“Damn. How many stories is this?”
“Seventy-two.” Llew didn’t have to see what page Shane was looking at to know he was referring to his skyscraper.
Shane chuckled deeply, carefully closing the large book and placing back on the floor. “Wow. I’ve never seen anything like these. Probably never will. You should be with a big-time firm in New York or somewhere, Llewell. Not wasting time here in my little company.”
“Gotta crawl and walk before you can fly,” Llew said, casually.
“Quoting Nietzsche.” Shane laughed again, approaching him and wiping a smudge of sawdust off Llew’s bicep.
“This what you had for me… advice? To tell me I should leave and work for a big firm? I’ll keep that advice in mind but I’m pretty sure sex offenders aren’t the first hired.”
“I know you keep getting lip everywhere you go but you won’t get it from me, so drop the attitude.” Shane snapped back at him, and Llew was shocked. “Now. If you’re done being snarky, I have something else for you.”
Llew finished his water, anything to keep the huge smile off his face. “What?”
“This.”
“What the hell is that?” Llew said looking at the small, black rectangular device. It looked like a mini cell phone.
“It’s an iPod.”
“What’s that for?”
“To drown out your demons,” Shane said, with a sexy grin.
“Yeah, well my demons can swim. Thanks anyway.” Llew walked back towards the door, but Shane beat him to it.
“Llewell, just try it.” Shane squeezed in front of Llew, putting them chest to chest. He kept eye contact with him while he unraveled the ear buds and slowly brought both hands up, gently grazing the sides of Llew’s face as he tucked each one comfortably in his ears. “I got good stuff on here, babe,” Shane said, while the device powered up. “Some Stones, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Muse, a little R&B, the smooth stuff, jazz… and of course Cher.”
Llew jerked his head up, frowning.
Shane threw his head back, a bold laugh escaping his full lips. “Just joking. I was checking to see if you were listening.”
Llew laughed too. It felt so good, and Shane was the one who made him do it.
“I love your laugh. It’s so rich and deep. ”
“I love that you make me laugh,” Llew said, against Shane’s lips. He brushed his mouth back and forth, teasing the both of them.
A deep purr left Shane and Llew wrapped his arms around him, pulling them tighter together.
“Now, you turn this on and you won’t hear anything anyone has to say. All that’ll be in your head is good music and the memory of me in your arms.” Shane pushed the play button and Llew was greeted by the lyrics of I’ll Be There for You by Bon Jovi. It was perfect for the moment and Llew wondered if Shane had cued it to this song on purpose. The way he was looking at him right now told Llew that he probably did. He leaned in and let his body react without the hindrance of the constant barrage of negative thoughts, as the heartfelt lyrics flooded his mind, drowning out the hate.
I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe, I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you.
I'd live and I'd die for you
I'd steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what love can do
I'll be there for you.
Llew kissed Shane like he was his air and he’d been suffocating for over eight years. The way Shane kissed him back, with fire and power, he wondered if he’d been suffocating, too. How long had he been alone? Llew jerked Shane in tighter, and immediately his brain short-circuited. He didn’t want to scare him.
“Hell no. Don’t you dare,” Shane hissed against Llew’s cheek, nudging him forcibly with his forehead. He gripped Llew’s face hard, snarling against his mouth. “I’m not some over-privileged little twerp that’s afraid someone’s gonna find me making out with my man and fuckin’ lie about it. Do what comes naturally to you, Llewell. I’m not afraid of you. I need you as much as you need me, baby. Now all you need to do is believe it.”
Llew’s cock jerked in his jeans, making him gasp. He gripped his dick through the rough denim, his eyes fluttering closed when he felt the stiffness there. Not fully erect, but sure as hell not limp either. “Fuck.”
Shane paused the music and smiled a shit-eating grin at him. “Don’t question it. Don’t overthink it. Kiss me. Kiss me like you need to.”
Llew bent at his knees, pulled Shane hard against him, and dove into his mouth even more voraciously than before. He didn’t hold back, and Shane showed him just how much he appreciated it. Llew’s back was clawed through the thin material of his t-shirt, while Shane bit and moaned against his mouth. Tilting his head back when Llew went for his throat, completely baring himself to him. “That’s it, babe.” Shane groaned, his hands snaking back to the front and down his sides. Llew ground his aching cock against Shane’s own and he was so caught up in making Shane feel wanted and appreciated that he didn’t realize what it was doing to him… to his body, until Shane got a good hold of his cock and gave it an achingly sweet squeeze.