Something About Fireworks Read online

  “I’ll be honest with you, Ollie. It needs a lot of work. The timeline is tight, but I think I can have it done before your dad’s birthday. I’ve already placed an order for the parts I know I need, and I have the upholsterer coming tomorrow to get started.”

  I finish reading the details. “Are you sure?”

  Gray shrugs.

  “What are you sacrificing for this?”

  “Nothing, really.”

  I read over the estimated hours of work and mentally calculate what it equates to on a weekly basis. “Gray. This is almost fifty hours a week.”

  “It is.”

  “What about the other work?”

  “I’ll just get Dylan—he’s my part time mechanic—to come in and help take care of that load for the rest of the time. He’s been asking for more hours anyway.”

  “Still, this leaves a lot of work for you.”

  “It’s not work when you enjoy it. And restorations are my favorite thing to do. It will be like taking two months off to work on my own car.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “And this is all it will cost me?”

  “Yep.”

  “I expected more.”

  “I gave you the family discount.”

  “Which is?”

  “Free labor.”

  “What would it be with labor?”

  “Add about five thousand.”

  “Gray.” I shake my head. “That’s too much.”

  “I’m not worried about the money, if that’s where you’re concerned.” Gray grabs my shoulders and turns me to face him. “Doing this for you and your dad is worth more than that to me.”

  I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What happens if things don’t work out between us?”

  “I don’t see that happening.”

  “And I don’t either, but what if?”

  Gray stares at me, his eyes searching mine. His voice softens. “Then my heart will have been all wrong about you.”

  Words fail me.

  Gray takes my hand. “The day I met Jason, my world changed. From the very beginning, I knew in my heart that he was the one. I honestly don’t know how to explain it, but every moment of every day, I fell in love with him a little bit more.”

  My eyes tear up a little and my chest tightens.

  “I’d forgotten what that felt like until two days ago. It was as if my heart started beating again. I still don’t know how to explain it, but with you… my heart just knows.”

  “Gray.” My voice comes out hoarse, strained by the tightness in my throat. The intensity of my feelings for him mirror his words.

  “I know. It’s crazy and impossible, but I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that what I feel for you is real. It’s not going to fade over time. It’s going to grow and strengthen and never cease.”

  “No.” I shake my head for a long moment. “It’s not impossible. Only rare. Because you’re right. The heart does know.”

  I close the space between us and capture his lips in a tender kiss, letting the paper in my hand fall away. Gray puts his arms around me, holding me close. My lips part as his tongue seeks entrance. A soft moan slips out of me as his tongue pushes past my teeth, exploring and licking into me.

  I can feel his erection press against me through his jeans, rubbing against my quickly growing one. The sensation is more intense than I’d imagined. I’ve never been in this position before. I’ve actually never been intimate with a man before. So far, it’s beyond my expectations, and my sensitive cock agrees. I grind against him, needing the euphoric friction, unable to stop because it feels so good.

  “Gray.” My voice is a pleading whimper.

  Gray spins me around and guides me down to the couch, bringing his body down on top of me. My pelvis thrusts upward against him on its own accord and Gray meets my thrusts with his own.

  “Oh my God,” I whisper, his mouth still devouring mine, his body still moving against me. My body tenses. My pants tighten further against my swollen dick, pleasure building in the shaft. It’s all too much. Too intense. “Gray. Shit. I’m gonna come.”

  I lose it as my balls tighten and my orgasm detonates. I cry out, Gray’s mouth still on mine, and writhe beneath him, coming hard and spilling into my underwear.

  “Christ, Ollie.” A loud grunt follows as Gray squeezes his arms tighter around me, his body jerking while hard pressed to mine.

  Our breathing and spiked heart rates slow together. My muscles relax as Gray gazes down upon me, nothing but wonder and adoration shining brightly. His eyes speak volumes, matching the flurry of emotions that now seem to settle inside me. Gray drops a kiss on my lips, and a warmth cascades through me.

