Page 106 of Common Goal
“Feel better?” Kyle asked sleepily.
Eric couldn’t recall why Kyle was asking the question. Had he felt bad before? Had he ever felt bad in his life? “I feel amazing. Thank you.”
“No more talk about being an old man.” Kyle kissed his collarbone. “Not when you can come like a geyser.”
“That had more to do with you than me, I think.”
“You don’t come like that when you’re alone?”
Eric laughed. “I’ve never come like that in my life. You’re magic.”
“I’mskilled.”
Eric kissed his hair. “You are.”
Kyle ducked out from under Eric’s hands and began to remove the cuffs. “You liked this, then?” he asked as he opened the Velcro. “The cuffs? The blindfold?”
“I did. I, um.” Despite everything they had just done, Eric’s cheeks heated. “I liked it a lot.”
“Good to know.” Kyle removed the second cuff and began massaging Eric’s hands, which felt wonderful.
“Do you like it?” Eric asked. “Being tied up? Or do you just do it to other people?” A spark of jealousy flashed inside him at the thought ofother people.
“I like it. Especially when I’m stressed or overwhelmed about something. It can be kind of...”
“Freeing?” Eric supplied.
“Yeah. Exactly. And peaceful, y’know?”
“Yes. That’s how it felt. It was relaxing and exciting at the same time.”
Kyle kissed Eric’s palm. “I’m glad. That’s what I was aiming for.”
God, this man. Eric needed this man in his life more than was fair to Kyle.
Later, when they were both cleaned up, Kyle snuggled against Eric and idly played with his chest hair. Kyle’s head was still spinning from everything they just did, and everything he still wanted to do with Eric.
He could admit to himself that he had feelings for Eric. Feelings that went well beyond friendship or base lust. Kyle wanted to be with him, but knew he shouldn’t hope for that. Knew it would only lead to disappointment and heartbreak. Eric was still figuring himself out. He wasn’t even really out yet, and he was a celebrity besides. And once he’d had his fun with Kyle, he’d move on to someone moreappropriate.
Thirty years old and up.
Kyle was twenty-five, and what was five years, really? Hell, in a few months he’d be twenty-six. Would he really be that different when he was thirty? Did Eric really not see him as an adult now?
The thought annoyed Kyle, because it was probably true. Eric likely saw him as a good time, not as a man that he would consider having a mature and lasting relationship with.
Kyle was, once again, getting way ahead of himself. He and Eric had hooked up a handful of times over the past month or so. It certainly wasn’t a great romance.
“I wanted to call you on Christmas,” Eric said suddenly. “Or text you, at least.”
“You did?”
“I was thinking about you that day. Well...” He squeezed the arm that was wrapped around Kyle. “I thought about you every day, to be honest. But on Christmas especially.”
Kyle’s mouth was suddenly very dry. “Why?”
“Because I knew you were alone.” He exhaled loudly. “I should have called you.”
Kyle lifted his head from where it had been resting on Eric’s chest. “I was okay, but... I wouldn’t have minded hearing from you.” He smiled, and Eric smiled back, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
