The Broken Road (7 page)

“Gorgeous, I can see those gears spinning in your head. You wanna talk?”

Kason bit his lip. Before he could respond, he gasped as Ryen leaned in for a soft kiss. Kason was surprised when Ryen picked him up and sat with him on the couch. Kason curled into the embrace, burying his face in Ryen’s neck.

“How did you know?”

There was a kiss to the top of his head and then Ryen said, “I can just tell. You’ve always been real easy to read to me.” He held Kason a little tighter. “Now, you know everything he said was utter BS.”

“I know”—Kason tapped the side of his head—“that he said those things because if Milo has any damn sense he’ll leave his ass so he was retaliating but…” He sighed. “Damn, why am I letting it affect me? I swore to myself I was done wasting any time on him.”

“So let it go,” Ryen whispered. “You deserved better and now you know the truth. It was him, not you.”

“He cheated on me.” Kason shook his head. “He messed with my head and he did it again.”

“I could see it as I was driving,” Ryen admitted.

“I thought you deserved better. I’m damaged goods,” Kason whispered.

“Like hell you are!” Ryen grabbed his chin and had Kason look at him. “You made me a promise the other night and in case you didn’t get it, that was a two way deal. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”

Kason swallowed hard. He could see the truth there in Ryen’s eyes and he realized he really was head over heels for this man who cared for him—maybe even loved him—wheelchair and all. He found that inner strength, confidence returning as he let it all go. It was time to turn a new page. Start fresh and embrace this gift. “I’m not a cripple, I’m a survivor,” he said out loud. “A damn lucky one.” He put his hand over Ryen’s, hoping he understood what he meant.

“Now that’s my Kason.” Ryen gave him a crooked grin. “Just so you know, if I ever see him again, I’m knocking him on his ass before he can blink.”

“You’ll have to get in line.” Kason rested his head on Ryen’s chest. “Right behind me.”

“Or we could just sic Lexie on him. After you tell her about it she may send a team of SEALs after him.”

Kason chuckled. “I’ll give her a call.”

“You think Milo will leave him?”

“I sure hope so.” Kason shrugged. “But then, I was an idiot so…”

“Well at least you wised up,” Ryen said quietly.

“After a near death incident. I wouldn’t wish that on Milo. Hopefully he gets a clue.”

Ryen rubbed his back. “Maybe you should call him tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I am pissed though. He’s not blameless in this.”

“No, he’s not,” Ryen agreed. “It’s up to you, baby.”

“I’ll sleep on it,” Kason decided. He reached for Ryen’s hand and intertwined their fingers together. “Ry?”

“Yeah?”

Kason almost blurted out he loved him, but it was too soon, wasn’t it? “I’m really glad you were there when I ran into them. I couldn’t have gotten through it without you.”

Ryen brushed their lips together. “Like I said, I’m not going anywhere.”

“I wish I could take all those years wasted and give them to you instead.”

Seeming to understand, Ryen nodded. “I know, but it all led to us finding each other.”

A grander plan.
“You’re right.” Kason believed him and once again thought about how lucky he was to have Ryen. He pulled Ryen in for a deeper kiss, pouring the love he felt into it, happy when Ryen reciprocated. Then another thought hit him and he smiled against Ryen’s lips. In all the jumble of emotions and words traded he had heard, but it hadn’t registered until now.

“You called me your boyfriend.”

“Of course I did.” Ryen kissed along his jaw. “You are, aren’t you?”

“Hell yeah,” Kason agreed, joy bubbling up. Somehow that word cemented things. They were in a relationship, had made promises. And yeah, it hadn’t been long, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was what he was feeling and what he believed Ryen was too. And that gave him hope.

Chapter Six

“So, are you going to tell me what’s going or not?” Kason was blindfolded and wondering where they were. They’d driven somewhere, Ryen had helped him out of his Chevy truck and into his chair and now his lover was wheeling him around wherever they were.

“Almost there, baby.” Ryen kissed the top of his head.

It was a minute or so before Ryen stopped and removed the blindfold. They were on home plate in a baseball field. Over at the pitcher’s mound was another wheelchair. Now he understood why Ryen insisted they wear their baseball jerseys.

“Ryen?”

“Well, see, you told me how much you used to love to play and so I did some research, y’know? There’s a wheelchair league here. They already want you to join, but I thought maybe we could have some fun first and let you decide if it’s something you want to do.” Ryen picked up a bat and held it out nervously.

