My Forever (6 page)

Lucas brought his other hand up to cup the back of Kyle’s head, holding him still and taking control of the kiss. His senses reeled as his mouth was plundered. He wanted to match Lucas stroke for stroke, to show how much he wanted this, but it felt natural to simply let the other man take possession of him. His body thrummed with excitement.

How many times had he imagined this—bending to the will of one so much stronger than he, yet out of trust and not for fear of reprisal for his inadequacies.

When Lucas gave one last, languorous sweep of his tongue and pulled back, they were both panting. Kyle could see lust burning in Lucas’ eyes and wonder hit him anew at the idea that this man, this perfect specimen of masculinity, could find him attractive.

Lucas blinked then shook his head as if to clear cobwebs from it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Insecurity immediately cooled his passion and Kyle looked away once his chin was free. No, they shouldn’t have done that, because he was a kid with a future that looked as promising as a prayer cast into the wind. And Lucas was… Well, Lucas was definitely out of his league.

“It’s okay. I’ll go with you. Where are the pants Jay brought over?” He tried not to let bitterness sharpen his words, but wasn’t sure if he’d succeeded or not. Lucas got up and went to the doorway, retrieving a plastic bag from the floor outside.

“I’ll wait for you in the living room.”

The large man practically ran from the room and Kyle sighed. Funny how when he’d been living with Craig, all he’d dreamt about was being able to live his life alone, by his own rules. Now that thought stabbed through his chest with a kind of empty finality. He dressed in his borrowed sneakers and jeans, which he had to hold up as he trudged through the kitchen.

Lucas met him at the front door with a flat, black belt in one hand and a pocket knife in the other. He swiftly measured Kyle’s waist and dug a hole in the belt to fit. Lucas’ movements were smooth and methodical as he looped the belt through the straps around his waist and pulled it tight. Kneeling, his head came to Kyle’s abdomen. He bent lower to concentrate on the buckle and Kyle could feel his cock stirring again as he peered down at the bowed head so close to his groin. Fortunately, the pants were too baggy and bunched at the front for them to tent.

He followed Lucas to the car and got into the passenger’s seat. The silence between them as Lucas drove into the city wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but neither was it the easy companionship they’d enjoyed over the past several days. As they left behind the sedate, nearly identical rows of suburban houses for the flourishing streets of the clustered shopping districts, Kyle’s anxiety began to rise.

They were veering towards the more expensive fashion stores, a few of which he knew Craig frequented when he needed something made to his precise specifications. Lucas pulled into the parking lot of a three-story department store he didn’t recognise. He got out and tried to ignore the jittery sensation in his belly, but when he looked out on the crowds of people entering and leaving the building, the enormity of the unexpected turn his life had taken hit him in full force.

In five years, he’d almost never gone out into public unaccompanied or without permission. A queasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach and he clenched a fist over it in an effort to keep his breakfast down. The last time…

The last time had been when he’d run away. The beating he had received afterwards had been the worst to date, barring the most recent. If Craig caught him now…he wasn’t sure if he would survive the man’s wrath.

The fear that coiled its way around Kyle’s chest and squeezed his insides until he thought he might pass out was nearly debilitating compared to the fear he’d lived with every day in Craig’s house. He’d been gone for
six
days, and from what he gathered, Lucas had humiliated Craig on the day of his departure. How much worse would the beating be this time if Craig found him?

His was the fear of the unknown, and he had no way to protect himself from that. He flinched as he felt a hand curl around the back of his neck and pull him into a strong, warm embrace.

“You’re safe with me. I swear I won’t let anyone harm you and I’ll never leave your side.”

Lucas’ rumbling bass soothed his chaotic nerves and calmed his racing heart. Kyle wanted to stay there, cocooned in the safety of the man’s hard body. If only he could. He drew away just enough to meet those royal blue eyes and the confidence in them was enough to dispel his paralysing apprehension. Then Lucas smiled, and his heart fluttered with something that was definitely not fear.

