Secrets in edgewood the.., p.23
Secrets in Edgewood: The Complete Series, page 23
“Let it out, Nic.”
Dominic twisted himself into a ball and pressed himself against Reed’s chest, unable to stop himself from weeping. His entire body shook with the intensity of his breakdown, and he cried even harder. He mourned the feelings he’d never allowed himself to feel in his past—the love he’d not shared when he had a chance to do so—and he gave thanks for the promise of a future that wrapped him in understanding arms and held him until he fell into an exhausted sleep.
Thirty-Three
Reed
“Is that a cactus?” Nic’s voice was muffled by the pillow. He rolled over and studied Reed’s face with an arched eyebrow.
“It is,” Reed confirmed.
It had seemed to be a silly thing when he’d booked the room the night before, but he’d asked the concierge to bring a cactus to the room, in addition to the wine. He knew he’d been yearning to return to the private bubble they’d shared in Arizona, and a hotel room with a cactus outside of Edgewood was the best he could do on such short—and necessary—notice. “It’s not Arizona, but it’ll have to do.” He stroked Nic’s sweaty and tangled hair away from his face.
“That’s very… thoughtful.” Dominic stretched, and Reed took the opportunity to admire the long, sloping lines of his body.
“Can we talk about last night?” Reed scrunched his nose.
Nic blushed and looked around the room. “Coffee first?”
“Of course. You wait here.” Reed slipped out of bed and filled two paper cups with water from the sink in the bathroom, using the small machine to brew them two single-serve cups. He returned to the bed and passed one to Nic, then arranged himself cross-legged on top of the covers.
Nic took a small sip, testing the temperature. He pushed his back up against the headboard so he was sitting.
“What did you want to talk about?” Nic asked him.
“Are you mad with me?”
Nic looked horrified. “Why would I be mad?”
Reed’s shoulders relaxed and he grinned awkwardly. “Because I sort of forced you into that, and then you kind of had a meltdown.”
“First off,” Nic reached out and rested his hand on Reed’s bare knee, “you didn’t force me. I knew what you were doing. Thank you for it, by the way.”
“You knew I was driving you to a complete emotional meltdown?” Reed chuckled.
“I knew you were trying to pull me out of myself, and I needed that. The other part…” Nic sighed. “Well, that was just, I don’t know. Top drop maybe.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s like… sometimes it’s just exhausting to be the way I am with you. Not that you’re exhausting. It happens to other people too.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed.” Reed stared at the dark brown liquid in his cup.
“You’re not understanding,” Nic said softly. “It’s not a bad thing. It just happens sometimes. I think I needed it. Like a reset.”
“Are you sure?” Reed chewed his lip between his teeth.
“I promise.” Nic crossed his heart. “I feel better today than I have since we got back from Arizona.”
Reed let out a nervous breath. “Good. I’m glad.”
Nic licked his lips. “Besides, I’m not the only one who got something out of that.”
“Yeah.” Reed adjusted himself. “I got a sore ass from it.”
“Inside or outside?” Nic chuckled.
“Yes.”
Nic grinned and reached for him, pulling him closer, but slowly as to not spill his coffee. Reed reached past Nic and set his cup on the nightstand, taking Nic’s face between his hands, and kissed him gently.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Nic mumbled against his mouth. “Not in the bad way at least.”
“I know,” Reed assured him. “I’m good. I swear.”
“Alright.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m perfect,” Nic whispered, wrapping his arms around Reed’s shoulders and holding him close. “I have everything I need.”
Reed hummed happily.
“We have to check out soon?” Nic asked after a brief pause.
“We do,” Reed confirmed. “Sadly, life goes on without us.”
Nic thumped his head against the headboard. “I have a lot to do.”
“Let me help you. It’s not like I have a job or anything to keep me busy.” Reed huffed an annoyed sound, but smiled to let Nic know he wasn’t upset about it.
