back, running his fingers through his hair, holding him there, enjoying the feel of Kane's warm mouth on him. "I don't want to leave tonight. I wanna make love and be made love to."

  "Is it always like that for you? Do they make love to you?" Avery asked, lifting Kane's face by the chin, looking into his eyes.

  "No, it's just in my head that way," Kane confessed, his words were slurred with a crooked grin in place. Would he be embarrassed by the admission in the morning? Avery hoped not. When had talking become the best foreplay on the planet?

  "Mmmm…I like the idea of tender and sweet with you." Avery leaned in and took Kane's lips in an indulgent kiss. The kiss lingered until picking up steam, and Avery pushed the sash of Kane's robe free.

  As much as he wanted to touch Kane, he only ran his fingers across his muscular torso once before he rose from the sofa and extended a hand down to Kane. "Come to bed with me."

  Chapter 8

  Kane stood, only then realizing he was drunk. The shake he gave to his fuzzy brain caused him to stumble a step, hitting the sofa with the back of his knees. Nothing cleared the fog clouding his thoughts. Why hadn't he considered this as he sat there drinking so much?

  Avery led him away, seeming to not notice his balance issues. He held Kane's hand as he walked them back to the bedroom. This whole seduction scene was something Avery totally had down, and something he completely hadn't expected when he walked in the door tonight. Kane had been a sure bet. In Kane's mind, they should have been going at it for the last couple of hours, but instead Avery sat in his living room, talking to him, and actually listened to his answers without judgment or criticism. Avery wanted to know about Kane and had slowly, yet completely, gotten him drunk. Without question, when tomorrow rolled around and he thought over the events of tonight, he'd have to remember Avery was a sly one.

  "How do you like it?" Avery asked. Kane felt like the question was more a formality. They had broached this subject earlier.

  "However's fine," Kane said, coming to stand in front of Avery's bed.

  "You're versatile?" Avery asked, sliding his hands through the open lapel of Kane's robe and running his fingers and palms over his chest.

  "Not normally, but I felt you tense earlier when I touched you. I'll bottom, just take it slow," Kane answered honestly.

  "I want us to go both ways." Avery finally pushed the robe off his shoulders, letting the terry cloth fall to his feet. He ran his fingertips up and down Kane's arms before he moved them to his stomach and tickled his way over each defined muscle. "I couldn't tell under that suit what you looked like, but I imagined you just like this."

  Avery reached up and threaded his fingers through Kane's hair to pull him forward as he pressed their lips together. He slowly guided them back a step or two to his bed, as he lowered his hands, unwrapping his own robe as they moved. Kane kissed him like he had a right to be there, pushing Avery's robe to the floor. Kane claimed Avery's body and soul in that kiss, embracing him so tightly in his arms they fell together awkwardly onto the bed. Kane held Avery close, not letting him go. He would never get enough of the man in his arms.

  Avery would have moved them along where Kane seemed content to kiss and be held. Cuddling was something new, something he hadn't considered much before now. Avery needed to remember this for the future. Kane responded to every single touch Avery made. As he deepened the kiss, he wondered if Kane might be lonely in his life. What an incredibly odd thought to have, considering he had his tongue shoved down the man's throat.

  "Let me make love to you," Avery whispered as he gently bit Kane's shoulder. Kane answered by taking his mouth in another deeply erotic kiss. Kane's kisses were what wet dreams were made of. He just lay there, sprawled across Kane's chest, kissing him. Kane lay on his back, legs wide open, and Avery was lost to the moment. He glanced down at Kane's cock, hard and ready, pre-come leaking onto his flat stomach. The sight made his mouth water. He wanted to taste the

  glistening fluid dotting Kane's skin. Before he knew it, he had drawn his fingers through the wetness and brought them to his lips.

  "Mmm…so sweet, Kane." His eyes met Kane's, and he saw vulnerability flash in those blue orbs. He was going to do everything he could to remove any doubt from those beautiful eyes and prove to Kane he meant every word he said. He gave a reassuring smile before sliding a hand down between Kane's legs to begin the slow steady massage of his rim.