  The heart just knows.

  “You have two choices,” Gray says.

  “Okay,” I whisper, thoroughly enjoying his weight on me in a way I’m not sure I could ever put into words.

  “We clean up and change so I can take you out or we clean up and lounge around here, order in and watch a movie or something.”

  “I’m not sure my clothes are in any condition for going out anymore.”

  “You can borrow something of mine.”

  “Could, and we could stay in. Do you have anything we can cook instead of ordering?”

  “I’m a single guy who lives alone and works long hours, so probably not anything like you’re thinking.”

  “Mind if I look?”

  “Not at all.” Gray pushes up and back onto his knees, revealing the sticky damp mess between us, including the wet patches soaking through my pants.

  “Yeah, we’re so not going out tonight,” I say, and Gray laughs.

  “In it is.” Gray stands and offers me his hand. I take it and he pulls me up, his lips finding mine again. My cock perks up a little again. God, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of kissing this man.

  He takes my hand and leads me upstairs into his bedroom. A medieval style, king size canopy bed anchors the center of the room. A matching chest, two nightstands, and a chaise lounge complete the furniture layout, and on one wall hangs a floor-to-ceiling tapestry depicting knights in battle.

  “Wow. I love this room.”

  Gray smiles. “This is my favorite room in the house.”

  “Might end up being mine too, but I’ll have to reserve judgment until I see the rest of the house.”

  “I’ll give you the tour here after we change.” Gray squeezes my hand and leads me toward the bathroom.

  Realistic looking iron torches flank the doorway leading to the master bath. The rooms mirrors the décor of the bedroom. Stone tiles made to look like castle walls cover every inch of wall space and flow into the enormous walk-in shower.

  “Okay, second favorite, so far.”

  Not thinking, I start undoing my pants and toe my shoes off. Gray doesn’t say anything as he pulls his shirt over his head and sets it on the counter. We remove our pants at the same time. As I fold mine somewhat neatly and set them on the counter near me, Gray slides his boxers down and that’s when it dawns on me that he’s completely undressed, standing naked before me.

  And wow, is he gorgeous, and big. His flaccid penis is probably bigger than mine is when erect. My face flushes, suddenly embarrassed by my less than average package. I know it’s not a competition, but I feel like less of a man somehow. I need to get these wet underwear off, but I’m not sure I’m ready for him to see me.

  “What’s wrong?” Gray asks, his forehead crinkling.

  “Honestly?” I snort. “It’s dumb, but I’m worried what you’re going to think of me. This is my first time being naked with another man.”

  “Oh.” Gray’s kind tone holds no mockery or pity whatsoever as he steps closer to me. He puts his hands on my waist, hooking his thumbs under the waistline of my briefs. “Well, if you’re okay with it, we can solve for both of those right now.”

  I nod.

  “Are you always so open and honest?”

  �
�When I trust someone, yeah.” I huff a laugh. “Sometimes a little too honest.”

  “So, you trust me?”

  I consider his question, my eyes locked on his. “Do you want the truth?”

  “Always.”

  “I think it’s already more than that.”

  “Same here.”

  “I believe it, but now that I’m experiencing it versus reading or writing it, I’m trying to logically comprehend how it’s possible. We’re barely acquainted with each other. How can I be so deeply affected by you to the point where I think I’m already falling in love with you?”

  “I don’t know,” he says. “I’m not sure there’s anything logical about it. What I do know is that you walked into my life two days ago, and now, I want you to stay for the rest of it.”

  Gray finds my mouth with his and kisses me softly.

  “I want to be sensible about this,” I mumble, returning his kiss, loving the way he makes me feel. “But it’s very difficult to do when you’re kissing me.”

  Gray smiles into our kiss. “I like kissing you.” His hands still hooked on my underwear, Gray pushes them down just enough to expose the base of my hardening dick. “But I agree. Sensible would be prudent.”

