Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
There was no way to tell how long they simply kissed—minutes or maybe hours. It didn’t matter, they were together. They were in a world of their own making where time didn’t exist and nothing could keep them apart.
Here they didn’t need to words to communicate.
They already knew everything there was to say.
Chapter Twenty-Six
He was here.
Tam clutched at Driver’s shoulders because there was still a part of him that didn’t believe it.
“Tam,” Driver whispered between kisses.
“I know.” He knew, but he didn’t want to think about it. He couldn’t dwell on reality when they were together like this. If he let his worry in, it’d ruin everything. Even if this was a goodbye, Tam wanted to cherish it.
He pressed closer and relished the automatic way Driver’s arms tightened around him. It was a full-body embrace and it calmed some of Tam’s anxiety. Though there was an undercurrent of desperation, they didn’t rush.
Tam savored everything. Each caress was a miracle, each breath a boon.
As long as Driver was with him, the world would wait.
Driver’s lips tasted of cherries and felt like home.
If it weren’t for the thunderous beating of his heart, Tam might have thought he was dreaming. He’d never had a home before, but he’d always understood what the word meant. Ever since he could remember he’d been homesick for a place he never truly believed existed. Somewhere where he was understood. Where he was protected and his soul was healed and his heart was full. Instinct had guided him since he’d run away. It had brought him a new family in the boys. And now it had given him a place to belong.
Who cared if it was only temporary? For now, it felt right.
It felt like the only thing that mattered.
Driver was all there was.
“Tam.” Driver smoothed his hair as he pressed soft kisses to the corner of his eye, but his voice was tentative. The sound bruised Tam’s heart.
His fingers flexed in Driver’s shirt. Everything in him rebelled against the inevitable. He didn’t want to let the truth in. Squeezing his eyes shut, he rested his forehead on Driver’s chest again. Not once did Driver stop touching him. With long strokes through his hair and the warm circles on his back and even subtle pecks to his temple, Driver devastated him with kindness.
Chest aching, Tam shook his head. “Don’t,” he said.
“I... I’m still going.”
And that was it, the spear that shattered their bubble. Tam trembled from the loss as he gathered the pieces of himself and did his best to put them back together. “Don’t.” Yes, he was begging but he didn’t care.
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop, please.”
“I never meant for this—”
Tam reached up and grabbed Driver’s face with both hands, then slammed their mouths together. Only kissing. Only this. He didn’t care that his heart was breaking. If this was the last moment he had with Driver, he wasn’t going to let anything take it away from him. He no longer let the fear stop him. He’d grown past that with Driver’s help. And besides, no one knew the future.
All the darkness in his life had made it possible for him to know the stars. He wasn’t going to let them fade without a fight, especially not when he was holding one of the brightest spots in the palm of his hand.
And hell if it didn’t fill him with determination. He’d still soar. If he quit, they’d win.
“You’re here now,” he said against Driver’s lips. “Don’t go tonight.” Don’t go...ever. But those words wouldn’t cross his lips.
Driver wrapped him up tight, one large palm cupping the back of his head and the other on his ass.
“Not tonight,” he said.
They were kissing again, this time with driving need from the knowledge that it might be their last chance. Importance colored everything, even undressing each other became somber and sincere. They never broke eye contact, they never stopped touching.
When they fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and hair, Driver took the brunt of it but immediately rolled. Tam wrapped his legs around Driver’s hips and met every thrust with one of his own. Their cocks slid together between their bellies but it wasn’t enough friction to get him off. Not that he was ready for it to be over so quick. No. He wanted this moment to last forever.
Pinned to the mattress with Driver’s heavy weight above him, Tam felt quick and urgent passion. Passion and a strange yet familiar comfort. With both arms around Driver’s neck and hands fisted in Driver’s thick hair, he was so close he could count the flecks of silver in those gray-blue eyes.
Driver met his gaze and didn’t release it.
Their kisses became more an exchange of breath as Driver’s free hand traveled the length of Tam’s torso. Panting against his lips, Tam arched into every caress. His skin tingled. He wanted more. He wanted it all.