Safe and Sound (2 page)

Chapter 2

“I’m going to miss you so much!” Kat wailed before she made sloppy kissing sounds against Henry’s cheek. He gurgled and cooed as she set him in his Mamaroo. His chunky legs kicked happily as he gnawed and drooled around his fist.

“Go! Take care of what you need to and have a little fun!” Lane insisted as he turned Kat toward the door. She’d grown up a lot during the pregnancy and the months after Henry was born. Her career as an interior designer was taking off as she transitioned from party girl to professional working mother. Surprisingly, their parents had been thrilled about the baby. Unbeknownst to Lane and his siblings, they were ready for grandkids and didn’t care how they got them.

“I haven’t spent more than a few hours away from him since he was born. You don’t think it’s too soon for me to leave him for twenty-four hours?” She asked as she searched Lane’s face. He held up his hands soothingly as he guided her toward the door.

“I want you to go out and have a few drinks later then take a long, hot bath. Sleep in and have an amazing interview. You deserve a break and we’ll be fine. Between the two of us, we can figure out how to work a baby,” Lane winked at Aiden but he was too busy staring at Henry as if he was a large cobra. Kat bit her lip and her eyes watered as she looked longingly at Henry. “Go!” Lane said loudly as he held the door open. Kat waved her hand in front of her face and her lips trembled.

“If you need me to come back at any time, I will,” she promised as her eyes flicked from Lane to the baby, to Aiden, back to the baby and then back to Lane. “Or, you can call me if you have any questions,” Kat said for about the tenth time. Lane gave her a hard look before he jerked his head toward the door.

“Shut up and get out,” he ordered and she scowled as she grabbed the door handle.

“Promise me you’ll text me and let me know he’s alright,” she begged as she stepped over the threshold. Lane rolled his eyes as he leaned against the door frame.

“I will. I’ll send pictures so you can see that he’s still in one piece,” he promised and she smiled weakly as she pulled her car door open. Lane waved as she started the car and waited until she was driving away before he shut the door. When he walked into the living room Aiden was studying Henry. From across the room. Lane chuckled as he unbuckled Henry and picked him up. “It’s a baby, Aiden. Not a booby trap,” he said softly as he cradled Henry in one arm and raised his plump foot to his mouth. Lane pretended to gnaw on it as he growled loudly and gummed his heel. Henry squealed and laughed while Aiden’s face twisted in mild disgust and confusion.

“Why does he like that? Why do you? Feet are covered in bacteria and funguses,” he said and Lane rolled his eyes.

“Not Henry’s. He isn’t even walking and he’s never worn a real pair of shoes. Baby feet are adorable,” Lane said and Aiden frowned as he watched Lane.

“Do you need me for anything?” He asked and Lane shook his head.

“We’re good for the moment,” Lane murmured softly as he dropped into a chair and Aiden exhaled loudly as he looked around at all of Henry’s supplies and equipment. Kat clearly lost her mind and brought everything Henry would need for several weeks away from home.

“Ok. I’m going to go into the study and try to do some work. They sent over another box of reports and photos. I need to email Graves,” Aiden said as he watched Lane raise Henry high above his head before he pretended to let go. Henry shrieked and laughed wildly and Aiden jumped.

“Go on,” Lane insisted and Aiden waved before he dashed into the study and shut the door.

Lane shook his head in disbelief. Aiden was always very open about being uncomfortable with children but this went beyond that. It was probably because it was harder to escape Henry now that he was in their home. The few times Lane saw Aiden cope with children, they were in public and the encounters were brief. Now, Aiden was practically cornered and he couldn’t avoid Henry. Well, he could as long as he was in the study but Lane wasn’t going to allow him to hide for long. He’d let Aiden have a break and center himself but he wasn’t going to let him get lost in the case.