  “Gray.” My voices cracks, the teasing movement sparking awareness and desire.

  “So let’s get you out of these clothes and see where the evening takes us.”

  My breathing deepens as my eyes slip closed again, want and need leaping to the forefront of my mind and suppressing all other thoughts. “Could you do something for me?”

  “Anything.”

  I hesitate for a moment, my breath already coming in soft pants. “There’s a fantasy I’ve always had, and… well, you’ll probably think it’s really weird.”

  “Tell me.” Gray draws back a little, looking into my eyes.

  “When the time comes, I want you to claim me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Have you ever read a shifter romance?”

  “I’ve never read a romance book period. What’s a shifter romance?”

  “Love stories about shifters. People who can transform into animals.”

  “Like werewolves?”

  “Well, yeah, but all sorts of animals. Even dragons,” I explain. “Anyway, every shifter has a destined mate who from the moment they meet, a deep love for the other courses through them and they know they are meant to be together.”

  “So, kind of like us?”

  I nod, my heart racing. I never thought I’d be explaining this to anyone, let alone asking them to fill an impossible dream. “When they make love for the first time, the one called the Alpha claims the other by orgasming inside him and will sometimes even bite his mate to mark him. All of it seals the fated bond between them, tying their hearts and souls together in ways most people could never comprehend.”

  Gray holds my gaze. Nervous anticipation buzzes in my core, setting me on edge. I have never told a living soul about my fantasy, and certainly have never asked a person to bring it to fruition. This is a true test of trust, and somehow, I trust Gray enough to tell him and not laugh in my face about it, because most people would probably think it’s absurd.

  “I take it the Alpha, in these stories, is the top.”

  I nod.

  Gray’s eyes darken, his grip on my hips tightening. “How long does the Alpha usually wait to claim his mate?”

  “Once found, as little time as possible.” My voice comes out hoarse. “In most cases.”

  Desire flares in his eyes, as if my words have somehow released something primal inside him. My heart pounds within my chest.

  “Then I think it’s time I claim what’s mine,” he growls.

  The heat of his words zings through me, igniting every nerve in my body as Gray captures my mouth in a firm, passionate kiss. He pushes my briefs down and my cock bounces, hard and weeping, released from its cotton confines. Sinking down to his knees, he takes my underwear all the way to the floor.

  “Christ, Ollie, you shave?” Gray’s voice comes out strained. He says nothing about the size of my dick, which honestly I completely forgot about the moment he said he was going to claim what was his.

  “Yeah,” I say, lifting one foot then the other to step out of my underwear.

  Gray tosses them aside and slides his hands up my legs. He wraps his hand around the base of my dick and squeezes up the length of the shaft. Moisture seeps from the slit, and when Gray moves his hand back down, he leans forward and licks the tip.

  Oh my God. The sensation is entirely new, because the few times I’d gone through the motions with Audrey before telling her I was gay, it never—NEVER—felt like this. And he’s only just touched me.

  Chapter 9

  Gray

  I have no idea what’s come over me, but it’s as if Ollie’s fantasy has driven me to need to claim him. To not only make his dream come true, but to sate something raw and burning inside me.

  On my knees, I lick over his slit, and Ollie rewards me with a barely audible, stuttered whisper of, “Oh my God.” I wrap my lips around him and slide my mouth down his length, reaching up with my hand to cup his balls. His skin is so incredibly soft and smooth, and I hum in appreciation, sucking his dick slowly.

  “Too much,” Ollie cries quietly, his voice strained. “Gray…”

  I pull off him and stand, bringing him into the circle of my arms, and claim his mouth with a kiss. Ollie trembles in my arms. Concerned, I pull back and open my mouth to speak. “Do—”

  “I’m fine,” he pants. “Just really close. And lots… intense. Really intense.”

  “That’s because we really are meant to be.”

  Ollie’s breathing hitches, throwing a wrench into my own body’s basic functions. My brain scatters as my heart skips beats and it’s almost as if I have to remind myself to breathe. I said it to play up the fantasy a bit, but dammit if I can’t help but feel that all this is real.

