3-Ties That Bind (9 page)

“You dated someone for years and you weren’t ready. We’ve known each other a couple of months and—”

“And it’s right. No matter if you spend Christmas with me this year—or you never do—I can respect that. But I still want you to come home to me. I’ll always make sure you’re okay when you’re with me.”

“I believe you.” He really did, with a feeling of trust that settled in his bones for the first time in what felt like forever. He leaned across the center console and kissed Derek, who didn’t seem worried that his mom might see them. Derek put a hand on the back of his neck and tugged Glen in closer.

When they both pulled back, reluctantly, Derek told him, “Good. Then don’t answer me right now. Think about it. Because I’m too damned impatient not to ask again, and soon.”

“Could you be more bossy?” Glen asked.

“Yeah, I can. And you’ll love it.”

Glen fought a moan, because he wanted nothing more than Derek to show him, right here and now. But it was neither the time nor the place for that. And his head was already swimming with contemplating Derek’s offer.

The man was completely serious. And he was staring at Glen like he knew what he was thinking, so Glen told him, “Let’s get our stuff out of the back.”

“Our stuff?”

Glen nodded, and Derek didn’t make a huge deal about it, just acted like that had always been the plan. Together, they waded through the knee-deep snow, the icy hail pummeling them as they walked.

Glen didn’t feel a damned thing—between his happiness and his nerves—he was shot.

Derek’s mother was waiting at the door. “I can’t believe you made it through.”

Glen watched as she hugged Derek tight. When they pulled apart, she held out her hand. “Alice Mann—so nice to meet you, Glen.”

He shook her hand. “You too. Thanks for having me here.”

“Any friend of Derek’s,” she said with a warmth that couldn’t be faked. And then Derek’s sister, Melissa, came into the hall and threw her arms around Derek and hugged Glen too, whether he wanted to be hugged or not.

“Sorry,” Derek mouthed with a shrug, but Glen was all right. More so than he’d thought he’d be.

“You must be exhausted, driving all night,” Alice said. “Go get some rest and I’ll have food ready when you’re done.”

Glen had almost forgotten that somewhere along the road, it had turned into Christmas.

Derek led them up to the third floor—an open, loft-like attic room with a big bed and plush rug. It was warm, despite the hail slamming the windows.

“I want to tell you how much this means to me, but I’d rather show you,” Derek murmured.

He relaxed in Derek’s arms. Let the man fuss over him. Then he let Derek tie his arms down tight to the headboard and make love to him quietly.

Chapter Ten

Glen let Derek sleep, got up and showered and let the smell of food guide him downstairs. He steeled himself—for what, he wasn’t sure, and he padded into the kitchen.

Alice was checking something in the oven, turned when she saw him. “Hope you got some rest.”

“I did—thanks.”

The lights flickered, and she looked up at them like she could will them to stay on. “We’ve been lucky so far. As long as this roast cooks, I’ll be happy. But you must be hungry—sit and I’ll get you something to snack on.”

He wasn’t about to argue—it had been a while since he’d eaten. She poured some hot chocolate into a mug, passed it to him and he drank the sweet concoction, calmer inside than he thought he would be.

She sat across from him with her own mug. “Thank you for getting Derek through this storm. It means more to me than you could possibly know.”

“Yeah, well, he’s done a lot for me,” he said quietly.

“You’ve done a lot for him.” There was pride and acceptance in her tone and Glen’s shoulders relaxed.

She was nice, but she wasn’t pushing him to the point where he wanted to run. Instead, she plied him with cookies, like she knew sweets were his weakness, and then she showed him photo albums of Derek. As the lights flickered and the winds howled, Glen kept her calm during the storm, reassured her that the roast would be fine, even though he knew nothing about cooking.

Derek watched Glen sitting at the table with Mom, drinking cocoa and paging through photo albums.

He’d advised his mom to go slowly—she wouldn’t have called Glen down here like this.

No, while Derek was sleeping, Glen had come down here purposefully. His chest squeezed as he backed slowly away, not wanting to interrupt their moment. Instead, he joined his sister in the living room, where she was putting the finishing touches on the tree.

