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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Tom

Oh my God, it’s New Year’s Eve! Tom opened his eyes and surveyed his new bedroom.

He’d slept in his new bed for the first time the night before, after he and Will had put the finishing touches on his new apartment yesterday. I can’t believe I’m actually living in my own place.

They had done all they could to the place although Tom still wanted to get a few more items, but they were more “want to haves” instead of “need to haves,” so they could wait. Their last task of the day had been to do groceries, getting a few staples for Tom’s fridge and cabinets as well as the ingredients for their New Year’s Eve dinner. Will offered to make a pasta-and-chicken-in-cream-sauce dish that his mother had taught him years ago. It also contained peas and mushrooms and had become one of Will’s favorite quick meals. Neither of them drank much wine, but Mitch had gifted Tom with a bottle of prosecco as an apartment-warming gift, so they’d open that at midnight.

Tom’s phone rang. It was a FaceTime call, so he hit the button and said, “Hey, handsome,” when he saw Will’s face.

“Hey, yourself,” Will replied. “It looks like you’re still in bed.”

“I am.”

“How did you sleep last night?” Will asked.

“Good. I thought it would be hard to fall asleep in a new place, but I guess I was tired.”

“I’ll be sure to tire you out tonight too.” Will snickered.

“Promises, promises.” Tom laughed. “So what time are you coming over?”

“I dunno. I haven’t had breakfast yet, but I was thinking about coming over after lunch if that’s okay?”

“That’s fine. I haven’t talked to Char yet—she may want to meet for coffee or something; it’s kind of a New Year’s Eve tradition with us—I’ll let you know so you can join us too.”

“Okay, that works.” Will blew him a kiss and rang off.

Tom rose, padding into his kitchen to make himself breakfast. He had a boyfriend and his own apartment. Suddenly, he felt more like an adult than he ever had. And it felt so good.

Char called Tom just after he got out of the shower.

“So I think we’re both ready to move this relationship to the next level,” Tom admitted.

“Really?” Char practically squealed. “You’ve really fallen hard for him, haven’t you?”

“I have,” Tom said quietly. “I think, um, that is …” he stammered.

“You love him, don’t you?” Char was always so perceptive.

“Pretty sure, yeah,” Tom spoke slowly. “I’ve never really been in love with anyone before, but …” he trailed off. “Do you think it’s too early to say something to him?”

“That depends.” Char turned serious. “Do you think he loves you?”

“Maybe. I mean, we’ve kind of talked about things, and neither one of us wants to see anyone else,” Tom said. “I told him I care for him, and he’s said the same to me. But neither one of us has used the L-word yet.”

“Well,” Char said, “the best advice I can offer is to play it by ear. If the opportunity presents itself, and it feels right, go for it. But don’t rush it if you’re not ready.”

“Thanks, Char. I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Let’s hope you never have to find out. Now about today …” She and Cee Cee were both off work, and they wanted to get together for either coffee or a drink. They agreed to meet for a New Year’s Eve beverage at two o’clock at the Whale.

Tom had sent a quick text to Will, saying to come to the apartment no later than one forty-five so they could walk over together.

“So tonight’s the big night, huh?” Char asked after they’d ordered their drinks from Dani. They were sitting at a high-top near the not-yet-crowded bar.

“You’re trying to make this as awkward as possible, aren’t you?” Tom replied.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Char batted her lashes at him.

Will laughed, and Cee Cee swatted Char’s arm playfully.

“Behave,” she told her girlfriend. “We all know what they’re gonna do. No need to beat it to death.”

“That’s what he said,” Char deadpanned.

Tom groaned. “Can we please talk about something else?”

The conversation changed to school starting up again the following week, and Tom for one breathed a sigh of relief. Even though they all knew what was gonna happen later that day, he still wasn’t completely comfortable being so open about his sex life.

Dinner had turned out great. Will’s pasta was delicious, and Tom made him promise that he’d make it again so Tom could watch more closely and learn how to make it himself. During one of their many conversations, they both confessed to a love for the old TV series Grimm , and Tom discovered that one of the cable channels was doing a marathon, so they watched several episodes before and after dinner.

