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

  "What? Was that a joke? Did Kane Dalton just lighten up enough around me to joke?" Avery teased, stepping in closer, standing chest to chest with Kane.

  "Ha ha," Kane said, grinning. He didn't step back, just stood there with his head tilted slightly up, looking Avery in the eyes.

  "I like when you smile, and when you laugh. You've done more smiling tonight than the first two nights I saw you." Avery's gaze lowered to that sexy mouth. Images of his cock sliding between Kane's perfect lips had stayed with him most of the day. Now they turned his half arousal into something hard and solid.

  "I'm nervous around you," Kane admitted. Avery liked how Kane just spoke the truth. There was no cat and mouse with him. He didn't hide himself or make Avery guess what was going on inside his head.

  "Good. I don't want you to think I'm the pushover I've clearly become when I'm around you. When's your next night off?" Avery asked. The elevator dinged and opened, and he stepped inside, pulling Kane in with him.

  "I don't really take nights off. Remember, I told you, they say I work too much."

  "Well, working too much and never taking a day off are two different things," Avery said, pushing the button to his floor. He rested against the back wall, pulling Kane between his legs, wrapping his arms around his waist. This time he pulled him close enough to feel Kane's arousal was as hard as his.

  "I want to take you out. Paulie's right, you deserve some wining and dining," Avery said, leaning in to kiss his lips.

  "You don't…" Kane started, but Avery cut him right off.

  "Shhh…yes, I do. I heard about a dance club over in St. Paul. Maybe we could go this weekend," Avery suggested.

  "I'll have to see if I can get Rodney to take over my shift, but maybe. If you really want to."

  "I want," Avery said, going in for the kiss. He was denied as the elevator doors chimed again, this time for his floor, and Kane turned, moving out from under his hold and toward the opening. Avery let Kane lead them off the elevator, but stopped in the hallway jerking Kane against him. He loved when Kane stumbled back in surprise as he fused their mouths together. Avery loved kissing Kane. He slid his arms around him, pushing him back a step or two until they hit the front door of his condo. He fumbled for his keys, kissing Kane all the while until he was forced to look down to place the key inside the lock.

  "I thought about you all day," Avery said, turning the knob while wrapping a strong arm around Kane's waist, keeping him from stumbling backward as he shoved open the door. "Did you pack this bag to stay all night?"

  "No, I planned to change, but I didn't want you stuck there listening to Paulie any more than you had to," Kane said, his head leaned back, giving Avery complete access to his neck as he slowly backed him into the apartment.

  "I'll listen to him all day. He loves you," Avery said, kicking the door closed behind him.

  "I love him, too," Kane said, dropping his coat and duffle bag to the floor. He slid his hands under Avery's jacket, pushing it from his shoulders. The composed, elegant Kane wasted no time unwrapping Avery from his clothing like an eager child on Christmas morning revealing a long-awaited toy. Somewhere in the last thirty seconds, they had switched places and Avery could barely keep up.

  "I can't believe I fell asleep before I got my turn last night," Kane said, shoving Avery's undershirt and sweater over his head before letting it fall to floor.

  "You were drunk," Avery said. He tried to undress Kane, but he couldn't seem to gain control for even a minute. Kane was a man on a mission.

  "You're pretty tipsy, now," Kane said as he shoved Avery's slacks and underwear down until they fell freely to the floor.

  "So you can use me all up," Avery managed, kicking his feet free of the clothing. Only then did Kane have him in his arms, kissing Avery as if his very life depended on their connection. Kane's hands caressed their way across his body until he flicked Avery's nipple between his fingers. The move sent Avery's hips in an involuntary roll. Kane released him and pushed him back. Avery was surprised to find they had already made it to his bedroom, and he landed back on the bed. Kane stared down at him sprawled out across the covers. A sexy, evil grin lit his lover's face as he began to pull off his clothes. "And I intend to use you all up."

