At Long Last Read online

  “Hi, Kimberly. You can call me Scotty.”

  She smiled and sat at the empty chair at the table. “I’m on a short break.”

  “Join me in a glass?”

  “Can’t. The staff isn’t allowed to drink the free wine. Where’s your girlfriend?”

  Scotty took a large swallow of wine. “I don’t have a girlfriend.” He paused. “I’m here with a man.”

  “Oh.” Kimberly nodded and then, to his relief, grinned. “Oh. Okay. Boy, that old cliché is right though.”

  “Cliché?”

  “The cute ones are either married or gay.” Kimberly laughed.

  Scotty laughed, too.

  “So, then, where’s your boyfriend?”

  “He’s not really my boyfriend, but we had something of a fight. I sort of left him down by the shops.”

  “Ah, lovers’ spat? Shouldn’t have one of those on such a beautiful day.”

  “Probably not.” He drained the rest of his wine. “Anyway, I think it was probably a mistake to come here with him.”

  “He doesn’t like the beach?” Kimberly wrinkled her nose.

  “Doesn’t like me.”

  Kimberly stood up. “Well, then he’s got bad taste, that’s all I can say. Want another one of those?”

  “Yeah.”

  About an hour or so later, Scotty finally forced himself to head back down to the embarcadero area. He knew he wasn’t being fair to Preston. It was so new to him. And he didn’t want to be gay; that much was obvious to Scotty. Anyway, he should be more understanding. It hurt, no doubt about it, but not everything was about him.

  He found Preston sitting on an old wooden bench between shop buildings looking out to sea. The breeze blew his dark hair. Scotty’s heart skipped a beat. The man was beautiful.

  He sat down and smiled at Preston. “Hi.”

  Preston stared at him warily. “Hi. Feeling better?”

  “Yeah. A couple of glasses of chardonnay did wonders.”

  Preston’s mouth curved. “For a headache?”

  “Something like that. You hungry? I know a great restaurant on the top of the hill there.” Scotty gestured with his shoulder behind him. “Great views, fabulous food. Been there for years. It’s my favorite place. Want to have dinner with me?”

  Preston’s gaze met his and held it for several seconds. “Scotty—”

  His heart thumping wildly, Scotty said, “Yeah?”

  “Never mind.” Preston shook his head. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”

  They stood up and headed back up the hill to the restaurant. Scotty couldn’t miss that they walked several feet apart.

  Chapter 7

  Scott sighed and stretched dramatically when they returned to the motel room. “Boy, am I bushed. Think I’ll go to bed.”

  Preston frowned, watching him head into the bathroom and close the door. The younger man was holding back. At dinner he’d been ridiculously reserved. Not at all the usual Scott.

  He’d hurt him. Preston knew that. Knew it as soon as Scott practically ran from the gift shop. He hadn’t meant to hurt Scott. The woman coming upon them holding hands had startled him. Hell, he hadn’t held hands with his ex-wife since they’d dated.

  Preston blew out a breath and removed the disgusting motel bedspread and stuffed it in the corner of the closet.

  The truth was he just wasn’t like Scott. He could never be. In fact, he’d decided after Scott had gone back to the motel earlier that this crazy attraction to the other man would end and soon. While he wandered the town by himself he’d seen happy little families made up of a man, woman, and children. That’s what he wanted. What he had wanted since he was just a kid. He wasn’t going to suddenly change.

  After coming to the realization he would have to tell Scott things were over when he saw him, Preston had sat on the bench and played over and over in his head how the conversation would go. He figured it was similar to the conversation one had when breaking up with a woman. Let’s just be friends, he would say. Maybe going away with Scott had been a good idea because it got the whole wanting Scott out of his system.

  The hell it did.

  The minute Scott had sat next to him on the bench, his soft violet-blue eyes puppy-dog sad, vulnerability and sensuality screaming off him, Preston couldn’t end it. Couldn’t make himself say the words, I don’t want to be with you. I’m not gay. Sorry.

  Over dinner, Preston had been transfixed by every move Scott made. Every time his mouth opened to speak, Preston stared at his full, too-kissable lips. His cock sat stiff and erect under the restaurant table.

  Preston sat on the edge of the bed and removed his athletic shoes and socks. Scott was not out of his system at all. He wanted him. Now. Tonight. Only it seemed like Scott wanted to push him away.

  He stood and unfastened his jeans, pulling them off and neatly folding them to place in his overnight bag.

  The bathroom door opened, and Scott emerged dressed in a red T-shirt and what looked like flannel pajama bottoms.

