Round and Round (22 page)

“I’m sure it will be okay,” Bull said as he came in the room. “The last time I saw you together, Angus couldn’t keep his eyes off you. That says a lot.”

“Thanks, Bull,” Kevin said softly. “Ken showed up last night, and I didn’t handle things very well.”

“People have disagreements. It happens. Zach and I do. But we talk them through and don’t let them fester.”

“I know. But he was angry and hurt. I’m over Ken, but I let him get me all flustered, and Angus thinks I have all this thinking to do, but I don’t.”

“Hey. You’ve been through a lot lately, more than you should have, and it’s a lot to deal with. So give yourself a break, and I’m sure Angus will too.”

“I thought you had to work,” Zach said once he got the microwave going with its soft hum.

“Harry told me to go home while it was slow.” Bull put the footrest up on his recliner and turned on the television. “God, I’m beat. Between making repairs and getting the club open again, the investigation into the guy that got trampled, and now the extra security to try to keep it from happening again, I’m exhausted.”

Kevin had never seen Bull seem defeated or look this tired. The guy was as stalwart as they came, a tower of strength.

Zach brought Bull a plate and handed Kevin one too. He ate a little, but he wasn’t very hungry, even with the lingering scent of chocolate cake in the air. Still, he ate what Zach gave him and felt better once he was done. He was still fatigued, though, and excused himself. Zach got him settled in the guest room, and Kevin cleaned up and turned in early, not only because he was tired, but to give Zach and Bull some time alone.

From the muffled sounds he heard coming from the other room a little while later, he knew they’d taken advantage. But the happiness that seemed to spread through the house just because they were making love only made Kevin a little jealous and regretful. He rolled over and did his best to put it out of his mind, but Angus kept returning to his thoughts and his dreams.

“WHY HAVE
you been acting like a bear with a thorn in its paw?” Clark asked Angus on Tuesday morning. “Did the guy you’ve been seeing dump you or something?” He held up his hands. “I’m being nice here, so I don’t want no details.”

“I don’t know. His ex showed up, and it was pretty much a mess.”

“What? Did he dump you to go off with him or something?”

“No. But I could tell he still had feelings for the guy.”

Clark rolled his eyes. “So you did the gentlemanly thing and backed off to give him time to think about what he wanted.”

“Yeah. He had to decide,” Angus said, and Clark looked like he was about to smack him hard.

“I’m not an expert, but if I had a cute girl that had me as starry-eyed as you’ve been for the last few weeks, and her ex showed up, I’d have stood between them and fought for her so she’d know I was serious. I wouldn’t have backed away. You care about this guy, right?”

“Yeah. Of course I do,” Angus growled with more force than he intended.

“Then instead of giving him time to think about things and let the other guy get his foot in the door, you sweep him off his feet so he’s only thinking about you and can’t remember this ex’s name.” Clark looked at him as though he were completely stupid.

“I’m not a Neanderthal,” Angus said. Clark shook his head and went back to directing the guys to clean the engine from last night’s run. Angus figured he should check his own equipment and make sure it was ready when called upon. He’d cleaned his jacket, pants, and helmet when they’d returned, so he checked air tanks and made sure all were filled and ready for use. It was a solitary job, one he needed at the moment.

Clark poked his head in just as Angus settled down to get started. “It looks like you are the luckiest son of a bitch to walk this earth.”

“How so?” Angus asked, but all Clark did was tilt his head toward the front of the station. Angus got up and walked to the doorway, peering out. Kevin stood in front of the large overhead doors talking to Mark, one of the intern/volunteers with firefighter dreams.

Angus knew the second Kevin saw him. He broke into a smile, and Angus walked toward him. “What are you doing here?” Angus said, and Kevin’s smile faded to nervous worry.

“Zach and I baked this,” he said as Mark stepped away and Angus got closer. “I felt bad and didn’t want you to be angry, so….”

Angus sighed and motioned toward the stairs. He followed Kevin up, and Kevin put the cake on the counter. “Make sure you get a piece,” he blurted, already heading for the stairs. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“Kevin,” Angus called, but he was already halfway running down the stairs like a frightened rabbit. Angus swore under his breath, hurrying after him. “Kevin, stop.”

