Page 34 of Rocking Cedarwood

The door opened and Michael stepped onto the curb. Not Bandit, but Michael with a shaved head. “Hi.” Michael waved to the open door. “Want a ride home?” He’d scrubbed his face clean of the makeup, but the tiredness and dark circles under his eyes were evident. He’d also ditched the all-black ensemble in favor of a simple white T-shirt, black cotton vest and muscle-hugging jeans. The tattoo was gone from his arm. Niall sucked in a ragged breath. He liked the Bandit look, but he preferred Michael being himself.

“Yeah, I would.” Niall climbed into the vehicle and sat on the backseat. His heart went out to Michael. He couldn’t begin to understand how Michael felt, but he assumed the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Michael eased into the vehicle and closed the door. He settled on the side-facing seat and crossed his ankles. He rubbed his head with his palm. “Did you enjoy the show?”

“I did.” Although he could snap at Michael and keep up the argument, Niall refused to be a prick. Michael was hurting as much as he was and he didn’t see any point in being mean. “I liked the second encore the most. Those were my favorite songs.”

“Good.” Michael nodded. “I like the stuff off the third album.Ricochetwas big for us.”

A heavy silence settled between them.I’m sorryseemed too simple.

“Look.” Michael slid across the seat and bumped knees with Niall. “I wasn’t sure what to say to you or how to tell you the truth. I love my music and I love teaching. Until we got closer, I didn’t see any reason to mix the two. The guys I met as Bandit didn’t give a shit if I was a teacher and only wanted to say they’d been with Bandit. Most of them didn’t get their wishes, but whatever. The other teachers didn’t give a crap about me because I was new. Then came you.” Michael reached for Niall’s hand and Niall didn’t pull away. “You made me start thinking about what I really wanted to do.”

Niall sighed. “You don’t have to explain.” He didn’t want to put Michael through any more pain. “I understand. Kind of. I can’t say I would’ve done the same thing in your place, but I see why you kept things separate.”

“What would you have done?” Michael asked. He draped his arm around Niall’s shoulders and propped Niall’s leg across his lap. He cupped Niall’s knee with his palm and caressed him through the fabric of his jeans. His touch heated Niall through to his core.

“Number one, I wouldn’t have been a musician.” Niall smiled. “I can’t keep a beat to save my life. Number two, the multiple sides of me—the things I like—aren’t that far apart. Teaching, running and working on my house aren’t that radical. I can’t say I’d have hidden my interests. But that’s me.” He tipped his head and scooted around enough to stay in Michael’s embrace but to also look him in the eye. The passion between them and the tenderness buoyed his spirits. He loved Michael—no matter who Michael happened to be. They were good together.

“I didn’t really want to hide.” Michael rubbed Niall’s shoulder and rested his cheek against the side of Niall’s head. He laced their fingers together. “Like I said, I never thought my music career would take off. The summer tours meant we were harder to see and people clamored for tickets. Word got around and the crowds got bigger. It’s crazy. I never expected this.”

“You’re a great musician.” Niall breathed in the scent of Michael’s cologne. Or was it his soap? Niall wasn’t sure, but he loved being so close to the man who’d stolen his heart. “I don’t know how you’ve kept it under wraps. Still, you’re also a fantastic teacher.”

“Yeah. About that.” Michael’s voice dropped an octave. “I looked into our contract. Actually, I had Dex do it. There’s nothing there saying I can’t have a second job or a summer job, but I don’t think they’ll let me stay at the school once this hits the fan.”

“Probably not. If they got rid of Steve Moore because he’s gay, then metal music is probably on the hit list.” Christ, for all he knew, any of the teaching staff could be booted for crazy reasons. He was gay and Michael was in a band—who knew what the other teachers were doing in their free time. But according to Steve, Dex could help on the legal front. He bit back a groan. He’d thought coming out had been hard. Having a relationship in public might be even harder.

“I’ve got the rest of the summer to decide if I want to retire Bandit and stick to teaching or if I want to keep rolling the dice with the music business.” Michael met Niall’s gaze. “I’m not sure which one I want to do, but I do know I’m happiest when I’m with you.”

Desire swept over Niall. He wanted to be the man by Michael’s side. He liked knowing he meant something to Michael, especially since Michael was so important to him.

“Think you can stick with me? Not Bandit, but Michael?” Michael asked. “I want a guy who likes me—the dorky, geeky guy obsessed with music and creative writing, not the guy in the eyeliner and fake tattoos. I’m both people, but I need to be sure you’re with me.”

Niall shook his head and a chuckle ripped from his throat. He didn’t have to think about what he wanted. He knew. “I can’t tell you what to do or who to be, but I can tell you I fell for Michael. The guy in the classroom who always seems to be running late and has perpetually perfect hair. The man with the icy blue eyes and the sexiest smile. It’ll take some getting used to with the bald look, but it’s still you and no matter what, I’m your friend. I can’t guarantee we’ll stay together forever as boyfriends, but I’m not giving up.” Admitting those truths felt so good.

“You’re not?” Michael raked his nails down Niall’s inner thigh. His groan echoed in the quiet vehicle.

“Nope.” Niall turned to look Michael in the eye. “I’m crazy, but I’m here for the long haul.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.” Michael pressed a button on the console beside him. “Have I mentioned the limo is fully stocked?” The lights dimmed and twinkle lights shimmered on the ceiling. A drawer popped open on the side of the console. A box of condoms tumbled to the floor.

“Guess we’d better try it out.” Niall met Michael for a kiss. Part of him wondered if the driver would hear them if they got out of hand. The rest of him didn’t care. He wanted to be with Michael and wanted to feel his lover in his soul.

Michael smoothed his palm over Niall’s chest, caressing him. Niall moaned into Michael’s mouth. The man knew how to be so sensual. Michael pinched Niall’s nipple then moved his hand over Niall’s belly. Even though the cotton of his shirt kept Niall covered, Michael’s touch seared him. While he massaged Niall’s chest, he sucked on Niall’s tongue. The onslaught of sensation—tension and pressure—knocked him for a loop.

Michael broke the kiss first and moved his hand down to the hem of Niall’s shirt. “Don’t want to mess this up.” He hiked the shirt up over Niall’s head, freeing Niall of the garment. “But I can replace it if something happens.” He winked then cupped the growing bulge in Niall’s pants.

“Damn.” Niall rested his head against Michael’s shoulder. Heat prickled him from within. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath.

“It’s only going to get better.” Michael resumed kissing him and sucking Niall’s tongue then released, simulating a blow job.

Niall wrestled free of the kiss. He needed to breathe. He cupped the back of Michael’s head. He still liked Michael with hair, but he could get used to the silky hairlessness. Another groan ripped from his throat when Michael pressed kisses to his chest.

Niall guided Michael to his nipples. Electricity zapped him from within and he groaned. Each scrape of Michael’s teeth and sweet caress of his lover’s mouth on his skin sent him closer to coming apart. He’d forgotten the beauty and fun of foreplay.

Michael licked a path of fire down Niall’s torso. He paused at Niall’s waistband then glanced up. Without saying a word, he scooted onto the floor and settled between Niall’s knees. He kept his gaze fixed on Niall’s as he dragged his nose along Niall’s crotch. Marking himself with Niall’s scent? Or imprinting himself on Niall? Either way, Niall was hooked.

“Like that?” Michael popped the button on Niall’s jeans then eased the zipper down. He licked his lips, taking extra time to wet his mouth. The move spurred Niall on. The orgasm wasn’t far off.

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