  Chapter 11

  No amount of talking could divert Avery from his plan to pick Kane up for their date. Since he'd been with Kane every single day and night for the last five days, they had done quite a bit of talking on the subject. Kane was a classic gentleman to the extreme, and that endeared him to Avery's heart like nothing else had ever before. Which was odd because if anyone had asked Avery a week ago what he wanted in a partner, old fashioned wouldn't have even made it into the top one hundred attributes. But number one on that list would have fit Kane to a T: a good-looking, sexy lover! Kane never seemed to get enough—just the way Avery liked it.

  The area of St. Paul where Kane lived differed greatly from the polished, sophisticated almost-boyfriend that Avery had gotten to know over the last week. Kane's demeanor seemed out of place in the loud, colorful part of town that housed the brownstone quad-complex he shared. The building included four smaller apartments made out of an older brick home, and these type homes were stacked side by side for the entire length of the block. Completely different than the man who wore handmade suits and designer jeans every single day.

  Avery parked his Stingray at the curb, taking care to lock the doors. He loved his brand new car. After a minute's pause and a simple prayer that the Corvette would still be there when they came down, Avery made his way inside the building. Kane lived on the top floor, four flights up, and Avery huffed all the way upstairs.

  Knocking on the door, he waited. After what felt like forever, he knocked again. Kane answered in a rush, opening the door before hurrying off again. "I'm late. I didn't get out of the restaurant when I wanted too," he yelled over his shoulder. Avery watched his retreating back as he pulled a polo over his head and disappeared through a side open doorway. Avery stepped in, a little surprised. His image of Kane fit perfectly with this living room. Although the room was small, he kept everything immaculate and completely color coordinated. Every picture, lamp, and table fit together. Nothing was out of place, and everything was so neat and tidy, Avery thought he might be able to eat off the floor.

  "I like your place," Avery said from the entryway. He cocked his head, bending to get a better look down the hall. From this angle, it appeared as though there were only two doors at the end of the small hall. He stood in the living room, and the small kitchen was just to his right. He wished he could see Kane's bedroom. A bedroom said a lot about a man.

  "Thanks, it's small, not the best part of town, but I've lived here a few years now," Kane shouted back. "I'm sorry I'm late."

  "It's fine, we aren't on a time schedule. This is like downtown St. Paul now, isn't it?" Avery said, losing the battle with polite manners and taking a couple of steps farther inside the home.

  "Yeah," Kane said, rounding the corner while raking his fingers through his hair. Avery liked that move, which Kane seemed to do quite a bit. Perhaps a nervous habit? Avery found he loved to run his fingers through Kane's short, thick strands when they lay in bed together. All in all, Kane had some great hair.

  "Why are you standing here?" Kane asked, and Avery realized there wasn't a good explanation for where he stood. He wasn't in the living room any longer. He'd inched his way to stand almost in the hall. Silence ensued between them. "What? Did I miss something?"

  "It's just rare to be this close to a bedroom and not be in it." Avery grinned, dropping his hands in his slacks pockets.

  "Is that new for you?" Kane threw out, sliding on the shoes by his front door.

  "New for us," Avery shot back.

  "You can take a look around. There isn't much to the place. This is kind of it," Kane said.

  "Nah, I think I need to stay here. You look too good tonight. We won't make it out the door if I step any farther in this house, and I really wanna
take you out," Avery said. Kane gave a little sideways smile, running his fingers back through his hair as a small blush crept into his cheeks. He walked across the living room toward a coatrack by the front door.

  "Thank you, you look nice, too," Kane said, reaching for his jacket.

  "What? This old thing?" Avery held open the lapels of his brand new suit. Kane laughed as Avery posed with his suit jacket open revealing a partially buttoned silk button down. As Kane watched, Avery executed a perfect full circle turn on his heels before doing an exaggerated strut down a make-believe catwalk, all headed toward Kane.

  "It's a hundred percent silk dress shirt that I bought just for you. Thoughts of you dancing against me, rubbing those sexy hands across my chest made me buy this without a second thought." He turned like he was going to give Kane a kiss, and instead flipped around and wiggled his ass. Avery was forced to jump backward or be slammed with the door as it was pushed open in front of him. Avery watched as Kane's entire demeanor changed when he saw whoever was at the door.

