A Kind of Safe: Short Story, part 1 (NSFW) Rand, Seth & Paul…

 

As promised, here is part 1 of the 2 part short featuring Paul and Seth from Better Than Safe and Rand from my upcoming release, A Kind of Truth (Jan.8). Part 1 is told from Paul’s POV. Part 2 will be told from Rand’s. This one is a little NSFW, thus the warning. Enjoy!

A Kind of Safe (part 1, Paul’s POV)

Falling for Seth was never in my plans. He was rash, unpredictable and difficult to follow at times, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t help myself. And believe me, I tried. I was desperate to keep my heart safe, but I was drawn to Seth’s quirky artistic nature and his playfulness. There was eleven years between us that most days went unnoticed and other days… well, I had great hopes it would keep me young. He was mischievous and lighthearted one moment and rather mercurial the next. I’d learned to navigate his idiosyncrasies just as he’d learned to deal with my sometimes unreasonable craving for order and harmony.

Seth moved into my Georgetown townhouse weeks after his first gallery showing in October. I’d insisted. I’d been alone too long. His energy and wicked ways were exactly the kind of chaos I needed. After a couple of months of living together, I knew it was the best decision I’d ever made. What could I possibly complain about? I woke up next to a male model slash artist every morning who loved to cook and made me laugh as often as he made me think about life beyond my stress filled job in fashion advertisement. I was madly in love. There was nothing difficult about it. He was easy company and easily the best thing that every happened to me.

The tricky part wasn’t our relationship. It was his friends. Well, one in particular.

I sensed trouble before I pushed open the door leading from the garage into the mudroom and adjacent kitchen. Seth was talking to someone. The amused inflection in his voice combined with the smell of something amazing on the stove set me at ease though I had a niggling feeling he wasn’t on the phone. We had company. Bloody hell. I’d been so busy at work I’d forgotten his parting words that morning. Or I’d filed them under “do not think about until absolutely necessary”.

The moment I entered the kitchen, I knew why.

“Yo! It’s the Brit! How’s it going, man? Did Seth tell you I talked him into running away to New York City with me? He said he’ll start packing after dinner.”

“Hello Rand,” I said tightly as I made my way to Seth.

I wrapped an arm around his slim waist and kissed his full lips before whispering in his ear. “Please tell me he’s just leaving.”

Seth pulled back slightly and shook his head. “He’s staying for dinner and—”

“Two nights in your guest room,” Rand finished with a devilish grin.

I plucked at my tie, feeling suddenly strangled. I nodded pleasantly and even managed a smile, but Seth knew me well. He handed me a glass of Pinot and nuzzled my neck before pressing a light kiss on my cheek. “Be nice. I’ll explain later,” he said in a low tone.

Rand evidently overheard and was obviously amused. He chuckled as he leaned back on his barstool with one arm draped over the chair next to it. Rand loved needling me. His ability to get under my skin in less than five minutes was truly impressive. He was a cocky, overly confident arsehole. And he was Seth’s best friend.

Thank God for wine, I mused as I peered at my unwanted company over the rim of my wineglass. He was annoying as hell, but I had to admit, Rand O’Malley was extraordinarily good looking. He and Seth shared many of the same characteristics though they looked nothing alike. Both were my height at six foot two and lean with longish dark hair. Seth’s was a darker hue that went beautifully with his high cheekbones, lovely blue eyes and angular features. He was a veritable fashion chameleon, which I supposed made him a brilliant runway model. Today’s ensemble was a pair of well-fitted ripped jeans and a snug black V-neck sweater, and damn, he looked delicious. I conspicuously adjusted myself and refocused on Rand.

If Seth was a chameleon, Rand was his unapologetic opposite. He knew he was sinfully handsome, just as knew how to use charm to his advantage. He did as he pleased and didn’t care who he offended. His charismatic nature served him well. Like Seth, it was hard to avert your gaze when he walked into a room. He was wild and unpredictable, and always interesting.

Well… most people thought so. I, for one, couldn’t wait for him to move out of state. If it hadn’t been for the fact he was Seth’s oldest friend and his biggest supporter during his turbulent teenage years, I would have found a way to avoid him. But I loved Seth more than I disliked Rand. For his sake alone, I pasted a smile on my face as I leaned against the counter and raised my glass in a toast.

“Cheers.”

Rand copied the gesture with a Cheshire cat grin. I wanted to ask what was so funny, but I had a feeling it was me.

“How was your day, dear? I like that suit,” he commented idly. “You’re lookin’ good, Paulie.”

I turned to Seth as though for a lifeline or permission to evict our guest. He gave Rand a sharp look before turning to stir the contents in the massive pot on the stove. “Cool it, Rand. Don’t worry, babe, he’s not staying long.”

“Two days,” Rand repeated.

I stared at Seth, willing him to reprimand his friend again for pulling my leg. He turned to me with a sheepish lopsided smile and opened his mouth but Rand beat him to it.