In the months since they apprehended Gavin Langley, the serial arsonist, the District Attorney in Chicago and Captain Graves leaned heavily on Aiden. It was his analysis and guidance that led them to Langley and their interrogations were going nowhere until Aiden agreed to observe and oversee their efforts. With his help, Langley confessed and the trial was swiftly approaching. While Lane loved that Aiden was able to help bring one of the worst arsonists in history to justice, he was wary of the mental toll it was taking on him. Lane had to balance his pride in Aiden with his responsibility as Aiden’s husband. It was his job to make sure Aiden stepped back and took a breath now and then. If Lane didn’t step in and call Time, Aiden wouldn’t sleep until the trial was over. Aiden was the rare exception where justice and a case didn’t come first. In their home, Aiden’s health and mental and emotional stability were his priorities. In their home, Lane was a husband first and a cop last. He’d let Aiden immerse himself in the case for an hour or so, then he’d make him confront his fears and face Henry.

“Just relax,” Lane repeated as he stepped back slowly. “I’m going to get his dinner ready, I’ll be in the kitchen but I can still see and hear you,” he said reassuringly and Aiden gave him a panicked look from the sofa. Henry was babbling happily on his lap but Aiden was petrified.

“Why can’t he sit in that vulgar Mamathing chair?” He asked urgently and Lane shook his head.

“It isn’t good for babies to spend too much time strapped into a chair or alone in a play yard. And this is good for you. It’s time you learned that babies and children aren’t as terrifying as you’ve built them up to be,” Lane said as he stepped into the kitchen and Aiden groaned.

“I’m not terrified,” he mumbled and Lane bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as Aiden sniffed Henry cautiously. “What does he smell like?” Aiden asked before he took another long sniff.

“Ummm… Baby stuff and baby?” Lane guessed. He raised his hands to his face and the smell of baby lotion and powder had him smiling. “I think he smells amazing,” he added and Aiden looked over in confused disbelief.

“Can you hurry? He just made a weird sound,” Aiden called and Lane smiled as he found containers of various pureed vegetables and fruits. A long ago comment Kat had made about Stacey being the obnoxious suburban perfect mom was biting her in the ass. Everything Kat did was organic and homemade. Henry would be wearing cloth diapers if Lane didn’t stipulate that she drop him off with decent disposable diapers.

“What kind of weird sound?” Lane asked absently as he carefully heated sweet potatoes.

“He kind of grunted and I think he turned a little red and…” Whatever else Aiden was going to say was replaced by a strangled cry and Lane stood up straight and looked into the living room. Aiden was gone and Henry was sitting in his play yard.

“What the…?” Lane asked as he rushed across the room. He reached into the play yard and a strong, pungent odor had him gagging as he lifted Henry. “Oh… Jesus… Heeeerp…” Lane quickly set Henry back down and stood. He covered his nose with the front of his shirt and turned way, desperate for clean air. “Fair enough,” Lane announced loudly. “That’s horrific,” he said before he took a deep breath and turned back to Henry. “I’m going to slap your mother tomorrow,” he grumbled as he picked up Henry and held him away from him. Luckily, he’d set up a changing station just across the room. If he could get Henry over there without vomiting, he’d ask for a medal.

Chapter 3

Could you find some way to be happy with a child? For him?
Aiden wondered as he stared at his reflection and brushed his teeth. He was thirty-three and Lane was almost forty. They only had so many more years before having a child would be unrealistic.
But, holy fuck… The smell that came out of Henry.
Aiden shuddered as he rinsed his toothbrush and put it in the holder. He’d smelled corpses that weren’t as vicious. He saw Lane ease the door shut and press himself against the panels and take a deep breath. His chest rose and fell slowly as the tension left his body.

I suppose I could. I can’t live without him and I wouldn’t want him to feel like his life was lacking in any way because of me,
Aiden decided as he watched Lane turn on the monitor that allowed them to see and hear into the guest room. Aiden’s head tilted and his lips pulled tight as a tiny screen revealed a peacefully sleeping Henry with his arms stretched above his head.
He’s quite enjoyable when he’s asleep,
Aiden observed.

“We can see him but there’s no way he can see or hear us?” Aiden asked. He might have asked before but he wanted to be sure. Lane laughed softly as he pushed away from the door.

