Love Comes in Darkness (13 page)

“That is amazing,” Gordy said.

“No, it’s not. Token’s breathing sounds different when he has the toy in his mouth, and I heard the toy land, so I knew where he was going.”

“Can I try?” Sophia asked.

“Sure. Come here and sit on my lap,” Howard said, and Sophia plopped down on his legs once Howard adjusted how he was sitting. “Close your eyes and don’t peek.” Howard paused. “Can you hear how Token is panting?”

“Uh-huh,” Sophia said.

“Just listen all around you. You can’t see, but you can hear. Now I’m going to throw the Kong. Listen to see if you can tell where it lands.” Howard turned toward where Token sat. “Stay,” Howard said and then threw the toy. “Did you hear it?”

“Uh-huh,” Sophia said.

“Now, listen,” Howard told her. “Go get the toy,” he said to Token, and he took off, retrieved the toy, and came back. He dropped the toy in Howard’s outstretched hand. “Did you hear him?”

“Yeah. So you see with your ears,” Sophia said.

“Sort of, yes. I also can see with my hands and sometimes with my nose,” Howard explained and threw the toy for Token again.

“Uncle Howie, Token’s pooping,” Sophia told him. “Eww, doggie poop.”

“I’ll clean it up,” Gordy said.

“Thank you,” Howard told him. There were very few things in life that said you cared like offering to pick up the droppings from someone else’s dog.

“Is that what you always do? Listen to everything?” Sophia asked.

“Yes,” Howard said. “Since I can’t see, I have to listen and feel. I use my other senses because I can’t use my eyes. But it’s okay. Most of the time I can do everything anyone else can do.”

“Especially now that you have Token,” Sophia said, and Howard held her close.

“Now that I have Token, and you and Mommy visiting, and Gordy, I can do anything.”

“Except drive,” Sophia supplied to everyone’s amusement.

“Well, yes,” Howard answered, chuckling. “I also think hunting and flying an airplane are definitely beyond my ability. But tickling you isn’t.” Howard ran his fingers over her ribs, and Sophia giggled and squirmed in his arms. Before she’d come into his life, that high-pitched squeal would have made him squirm and hurry from the room, but with Sophia, it was the music of joy. He stopped, but Sophia continued giggling for a few seconds. “Are you still afraid of Gordy?” he whispered.

“He gives good airplane rides,” Sophia said after a moment’s hesitation, as though that said everything. Howard hugged her again, and then she darted away.

“Let me help you up,” Gordy said, and Howard extended his hand. Gordy helped him to his feet and guided him back toward the lounge chair. “She’s adorable,” Gordy told him.

“What’s she doing now?” Howard asked.

“She and Token are running through the yard, taking turns chasing each other. They’re having a ball. Your sister is watching them with a grin on her face as big as all outdoors.” Howard sat down and heard a chair scrape the patio, presumably Gordy pulling over a chair. “You have a really nice family,” Gordy said with a touch of sadness. “They really care about you.”

“I know. I spent a lot of years trying to get away from what I thought was too much care and concern. Now there are times I wish they were closer.”

“Should I start dinner?” Lizzy asked. “Remember the time you determined you could cook? He nearly set the house on fire.”

“Actually, Gordy and I got the things together for dinner yesterday. He’s going to grill, and I’m going to put the salads together.”

“Are you sure?” Lizzy asked.

Howard leaned closer to Gordy. “Scratch what I just said. They’re close enough.”

Gordy laughed and held him close. “She cares,” he whispered. Howard returned his hug. “Come inside. You can help me get dinner ready.” Howard stood up and took Gordy’s arm so he could lead him through the new outdoor furniture.

“You’re really serious about this?” Lizzy asked as she followed.

“I’m not helpless,” Howard told her, and once in the kitchen, he walked over to the refrigerator and began pulling out the ingredients. “Gordy taught me how to make the best coleslaw dressing. And we bought preshredded cabbage at the store.” Howard got out a bowl and opened the package. Then he put on the dressing.

“That should be enough,” Gordy prompted gently, handing Howard a spoon. Howard carefully mixed the contents. The bowl was much larger than he needed, but that was one of the ways he helped ensure he didn’t spill. When he was done, he put the dressing away. “Not bad, huh?” Howard said. “Like I said, I’m not helpless.”

