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  He pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. The old oak he used to climb bowed over, its branches not quite touching the Acura. He pressed his lips together, knowing his mom would be asking him to trim the branches within twenty-four hours, if not sooner.

  His gaze traveled to the house and he smiled again. It wasn’t anything special. Not too big or too small. Probably forty years old, at least. The two-story colonial wasn’t anything unique in his neighborhood. Still, it was his home. How many times had he helped fix something for his mom? He had spent a few summers painting the house, too, white with black shutters. His mother had taught him to take pride in his home.

  Kris stirred at the same time the porch light flipped on. His mom stepped out in her robe, waving. As Michael walked outside and made his way to the car, Joe tried to squelch the disappointment that flooded him. Michael was obviously here to stay and Joe needed to get used to it. Reminding himself he needed to be happy for his mom, he tried to shake the negative feelings.

  “Hey, we’re here, huh?”

  Joe bit back a smile at how adorable the guy looked when just waking up. “Yep. Looks like your uncle wants to help.” He reached for the trunk latch. It popped, and Michael opened it fully.

  “Karen,” Kris whispered. “We’re here. Wake up.”

  She grumbled, but sat up, bleary-eyed and still half-asleep.

  Joe chuckled. “Okay, both of you Sleeping Beauties, it’s time to get out.”

  A moment later, Michael took Kris into his arms and clapped his back. “I’m so glad you and your sister are going to spend the holidays with us. You’re going to love Melody,” he announced in a booming voice.

  Joe smiled. It felt foreign to hear someone calling his mom by her first name, but he supposed he would also have to get used to that.

  “Karen,” Michael called, leaning into the car. “Wake up.”

  Kris chuckled. “She always falls back to sleep.” He helped Joe pull most of the bags from the trunk. They left one for Michael, and Joe led Kris toward the porch.

  “Hey, don’t let her forget our pillows,” Kris called.

  “Got them,” Michael answered, pillows already clutched in his hands.

  “Uncle Michael,” Karen whined, finally climbing out of the car.

  “Did I tell you she’s a bear when woken up?” Kris whispered conspiratorially.

  Joe laughed. “I don’t think it’s much of a secret.”

  On the porch, his mom wrapped her arms around Joe and pulled him close. “Joey! I’m so glad you’re home, baby.”

  Kris raised his eyebrows. “Joey?” he mouthed.

  Joe shrugged. His mom would probably always call him that.

  To Joe’s delight, and Kris’s obvious horror, she pulled him into a huge hug also. “It’s so nice to meet you, Kris. I hope you had a good drive out.” She eyed Joe. “He didn’t speed, did he?”

  Kris cleared his throat, his eyes wide, clearly not used to being manhandled by a mother. “No, ma’am, not at all. Joey—” he flashed a smile at Joe “—drove perfect. Very safe driver.”

  She let him go. “Well, I’m just so glad you guys are all here. I know it’s late and you probably want to get to bed. We can get to know each other tomorrow, but I want to make sure you feel at home here. Okay?”

  Kris nodded as she ushered them inside. Michael, with Karen in tow, followed close behind.

  “We set up the guest room for Karen,” Michael said.

  Joe’s mom helped with the pink suitcases and she and Michael headed upstairs to show Karen where she’d be staying for the next few weeks. Kris and Joe followed.

  “We moved a rollaway bed into your room, Joe. I hope you guys don’t mind sharing for now. If it’s not comfortable, you can take the sofa, Kris.”

  Kris smiled as he turned to look at Joe behind him. “No, that’s fine, ma’am. I can bunk with Joey.”

  Joe’s eyes widened. There went his private moment tonight. Shit. He hadn’t really thought the sleeping arrangements through, but it had never occurred to him that Kris would be sharing his space.

  “Want to show me your room?” Kris asked, eyes sparkling with amusement.

  Joe shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Come on.” He gestured with his head to the room at the end of the hall.

  He allowed Kris to enter first. As Kris walked by, his hand brushed against Joe, sending microbursts of pleasure through his body.

