Page 22

Chapter twenty-two

Clayton

The evening air was cool against Clayton’s skin as he ducked into the tent, Sawyer right behind him. The fabric rustled as they settled inside. Clayton lit the lantern. Outside, the forest hummed with the sounds of crickets and the occasional whisper of wind through the trees.

Clayton unrolled the sleeping bag, smoothing out the wrinkles before sitting back on his heels. Sawyer grinned at him, holding up two paper cups and a bottle of red wine.

“Classy, right?” Sawyer said, wiggling the bottle.

Clayton smiled, feeling comfortable enough to get the wine first. “Real sophisticated.”

Sawyer poured the wine, the liquid dark in the dim light, and handed Clayton a cup. Their fingers brushed, lingering just a second too long. He felt the warmth of Sawyer’s skin, the way his thumb traced lightly over Clayton’s knuckle before letting go.

They toasted with their cups.

“To us,” Sawyer said, his voice low and warm.

Clayton swallowed; his throat suddenly became tight. “To us.” Again, he was surprised to see Sawyer initiating a toast to them.

The wine tasted good. Sawyer was looking at him soft and sure, like Clayton was something worth keeping. He felt after he had shared his past with him, something had shifted for Sawyer. He’d gained more confidence and trust.

They sat shoulder to shoulder, the sleeping bag beneath them, the night stretching out around them. Sawyer took a slow sip, then turned his head, studying Clayton’s face.

“Did you think about us living together?” Sawyer asked.

Clayton let out a slow breath. “Yeah. A lot.”

Sawyer’s smile was small, private. “Me too.”

Clayton turned the cup in his hands, watching the wine swirl. “Do you think we’d drive each other crazy?”

Sawyer laughed, nudging him with his knee. “Oh, definitely. But in a good way.”

Clayton smirked. “You’d leave your socks everywhere.”

“And you’d reorganize my closet when I’m not looking.”

“Damn right I would.”

Sawyer chuckled, shaking his head. “See? Perfect.”

Clayton’s chest ached with something sweet and heavy. Perfect. The word settled inside him, warm and undeniable.

Sawyer set his cup aside and shifted closer, his hand finding Clayton’s waist. “Are you still thinking it over about us?”

Clayton met his eyes. “Just…wondering how we got here.”

Sawyer’s thumb brushed over the fabric of Clayton’s shirt, slow and deliberate, and unbuttoned some of his buttons. “Same way we do everything. Stumbled into it.”

“Sounds about right.”

Sawyer leaned in, his breath warm against Clayton’s lips. “Lucky stumble though.”

Then he kissed him, soft and sure. Clayton sighed into it, his free hand lifting to cradle Sawyer’s jaw, fingers tracing the stubble there. The kiss was slow, unhurried, like they had all the time in the world.

When they pulled apart, Sawyer’s eyes were watery, his lips slightly parted. “We’re going to be good,” he murmured.

Clayton believed him.

He set their cups aside and pulled Sawyer down onto the sleeping bag, their bodies fitting together easily. Sawyer’s hands were warm as they slid under Clayton’s shirt, tracing the lines of his ribs, his spine. Clayton shivered, pressing closer, his own fingers tangling in Sawyer’s hair.

“You’re so right for me,” Sawyer said.

They kissed again, deeper this time, tongues sliding together, breaths mingling. Clayton could taste the wine on Sawyer’s lips, could feel the steady beat of his heart where their chests pressed together.

Sawyer broke away just enough to murmur against his mouth, “Love you, you know.”

Clayton’s breath caught. It hit him like a punch to the chest—good, so good it hurt.

“Love you too,” he whispered back.

Sawyer smiled, slow and bright, before kissing him again.

Outside, the night stretched on, quiet and endless. But inside the tent, wrapped in each other, they had everything they needed.

Slowly, Clayton stretched his arm to reach his backpack and pulled out a condom and lube. He pulled his jeans off, then put on the condom. Sawyer removed his clothes and waited naked.

“I love looking at your beautiful body,” Clayton said.

“At my freckles?”

“Freckles and all. I love the color of your hair. The first time I saw you, I thought you were adorable and sexy, all rolled into one. Perfect for me. Little did I know how perfect.”

“There hasn’t been a minute I’ve thought you didn’t want me. I feel so good when you’re with me. You turned me into a new person. I can’t believe how secure I feel with you around me and even when we’re separated that feeling is wrapped tightly around.”

“I’ve wanted you and the best for you since we met. I’m just glad you wanted me too.” Clayton massaged the lube on his hand, then every part of his cock preparing his entrance into Sawyer. He was right there waiting for him.

Clayton ran his fingers up and down Sawyer’s body, tickling him.

“Are you going to tickle me to death?” Sawyer laughed.

“Oh no. I’m preparing you for me, my cock.” He continued outlining Sawyer’s back, buttocks, and legs.

Sawyer sucked in a breath and arched into the touch while Clayton continued tickling him. Clayton had him in a fit of giggles every time he touched him. He didn’t know why, but his cock tightened further . Fuck, he’s going to make me come just from tickling his ass.

He rubbed the lube around Sawyer’s opening and coated his fingers with it as he slipped one finger inside Sawyer’s tight hole, causing him to jump from the chilly lube.

“You’re still tight. I don’t want you to hurt, but the beginning pain will subside. Are you going to be okay if it hurts?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Please, I’m waiting for you.”

The tip of Clayton’s hard cock head pushed inside about an inch.

“It burns just a little,” Sawyer whispered.

“Relax, Sawyer. Take some deep breaths.” Clayton wrapped his arm around Sawyer, lifting him up a bit and stroking his cock until it hardened. “It’s going to be okay.” He gently inched his cock a little deeper, and with that, Sawyer moaned.

“You okay?”

Clayton stroked his hair.

“Yes, I need you,” Sawyer said.

Clayton carefully edged his cock into Sawyer’s tight, lubed butt hole. Clayton’s cock stretched his quivering hole wider and entered further this time.

“That’s it, love,” Clayton said. “You have such a tight, warm hole. I could fuck you for hours.”

“Mmm, yeah, your boy likes the sound of that.”

Clayton continued to stroke him, hammering that same spot. Sawyer panted from the pleasure inside him.

“Swallow my cock with your ass muscles. I’m going to go deeper inside you.” Clayton rubbed Sawyer’s nipples with his other hand, bringing moans of pleasure from him.

“Ahh—I’m coming,” Clayton shouted.

Clayton flooded his cum into his condom, igniting Sawyer to spill his cum in four quick spurts. Sawyer made animal grunting sounds as his cum landed in Clayton’s hand.

“Ahh—you felt so good, my beautiful Sawyer,” Clayton said. He wrapped his arms around Sawyer, rocking him. “My beautiful lover.”

Clayton reached for a towel and wiped his hands and Sawyer. He disposed of his condom in a small garbage bag, then rolled beside Sawyer. Their bodies wrapped around each other.

“Thank you for being so patient with me.”

“You’re so worth it. I couldn’t be happier.”

Sawyer closed his eyes in exhaustion. Before they knew it, they were both lost in sleep.