Derek was usually here to help them pick it out on Christmas Eve. But Melissa had somehow managed to do so herself.

“I like him,” she said, without being asked. “And you know I don’t like everyone.”

“Yes, I know. Speaking of…”

“Tommy and I are still together. He’s with his family this year,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “Mom’s so happy you made it home.”

“So am I.” He was happy for a lot of things. He’d let go of a hell of a lot—Glen had as well. And they had a lot to show for it. Didn’t matter the length of time—right was right.

“I like seeing your smile again,” Melissa told him, gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Me too, sis…me too.”

Later that night, after Merry Christmases had been said and the roast and potatoes and everything else in between had been eaten, the storm finally eased up. Glen and Derek were curled together in the attic guest room.

“Why is this easy?” Glen asked himself out loud.

“You’re not easy—neither am I. But it’s right,” Derek said. “I think, in order to have or appreciate the very best, you have to go through the very worst. Living your life always looking to be on an even keel is safe, but it’s boring.”

“So you have to suffer to be really happy,” Glen mused. “Like you don’t know what it really feels like until you feel really shitty.”

“Yeah, like that. It’s a good time of year for miracles.”

“I’ll take them every time.”

Derek moved to open the bedside table drawer. “I wanted to give you this in private.”

It was wrapped, and when Glen opened it, two keys fell out. “So this wasn’t an impulse move-in-with-me discussion.”

“No. I’ve known for a couple of weeks. Needed to find the right time—and last night felt like it.”

“It’s pretty perfect,” he said, took a minute to connect them to his own key ring. And then he said, “I’ve got something for you too.”

He rifled through his bag and pulled out the unwrapped gift and handed it to Derek. He’d picked up the carved ebony statue—two figures symbolically twined to make one—on his last mission to Africa. It reminded him of everything he wanted with Derek. Made him think that it wasn’t too late to go home and fix what he’d fucked up.

And he’d been right. “I bought it before I got sick. After I picked that fight…” He stared at the ceiling, shook his head. “God, I kept fighting, fucking things up. And they still worked out.”

Derek smiled. Put the statue next to him on the night table and kissed him. “It’s really perfect.”

“Like you.”

Derek snorted. “Remember you said that the next time you’re pissed at me.”

“I’ll try.”

“You all right?”

He was. The family stuff would probably always overwhelm him but being accepted into the fold was comforting. There were no hidden agendas here—no snide comments. Just love.

Derek had been right—accepting himself was always going to be the hardest part. “Do I get to sit on Santa’s lap?”

“Fuck Santa. You’ll sit on mine.”

“That’s a better offer.” Glen smiled.

“For right now, it’s all damned good.” Derek paused, wondered if he should press his luck. “If you move in with me, that would be the best present ever.”

Glen whistled softly. “You said you’d ask again soon, but man, you’re fast.”

“I know what I want.”

“You’re lucky I like fast.”

“I’ve been lucky ever since you walked into the bar.” Derek meant that more than he ever thought he could.

“I want to be with you, Derek. Want to move in with you. I just can’t believe…”

“Believe what?’ Derek prompted softly when Glen paused for too long.

“Can’t believe you want to move in with me.”

Derek kissed him fiercely, letting him know that, yes, that’s exactly what he wanted. Let Glen know that it was all for real. And when they pulled apart for a second, Glen nuzzled his head against Derek’s shoulder.

“Yes,” Glen said finally. “In case I wasn’t clear—yes.”

“Baby, you just made my year.” Derek stroked the side of Glen’s face when the boy moved his head to look him in the eye.

“Love you,” Glen said. “Not sure if it’s too early to say it, but that’s what I feel.”

Derek held him. “Love you. Never too early.”

“Fucking Christmas,” Glen muttered, the lights burning softly across his face. He knew he’d celebrate it happily every year from now on. And he had Derek Mann to thank for it. For everything.

About the Author

SE Jakes lives in New York where she’s currently at work writing her next book. She feels that doing what you love keeps you young and that writing about people falling in love is probably the best damned job in the entire world.

You can find more information about SE’s newest books or how to contact her at
sejakes.blogspot.com
.

