Building Heat (11 page)

“If you change your mind…” Ryan's voice died when Mason laughed and shook his head.

“You’re joking, right? You saw him! He’s incredible, Ryan. And I’m not just talking about his body or what he can do in bed. He’s everything. He’s the one.” Mason turned and jogged to the car.

“You said I was the one!” Ryan called after him. Mason laughed again as he turned.

“And you still would be the one if you hadn’t left. Thank you so much for doing that. Seriously.” With that, Mason ducked into the car and pulled the door shut.

The car pulled away from the curb and Mason settled close to Avery as he slid his palm against his and intertwined their fingers. Mason raised their hands and kissed the back of Avery’s hand. They were both content to sit in silence for several minutes as the familiar sights of Manhattan rushed past the car windows. Mason thought back over the party and the scene with Ryan on the street and laughed softly.

“Hmm?” Avery hummed and his head rolled against the headrest toward Mason.

“What you said tonight.” He said as he kissed Avery’s hand again and squeezed it.

“Which part?” Avery’s brow was raised and Mason smirked at Avery’s cocky expression.

“All of it. The part about the dog, the house, the baby girls and everything you said to Ryan.” He sighed happily and Avery’s eyes narrowed as he watched Mason.

“Good?” He asked. Mason nodded as he released Avery’s hand and set his hand on Avery’s thigh and let it slide toward his groin.

“Really good.” Mason found Avery’s cock in his trousers and rubbed it through the fabric. “You know you’re getting laid. A lot. Right?”

Any thoughts of dancing were dismissed when they stumbled into Mason’s apartment. They made it as far as the kitchen table where Mason straddled Avery and rode him. After, they stripped off their clothes and took a long shower before falling into bed and making love again. They didn’t fall asleep until the sun started to rise. They stayed up all night, talking and laughing as their bodies curled around each other. When Mason woke up, Avery was stretched out on his back, the sheets tangled around his legs and his beautiful body wrapped in soft light. Before he had a chance to think it through, Mason grabbed his phone. He pulled the sheet up, covering most of Avery’s morning hard-on, leaving only a peek of the base of Avery’s cock and black curls. Though the shape of it was obvious under the sheet. Mason attached the picture to a text message to Nancy.

Mason

Happy Morning After Your Birthday!

A few minutes later:

Nancy

Baby. Jesus. You’re such a dirty slut!

Mason laughed quietly as he deleted the picture and put his phone on the bedside table. He went back to bed and did his best not to let Nancy down.

Chapter 14

The elevator doors closed and Mason hummed along to
Everlong
as it played in his head while he waited. The doors opened and he fished for his keys in his pocket as he stepped out. He paused when he saw Avery leaning against his door. Avery’s forehead was pressed against it and he looked like he might be sleeping. Mason frowned as he tilted his head to try and see if Avery was awake.

“Avery?” Mason asked softly as he got closer. Avery didn't move but Mason heard a weak moan. “What are you doing?” Mason stopped and leaned against the wall next to him.

“You weren’t home.” Avery mumbled. Mason’s brows pulled together and he leaned closer.
He doesn’t smell like he’s been drinking,
Mason observed.

“I gave you a key.” He pointed out. He had presented it in a box over dinner, on their one month anniversary. Avery’s shoulder rose but he was otherwise still.

“I didn't want to go to my place to get it.” He explained as he turned his head and pressed his cheek to the door. “I don’t feel well and Marla said I can’t go to work tomorrow.” Avery complained. Mason nodded as his eyes swept over Avery. He didn’t look well; his face was pale, his eyes were red and had dark smudges beneath and the edges of his nose were pink. Mason took Avery’s face in his hands and pressed his lips to his forehead. It was hot.

“You have a fever.” Mason announced and Avery groaned. Mason set him back and unlocked the door. “Let’s get you in bed.” He said as he rubbed Avery’s back and guided him through the door.