“He can’t see or hear us. As long as we aren’t too loud,” he said and Aiden relaxed. If he was lucky, he could sleep for as much as eight hours and miss a significant amount of Henry’s visit.
If we had one of our own, I wouldn’t be able to hide or sleep to avoid it,
Aiden realized.

“What’s wrong?” Lane asked as his body wrapped around Aiden’s. The seductive heat, hardness and scent of Lane filled Aiden and a rush of warmth and need spilled through him. He groaned softly as they fell back on the bed.
Nothing matters but him. He could want a herd of children and you’d learn to make the best of it to make him happy,
Aiden frowned as Lane hovered above him.
Irrational, loud, dirty, destructive children…
Aiden sighed as he gathered Lane’s face in his hands and wrapped a leg around his waist.

“You’re not going to want too many, are you?” Aiden asked as Lane rocked his hips and their hard-ons pressed and ground against each other. Lane pushed off the bed and looked down at Aiden. His brows pulled together and his lips pursed.

“Too many of what?” He asked and Aiden waved toward the guest room. He could almost picture a neat row of cribs and tiny beds.

“Babies. Children.” He said and Lane was still. Aiden raised his hand and traced the line between Lane’s pecs as he waited. Lane laughed. Brilliant colors burst within Aiden and he felt like he was glowing

“You have to be out of your mind,” Lane stated and Aiden held his breath. “If I even entertained the idea, the first diaper snuffed it out,” he said and Aiden wanted to cry as relief flooded his body.

“So, all the chewing on adorable feet and amazing smells…” His voice trailed off as Lane shook his head violently.

“Nope. Not enough to make up for the horrors I faced tonight. Every diaper was catastrophic. One actually leaked and went up his back,” Lane said and Aiden’s stomach turned.

“Oh, my God…” He clasped Lane to his chest and tried to comfort him. That had to be traumatic.

“They’re cute and smell lovely and I enjoy babies as long as I can give them back. Even this feels like I bit off a little more than I can chew,” Lane admitted. Aiden wanted to laugh and if he was coordinated enough, he would have danced.

“You don’t know how happy I am right now. I was ready to be miserable and have four or five of them to make you happy,” he said and Lane gasped.

“You’re insane!” His lips crashed into Aiden’s and his tongue was demanding as it twisted with Aiden’s. He sucked on Aiden’s lip before he raised his head. “You’d let me have four or five kids?” He asked and Aiden shrugged.

“I was afraid that because of your age, you were victim to a biological imperative and might feel a void. And you were enjoying chewing on Henry’s feet and said he smelled amazing…” Aiden’s eyes went wide as Lane’s hand closed over his mouth.

“I vomited in my own mouth,” Lane whispered. “I’m good,” he insisted and Aiden’s lips pulled into a smile.

“I’m very relieved. I would have been very uncomfortable but I would have found a way to survive until they were all in college,” Aiden said and Lane’s face softened above him.

“You don’t know how much it means to me to know that you were willing to entertain the idea of four or five kids to make me happy. But it’s very unnecessary,” he insisted. “I love our life. You know how grumpy I get when I have to wait for you to turn off your phone so I can take off my pants and do dirty things with you,” Lane said and Aiden nodded. “As soon as those little monsters stop filling their diapers with Golgotha, they’re running around all over the place and you can’t be naked again until they move out,” Lane explained and Aiden winced then shook his head. Lane laughed softly. “Exactly. I’d rather be the fun uncle for much less than twenty-four hours,” he added and Aiden felt a giggle bubbling within him.

“I thought you were enjoying all of this,” he teased and Lane snorted.

“You were up here hiding while I was gagging and silently weeping. I’m going to have a talk with Kat about what she’s feeding Henry. Nothing should smell that bad,” Lane said and Aiden decided he was tired of talking about babies and children. He rolled and pinned Lane.

“He’s sleeping and I think we’re both feeling grateful,” Aiden murmured as his lips teased Lane’s.

