Page 102 of Free Fall

“I’m all for these plans, baby,” I say quietly, looking anywhere but at Rye as I use the cheesier pet name that seems to tumble out of my mouth whenever my heart squeezes with affection like this.

“When can I expect you?”

I glance at the sun in the sky, then back at the rock. I’d intended to attempt the downclimb we’d just discussed, and then the roof again. But now…

“What kind of toy is it?”

Rye laughs from down below.

“Trying to decide how much of a hurry to be in?” Sejin giggles.

“You know it.”

“It’s for me to know, and you to find out.”

“Tease.”

Sejin giggles again, and I want to reach through the phone and lay kisses all up and down his long throat and beg him to never stop laughing like that for me. “I’ll be waiting here for you.”

“I’ll be home by sunset. There are a few things I need to do first.”

“Home,” Sejin says. “I like the sound of that.”

I swallow and blink up at the bright sun, blaming it for the sudden, odd prickle in my eyes. “Me too,” I admit, and I must have surprised him as much as I surprised myself because he gasps lightly.

“I’ll be waiting,” Sejin says again, and I feel almost dizzy with the rough lust in his voice. It’s a good thing I’m strapped in today—the ropes hold me up as my knees go weak.

“I have to head back,” I say, pocketing my phone and not meeting Rye’s knowing gaze. “What’s your schedule like tomorrow? Want to try this again?”

“I’m open. Assuming you can climb after whatever Sejin has planned for you.”

I smirk. “I’ll meet you back here tomorrow then. Let’s pack it in.”

Rye doesn’t protest as we start to rap down the wall. It’ll still be hours before I’m back at Peggy Jo’s house and in Sejin’s arms,but my heart is thundering giddily at the prospect all the same. I feel young, and stupid, and like I’m scrubbed clean with joy. It’s a strange feeling. Like all my outer layers of protection have been sloughed off. That’s what loving someone will do, I guess. Leave you peeled raw and shiny like garlic.

Speaking of garlic, I’ll pick up some pre-baked lasagna from Italian Stallion on my way home tonight. Sejin loves it.

*

Sejin

“I come bearinggifts,” Dan says, coming into the house with a bag of takeout in one hand and the ball stretcher from the small box of toys out in his van in the other.

I’m still on the sofa with Muggs pressed against my thigh, and a sleepy sort of hard-on aching in my pants. I was having some very erotic dreams during my long nap.

Dan swoops over to me, bends down to give me a kiss, and then jumps back when Muggs takes a swipe at his exposed arm.

He looks good in the t-shirt and track pants he usually climbs in, but he’s chalked-up and filthy too.

“Demon, begone,” he mutters when Muggs darts away and under the bookcase by the wide glass doors to the patio. Dan turns back to me, leans down for his kiss, and the bag of food bangs against me.

“Sorry,” he says, standing back again. “You look good like this. All mussed up. Mm. Let’s forget the food and fuck first.”

I laugh and stand, my knees creaking a little, and I arch my back in a stretch. That draws Dan’s eyes down to my crotch, which is still horned up, and he smirks. “I see you’re down with that plan.”

“No. I’m hungry.” I take the bag of food and direct him toward the bathroom with a nod of my head. “Besides, you’re filthy, and you stink. Take a shower, and I’ll get this on plates.”

Dan sniffs his pits. “I smell like roses. What are you talking about?”