Avery complained under his breath as Mason helped him change into his silk pajama pants and Mason’s favorite around-the-house t-shirt, a threadbare Pink Floyd with about a dozen holes. Avery had brought over his own clothes to lounge in but he loved borrowing Mason’s t-shirts. Since he was sick, Mason decided Avery needed his special shirt.

“I’m going to make you some tea and get you some Tylenol, then I need to run out and get some stuff.” Mason said as he pulled the quilt up to Avery’s chin.

“I don’t want tea. Unless you have Earl Grey.” He fussed. Mason smiled gently as he brushed his hand through Avery’s hair.

“I have a few bags of Earl Grey. I’ll get more while I’m out.” He said and Avery frowned.

“Why do you have to go out? Just come to bed.” He grumbled and Mason shook his head.

“I need to get some cold medicine, stuff for soup, I have a feeling I don't have enough tissues and we need more tea.” He explained and Avery shook his head.

“I just need to sleep. I don’t need you to run around and play nurse.” Avery said. Mason shrugged.

“Fine. Sleep. You won’t notice if I’m here or not.” He pointed out and Avery scowled.

“That’s not what I meant. I want to sleep and I want you here, with me.” He explained. Mason leaned down and kissed his hair.

“I won’t be gone long. I’ll bring you some soup and I’ll come to bed after I take care of a few things.” Mason promised as he turned down the light.

Mason was gone for a little over an hour and when he got home, Avery was tossing and turning. And still complaining. Mason heated up the chicken soup he’d grabbed from Carnegie Deli and put away his purchases while he waited for the kettle to boil so he could make another cup of tea. Once it was steeping and sitting on a tray with the soup and crackers, Mason carried it all back to the bedroom. Avery pulled the covers over his head as Mason entered.

“I don’t feel like eating.” He muffled. Mason kept his lips straight as he set the tray down.

“You’ll sit up and eat. I’m not coming to bed unless you do.” He warned and Avery cursed as he flung the blanket back and sat up. He stuck his tongue out but the whole effect was ruined when he started to shiver. “I’ll get your robe.” Mason said as he went into the closet.

“I don’t want to get soup on my robe.” Avery complained. “Or sick. I don’t want sick on my robe.” He was starting to sound congested. Mason shook his head as he swung the robe over Avery’s shoulder.

“I’ll wash it later.” Mason said as he put another pillow behind Avery. He set the tray on Avery’s lap and went for the tissues. He grabbed the cherry cough drops he’d picked up just in case. “I have to go in for a quick meeting tomorrow morning but after that, I was able to clear my schedule for the rest of the week.” Mason said as walked back into the room and found Avery shaking his head.

“I don’t need you to stay home and take care of me.” He said as he dunked a cracker in his soup. Mason nodded as he sat on the bed carefully.

“I know. But I want to.” He explained. “Aside from a few little things that I can take care of from home, there’s really nothing going on at work right now. I bought everything I need to make gallons of chicken soup and I’m kind of excited about that.” Mason said as he watched Avery eat. Avery shrugged and frowned.

“Fine. But I’m just going to sleep so it will be a waste of your time.” He mumbled something else that Mason couldn't make out. Mason laughed as he got up to change.

“You know, I feel like I’m getting a glimpse of you as an old man and it’s not as fun as I was imagining it would be.” Mason said as he pulled off his tie and hung it up. “I think we’ll need separate bedrooms when we’re old. It will keep me from strangling you when you won’t stop complaining.” He hung up his jacket and turned to look at Avery as he unbuttoned his shirt. Avery’s eyes sparkled as they filled with tears. “What?” Mason asked as he stepped closer to the bed. Avery offered him a weak smile. He looked exhausted.

“You imagined us old, together.” He said softly. Mason nodded as warmth spread in his chest. He leaned down and kissed Avery’s forehead. It was still hot.

“The only reason we won’t grow old together is if you make me choke you. Stop being difficult and let me take care of you, it’ll make me happy.” Mason went to the closet and finished changing. After, he grabbed a Powerade for Avery and went back to the bedroom.