“I never thought you were,” Lizzy told him, and Howard found himself pulled into a hug. “You do amazing things, little brother. I pick on you sometimes, but I’m proud of you. I’ve always been proud of you.” Lizzy hugged him again and then released him. “I’ll go back outside with Sophia and Token. Get me if you need anything.” She paused for a second. “But it looks like you two have everything well in hand.”

Howard heard the back door close, and after finding one of the kitchen chairs, he lowered himself into it while Gordy burst out laughing. “You called that perfectly.”

“For the last decade, whenever I talk about cooking of any kind, she brings up the time I tried to make hot chocolate and didn’t realize there was a piece of paper towel near the stove. You’d think I caused a conflagration rather than some smoke and not much else.”

“Is that why you wanted to make the coleslaw?”

“Yeah. Now she won’t think I’m useless in the kitchen.”

“I don’t think she thinks that. She’s your sister and she’s known you since you were in diapers. You should have heard the stories my sisters told people about me,” Gordy said and then became quiet. Howard stood up and walked to where Gordy was working. He trailed a hand over his back and then pressed against the huge man, laying his head on his shoulder blade.

“I know it hurts, but they made their decision, and cutting you out of their lives is their loss, not yours.”

“How can you say that?”

“If they were willing to turn their backs on you because of how your father feels, then they aren’t good enough for you. You deserve better and….” Howard paused. “I hope you’ve found it.”

Gordy stopped moving, and Howard waited. “What are you saying?” Gordy whispered and then straightened up. Howard stepped back, and then Gordy tugged him into a strong hug. “Did you just say what I think you said?”

“I just meant I hoped you thought I was good enough for you,” Howard stammered quickly.

“Sweetheart, you’re good enough for anybody,” Gordy said. “I hope you think I’m good enough for you. You deserve someone pretty fantastic, and I’m just….” Gordy squeezed a little tighter, and Howard returned the hug.

“Gordy,” Howard whispered and stroked along his cheek, his light stubble tickling Howard’s palm. “You’re everything I hoped for and more. Your family were fools to let you go.” He guided Gordy closer and kissed him. “I know down deep some part of you thinks they were justified to act the way they did.”

Gordy began to shake and pushed Howard away. But he didn’t deny it.

“They weren’t, Gordy. You don’t ever have to feel like you aren’t good enough.”

“I wasn’t good enough for them,” Gordy said softly.

“No. They weren’t good enough to see you for the amazing man you are. You’re patient, caring, and one of the gentlest people I’ve ever met in my life.”

“Sophia thought I was a giant.”

“Yeah, and it took you less than half a day to have her singing your praises. Kids know the people they can trust.” Howard stepped closer to Gordy. “I know who I can trust.” He stood on his tiptoes and kissed Gordy.

“So are you saying what I think you are?” Gordy asked.

“Yeah, I think I am,” Howard said and kissed him harder. Gordy hugged him around the waist and lifted Howard off his feet, one hand supporting his butt.

“Mommy, they’re kissing,” Sophia said, and Howard chuckled slightly, but Gordy thankfully didn’t put him down.

“Go back outside,” Gordy said calmly and then kissed him again. Howard heard her tattling for about two seconds and then nothing else mattered but the taste of Gordy’s lips. Could this day get any better?

H
OURS
later Howard was still stuffed to the gills. The house was quiet, with Sophia in bed and each of the adults quietly sipping a glass of wine in Howard’s living room. Token lay next to him, curled up on the sofa. Howard stroked him gently, and every few seconds Token either sighed or doggie-snored. Howard wasn’t sure which it was, but his canine friend seemed as content as Howard felt at the moment.

Howard yawned and finished the last of his wine. “I’m going to go to bed,” Howard whispered to Gordy and then stood up. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said to Lizzy. Token jumped down, and Howard walked through the house to the kitchen. He gave Token a small treat and waited for him to finish it. Howard heard Gordy say good night and then felt his heavy steps through the house.

“Are you ready for bed?” Gordy whispered. A door closed in the house. “Lizzy is going to bed as well, so it’s just the two of us.” Gordy lightly stroked up and down Howard’s arm. “I love your sister and niece, they’re both really special, but right now, there’s a certain cute guy I have my eye on.”

“You do, huh?” Howard teased. He’d gotten used to the cute description. He wasn’t happy about it, but couldn’t seem to stop Gordy from using it.

“Uh-huh,” Gordy hummed softly and then lightly tugged Howard into his arms. Now it was Howard’s turn to hum softly as Gordy nuzzled and lightly sucked on the base of his neck.