Look for these titles by SE Jakes

Now Available:

Men of Honor

Bound By Honor

Bound By Law

Ties that Bind

A promise forces two men to bare themselves…completely.

Bound By Honor

© 2011 SE Jakes

Men of Honor, Book 1

One year ago on a mission gone wrong, Tanner James failed to save the life of Jesse, his Army Ranger teammate. Before dying in that South American jungle, Jesse extracted a promise that won’t let Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled—no matter what it costs him.

Damon Price loved Jesse, but problems in their relationship had come to a head right before Jesse left on his final mission. Now a reluctant Dom and a man still in mourning, he’s not happy when Tanner appears at his BDSM club. And even less happy with Jesse’s last request—that Tanner sub for him for one night.

After a rough start, Damon realizes that the tough soldier, despite his protests, aches for someone to take control. And Tanner senses a hesitance, an insecurity in Damon that makes him wonder if he’s simply a placeholder for Jesse, or if their tentative connection could grow into something more.

For Jesse’s sake, they agree to try one weekend together. Then duty calls, and a series of attacks that have been happening near the club hits too close to home, making both men wonder if giving their hearts is a maneuver fraught with too much risk…

Warning: Contains rough language, rougher sex and warriors who fall hard for each other.
 

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Bound By Honor:

“Are you always this self-destructive when you come home from combat?” Damon growled in his ear, and Tanner realized he’d played with fire and would have to suffer the consequences—there would be no easy way out of this situation at all.

Lately, yes, he had been completely self-destructive. But he was humiliated and pissed and so fucking needy all at the same time, he didn’t know what to say or do. Instead, he buried his face into the pillow again and hoped Damon understood, the way he always claimed to.

His arms were starting to go numb, as were his legs. The chains and cuffs were tight, and he was hot and cold at the same time.

“I’ll undo the cuffs—but don’t you move. Understood?”

The command in Damon’s tone was something that couldn’t be ignored. Tanner responded to it, wanted more of it, needed to obey and so he nodded, shivered as the cuffs came off. Damon rubbed the blood back into his arms and legs and Tanner allowed it, stayed calm and followed Damon’s instructions.

“Better?” Damon asked and Tanner nodded mutely.

A smooth, cool palm rubbed the nape of his neck and Tanner breathed again.

“Touch is hard when you first come back,” Damon murmured, so only the two of them could hear.

“It always was,” Tanner whispered back. “Too much contact and I…”

“I know.” Damon’s hand rubbed, massaged, moved to Tanner’s shoulders—that, he hadn’t expected…he’d thought it would be all hard edges. No talking except for dirty words…no time for his likes and dislikes.

“Is it supposed to be like this?”

“It’s not supposed to be like anything.”

Tanner nodded. Swallowed hard. Then, “I like it rough.”

“I know that too.” But Damon didn’t stop the gentle massage. His fingers trailed the dips of Tanner’s muscles, even as Tanner’s skin felt hot and tight.

He was achy and needy, ready to beg.

But he didn’t. Wouldn’t.

“You’re a tough one, aren’t you?” Damon mused. “All you have to do is ask.”

“It’s never that simple.”

“This time, it is.”

Could it be? He’d spent too much time believing otherwise.

“What do you want?” Damon’s voice invaded his ears. “Do you want me to lay you out across my lap and spank you until your ass is red and you’re coming on my thighs because you can’t not come?”

Tanner opened his mouth to say no, but no didn’t come out. His cock twitched though, his body betraying him every step of the way, and even though Damon couldn’t see that, he knew. The man just knew.

“Spank you…and then fuck you into tomorrow,” Damon continued and
God, yes.

Tanner looked up when he realized he’d spoken those words out loud. Damon’s eyes blazed, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Then it’s going to happen. Now.”

Within seconds, and with surprising ease, Damon pulled Tanner up off the bed and positioned him across his lap, bare ass in the air.

He cried out with a howl of surprise, struggled but a strong arm held him down, steadied him while the other came down, bare hand meeting bare skin. He swore he could smell the lust—his own, Damon’s…Joe’s and Hunt’s, because even though he couldn’t see them, they were watching this play out.