Against The Grain (THIRDS 5)

“Okay.”

Dex’s brows drew together, and Cael nodded to the couch. He knew that look. His brother was worried about him. The last thing Cael wanted was to worry Dex. His brother had enough on his mind as it was.

Cael dropped down onto his comfy couch, pulled his legs up, and folded his arms over his knees. “I had a panic attack.”

“Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Cael shook his head, a smile coming onto his face at the memory. “Ash helped me.”

“Ash?”

“Yeah. He was great. Asked me what I needed, helped me focus on breathing, made me feel safe. He helped calm me. Even made me my favorite tea.”

“Wow.”

Cael couldn’t help the big dopey grin that came onto his face, his cheeks feeling hot. “We’re officially dating.”

Dex gaped at him. “Shut the front door!”

“I can’t. My dorky brother broke it,” Cael said, giving him a push. His excitement bubbled up, and he grabbed his brother’s arm. “Can you believe it?” He bounced in his seat, and Dex grabbed Cael’s arm, bouncing along with him.

“I’m so happy for you!”

“Oh my God, we’re like teenage girls!” Cael squealed, still bouncing.

“I don’t care! Oh my God, Ash is your boyfriend. That’s… I can’t even. I don’t… I’m….” The sliding glass door to the balcony slid open, and Dex stopped bouncing. “Play it cool. They’re coming back in.”

“We can hear you, dumbass.” Ash closed the door behind Sloane and walked into the living room. “Therian hearing.”

Dex turned back to Cael with a frown. “You sure you don’t want to maybe date a cactus? Less prickly.”

Cael laughed and hugged his brother, and after reassuring Dex for the bajillionth time that he was okay, was going to be okay, would call if he wasn’t okay, Dex and Sloane said their good-byes and left. By then it was nearly three in the morning.

“I need a shower,” Ash muttered. “You mind if I use yours and crash here?”

Cael smiled. “Of course not. Just leave the water running when you finish. I could use one too.”

He took his empty teacup to the kitchen, noting how Ash quietly followed. Cael didn’t utter a word as he placed the teacup in the sink and proceeded to wash it. Ash slipped his arms around Cael’s waist and delivered a kiss to Cael’s temple, their bodies pressed together.

“How about if you join me? You know, conserve water, ozone, environment, and all that hippie shit.”

Cael chuckled and turned in Ash’s arms. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I resist?”

“All right,” Ash sighed, his eyes alight with amusement. “How about, will you join me in the shower because I’ll miss you if you’re not there with me?”

“Now that’s more like it.”

Cael laughed as he grabbed Ash’s hand and pulled him upstairs with him, both of them shedding clothes along the way. By the time they reached the bathroom, they were both naked and all over each other, kissing, touching, fingers digging and stroking. Ash bumped into the doorframe on the way in, and Cael giggled against Ash’s lips. The big goof.

Somehow they managed to get the water turned on and at a temperature that wouldn’t freeze their boy bits off. They stepped into the bathtub, and Ash took hold of the soap. Gently he pulled Cael in front of him and lathered him up, delivering kisses as he did. His hands didn’t miss a spot as he soaped Cael up. Lost in Ash’s ministrations, Cael closed his eyes, feeling Ash washing his hair before leading Cael under the showerhead to rinse him off. What had started as a frenzy of hands and lips had become a sweet expression of affection. They washed each other, offered tender kisses and slow, lingering caresses.

Once they were done, Ash helped Cael out of the tub, and they dried each other before Ash swept Cael off his feet, making him laugh. He carried Cael into the bedroom and laid him in the middle of the bed before crawling over him, lowering himself onto his elbows so as not to put all his weight on Cael. Cael spread his legs so Ash could fit against him. How he loved the feel of Ash on him. Despite Ash’s size and strength, Cael had always felt safe with him.

“Thank you, for looking out for me,” Cael offered softly, his fingers running through Ash’s wet hair.

“Always.” He brushed his lips over Cael’s, the heat from Ash’s body sending the most delicious shiver through him.

Cael tentatively thrust his hips up, his hard erection pressing against Ash’s stomach, and Ash released a groan, his hips grinding gently down. The scent of soap and Ash invaded Cael’s senses, and he let out a whimper. His skin was ablaze, his insides twisting. He tried his best to let Ash take the lead, not to push, but it was killing him. He was desperate to feel Ash inside him, had wanted this for so long.