A hoarse chuckle drifted from Lane as Aiden pushed his shirt up his chest. Lane pulled it over his head and flung it toward the closet as Aiden dove for his stomach. He licked the ridges and grooves greedily as his hands slid below the waistband of Lane’s sweatpants. Lane lifted his hips and Aiden nodded faintly as he tugged Lane’s pants down his legs. As soon as they were free, Aiden slid down and settled his shoulders between Lane’s thighs. Aiden sighed happily as his lips caressed the inside of Lane’s knee and slowly swept higher. He inhaled and was intoxicated.

If he could go back and say anything to the man he was before Lane, it would be that he knew nothing about sex. He’d never really had sex. Whatever it was that he did before Lane, it was basic and joyless. Nothing more than a mechanical act to suppress an itch. With Lane, sex was vibrant and possibly spiritual. There were two bodies but Aiden rarely gave any thought to his own.

It was magic. Aiden’s hands closed around Lane’s thighs and he marveled at the feel of coarse hair and hard, flickering flesh. Knowing every inch of Lane’s body as well as his own was the greatest source of pleasure Aiden had ever experienced. He knew how to make Lane moan, shiver, shake and jump. He imagined that if he shut his eyes, he would know any part of Lane’s body by taste and texture. There wasn’t a part of Lane that Aiden hadn’t thoroughly explored and adored. Every inch of Lane was sacred.

His tongue traced the inside of Lane’s thigh then slid down his hip bone, along his adonis belt. Aiden pushed his nose into the soft hair at the base of Lane’s cock and breathed in his soapy, softly musky scent. There wasn’t anything more arousing than the smell of Lane at the end of the day. Aiden gasped in delight as he buried his nose in Lane’s sack and his hand wrapped around Lane’s throbbing erection. It was so hot and solid in Aiden’s hand as he nuzzled the delicate skin of Lane’s balls. Lane groaned and his fingers slid into Aiden’s hair as his hips bucked gently off the bed. Aiden knew what Lane wanted. After five years, he could almost feel everything Lane felt. His own cock was heavy and aching. Aiden ignored it as he lapped beneath Lane’s sack before he placed sucking, open mouthed kisses on the tender skin beneath. He laved as he pulled Lane’s legs over his shoulder and growled softly as his tongue drifted lower and circled Lane’s tight hole.

He was so sweet and soft. Aiden’s mouth watered as he made his tongue firm and probed Lane’s tender, flinching flesh. Aiden did his best not to zone out and stay present as he feasted. Lane was swirling sounds, tastes, textures and feelings. He was desperate hands seeking as they tangled in Aiden’s hair and gripped his shoulders. He was wisps of words of love, praise and ecstasy as Aiden sucked and stroked. Love. Lane was love. Love made sex so much better.

“Aiden. Now,” Lane urged as his heels dug into the mattress and his toes curled.

Aiden felt Lane’s desperation and nodded as he crawled over him. He reached for the bedside table and swiped the lube out of the drawer. He quickly coated his length and massaged Lane’s entrance before he pressed one slick finger into Lane’s tight heat. Lane arched and panted Aiden’s name as he pulled his legs back. Aiden fingered Lane’s ass until he had three fingers stroking easily and Lane was writhing restlessly on the bed. He rose on his knees and lined up the head of his cock with Lane’s puckered hole. Aiden tilted his hips and gently nudged into the tight ring of Lane’s ass. He shut his eyes and waited until the muscles relaxed and Lane softened around him. Lane moaned and reached above his head for the edge of the mattress as his feet slid along the mattress, closer to his ass. Aiden hummed in approval then wrapped Lane’s legs around his waist as he rocked into his clenching passage. His hips pressed against Lane’s ass and Aiden paused to enjoy the current of electric pleasure that coursed through his body. It came from where he was joined with Lane and traveled through his limbs and he felt blissfully whole.