Nic took a breath and held it, searching Reed’s face for something, finally nodding. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“It’s nothing,” Reed assured him.
“I want to talk to you about the job thing, though.”
Reed unfolded himself from Nic’s arms and stretched, the tips of his toes sticking off the bed, his cock heavy against his thigh.
“Did you want to make me a kept man?” He rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “I’m not against the idea.”
Nic widened his eyes, incredulous. “I don’t know how much money you think a priest makes, but you might be in for a rude awakening when you find out.”
“I’m just kidding.” Reed sat up and reached for his coffee, taking a sip.
“I know. You’d go insane not working with kids, and that’s something I’d meant to talk to you about anyway, before all of this happened.”
“Uhm…” Reed furrowed his brows together. “Go on?”
“I know I told you about the LGBT program I started at St. Paul’s, right?”
Reed nodded.
“I haven’t spoken to Bishop Jenkins at length about it yet because of everything that happened.” He waved his hand around the room. “But he was interested in the idea and wanted to set it up as a regional program, you know, pulling in other churches in the state.”
“That’s great,” Reed enthused, not sure what any of this had to do with his unemployment.
Nic looked at him expectantly, and he shrugged helplessly.
“We’d need an administrator,” Nic elaborated. “Someone who is good with kids, who wants to see them succeed, but someone who also understands the struggle they’re facing while reconciling their religion with their sexual preferences and identities.”
“I’ve never done anything like that,” Reed countered weakly.
Nic scoffed. “Haven’t you? You sent Catherine to me.”
“That’s one kid,” he protested.
“You saw the need, and you took action. That’s what we need. Plus, you have the administrative experience from being a principal for so long. It ticks all the boxes necessary for the position as I’d outlined it in my proposal.” Nic looked smug.
“The way you outlined it?” Reed narrowed his eyes. “Were you anticipating me losing my job?”
Nic glanced away. “I was afraid it would happen, but that didn’t have any bearing on the program I want to start or the positions we need to fill as a result of it.”
“Do you promise?” Reed questioned.
“I promise.” Nic smiled. “I didn’t want you to lose your job, Reed. But their loss can be my gain.”
“Is it that simple?”
Nic shrugged, looking far younger and more carefree than he had since they’d reconnected. “Isn’t it?”
“I guess I’ll brush up my resumé, then.”
Nic smiled and threw himself on Reed, flattening him against the mattress. He kissed the curve of his throat, and Reed moaned, pushing their bodies together.
“Are you too sore?” Nic breathed into his ear.
Reed shook his head. “I’m fine, but lube this time.”
Nic laughed and jumped off the bed, returning with the lube from Reed’s suitcase faster than should have been possible. Nic’s cock jutted out from between his legs, hard and thick in the morning light that filtered through the window.
“Pull back the curtains,” Reed rasped. “I want to see you.”
Nic stroked himself with lube and walked to the window. He pulled the curtains open, and light poured into the room. He turned back to Reed, the rays of the sun reflecting through the glass like they radiated out from Nic’s body and not the sun itself.
“I love you,” Reed whispered, awed by Nic’s beauty.
“I love you, too.”
Nic returned to the bed and crawled between Reed’s legs. He lowered his lube-slick fingers to Reed’s hole and prepped him, pushing two long fingers inside and scissoring them apart. The stretch burned, but it was welcome, a reminder of the carnal nature of the covenant they shared together—their love made whole.
“I’m ready,” Reed sighed. He danced his fingers up Nic’s back, pressing into his skin when the head of his cock pushed past Reed’s rim.
“You feel so good,” Nic groaned, sliding deeper inside. “You always feel perfect. Like I’m meant to be here.”
“Aren’t you?”
Nic slanted their mouths together, his tongue delving into Reed’s mouth as leisurely as his cock entered Reed’s hole. Nic made love with him in ways he never had before, the truth of their bond now bare between them.
