Finding Absolution (5 page)

Van brushed Jon’s ear with his lips. “And I’m so glad you can do that,” he whispered. His cock was growing harder by the second. “As a matter of fact, I think I should’ve driven straight to that damn hayloft and promised you the rodeo tomorrow.”

Jon got to his feet. “Come with me.”

Van adjusted his erection before standing and making his way down the aisle. He rejoined Jon on the steps and reached for his hand. Nearing the bottom, he heard a familiar wolf-whistle. He wasn’t sure where Quade and Kai were seated, but he’d no doubt get a good ribbing the next time he saw them.

When Van started towards the Jeep, Jon tugged him in a different direction. “Where’re we going?” Van asked, wrapping his arm around Jon.

Jon pulled Van behind one of the maintenance buildings. “Right here.” He sank to his knees and reached for Van’s zipper. After easing it down, he slid inside and pulled Van’s erection through the opening.

“Christ,” Van bit out as he watched Jon’s tongue tease the head of his cock. He reached for something to hold onto and ended up resting his hands on Jon’s shoulders.

Jon paused in his wicked attentions to stare up at Van. “I feel like I need to make something clear before we go any further.”

Van couldn’t believe Jon wanted to take a moment to talk while pre-cum dripped down the length of his cock. “Okay.”

“I’m not a slut. I know it must look like I am after what happened last night and everything, but I’m really not.”

Van’s first reaction was to tell Jon that he happened to like sluts, but the obvious distress in Jon’s expression stopped him. “Your past sexual exploits are the farthest thing from my mind right now.”

Jon licked the tip of Van’s cock. “But, tomorrow, I need you to remember this conversation, okay?”

“I promise.” Van brushed Jon’s jaw with his thumb. He’d never considered himself a pig, but all he wanted was to feel the warmth of Jon’s throat as it squeezed the hell out of his cock. It wasn’t until he realised that he didn’t want just any mouth, but Jon’s, that he felt better about himself.

“Thanks,” Jon said, a breath before taking the head of Van’s cock into his mouth.

Fuck.
It felt better than Van had imagined. Slut or not, Jon definitely knew his way around a cock. When Jon grabbed Van’s ass in a silent invitation to move, Van couldn’t resist. He kept his thrusts shallow until he determined that Jon could take even more of him. “Ahhh, babe, that’s good,” he groaned.

Jon released his hold on Van’s ass and reached down to unzip his jeans. Taking himself in hand, he hummed.

The vibration shot down Van’s cock to his balls, sending his body into overdrive. “I’m coming,” he warned as he pulled back and shot his seed in the grass between them. He slid to the ground, hoping to give Jon pleasure. With Jon’s hand already working his cock, Van opted to cup and knead Jon’s sac.

“Kiss me,” Jon panted, leaning towards Van.

Van closed the distance between them and thrust his tongue deep into Jon’s talented mouth. Jon let out a grunt without breaking their kiss and warmth covered Van’s wrist as Jon rode out his climax.

Van pulled back and lifted his wrist to his mouth. He licked Jon’s cum from his skin and smiled. “Nice.”

“Why do you get to taste me, but you wouldn’t let me taste you? Is there something you haven’t told me?” Jon asked.

“I’m clean,” Van clarified. “I just didn’t want to pressure you to swallow.”

Jon chuckled. “If I didn’t want to swallow, I wouldn’t have sucked your cock in the first place.”

“I’ll remember that.” Van got to his feet and tucked his cock away before holding out his hand to help Jon up.

Before Jon got a chance to pull up his jeans and underwear, Van stayed his hands. “Let me.” He gently adjusted Jon’s pale blue panties over his flaccid cock. The underwear might be considered feminine, but Van could tell they were made for a man. He took a moment to appreciate the soft silk against his fingertips. With everything Jon had given up to move back to Wyoming, Van wanted to give him a week that both of them would remember for years to come. “I don’t want to sneak around behind your grandpa’s back. I want to meet him.”

“Tonight?” Jon looked panicked.

“No. If you give me directions, I’ll come by your place first thing in the morning,” Van explained.

“But I have to work tomorrow.”

“I figured that, which is why I’ll try to help as much as I can. After we finish what needs to be done, I’d like to take you and your grandpa somewhere nice for dinner and then back here to the rodeo.”

Jon shook his head. “Grandpa won’t come to the rodeo. It reminds him too much of my grandma, but he might enjoy going to dinner.”

