Page 42 of Cedarwood Manny

Nathan shifted his hips. “I should move.”

“Should, but you don’t have to.” But he wanted to remove the stroker and clean himself off.

“You’re good.”

“I am?”At what?

“I knew this would be hot.” Nathan kissed him. “Crazy hot. You didn’t disappoint.”

“Neither did you.” He wasn’t sure how they were having this conversation, since he could barely form coherent sentences.

“Let me get a towel and ditch the condom.” Nathan eased out of Adrien and left the bed. He padded nude into the bathroom.

Adrien blinked. He needed another moment to gather his bearings. He eased his cock from the toy and spilled cum down his belly.Oh well.He sprawled on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Weariness settled into his brain.

Nathan returned. He wiped Adrien’s chest and groin. A smile curled on his lips. “What are you thinking? Orareyou thinking?”

“I’m worn out.” He crawled under the covers. “And I want you to be right here beside me.”

“That’s where I want to be, too.” Nathan snuggled up to Adrien. “I meant what I said. You’re good at this. I haven’t been this well-loved in a long time.”

“You’re not too shabby.” Adrien trailed his fingers down Nathan’s cheek. The tension he’d thought was gone came back. He stifled a groan. Why couldn’t he shut off his damn brain? Because the stress wouldn’t go away until he dealt with it. Why couldn’t Gerry get out of his life for good? “My ex called,” he blurted. “He wants to see Kyle.”

“No.”

No hesitation, just a forthright response. “Nathan.” He’d chided him, but was relieved Nathan agreed with his initial thought, too. “I didn’t think you’d say that.”

“Why?”

“I figured you’d be the voice of reason,” Adrien said. “You’d tell me I was crazy.”

“I’m trying to be the advocate for your son. Kyle deserves to be loved. That bastard doesn’t care about him,” Nathan said. “He’s ignored Kyle and treated you like shit. That’s unacceptable. He can want to see Kyle, but I wouldn’t allow it.”

“I thought maybe if we met in a public place and kept it in a situation I can control…it would be better. But I’m second-guessing.” He wasn’t sure of anything right now. “I told him we’d have to discuss it.”

“You’re braver than I would be.” He kissed Adrien. “You saw my ex. He wants to get back together.” His hands trembled as he caressed Adrien’s hip. “It’s nuts.”

“I saw.” He’d bared his soul by sleeping with Nathan and talking about his past. He knew Nathan had one. He’d been confronted by Nathan’s ex. The man was handsome and he understood why Nathan would be attracted to Rhett.

“I’m not going back to him.”

He almost blurtedthank god, but didn’t. “I heard part of the conversation.” He hated to lie. “Everyone did. I wasn’t my business and I’m sorry I listened in.”

“He shouted.” Nathan swept his gaze over Adrien and splayed his hand over Adrien’s heart. “There’s a reason I’m here in bed with you and it’s not by accident. There’s a reason I’m not with him. I’m drawn to you and thrilled to be the man in your life.”

“Your ex is determined.” He had to be sure Nathan would stick around.

“He is, but I’m going to bet Gerry is, too.”

Adrien nodded. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“They know what they’ve lost and what we now have.” Nathan brushed his nose along Adrien’s. “Don’t worry about Rhett. He’s yesterday’s news. I’m not wild about Gerry wanting to see Kyle, but I won’t let him do anything to harm Kyle.”

“I know.” That was one thing he knew to his core. Nathan would follow through with his declaration.

“Don’t worry about either of them. We’re a team.” Nathan kissed him. “Go to sleep. I want to hold you. I want to wake up beside you and know things are okay.”

“They are. You’ve got me.” He snuggled tight to Nathan. “’Night, babe.”

“’Night.” Nathan held him. He was safe.

The importance of the life he’d created with Nathan and Kyle wasn’t lost on Adrien. He’d been given precious gifts. Being with Nathan wasn’t an oddity. It was the best thing to happen to him. He found his center. Nothing else except his family mattered. For the first time since Gerry had kicked him out of the bedroom, he was happy, stable and not worried about the next day. He loved Nathan. Sure, it was happening fast, but soon he’d be able to confess that truth to Nathan.Soon.

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