“I’ll be an exemplary houseguest,” he exclaimed in a faux British accent meant to mimic mine. And yes, to bother me. He dropped the affectation when he continued. “I’ll pick up my dirty underwear, rinse my dishes and I promise to keep my feet off your precious coffee table. What do ya say?”

I stared at him blankly for a moment before responding. “I thought you were leaving from Baltimore? I’m surprised you’re still in DC.”

“I couldn’t go without saying good-bye,” he said in a serious tone. “You’d be crushed.”

“I would have survived,” I retorted. I couldn’t help myself. My maturity and manners slipped terribly in his presence.

Rand threw his head back and laughed, but Seth wasn’t amused. He spun around to face us wielding a large wooden spoon with a menacing expression.

“Enough, you two!” He smacked Rand’s hand and scowled at him fiercely. “If you can’t behave, you can’t stay.”

“Give me the keys to your studio. I can stay there inst—”

“No. My work is all over the place. I’m trying to get ready for my January show and I don’t want you messing anything up.” Seth glanced at me, his gaze softening slightly though he used a stern tone of voice. “Be nice. He just wants to be sure you’re really as amazing as I say you are. I’ll try to keep him on a leash. Can I keep him for two days, Daddy?”

I rolled my eyes on cue, but I couldn’t help chuckling. I set my glass on the island and slipped the spoon from Seth’s hand before pulling him into my arms. I licked his ear then nibbled it before whispering, “I love you. And if you needed any proof, you now have it. He can stay.”

Seth cuddled closer still then angled his head before covering my mouth with his. When his tongue touched mine I felt a twinge of electricity. It didn’t matter how often I kissed him or held him, the desire seemed to get stronger every day. The best thing about this incredible fall was knowing I wasn’t alone. I could feel him hardening as I yanked him against me. I tilted my head to deepen the connection, delighting in the sound of Seth’s moan and—

A loud cough brought us back to reality, with the same effect as a cold bucket of water. I slipped my arm around Seth and glared at Rand. He gave me an innocent wide eyed look then ruined it a moment later with a smirk.

“You guys look hot. The businessman and the artist. Don’t mind me. I know how to use my right hand. Carry on, boys.”

Seth flipped him off as he turned back to deal with dinner. I heaved a sigh and picked up my wineglass. Two days. Anyone could get through two measly days.

Seth clutched at my shoulders and lifted his legs higher, grunting his approval as I moved my hips inside him in a steady rhythm. Sweat dripped from my brow onto his forehead. I brushed it away then pulled gently at his hair. When he threw his head back exposing his neck, I traced his throat with the tip of my tongue then bent to lick his lips. That little gesture was all it took. He went wild. He dug his heels into my ass, chanting a litany of “fuck me, fuck me, fuck me” until I wrestled his arms over his head. I held him captive as I drove inside him over and over. Seth was never a quiet lover, but tonight he was more vocal than usual. It spurred me on until I had nowhere left to go. My orgasm crashed over me in waves of pleasure and Seth was right behind me. We held each other tightly, soaked in sweat and cum. I couldn’t think about moving. I wanted to be connected to him for as long as possible.

We’d stopped using condoms shortly after Seth had moved in and once again, everything changed. We hadn’t taken it lightly. We’d agreed it was a symbol of commitment. We were in this for the long haul. Our relationship mattered. And no pesky friends or rotten exes or those who claimed both honors could come between us.

I kissed him before disengaging and rolling sideways. I watched him in the shadows. The way the light framed him in profile to perfection and the gently heave of his chest as he gasped for breath. God, he was beautiful. Sometimes I couldn’t believe he was mine. He curled his lips in a naughty grin then shifted to his side to face me.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was a little noisy. Sorry.”

I huffed a laugh as I reached for him. I rested a hand on his hips then reached over to smack his ass. He chuckled, scooting closer still so our legs were entwined like a pretzel. We always seemed to end up like this. It could be hot, sticky and sweaty but by an unspoken agreement, we had to be touching.

“I don’t think you’re sorry in the slightest.”

“Think the neighbors will complain?”

“No, but your friend will surely comment in the morning.” I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling for a moment. I was tired. It had been an exhausting day dealing with the usual round of fussy designers and irritable editors. I didn’t want to ruin a perfect ending discussing our visitor.

Seth crawled over my chest, stopping to bite my nipple before gazing into my eyes. “Rand is a good guy, Paul. I know he’s…”

“A handful?”

Seth snorted. “That was a very nice adjective, but yes, it works. He’s a handful, but he’s my best friend for a good reason. Until I met you, he was the one person I could count on to drop everything and give me a hand… or just listen to me. He baits you bec—”

“I’m easy prey?”

“No. Because he wants to be sure you love me the way he knows he never could. Does that make sense?”

“I’m getting jealous, but I don’t think I’m supposed to. Am I missing a clue?”

“There’s no clue, genius. And there’s definitely no reason to be jealous. I’m telling it like it is. You and me… we’re forever. But he’s an important part of my life. He’s the only family I have, Paul.”

“You have me,” I whispered, pushing a strand of hair behind his ear.

“Yes. But he’s like my brother. You’re my everything.”

How could I argue with that?