A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies - Christina Lee Page 0,82

It was a topic he and Emerson had been avoiding, and Rhys felt a bit melancholy about moving back, which was ridiculous because it was literally a stone’s throw away. Except somehow the house didn’t feel like his anymore, not as much as the Rose home did. But it was best not to be melodramatic about it. They had plenty of time to figure their relationship out, and he certainly didn’t want to appear too needy. Emerson already had enough on his plate.

Besides, he’d probably still sleep over sometimes—they’d made good use of that master bedroom, that was for sure. And Emerson might’ve had the same idea, as he swept back into the kitchen, kissed his cheek, then glanced over his shoulder, making sure they didn’t have an audience.

Audrey was busy setting the table, and Sam was putting his laptop away.

“My turn tonight,” he whispered as he casually squeezed Rhys’s ass.

“Mmm,” Rhys replied. “Careful, or I’ll drag you to the bedroom right now.”

Although their first couple of intimate times had been sweet and cautious and perfect, last night had been mind-meltingly good. Emerson was becoming more comfortable in his own skin and somewhat bolder, he guessed was the word, asking for exactly what he wanted, which was hot as fuck. He’d turned into a sexy little minx right in front of Rhys’s eyes.

Jesus, the noises Emerson made as Rhys’s mouth and tongue worked him over, tasting every part of his skin he could reach until Emerson was a whimpering, trembling mess… As if he’d never been pleasured before. And maybe he hadn’t, not like that. Because Rhys had never wanted anybody as much as he did Emerson. So he showed him, by licking down the center of his chest, sucking on his nipples, paying special attention to his thighs, the underside of his knees, and over to his balls as Emerson squirmed and swore. Emerson’s skin was beautifully flushed, from the apples of his cheeks down to his thighs as he begged Rhys to suck his cock. He’d burrowed his fingers in Rhys’s hair and impatiently fed him his shaft, easing the swollen head between Rhys’s lips, apparently right where he liked it.

“Your mouth feels too good,” he’d groaned, snapping his hips in shallow thrusts in an effort not to jam his cock down Rhys’s throat, though Rhys wouldn’t have been opposed to it.

Rhys had hollowed his cheeks to take more of him inside as he gripped Emerson’s sac, then brushed a finger against his hole. “Oh, fuck.” Emerson had shuddered, clearly liking how that felt. Duly noted.

Before he’d cried out and spurted down Rhys’s throat, Emerson had smoothed Rhys’s bangs from his forehead, so much affection and gratitude in his gaze that Rhys’s heart had felt swollen and achy. Afterward, it had only taken Emerson’s grip on his cock and the whisper of his warm mouth against the slit to make him shoot all over Emerson’s lips and chin. Fuck, he needed to get better at that. Emerson might’ve agreed.

The timer on the stove roused Rhys from his steamy thoughts, and he reached for an oven mitt to pull out the simmering dish.

At dinner, Sam announced he’d maybe-sort-of made a friend, a new kid who sat next to him in science class.

“Ask if he wants to hang out sometime,” Audrey suggested as Emerson’s face filled with hope—restrained hope, but hope nonetheless. Fuck, he was a good parent. And an amazing human being. Rhys felt so fucking lucky to have earned his affection.

They cleared the dishes and were about to shove into shoes to walk across the street when a knock on the door startled him.

He heard Emerson walk to the hall and pull the door open. “Mrs. Lancaster? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” Rhys heard her reply as he dropped his sneakers and strode to the door.

“Mom? What are you doing here?”

Emerson looked just as gobsmacked as he opened the door wider to let her and her rolling suitcase inside.

She smiled sheepishly, only offering Rhys her profile, so he couldn’t properly see any emotion in her eyes that might give him a heads-up. “I thought I’d surprise you with a visit and check on the house in person.”

He felt Emerson shift uneasily beside him. Why would his mom show up unannounced like this? Unless… He looked toward the driveway. “Is Carl with you?”

“No, I…” She finally looked at him head-on, and he found resolve in her eyes, and a bit of sadness too. “I decided I needed some time with