Love Life & Circumstance (13 page)

“Boyfriend sounds good, really good. And, I’d love to be there for you, up front or right alongside you. Not just for Hope, but because I think about you all the damned time, Deacon. It’d be nice to have you here when I wake up in the morning…every morning.” Seth smiled then, the self-conscious grin that melted Elijah’s heart.

“Now eat ya friggin’ steak already; I hate to see good food go to waste.” Seth’s words although playful in intention hit him right where it hurt. Elijah knew he had it bad for the shy and usually quiet man, and damn if his eyes didn’t threaten to fill up from those few well spoken words. A smile cracked on his face and spread from ear to ear.
Sap head or not, Elijah Deacon, I think you’re in love.

Elijah stared as though he’d been hit by a thunderbolt. Where the thought of being in love came from he had no idea, but now he’d thought it, the word wouldn’t go away. He gulped, and raised his glass to meet Seth’s Bud.

“To Hope.” Seth chimed and followed it up with a sweeter than normal smile. Great Gods he was beautiful.

“To Hope.” Elijah toasted and finished off another full glass. His hands were shaking from the revelation of his own dawning thoughts. It might have only been a few days, not even a week, but he couldn’t get Seth out of his head. And, what’s more, he didn’t want to. But, what about Seth? Would Eli be enough for him, because God knew the man deserved the best? And Elijah was far from perfect.

With his food barely touched, he cleaned away the plates, and joined Seth on the huge porch swing that overlooked a clear night sky littered with the light of a billion glittering stars.  When Seth nestled his head into the well of Elijah’s welcoming lap, he knew beyond any doubt that the one perfect moment in his whole entire life was happening right then. His fingers played through Seth’s silky hair, and he watched transfixed as Seth smiled, eyes shining to reflect the moonlight casting down its silvery glow. Elijah thought his heart would burst from the overwhelming desire building up inside him.

He leaned down, and Seth rose up to wrap his arms around Eli’s neck. The kiss was deep, slow and filled with passion. Shifting his weight, Elijah stretched out so he lay flat and brought Seth’s body down flush against his own. His hands moved south to cup Seth’s ass, at the same time, Seth’s tongue sought to greet, dance with and taste of Eli’s own. Deep, soft moans purred between them as the kiss turned heated and tongues delved and licked. Their hips rolled and crushed together the hard ridges of flesh, swollen with blood and throbbing with need.

“I want you, Seth, so bad. I want to feel that tight sweet ass of yours gripping me while I fill you up.” Unable to take it anymore, Elijah rose up and all but threw a chuckling Seth over his shoulder. Swiftly, he made his way inside and down the hall toward Seth’s bedroom. By the time Elijah kicked open the door, Seth’s hands had made light work of undoing his pants. Elijah stumbled as the trousers fell and wrapped around his ankles sending them both sailing onto the bed.

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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Laughter bubbled up from Seth’s chest as they tumbled onto the bed.  He landed on his back with Elijah’s broad shoulders and wide chest pinning his hips and legs to the mattress.  The other man’s deep rumbling amusement reached Seth’s ears and broadened his smile. Three days ago, he’d thought he would never see joy again, but this man; this gorgeous, emphatic, wonderful man disproved that theory. His smile lit up Seth’s day, his laughter was music in Seth’s aching soul, and his touch, Seth shivered with the remembered feel of Elijah’s big hands on him. He’d read about women feeling protected, hell, he’d read about gay men feeling protected, but never gave it much credence. But Elijah, his Elijah made him feel safe. When those massive arms closed around him, nothing could touch him.

“Sorry about that, I meant to hold them up until we got closer to the bed.” He said as his fingers wound into the waves of Elijah’s hair.

“I got ya where I want ya, so I ain’t complainin’.” Elijah kissed his stomach, his touch burning through the thin material of Seth’s shirt. Seth moaned; he couldn’t help it. He wanted those full lips on him. Impatiently, he tugged on Elijah’s shoulders.

“Come up here and kiss me, big guy,” he pleaded. God, he wanted the larger man’s full weight bearing down on him. Lifting himself on hand and knees, Elijah backed off the bed and stepped back to kick free of his jeans. The front of his boxers tented with the evidence of his arousal. Seth’s hungry gaze locked on the prominent bulge.

“I want that kiss, but first, I need you naked.” Elijah leaned down and made quick work of stripping Seth of his socks, shoes, jeans and boxers. A flush covered Seth when his engorged cock sprang free, and Elijah sucked in air.

