Page 23 of Semper Fi

“Apple scab fungus. It can spread to the healthy young apples as spring warms up.”

“Well, we don’t want that.”

“Uncle Cal, guess what?” Sophie bounced in her seat.

“Mabel started making chocolate milk?”

Sophie giggled. “Noooo!”

“You said to guess.”

Everyone laughed, including Jim, and Cal felt a little better.

As the morning went on, he raked forcefully in the shade of the orchard.

He still struggled to put the look of disgust that had creased Jim’s face the other night out of his mind.

He thought back to the first time he’d tasted semen.

He’d licked Michael Thorngood clean and had asked for more.

Tasting himself on Michael’s lips later had sent an erotic charge through his veins.

That doesn’t mean Jim has to feel the same way. It’s okay if he doesn’t like it. He’s not me.

“I know he’s not me,” Cal muttered.

“They say talking to yourself is one of the first signs of insanity.”

Cal chuckled as he turned to find Jim several feet away. “I’m sure I display more than just one sign.” Even after so many years, a thrill of attraction whipped through him at the sight of Jim, with his blond hair gleaming and jeans hugging his hips. His plaid shirtsleeves were rolled to his elbows.

Jim smiled and lifted up a basket. “I brought lunch. Made your favorite.”

“Peanut butter?” Cal’s stomach growled .

“What else?”

“And you actually made this sandwich? Or did Mrs. O’Brien?”

Jim sat on the freshly raked grass beneath the nearest tree, crossing his legs. “I’ll have you know I slaved over this for a full two minutes.”

Laughing, Cal took a seat beside him, leaning back against the tree trunk. “My apologies to the chef.”

They ate quietly, drinking from their canteens as the sun blinked out from behind a cluster of clouds. Rabbits scurried by in the distance, Finnigan barking after them. When they were finished eating, Jim tidied up the basket and leaned back against the tree beside Cal.

He inched closer, pressing their shoulders together. “I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. You were honest. That’s all I can ask for.”

“But you deserve so much more.”

“Jim—”

“Let me say this, all right?”

“All right.” Cal tried to relax.

Jim took a deep breath and blew it out. “This is all…new. Obviously whatever this is between us, but everything else too.”

“Everything else?”

“With Ann, it was never…she never…” He waved his hand in the air. “In the bedroom, it was very…basic. I remember the guys talking about the wild things they did with women, and I thought they were making it all up.”

Cal smiled. “Most of them probably were.”

“But Ann and I—it was never anything like the other night. I’ve never felt like that. The way I feel with you.”

Cal tentatively rested his hand on Jim’s denim-clad thigh. “How did you feel?”

“Connected. So full of need I could hardly stand it.” After a quick glance around, he covered Cal’s hand with his own, threading their fingers together. “I can’t believe I’m feeling this. For you. With you. Nothing seems real. I keep expecting to wake up.”

“Me too.” Cal’s pulse spiked as he leaned in and kissed Jim’s neck.

Jim took a shuddering breath, squeezing Cal’s hand. “It scares me. Not like in the war. A different kind of fear. But still terrifying.”

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want.” Even though it would nearly kill him to turn back now, Cal couldn’t bear the thought of Jim being unhappy or frightened.

“But I do. I want . I want things I didn’t know were possible. That’s what really scares me. I shouldn’t want this.”

“It’s okay. I promise.”

“How is this happening? How does it feel so…right?”

Cal caressed Jim’s face with gentle fingers. “It’s not wrong. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Love isn’t wrong.”

Jim swallowed hard. “Love?”

“Of course.” Cal smiled. “I love you. You must know that.”

Jim squeezed his eyes shut, and Cal’s heart thumped. He’d gone too far, too fast. He was about to take it back when Jim looked at him.

Eyes glistening, Jim reached with both hands to cradle Cal’s face. “God forgive me.” He pressed their lips together.

Cal’s head swam with pure joy, and they were lost, kissing deeply as time fell away.

All Cal knew was the stroke of Jim’s tongue against his own, and their mingled breath.

Their hands gripping each other. When Jim broke the kiss, Cal followed, groaning at the loss of contact.

His chest rising and falling rapidly, Jim smiled shyly and popped open the button on Cal’s jeans. He took a deep breath, pausing.

Although he ached for Jim’s touch, Cal reassured him. “There’s no rush. You don’t have to.”

“I want to. I really do.” He appeared surprised by his own admission.

Leaning back against the rough bark, Cal watched as Jim fished into his pants and pulled out Cal’s stiff cock. Jim’s eyes darted back and forth between Cal’s crotch and his face as he stroked tentatively. Cal lifted his hips, thrusting into Jim’s grasp. “Oh. Yes. Like that. ”

Every guttural moan and murmur seemed to give Jim confidence, and he twisted his thumb over the head of Cal’s dick, teasing the leaking slit.

Cal was so heavy and hard in Jim’s hand, all his nerve endings zeroed in on the slick pressure.

Sweat gathered at Cal’s brow as the pleasure coiled low in his belly, ready to strike.

Birds sang overhead, the leaves swaying gently in the late spring breeze, new blooms in the air. Cal panted as he arched his back, Jim’s hand tight around him. His cock pulsated, so heavy and full, and he could hardly believe Jim was actually touching him—bringing his fantasies to life.

Breath hot on Cal’s ear, Jim whispered, “Let me see you come.”

His balls drawing up, Cal shot over Jim’s hand, crying out as he shuddered. The pleasure waved through him, and he felt complete peace. He yanked Jim close to kiss him hard.

They jumped apart at a sudden noise, and stared at Finnigan several yards away, watching them with head cocked. The dog barked again, and they burst out laughing, flopping back against the tree.

“It’s okay, Finnigan,” Cal called out. “Just don’t tell anyone what you saw, all right? I’ll buy you a nice juicy bone.”

Jim’s smile faded. “We really do have to be careful. No one can know about this. No one. This isn’t a game.”

“I know. We have to hide, but we won’t be the first. Won’t be the last. We’ll make it work.”

Jim nodded. “Okay.” He lifted his sticky hand, peering at it curiously.

“Here, I think I have a handkerchief.” Cal rummaged in his pockets and passed over the cloth.

Jim wiped off most of his hand, and then paused and lifted his index finger to his mouth. His tongue flicked out. He raised his eyebrows, and then took his finger into his mouth, sucking it clean. “Hmm.”

Cal licked his lips and reached for Jim’s fly, pretty sure they weren’t going back to work any time soon.