Page 31 of The Keeper

“You know what’s going to happen if people find out.” His voice broke, and tears swam in his eyes. “You know what those people did to us, Rue. How can you be okay with them just walking away?”

Rueben dropped to his knees in front of the bed. He took both Keegan’s hands in his with every intention of begging for forgiveness with his words and expression. “I’m so sorry, Keegan. There’s no excuse for my behavior. I care a whole fucking lot about what those sons of bitches did to you.”

Keegan narrowed his eyes. “They almost killed you, Rue. And they would’ve killed me. It was just a matter of time.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “You know all of this, but you’re seeing him anyway. Just tell me why. Is it the sex?”

Rueben’s heart pounded in his chest. He needed to step up and do the right thing, and he would, but he needed Keegan to know he hadn’t acted brashly and without care for his feelings. Rueben took a few calming breaths to slow his pulse before attempting to explain himself. “Things just clicked into place when we were together. Like a big jigsaw, and I suddenly felt whole. Being with Seth justifies every struggle and mistake I’ve made because it brought me here, to him. He makes me feel seen, heard, and understood.” Rueben closed his eyes and thought of the way Seth held him against his chest that afternoon, murmuring “just five more minutes” into his hair on repeat until two hours had passed. It was thoughtful gestures like checking out shows or music just because Rueben liked them so he could feel connected. It was talking on the phone long past bedtime because that was the only thing they could offer one another. Rueben sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly. He met Keegan’s gaze and said, “And I love him.”

Keegan melted a little and tears spilled down his cheeks. “Does he love you too?”

Rueben thought back to the moment he caught Seth watching him with an unguarded expression. His gray eyes contained all the intensity of a thunderstorm and the warmth of sunshine. “He does,” Rueben answered without hesitation. He didn’t need Seth to say the words to know the truth.

Keegan squeezed his hands and gave him a watery smile. “I can’t be the reason you stay away from Seth. I don’t want that coming between us.”

“And I don’t want my love for Seth to hurt you.”

Keegan released a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. “Then don’t get caught. You need to be smarter.”

Rueben’s chest expanded with love and hope. “That’s the plan.”

“You owe me for keeping your secret.”

“Anything,” Rueben replied without hesitation. “Name it.”

Keegan tilted his head to the side. “Forfeit that last pint of cherry cordial ice cream in your freezer.”

“Done.”

A mischievous smile curved Keegan’s mouth. “And you’ll watch as much Real Housewives with me as I want. Any franchise, anytime.”

Rueben puffed up his cheeks and expelled all the air in his lungs. He spent the next four hours watching one installment after another. About three episodes in, he started to enjoy the show more than he wanted to admit.

Keegan laughed when he offered commentary or unsolicited advice to the women through the TV. “And another one hooked.” To soften the blow, he passed the ice cream and spoon to Rueben. “Hey, Rue.”

He looked over at his friend with a mouthful of ice cream melting on his tongue. “Hmmm?”

Keegan reached over and lightly pushed the sensitive love bite peeking out of his shirt collar. “Be smarter than this, okay?”

“Definitely.”

Seth tugged Rueben into the cabin and attacked his mouth as soon as he shut and locked the door. He’d meant to take things slow, but he hadn’t seen his guy in a week. Desperation rode him hard, so he pushed Rueben against the door and pounced. The little minx bit Seth’s bottom lip and made his dick jerk. Just knowing Rueben was on his way had been enough to get Seth hard. The little nip of pain only amplified his lust. Seth pinned Reuben’s arms over his head with one hand and worked his tight jeans open with the other.

Rueben tore his mouth free and moaned when Seth’s hand found his bare, velvety erection. He loved how his guy showed up commando and ready to go. His dick leaked against Seth’s palm, aiding the lazy pace he set with his fist. “God, I need you,” Rue whimpered.

Seth chuckled and pressed kisses along the column of Rueben’s throat. “You said that last night on the phone as you fucked yourself on a dildo.”

“And it becomes truer every day.” Rueben arched his neck, giving Seth more skin to kiss and nip. “But maybe don’t mark me again.”

Seth pressed a gentle kiss to the faint pink mark still showing on Rueben’s golden skin. “I’m sorry.” It had potentially caused a big problem for Rueben, though he swore things were okay. Seth wasn’t crazy about Cash and Keegan knowing the truth about them, but he admired Rueben’s unwillingness to lie to those he loved. Seth had expected a visit and a warning from Cash, but neither thing had occurred…yet. “Can I mark you someplace no one will see?”

Rueben’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “I go shirtless a lot during the summer.”

“I was thinking someplace lower.” Seth released Rue’s cock and traced a spot on his bare pubis. He knew from previous explorations how sensitive that area was. “Right here, maybe?” He licked a path from collarbone to full lips. “That way, you can look at it and think about me while you jack off.”

“Yes.”

Seth claimed his mouth in a bruising kiss that left them both breathless. He ignored the urge to strip Rueben down, bend him over, and claim that sweet ass in a single thrust. Their time together might be limited, but Seth still wanted to make it special. He also wanted to stare into the gorgeous eyes that owned a chunk of his heart. Seth nearly snorted. Who the hell was he trying to kid? Rueben had a death grip on the organ and was in a position to strike a fatal blow, yet an instinct far greater than any he’d used in the military or law enforcement assured him he was safe in Rueben’s hands.

When they parted to catch their breath, a new kind of excitement shimmered in Rueben’s gaze. Seth was used to seeing his ornery and seductive sides, but this was more intense than either of those. If he didn’t know better, he’d think they were on the cusp of something new and thrilling. Rueben rocked back on his heels and worried his lip between his teeth, looking uncharacteristically nervous.

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