“All that for me?” Elijah teased, blue eyes dancing with wickedness.

“Every bit. Now get your ass back on the bed.” Seth tried to be demanding, but the plea was too evident in his voice. Their gazes clashed and the depth of hunger in the other man’s eyes robbed Seth of breath.  Sitting up, he yanked the shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor.

“My, aren’t we impatient.” Elijah’s shirt joined the pile of clothing on the floor. “Guess that means these have to go now.” Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers, he slid them down over bulging thighs.

Seth’s pulse raced and his blood heated to fever pitch when Elijah straightened. The product of hours and hours of manual labor showed on the magnificent male form standing before him. Tall and broad, Elijah was the very vision of a sex God. Massive shoulders and a thick barrel chest bulged with muscle, and then tapered to trim hips. Long legs with thighs heavier than some tree trunks, carried him back closer to the bed. Muscles rippled and bunched as he moved. Seth’s cock hardened to painful proportions when his gaze landed on the engorged dick jutting from Elijah’s hips.

“Holy hell, you’re beautiful.” The husky comment drew a smile from Elijah as he posed there at the edge of the bed. Impossibly thick and heavily veined, Elijah’s cock bobbed ever so slightly when the man shifted his weight. The broad head, almost purple in color sported a pearl of precum. Seth licked his lips desperate for Elijah’s taste. One hit this morning and he was already an addict. He needed his next fix, like he needed his next breath. He rolled up on his knees, eyes locked on that gorgeous cock.  Grasping the thick base, he tilted the head toward his parted lips. His tongue flicked out over the slit, capturing the translucent spot of moisture.

“Suck me, Seth. Take it all.” A large hand cupped the back of his head and urged Seth closer. All too happy to fulfill the man’s wish, his lips ovaled around the bulbous head locking tight on the meaty shaft. His cheeks hollowed as he applied suction. Lower and lower, his lips slid until they bumped against his fingers wrapped tight around Elijah’s base. With practiced ease, he began the rhythmic up and down, his tongue and teeth working Elijah’s girth.

The pressure on the back of his head increased. Fingers fisted in his hair. When Elijah’s hips swung into action, Seth opened his throat. As if custom made for him, the head of Elijah’s cock breached his esophagus cutting off his air and filling him completely. Harshly, Seth sucked in air through his nose while Elijah continued to fuck his throat.  When the man eased back as it to withdraw, Seth grasped his ass and drew him back. Elijah groaned and picked up the pace.

“Seth. Oh God, I’m gunna come.” Seth prepared to swallow Elijah’s load, but the man jerked back. His cock sprang from Seth’s mouth with a loud pop.  He looked up to see Elijah’s face a mask of pleasure pain. “Wanna come inside you,” he gritted. Rolling onto his back, Seth waved a hand at the bedside table. Lube and condoms sat waiting.

“Hurry up.” He grabbed his own rock hard cock and started to stroke in the rhythm he liked. Watching as Elijah applied the condom and lube was pure torture. By the time the man leveraged himself onto the bed, Seth ached for him. He brought his own knees up, opening himself. Warm lube coated his hole. Concentrating on his task, Elijah ran an index finger around the tight ring of muscle before…

“Aaahhh, fuck, Eli. Don’t tease.” Seth’s back arched off the bed when two fingers slipped inside. They pumped and stretched him and nearly drove him mad. Eli watched him the entire time, and Seth gave him the show he wanted. The man’s touch lit a fire under his skin, a fire that could only be quenched by the man himself. At the verge of begging, he opened his mouth and groaned when those fingers left him. His eyes popped open to find Elijah looming over him cock in hand. The tip brushed his entrance. So fucking big! Seth swallowed. He’d never been with a man so well hung.  Their eyes met. Pressure against his ass had him gasping for air.

“Do it. Come inside me. Fill me up.” The thick head breached him. His skull pressed back into the mattress, but he held Elijah’s gaze. “More,” he gasped. Inch by slow inch, Elijah sank into him until his balls rested against Seth’s ass. So full. So damned full, but so right. The bigger man waited to make sure Seth was ready, his blue eyes devouring Seth’s face. To answer, Seth rolled his hips, desperate for the hard pumping of Elijah’s cock in his ass. Banked fire leapt to life in those azure depths and Elijah moved. Oh fuck, did he move. Powerful thrusts filled Seth beyond anything he’d ever imagined. The retreat left him bereft until that gloriously huge cock drove into him again. Elijah leaned forward bracing his hands on either side of Seth’s head. Sweat beaded on his skin as he drove them toward the peak.

