Page 101 of The Falcon and the Foe

I fucked him harder to shut him up.

Russ groaned for the whole neighborhood to hear. His whole body vibrated with trust and deep connection, and the twinkle in his eye set my heart afire.

Sex with feelings? Amazing.

Russ dug his fingers into my back as his hole tightened around my dick.

“I’m coming. Oh, my god.” Russ sounded like he couldn’t believe the orgasm that was on deck.

“Come for me, Scout Leader Russ.”

He bit his lip, rolled his head back, and painted his muscular chest with come. There was no hotter moment in human history, and it sent me over the edge.

I bucked my hips for a few more thrusts and pulled out, nutting across his chest. Russ’s eyes were glassy with a tender vulnerability that lassoed my heart.

“Russ, you are no longer a forty-year-old bottom virgin.”

29

RUSS

Aweek later, two fathers and two sons drove into the heart of the Adirondack mountains for a day hike.

Cal was in the driver’s seat, and I tried not to interject my comments on speed limits or directions. I really tried. Cal took my backseat driving in stride, a wide smile breaking on his face. He might’ve been worried about being relationship-ready, but I was more worried he’d try to murder me in my sleep due to my nitpicking.

The weather was cool but not cold at the park; the bright sun would keep us warm. We pulled into a full parking lot. The crowd was a mix of serious hikers and people looking for a casual, low-intensity trail. After pleading and prodding from the boys, we opted for the more intense hike called Devil’s Canyon.

I gulped back a nervous grapefruit lodged in my throat.

Cal squeezed my hand. “They named it Devil’s Canyon because the sides of the mountain look like horns. Not because it’s hell to climb.”

“They could’ve called it Viking Mountain.” I was a bit concerned about the hike and whether the boys could handle it. Cal reassured me all week that it was safe, that we would be fine, and that if we sensed danger, we could turn around.

“Devil’s Canyon is listed as an intermediate trail,” he said to make me feel better. Cal clapped his hands together. “Let’s do this!”

The boys took out their compasses and surveyed the land as they hiked. The path was steep and windy. Rocks and roots jutted out from the trail.

“Be careful. Don’t trip,” I said.

“We know, Dad.” Quentin and Josh were a few steps ahead, with Cal and I a few steps behind so they could feel like they were leading.

“They know, Dad,” Cal said, ribbing my side. “Or should I say, Daddy?”

“I don’t think I qualify as a daddy.”

“You have some emerging silver fox happening.”

I used my hands to shield my hair from scrutiny.

“Why are you hiding your hotness from the world?” Cal gave me a surreptitious squeeze on the butt.

“Let’s not, as you say, spill gay over another forest.”

Dating had only served to ratchet up the heat between us. Having sex with Cal with our whole hearts involved was like having superhuman strength. We were unable to keep our hands off each other when not in the presence of small children. But then, when we were with the boys, a family feeling was gelling at the core that made my heart expand. I quickly realized that I wasn’t falling in love with Cal. I was pretty much there. As I’d told him, I was a fortysomething single dad. I didn’t have time for bullshit.

The Devil’s Canyon trail took us around a pond, which reflected the blue sky like a mirror. Despite the scary name, it was a beautiful hike. We took a break so the boys could go to the bathroom and wash their hands in the pond. Cal pulled me down the path and pushed me against a tree for a quick kiss. Flashes to our first make-out session burned in my mind.

“What was that for?”

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