Love Life & Circumstance (12 page)

A change came over Elijah’s face; a fierce look that caused Seth to swallow hard. The other man leaned forward and kissed him. “Go in and see your niece. I’ll come by your house later tonight.” Elijah opened the passenger side door and slid out leaving Seth in the middle of the bench seat. A quick smiled curved his lush lips. “Make sure and have all the goodies on the bedside table. I think we’ll need them.” The door shut gently and with a wave, Elijah headed for the staircase to the lower parking garage.

For some reason, Seth felt like the tattle tale at school. Elijah and Rhett were best friends, more if Rhett were to be believed. He could have made up a name, played it off. But, he didn’t want lies between him and Eli. They had enough stacked against them as it was. Elijah was the father of his niece. His twin had slept with Deacon at least once. Bethany had been responsible for his father’s death. A vicious circle that didn’t need any extra barbs. Taking a deep breath, Seth climbed out of the truck again and headed back inside.
You’re assuming the man wants a relationship, Seth. It’s highly more likely he just wants a good fuck.
Either way, Elijah Deacon would be at his house tonight, and part of his intentions were clear.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

The heavy footsteps echoed through the vacant underground parking garage. The sound emphasized the degree of Elijah’s thunderous mood. Whatever  Rhett thought he was fucking playing at by making a move on Seth, and then having the blatant nerve to  turn up at the hospital putting on the act of a concerned friend, pissed Elijah off to no end.  His hands curled into thick meaty fists. Things were bad enough right know without someone thinking they had some Godforsaken right to interfere in his life, or Hope’s and Seth’s lives.  Elijah approached Rhett’s car, and ploughed his fist into the hood. He could see his best friend behind the steering wheel.

“Get your ass outta that seat Devereux, before I come drag ya out of it.”  Elijah didn’t care one wit for Rhett’s wide eyed lost boy look as he skulked back into the leather. In fact, it only fuelled the level of his ugly assed mood, and he hit the car again, denting the shiny black metal. “So help me, Rhett. Get your ass out here. NOW!”

Rhett turned a sickly shade of white as he slid out of the car and held up his hands. “Eli, please don’t be mad. I did it for your own good. C’mon, we both know that you ain’t serious about this Seth. He’s just a plaything, a passing fancy that we could both have some fun with. It’s too soon after your dad’s death for it to be serious.” When he saw the ploy wasn’t working, Rhett switched gears.

“You look so good when you come Eli, I just wanted in…to be a part of things like I’ve always been. Granted, I ain’t ever had a threesome with you and another guy, but you know I want you, always have.  And now, that pissant fucking legal eagle thinks he has a claim on your ass.” Rhett sneered. “Well I say no way. No way in hell is some big city do-gooder gunna take you away from me. Eli, please, I can be good for you. We’ll have fun playing dad to Hope.”  Rhett moved closer until his fingers played nervously over the buttons of Elijah’s shirt. His words rambled through Elijah’s head, making little or no sense.  But, when Hope’s name was dropped into the mix, Elijah damn near exploded.

“It’s not a fucking game, Rhett. Hope’s my kid. MINE! And no motherfucker is ever gunna harm a hair on her head. If all you want to do is play at happy families, go find some down on her luck broad and play daddy to her kids.” Elijah shoved a hand through his hair as exasperation took hold.

“You ain’t gay, Rhett, but I am. Get it through your head. I’m gay, and Seth is more than I’ve ever wanted in my whole God damned life. Don’t you fuckin’ dare stand there and tell me I don’t know what I feel. And for your safety, don’t ever think to try and come between what’s growing between us, or so help me I’ll …” Elijah’s words were cut short as Rhett ploughed into him and attempted to kiss him. With a growl of anger, Elijah evaded his mouth.

“You never gave me a chance, Eli. You always thought I was there for the girls, but the only reason I did that was to get as close to you as I could. Seeing you fuck, God you’re beautiful.” He grabbed Elijah’s hand and shoved it against his crotch. “Feel this; does this feel like I’m playing a game? It’s you, always been you, yet you ain’t ever seen me before now. Fuck Elijah, what do I have to say or do to make you see.” Rhett sighed deeply. “You’ve always been there, ever since we were kids. You know how much I love you.”

Elijah stared at his best friend, and couldn’t find any words. He felt as though lightening had struck him dumb and glued his feet firmly to the spot. It was only the fact that Rhett still held his hand against the prominent swell in Rhett’s pants that broke him free of Rhett’s shocking revelations.