It was hard to speak. Rather than think of his chair as a hindrance, Ryen had instead come up with a way for him to once again enjoy the sport he loved. That was why he was in love with Ryen—he never saw things negatively, never made him feel like a burden. He felt loved. Ryen had helped him see that life might have changed, but in most ways it was now for the better. And for that he owed him everything. Kason was certain if Ryen wasn’t the one then he didn’t want anyone else. He tugged Ryen down so he could kiss him.

“Thank you,” he breathed against his lover’s lips.

“Anytime. Now promise to go easy on me, I’ve never steered one of these things.” Ryen pointed over to the wheelchair.

Laughing, Kason kissed him again. “I promise. You don’t have to use the chair if you don’t want to.”

“Nah, I do. I know it’s tough, but you make it look easy, baby,” Ryen replied and Kason could hear the affection in his tone. “I can handle it for a few hours. I want to know what it’s like for you.”

Swallowing hard, Kason nodded. He couldn’t put into words what that meant, but he knew he didn’t have to. “Okay,” he managed to say after a moment. “So, um, how are we playing?”

“We’ll take turns hitting and pitching. Whoever gets the most runs wins.”

“And what do I win?”

“Me,” Ryen said huskily. “Any way you want me tonight.”

Shifting in his seat, Kason ran his hand down Ryen’s chest. “So, definitely got to win then.”

“Yup.” Ryen grinned and jogged over to the chair after Kason took the bat. Ryen put on his pitcher’s glove then settled into the chair.

It was odd for a moment seeing Ryen there, level with him and getting a feel of what it was like for him, though Ryen could get up if he wanted. But Kason was glad of that fact. He wouldn’t want his lover to be hurt like this.

He took a practice swing after lining himself up with home plate. Ryen signaled then their game began. He missed the first one and had to go after it, throwing it back to Ryen. The second time he hit the ball pretty hard, sending it sailing toward right field. He dropped the bat and pushed himself hard toward first base. He was home before Ryen had fetched the ball and brought it back. Laughing, Ryen high-fived then kissed him before they switched positions.

The game went on like that for over an hour until Kason’s arms were aching and he knew Ryen’s were too. He was sweaty and tired, but a good tired. Ryen got up and they went to the dugout. He pulled a cooler out from under the bench and passed him a Corona then took one for himself.

“That was fun.” Kason slid out of his chair so he could sit beside Ryen on the bench. His lover put his arm around him and kissed him deeply after they toasted one another. Kason could taste the alcohol faintly but didn’t care. Ryen’s hand came up to hold onto his neck, sending a shiver down Kason’s spine as Ryen took control of the kiss, leaving him panting for breath and hungry for more when they broke apart after a long moment.

He took a sip of the Corona and stared out at the field.

“You gonna join the team?”

“I think so, yeah. I need to get in better shape though.” Kason dropped his head on Ryen’s shoulder and groaned. “My arms are killing me!”

Chuckling, Ryen nodded. “That was some workout.”

“Worth it though. I didn’t realize how much I missed this until now.” He beamed at Ryen, grasping his hand. He had to do something special for Ryen to show him what this meant to him. He would think about that later. Right then he wanted to enjoy the moment. “Thanks, again.”

“Anything for you.” Ryen kissed him again, his hand trailing down to cup Kason’s cock through his jeans. “You won, how about a reward?”

“Here?” Kason viewed the deserted ball field. He almost squeaked, “Now?” He was incredibly turned on by the thought. He’d never done anything like this, but he wanted to with Ryen.

Ryen popped the button on his blue jeans. “Right here, right now.”

Kason couldn’t hold back the moan that fell from his lips. “Fuck, I love your dirty mind.”

With a smirk, Ryen set his Corona down and moved so that he was kneeling between Kason’s legs. Kason leaned back against the wall as Ryen spread his legs farther then he had him lift up on his arms so he could tug his jeans and briefs down to his thighs and push his shirt up to his chest.

Tenderly, Kason reached out to card his fingers through Ryen’s hair. Kason loved their connection and intimacy. It wasn’t simply the great sex—it was the emotion and feelings that got him so heated and desperate for this, for Ryen and how good he made him feel. His dick twitched and hardened as Ryen stroked it with his big hand while covering it in wet kisses that soon had Kason moaning.