“Okay,” Van agreed. He zipped Jon’s jeans before pulling him into his arms. “I’ll warn you right now, I know absolutely nothing about farming.”

“It’s just picking vegetables. It’s hot and sweaty, but there’s a creek we can cool off in at lunchtime.” Jon rested his cheek against Van’s shoulder. “You’re the first person who’s ever offered to help me. You should’ve seen me trying to put up hay by myself earlier this month.”

“Can’t you hire someone to help with that?” Van asked. He was perfectly content to hold and talk to Jon as long as he’d allow it.

Jon shook his head. “The farm hasn’t been profitable in years. I make enough to pay the bills but there’s not much left over.” He kissed Van’s neck. “Then you also have to take into account the farmer mentality. Save some of this year’s profit in case next year’s crops don’t make it.”

Van didn’t need to ask why Jon worked his ass off to break even. The man truly was sacrificing himself to pay back a debt of gratitude. “Tell you what, if this week goes well, and you haven’t met Mr Right by next hay season, I’ll fly out and help you.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to make sure the rest of the week turns out the way we want it.” Jon nipped Van’s chin.

* * * *

Jon was up early, hoping to talk to his grandpa before Van arrived. He showered, dressed and made a pot of coffee. By the time his grandpa wheeled into the kitchen, Jon was already on his third cup. “Morning.”

Bill rolled to the table using his foot and his good hand.

“You’re getting around pretty good these days, old man.” Jon filled his grandpa’s coffee cup and set it in front of him.

“You’re never around, so it’s make do on my own or sit in the same spot all day.” Bill tried to keep a straight face, but ruined it by the time he picked up his cup, flashing his trademark grin.

The devilish grin reminded Jon of better times. His grandparents had had an odd way of communicating. For his grandpa, it had all been about riling his wife up. The only thing Grandpa had seemed to love more than teasing Grandma was making up with her. Jon wrapped his hands around the warmth of the ceramic mug. He’d practised what he’d say to his grandpa for hours, but rehearsing it in his head and actually speaking the words were two different things.

“Something bothering ya?” Bill asked before Jon could gather his courage.

“I’ve got a friend coming this morning to help me pick the last of the asparagus,” Jon began.

“Is this the same man who called for you last night?”

“Yeah. He’s here from Oahu visiting friends. I don’t think he’s ever been on a farm, so it should be an eye-opening experience for him.” There was more, but Jon decided to take baby steps in his explanation.

“You should take him to the berry patch, but make sure he doesn’t eat everything he picks,” Bill offered.

Jon took a sip of his coffee. “Van would also like to take us out for dinner this evening.”

Bill didn’t say anything for several moments. He reached for his morning newspaper and set it in front of him. Finally, he cleared his throat. “This man isn’t just a friend, is he?”

Jon shook his head. “I really like him. I know I just met him, but he listens to me.”

“We’ve never really talked about this stuff,” Bill said. “I wish Dorothy was here. She’d be better at this sort of thing.”

“I’m sorry if you’re disappointed in me.” Jon took a deep breath. “But Van’s the first person I’ve ever met who seems to understand me.”

“I’m not,” Bill said simply. “We’ve been waiting for you to meet someone who could make you happy.”

“We?”

“Your grandma and me. It wasn’t our place to speculate, but you know us, we did anyway,” Bill confessed without taking his eyes off the paper.

“Thanks.” Jon reached over and squeezed his grandpa’s frail hand as much as he dared.

“I don’t like Mexican food. Does your friend know that?” Bill asked.

“No, but I’ll tell him.” Jon stood and carried his empty cup to the sink. “You ready for some more coffee?”

“Fill me up.”

Just like that, the discussion Jon had put off for years was over. He glanced at his grandpa before opening the refrigerator. “Eggs?”

“Poached, if you don’t mind?”

“Don’t mind at all.”

* * * *

On his way out of the lodge, Van stopped by the dining room to inform Kai and Quade of his plans for the day. “Morning,” he greeted.

“I’m surprised you’re up so early,” Kai said before popping a melon ball into his mouth. His jaw dropped when he looked away from his plate and up at Van. “What’d you do to your hair?”

Van touched the short ponytail at the nape of his neck. “I cut it.” He’d decided on the drive back to the lodge that if he was going to meet Jon’s grandfather, he needed to make a few changes.