Reed’s entire body vibrated with desire. Gooseflesh broke out across his skin and he couldn’t stop his hips from circling and gyrating against Nic’s. His lashes fluttered and his eyes closed as Reed gave himself over to the pleasure Nic was giving him.
“I want to come,” he panted, the need unexpectedly overwhelming.
Nic nodded, a rough grunt escaping his lips. His eyes were wild, but his movements measured. He adjusted himself and circled Reed’s cock with his fist, letting the momentum of his thrusts work Reed’s cock through his hand.
“Come for me,” Nic whispered. “Show me how good I make you feel.”
Nic’s words sent him over the edge, his cock spurting jets of cum against their chests. He jerked, his back arching off the bed and his lips parted on a silent cry. Nic slammed their mouths together, somehow giving Reed permission to verbalize his pleasure, so he did. Reed cried into Nic’s mouth, his eyes squeezed shut, even while he could feel the weight of Nic’s stare on him.
After his orgasm passed, his eyes fluttered open in time to watch Nic’s widen. His cock thickened inside of Reed and he growled, fingers digging into the hollows of Reed’s hips. Nic came, filling Reed’s ass with his release and Reed’s mouth with his pleasure.
Nic jerked, falling onto Reed with a sigh.
“You’re heavy,” Reed gasped, pushing Nic off of him.
“That’s so mean,” Nic panted. His cock slipped out of Reed as he let Reed push him onto his back. “I thought you loved me.”
“I do,” Reed promised him. “More than anything.”
They lay on the sweat-soaked sheets, shoulder to shoulder, until their breathing returned to normal.
“What now?” Nic asked, turning his head to face Reed.
“We check out. We go home.”
“Does the cactus come with us?” Nic’s eyes sparkled.
“Of course.”
“Who gets to keep him? Do we need to have a custody agreement?”
“It’s a him?” Reed laughed and closed his eyes.
Nic touched his face, his fingertips light and delicate against Reed’s cheek. Reed smiled and pressed a kiss against Nic’s palm.
“I think you need him more than me,” Nic decided. “He can stay with you.”
“I’ll bring him with me when I come over.” Reed opened his eyes and smiled at Nic.
“I’m glad we’ve settled that.” Nic cupped the back of his head and pulled him close, leaving a gentle kiss against the corner of his mouth.
“And the rest?” Reed asked, returning to Nic’s original question.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done this before,” Nic admitted.
“Me neither.” Reed grinned sheepishly.
“Then I suppose we’re in this together.”
Reed hummed appreciatively. “I’d hope so.”
“Another thing settled, then.” Nic nodded like he’d actually accomplished something. He opened his mouth like he had something else to say, but snapped it closed. His eyebrows worried together and he opened his mouth again.
“You look like a fish,” Reed offered with a teasing grin.
Nic glared at him playfully, then relaxed. “I feel like I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Good.” Reed sat up and cracked his neck. He poked Nic in the ribs. “I meant to tell you, I want to start coming to St. Paul’s.”
Nic raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
Reed nodded.
“I do. And to be honest,” he leaned in conspiratorially, “I’m very excited about the prospect of you giving me communion.”
Nic’s nostrils flared.
“Don’t,” he warned.
Reed threw his head back and laughed. Nic’s arm flew out and wrapped around his side, yanking him back onto the sheets. He laughed, and Nic’s fingers tickled his ribs while he struggled.
“No erections during the service,” Nic demanded, his eyes light with amusement.
“No promises.” Reed laughed, stilling in hopes that Nic would stop tickling him.
“Are you sure?” Nic asked, his palms flattening and dragging up Reed’s chest to his heart. He rubbed his fingers over the St. Jude medallion.
“Never been surer about anything in my life,” Reed said, tipping his chin up and delivering a blistering kiss that left them both breathless.
“We really need to get going,” Reed panted after tearing their mouths apart.