A frustrated groan slipped from Lane and Aiden bit his lip to keep from grinning as he bucked his hips and forced a gasp from Lane. The muscles around Aiden’s shaft gripped tight and he hissed as pulsing heat flooded his sack. He grabbed Lane’s cock and stroked as he pumped his hips, grinding against his ass. Lane’s jaw fell and his eyes rolled and Aiden knew he found his prostate. He kept his thrusts deep and slow as he tugged on Lane’s rigid length. Aiden shut his eyes and let all of his senses sink into the feel of his body merging with Lane’s. It was a heavy, drugging ecstasy as the borders of Aiden’s body faded and Lane pulled him into his heat. Aiden was mesmerized as he willed whatever soul that existed within him into Lane.

“Oh, God…that’s so good!” Lane gasped as his legs tightened around Aiden’s hips and his heels dug into Aiden’s ass. “Faster,” he begged and Aiden could only nod as he rocked his hips, driving into Lane with deep, swift thrusts. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…” Lane panted as his hand twisted in the duvet.

Lane pulled it to his mouth to smother his scream as he clenched tight around Aiden. Lane’s cock turned to lead in Aiden’s hand before it jerked and a ribbon of come shot from the end and hit Lane in the chest. Aiden ground hard against Lane’s prostate and three thick bursts spilled onto his stomach as he bucked and shuddered beneath Aiden. He was just about there. For a moment, Aiden swore he felt his soul sliding into Lane with each frantic thrust. He reached for Lane’s chest and dragged his fingers through the streams of come then jammed them into his mouth and sucked. The sweet, slightly bleachy taste of Lane’s come spread through Aiden and he could taste Lane’s soul. Aiden was gone. His nerves flared as heat and light coiled within him before everything drew tight and retracted. Aiden struggled to fill his lungs as the pressure became overwhelming. Then, his body flickered and throbbed. Aiden shattered. His eyes were blind and his mouth fell open on a silent roar as he convulsed and swayed over Lane. Heat rushed from his groin as he pumped deep into Lane’s passage. He felt Lane’s legs and arms pulling him closer and tighter and Aiden groaned as he collapsed onto Lane. He was so solid beneath Aiden, his entire universe shrunk until the only thing left was the rise and fall of Lane’s chest and the large, strong hands that splayed against his back.

“This is all I need,” Lane murmured softly into Aiden’s hair and Aiden had never felt more content in his life.

“Me too, you’re everything, Lane.” Aiden exhaled slowly and the last of his consciousness melted.

A shrill cry cut through the cocoon of warmth and joy and Aiden’s eyes snapped open as his blood chilled. Lane’s arms tightened around Aiden as he shushed softly. Lane rolled them and groaned as he pushed off the mattress. His forehead rested on Aiden’s as he nipped Aiden’s lips.

“Everything’s fine. It’s Henry,” he said gently then backed off of the bed. “He probably needs another bottle,” Lane said more to himself as he pulled on his pants.

“Why do people want this?” Aiden complained as he pulled the duvet over his head and burrowed into his pillow. He heard a soft chuckle from Lane.

“I’m sure it’s different when it’s your own child. I’ve heard that the precious moments outweigh the times they make you want to pull your hair out,” Lane explained and Aiden shrugged as he tried to make his ears stop hearing.

“I’ll take your word for it. I like when it’s quiet and just us,” he grumbled.

“I agree,” Lane said as he pulled open the door and slipped into the hall.

A few minutes later, the wails of tiny rage stopped and Aiden cautiously lowered the duvet. He rolled toward the dresser and his eyes went to the tiny screen on the monitor. He sat up and squinted in the dark as he leaned closer. Aiden’s head tilted as he watched Lane rocking from side to side as he held Henry in his arms. Henry’s chubby little hand pressed against Lane’s cheek as he drank from a bottle. Lane’s lips curved softly and he looked so relaxed and happy as he hummed a song under his breath. There was a faint ache in Aiden’s chest and something that felt a little like longing fluttered within him. Aiden’s hand trembled as he reached for the monitor and he froze.

“No. Fuck that,” he whispered loudly as he turned away and pulled the duvet back over his head.