Once Avery was done eating and his fever had dropped, Mason slid in bed behind him and wrapped his body around Avery’s.

“I’ve been waiting for this all day. This is all I need.” Avery murmured hoarsely. Mason held him tighter and buried his face in the corner of Avery’s neck. After his lips and his naughty parts, it was Mason’s favorite part of Avery’s body.

“Me too.” He whispered. A moment later, Mason grinned as Avery started to snore softly.

“How are things looking with Alice DeWeer? Do we have a date yet?” Mason asked as he looked up, in the direction of the bedroom. Avery was moving around.

“Everything is on track with DeWeer, should be on time. Looking like the end of November.” Toby Willis replied and Mason nodded distractedly as he heard water running. Avery had been up and about a few times the evening before after being fever-free all day. Mason had let him sleep in and took his work into the living room so he could make a few calls without disturbing Avery. Mason had already decided on joining Avery in bed once he was done talking to Toby. His head was starting to feel fuzzy and his throat was raw.

“Did you get a chance to read the email?” Toby’s voice reached Mason and he frowned as he fumbled for a response.

“Um, yeah. I was just about to follow up on that. Hey, I need to go but I’ll get back with you later.” Mason said quickly.

Toby let him off and Mason was putting his laptop and paperwork aside when Avery walked into the living room. Even sick, he was still gorgeous. Avery hadn’t shaved in days, his light beard and bed ruffled hair made him look rugged. With his plaid robe, he had a bit of a lumberjack look going on and Mason thought it worked really well for Avery.
A Burberry Lumberjack
, Mason decided. And it was definitely working for him. Mason willed his cock to ignore how hot Avery looked as his grey eyes pinned Mason while he crossed the room.

“How are you feeling?” Mason’s voice came out a lot deeper than he had intended as his body ignored his request to stay relaxed. He silently argued that it had only been three days since he and Avery had last had sex. What was three days compared to his last dry spell? His body was not listening when Avery stopped in front of Mason and smiled down at him. Mason was hard. Really hard as he wondered if Avery had anything on under the robe. It didn’t look like it.

“I’m feeling better.” Avery murmured as he dropped to the floor and pushed Mason’s knees apart. Mason’s eyes widened and a squeak slipped from his throat as Avery’s hands slid up his thighs. “You’ve taken good care of me. Now, I’m going to take care of you.” He said softly as he worked at the fly of Mason’s jeans. Mason groaned in relief as he slid his hips down and raised them so Avery could pull his jeans off.
“Nothing too strenuous, you still need to take it easy.” Mason argued weakly as Avery’s hand closed around his erection. Mason sighed and let his head fall back as Avery started to stroke. He felt wet heat wash over the head and he hissed as he reached for Avery’s hair. “Don’t. Your throat.” Mason’s voice rasped. He looked down as Avery smiled up at him.

“I just need to taste you first. I’ve missed you.” He murmured against Mason’s cock before he licked the pre-cum that dribbled from the slit. Mason gasped and nodded drunkenly.

“I’ve missed you too.” He whispered.

Mason started to feel urgent when Avery took the bottle lubricant out of his pocket and poured a generous amount on Mason’s cock. Mason became mesmerized as he watched Avery’s hand tugging and twisting along the shaft. He loved the way Avery handled his cock, the way the muscles in his arm flexed and shifted as he squeezed and pulled. Mason whimpered and his hips lifted when Avery’s hand slid back and forth over the head. God, he loved that. A little too much at the moment.

“Avery…” Mason groaned. “I’m not going to last very long.” He warned. Avery laughed softly as he stood and Mason knew his situation was even more dire when Avery opened his robe and let it fall from his shoulders. Naked. Gloriously naked.

“You’d better hurry, then.” Avery said as he lowered himself, setting his knees outside of Mason’s thighs. Mason pressed his hands to Avery’s stomach and let them glide up as he stretched toward Avery’s lips.