“I need to let Token out and then I’ll be right in,” Howard said, and Gordy kissed him again.

“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you,” Gordy whispered and then slipped away. Howard heard him step toward his bedroom and walked to the back door, calling Token. He opened the door and felt Token brush by him. Howard stood in the doorway, listening to the chirp of crickets, inhaling the fresh night air as he waited. He gave Token a few minutes, and the dog came back inside on his own. Howard locked the door and carefully stepped toward the bedroom.

He heard Token settle in his bed and then sigh softly. Howard stepped toward the bed in the direction of Gordy’s soft breathing. “Close the door,” Gordy whispered. Howard did and walked back to the bed, then reached out to locate Gordy. What he encountered was smooth, hot skin.

“Oh,” Howard said softly.

“Yeah, and someone is way overdressed for the occasion.”

Howard began undressing, placing his dirty clothes in the compartmentalized hamper against the wall before returning to the bed naked. He once again felt where Gordy was and heard the mattress squeak softly as Gordy shifted. “How do you want me?” Howard asked.

Gordy snaked an arm around his waist and tugged him forward. Howard went where directed and quickly found himself lying on top of Gordy, chest to chest, with Gordy’s legs sliding along his and Gordy stroking along his back. “I’ve wanted you like this all day long,” Gordy told him, and Howard shifted slightly. Gordy’s cock slid along his hip, and he moaned softly.

Up till now, Howard had been concentrating on getting around and making sure he did all the things he had to do, but instantly all those thoughts flew from his mind. All that mattered was the way Gordy felt against him. Howard shifted again and moaned softly himself. He adored the way Gordy’s slick, smooth skin felt on his. “Me too,” Howard said just before Gordy guided him down into a kiss.

Gordy cupped his butt, pressing them tightly together. “I love how you taste,” Gordy whispered and then pulled Howard back into a kiss. Howard held Gordy tight, pressing their lips together. He felt Gordy’s lips part and he thrust his tongue between them, taking a deep taste of Gordy’s sweetness. Gordy thrust back, and their tongues dueled until Howard sucked hard. Gordy moaned and held him tighter.

Howard had had a number of boyfriends, and in the bedroom all of them had been take-charge guys, but Gordy was so very different. Yes, he was huge and strong, but he also liked it when Howard was aggressive in the bedroom. Gordy lifted his legs around Howard’s waist, cradling him, like having tree trunks wrapped around him. Howard stroked down Gordy’s hips and over his butt. “I want you,” Gordy said softly.

Howard paused and swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”

“Oh yes,” Gordy said. “I want you bad. I care about you in a way I’ve never felt with anyone else, and I think we’ve waited long enough.”

“Just let me get a condom.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re clean and so am I,” Gordy told him. Howard gasped as the significance of what Gordy had said and the level of trust involved hit him. “Sweetheart, I know you’d never hurt me, not intentionally, just like I’d never hurt you.” Gordy kissed him again, and a zing shot up Howard’s spine. This was as close to having a boyfriend tell him he loved him as he’d ever come, and it warmed Howard’s heart and sent a thrill of desire through him that threatened to blow him away.

“I know that,” Howard agreed, barely able to talk.

Gordy kissed him again, cutting off further conversation. He caressed Howard’s back and rolled them on the bed, holding Howard almost protectively. Howard groaned as Gordy licked his neck and then down his chest, swirling his tongue around his nipple. Howard arched his back and whimpered. He wanted to shout to the ceiling, but Lizzy and Sophia were in the next room, so he held it inside. Gordy kissed down his belly, and then Gordy’s wet heat surrounded him. Howard bit his lip to keep from crying out, thrusting as Gordy took him deep while he gently stroked Howard’s belly. Within seconds, Howard felt pressure build and he stopped moving, willing himself not to come. “Too soon,” he whispered, and Gordy stopped.

“I know. I want you,” Gordy said before kissing him. Then he lay back down on the mattress and guided Howard into position. Howard rested on top of him, and Gordy once again wrapped his legs around Howard’s waist.

“I need to get slick stuff,” Howard said. “It’s in the nightstand.” Gordy moved beneath him and then pressed a small bottle into his hand. Gordy helped him open it and squirted the liquid onto Howard’s fingers. Howard carefully located Gordy’s opening and teased the skin. Gordy hissed, and he paused.