him. But when Rhys had reached over and pulled him against his sleep-warm skin, there was no mistaking his stiff shaft. Emerson had groaned as their cocks slid together, and soon enough they were nuzzling and kissing and rutting.
Rhys’s voice had been gruff, his eyes fiery with desire as he’d guided Emerson’s hand around their cocks. “Make us come.”
So he did, his strokes sloppy and messy and freaking hot as Rhys had sucked on his collarbone, his nails digging into his skin as they came one after the other.
“I think I’ve created a monster,” Rhys had mused, falling back against the sheets. He was asleep before Emerson even had a chance to clean them up again.
Emerson felt Rhys stirring beside him now and smiled. He wasn’t sure if he’d get used to sleeping with him like this anytime soon.
“Mornin’,” Rhys slurred, squinting into the light.
“Good morning.” Emerson shifted to adjust his morning wood. Christ, maybe he had created a monster.
“Don’t tell me you’re hoping for another round.” Rhys smirked. “I don’t think my body can take it.”
He blushed furiously, and Rhys laughed, stroking a finger across his cheek. “I love that about you. Innocent in the streets, a tiger in the sheets.”
“Innocent?” Emerson scoffed and then pretend-tackled Rhys against the mattress, straddling his hips. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
He froze when Rhys groaned and gripped his ribs. “Shit, I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have—”
“Are you kidding me?” His hand clenched Emerson’s thigh. “Just some residual soreness. Last night was amazing.”
Emerson bit his lip, attempting to hold back a full-blown grin. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“Look at you, proud as a peacock.”
“Am not!” Emerson barked out a laugh and rolled sideways when Rhys attempted to tickle his rib cage. He hadn’t pulled that shit since childhood. Fucker knew him too well.
They both lay on their backs, staring at the ceiling.
“I need to get up before the kids.”
Still neither moved. It felt too warm and happy in their little bubble, and Emerson suspected Rhys felt the same.
“I need to take a shower,” Rhys said. “I have your jizz all over me.”
Emerson playfully elbowed him. “Sorry, not sorry.”
Rhys suddenly grew serious as he interlaced their fingers. “I’ve never done that before. Without a condom.”
Emerson felt a pang in his chest. “Never?”
“Only with you…” he murmured, then wiggled his ass. “And I like having your come inside me.”
“Goddamn.” Emerson threw his arm over his face. “Stop or we’ll never leave this room.”
Rhys smirked. “Hmm, not a bad idea.”
“You work today?” Emerson asked.
“Uh-huh. Afternoon shift,” Rhys replied. “What are you guys up to?”
“I think I’m gonna take Sam to that exhibit at the science museum he won’t stop talking about, and Audrey asked to have a friend over.”
“Maddy?” Rhys asked. “Or Kevin?”
Emerson’s gaze snapped to Rhys. “Wait a minute, you know about Kevin?”
“What do you think we talk about on our walks?” Rhys motioned with his hand. “Don’t worry, Mr. Rose, I’m on it. I’ve got you covered.”
“Fuck, thank you.” It was like a weight had been lifted from his chest. He could finally share with someone this responsibility, this constant worry revolving around raising kids.
But did Rhys want it? He used to have a full life before…everything. Emerson pushed those ugly doubts back down and finally bit the bullet. “Can we talk about the elephant in the room?”
Rhys arched a brow. “Your gorgeous cock?”
“Stop it.” Emerson chuckled, a flush forming on his cheeks again. “Be serious.”
“I am being serious.” Rhys lifted Emerson’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “I can’t wait to experience it again, to experience so many things with you.”
“Same.” Emerson couldn’t help but sigh. It was like everything he’d ever wanted to hear, and from someone who might be real partner material. “But how about the other things in your life?”
Rhys huffed out a breath. “You mean climbing, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “It’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about it. I know you’re scared. And I’m here for you.”
“I know you are,” Rhys replied in a brusque tone.
Still, he pushed on. “It’s just…it’s part of you, and I don’t want you to feel like you’re sacrificing anything or losing yourself. Especially if we—”
“Don’t you dare say it,” Rhys warned, and Emerson clamped his mouth shut, felt like a needy asshole. He stayed silent, letting Rhys gather his thoughts and pushing aside that other question, about his moving back across the street. Too much, too soon. “Guess I’m being a daredevil in a different way right now—doing this thing with you.”
It was certainly