Page 131 of Resilience on Canvas

Robert sat up as Henry’s fast footsteps started down the stairs. When Robert caught his eye, he faked an irritated sigh.

“Finally, Hen,” Robert said. “What took you so long?”

“I had to pack both my oil paintsandmy watercolors.”

“Had toorwanted to?” Robert teased.

“Uhm . . . both?” Henry replied sheepishly.

Robert took Henry by the shirt collar and pulled him close, so close that their noses were very nearly touching. “I know you know what I’m gonna say next. Are you—”

“I’m tellin’ you,” Henry interrupted before planting a soft kiss on Robert’s lips. Letting out a happy hum, Robert released Henry’s shirt, but then Henry caught his instead, keeping Robert fixed to the spot. Henry let his backpack fall to the floor and then kissed Robert harder. Much harder. Hard enough to make Robert’s breath catch. “I can tell you somethin’ else, too,” he murmured as his free hand found the top button on Robert’s pants. “Which is that we have the house to ourselves.”

Once Henry loosened Robert’s pants, he slipped his hand inside, and as he took Robert’s hardening cock in his palm, Robert’s pants fell to his feet.

“I’m sorry I made you wait for so long,” Henry said into Robert’s ear. He began to pump his fist. “I hope this can be a sufficient enough apology.”

“Uh-huh,” Robert eked out, slightly breathless.

Henry continued moving his fist. After only a few seconds, Robert could feel the heat pooling low in his belly, a soft tingling starting at the base of his spine. Henry was so Goddamn talented, Robert was already teetering close to the edge of release.

“Hen . . .” he rasped.

There must have been something telling the tone of his voice because Henryimmediatelyfell to his knees. He took Robert’s cock into his mouth only seconds before it started to pulse. Slack-jawed, Robert watched his husband eagerly swallow every bit of his release. He threaded his fingers through Henry’s hair as Henry hollowed his cheeks.

“Jesus Christ, I love you,” Robert said.

After a pause, Henry popped off and pressed a kiss to the softening tip.

“I know,” Henry teased.

He pushed himself to stand and started for the kitchen. Robert caught his wrist.

“Hey, can’t I return the favor?”

Henry looked at his watch. “Maybe later? I wanted us to get to the beach kind of early. We’ll have some more privacy that way. Get ourselves a nice spot to sit so I can paint?”

Robert rolled his eyes, though he wasn’t really mad. He knew how particular Henry could be with choosing a spot to work. Besides, he’d return the favor that night. Him and Henry, well, they had plenty of time to themselves nowadays.

“Fine,” Robert huffed, feigning exasperation as he released Henry’s wrist. “Go wash up.”

Grinning playfully, Henry hurried to the kitchen as Robert pulled up his pants. Just as he finished rebuttoning them, there was a knock at the front door. Crooking an eyebrow, Robert walked over to answer.

“Clara?”

“Hi,” she said with a tiny wave. “I know I’m supposed to be workin’, but I had to come here as soon as I saw this.”

She thrust a piece of paper into Robert’s hands. He turned it over to read the text:

NOW HIRING LONGSHOREMEN

HOLT CORPORATION

PIER 54

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

“Wait,” he spluttered. “Now hiring?! Now as innow?!”

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