“Are you okay now?”

No
. His knees had gone weak and his mouth felt as dry as a desert breeze. “Yes,” he whispered. He didn’t trust his voice to expand on that. Kyle held his breath as Lucas leant down further. Just a few more inches and those flawless lips would be on his. But they never made it that far. Instead, Lucas pressed them to his forehead then took Kyle’s hand and walked him to the entrance of the store.

His boss hadn’t been lying. The older man not only stayed close to his side, but retained physical contact at every opportunity. Whenever Kyle let go of his hand to inspect a pair of pants, he received a touch at the small of his back. As soon as his hands were free again, one of them would be grasped in Lucas’ larger one before they moved on again.

It didn’t take him long to find jeans and a plain shirt within his budget. He placed them into the cart Lucas was steering and couldn’t repress a small smile when his hand was once again clasped in a firm grip.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Intent upon heading for the registers, he was surprised as he was yanked back. Kyle glanced up in curiosity to meet Lucas’ scowl. The security he found in the man’s proximity made it easier for him to hold eye contact.

“That’s it?”

Kyle followed his gaze to the clothes in the cart. “Umm…yeah. It’ll do me for now.”

Lucas shook his head then dragged him a few aisles over to the racks of designer wear. His boss looked at the measurements of the pants he’d already picked out and started riffling through those on the racks. He threw at least five more jeans into the cart, followed by the same number of slacks and shorts. Shirts came next. Button-downs, tees, sweaters. On the other side of the men’s department, Lucas added socks, boxers, and a few robes to the pile.

By the time they got to the footwear, it was Kyle who wouldn’t budge from where his feet were rooted. “Lucas, I can’t afford all of this.”

Lucas stopped and looked down at him. “This is my treat. I told you any money you earn while living with me can be saved to get you back on your feet.”

“You don’t understand.” Embarrassment washed over him and he glanced at the blurred vision of the mountain of clothes in the cart. He would not cry. He’d done enough of that in front of the man already. Clearing his throat, he said, “Craig took my paycheques. I have no money in the bank. I don’t even have a bank account. I can’t pay you back for this.”

Lucas framed his cheek with one hand and when Kyle was finally able to meet his gaze, he saw only patient regard. “I kind of figured that. As much as I love seeing your sexy ass run around half-naked in my shirts, you’re going to eventually need a wardrobe of your own. One outfit won’t suffice, no matter how much you enjoy doing laundry. I want to do this for you. If it’s a matter of pride, then we’ll work something out, but I’m hoping you’ll indulge me this once and let it go.”

“You think I’m sexy?”

Lucas frowned at him then burst into laughter. “If that’s all you got out of what I just said, I’m thinking it’s all right for me to pamper you a bit. And yes, I think you’re sexy as hell, but I won’t take advantage of you. I offered you a safe haven to recover and rebuild, and that’s exactly what I’m going to give you. Now, can we finish up here? I’m starving.”

Kyle could only nod, dumbfounded. Belatedly, he realised that their whole conversation had taken place in the middle of a crowded department store, but no one seemed to be paying them any mind. Except for the shoe salesman standing a few feet away. He couldn’t have been more than a few years older than Kyle, with a wide grin and twinkling eyes lighting his face.

“Is there anything I can help the happy couple with?” The salesman—Mark by the name on his tag—swept Kyle with an appreciative look before giving his full attention to Lucas.

Without skipping a beat, Lucas gave Mark a smile that had the man practically drooling on himself and said, “My partner is looking for a pair of sneakers and also weather-proof boots, if you have them.”

Kyle shot his boss a disbelieving look which was met with smug satisfaction. Feeling an uncharacteristic jolt of self-confidence, he decided two could play at that game.

Moulding himself to Lucas’ front and throwing his arms wantonly over his neck, he looked up demurely. He thrilled to the feel of Lucas’ answering embrace, even if it was part of an act. “I thought you were taking me out tonight, big man. Don’t you think that calls for evening shoes as well?”