“Rhett, stop. You don’t mean it; I know you. You’re feeling vulnerable because you think Seth’s a threat to our friendship, because that’s all this is buddy. You ain’t gay. I love you; always will, but you’re a player, Rhett Devereux. And, what I want with Seth ain’t a game.” It was Elijah’s turn to sigh. “We have a responsibility to Hope, that little bundle upstairs that’s fighting for her life while I’m down here because you’ve been a dick. I should be knocking your lights out for what you did to Seth.”

He offered a wry smile. “Now, move my hand off your dick and go home Rhett. And, while you’re there, think about how you’re gunna damn well make it up to Seth for what you did.” Elijah thumbed over the bruised swelling under Rhett’s eye. “You deserve a matching pair; you know that. But, I ain’t gunna beat up on my best friend. Now go home, I’ll be in touch.” Elijah didn’t give Rhett a chance to speak; he turned toward the stairs and made his way back to Hope and Seth.

He felt bad for Rhett; guilty. All the times they’d teamed up in lewd threesomes, Elijah hadn’t realized that Rhett had the hots for him. Just the notion of Rhett being gay was comical. Hell, the dude had fucked his way through high school and senior year. He understood that his friend felt threatened; they’d been close friends a damned long time. But, that didn’t give Rhett the right to move on Seth, or to make decisions for Elijah.

And, if just thinking of his name didn’t break Elijah out in a cold hard sweat, the sight of Seth leaning against the vending machine opposite the nurses’ station went straight to his dick. Elijah had nothing to hide from anymore. His folks were dead, and anyone that had a problem with the fact he was gay, would be introduced to Elijah’s right fist. Seth glanced up, worry etched on his gorgeous face. Elijah couldn’t stand to see that look. He walked past the gaggle of twittering nurses and grabbed Seth with both hands. Elijah pulled the man into his arms and laid a brief but possessive kiss to his sweet tasting lips. When they broke apart, Seth grinned, his face warm from the rush of heat searing his cheeks. God, he looked sexy as Elijah took him by the hand and led him back to Hope’s room, smiling at the nurses as they passed.

They spent most of the evening with Hope, both taking turns holding their beautiful bundle in the palms of their hands. Elijah swore he could actually feel that she’d gained weight. He beamed triumphantly when the nurse confirmed that Hope had, indeed, gained weight and was on target to reach the four pound mark sooner than expected. Neither Elijah nor Seth could speak. They just looked at each other, lost for words, but at the same time, they had so much to say.

Elijah spoke first as he took Seth’s hand and kissed his open palm. “We have a lot of work to do before Hope comes home. I have to get a room done for her in both our houses, and I need to fix your rickety ass porch. We’ll need an early start in the morning. I need supplies and have to get my father’s construction crews all fixed up with work. So, what say, we have dinner and breakfast together, and then you help me choose what we’ll need?” Elijah laughed at the expression on Seth’s gorgeous face and breathed deep with the feeling of self-contentment.  He didn’t stop smiling once as they drove back to Seth’s home, and he more than loved their hands being locked together as though neither man wanted to let go.

Once inside the house, Elijah pulled the smaller man into his arms. He couldn’t wait any longer. The need to kiss him, taste him and possess the warmth of those full lips was driving him insane. The moment their mouths met, Elijah moaned. “So sweet, you always taste so God damned good, Seth…” Elijah lost himself to the magnetism of his attraction to Seth and began a slow and in-depth exploration of the man’s wickedly sinful mouth.

He made slow passes over the full swell of Seth’s bottom lip before nibbling it slightly and pulling it gently into his mouth. Elijah suckled, moaning as his body flared to life and crushed himself against Seth. As much as Elijah wanted to take the man and bury himself deep within Seth’s beautiful ass, he fought against it. He wanted to do it right. Seth wasn’t someone he’d met in a bar; he was different, real in a way that made Elijah want to be a better person.  He held onto that thought and gently pulled away. His body ached for Seth, but he’d wait, feed Seth, and take some time to talk through some things with him before hopefully taking the gorgeous man to bed.

A wry smile tweaked the corners of Elijah’s mouth as he bypassed Seth to make his way into the kitchen. Elijah wasn’t one for beating around the bush. He wanted Seth; it was that simple. And, they both had Hope to raise, so there was no time for skirting around issues that would drag things out. Seth would get used to him eventually, Eli hoped a little optimistically.