Kevin stilled at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at Angus, hurt and shame clear in his expression. “I won’t bother you anymore.”

“Shit,” Angus whispered and hurried down the stairs. He grabbed Kevin’s hand and tugged him back up the stairs. There was very little privacy in a firehouse. If you were scheduled to stay there, you slept in the dorm, one room for everyone. Thankfully it was empty at the moment. “I’m not mad at you, just surprised, and that you brought me a cake was so sweet.”

“I’m sorry about Sunday.”

“Hey. That wasn’t your fault. It was mine letting my stupid insecurities run away with me. I’m the one who doesn’t do relationships, and I was getting scared. I wanted you to be sure about what you wanted.”

“I don’t want Ken. He showed me how little I meant to him when he left me.”

“But can you forgive him?” In the back of his mind, Angus knew he was testing Kevin. This was something he had to know.

“Yeah, I guess I forgive him, but that doesn’t mean I want to get back with him.” Kevin paced the small open area at the one end of the room. “And next time you need to, ask shit, okay? We both can do better. Talking and listening are skills Ken and I never particularly mastered. I guess if we had, I’d be with him, and you’d be out in the cold and not getting any of this.” Kevin flashed him a quick view of his backside, and Angus laughed.

“Yeah.” Angus smiled and tugged Kevin to him. “We need to talk to each other more.”

“What we need to do is listen to each other. Ken and I never did. He wasn’t happy here. I realized that after he left, but I didn’t want to see it at the time because I thought he was the living end. He wasn’t, of course, and if I’d listened to what he was saying, maybe things wouldn’t have come as such a surprise. But you have to listen too. I told you I didn’t want Ken, but you just went on and assumed that I had some grand decision to make and cut me out.”

“I suppose.”

Kevin smacked him on the chest and then shook his hand. “What are you made of, rocks?” Then he giggled. “I like that you’re all hard everywhere, and I like how you feel when we’re together.” Kevin stood on his tiptoes. “I wish we could be together right now. I could pull your big cock out of your pants and you could fuck me right now.”

Angus groaned as his cock swelled down his leg. “I can’t.”

“I know. And I have to go to work. But that will give you something to think about.” Kevin backed away with a grin. “And something to look forward to.”

“You’re a tease.”

“I know. That was the point. Now you have things to do, I’m sure, and I have to get to work.”

Angus grabbed Kevin and pulled him right up to his chest. “Just wait till I get you alone and strip you naked. I’ll suck you and then eat that pretty little ass of yours until you can’t see straight. Then, when you beg me for it loud enough, I’ll slide inside you.” Angus sucked on Kevin’s ear. “And ride your tight ass until you scream at the top of your lungs.” Kevin quivered like a leaf in his arms. “See, two can play that game.”

“Bastard.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Angus reluctantly released him. “I have to get back to work, and I suspect your boss isn’t going to be happy if you’re late.”

“He isn’t going to happy if I show up with an obscene boner on display, either.” Kevin backed away, and Angus led him out through the station. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll call you when I know I’m through for the day,” Angus said, trying to keep his anticipation to a minimum and failing. “What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m feeling better, so the guys are taking me out to the club. We’re going to plan the benefit for Janice’s Homeless Aid.” Kevin looked around. “We’re thinking of having a kilt party, and I was hoping you’d come…. That is, if you have one. Not that I’m saying that because you’re Scottish you have to have one…. Am I being insensitive?” Kevin colored instantly.

“Of course I have one, and I’ll come.”

“But no one sees what’s under it but me,” Kevin said seriously. “And you will not be part of the auction.”

Angus’s curiosity was piqued, but he needed to get back to work. “You’ll have to fill me in on that.” As much as he wanted to know, he couldn’t spend any more time talking to Kevin. The equipment had to be ready in case they got a call. “I’ll call when I can.” He wanted to lean in and kiss Kevin within an inch of his life, but not with every guy in the station watching them. So instead he smiled and walked inside, turning to make sure Kevin got in his car and drove away. Then he hurried back to the equipment room and began checking all the breathing equipment.

