Page 19 of From the Flames
Chapter 8
KEVIN STANKof fire, sweat, and God knows what else. One call after another for the entire shift had him nearly completely worn out. Fortunately his relief was on time, and he grabbed his gear bag and got out the damned door before something else happened and he ended up staying the entire night. He tossed his bag into the back of the truck and drove home.
When he opened the door, the dogs all crowded around for attention. He gave them pets and treats and let them out to pee before hurrying upstairs, where he showered quickly and pulled on a T-shirt and light sweatpants. “Come on, guys. You want to see the kids?” he called after putting some of their food and treats in a bag, and they all hurried to the front door. Kevin locked up and left with his little pack. He opened the truck door, and all three jumped inside, excited to get to ride. “You need to be quiet when we go inside.” He spoke to the dogs like they were people, but they’d do what they did anyway.
The ride took less than five minutes, and Willy must have been watching, because he opened the door as they pulled up. Kevin let the dogs out, and they trooped right past Willy into the house. “I take it they were excited.”
Kevin closed the truck door and locked it before Willy wound his arms around his neck. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I guess so. How were the kids today?”
“Wound up tight as drums. They played with their new toys all day. I swear I’m going to find plastic food in April’s bed, and Grant wanted to sleep with his Lego elephant. But in one victory, I did get him to pick up what was on the floor.”
“How?”
“He wanted a cookie,” Willy said. “Okay, I bribed him, but it worked.” He rested his head on Kevin’s shoulder right there on the sidewalk.
“Let’s go inside.” The things Kevin wanted, he did not want the damned neighbors to see. Willy just held him, so Kevin slowly moved both of them inside. Once he closed the door and locked up, Willy practically climbed him like a tree. Kevin lifted Willy into his arms, and Willy wrapped his legs around Kevin’s waist. “I take it you’ve been thinking about me.”
“Damn right,” Willy muttered.
“Are you sure? You were the one who wanted to take things slow.”
Willy growled. “We did that. Slow sucks, and not in a good way.” He kissed Kevin hard, stealing his breath. Kevin tightened his hold on Willy, one hand around his back while the other supported his amazing ass. Damn, he wanted all of this—now.
“Daddy, I’m firsty.”
Willy stilled and then put his head on Kevin’s shoulder for a second. Then he unwound himself and stepped away. He turned and went over to Grant and took him by the hand.
“Let’s get you a drink, and then you can go back to bed.”
“Can I sleep wif you?” Grant asked. Kevin could feel his night of passion slipping away.
“No. But Kevin brought the dogs with him, so I bet Elsa will be in to keep you company.” Willy ran the water and got Grant’s drink before putting him back into bed. Elsa followed them and disappeared into Grant’s room.
Kevin sat on the sofa, and Willy left Grant’s room before checking on April. Then he returned to the living room and flopped down on the sofa, with Thumper joining them for some attention of his own. “Each kid has their protector, and if I get one more request for a drink of water or a cookie, I think my head is going to explode.”
“We can’t have that,” Kevin said softly. “No heads exploding. It’s yucky and a real mess to clean up.” He grinned, hoping making light of it would get Willy to smile. And thankfully it did. “The kids are in bed and the house is quiet.” He ran his fingers through Willy’s hair, and he closed his eyes, breathing deeply, angling his face upward. “And you are stunning.”
Willy snickered and reddened. “I am not. I’m just a skinny professor of economics. You’re the one who’s stunning, with all your hunkiness.” He pulled away. “I can’t figure out what the hell you see in me. You could have any guy you wanted just by crooking your finger at them, and you wouldn’t need to put up with kids and God knows what else.”
Kevin humphed and then stood and hoisted Willy over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” he whispered intently and then squeaked as Kevin carried him through the house.
“Sometimes you talk too much.” Kevin carried him to the back bedroom and kicked the door closed. Then he set Willy down on the bed with a bounce.
“But what I said is true.” That lower lip stuck out the same way Grant’s did when he made one of his pronouncements. Like father, like son.
Kevin stood over the bed. “Bullshit,” he said and leaned over. He held Willy’s gaze, daring him to contradict him as he glared. “You see yourself one way, but that doesn’t mean that I do or anyone else does.” He pulled off his shirt, and Willy’s eyes widened. “I know you like my muscles. I saw that the one night when you were staying with me.” He tugged at Willy’s shirt, pulling it over his head. “And you’re sleek and sexy, and you don’t get to contradict me. Understand?” He kissed Willy in case he argued, then pressed him into the mattress as he climbed onto the bed. “I want you, and I have for a while.”
“But I don’t understand why.”
Kevin smiled. “Then let me show you.” He took both of Willy’s hands and pushed them upward. Then he held them there, kissing him hard, taking possession of those sweet lips. Once he had Willy gasping, he nuzzled his neck and down to his chest, where he sucked at a pert nipple until Willy writhed. Now that was sexy. The way Willy responded to him was the sexiest thing Kevin had ever seen. Looks were one thing, but this was something else entirely.
“Kevin,” Willy whimpered as he squirmed.
“You stay right where you are,” he growled softly, sucking harder as Willy arched his back. He was getting desperate for more, Kevin could feel it, and that was amazing. He was determined to take his time, but the way Willy wriggled his hips and squirmed under him nearly became his undoing. There was nothing on earth more attractive than someone whose body seemed automatically connected with yours.
