Playing The Hero (8 page)

“Can we go to the lake with the beach and the ducks?” Max asked and Carter nodded.

“Yeah and we’ll bring lots of bread so you can feed them.” He grabbed Max’s chin and held it so Max would focus. “But only if you promise to do your homework after school and quit giving your mom a hard time.” Carter said sternly and Max’s lip stuck out and he grumbled.

“Do I have to read? I hate reading.” Max complained and Carter’s head pulled back and he gasped in exaggerated horror.

“Never, ever say those words again!” Carter exclaimed as he shook Max dramatically and Max giggled before Carter became serious. “Reading is the most important thing you’ll ever learn, Max. No matter who you are or what is happening in your life, you can go anywhere and see everything in books. If you can read, you can learn anything and become anything you want. Do you understand?” He asked and Max’s eyes were huge as he nodded. Carter kissed his forehead. “Maybe you’re just reading the wrong books. I’ll take you to the bookstore before we go fishing and we’ll get a bunch of different books. When you figure out what you like, I’ll buy you all the books you want.” He promised and Reid was so glad he was sitting down because his legs felt like they’d turned to liquid. Carter passed Max his milk and gestured for him to finish the glass. “But you have to stop being such a pain in the ass for your mom.” Carter said under his breath and Max giggled. “Promise me.” Carter demanded and Max nodded solemnly. Max finished his milk and Carter wiped his upper lip. “Done?” he asked and Max offered a loud burp and Carter laughed as he set him on the ground.

“Go wash up and you can help. Pop Pop Jim has two boxes of plastic worms that need to be put away. If you do a good job you can keep some for next weekend.” Carter said and Max jumped up and down before he made rocket sounds and launched toward the back of the pharmacy.

Carter laughed as he turned back to Reid and raised a brow, silently asking if Reid was finished eating. Reid nodded and Carter pulled his wallet out of his pocket. He tucked two twenties under his plate and got up. Reid stared in confusion as Carter grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the hardware store.

“Carter!” Dana yelled and he stuck his tongue out as he walked backwards out of the pharmacy.

“She never lets me pay so I have to hide the money and run.” Carter explained.

Chapter 10

“Come inside.” Reid knew he was being demanding but after watching Carter be completely adorable with Max and sweet to every elderly person in Northlake in between hefting boxes and large bags of dog food and different types of feed, Reid wasn’t ready to say goodnight. They ate dinner in the pharmacy before they left. The bacon cheeseburger Reid ordered was probably the best he’d ever eaten in his life and the chocolate milkshake they shared was heavenly. They’d flirted and Carter tortured Reid by licking the long spoon clean and sucking whipped cream off of his finger. “We’ll take a long shower and I can show you what I can do with my lips and tongue.” Reid murmured against Carter’s neck. Carter exhaled loudly as he pulled away from Reid and sat up straight in his seat. He tapped his fingers absently on the steering wheel as he chewed on his lip.

“I think I should go home.” Carter kept his eyes on the wheel. “If I come in, you’ll talk me into staying and I think we both need to come up for air.” When his eyes swung back to Reid’s they were searching and uncertain. Reid laughed as he pulled Carter’s face to his.

“I’m crazy about you, Carter.” Reid said as he brushed his lips against Carter’s. “We don’t need to come up for air, everything has been amazing. Tomorrow, I have to go back to work and I’ll be on call for five days. Aside from ducking out now and then, I’ll be stuck in the hospital. You can have all the air you want then.” Reid let his fingertips press into Carter’s thigh and drag as he teased Carter’s lip. “I won’t be able to spend a night with you for almost a week and I’ll miss you. Let me have tonight.” Reid begged as he fisted his hand in Carter’s shirt and pulled him closer. He sucked on Carter’s lower lip and he felt Carter’s resistance crumbling. He grabbed Carter’s hand and pressed it against his erection and rocked his hips and Carter groaned softly.

“Fine.” He grumbled.

“Don’t look so miserable.” Reid teased against Carter’s lips before he released him and got out of the car. Carter pushed his hands deep in his pockets and his head hung as he followed Reid to the front door. Once inside, Reid tossed his jacket at the couch as Sadie pranced excitedly around the living room. “Hey. I’m going to take her out back for a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.” He saw Carter nod as he went to the living room and looked out the window. Reid waited until he was in the backyard before he pulled out his phone and called Carter. It rang twice and Carter answered.

