Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Avery studied Kane, examining him as if he were being dissected under a microscope until he held Kane's boxer's out to him. "I'm shallow enough that I want to have sex with you anyway, but you need to tell me now if this is it between us. I want more than tonight, but if you don't, tell me."
This turned into a night of so many firsts. No one had ever said anything like that to him before. What did wanting more mean? He took the underwear and dropped them back on the pile of his clothes while he stood there silently contemplating his answer. He stared at Avery, trying to discern if he spoke the truth, but he sucked at detecting lies. Avery's face hardened as he watched Kane. He started to move forward but physically stopped himself and waited for Kane to answer.
"My last two boyfriends broke up with me because I'm too intense. I work too much and I have strong religious views." That truth pained Kane to say, but he hoped it answered Avery's question.
"I like intense. I respect work. Religion can be good. What kind of religion?" Avery asked, back to wrapping Kane in his arms.
"I'm a practicing Christian. Not currently in a church," Kane said. He was naked in the living room of a man he'd known for less than a few days, talking about religion. He wondered how many Southern Baptist rules he was currently breaking.
"Was your father a pastor?" Avery had hit the nail on the head and Kane only nodded. He was laying himself open for Avery to reject him, but he couldn't stop himself. He hadn't given Brian this much information for the first year and a half they'd dated.
"Do they support you?" Kane shook his head and looked down at the floor. That was baggage and more than needed to be discussed right now.
"Come on. I want to start this night over. I have a robe you can wear," Avery said, pulling Kane toward the back of the condo.
"You don't have to do this," Kane said, reluctantly following behind him.
"Actually, I do. I wanted to before, but I got desperate. I just don't want you back in your clothes. You need to be wearing something where I can get to you easier." Kane followed until he stood just inside the master bedroom door. Avery went to a closet and pulled out two robes, handing him a black terry cloth one.
* * * *
Avery purposely slowed them down. He and Kane sat in his living room for the next couple of hours getting to know one another. He kept Kane close, working hard to loosen the man's reserve. His overall plan was to ply Kane with wine as they spoke of their lives, mainly Kane speaking of his life. Avery learned how Kane met his mentor, Paulie, whom Avery unknowingly met tonight. Paulie had come to his table and introduced himself right before Avery and Kane had gone downstairs. He hadn't known the importance of their meeting. Though he'd picked up on Paulie being protective of Kane, he hadn't understood that Paulie was all Kane truly had in the world to call his family.
Kane only spoke in brief bits and pieces about his biological family and those were just of his childhood and the years he'd spent in the church. Avery had an instant dislike of the Dalton family, but kept that to himself, at least for now.
Avery did his fair share of talking about his grandfather and father. When Kane prodded, he spoke of his childhood and studying abroad. They sat close together on the sofa and exchanged stories as the night turned into morning. As time went on, Avery slowly began to touch Kane, small gentle caresses that were eventually returned.
Avery found what he suspected to be true: Kane was smart, articulate, and after a few glasses of wine, relaxed. Kane suited Avery well. They would be good together. While Kane would be good arm candy and present a poised, sophisticated image, Avery knew the country wasn't ready for a gay statesman. Yet Avery couldn't help but speculate how Kane would be the perfect gentleman to have on his arm if he did run for office.
Avery never spoke of his plans to run for office. Even when needled by Kane, he didn't truly admit why he'd moved back to Minnesota. He didn't want to scare Kane off before he figured out what was going on between them. Homosexuality was becoming more accepted. Avery could feel the movement just beginning to pick up steam, but they were still decades away from this country being anywhere close to ready for a couple like them.
Avery leaned back against the sofa and rested his head in his hand, just staring at Kane while he spoke. Why in the world was Avery sitting with a man he'd only met a few days ago, speculating about them as a couple, and already moving them years down the road? Except, he knew the answer. It was the draw, the deep connection between them that pulled him in. These feelings were so new and fresh, yet unbelievably real.
He'd heard the soul mate catch phrase tossed around a lot recently. It was the newest, latest way to describe love. Somehow everything inside him registered those words with Kane. His soul mate. The person who shared space inside his soul. He couldn't help the small grin he gave or how he scooted closer to reach out and run his fingers through Kane's silky dark hair. As the candles flickered, Avery slowly lifted the short pieces and realized auburn might be the true color of Kane's hair. He loved auburn hair. God, he was so physically attracted to this man. Avery started to move forward again as though drawn by a magnetic force.
Slow down, mister. You'll scare him off before you even get a chance.
Avery managed to hold himself off until somewhere after four thirty in the morning. He stifled a yawn and set his wineglass down on the coffee table, then made the move to take Kane's glass and placed it next to his before scooting closer to him on the sofa.