Page 12 of Through the Fire: Matt & Adam

“No?” He didn’t either.

“I want to keep seeing you once the smoke dissipates and the fires burn out. I don’t care if you work at a sex store.” Adam walked his fingers across Matt’s belly. “I like you a lot.”

“You know that’s crazy.” Matt didn’t fight the grin. “But I like your kind of crazy.” He tucked his free arm behind his head.

“We take what we’ve started here and keep going? See what happens?” Adam nipped Matt’s chest. “Yeah?”

“You read my mind.” Matt closed his eyes and basked in the newness of the relationship. He hadn’t expected to find a boyfriend when the smoke seeped into his apartment. He’d only wanted the hole fixed. He hadn’t realized the hole wasn’t just in the sliding door but also in his heart. He’d allowed himself to be alone for too long and practically feared getting together with anyone. On paper, Adam wasn’t right for him, but in practice they could fit together pretty damn well. They weren’t moving too fast or trying to be something they weren’t, and he liked that.

Adam wasn’t kidding. The fire had been the best stroke of bad luck he could ever have.

* * *

SIX MONTHS LATER...

Matt stood behind the counter at Tease and righted a stack of naughty housewives videos. The fires were over and the smoke long gone. Santa hats and naughty Santa clothes replaced the summer fare at the store. The passage of time managed to heal some of the fire damage in the state and in Matt’s heart.

In the last few months, he’d become more comfortable with his role at the store and his love life. He should’ve known opening up and allowing Adam in would be good, but he’d had no idea. Adam liked Matt’s desire to watch porn. He hadn’t questioned Matt when he’d written the taglines for the different videos or the fact that Matt still worked at the store.

The one thing Matt hadn’t been able to do was reconcile with his brother. Nick hadn’t wanted to talk to him, despite Matt’s repeated attempts. He’d only talk to Adam.

Matt should’ve been angry about the rebuff. He didn’t understand Nick’s issues, but he’d given the communication a try. If Nick wasn’t ready to respond, then he was done pressing the matter.

“Now there is one handsome shop worker.” Adam strolled up to the counter. He placed a glass butt plug in front of Matt. “I’m thinking about getting this for my boyfriend. He loves to pound my ass, and I want to be ready pretty much at a moment’s notice. Think he’ll like this?”

Matt rolled his eyes and grinned. He loved Adam’s teasing. “I don’t know. You seem like the type to be ready and willing all the time. I’m guessing you don’t need the plug, but your boyfriend might enjoy it for extra play time.”

“Well.” Adam nodded. “Then I’ll take it. I want to make him happy.”

Matt rang up the purchase and bagged the plug then rounded the counter. “Hey, Marie? Can I take a quick break?”

His coworker waved him off. “Get out of here for a while.” She stepped behind the register. “Why don’t you two take that home tonight and test it?” She winked. “We do need reviews on it.”

“Great idea.” Matt grabbed the bag and his boyfriend’s hand. “We’ll be right back.”

“We’re not testing it yet,” Adam murmured. He allowed Matt to lead him to the small office at the back of the store. “Are we?”

“I just wanted private time.” Matt shut the office door. “I missed you.” He pinned Adam to the scarred wooden surface and kissed him. “Never thought I’d feel like this.”

“Umm...” Adam sighed and slid his hands into Matt’s back pockets and groaned. “We definitely made fire out of that smoke, didn’t we?”

“Sure did.” Matt ground his jean-covered erection against the bulge in Adam’s pants. “Best place to wait out the smoke was with you. Maybe I do want to fuck.”

Adam groaned again. “Then you don’t want my news? I heard from Nick.”

Matt froze. “News on Nick? What does he have to do with us right now?”

“He’s invited us to his wedding. You and me—together.” Adam squeezed Matt’s ass. “He’s also ready to talk to you. I know, I know. He’s being a prick about doing the talking, but it’s a good thing.”

Matt smoothed his palm along Adam’s chest and pinched his nipple. Part of Matt was still pissed about Nick’s refusal to talk. The rest of him was relieved. He wanted this portion of his life to move forward. If Nick was ready to talk and ready to meet up, then Matt was ready, too.

“Well?” Adam asked.

Matt nodded and kissed Adam. “I’m ready. I found my heart when you opened the door during the wildfires. I’m ready to open the door with my brother and move on. As long as I’ve got you beside me, I can do this.”

“I know you can.” Adam cuddled in Matt’s arms. “I’m positive.”

Matt breathed in the scent of Adam’s cologne and sighed. Who knew a little smoke would create such a fire and lead to a second chance? Not him, but he wasn’t questioning fate or the weather. Bring on the storms. With Adam in his corner, he could handle anything.

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