Wiley bit his lower lip for a second as his mind searched for that old memory. It wasn’t something he thought of often.
“I was a senior in high school, and he was the captain of the basketball team. He wasn’t out at school, so it was a big secret. We’d been friends for a couple of years since we’d been biology lab partners, though we ran in different circles. But it was after a game—we traded blowjobs. I can still remember how shocked I was to be in the situation, how nervous he was. He asked me not to tell anyone and I never did. Well, until now.” Wiley smiled. “I bet he’s out and proud now. I hope so anyway.” He glanced up at Baer. “So, you were out in high school?”
Baer nodded. “I never felt the need to hide who I was, and I was strong enough to fight off anyone who had a problem with it. But I was mostly a loner. Spent a lot of time in the woods. Even then, I had an affinity for animals. I got my degree in forestry later, but I’ll admit, I goofed off a lot in college. If it wasn’t for my parents, I probably would have dropped out. I’m glad I didn’t. If I could go back, I would have taken it more seriously.”
“I never went to college, but I think about it sometimes.” He ran his fingers through the hair on Baer’s chest. “Are your parents still around?”
“They live in Colorado and spend a lot of time wondering why I roamed the United States for so long.” His voice had become a little lighter when he spoke of his parents. It was nice to think he had mostly good memories of them. “They thought for sure I’d take a job there and stick close. I wasn’t an easy kid. Was always getting into trouble and spent so much time in the woods, they had to often track me down. But they’re loving, kind people, and I’m lucky to have them.”
“Do they know about the magic?”
“Oh, hell no.” One of Baer’s hands strayed up Wiley’s back in a slow caress that was lulling him deeper into a relaxed state while he listened to Baer talk. “I can’t even imagine explaining it to them. My life there feels like it happened a long time ago now, I’m so caught up in this world.”
“This is a wild world to be caught up in, that’s for sure.”
“Still not mad at me for getting you involved?”
Wiley laughed against Baer’s chest. He couldn’t think of a more ridiculous question. “Hell, no. I’m having the time of my life.”
“Getting bitten by snakes isn’t what I call a good time.” Baer’s voice turned low and growly.
“Well, no, but the rest has been pretty damn awesome, and I got to meet you.” Wiley lifted his head and rested his chin on Baer’s chest. “Meeting you has been the best part.”
“It’s been pretty damn special for me, too.” Baer pulled him up and kissed him. It didn’t take long for the kiss to grow heated and soon, Wiley was stretching out on top of Baer to get even deeper. He liked Baer’s wide frame, and he snuggled as close as he could. His dick plumped up, and he buried his face in Baer’s neck and inhaled the wonderful scent of him. Baer stroked his hands over Wiley’s back, reaching down to palm his ass. Wiley thrust against him, noticing Baer was hard again, too.
In the next instant, Baer was pushing him to his back and grabbing the lube off the nightstand. He coated his fingers and brought them to Wiley’s hole. Wiley spread his legs and gasped as a finger was pressed inside him. Baer watched him closely as he prepped him. It was then that he realized that his heart had definitely gotten involved with Baer and if the man’s expression was anything to go by, he was feeling something quite strong for Wiley, too.
Giddy with hope, he took Baer into his body and they made love slowly this time.Chapter 18Baer glanced over at Lucien as they walked out of the parking garage and paused on the sidewalk. The man had a strange sort of bemused look on his face, and Baer wasn’t entirely sure it had anything to do with the mix of shoppers and tourists wandering the street on the sunny Saturday afternoon. This morning, the mechanic had called to tell Lucien his car was fixed and ready to go.
Since Clay and Dane were covered in drywall dust as they tore out a wall to get at some more bad wiring, Baer had volunteered to give the Fire Weaver a lift into town in order to pick up his car. It would also give him a chance to possibly grab a little gift for Wiley. Nothing extravagant or crazy. Just something to say thank you. To show that he appreciated the man who had given him so much joy in so little time.