“Hurry?” He breathed. Avery smiled as he took Mason’s right hand and coated the fingers with the slick hand that had been working on Mason’s now pulsing erection.

“Get me ready. I’m going to ride you.” Avery said as he rose on his knees and guided Mason’s hand around him. Mason growled and pulled Avery against his chest as his fingers found Avery’s tight hole.

“That’s not helping.” Mason complained as his finger slid into Avery’s tight heat. Avery’s eyes shut and his head fell back. Mason’s other hand fisted in his hair and pulled lightly as his lips bushed Avery’s neck. “You’re so fucking sexy and then you say things like that… I’m going to come before my cock even touches your ass.” Mason said before his teeth grazed Avery’s skin. Avery’s head swung forward and his eyes were heavy when they met Mason’s.

“Don’t.” He breathed the words against Mason’s cheek. Mason slid a second finger in and Avery’s breath was hot and wet against Mason’s skin as he panted. Mason turned his face to find Avery’s lips but he pulled back. “We shouldn’t, I don’t want to get you sick.” Avery argued. Mason tightened his grip in Avery’s hair and held him still.

“I think it’s too late. And I don’t care.” Mason’s tongue slid along Avery’s lips and Avery pushed his hands into Mason’s hair.

“In that case…” He whispered before he claimed Mason’s mouth for a deep, hungry kiss. Mason pushed his fingers deep into Avery and teased his prostate. Avery pulled back and gasped. “Enough. I need you, now.” He demanded as he pushed at Mason’s arm. Mason resisted and flicked firmly and Avery arched against Mason and moaned his name. “Pleeease!” He begged. Mason chuckled as he pulled his fingers from Avery. It died in his throat when Avery’s hand closed around his throbbing length and he guided it to his entrance and sat in one fluid movement, taking Mason all the way to the hilt.

“Jesus, Avery!” Mason gasped as he wrapped his hands around Avery’s ass. It was Avery’s turn to chuckle. He leaned forward and bit Mason’s ear as he rose on his knees and started riding Mason’s cock.

“You know I don’t like to beg.” Avery murmured. Mason could only nod as Avery’s hot, clenching ass slid up and down his erection. It was so good and Mason was so close. After six weeks of doing anything and everything they could think of, all traces of the awkward, blushing, virgin Avery were gone. The new Avery had the sex drive of a twenty year old, unbelievable stamina and quickly mastered the mechanics of sex. Mason loved the way Avery could work the springs of a mattress, bouncing Mason beneath him as he drove into his body. And Avery could reduce Mason to a babbling, quick shooting idiot with just a look and a few words. “Stroke my cock, Mason. You feel so good and I want to come for you.”

Just like that,
Mason thought as his hand wrapped around Avery’s thick erection and started to pull. How did Avery know exactly what to say to make his balls hurt? They were tight and pressure and heat were flooding Mason’s groin.
Give it back to him,
he decided.

“I’m going to come so hard, Avery. I’ve been waiting to bury my cock deep in your tight ass for days.” Mason growled as he dipped his head and wrapped his lips around Avery’s nipple. Avery shrieked and ground against the base of Mason’s cock.

“Oh, fuck!” He screamed hoarsely as his voice gave out. “I’m going to come!” He breathed. Mason tightened his grip on Avery and stroked faster.

“Give it to me.” He demanded. Avery grabbed his shoulders and started to convulse as his body clenched around Mason’s shaft. Mason felt the heat and pressure swelling up the base of his erection as a stream of come shot from the head of Avery’s cock. Mason slid his hand over the end, collecting as much as he could before he raised his hand to his mouth and licked it clean. The taste of Avery’s come burst within Mason’s mouth just as his cock exploded deep within Avery. Mason’s mouth fell open on a silent scream and he stared, blind and paralyzed at the ceiling as a wave of pleasure and heat surged through his body. He felt Avery melt against him and was able to control his arms enough to wrap them around Avery as his body jerked and trembled. Mason held Avery to him as his body hummed and glowed until Avery started to shift and groaned.