  Joe studied his room. It wasn’t that big to begin with. Add in the bookcases at one end, a queen-sized bed, desk, and dresser, and it was pretty crowded. The additional rollaway bed swallowed up the rest of the space. He shimmied sideways to flop onto the mattress with his bag. He couldn’t help smiling at the glowing stars on his ceiling, which he’d put up in his early teenage years.

  Kris took a seat on the rollaway.

  “Is it lumpy?” Joe asked. “Mom’s had it out many times over the years, but I’ve never used it.”

  Kris bounced a little. “Nah, feels okay. Anything’s better than my shitty bed in the dorm.”

  Joe grinned. “Shitty” was probably the best way to describe the damn things. He pointed his thumb to the door. “Bathroom is down the hall. Towels are in the cabinet right inside.”

  “Thanks. I think I’m just gonna turn in. Take a shower in the morning.”

  “Me, too.” The long drive had worn on Joe and his confused feelings weren’t helping matters. All he wanted was sleep.

  “You guys settled?” his mom asked as she peeked in her head.

  “Yeah, Mom. We’re going to unpack in the morning.”

  She bid them “goodnight” and pulled the door closed. They looked at each other, both seeming to realize at the same time they were alone. In a closed room.

  “Um, I think I’ll get ready for bed,” Kris said, his voice low.

  “Okay, I’ll get ready here and brush my teeth when you’re done. There’s always a supply of new toothbrushes in the left drawer if you need one.”

  “Thanks. Not sure where I packed mine.” Kris dug around in his bag, pulling out a pair of boxers and a white tee.

  Joe tried not to watch as he left, but he failed miserably, his gaze glued to Kris’s back. Kissing him earlier had been…well, spectacular, to be honest. The long drive had dulled his desires somewhat, but now that they’d be alone all night, his cock thickened. He tossed his jacket onto his desk chair, toed off his shoes, and stripped out of his jeans and shirt, sending them flying to his hamper across the room. He moved to his dresser and grabbed clean boxers just as Kris returned.

  Joe gasped and tried—again—to look away. Failed. Again. His gaze traced Kris’s muscular, lean legs covered in a fine dusting of light hair. His band T-shirt’s picture had faded through years of wearing and washing, yet its tightness showed his toned torso.

  “Um, I guess I’ll hit the hay,” he said as he watched Joe. “Thanks for the toothbrush.” He smiled. “I picked a purple one.”

  Joe grinned. “My mom loves to buy things in large quantities. I’ll bet there are like forty more in the garage. She goes to wholesale clubs and stocks up.” He chuckled. “When I was in elementary school, she actually bought so many packages of pencils, I didn’t need any for years.”

  Kris laughed. “I guess she was a scout, huh?”

  Joe raised an eyebrow.

  “You know, always be prepared?”

  “That’s definitely my mom.” He sidled his way to the door. “Be back in a minute.”

  Kris pulled back the blanket on his bed. “I’ll be here.”

  Joe made his way into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. God, he had to get it together. His dick throbbed again at the thought of sliding his hands under Kris’s tight shirt.

  He grabbed a new toothbrush—blue—and brushed his teeth, staring at his reflection in the mirror. This day had been a rollercoaster for him. His last final, finding out Danny was getting married, missing out on the party, and having to come home for a Christmas he hadn’t looked fo
rward to. Meeting Kris had certainly changed his bad mood, but he wasn’t sure what to do about it.

  He had several issues to deal with. Was he attracted to Kris because of the renewed rejection from Danny? Plus, Kris was his new stepfather’s nephew, so did that make them cousins by marriage?

  He spit and rinsed as he thought back to that kiss in the parking lot. His face flushed at the memory. Without a doubt, the hottest and sweetest kiss of his life. He wanted the man. And he knew Kris felt the same. He groaned inwardly. How the hell was he going to sleep in the same room as Kris?

  By the time he returned to his room, the lights were off and Kris was under the covers, his head barely visible. The glowing ceiling stars lent a little light, and he climbed onto his bed, sliding under the covers. The heavy blanket warmed him in the chilly room. He lay on his back, staring at the faux stars, listening to Kris’s rhythmic breathing was quiet. It dawned on him that he should have offered to take the rollaway so Kris could have the bed.