  Not so fast, Scott.

  Preston yanked off his shirt and turned to face the other man wearing only his gray briefs, his erection jutting forward. Scott noticed too. His eyes went wide, his cheeks pinked, and he looked away quickly.

  “Bathroom’s yours if you want it,” Scott said, not looking at him. “I’m going to get some sleep.”

  He watched Scott pull back the sheet and blanket and climb into bed. Preston grimaced and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

  When Preston came back out wearing only his briefs, Scott’s back was to him and he was clearly trying to pretend to be asleep.

  Preston gritted his teeth and walked to the side of the bed Scott lay on and sat on the edge. “Scott, I want to talk to you.”

  Scott’s eyes remained closed. Little punk.

  Preston shook his shoulders. “I know you’re awake. No one can fall asleep that fast.”

  With obvious reluctance, Scott opened his eyes. “Okay, what do you want? I’m really—”

  “Tired. Yeah, I know. You’ve said it plenty of times. Twice on the walk back from the restaurant and twice since we returned to the room.” Preston ran his fingers through his hair. “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?”

  “About earlier today. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Can you just forget it and forgive me?”

  Scott just stared at him with those puppy-dog eyes and, for a fractured breath, Preston was pretty sure he would say no. Then he smiled a really sweet smile. “Okay. I forgive you.”

  Preston swallowed back his relief and leaned down to place a quick kiss on Scott’s lips. “Good. You have too many clothes on. Take them off.”

  Scott raised an eyebrow. “You know, motel sex isn’t really all that great. It’s totally overrated. The beds are loud and uncomfortable, and you always worry about making too much noise so your neighbors know exactly what’s going on.”

  “Well, I think I’d like to find out for myself.” He tossed the condom packet he’d brought out of the bathroom on the nightstand next to the bed. “Scoot over.”

  “Scoot over? Go to your own side of the bed.”

  Preston laughed and shook his head. “Nope.” He pushed at Scott to make room, but when he didn’t, he lay on top of the other man and kissed him, his fingers grabbing onto the hems of Scott’s shirt. “Take it off.”

  “Mmpf,” Scott said against his lips. He pushed a little at Preston’s shoulders and then reached for his own shirt. Preston helped.

  “Now the flannel pants, Scotty,” he said, nipping the other man’s bottom lip. He could now feel Scott’s erection pushing through his pajamas. His pulse leaped in anticipation.

  Preston helped remove the pants, which ended up being pushed to the end of the bed. His hand covered Scott’s right thigh, inching closer to his cock.

  “Pres,” Scott gasped, his hips already lifting to give Preston access to his ass.

  He couldn’t say what it was about Scott that made him
want him so much. The man was good-looking. Sure. But so was his best friend and Scott’s brother, Jack. He didn’t want to fuck Jack. He’d wanted the young man even before he’d left for six years. He’d tried to pretend otherwise. Did it mean Preston was gay? Hell, he didn’t know. Bisexual maybe. He didn’t care to analyze it.

  He sucked on two fingers and slipped them between Scotty’s legs, probing for his entrance. His fingers slid in easily.

  “Oh God, Scotty,” he murmured. “Get the condom.”

  Scott bit his lip and stretched his arm over for the packet. He tore it open using his teeth.

  Preston snatched the condom out of his hands and straightened just enough to roll it over his erection. Instead of going straight for what he wanted though, Preston dived down and pulled Scott’s hard cock into his mouth.

  “Ah, jeez.” Scott leaned back and pushed himself farther into Preston’s mouth.

  He’d never had a guy’s cock in his mouth before. And this wasn’t just any guy either. It was Scotty. Which somehow made it far more important. In the last few days he’d done a lot of things with Scott he hadn’t done with anyone else. His tongue had been in the other man’s ass; it shouldn’t be all that shocking for his mouth to now be wrapped around Scott long, thick cock. And strangest of all, he wanted to make the other man come in his mouth.

  Preston just did what he liked when his own cock was blown. Scotty was a guy, so it had to feel pretty much the same to him.

  He sucked up and down the shaft for a while, bringing it in ever farther almost to the back of his throat, before easing it out so that he could tug Scott’s balls into his mouth.

  “Oh my God,” Scott moaned, bucking against him.

  Preston returned to Scott’s cock, running his tongue along the slit and around the tip before swallowing it farther down. He reinserted two fingers in Scott’s ass. His own cock was painfully hard and pushed against the bed.