  "What are you doing here?" Kane asked, and Avery stepped around the door to see a nice looking, much shorter man, who clearly had a key to this apartment, standing in the entryway. The fun vibe of a minute ago was zapped from the room and Avery narrowed his brow in speculation.

  "I came for my things. Who's this?" So this must be the ex-boyfriend. Jealousy struck Avery hard. He wanted this guy out of the house and gone, right now.

  "Avery Adams, his date. Who are you?" Avery answered for Kane, sticking out his hand for a handshake.

  "Brian Walton, his boyfriend." Avery wanted to snap the guy's arm right off his body.

  "Really? Because I'm pretty sure I replaced you and thanks for vacating the spot…" Avery was on a roll, but Kane jumped in, taking the wind out of his sails.

  "Brian, why are you here?" Kane asked. The entire conversation took place in the small entryway and Avery resisted the overwhelming urge to wrap an arm around Kane in ownership.

  "I came for a few of my things, but we need to talk," Brian said. Avery watched something spark in the guy as he stared first at Avery, then back at Kane. Avery knew the look—competition. Shit. He'd made it worse with his cocky attitude. He'd only had a few days to solidify his position in Kane's life, this guy had had years.

  "You should've called first. I have a date tonight, Brian," Kane said, stepping in front of Avery to take the doorknob.

  "Date? Really? You?" Brian laughed in Kane's face.

  "Call the restaurant and leave them your address. I'll have your things delivered to you." Kane's voice took on that super calm tone, the one he used in the restaurant. Avery found that voice meant so many things, none of which indicated Kane was comfortable with the moment. Avery didn't like it. He didn't like the guy laughing in Kane's face or the insinuation Kane couldn't get a date.

  If Avery right-hooked him, how much trouble would he be in?

  "That's all you have to say to me? Four years together and you replaced me in a couple of days?" Kane didn't bite, but gently and thoroughly put his hand on Brian's chest and began moving him backward, the door shutting a little farther with every step taken.

  "Remember, you met someone," Kane said.

  "I had second thoughts. Don't do this, Kane, I'm sorry. There I said it," Brian said.

  "Too late," Avery called out from behind Kane. Avery felt territorial and primal. He clenched his fists and dropped them into his pockets to keep from going after the guy.

  "That's not for you to decide," Brian shouted back at Avery. That got his attention. Avery's eyes narrowed, and he ripped his hands free of his slacks, moving around Kane, toward Brian. Brian backed the rest of the way out of the apartment, holding up his hands. Kane's hands were on Avery's chest, pushing him back, so he slammed the door shut with his foot. Avery locked the dead bolt in a show of dominance.

  "That's what you want?" Brian yelled through the door.

  "Get out of here!" Avery yelled back, already unlocking the front door. Fuck the consequences; Brian needed an ass whoopin'. Brian didn't have to be told twice, though. He hightailed it out of there as Avery jerked open the front door.

  "You dated him?" Avery said, heading to the top of the stairs. Brian was already three flights down. He'd zipped down those stairs faster than anything Avery had ever seen.

  "Avery…" Kane said from behind him. He willed himself to calm. He'd won the battle and kept his man, but settling down was hard to do.

  "Seriously, Kane, thank God I came along. You dated a weasel like him for four years?" Avery said, turning and looking at Kane incredulously. He had tried for funny, but fell short, and ended up being aggressive and insulting.

  "He isn't that bad, Avery," Kane said. He reached back inside his apartment to grab his coat and locked the door before pulling it shut.

  "He certainly is that bad," Avery said, openly staring at Kane as if he were the craziest man on the planet. Kane laughed and sidestepped Avery, heading down the stairs. Avery took them at a slower pace.

  "Forget him. Let's get on with this date you keep talking about," Kane said, glancing back over his shoulder at Avery as he rounded the stairwell, taking the next flight of stairs down.

  "I don't want him here anymore," Avery said, taking each step much slower. Kane was already close to the door.

  "Neither do I," Kane replied, peeking up at Avery over the banister.