  “Kris?” he whispered.

  Silence. Probably just as well. They could talk tomorrow. They needed to talk tomorrow. To figure out what was going on. He’d feel like an idiot if he made a move and Kris wasn’t really interested—not to mention the awkwardness if they still had to share a room for weeks.

  Yet Kris had made his desire pretty clear. But was it just lust? A situation created due to being confined in a car for so many hours?

  He rolled onto his side, wanting his mind to shut down so he could get some sleep and think about things later. When tired, he tended to overanalyze everything. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the way his body kept reminding him about the sexy man sleeping a few feet away.

  He was pretty sure that sleep for him would be a long way off.

  Chapter 5

  Joe woke to the smell of pancakes. Chocolate chip, if his nostrils identified the aroma correctly. God, he loved pancakes. Why had he dreaded coming home again?

  “Honey, want me to check on the boys?” a muffled voice called in the hallway.

  Oh, yeah. That’s why. His new stepfather.

  A knock sounded on his door.

  Joe rolled over. “Yeah?”

  “Your mom’s making pancakes. You guys want some?”

  He was starving. “Yeah.” He glanced at Kris and bit back a laugh. The guy’s hair stuck up in every direction as he struggled to open his eyes. “Kris, do you want some pancakes?” He chuckled at the resulting grunt. “Got it. You’re not a morning person.”

  He pulled himself up to a sitting position and rubbed his face with the heels of his hands. “We’ll be down soon,” he called to Michael and hit the rollaway with his knee.

  Kris smacked at the air. “Ungh.”

  Joe smiled. “Have it your way, sleepyhead. My mom makes the best pancakes in the world, though. I’m going to take a quick shower, okay?”

  Another grunt from the lump in the bed. Guess that was all he’d get.

  He grabbed his phone and headed to the bathroom. He couldn’t believe he had slept so well. Glancing at his phone, Joe was surprised it was already almost ten o’clock. The last thing he remembered was worrying he wouldn’t fall asleep.

  He stepped into the warm water, instantly closing his eyes and bracing his hands on the wall. The water poured over him, relaxing his muscles. He let himself enjoy the sensation for a minute or two before he grabbed his shampoo and massaged his scalp. He couldn’t stop thinking about Kris, and immediately, his body reacted. He wanted to wake him up, but wondered if he should let him sleep.

  By the time he’d soaped up, his hard cock throbbed. He fisted the shaft and stroked. A quiet groan escaped his lips as he pictured Kris in the shower with him. Damn. The things he wanted to do that man…so many things. His hand slid faster, his desire bubbling up, and he knew it wouldn’t take much to push himself over the edge.

  He twisted his hand, letting it slide across the slit. He pictured Kris in front of him, stroking him, and that was all it took for him to feel that burn at the base of his spine. His cock exploded, shooting his release against the tiles. He gave himself over to the waves of pleasure that flooded him. Bright colors mixed behind his eyelids, firework images showering in front of him. He thrust into his hand once more as he emptied the last of his release.

  * * * *

  When he arrived back in his room, he found Kris still in bed, so Joe dressed before trying once more to wake him.

  “Hey, I’m heading down. If you want pancakes, better hustle.”

  “I love pancakes,” Kris mumbled. “Had them for dinner last night.”

  Joe laughed. “Chocolate chip, right?”

  Kris pushed himself up to a sitting position. “Yep. They were good.”

  Joe smiled. “Well, my mom’s are great. You’ll like hers even better.”

  Kris finally smiled in return. “Are they chocolate chip?”

  “Should’ve had a ham sandwich last night like me,” he said, teasing.

  Kris moaned and stood there in his navy blue boxers and tight shirt, and all Joe wanted to do was kiss him. He moved quickly, sliding his arms around Kris’s waist and capturing his lips in a searing kiss. His mouth slanted over Kris’s over and over. He couldn’t get enough of the man in his arms. He kissed his way to Kris’s neck and nipped at the delicate skin, following it with a lick.

  Kris gasped and pulled back, his hand covering his lips.

  Joe stepped back to get his bearings. Embarrassed, his cheeks heated at his loss of control. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you downstairs.”

