Page 22 of Semper Fi

“Thank you.” Then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m glad you’re here, Uncle Cal.”

He had to swallow hard over the sudden lump in his throat. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he hugged her back. “Me too.”

Before long it was time for Sophie to go to bed as well, and Cal paced around the living room, the sounds of Jim reading a story floating downstairs from time to time.

He poured himself a whiskey and went outside to wander by the paddock, inhaling a cigarette and playing with Finnigan.

The dog soon ran off into the trees, barking at a threat either real or imagined—Cal wasn’t sure which.

After his third cigarette, he went back inside. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Cal listened. All was quiet. The wood seemed to creak more loudly than before as he climbed upstairs, and his breath stuttered when he saw Jim’s closed door.

He listened for any sounds from the children down the hall and heard none through the partially open door.

Steeling himself, he went to Jim’s room, his knock barely more than a scratch.

The door swung open a moment later. Jim still wore his jeans and white undershirt. After a tense moment, he stepped aside.

Cal closed the door behind him, the scrape of wood echoing in the silence. The lock sliding home seemed as loud as a gunshot. “I waited for you outside,” he whispered.

“I shouldn’t leave the kids alone.”

Cal didn’t point out that they’d gone outside in the evenings plenty of times, and the children had been just fine. “Sure. Okay.”

“We can’t…” Jim waved his hand between them. “Not here.” Jim hurried to the door, brushing Cal aside. He listened intently, his shoulders high.

As Jim turned, Cal stepped close, lifting his finger to Jim’s lips. “Shh. It’s okay.” He kissed him softly. “We just have to be quiet. They’re fast asleep by now.”

Jim’s body was rigid from head to toe. “We shouldn’t.”

Cal pressed kisses to Jim’s neck, one hand skimming up under his undershirt. “Just relax,” he murmured.

Inch by inch, Jim unclenched. Cal took his time, kissing and caressing, teasing and coaxing until Jim dragged his undershirt over his head, breath coming in shallow gasps as he tugged Cal closer.

Cal bent and took one of Jim’s nipples into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue before grazing it with his teeth.

Jim’s harsh moan filled the air, and he froze. Chuckling, Cal kissed him again before covering Jim’s mouth with his hand. “Shh.”

As he went back to Jim’s chest, licking and sucking, his other hand drifting lower with light caresses, Jim’s forceful exhalations tickled Cal’s palm.

When he lowered the zipper on Jim’s jeans, Jim arched his hips, his cock tenting his drawers.

Cal took his hand away from Jim’s mouth and kissed him deeply, sucking his tongue.

Then he dropped slowly to his knees. Jim actually whimpered , and Cal glanced up, smiling wickedly. He felt powerful. He’d waited years for this, and he was going to make Jim fly apart. Make him come so hard. Show him how good it could be.

He kissed Jim’s flat belly as he pulled his drawers and jeans down.

Jim lifted his feet one at a time, and Cal tossed the clothing aside.

Jim’s cock stood up, flushed red and already leaking.

When Cal tasted a salty drop on his tongue, Jim swallowed a low groan, his hands tightening into fists.

Cal licked along the underside of the shaft, his hands moving to Jim’s hips.

He knew Jim likely wouldn’t last tonight, but he wanted to make the most of it.

For so long, Cal had fantasized about how Jim would feel and taste in his mouth. As he sucked the head of Jim’s cock between his lips, he had to muffle his own groan of pure pleasure, sparks skittering up his spine. Breathing deeply through his nose, he took in more, reveling in the musky scent.

Jim tangled his fingers in Cal’s hair, and Cal glanced up.

With eyes closed and lips parted, Jim panted silently.

His skin was flushed all over, and he was the most beautiful thing Cal had ever seen.

Cal kept his gaze up as he licked and sucked, one hand moving to stroke the sensitive skin behind Jim’s balls, which were tight and heavy.

Jim’s cock throbbed in Cal’s mouth, making his own dick ache.

He increased his tempo, using strong suction and teasing with his tongue.

Caressing Jim’s balls in his palm, he watched Jim’s breath hitch, his whole body seizing.

Jim tugged on Cal’s head, but Cal stayed latched onto his cock, swallowing deeply as Jim came with a strangled moan.

He milked every last drop as he stroked Jim’s trembling thighs. Panting, Jim leaned back against the door, his eyes closed. Cal’s cock strained against his fly, and he got to his feet and kissed Jim, slipping his tongue between his lips.

Eyes snapping open, Jim tore his mouth away, one hand pressing roughly against Cal’s chest. He swiped the other across his lips, grimacing. “I can…taste it.”