“With what?” Quade asked.

“Scissors, asshole. I borrowed them from David at the front desk.” Van pointed to Kai’s uneaten slice of toast. “You gonna eat that?”

Kai shoved the plate towards Van. “I’ve never seen you with short hair.”

Van sat down long enough to slather grape jelly onto the twin triangles. “It’s not exactly short.” His hair still touched his shoulders. It was imperative he be able to pull it away from his face. “I’m going to help Jon harvest vegetables.”

Kai’s eyebrows shot up, but Quade was the one who voiced his surprise. “Do you have any idea how to do that?”

“Nope.” Van ate each triangle in two bites before brushing the crumbs from his hands. “But I didn’t know how to surf until my dad taught me.”

Before Van could make a clean getaway, Kai spoke up. “Jon does realise that you’re only here on vacation, right?”

“He knows,” Van informed his friends.

“The big street dance is tomorrow night and the parade on Saturday. You’re going to show up, right?” Kai asked.

“We’ll see.” Van beat a quick rhythm on the tabletop. He felt good, damn good. “I’ll catch up with you two later.”

Van left the lodge and followed Jon’s precise directions to the farm. When he was a few miles out, he spotted a small, roadside motel and pulled in. Within ten minutes, he had an old-fashioned room key in his pocket. He had no idea whether or not Jon would be able to join him, but if not, at least he’d be closer.

* * * *

Jon heard the Jeep approaching before it pulled to a stop in front of the house. He’d already started on the asparagus, but the morning was still cool enough that he hadn’t worked up a sweat. “Hey,” he greeted, approaching the vehicle.

“Sorry I’m late,” Van replied.

Jon stopped in his tracks when he noticed the change in Van’s appearance. “You cut your hair?”

“Yep.” Van climbed out of the Jeep. “You like it?”

Jon wasn’t sold on the shorter cut, but Van was still sexy as hell. “Of course. Where’d you find a shop open so early?”

“Nowhere, I did it myself this morning.” Van took the ponytail holder out of his hair and ran his fingers through it before putting it back up again. “I didn’t want your grandfather to think you had a hippy for a friend.”

Jon couldn’t believe Van had cut his hair to make a better impression on his grandpa. He loved the new style even more now that he knew why Van had done it. “I don’t think he would’ve thought less of you, but thank you for thinking of him.”

Van brushed his hand against Jon’s. “Where’s he at?”

“Probably watching the morning news on TV.” Jon pulled Van’s head down for a deep kiss, praying his grandpa wasn’t watching them. He released his hold on Van and took a step back. “Would you like to meet him now or after we finish?”

Van shrugged. “That’s up to you.”

Before he allowed his nerves to get the better of him, Jon nodded. “Okay, let’s grab a couple of waters out of the fridge, and you can meet him.”

Van squeezed Jon’s hand. “I don’t have to if it’s too much.”

“It’s not. Besides, it’s time.” Jon led the way around the corner of the house to the small back mudroom. He opened the screen door and announced their presence. “Grandpa?” He smiled over his shoulder at Van.

“Be right there,” Bill called.

“That’s okay, we’ll be there in a second.” Jon opened the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water before passing one to Van. He cracked the top on his and took a cool drink as he walked through the dining room to the living room. “Grandpa, this is my friend Van Duggins. Van, this is Bill.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Van stepped forward and shook Bill’s hand.

When Van started to pull back after the shake, Bill hung on. “It’s good to finally meet you,” Bill replied.

Jon wasn’t sure what that meant. He’d only informed his grandpa a few hours earlier of Van’s existence. “Well, we’d better get that asparagus finished before it gets much hotter.”

Bill nodded. “Jenny called. She said we’re almost out of tomatoes.”

“Okay, we’ll run some down as soon as we finish the asparagus.” Jon took another drink. “You have everything you need for a few hours?”

“I can take care of myself,” Bill grumbled.

Jon could’ve kicked himself. He knew how proud his grandpa was and pointing out his disabilities in front of Van had been the wrong thing to do. “Van, why don’t you grab a couple more waters out of the fridge. I’ll be right there.”

“Sure. I’ll see you later, Mr Porter,” Van addressed Jon’s grandpa.

“Call me Bill,” Bill corrected.

“Okay,” Van agreed before leaving the room.

“Sorry,” Jon said as soon as he was alone with his grandpa. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”