Ryen rolled Kason’s balls in his other hand then he trailed his fingers farther back and pushed lightly at his entrance. He stroked Kason from base to tip, his thumb pushing into the slit. A jolt of pleasure and pain sent Kason arching up as he stiffened further in Ryen’s hand, his body on fire with the desire coursing through him.

“So pretty,” Ryen murmured as he licked at the tip of his cock and stroked the base with his hand. A drop of pre-cum trickled out and Ryen lapped at it with his tongue. Kason gasped and begged for more, wanting Ryen to wrap his lips around him. It would feel so good to have his hot mouth on him.

Ryen gripped Kason’s hips, and he gazed at him. “You ready, baby?”

Kason threw his head back. “Fuck, yeah. So good.”

“And I haven’t even started yet.” Ryen smirked as he opened his mouth and slowly swallowed Kason’s cock. Eyes screwed shut in pleasure, Kason savored the feel of it. He tangled one hand in Ryen’s hair again and with the other he dug into the padded bench, using the muscles in his arms to thrust him forward into the heat of Ryen’s mouth.

Teasing him, Ryen held him in his mouth for a long moment, one hand playing with his balls and sending little spikes of pleasure up his spine as he pressed fingers against his perineum.

“Come on,” Kason said huskily, then, knowing Ryen loved it when he begged, he added, “Please suck me, baby. Please, I need…”

Grinning around him, Ryen bobbed his head and began sucking in earnest. He sunk down until he couldn’t take anymore and Kason held his head there, lost in how good it felt. Ryen pulled back then sucked him down again. Moans and gasps, along with “More” and “Yes” fell from Kason’s lips as he did his best to rock into Ryen as his lover worshiped his body and sent him spiraling toward an orgasm.

When he couldn’t hold back anymore, Kason tried to warn Ryen how close he was. Ryen just hummed and sucked harder, so he fucked himself into Ryen’s mouth and let go. He tugged on Ryen’s hair, his back arching as he thrust up and shot his load, as he cried out Ryen’s name. Ryen sucked him through his orgasm until he was whimpering and squirming, the sensations overwhelming. He kept gasping as Ryen swallowed every drop, then his lover licked his dick clean before releasing it with a wet pop. Feeling sated and content, Kason flopped against the wall. He stroked Ryen’s hair and smiled.

“Wow, Ryen. Ryen…”

“Mm?” Ryen kissed his hip then climbed into his lap.

“Ryen is all I remember.” Kason looped his arms around Ryen’s neck, pushing himself up for a kiss and tasting himself on Ryen’s tongue. He licked and sucked until all he could taste was Ryen again then he broke the kiss and nuzzled into Ryen’s neck, breathing in his citrus cologne and musk. Fumbling with his hands, he pulled Ryen’s jeans open and pushed his briefs down, freeing his cock from its confines.

“I love it when all you remember is my name.” Ryen kissed his hair and Kason could hear the satisfaction in his voice.

Kason knew Ryen had to be aching for release as he could feel his lover was rock-hard against his belly. Kason pulled away, running his hands down Ryen’s back to cup his ass. It was full and firm in his hands and he squeezed, pleased when Ryen bucked into him. He snaked a hand between them to reverently wrap it around Ryen’s member. He squeezed it while he moved his hand then swept his thumb over the slit. With a shudder Ryen moaned and pushed into his hand, his body restless and thrumming with need.

“Please, baby,” Ryen begged. It was empowering and arousing as hell to hear that. To know Ryen was like this because of him, that he was desperate for him to do something. And he knew just what he wanted to do.

“Move up, if you can. I wanna suck you, too.” Kason bit gently at Ryen’s neck, leaving a mark there.

“Fuck.” Ryen’s eyes were dark with arousal and Kason could feel him leaking. “I wanna feel your mouth on me.”

It took a little maneuvering with Ryen arching over him, holding onto the wall behind Kason, and standing on the bench, but they got the right angle. Kason had to stop and admire Ryen’s long, thick member, its head dripping.

“Gonna take me home and fuck me after this?” He kissed Ryen’s cock then began licking it. “That’s what I want. I did win, after all.”

“You did and I will, baby.” Ryen’s voice was low and intimate. “I’ll take you home then take you slow and easy until you beg me to come.”

Kason was going to get hard again just listening to Ryen. “Damn, I love your mouth.”

“And I wanna feel yours.” Ryen traced his thumb over Kason’s lip. Kason nipped it and then pushed Ryen’s hand aside. He gripped Ryen’s hips and slid down until he could swallow his lover deeply.