Cal smiled uneasily. “Well, I know. I can taste it too.”

“I tried to warn you so you wouldn’t have to.” Jim wiped at his mouth again.

“But I wanted to.” Jesus, he’d only dreamt of it for years.

“You really…like that?”

Cal tried to ignore the hot prickles of something akin to shame. “I really do. You seemed to like being on the receiving end.”

“I…yes. I just…” Jim reached for his discarded drawers and tugged them on.

“What?” Cal took a deep breath, telling himself to be patient.

“I don’t know.” Jim ran a hand through his hair before gesturing to Cal’s crotch. “I should…you’re…”

“Nah.” Cal forced a smile. “It’s been a long day. I think we should both hit the hay.” At Jim’s sharp look, he added, “Separately. I need to have a shower anyway. ’Night.” He turned the doorknob.

“Cal.”

He waited.

“I don’t know how to feel. This is all new.”

Cal looked back, and this time his smile was real. “I know. We’ll figure it out.”

Jim nodded and closed the door behind him. Cal tiptoed to the bathroom and turned the shower on, making the water as cold as he could stand it.

** *

When Cal came down for breakfast, Jim said good morning as usual but kept his eyes on his cereal. Adam babbled happily and Sophie told them about the book report she was writing. As she ran the water for the dishes, Jim cleared his throat.

“Cal, do you think you can drive to Buffalo today? I ordered some new chemicals to spray on the trees. Pesticide, it’s called. They say it’ll get rid of the maggot flies. Maggots ruined nearly a quarter of the crop last year. Anyway, I need to pick it up and it’s a six-hour drive.”

Cal’s laugh was forced. “Trying to get rid of me already, huh?”

“No! Of course not.” Jim glanced at the children by the sink and gave Cal a warning look. “I asked him if he could deliver, but it would take weeks. He’s got a backlog of orders, but if I go pick it up myself, he’ll make an exception. It would really help me out if you went.”

“Hey, you’re the boss. Whatever you need.” Cal told himself it didn’t mean anything. “When did you talk to him?”

“A few days ago. I wasn’t sure about trying it, but I’ve made up my mind. I’d go, but I don’t want to leave the children overnight. It’s too much to drive in one day.”

“How much am I picking up? Think it’ll fit in the Caddy’s trunk?” Cal tried to tell himself it was just business—that Jim wasn’t pushing him away.

“Should do. You can take the truck though. Don’t want to mess up your car.”

“No, it’s fine. It’ll be good to put some miles on her. Brush off the cobwebs. I’ll get going.” He pushed his chair back and swallowed the last of his coffee.

“You don’t have to rush off.”

Cal ignored him with a wave of his hand and said goodbye to Adam and Sophie before going upstairs and quickly throwing a change of clothes into an overnight bag. He strode out to the car, trying not to let the hurt get the better of him and failing miserably. He fished out his keys.

“Cal!” Jim hurried over. “Would you wait a second?”

“Why? What more is there to say? I got the message loud and clear.”

“Message?” Jim exhaled, clearly exasperated. “This isn’t because of… that .”

“Uh-huh.” Cal knew he was being petulant, but couldn’t stop.

“Whatever this is…” Jim glanced around. “Whatever this is between us, it’s a lot to take in. I need some time. But I’m not denying it. I really do need you to pick up the pesticide. I know the timing stinks.”

Sighing, Cal ran a hand through his hair.

“Okay. Just don’t talk yourself out of anything while I’m gone.

I know this is new for you.” He wanted to take Jim’s hand, but resisted, simply stepping in close instead.

“We could have something good. We do have something good. We always have. But it can be more. Just remember that.”

Jim nodded. “I will.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Let me know how much the hotel costs and I’ll reimburse you. For gas and meals too.”

Cal chuckled. “I’m going to leave before we get into another fight about money.”

Jim smiled softly. “Drive carefully.”

As Cal drove down the laneway, he watched Jim in the rearview mirror, standing there with his hands in his pockets and an unreadable expression on his face.

***

Two days later they were back at the breakfast table, the children chattering as Jim and Cal listened and nodded.

Jim finished eating and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Cal, can you rake up any old leaves in the orchard while I check on the newer trees?”

Cal concentrated on a light tone. “Sure. Worried about anything in particular?”

Jim had been perfectly friendly, and had looked Cal in the eyes since his return the previous evening, but there’d been no hint as to how he was feeling.

Cal had let him off the hook after dinner and claimed a headache as an excuse for an early night.

Still, he’d waited and hoped that Jim would come to him once the children were asleep. He’d finally drifted off alone.