Page 28 of Cedarwood Manny

“It’s warm out. Kyle’s window’s open, but it faces the north. If we go onto the balcony and talk, we won’t disturb him,” Nathan said. “Join me?”

“Sure.” He’d forgotten about the balcony. Then again, he hadn’t been in the room in forever. He followed Nathan down the corridor to the suite he’d once shared with Gerry. He paused in the doorway. He loved this room. The curving wall, the decorative crown molding, the design sculpted into the ceiling…the character of the space had been the reason he’d wanted to purchase the house.

“You okay?” Nathan scooted past him. “You’re pale.”

“I’m fine.” He forced himself forward. “I don’t come up here much.”

“Because of Kelsi?”

“Yeah.” It was a good enough excuse for the time being. He strode onto the balcony. With the clear night, the stars shone in the sky. “Beautiful,” he murmured. He held on to the railing. “I’m in awe.”

“You like the balcony,” Nathan said. “I knew you would.”

He smiled and said nothing. Part of him couldn’t help but be heartbroken. He missed the life he’d had when he bought the house. He should’ve had stability and love by now. Should’ve been happy. Okay, maybe he was happy for the short-term, but he wanted lasting happiness. To be able to come home to someone who cared about him and wanted him to be there. He’d never have those things if he lived in the past. Why not shuck the depression of the last few years and embrace what he had now? Make pleasant memories to block out the old ones.Sounds good to me.

Moonlight shimmered on Nathan’s cheeks and the slight breeze carried a hint of Nathan’s cologne.Forget the past.This was the time to make the future he deserved.

Nathan stood beside Adrien. He wanted to make a move, but would rather be sure Kyle was asleep first.

“When did you move here? Are you a life-long Cedarwood-ite?” Nathan snorted. “Cedarwood person?”

“I don’t know what it’s called, but I’ve lived here for ten years.” Adrien rested his hand next to Nathan’s on the railing. “I got a call from Michael saying he wanted a partner at his new dental office and since I needed a job…it worked. I’d bounced around from practice to practice as an assistant, but he was offering a chance to settle down. Why not take it? You know?”

He loved listening to Adrien speak. The man knew how to talk in a manner that wasn’t lecturing or fatherly, but intriguing. Nathan inched closer. “Have you dealt with the Coalition before?”

“In passing. They tend to strike when couples go public or when the group thinks they’re being overshadowed.” Adrien left his place at the railing and threaded his arms around Nathan from behind. He rested his chin on Nathan’s shoulder. “They feel threatened and want everyone to hurt because they think they’re being slighted.”

“By us? How are we slighting them?” Nathan asked. His brain misfired. He loved being held by Adrien, but couldn’t process what Adrien had said.

“By everything. We’re not slighting them, but they think so. Hell, no one is doing anything wrong other than them harassing us.” Adrien shrugged. “It’s life.”

“I don’t want you to lose your business at the dental office.” He hated the problems the Coalition were causing and his helplessness to change them.

“Those folks don’t visit me. They go to Dr. Rice. Every one of my patients knows I’m gay.” He kissed the side of Nathan’s neck. “If they care, they don’t mention it.” His breath warmed Nathan’s skin. “I forgot how pretty it is out here.”

“You should join me more often.”Like all the time.

“Oh?”

“Yes.” He turned around in Adrien’s embrace and kissed him. “You’re denying yourself so much. I got you to change your mind about parenting and you’re succeeding with Kyle. How can I convince you I want you to stay up here tonight?”

He kissed Nathan. “Just ask.”

“Stay with me tonight, please?”

Adrien nodded. He feathered kisses over Nathan’s cheeks, chin and lips. He squeezed Nathan’s ass. “I’d love to.”

Nathan moaned. He craved this from Adrien. When Adrien bit Nathan’s bottom lip, he caressed Adrien from his lower back around to his chest. He loved the feeling of Adrien’s hard body against his, erection to erection and forehead to forehead. He gasped. They needed to be quiet, but damn, that was hard. He wanted to shout. Excitement spiraled through his veins.

“Come to the bedroom,” Nathan said between kisses. “Want you.”

Adrien nodded again and allowed Nathan to walk him into the adjacent room. He collapsed on top of Nathan on the bed. The springs squeaked and he grunted. He didn’t mind Adrien’s weight on him—he was too caught up in the moment—but Jesus, not making noise was hard as hell. He resumed kissing Adrien. He couldn’t get enough. Despite the need for silence, he moaned and opened Adrien’s dress shirt. The muscles pulled tight across Adrien’s abdomen. Desire swept through Nathan. He mashed his mouth on Adrien’s chest and bit one of Adrien’s nipples. When Adrien moaned, Nathan tweaked the tight bundle of nerves.

“Nathan.” Adrien straddled him. “Want you naked.”

“You read my mind.” Nathan sat up enough to yank his shirt free from his jeans. He craved skin on skin. “Strip.”

Adrien managed to stand long enough to remove his shirt and trousers. He shimmied out of his briefs, then pulled his socks off. A thatch of curls encircled the base of his erection and a thin strip of hair led from his navel down to his groin. He flexed before Nathan. “Do I measure up?”

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