They showered together quickly, hands lingering, but never for too long. Once they were dry, Reed unpacked the small suitcase, handing fresh clothes to Nic, then dressing himself. He tucked their dirty clothes away and zipped up, finding Nic standing at the door of the hotel room, cactus in hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked, holding the door open so they could both exit.
Reed smiled at Nic and nodded, ducking out of the room with the suitcase behind him.
“I’m ready.”
The end.
Epilogue
Reed dragged his palm along the white tiled countertop, his fingers dipping into the grout lines as he walked to the corner of the kitchen. It was barely ten in the morning, but the air conditioner was on already. The ceiling vent rattled as cold air burst out, ruffling Reed’s hair. He turned and rested his ass against the edge of the counter and pushed the stray strands of hair out of his eyes.
“Is it weird to be back?”
He turned at the sound of Nic’s voice from the dining room, fighting for breath as he often did when coming face to face with the man. Nic was beside the table, wearing linen shorts and a white button up, with a black leather messenger bag strapped over his shoulder, crossed over his chest. He ducked his head down and removed the bag, setting it carefully down on the table since his laptop was inside.
Reed could see the discoloration of Nic’s t-shirt against his sternum from where the strap had caused him to sweat, and he thought about the pliable leather warming from the sun and the air, and Nic’s own body heat.
“Not weird,” he answered, bracing himself against the counter and jumping up to sit on it.
Nic kicked his sandals off and padded barefoot into the kitchen, pressing his way between Reed’s spread thighs. He settled his hands on Reed’s knees and tilted his head back, his eyes closing softly. Reed leaned down and brushed their mouths together. He meant for the kiss to be a quick and gentle thing, but Nic’s fingers dug into his thighs and his mouth opened wider. Nic’s tongue snuck into Reed’s mouth, much the way Nic had snuck back into Reed’s life five short years ago. And in much the same way as always, Reed was lost to him in the blink of an eye.
Nic’s hand skated up his stomach, resting with a steady weight against his chest, and then his fingers curled just barely around the column of Reed’s throat. A stuttering breath tumbled out of Reed’s mouth and Nic swallowed it with a quiet growl before tearing their mouths apart.
He looked at Reed with a dark and heated stare, then he stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets, which only served to draw attention to the growing erection between his legs.
“You can’t just show me that and go,” Reed whined.
“I can,” Nic reminded him. “Go take the bags into the bedroom and unpack.”
Reed inhaled sharply, then slid off the counter. He palmed his cock to adjust himself, only to hear a tsking noise from Nic.
“I’m just adjusting,” he explained.
“No, you’re not.”
Reed dropped his hands to his sides and stalked into the dining room, finding their bags beside the table. Nic must have brought them all inside from the car, so Reed looped in fingers through the handles and hauled them down the hallway toward the bedroom. The wheels clicked and echoed as they dragged over the dark terracotta colored tiles on the floor as he made his way from the dining room, down the hall to the bedroom.
He pushed the door open and rolled the bags in, lowering the handles and giving them a kick toward the dresser.
No, he thought, it wasn’t weird being back at the church-owned house in Sedona. It was welcome and familiar, almost grounding. The memories of their earlier time here played through his head as he bent down to unzip their bags. Reed flattened his palm against the floor, and he could feel the warmth of the tiles radiate against his skin, much like they had against his shoulder blades when Nic had tried to fuck him into oblivion with a pillow case over his head. He inhaled sharply, eyes slamming closed, and even though his breath now came easy, the feelings of that time lingered in his bones, a past etched there that would never be erased.
He’d fought against Nic so hard and for so long, even after spending most of his adult life trying to pretend his first love hadn’t been real love, after trying so hard to pretend he wasn’t in love with a man. The residual fear he’d lived with for so long overwhelmed him, and Reed went from kneeling to being bent over, to lying on his belly with his cheek pressed against the tile. His skin was cool from the air in the kitchen, and almost stung against the warm floor. He breathed through it, waiting for the emotion to pass.