“What are you doing?” He asked and Reid grinned as he hurled Sadie’s ball.

“I promised I’d call you today.” Reid said. Sadie galloped toward him and skidded to a halt before she flung the ball. Reid caught it and whipped it back across the lawn and he heard Carter snort. “If I say I’ll call you or I’ll be there, I will. I want you to be able to trust me, Carter.” Reid caught the ball again and threw it as hard as he could and Sadie took off.

“How much longer are you going to be?” Carter asked and Reid smiled.

“I just want to throw the ball a couple more times. Give me a few minutes.” He heard Carter moving and he turned and looked through the kitchen windows and couldn’t see Carter. “What are you doing?” Reid asked.

“I’m upstairs, taking off my clothes. I’ll be in the shower.” Carter hung up and Reid looked in the direction of his bathroom as desire and anticipation swelled. Reid threw the ball until Sadie’s gallop turned into a slow trot and she was breathing hard. “Let’s see what daddy brought for you.” He said as he let her in the house. He pulled out a pig ear and she danced in circles before Reid tossed it to her. She took it to her bed and Reid locked the doors and shut off the lights before he gave into his excitement and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

They took their time in the shower, teasing and laughing as they washed each other’s body and hair. When they fell into bed, they twisted and slid around each other, both trying to get to the other’s cock before they settled into the 69 position. Still not in the mood to rush, they sucked, licked and stroked lazily, slowly meandering toward a deeper, heavier urgency. They came within seconds of each other, greedily swallowing the other’s release before they crawled to the pillows and kissed and whispered until the day pulled them under and they fell asleep in a sated tangle of warm, loose limbs.

Chapter 11

Stroke

Breathe

Stroke

Breathe

Stroke

Breathe

Don’t think about his body. Don’t think about how good it felt,
Carter begged and funneled his consciousness into the rhythm of his strokes, kicks and breaths as the jets of the pool tried to push him back.

Stroke

Breathe

Stroke

Breathe

Why couldn’t he stop seeing Reid, sprawled out, naked, his legs tangled in the sheets and his lips curved in a relaxed smile as he slept? Or, Reid naked and shaving as the soft light from the sunrise made the bathroom glow in warm shades of orange? Why couldn’t he get the taste of Reid out of his mouth? It had been two days since Reid started his shift at the hospital. That morning, they’d showered and Carter had pinned him against the wall and sucked his cock until he screamed and filled Carter’s mouth with his tart, clean tasting come. Even that had to be perfect. Carter couldn’t get enough of Reid’s body or the way he tasted. His mouth, his skin, his ass, his come…

You went four years without sex. Now, you’re strung out after a weekend.
But it wasn’t just the sex. Reid was doing his best to get under Carter’s skin, to squeeze into that spot in Carter’s chest that kept trying to get warm and grow.
Fuck him until your cock falls off, just don’t screw up and fall in love.
The messages and phone calls weren’t helping.

Reid

I can’t stop thinking about you.

Reid

Your skin tastes like apples. Apples are my favorite.

Reid

I grabbed a nap in the lounge and dreamt about you. I swear I could taste you when I woke up.

Reid

This is the first time I’ve ever wished I wasn’t at work. I miss you.

Carter felt a little irritated with himself every time his phone buzzed and he saw a new message from Reid. That rush of giddiness and longing made him wary. Getting this wrapped up, this soon was a bad sign. He’d never connected with anyone so easily and completely as he had with Reid. He needed to find some way to keep all of that out. Every time he thought he was happy with someone and they were happy with him, it all fell apart. Every. Time.

It was always the same. It was like a code. He’d say something like “I think you’re really special and I’d like to spend more time with you.” Or, he’d ask if they wanted a key to his place and everything would crash. Best case scenario, there would be a vague response and within the next twenty-four hours he’d get a call or a text message. Carter lost count of how many times he got dumped right after sex. He wasn’t sure if it was pure selfishness on their part, like they wanted to get fucked one last time or they thought they were softening the blow. It sucked so hard. He’d feel used and cheap, pretty much completely worthless as he watched his new ex get dressed and make uncomfortable small talk. There was nothing wrong with
him.
Definitely not. He was wonderful. It was always them. They weren’t ready for something serious or they were too focused on whatever the fuck they thought they wanted to be when they grew up.

