Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Ethan’s expression softened, and he put his hand to Calvin’s cheek. “You always take care of me.”

“That’s not going to change, Ethan.” He stood on his toes and kissed Ethan, loving the feel of Ethan slipping his arms around him, pulling him close against his hard naked body. Before things could get heavy, Calvin stepped back. He smiled at Ethan before climbing into the tub and sitting back. “Come on. Before the water gets cold.”

Ethan climbed in and carefully sat. Even though their tub was Therian-sized, with both of them Ethan had to bend his knees, and they stuck out of the water as he slid down so he and Calvin were chest to back. Calvin took the shampoo and washed Ethan’s hair, telling him to close his eyes and relax. Ethan had done the same for him over Valentine’s Day, and now it was Calvin’s turn. The soft sigh Ethan let out squeezed at Calvin’s heart. It scared him a little how much he loved Ethan, especially since that love would only grow with time.

Calvin rinsed Ethan’s hair, using the tips of his fingers to massage his scalp. Then he poured shower gel into Ethan’s pouf and soaped him up, using his hands to caress Ethan’s body as he washed him. He slowed down, taking his time as his fingers explored Ethan’s skin, his sculpted muscles and firm abdomen. He moved his hand lower until he had Ethan’s half-hard cock in his grip. Leisurely he stroked Ethan, smiling when Ethan let his head rest back against Calvin’s shoulder.

“I love you,” Ethan said softly.

Calvin turned his head and kissed Ethan’s lips, savoring the taste of him. There was no telling what the future might hold for them, so Calvin would make it a point to cherish what he had while he had it. He’d never been much of a dreamer, always focused on goals and what he could do to achieve them. Life had taught him not to take anything for granted, and he had no intention of starting now, especially with Ethan in his arms.

“I love you too,” Calvin replied, pulling away to smile down at Ethan before kissing him again. Never in a million years would he have imagined having what he had with Ethan. Deepening his kiss, he stroked Ethan’s cock, quickening his pace just enough to make Ethan moan. They kissed for what seemed like ages but wasn’t really. The water was still warm. Calvin picked up his pace. This was about Ethan and making him feel good.

Ethan arched his back, a shuddered sigh escaping him as Calvin tweaked one of Ethan’s nipples. His skin was flushed, his breath coming out quicker. His fingers dug into Calvin’s thighs as he thrust his hips against Calvin’s hands.

“Cal….”

“It’s okay,” Calvin murmured, kissing the side of Ethan’s head.

Ethan groaned, his muscles tensing as he came. A shiver went through him, and Calvin rained kisses up the side of Ethan’s head.

“I got you.”

Ethan stood and turned. He climbed out of the tub and held his hand out to help Calvin. He followed Ethan without question, his heart skipping a beat as Ethan dried them off before leading Calvin to his bedroom. He closed the door and pulled Calvin against him, kissing him with a passion Calvin hadn’t known Ethan possessed. It curled Calvin’s toes and sent the most amazing shiver up his spine. He stood there, floating on a cloud as Ethan stepped away to turn down the bed, then the lights. He took Calvin’s hand, and like every other time in their lives, Calvin followed Ethan blindly and willingly. They climbed into bed and huddled close together, their limbs intertwined. Calvin paid close attention to Ethan’s

signals. Whatever his boyfriend needed. Ethan rolled Calvin onto his back, mindful of his weight. He was always so attentive, so careful with Calvin.

Ethan’s expression turned troubled, and Calvin ran a thumb across Ethan’s bottom lip.

“Talk to me.”

“I could have lost you tonight.”

“But you didn’t,” Calvin said gently. “I know this is going to be hard for us. All these close calls, the job, but we can’t let our fears come between us. I want to see where this takes us, Ethan.” He felt his cheeks grow warm, and he was having trouble looking directly at Ethan. “I can see us, I don’t know, growing old together. Complaining how music isn’t what it used to be.”

Ethan took hold of his chin and turned his face so he could look him in the eye. He smiled warmly. “I’d love nothing more than that.” He plucked at a lock of Calvin’s hair. “I think I see some gray already.”

“Fuck off,” Calvin said with a laugh, smacking his hand away. “You’re going to get gray hair before me because that shit’s hereditary. Look at Rafe and Seb.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, all right Mr. Smarty-Pants.”

Calvin chuckled. He planted a kiss on Ethan’s chin, then his jawline. “I think it’ll just make you look even sexier.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hm. My sexy silver fox. Or silver tiger, rather.”

Ethan pressed his lips to Calvin’s, and Calvin opened his mouth, inviting Ethan to slip his tongue inside. He’d never grow tired of this. He loved the feel of Ethan’s heavier weight on him, of Ethan’s warm breath against his skin, the way Calvin felt loved and needed. Ethan had always needed him, but now things were a little different. Being loved by Ethan, being in his arms was more than he could have hoped for.

CALVIN WAS startled awake in the middle of the night by Ethan’s cell phone buzzing away. It took a moment for the sleepy haze to pass. He sat up and groaned. He was sore from their sex earlier. The thought brought a smile to his face. Ethan had been sweet and gentle, and then he’d rocked Calvin’s socks off. The phone continued to buzz from the nightstand. Who would be calling at this time of night? Shit. What if it was Thomas or Seb? He grabbed Ethan’s smartphone, frowning when he saw Letty’s picture and number on the screen. Ethan was fast asleep, so Calvin answered for him. It wasn’t like they didn’t often answer each other’s phones.

“Hey, Letty, it’s Cal. Everything okay?”

“Cal, thank God. I tried calling your phone, but you didn’t pick up.”

Calvin hadn’t expected Letty’s unsteady voice. “Shit, sorry, I left it in my room. I’m, uh, not there right now. Is everything okay? What’s wrong?”

“You and Hobbs need to get over to Dex’s house right now.”