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Chapter Twenty-Six

Elias

Morning sun streamed through the large windows of the kitchen, turning the granite counters into streaks of gold light and silver shadows. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee lingered, mingling with the faint trace of Caleb’s cologne, something spicy laced with something unmistakably Cay. It was quiet, a bubble of serenity and solitude cushioning the home now that Parker was out at school, leaving the two of them to talk freely about the monumental weight of it all.

Despite the homey perfection, tension hung thick in the atmosphere, like a storm cloud threatening on the horizon. Caleb stood at the sink with a faraway gaze, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal the light dusting of hair along his forearms. It was one of Elias’ favorite looks on his partner. He could do without the troubled expression on his husband's face, though. Cay’s typical confidence and effortless competency was absent. Elias had seen this before and his heart ached in his chest as he slowly circled the island. This quieter, reserved, uncertain version of Caleb inspired every instinct Elias had to try and make it better. The man who spent years as the unshakable foundation for others was now standing on uncertain ground himself, and that simply wouldn't do. Elias continued his slow approach, waiting and watching. With a slow exhale, Caleb set his coffee mug aside, the quiet clink of ceramic on granite echoing too loud in the space.

“I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified.”

“What about?” Elias closed the distance between them, his hands settling on Cay’s hips as he drew up behind him.

“Bahrenburg.” Caleb leaned back with another sigh, his head resting against Elias’ chest. “He didn't confirm a damn thing. He didn't deny it either. It was all smoke and mirrors. Ridiculous political bullshit doublespeak diplomacy that makes it obvious he’s involved, but not in a way we can do something about.”

“Which means he’s not all in. Not yet, at least.” Elias let his hands drift higher over Caleb’s sides. A soft sigh escaped his lover’s lips as he melted into the touch.

“Meaning?”

Elias’ fingertips tiptoed even higher, aimlessly traveling over Cay’s chest. “Meaning he's keeping his options open. If we secure the nomination, he’s willing to switch sides. It's self-serving for him, but that’s leverage for us.”

Caleb huffed quietly, a soft scoffing sound as he shifted under Elias’ tender touch. “Leverage doesn't mean trust. He might back us in theory, but he’ll be looking for ways to control the narrative, the terms. The second we become more of a liability than an asset, mark my words, he'll turn on us too.”

Elias shifted, bringing his lips to rest against Caleb’s temple as he spoke. “Then we have to make sure that he needs us more than we need him.”

Caleb’s breath came out wispy and wavering as Elias slowly undid the top button of his shirt. “And how do we do that, baby?”

Elias smiled, the curve of his lips pressed against the soft skin of Cay’s temple. “We play the game, my love. The way we always do—together.”

He squirmed in response, but the doubt and uncertainty were still palpable, hanging heavy in the air like the static electric feel of that approaching storm. Elias stepped back, his hands gentle as he slowly turned Caleb to face him before encroaching again. “You're worried.”

His eye roll inspired a grin in Elias. “Duh. Of course I'm fucking worried. This is your campaign, El. Your future. Meanwhile, I don't know if I should be by your side, or ten steps back making sure no one touches you.”

The ache in Elias’ chest increased as he studied the insecurity playing over his partner’s face. The pressure mounted as he shook his head. “Nope. That's bullshit. We’ve never worked like that. You don't belong in the background.”

“I just…” Caleb sighed and lifted his hands to rest on Elias’ chest, his fingertips tracing absentminded patterns over the soft fabric as he looked anywhere but up at him. “I keep wondering if I'm doing this right. If I'm helping or making things harder. If it would be easier for you if I wasn't part of this at all…”

Cay’s voice was quiet, stripped bare of the charm and bravado that usually came so easily to him. A possessive, protective surge flooded Elias, his lips twisting into a frown as he clasped Cay’s chin between his fingers and forced him to make eye contact.

“Don't ever say that.” Elias’ voice came out gruff and firmer than he intended. He gave a little shake of Cay’s chin to emphasize his point. “Never say that again.”

Caleb’s breath hitched softly as his pupils dilated and his lips parted. He loosened his grip, trailing tender fingertips over those cherubic cheeks he adored so much. The uncertainty was still lingering in Cay’s eyes, but a hunger grew alongside it as Elias searched his face. “I can't do this without you. I won't do this without you.”

“Jesus, El,” Caleb whispered, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.

“No.” Elias cut in with a firm, murmured declaration. “You're not just my husband. You're my partner, babe. Mine. The one who sees every angle I don't. The one who keeps me steady when the world starts pulling me under. You're not making this harder. You're the only damn reason I can do this at all.”

“Mm, you sure about that?” Caleb’s hands drifted lower, his deft fingertips slowly easing Elias’ shirt from within the waistband of his trousers.

Elias stepped even closer, pressing his weight into his husband’s front until he was sandwiched against the edge of the counter. “I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Cay.”

The temperature of the room shifted as their breaths minted between them, humid and heady with the aroma of coffee and desire. It was rare, so incredibly rare, for Elias to feel this intense need to control, to dominate, to hop in the driver’s seat of their relationship and claim his husband. But when the desire did strike, it was all-consuming. He shifted his hands lower, fingers dipping into the supple flesh of Caleb’s sides, before he plucked his partner from the floor and set him upon the edge of the counter. Cay’s knees fell open and Elias swiftly stepped into the invitation. Their lips met and melded and moved together as their tongues instantly sought each other's in a sensual slow slide of smoldering passion and intense need.

They parted with a desperate gasp as Caleb shuddered. “Well, hot damn.”

Elias chased his lips with a breathy chuckle. “Hot damn, indeed.”

“Fine,” Caleb huffed with a laugh of his own. “We play the game.”

Elias hummed, a low rumble in his chest as he dipped his head to trail open-mouthed kisses along the column of Caleb’s throat. “No. We win the game.”

“But first,” Caleb countered with a gentle shove to Elias’ chest. “I'm going to need you to rearrange my guts.”

“You drive a hard bargain, babe.” Elias nipped at the skin over Caleb’s Adam's apple before drawing back with a wicked grin. “But I think we can manage that.”

Finally, the uncertainty and doubt disappeared from Caleb's expression as he flashed a crooked smirk with a glint in his eyes. “I drive a hard something, that's for sure. But right now, you'll be doing the driving, boss man.”

The music of their shared laughter filtered through the quiet of the kitchen as he stepped back and clasped both of Caleb’s hands in his. For the moment, they could put aside the weight and worry. For a moment, they could lose themselves in one another. They could work on saving the world later, after they saved each other from themselves.