  "I'm not kidding, Kane. I think you need to move in with me where he can't find you. He makes me uncomfortable," Avery said. By the one raised eyebrow on Kane's face, Avery had to mentally stop his rant and think about what he might have said that caused that look. He couldn't figure it out. The answer seemed so clear to him.

  "What? I'm serious. Don't stay here anymore. At least move out for a while." Avery let out a sigh as he came to stand right in front of Kane. "I'm jealous," Avery admitted, taking the sides of Kane's jacket and pulling him against his body until they were standing chest to chest. Kane had to lift his head to look him in the eyes, and Avery loved that move. He took it as an invitation for a kiss, and he kissed Kane simply on the lips. Having Kane in his arms soothed his ruffled feathers, but he wanted Kane to agree with him before he let go of his anger.

  "I get how you're a force to be reckoned with," Kane said.

  "I'm sorry. I can't tell you who to be friends with, but I don't like him, I don't want him around, and I want you to move in with me," Avery said. The raised brow was back and he finally understood what he'd said that caused the look to begin with.

  "I didn't know he was coming tonight. I'm supposed to be at work. I guess he'd planned for me to be gone," Kane said, stumbling over his words.

  "Let's go, and just plan on staying at my house for a while. I'd feel better with you there," Avery said, wrapping an arm around Kane, trying to get him out the door.

  "Avery, I was supposed to be at work." Kane tried again as if that answered some point Avery had made. It didn't. Avery let the argument go for now. By the end of the night, he'd have Kane in his house, exactly where he needed to be. Besides, it was just safer all the way around.

  As they stepped outside, relief struck him hard. "Thank God my car's still here!"

  The music blared, the strobe lights flashed, and the disco ball spun, yet to Kane there was nothing more important in the world than the man who slow danced in his arms. Something by Donna Summer screamed in the background, men in various states of dress crowded in beside them, but nothing could drag his attention from Avery. He lowered his head to Avery's shoulder and tucked his face in against the man's neck, breathing him in as they swayed to the beat of the sounds. Avery kissed him lightly wherever his lips could reach, and Kane closed his eyes, letting Avery's natural charm take him away.

  "You're anything but boring. You know that right?" Avery said loud enough for Kane to hear.

  "Maybe not boring, just intense and a workaholic." Kane didn't budge from his spot, but reached his lips forward to kiss Avery's neck.

  He never opened
his eyes.

  "Oh, you are those things," Avery yelled, and Kane chuckled.

  "I know, but most people think that's a bad thing," Kane said. The song began to change, a faster beat, but they kept the slow steady pace. They were several hours in with more drinks downed than Kane had drunk in a long time. The hours ticked away, their first date coming to an end.

  "I think it's sexy," Avery said. Kane's reward for such a crazy comment was to run his hands down Avery's now shirtless back to grip his ass, squeezing until he wrapped his arms back around Avery's waist, hugging him tightly.

  "Have you ever done it in a public place?" Avery's lips brushed against his ear.

  "Of course not," Kane responded. For the first time in several minutes, he looked up. The amount of alcohol he'd drunk caused the room to spin just slightly until his eyes settled on Avery's cocky grin. He was learning that smile usually meant Avery had an outrageous plan and Kane better buckle up, because he had no choice but to hang on and enjoy the ride.

  "We aren't far from home," Kane suggested, putting a minuscule amount of space between them. Avery apparently took great offense to that, pulling Kane right back against him, locking him in his arms.

  "We're closer to the bathroom, and it's your turn to top," Avery stated, clearly playing all the cards right now.

  "People get arrested for that," Kane said.

  "Not here. Come on, let me show you." Avery grabbed Kane's hand and pulled him across the dance floor. He was a man on a mission. No matter how Kane resisted, Avery held on until they hit a darkened hall where the restrooms were located. Avery pushed open a door and angled Kane in front of him as they entered. The light was dim, matching the mood of the dance floor, and there were a few men inside.

  "Avery, no! Not here." Kane tried to make him see reason, spinning around in Avery's arms. Kane's face was tilted up as he tried guiding Avery back out the restroom door. One second he was successfully pushing Avery out the door, the next thing he knew Avery's tongue was shoved down his throat.