The man looked surprised for all of two seconds before his charming smile returned in full force. He brought his hands down to the curves of Kyle’s waist just above his hips and tugged him closer. Kyle’s plan backfired as his breath caught at the evidence of Lucas’ arousal. It pushed against his lower belly, demanding attention.

In a voice that sent shivers down his spine, Lucas replied, “Of course. How could I have forgotten?” Without looking at Mark, he continued, “We’ll take a pair of dress shoes as well. The most expensive you have.”

Before he could protest, Lucas spun him around and propelled him towards the waiting salesman, giving him a light smack on the rump. Mark, as it turned out, was a chatterbox. After Kyle had proved frustratingly indifferent to the styles of shoes he was presented with, Mark began deferring to Lucas’ opinion.

When the salesman left to get his size in the chosen styles, Kyle looked at the price tag on the dress shoes and blanched. “You’re not really getting these, are you?”

“Would you rather go to the shop down the street with shoes starting out at three times their cost?”

Kyle couldn’t tell if Lucas was joking or not, but judging by the serious look on his face, he didn’t think so. “That’s the last time I flirt with you,” he mumbled under his breath. Mark came back and handed three boxes to Lucas.

“Thank you, Mark. You’ve been a great help.”

The salesman looked as though he was going to melt right there at Lucas’ feet. Kyle wasn’t sure if he felt more disgusted or envious when Lucas gave Mark a smile and the salesman swung out his hip to emphasise his lean waist and long figure. Lucas could probably snap his fingers and have anyone he wanted, male or female. And it’s not like they were truly together. It was all just a playful act.

“I work weekends if you ever need anything else,” Mark purred.

Disgusted. Definitely disgusted.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Lucas dropped the boxes into the cart then manoeuvred it with one hand while wrapping his other around Kyle’s waist. Kyle saw the flash of disappointment in the salesman’s eyes as he was steered away, and bit his lip to keep from gloating. Craig had never allowed public displays of affection, but then, Kyle couldn’t honestly remember a time when he’d wanted to show this much intimacy with his ex-boyfriend in front of others.

The older woman at the register proved his theory correct. She smiled warmly at him but within seconds was completely focused on Lucas. If she saw their hands joined together, she didn’t comment or acknowledge it. Once their purchases were paid for, they loaded them into the backseat of the car then headed for the nearest grocery store.

When the car was parked, his boss peered over at him in contemplation. “You’re not looking too hot. Why don’t you stay in the car while I get the food? You can keep all of the doors locked and take a nap.”

His heart skipped a beat at the thought of being alone in a public place without the man’s comforting presence. Apparently he hadn’t disguised the discomfort of being on his feet for so long well enough, but that pain was nothing compared to the rigid panic that gripped him now.

“Please don’t make me stay here. I’m fine, really.” Averting his eyes to hide the shame of his pleading tone, he waited with dread for the other man to ridicule him for it. Or worse, make him stay to teach him a lesson in maturity. When a hand came into his field of vision and grasped his leg, his automatic flinch stole the last shred of his dignity. Sooner or later, Lucas would realise he was a lost cause and give up.

“It’s okay, kid. You can come if you want to. I was just concerned about your health.”

The lack of insults or rebukes gave him the courage to see the truth in his boss’ eyes. With a small smile of gratitude, he got out and followed the man into the store. Kyle pushed the cart while Lucas loaded it with more food than he thought would fit in a single fridge and freezer unit. He was more at ease here, knowing that Craig’s housekeeper did his grocery shopping—having left Kyle to do the cooking—but he still found he missed Lucas’ constant touch.

“Did you want anything specific?”

Shaking himself from his reverie, he looked up at his handsome boss. “Uhh…no. I can cook a meal with just about anything.”

“This isn’t about what you can cook, Kyle. It’s about what you want to eat,” Lucas gently admonished. “Don’t you have any favourite foods?”