“You know… If you ever just want to hook up, you can give me a call. Whenever.”

That was the way they usually said goodbye. The only way it would have felt worse was if they’d tossed a wad of $20’s at him before they left. He never called. He deleted their contact information as soon as the door shut behind them. Carter had terrible luck with men and he could be horrifically stupid (example: the whole weekend with Reid) but he had a very healthy dose of self respect. Now and then, someone would drunk dial or message him.

Unavailable

Hey! I’m horny and need to get fucked. Want to come over?

He’d never taken them up on it. Would he be able to say no to Reid? Carter hated that he wasn’t sure. Somehow, Carter knew that Reid would never pull any of that. A Superhero wouldn’t call at 1 a.m., wasted and calling him Carl or Walter. Reid would find the kindest, classiest way to dump him.
He’ll probably insist we sit and hold hands and he’ll have a soothing and reassuring speech prepared.
Carter was optimistic that he wouldn’t feel gross and ashamed when Reid left. But it would hurt like hell because Reid wouldn’t leave Carter with the consolation of knowing that in the long run, it couldn’t have worked out, that he wasn’t really all that great to begin with. Reid wouldn’t end it in a way that would give Carter the comfort of hating him. No, Reid would ride out on his white horse and Carter would be a devastated, pathetic heap of emotional wreckage.

You’re smart enough not to fall into that trap again. Just enjoy this for what it is. Have sex with an impossibly beautiful man and enjoy his company for as long as it lasts.
It was a solid plan. He wouldn’t let himself become emotionally attached. Carter would treat Reid like a friend. A friend he had really hot sex with. A lot of really hot sex. Then, when it was done, he’d do his best to act like a man and go back to not dating or saying hello to men in grocery stores.

The Universe might have been laughing at Carter. He saw his phone light up out of the corner of his eye and Carter stood and moved to the side of the pool. He dried his hands and chest before he reached for his phone. He scowled as his heart started to gallop and butterflies attacked his stomach when he saw the message from Reid. Carter cursed under his breath as he swiped at the screen and read.

Reid

I can get away for a little while. I want to see you. Can I come over?

Carter tamped down the swell of excitement and ignored the tickle of warmth in his chest. His cock twitched and heat flooded his crotch as it started to get hard. That. He focused on that and grinned wickedly as he started to type.

Carter

Sure. I might be in the pool. Let yourself in.

He set the phone down and went back to the middle of the pool and dove forward as he started to kick and stroke. And plan. Carter wasn’t in the mood for catching up. He might ask Reid about how things were going at the hospital after he’d sucked him dry and fucked him into next week. He wasn’t going to waste time making small talk if Reid wasn’t staying for long. After two days of craving Reid and missing the feel of his body in his arms, Carter couldn’t give a damn about what Reid had been up to. He had a feeling Reid wasn’t coming over to cuddle and discuss their feelings either. He probably needed a booty call as bad as Carter did. Which was just perfect.

Chapter 12

When Carter didn’t answer the door, Reid pushed it open and leaned in. He heard a soft hum and splashing from the back of the house and he followed it to a closed in patio behind the kitchen. Reid leaned against the door frame as he watched Carter gliding smoothly in place against an endless current in what Reid could only describe as a swimming treadmill. It was a long, narrow, built-in pool with strong jets pushing the water in one direction. Reid was fixated on Carter’s back and shoulders, the way the muscles stretched and bunched as he reached and pulled his body through the water. Then, he became fixated on Carter’s ass, wrapped in a tight, black, shiny lycra Speedo. Reid set his phone, wallet and keys on a table and went to the edge of the pool and squatted so that he was in Carter’s field of vision. Carter raised his head and smiled as he stood and leaned against the current.

“That was fast.” He said as he moved to the edge of the pool. Reid’s eyes followed the water that slid down Carter’s body and he groaned when the muscles of Carter’s chest and stomach rippled as his hands pushed through his hair. “How much time do you have?” He asked as he planted his hands on the tile and pushed off. Reid’s eyes flared as Carter’s hips emerged from the water and the front of his Speedos clung to a very serious hard-on. Baby Jesus, it was fucking beautiful. Carter’s lips slammed into Reid’s and he was thrown back onto the tile as Carter’s body surged over his. Warm water saturated his scrubs and Reid moaned against Carter’s tongue as it swept hungrily through his mouth before it slid down his jaw.