Thankfully the station was quiet and he was able to clean and prep everything, including all the secondary equipment.

“So I take it by your smile that things are better,” Clark said when Angus stepped out, wringing with sweat. On days like this with the doors open and the guys washing and cleaning, the humidity went through the roof.

“Yeah. We’re talking again.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

Angus sighed. “How did you know your wife was the one? That you really wanted to spend the rest of your life with her?”

Clark shook his head in that way he had. “Look, I was raised Catholic—no sex before marriage or my mother would have cut it off. She said it so many times that damn if I didn’t believe her. That woman is a menace. I love her… but she’s scary. So when I met Michelle, I fell for her and figured my balls were going to fall off, either that or my hand, so when we got serious, I asked, she said yes, and I instantly won the lottery because she’s amazing. And I dodged a bullet the size of Pittsburgh. She understands about my work and schedule, never complains, is always there, and I love her more now than I did the day I married her.”

“So blind luck,” Angus supplied.

“Pretty much. There wasn’t some grand plan. We were in love, and I was in major lust and I let my dick do the thinking, and for once it was the smart head. Go figure.”

“You’re no help,” Angus said.

“Kid, I’ve been around the block, and after a decade together and three kids, I know more than I did then. I got lucky. She really loves me.” He walked in the direction of the truck they were cleaning, and Angus followed, absently picking up a cloth to help. “If you want my opinion, you’ve known this guy, what, for two weeks or so and you’re wondering if he’s the one?” Clark scowled at him. “At least date, get to know the guy. You kids just jump into bed and want to fuck first and then see what happens. I got to know Michelle before we jumped into bed.”

“I guess, but….” Angus smiled. “I get to jump into bed and have great sex. What’s wrong with that?”

“Do you know what food he likes? What his favorite movie is? Maybe you could go to the department store and actually pick out a shirt or a pair of pants he likes?” Clark raised his eyebrows, and Angus had to admit he didn’t know any of that stuff. “Everything is instant, and you want an instant relationship with instant compatibility, no fights, and love that goes on forever.”

Angus realized the entire station was listening in on their conversation, but Clark had a good point. “Don’t worry so much.”

“Or bed-hop so much.” Clark had gotten on his soapbox and had warmed up to his theme. “There are dating sites, speed dating, clubs, bars, and God knows what else, and all of it to find Mr. or Ms. One-Night Stand. Then you wonder why you’re all miserable and alone.” Clark shook his head once again and then looked around. “Get back to work,” he bellowed. “This truck isn’t going to clean itself.”

They all scurried to get back on task, and Angus chuckled. “I see your point.”

“It’s like a damn buffet, and you eat your fill but wonder why the food doesn’t taste very good.” He turned and went back to work.

Angus took a few seconds to pull out his phone and ask Kevin on a date for Thursday night after work. They’d been out once, but it should be something they did regularly. He told Kevin to pick a movie he’d like to see. At least then he’d know the kind of movies he liked—two birds with one stone.
I’ll pick you up on the bike, and we can ride if you like.
He shoved his phone back in his pocket and went back to work.

By the time he was ready for a break, Angus went upstairs to find the cake nearly gone. That served him right for not putting his name on it. Not that he’d have been selfish, but it would have been nice to have had a piece before everyone else in the station. “Did you get some?” Angus asked Clark when he came up. Angus ended up cutting two small pieces from what was left and handed the other slice over.

“They’re worse than vultures around here,” Clark said with his mouth full.

Angus laughed and took his first bite, moaning softly. If food were sex, then this was wild monkey love. He grinned and took another bite as the station alarm sounded. Angus took one more bite and set his plate aside, then slid down the pole and jumped into his gear. Most people thought the pole was quicker to get down, but many times it was because the stairs would become dangerous if everyone tried to take them all at once. Angus jumped into the engine, and as soon as everyone was onboard, he pulled out of the station and headed to the call.

HE BACKED
the engine into the station a couple hours later, grateful that the call turned out to be a false alarm for the most part. The fire department was called for nearly every reason, including ambulance and other emergency calls, so some calls had little directly to do with them. But they were the central dispatch, so they always went and sometimes stood around waiting to be told they weren’t needed.