Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,44
few of us headed up towards Salem to check the damage. Lots of trees and power lines down. You’re not the only one scrambling to harvest. A storm like that can wipe a crop out.”
“We’re not done yet. You think we’ll have time?”
“Yeah, there’s nothing on the radar right now, but the last one came up real sudden. I’m monitoring it, though. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks. I’ll go ahead and call a break.”
The adrenaline rush from the day before had worn off, leaving Thom exhausted. He grabbed a donut from one of the boxes and headed towards a group of workers. “Coffee and donuts!” he called out. “Pass the word!”
Stuffing the rest of the donut in his mouth, he headed inside to wash up. “You’re a goddess, Donna,” he said as he went through the kitchen where Donna was brewing coffee.
Lorraine was asleep on the sofa where she had crashed around midnight. The downstairs bathroom was occupied, so he headed upstairs. Ben was coming out of the guest bathroom when Thom got to the top of the stairs.
“Hey,” Thom said, “How’re you doing?”
“Exhausted. You?”
“The same. Chuck just got here with donuts and a weather update. Donna’s in the kitchen making coffee. I just called a break.”
“What’s the story on the weather?”
“Bad. Real bad to the north, but it looks like we’ve got a bit of a breather. We need to get everything in as fast as possible. I think everyone’s about to drop, though. Maybe I should send everyone home for a few hours to rest and then start again this afternoon. What do you think?”
“You think the weather will hold?”
“I don’t know, but I think it’s a chance we’ll need to take if we don’t want people collapsing out there. I’ll see what Dean thinks.”
“I think you’re right. I’m going to go get some of that coffee. See you downstairs in a few.” Ben bent to kiss Thom on the cheek as he passed him to go down the stairs. Thom turned to watch the other man for a moment before going into the bathroom. The casual kiss had taken him off guard. It was a simple gesture of affection, but it was the kind of thing he thought of as passing between couples. He liked the thought of being part of a couple, of being able to share those simple gestures. It had been a while since they’d been on a real date, and Thom decided that as soon as the harvest frenzy was over, he’d plan a special evening for the two of them.
Chapter 16
IT HAD rained almost nonstop during the week since the rushed harvest was finished. It had mostly been a steady, dreary drizzle, but there had been the occasional thunderstorm, complete with lightshow. Everyone had been keeping an eye on conditions to the north where flood warnings had been in place for the last forty-eight hours.
When the harvest was finally completed, Thom and Ben hadn’t had any energy to do more than take showers and collapse into bed. The kitchen was full of dirty dishes and unwashed laundry covered the bedroom floor, but no one could be bothered to do anything about it.
“It’ll all be there tomorrow,” Thom said into his pillow before falling asleep.
Ben was asleep before Thom could finish the sentence.
They didn’t set an alarm, and for the second time since they had started sharing a bed, the sun was up before they were. Once again, Ben woke first. He rolled over to see Thom sprawled on his stomach, half uncovered. Raising up on one elbow, he adjusted the covers over Thom, then with an arm around his waist, pulled the smaller man close. He spooned his chest against Thom’s back, his morning semi nestled comfortably in the crack of Thom’s ass, and breathed in the scent of Thom’s sleep-warm skin.
“Mm?” Thom stirred.
Ben rubbed Thom’s stomach and pulled him even closer.
“You awake?” Ben whispered.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Liar.” Ben moved his hips slowly, making sure Thom could feel what was lurking beneath the covers.
“I’m awake now.”
“So am I.” Ben buried his face in Thom’s neck, then shifted to suck his earlobe in the way he had learned made Thom ticklish and horny at the same time.
“Oh, you’re an evil man,” Thom gasped and pushed his hips back against Ben, who adjusted his now fully alert cock to slip between Thom’s thighs where it pushed against the back of the other man’s balls.
“I am,” Ben agreed, and reached down to cup Thom’s balls,