  “What’s the Alpha’s mate referred to as?”

  “His Omega.”

  “I want you in my bed, my Omega.” I grab his hand and lead him to the bed. Releasing him, I throw the covers and sheets back. I pull him close and press my body against his, kissing him again, hard and deep. “On your hands and knees.”

  Ollie practically scrambles to obey. I climb in and kneel behind him, reaching between his legs to caress his shaft and balls. Trailing a finger upward through the smooth crack of his ass, I reach for my own dick and find it leaking. I spread the moisture over the head and length, but before I claim him, I need to taste him.

  I palm both buttocks and spread his cheeks, revealing the tight, pink, hairless puckered ring that I can’t wait to enter. I lick over it ever so tenderly, and a soft whimpered gasp falls out of Ollie.

  “Has anyone ever touched you here?” I ask, sliding the tip of my tongue over his hole again.

  “No,” Ollie replies, his voice rough. “Never.”

  “Good,” I growl. A deep, primitive need to assert my claim over him comes over me. “Because it’s mine now. You’re mine now.”

  A visible shiver runs through Ollie, gooseflesh prickling his skin. “Oh, God, yes.”

  My cock twitches, and I slide my hand over it again, coating my length again with the drops oozing from the tip. I give it a few strokes and let go, aching to bury myself deep inside Ollie’s perfect, untouched hole.

  Spreading his cheeks again, I lean in and run my tongue over his opening, swirling it just around the edge. Hushed moans and whimpers and prayers to God cascade from Ollie’s lips in some of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard. Needing more, I dip my tongue into his tight hole, and Ollie cries out in what sounds like a combination of surprise and ecstasy.

  I plunge my tongue in and out, his musky scent and taste invading my senses. I’m vaguely aware of Ollie’s body shifting as his ass opens up to me a little more. I find myself licking deeper and pulling back to lap and suck his ring, repeating the process over and o
ver because I can’t seem to get enough. The desperate, needy, incoherent noises escaping Ollie drive me further. I want to devour him.

  I eat his ass until he’s soaked and dripping, and until I don’t want to wait anymore. I ease back, licking over his hole as I pull away.

  “Gray,” Ollie mutters, his body trembling. “Please…”

  I need to be inside him. I need that intimate, physical connection. I need to mate with him. I need to bond with him.

  I need to claim him.

  My mate needs me to claim him.

  I push a finger inside him, slipping in easily, but the lubrication left by my tongue won’t be enough. I scramble to grab some lube and a condom from the bedside table, thankful I thought to buy some earlier today.

  Slicking my fingers, I start with one, then two, then three, stretching him as much as I can. Ollie moans louder, his body twitching and strained gasps falling out of him when I rub over his prostate.

  “Alpha,” Ollie mutters, uncertainty underlying his tone. “Please. Need you.”

  Extracting my fingers, I rub the head of my cock against his slicked entrance and ease inside him just a little, teasing him. I reach for the condom and tear it open as a needy moan slips out of Ollie and he pushes back against me, guiding me deeper into his tunnel.

  I grunt, gripping his hips to stop him, but Christ, he feels so, so good.

  “Ollie,” I manage. “Wait. I don’t have a condom.”

  “No condom. I trust you.”

  “Ollie.”

  “There can’t… I don’t want anything between us.”

  I loosen my grip, letting myself slide deeper until I’m fully sheathed in his channel. “Jesus Christ, you feel so good. Are you sure?”

  Ollie nods and his breathing hastens as the rest of his body goes still.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” he breathes. “Don’t stop.”

  Not entirely convinced, I douse myself with extra lube after slowly pulling almost all the way out then take my time pushing back in. His warm tunnel envelops me, each measured thrust eliciting hungry moans from me beyond my own control. Eventually, the tension in Ollie’s muscles leaves him.