Always (Always & Forever 1)

"Good. I don't want you to think I'm the pushover I've clearly become when I'm around you. When's your next night off?" Avery asked. The elevator dinged and opened, and he stepped inside, pulling Kane in with him.

"I don't really take nights off. Remember, I told you, they say I work too much."

"Well, working too much and never taking a day off are two different things," Avery said, pushing the button to his floor. He rested against the back wall, pulling Kane between his legs, wrapping his arms around his waist. This time he pulled him close enough to feel Kane's arousal was as hard as his.

"I want to take you out. Paulie's right, you deserve some wining and dining," Avery said, leaning in to kiss his lips.

"You don't…" Kane started, but Avery cut him right off.

"Shhh…yes, I do. I heard about a dance club over in St. Paul. Maybe we could go this weekend," Avery suggested.

"I'll have to see if I can get Rodney to take over my shift, but maybe. If you really want to."

"I want," Avery said, going in for the kiss. He was denied as the elevator doors chimed again, this time for his floor, and Kane turned, moving out from under his hold and toward the opening. Avery let Kane lead them off the elevator, but stopped in the hallway jerking Kane against him. He loved when Kane stumbled back in surprise as he fused their mouths together. Avery loved kissing Kane. He slid his arms around him, pushing him back a step or two until they hit the front door of his condo. He fumbled for his keys, kissing Kane all the while until he was forced to look down to place the key inside the lock.

"I thought about you all day," Avery said, turning the knob while wrapping a strong arm around Kane's waist, keeping him from stumbling backward as he shoved open the door. "Did you pack this bag to stay all night?"

"No, I planned to change, but I didn't want you stuck there listening to Paulie any more than you had to," Kane said, his head leaned back, giving Avery complete access to his neck as he slowly backed him into the apartment.

"I'll listen to him all day. He loves you," Avery said, kicking the door closed behind him.

"I love him, too," Kane said, dropping his coat and duffle bag to the floor. He slid his hands under Avery's jacket, pushing it from his shoulders. The composed, elegant Kane wasted no time unwrapping Avery from his clothing like an eager child on Christmas morning revealing a long-awaited toy. Somewhere in the last thirty seconds, they had switched places and Avery could barely keep up.

"I can't believe I fell asleep before I got my turn last night," Kane said, shoving Avery's undershirt and sweater over his head before letting it fall to floor.

"You were drunk," Avery said. He tried to undress Kane, but he couldn't seem to gain control for even a minute. Kane was a man on a mission.

"You're pretty tipsy, now," Kane said as he shoved Avery's slacks and underwear down until they fell freely to the floor.

"So you can use me all up," Avery managed, kicking his feet free of the clothing. Only then did Kane have him in his arms, kissing Avery as if his very life depended on their connection. Kane's hands caressed their way across his body until he flicked Avery's nipple between his fingers. The move sent Avery's hips in an involuntary roll. Kane released him and pushed him back. Avery was surprised to find they had already made it to his bedroom, and he landed back on the bed. Kane stared down at him sprawled out across the covers. A sexy, evil grin lit his lover's face as he began to pull off his clothes.

"And I intend to use you all up."

Chapter 11

No amount of talking could divert Avery from his plan to pick Kane up for their date. Since he'd been with Kane every single day and night for the last five days, they had done quite a bit of talking on the subject. Kane was a classic gentleman to the extreme, and that endeared him to Avery's heart like nothing else had ever before. Which was odd because if anyone had asked Avery a week ago what he wanted in a partner, old fashioned wouldn't have even made it into the top one hundred attributes. But number one on that list would have fit Kane to a T: a good-looking, sexy lover! Kane never seemed to get enough—just the way Avery liked it.

The area of St. Paul where Kane lived differed greatly from the polished, sophisticated almost-boyfriend that Avery had gotten to know over the last week. Kane's demeanor seemed out of place in the loud, colorful part of town that housed the brownstone quad-complex he shared. The building included four smaller apartments made out of an older brick home, and these type homes were stacked side by side for the entire length of the block. Completely different than the man who wore handmade suits and designer jeans every single day.

Avery parked his Stingray at the curb, taking care to lock the doors. He loved his brand new car. After a minute's pause and a simple prayer that the Corvette would still be there when they came down, Avery made his way inside the building. Kane lived on the top floor, four flights up, and Avery huffed all the way upstairs.

Knocking on the door, he waited. After what felt like forever, he knocked again. Kane answered in a rush, opening the door before hurrying off again. "I'm late. I didn't get out of the restaurant when I wanted too," he yelled over his shoulder. Avery watched his retreating back as he pulled a polo over his head and disappeared through a side open doorway. Avery stepped in, a little surprised. His image of Kane fit perfectly with this living room. Although the room was small, he kept everything immaculate and completely color coordinated. Every picture, lamp, and table fit together. Nothing was out of place, and everything was so neat and tidy, Avery thought he might be able to eat off the floor.