  Kris reached out. “No! I mean, no—don’t leave yet. It wasn’t…I was just…” He blushed. His gaze flicked around the room before he sighed. “I’m afraid I have horrible breath.”

  Relief washed over Joe and he smiled, his mouth centimeters away from Kris’s. . “You don’t. Let me show you.” Softly, he pressed his lips to Kris’s and pulled his lower lip into his mouth, tasting him. Soon, their bodies pressed together. Kris’s hands roamed into Joe’s hair, and he moaned, thrusting his hips against the man’s.

  The kiss grew heated and Joe’s tongue danced with Kris’s. Only when he started sliding his hands into the back of Kris’s boxers did Joe pull back. Now wasn’t the time. They had family waiting on them.

  He stared at Kris. Yesterday, the man’s beauty had blown him away, but this morning, his rosy and swollen lips and the adorable flush staining his porcelain skin took Joe’s breath away. Passion clouded Kris’s heavy-lidded eyes. Joe wanted nothing more than to kiss him again, which meant he needed to get the hell out of there before he took him on the rollaway. Those in the kitchen didn’t need any entertainment while they ate breakfast. His lips curved into a small smile.

  “What?” Kris asked, his voice shaky.

  “I was just thinking naughty thoughts.” Joe laughed at Kris’s widened eyes. “Can you imagine their faces if we did something up here and they heard us? Fuck, wouldn’t that be an uncomfortable meeting at the kitchen table?”

  Kris bit his lower lip and looked at him through his thick lashes. “It could be worth it.”

  Joe’s cock went rock-hard and he took another step back. “Fuck! You’re killing me.”

  Kris stepped forward. “Why? Do you want me?” He slid his palm up Joe’s chest.

  Joe grabbed his hand. “More than you know, Kris. But, now’s not the time.”

  “I know.” Kris dropped his hand. “But I need to confess something.” He took a deep breath and looked away. “Um, remember when I said that maybe we had seen each other on campus and not remembered?” Kris turned his gaze back to Joe. “I lied. I…I have seen you around. Many times.”

  “Yeah?”

  Kris tilted his head. “Last spring, at a party. In May, right before semester ended. “And…hell, I was so fucking hot for you, I felt like a kid with his first crush.” His blush darkened across his face and down his neck, and probably down his chest, too.

  Joe’s heartbeat sped up. “Why didn’t you talk to me?�
�

  “You were with some douche named Danny.”

  Joe scowled. “Why do you call him that?”

  Kris pressed his lips together and glanced away. “Because at the party, when you headed into the bathroom, he…he bumped into me. I hate to tell you this, but he grabbed my crotch and asked if I wanted a threesome.”

  Joe felt the blood drain from his face as a wave of nausea hit him. His head reeled. Had Danny cheated on him?

  Kris reached for him, but Joe waved away his hand. He needed to get out of the room, so he practically ran downstairs to get some air and ended up tripping over one of the cats just outside the kitchen.

  “Mimi!”

  “Don’t yell at the cat, Joe!”

  “Sorry, Mom.” He reached down for the newest cat addition to the family. His mom had been rescuing strays for as long as he could remember. Mimi made three in the home for now. Joe stroked the gray fur as he whispered his apology. Mimi, properly soothed, jumped out of his arms and flicked her tail at him.

  He saw his mom reach for plates in the cabinet, but he grabbed them first. “I’ll set the table.”

  “Thanks, Joey. Where’s Kris?” She glanced into the hall behind him.

  “Still upstairs. Not sure if he’ll be down soon or not.”

  “Okay. Karen should be down any second. She went for a run this morning. What an amazing girl, Joe. She gets up early every morning and runs five miles!”

  Joe grimaced. He was definitely not a runner.

  “You know who you should introduce her to?”

  “Mom,” he said, his voice warning her to stop. Not that it ever did any good.

  “Your friend Gavin.”

  He bit back a laugh as he set the plates around the old wooden table. “Gavin’s gay, Mom.”

  She waved her spatula. “He is? Hmm.” She looked deep in thought for a moment before her face brightened. “How about Kris? Michael says he isn’t dating anyone right now. He and Gavin might hit it off.”