Page 42 of Regret Me Not
Hal’s raucous laughter told him maybe he hadn’t said anything that insightful after all. “You think?” He ran his hand to Pierce’s groin and began to tickle. “It’s why we need you stretched and mobile, my friend—you have the makings of a sexual dynamo, and we just need recovery to free it. Like letting the Tasmanian devil out of his cage.”
Pierce chuckled weakly and allowed Hal to fondle his cock.
“Feels like you came already,” Hal said, nuzzling Pierce’s bicep.
“I did, a little.” Pierce smiled complacently, so happy in this moment he was surprised he had the wherewithal to speak. “I… this here? Us. You in my mouth? It’s perfect.”
Hal dropped his head to rest it on Pierce’s shoulder. “Yeah.”
They didn’t mention the deadline or the things they might not get a chance to do.
It was the only time in Pierce’s life that he was content to let “perfect” just exist, even if it might not be “permanent.”
’Twas the Night Before
TRUE TOhis word, Hal disappeared for a few hours the next day, right after their time at the pool. Pierce used the time to talk with his new employers and to take a look at the projects he’d be starting in March. He readily admitted to himself that the job would be a lot more fun than his old one—he seemed to have landed on his feet there, and another layer of the depression that had dogged him when he’d arrived at the condo peeled away.
I’m a provider again. I can even provide for… a college student. Or a massage therapy student. Or a dog. Or whatever.
Oh, the things he didn’t want to think about.
He spent two hours writing a research-and-development plan for something he wasn’t supposed to do for two months, just to avoid the thing he might have to do in slightly more than a week.
Hal showed up in the late afternoon, teeth chattering and lips almost blue with cold.
Pierce greeted him, holding his fingers and rubbing. “What in the hell?”
“Power’s off at the condo,” Hal muttered. “Wish I’d known—had to throw out all the frozen food.”
Pierce frowned. “Wait. Power’s off? It’s not off here?”
Hal turned away, jaw locked grimly. “My parents had it turned off in their unit. Told the manager it wasn’t supposed to be occupied.”
Pierce gaped. “Uh….”
Hal shrugged. “Yes, they knew this was where I was. Yes, it was a tactic to get me to cave. But when I told the manager I was here, he recognized me, assumed it was a mistake, and told me he’d have it back on tomorrow.”
Pierce shivered and wrapped his arm around Hal’s shoulders, wanting to warm him up from the inside out. “Did you get all your shopping done?” he asked hopefully.
“They canceled my credit cards,” Hal muttered glumly. “But I’ve got a bank account they can’t touch. I’ll go into town tomorrow and get cash.”
Oh hells.“Oh baby,” Pierce murmured, holding him tighter. “I’m so sorry.”
Hal shook his head—but sank into Pierce’s hold. “I’m not,” he said fiercely. “If they wanted to show me who they were, they couldn’t have picked a better way to do it.”
“But… but… what will you do… you know. After?”After I leave. After I ride off into the sunset to be with my family when you’ve just realized you don’t have family to speak of.
“I have power until New Year’s. I’ve got money. I’ve got a car. Don’t worry, Pierce, I won’t be homeless.” Hal pulled away, not looking at him, and started hunting around the kitchen. “Did you cook?”
“We bought a roast—I threw in some onion soup and some carrots and some stewed tomatoes. It wasn’t much.”
“You cooked!”
Pierce had to smile, although he wasn’t sure he could breathe. “Sure. We’ll call it cooking.”
Hal turned to him, face alight. “For me? You cookedfor me?”
Come home with me. I’ll cook for you forever.