“About two hours unless I get called in for an emergency.” He panted and mentally confirmed that he had another pair of clean scrubs in his locker. Carter nodded as his teeth dug into Reid’s neck and he pushed Reid’s top up his stomach.

“Good. That’s plenty of time.” He growled as he slid down and pressed his lips to Reid’s stomach. Carter’s tongue lapped hungrily at his abs, dipping into the grooves and sliding over the ridges. He raised his head and his eyes were deep as they met Reid’s before he lowered his lips to Reid’s arm. He purred as he licked Reid’s bicep, tracing the seam of his sleeve. Carter’s hand fisted in the elastic at Reid’s waist and pulled his wet, clinging scrub bottoms and boxers down his thighs. He smiled up at Reid as he moved down his body. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how good you taste. Even in my sleep, I can’t get enough of your cock in my mouth or my tongue in your ass.” Carter murmured the words as his lips brushed up Reid’s shaft. Reid gasped and arched, his wet clothes heavy as his fingers swept through Carter’s cold, slick hair and heat exploded in his groin.

“Christ, I’ve missed you.” He moaned as Carter’s lips wrapped around the head of his cock and began to suck.

Carter was possessed. He pinned Reid to the floor as he devoured Reid’s throbbing length. The strong, steady pull of Carter’s mouth tugged on something deep within Reid. His heartbeat felt like it was being drawn into his groin and would be sucked from his body, like water spinning down a drain while his brain felt like it was dissolving into the puddle of water beneath him. Carter released Reid’s cock and his lips pushed into the cleft of Reid’s ass and Carter sighed happily as his tongue washed over the tight bud of Reid’s ass, causing Reid to moan as he pulled his legs back. Carter lapped and probed as Reid undulated on the cold wet floor and chanted his name. Carter licked his finger before he teased Reid’s puckered hole. It slid in slowly, sending bright sparks through Reid’s body and he begged Carter for more. His body had been tense with need for days, he didn’t want to be teased or for Carter to take his time. A second finger pushed into Reid’s tight heat and his hips bucked off the tile.

“Carter, you have to fuck me.” Reid whined and his toes curled in his sneakers as Carter’s fingers curled around his prostate and rubbed firmly. Carter shook his head as he stared up at Reid.

“I’m going to milk every drop of come from you first.” He warned. “I want all of it.” Carter demanded before his head fell and he took Reid deep into his throat.

Reid’s shoulders came off the floor and he swore as the suction around his cock became ruthless and Carter’s finger rubbed and pressed deep within his clenching passage. Violent, swirling pleasure rolled through Reid’s groin as a thick, heavy surge of warmth traveled up his shaft. Carter hummed happily as he began to drink and Reid’s fingers clawed at the tile. The swirling got warmer and brighter and Reid’s vision blurred. Reid felt his balls and prostate tighten and a wave of pressure slammed into the base of his erection and rolled up its length as his world was washed in vibrating color. He felt the slit in the head of his cock stretch as a molten burst of come erupted, deep into Carter’s throat. Reid sobbed Carter’s name as he continued to stroke deep inside of Reid and suck relentlessly.

Once Carter was satisfied that there was nothing left, he pulled Reid to his feet and quickly had him stripped and naked. Carter dropped his Speedo on the tile and pushed Reid up the stairs and into his bedroom. Still dazed and wrung out, Reid collapsed on the bed and barely managed to get his knees under him before Carter grabbed his hips and lined up the head of his cock with Reid’s hole. Reid blinked in shock at the empty condom wrapper on the bed and decided that Carter’s skills were Ninja Level before he gasped as the head pushed past the tight ring and his body clenched tight around him. Carter groaned softly and his hands swept soothingly over Reid’s back and massaged his shoulders. Reid sighed as every muscle in his body turned to jello and he relaxed around Carter’s thick shaft.

There was heavy warmth and sparks as Carter drove hard and smooth into Reid’s body. Reid shut his eyes and let his head fall onto the bed, making the tingling fullness the center of his entire existence. He heard Carter’s hips slapping against his ass. Their skin was still damp and it echoed through the silent room, matching the cadence of Reid’s heartbeat. Reid’s eyes snapped open when Carter leaned forward and pulled Reid’s legs out from under him. Carter used his knees to part Reid’s thighs and settled his hips between them as he lowered himself onto his elbows and curled his hands under and around Reid’s shoulders. Carter rolled his hips, driving deep with each thrust and his hard, hot body slid against Reid’s from shoulder to ass, making his skin slick and oversensitive. He was aware of the grazing of Carter’s nipples and the light patch of hair between Carter’s pecs against his back as Carter’s pace picked up. Reid moaned euphorically as Carter ground and bucked his hips as he pulled Reid hard against him.

