Page 54 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

I slid the blanket off his shoulders so I could run my hands up and down his back.I cupped his ass, pressing him against me.

His hard cock nudged my belly while mine reacted to the contact.

Could I take him here?On the couch?

Even as I had the thought, he ended the kiss.He pressed his sweat-slicked forehead to mine.“The answer to your question is yes.Hell-fucking-yes.”

Had I asked a question?My addled brain couldn’t remember.But I’d always remember this moment.The firelight against his skin.The seductive way he bit his lower lip.The promise of more to come.Yeah, good thing he bought a box of condoms.

I hoped the storm lasted forever.

Chapter Nine

Ben

My first Christmas in Mission City was proving to be memorable.I’d convinced my parents to come visit me Christmas Eve so I could show off my new home.The condo I lived in wasn’t notable, but this was my first true home of my own.I’d consulted a financial planner and, if all went according to schedule, I’d have my student loans paid off and a nice down payment in just a few years.

My parents had a lot of equity in their home in Burnaby, but they didn’t plan to sell anytime soon.Dad confided I’d inherit something down the line, but cautioned me to plan to make my own way in the world as he and Mom intended to live for a good long while.

I was good with that.

My younger sister opted to go to a movie with friends rather than see my new digs, but we’d never been close.Not for lack of effort on my part.She just thought I was, you know, boring.

Marisa called to wish me well and wailed about the unfairness of being stuck on Vancouver Island for what she claimed would be the rest of her miserable life.Yeah, until she struck out on her own, her parents owned her.Hopefully teaching would bring her some joy.

Mom and Dad nibbled on crackers as I cooked up a feast.

Well, a ham with instructions, some cored pineapple, and cooked asparagus.

Mom enjoyed her wine while Dad gazed out my sliding glass door.“It’s a nice view.”

My condo looked out over the Fraser Valley and over to the Abbotsford mountains.

That wasn’t why I chose it, but I could admit I’d done well.“On a clear day, you can see Mount Baker.”

Hopefully it would remain the dormant volcano in Washington State.

“Yes, lovely.”Mom took another sip of wine.“Are you certain you don’t need my help?”

Only her eighth offer.

“Really, I’m good.”I checked the timer.“In fact, why don’t you have a seat at the table?”

I’d found the table and chairs at a local charity shop.I intended to put aside every penny I could toward owning my own home.When I bought, then I could spend a bit on nice furniture.

Dad held a chair for Mom.

She offered him a genuine smile when he pushed her chair in and sat himself.

My parents were old-school traditionalists.Thirty years of marriage, two kids, a house in the burbs…everything I aspired to.

I wanted to be just like them.

A knock at the door caught me off-guard.I was curious because I’d need to buzz in any guests.Was this one of my neighbors?Had I already offended someone?

I opened the door and my breath caught.

Isaac stood there.

---