“Why don’t you go and do what you need to do, and I’ll light the grill outside. It’s a nice night; I was thinking maybe we could eat outdoors.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, one Seth seemed more than happy to oblige. Elijah leaned back, admiring the view as Seth made his way down the hall and disappeared into one of the rooms.
Christ, but the guy had the cutest, tightest ass. Elijah, get with the game plan, dude.
A brief mental scolding detoured him away from thoughts of joining Seth and back to the job at hand.

A quick scout through Seth’s fridge produced a couple of real good cuts of steak, a selection of vegetables that Elijah skewered and some garlic butter that he placed into a small bowl he found in the cabinets. He planned to melt it to brush over the vegetables. He half cooked two fair-sized baking potatoes in the microwave before wrapping them in foil and taking them outside. Once he’d lit the grill, Elijah went back inside and corralled a six pack of Budweiser and two bottles of wine. He wasn’t sure which Seth preferred, but Eli wasn’t one for beer. He much preferred wine. He opened a nice bottle of red he knew he liked and was surprised to find in Seth’s pantry. He had to import the brand from Europe as he couldn’t find it this far south. He left it to breathe on the counter while he finished up and took the food outside. He set the small table with linen and cutlery and placed the steaks over the white hot coals.

He’d just lit a dozen or so small candles and was about to call Seth when the feel of two warm arms firmly wrapped around his lower waist. “You keep treating me like this, and I won’t let you leave.” Seth felt so good pressed against him that Eli sighed, relishing the close proximately along with the man’s seductive scent.

“That’s what I’m hoping for, or don’t you do subtle hints?” Elijah laughed low and turned in Seth’s arms. The other man’s beauty amazed Elijah, and he cupped the masculine frame of Seth’s jaw to tilt his mouth up toward his own. He kissed Seth gently, as though he were more precious than anything he’d ever touched before. The man wasn’t small by any means, but Elijah thought him vulnerable and perfect, so much so, he had an overbearing need to protect Seth and love him for all he was worth.

A thumb brushed over his lips, and Eli had to steady himself. Despite Eli’s size and strength, Seth stole the air from his lungs with just the simplest of touches, ones that left Elijah weak at the knees. Fearing embarrassment if he collapsed in a puddle of need, he guided Seth to his seat. They sat opposite each other in comfortable silence, until Seth leaned toward him and took Eli’s hand. The thrill of his touch sent small jolts sparking throughout his body, and Elijah had to wonder if Seth felt it too.

“Thank you for this. No one’s ever gone to this much trouble over dinner with me before. Not that there haven’t been others. But, for the most part, it’s always been just Bethie and me. Eli…” Elijah couldn’t stand to hear the pain in Seth’s words, or the look of desolation on the man’s face. He waited, wondering if Seth wanted to talk, but when nothing else was said, he brought Seth’s hand up to his lips and kissed each knuckle between whispered words.

“I know I ain’t able to bring back what you’ve lost, but I’m a great believer in fate, Seth Jacobs. And, even though I wonder at times if the big guy above us ever really listens, I can’t help but think that fate’s brought us together, in a cruel son a bitch way for sure. But, we have Hope, and if you want, you have me.” Elijah swallowed to soothe the lump in his throat.  “I’ll need you; I have no clue what I’m doing. I ain’t none too familiar with being a boyfriend or a dad, but…fuck, yeah…erm, how’d ya like your steak?” He surged to his feet.

God! What the fuck. Shut up, Eli, for fucks sake, ya stupid sap head
. He could feel the heat in his face and was glad to be able to disguise it by opening the grill. He exhaled, a quick sigh of relief, when Seth remained seated. With everything prepared to be ready at the same time, Elijah basted the vegetables once more with another brush of garlic butter then took the steaks off to rest. He opened up the potatoes and drizzled some of the butter over each one before serving another glass of wine and another Bud for a silent Seth.

Shit
! Elijah thought. Why did he have such a need to tell this guy everything when he should just keep his trap shut? The guy was just out for a good fuck for all he knew.  On that, Elijah could oblige, but fuck he wanted more than that. Taking their plates, Elijah served up the food and sat down to drain his glass in one gulp. He refused to savor the wine like he normally would. He felt nervous and pretty darn stupid as he refilled his glass and toyed with his food.