“Oh, Christ, that’s deep.” Reid breathed as he rocked against the bed and shivered as he felt his cock getting hard. The friction against his cock was maddening and sublime. “Fuck, Carter! I’m going to come again.” Reid gasped as he felt his balls and prostate throb angrily in protest.

“Good.” Carter growled and his thrusts jackhammered into Reid causing him to scream into the bed as his nerves contracted and burst, flooding Reid’s body with bright pleasure. His balls and cock pulsed but there was no pressure as his body twitched and jerked through a dry orgasm. Reid clenched tight around Carter’s cock and he hissed. “God, yes! Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes.” Carter panted as his thrusts became wild and urgent. “So good. You’re so, so, so good, Reid!” He whimpered, his voice raw and low, heavy steam against Reid’s ear.

Then, there was cool air against Reid’s back as Carter pushed off the mattress with his hands and arched as his hips froze and he yelled Reid’s name before he bucked hard and began to convulse over Reid. He remained suspended above Reid for several moments before he groaned and lowered his shoulders and licked lazily between Reid’s shoulder blades before he fell onto his side next to Reid. He sighed happily as he pushed the hair from over his brow. Reid nodded in agreement and smiled drowsily. He felt boneless and completely wrung out. Carter rolled onto his side and propped his head up on his hand.

“Why don’t you take a nap? You should have a little more than an hour.” He said softly as the back of his hand gently swept down Reid’s cheek. Reid hummed as his eyes became too heavy to keep open.

“Ok.” Reid agreed. “I need my phone. Don’t let me sleep for more than an hour.” He slurred and he felt the bed shift as Carter pressed a kiss to his temple before he got up.

I needed that.
Reid let go of the world and his body was gone.
I need him.
Then, Reid was gone.

“Reid.” It was a tickle of a breath against Reid’s lips and he smiled as he rubbed his lips against Carter’s. The tip of Carter’s tongue slid slowly along Reid’s lips and he kept his eyes shut, not wanting to let go of the dream. Something this good couldn’t be real. “Get up. Let’s take a quick shower before you have to go.” Reid forced his eyes open and a frown tugged at his lips at the thought of leaving. But a shower… And Carter was hovering over him, his impossible blue eyes and fantasy lips smiling, close to Reid’s.

“I don’t want to go.” He complained as his fingers sifted through Carter’s hair and pulled his lips to Reid’s. He kissed him, letting his tongue curl lazily around Carter’s before he sighed in defeat.

“Come on, I washed your clothes and packed food for you to take with you.” Carter stood up and pulled Reid upright and onto his feet. Somehow, Reid felt completely relaxed and recharged. He grabbed Carter and pressed another kiss to his lips.

“You’re amazing.” Reid declared as Carter pulled him toward the bathroom.

“Am I?” He winked as he pushed the waistband of his track pants over his hips and let them fall. It was all he was wearing and Reid growled softly as he reached for Carter.

“Yes. I’m going to have to keep you.” He murmured as he wrapped his hands around Carter’s ass and backed him into the shower. Carter’s grin didn’t reach his eyes and Reid was about to ask why when cold water blasted him and he jumped and shrieked. Carter laughed as he leaned away from the water until it warmed up. “Oh, you’re an ass!” Reid shouted and exhaled loudly as he waited for his balls to crawl out of his body.

They showered and dressed quickly. Reid had just enough time to throw Carter against the door and drop to his knees so he could give Carter a fast blow job. When he left, Carter was sitting on the stairs, slightly stunned and smiling drunkenly. Reid savored the taste of Carter on his tongue and lips until he gave in and opened the plastic container Carter had packed for him along with a stack of cookies, a salad and an apple a few hours later. It was lasagna and Reid hugged it to his chest as he sank onto the couch in the lounge.
I’m going to have to marry this guy.
Reid paused in the middle of chewing as he turned it over in his mind. He shrugged and went back to chewing. He was kind of ok with the idea.