Unable to stop himself, Seth pushed up on his arms. His lips sought and found Elijah’s throat. Salty and masculine, Elijah’s flavor coated his tongue. He bit down on the straining, corded muscle. Elijah groaned and shifted. Seth recoiled thinking he’d done wrong, but then gasped when Elijah’s large hand wrapped around his cock.

“Come…with me,” he panted. Expert strokes brought Seth to the edge quickly. With a cry, he crashed over into ecstasy. The orgasm screamed up from his balls and exploded over his and Elijah’s chests. At the same time, Elijah’s cock bucked hard inside him.

“Seth, Seth,” Elijah chanted over and over as his large body shook and trembled through the onslaught of his orgasm.  The hand between their bodies released his cock and rose to sink into his hair, yanking his head back. Possessive, demanding lips captured his own. Seth gave himself over completely. This man, the father of his sister’s baby, was the one he’d been looking for all of his life. What the fuck did he do now?

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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Comforted by the rhythmic sound of Seth’s deep even breathing, Elijah lay content, sated and still buried deep within Seth who slept tightly encased within Elijah’s protective embrace. He’d never admit it, but Elijah was falling hard for the cute, professional male. So much so, that he wanted Seth as a more permanent fixture in his and Hope’s lives. But, as with everything in Elijah’s life, he was sure fate would see fit to throw him that same old curve ball.

He didn’t know if Seth felt the same way toward him but that wasn’t the point. Elijah didn’t want to live as a closet gay, and refused to hide their blossoming relationship. Alabama remained stuck in the dark ages as far as gay rights were concerned. They’d never be accepted, and Elijah couldn’t stand the thought of Hope growing up surrounded by prejudice. Children were cruel, and Hope had already started her life fighting for each breath. More struggle wasn’t what he wanted for her, and neither would Seth.

Any notion of finding sleep disappeared. Worry plagued him, and Elijah gave in to the tumbling thoughts rambling in his head. How could they ever be together in the way Elijah wanted to be? How could either of them support each other or Hope financially when they had no rights?  It was an absolute farce. And what’s more, if Elijah or Seth were to become gravely ill, they wouldn’t even be allowed to visit because most hospital policies stated immediate family only. Despite DOMA being struck down federally, the States still had the authority to deny same sex couples equal benefits. In Alabama, gay couples weren’t recognized as such. If they remained in Headland, none of them could win.

On one hand, he didn’t want to lose Seth; it would break him apart to not see that face every day. But, on the other hand, would either of them be able to tolerate life being gay in Alabama with a beautiful little girl to raise. And, that was provided Seth even wanted a more serious relationship. He nuzzled the back of Seth’s neck and kissed him gently.

“I hope you want me as much as I want you. Getting kinda used to the feel of this ass of yours mister. I ain’t gunna want to give you up,” he whispered, knowing Seth couldn’t hear him. Thing was, Elijah couldn’t see them surviving all of the opposition against being gay; not in small town Alabama anyway.

Seth moaned in his sleep, and backed further in against Elijah’s warmth. His hand found Eli’s, and he rubbed his face against the open palm. His breath was hot against Elijah’s palm and sent a warm tingling sensation right through Eli. It spread throughout his body and hardened the length of his still buried shaft. Elijah withdrew and grabbed for the condoms, instantly missing that warm clenching hole. Quickly, he removed the used condom, tied a knot in the end and dropped it off the side of the bed. He’d just slicked up, covering his cock in an ample amount of spearmint lube and closed his eyes to enter Seth, when the sleepy man moaned.

“You know I’m clean right…so if you’re clean, lay off the latex. I want to feel you, all of you.” Elijah’s heart missed a beat, he knew he was clean. Hell, he’d never gone bareback with anyone, and God he wanted to now. Seth was so much more than he’d ever anticipated. From the get go, the man had taken ahold of Elijah’s heart. He craved Seth to the point he couldn’t think of fuck all else when the man walked into a room. Those huge brown eyes haunted Eli’s dreams and that smile was something Elijah could happily wake up to every single day. With his heart hammering inside his chest, Elijah rolled off the condom and fisted the girth of his throbbing cock to guide it in through the crack of Seth’s ass. He yielded so easily with a soft little gasp as Elijah thrust home and buried himself deep between Seth’s spread open cheeks.