  Kane was tight, probably as tight as Avery. They would both need to take care with the other until they were ready. Avery planned to fuck Kane, those plans hadn't changed, and he slowly pushed a finger inside. Their lips stayed together, Kane's arms tightly encircled him, making his movements almost clumsy. Avery reached across the bed to palm the bottle of lubricant he'd laid out hours ago. The condom packets were placed close by, but Avery ignored those. He'd made a practice of protecting himself for the last few years, but not tonight.

  Hopefully not ever again.

  "Baby, you have to let me open you." Avery tore free from the kiss and pushed back, trying to break from Kane's hold. Kane wasn't having any part of his plan and followed him, rising up to continue the kiss. Avery finally managed to break his grip, resting back on his knees between Kane's parted thighs, staring down at him. Kane's lips were full and red from their kissing, his skin flushed and heated as Kane stared back at him from under heavily hooded eyes.

  "You're beautiful," Avery said as he took in every inch of Kane's exposed skin in front of him. "That was my only thought when I looked at you in the restaurant that first day. You took my breath away. You stole my words. I couldn't speak."

  "I thought I’d messed something up terrible. You just stared at me," Kane said. Avery flipped open the top to the lube and poured the slick liquid on his fingers. Kane leaned up and kissed him sweetly on the lips before he settled back in place.

  "I couldn't form words. You stunned me," Avery said as his fingers wrapped around Kane's thick cock, giving him a few strokes. Avery watched when Kane's leg fell to the side, giving him an unobstructed view of his perfect pink rim. He gave Kane's dick a few more strokes before sliding his hand down Kane's perineum, applying light pressure. Avery pressed his slick fingers against the tight ring and inserted a finger. Kane's body arched as Avery easily found the spot, curved his finger, and worked Kane from the inside out.

  "That feels good," Kane moaned.

  "I hoped it might." Avery grinned, adding more lubricant, before inserting a second finger. With his other hand, he again began the slow stroking of Kane's cock.

  "I'm relaxed, really relaxed. Make love to me," Kane pleaded, and his eyes closed as Avery pushed in a third finger. Kane was such an extraordinary find. Avery was so completely taken with him that the emotion of the moment ran rampant over his heart. He leaned
down, and kissed the wet tip of Kane's leaking cock.

  "Oh, God, that feels good." Kane's eyes focused on Avery's lips brushing against his broad head. The intensity of Kane's gaze shot straight through his body, landing squarely in his balls. Avery's cock wept with the need coursing through him. He kept his eyes on Kane and watched as he writhed and rolled his hips working Avery's fingers in and out of himself. Avery gripped the base of Kane's prick and dipped his head, sinking that beautiful cock into his mouth, taking him deep, moaning his pleasure around the velvety head. His greedy tongue explored his lover's weeping slit, swirling and lapping at the salty tip. Kane's dick twitched in his palm as the taste of pre-come flooded across his tongue. Kane's essence was so damn sweet.

  "Don't come yet. Hold it, Kane. I want to feel you come when I'm in you," Avery said, scissoring his fingers in Kane's tight channel.

  "I'm close," Kane moaned and lifted back up, grabbing Avery's cock in his hand. He moved in closer, positioning Avery at his entrance. "I need you in me now."

  "I thought you wanted tender," Avery said. The feel of Kane's hands on his already aching dick robbed him of his sense of reason. He drove his hips forward, seeking the warm friction of Kane's palm on his cock. The fingers he had working Kane's ass faltered. If he wasn't careful, he'd lose his load, right there.

  "I do. Just need you inside me," Kane whispered, raising his body until soft lips took his. Kane nibbled his lower lip, drawing the tender flesh into his mouth, nipping and suckling until it slipped out as he lowered back down on the bed. Kane's eyes stayed on him as he gripped the back of his thighs, pulling his legs toward his chest. "Now, I'm ready now."