They were sitting together on the couch. “Too bad Nick’s not gay,” Tom said at one point.

“Right. I mean, can you imagine him and Captain Reynard getting it on? Those guys are so hot,” Will agreed.

“My boyfriend’s pretty hot too,” Tom said, smiling.

“You think so?” Will leaned over and kissed Tom. One kiss led to another, and they continued for a while until Tom reached over and turned off the television.

“We should move this to somewhere more comfortable,” he told Will.

They undressed slowly, almost putting on a show for each other. When they were both naked, Tom hugged Will tightly, caressing his back and sliding his hands to Will’s ass.

“Let’s lie down,” Will said. They kissed deeply, lengthening against each other.

“I want you inside me tonight,” Tom said. They’d spoken briefly about their preferences, and while they were both pretty versatile, Will had admitted he preferred to top even though he’d gladly bottom for Tom.

“Are you sure?” Will asked.

“Absolutely,” Tom answered, his smile full and bright. “And maybe we can try it the other way in the morning.”

“Deal,” Will readily agreed, kissing Tom once again. “Now let me take care of you.” He worked his way down Tom’s body, kissing, licking, and nipping his way from neck to nipple, navel to cock. He licked around the head of Tom’s dick, eliciting a moan from Tom, further encouraging him. He grabbed the lube that Tom had left on the nightstand and poured some on his fingers.

Tom watched as Will continued to suck on his cock while tapping his hole with one finger.

“Oh yeah,” Tom moaned in anticipation. He felt Will’s finger at his entrance and spread his legs to give him better access. Will took the hint, and Tom felt himself breached, relishing the feel of Will’s finger inside him. “More,” he whispered.

Will slid his slicked finger deeper while running his tongue up and down Tom’s length. After a minute or two, he added a second finger, and Tom moaned again.

“I’m ready,” he panted. “Just want you. Now.” He reached for a condom and unrolled it down Will’s hard cock.

Tom felt the tip of Will’s dick touch his hole, and he pushed, eagerly taking the hard shaft.

Will moved slowly, giving Tom time to adjust to the feeling. Once Will was fully seated in Tom’s ass, he stared into Tom’s eyes. “Okay?” he asked, tenderness in his voice.

“Oh yeah,” Tom said. “You feel amazing. Now fuck me.”

It started slow at first, then Will increased his tempo. He took Tom’s cock in his hand and stroked, matching the strokes to his thrusts.

Tom felt himself on the edge of orgasm when Will suddenly slowed, almost pulling out of his ass completely. It was as if he knew and wanted to make this last. Tom leaned forward, kissing Will again and again.

“I …” he began, feeling the L-word on his lips. But was this too soon? Like he’d confessed to Char earlier, he’d never felt this strongly toward someone else, and it certainly felt like love to him, but he didn’t want to scare Will, so he veered at the last second. “I can’t believe how good this feels.”

“Me too,” Will panted. Speeding up once again, Tom knew he’d reach the summit in seconds.

“Gonna come!” he cried, taking Will’s mouth in a searing kiss, sucking deeply on his tongue.

His orgasm hit, splashing his release on Will’s belly as well as his own. He clenched his ass, and that was all Will needed. He felt Will’s dick throb in his ass, knowing he’d come as well.

Will’s thrusts slowed and finally stopped. He began to pull out, but Tom’s hands on Will’s ass stopped him. “Just stay for a minute,” Tom’s whisper pleaded.

When they were both soft and their breathing was back to normal, Will slipped out, and Tom immediately felt the loss of fullness he’d enjoyed so much.

“That was amazing,” Tom declared, reverence in his tone.

“Yeah, it was,” Will agreed.

Tom woke with Will’s arms around him. He smiled. He couldn’t remember ever being as happy as he felt right then. Turning, he woke Will with kisses, and they made love again, reversing roles just as Tom has suggested the night before. Afterward, they showered together, dressed, and cooked breakfast.

“This feels so right,” Tom said.

“It does,” Will agreed, hugging Tom from behind and kissing the side of his head.

Tom was confident that this was just the beginning of something special between them.