Page 36 of Steal My Heart

“No,” Hilliard said firmly and closed the gap between them. “That is not what’s happening. I would never do that to anyone. I just need a chance to get my crap together. Okay?” Damn the man and his puppy-dog eyes. “Anyway, I have some good news. There’s a festival this weekend, and I have it on good authority—mainly from Ruth—that Violet’s son Frank is going to be staffing one of the booths for the local baseball league, and I thought that we might be able to get a few minutes to talk to him. I also think that if he’s there, then it’s likely his kids will be as well, and maybe we can talk to them and their friends.”

“How are we going to do that? They aren’t going to want to have anything to do with me.”

“No, they probably aren’t. But once we talk to Frank, maybe we can talk to the other parents. They’ll all be there.”

“And they’ll be busy,” Brian countered.

“True. But word has definitely gotten around, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” He grinned. “Besides, I have a way of getting people to open up. Remember Violet? Just leave it to me.”

“Do you even want me there?” Brian asked. “Maybe they’ll talk to you if I’m not around.”

Hilliard shook his head. “I want them to look you in the eye and tell their stories. Someone here robbed Violet and pinned it on you. I want to see who flinches first.”

“Okay,” Brian said. “Are we going to have dinner?”

Hilliard pulled him until they were chest to chest. “I was thinking we could start with dessert.” He kissed Brian hard, making the earth move under his feet, before backing away and leading Brian toward the stairs.

Chapter 13

“JESUS,” BRIANwhispered as Hilliard tugged off the last of his clothes. Damn, Hilliard loved the way this man looked, with his corded, lean muscle that left him drooling. That was okay, because Hilliard wanted to lick him all over. “What you do to me.”

“I haven’t done anything yet,” Hilliard whispered back, kicking the door closed as he heard the dogs coming up the stairs. He loved those two, but he adored Brian more. And damn it all, his entire body shook with delicious anticipation.

Brian swallowed hard, his legs quivering as Hilliard climbed on the bed, straddling him as he stalked his way up his body. “You make me want things I never thought I could have again.” He licked a circle around Brian’s pebbled nipple, receiving a groan and a shiver.

“Why do you think that?” Brian asked.

Hilliard grew quiet. The last thing he wanted to talk about at this moment was Alan and all the shit he’d put Hilliard through. They both deserved better than that, and he’d be damned if he was going to let his ex intrude on a moment of passion. Instead, he sucked the other nipple, loving the shiver, before kissing Brian with everything he had. “I want you,” he whispered.

“You have me,” Brian said in return, drawing Hilliard down against him, their heat melding until it threatened to scorch the sheets. “Any way you want me.”

“Oh yeah.” Hilliard loved the way Brian’s lips parted and his eyes sparkled. He wanted him to look like that all the time. He’d seen his eyes filled with worry so many times in the weeks they had known each other. “Then I’ll take what I want.” He cockedan eyebrow before slinking down Brian’s body, then sucked his cock between his lips, taking him as far as he could.

“Jesus!” Brian cried as Hilliard bobbed his head, determined to drive Brian out of his mind. He tasted good—salty, a touch of bitterness, but all man, and damn, Hilliard wanted as much of that as he could get. Brian’s breathing became shallow, and he clamped his eyes closed.

Hilliard backed away and brought their lips together, letting Brian taste a little of himself on his tongue. “I want you now.”

Brian nodded, and Hilliard nearly dumped the nightstand on its side, but he found a condom and rolled it on with a shaking hand. He also found the slick and used it liberally before sliding a finger inside Brian’s smoldering body.

There were things that Hilliard knew he would never forget, and the first time with Brian was one of them. The man was more than hot; he was like a live wire, surrounding him, tugging him deep, taking Hilliard to the moon. It was like no other sensation he had ever experienced. At first Hilliard didn’t dare move, but then he rocked slowly, and Brian moved with him.

He leaned over him, sliding in and out of Brian’s body, loving every single second. Whenever he pulled away, Brian drew him back in. Hilliard needed him like an addict needed a fix, and he knew he was never going to be the same. No one compared to this. He thought he and Alan had fit together, but he knew now that they hadn’t, not really. Being with Brian was perfection, physically and emotionally. He had told himself that if things didn’t work out, he could always return to Cleveland, but he knew now that no matter what, he had to make sure this relationship that he had with Brian worked out. He could barely breathe, and yet he wanted more. Brian urged him to move, and Hilliard went right along with it, letting Brian guide him to a place of sheer bliss.

“Hilly… don’t stop,” Brian whimpered, stroking himself as he wound his legs around Hilliard’s back.

“Won’t.” It was all he could manage.

“Don’t you dare,” Brian growled. “Now fuck me into next week. I want to feel you when I’m working tomorrow.” He pushed against Hilliard, burying his cock to the hilt.

Hilliard leaned closer, kissing Brian hard. “You like the dirty talk?”

“Hell yes,” Brian groaned. “Give me your cock. I want it all.” He clamped down, and Hilliard gasped from the pleasure. This was a side of Brian he hadn’t expected, and it was sexy as hell. Brian put his hands over his head, stretching that incredible body, his eyes wide, his mouth open. He was gorgeous, to say the least, and the way he lay, it was like he was giving himself to Hilliard. That kind of trust spurred him forward faster, harder, Brian swaying under him as the bed rocked back and forth with their movement.

“And I want you. Every bit of you.” He thrust deeply, gasping right along with Brian. Sweat broke out on both of them, Brian glistening in the light coming through the window, his scent, musky and rich, filling the room. Hilliard snapped his hips and then rolled them, watching Brian, listening to his breathing. “That’s it. Tell me what you like.” He tweaked his nipples once, then harder. Brian gasped as Hilliard thrust again, throwing his head back as the sensation threatened to overwhelm him.

“Then take it.” He pulled Hilliard down, grabbing his ass and using his hands to press Hilliard to him.

Hilliard stopped. “You don’t get to top from the bottom, sweetheart.” He moved only slowly, earning a growl from Brian, whose eyes glazed over. It was clear he wanted more and that Hilliard was driving him crazy, but that was his intention. He brushed Brian’s hand away from his cock and replaced it with his, stroking him slowly.

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