  “Pres, I’m going to come.” Scott tensed and groaned, warm cum hitting the back of Preston’s throat. Preston started to gag, and he quickly released Scott’s cock.

  Scott grabbed the pillow and buried his face in it, his body shaking. Preston stared at the beauty of his orgasm, watching the other man’s skin flush. He couldn’t stay still long though; his cock twitched, reminding him he needed release himself.

  He lifted Scotty’s legs and slowly pushed into his entrance. It wasn’t going to take long. He’d almost come just from the other man’s orgasm. He pulled the pillow out of Scott’s hands so he could look at him while he fucked him.

  The plain truth was sex with Scott was the best he’d ever had. The idea he might prefer men just a little had begun to form in the back of his mind. He wouldn’t let it fully out. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it just yet. But he knew he very much liked being with this man here.

  He slammed into Scotty, pounding him, going as deep as possible. The way his ass muscles squeezed Preston’s cock was mind-blowing. He wished he could thrust into him all night, experiencing the thrill of their being joined like this, but his cock would not be denied. The orgasm couldn’t be held back no matter how much he might like to make it last longer.

  “Yes,” he ground out, his balls tightening and his cock twitching as he came, his fingers digging perhaps just a bit too hard in Scott’s flesh.

  When at last the waves of excruciating pleasure had subsided, Preston withdrew and discarded the condom. He pulled Scott close to him, pushing the man’s head down on his chest.

  “Sorry,” Scott murmured.

  “For what?”

  “Coming in your mouth. Should have warned you sooner.”

  Preston shook his head. “I wanted you to. I’m just not used to it. Just need to practice.”

  “Not now. I’m too—”

  “Tired. Yes, I know. Go to sleep.”

  * * * *

  Sunday morning came far too soon for Scotty. Saturday spent with Preston had been an amazing day. One of the best he’d ever had.

  By silent mutual agreement they didn’t discuss what happened Friday afternoon. Saturday they went sailing, toured Hearst Castle, and fed wildlife. Just spent the day having fun and relaxing.

  Preston still refused to show any affection in public, but Scotty was okay with that. He didn’t expect to kiss publicly or anything himself, so if Preston didn’t want to hold hands, he could accept it. He’d had too good a time to make a big deal out of it.

  They finished paying their breakfast bill at a local restaurant. “Hey, I’m going to make a quick bathroom stop,” Preston said.

  “Okay, I’ll wait outside.” Scotty walked out and pulled out his cell phone. The morning was cool and overcast with traces of misty fog still hanging around parts of the city. He’d had his cell off most of the weekend but decided to check his messages. He’d just about finished the last one when his cell rang. He glanced at the number and sighed.

  “Good morning, Jack.”

  “Where the hell have you been?” his brother’s voice barked. “I’ve been calling all weekend. And don’t tell me you’re at Mom and Dad’s because I know you’ve been gone the whole time.”

  “I told Mom I would be.”

  “Well, you didn’t tell her where you were going. Where are you?”

  Scotty glanced back at the restaurant. “I’m around.”

  “Why don’t we meet for lunch then?”

  “Uh, can’t. I’m out of the area.”

  There was a long pause. “Oh. Do we have a new boyfriend?”

  Scotty gritted his teeth. “No.”

  Jack chuckled. “Yeah, you do. Who is he? When do we get to meet him?”

  “Never. There’s no one to meet. I don’t have a new boyfriend.”

  “So you’re just fucking?”

  Scotty rolled his eyes. “Just drop it.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. I was getting worried. You could have just told me you wanted to spend some quality time with a new man.”

  “Jack.”

  “Anyway, Friday was quiet. Preston called in sick. He must really be sick, too, because he hasn’t been answering his phone or anything.”

  The restaurant door behind him opened, and Scotty knew without looking it was Preston.

  “I don’t know anything about that. He barely even talks to me,” Scotty said quickly, hoping the panic in his voice didn’t give him away.

  “I didn’t think you did,” Jack said. “Just mentioning it.”

  “Oh, okay, Ben, I’ll be right there.” Scotty shifted his cell to his other ear and turned away from Preston’s stare.

  “Ben, huh?” Jack chuckled. “I’ll let you go. Wendy’s calling me from the other room anyway. Bye.”

  “Bye.” He closed his cell and pocketed it. He turned and smiled at Preston. “All set?”

  “Yeah. Who was that?”

  “Jack, being a pain in the ass as usual. Forget it.” He turned to head for the car.

  “Wait.” Preston briefly touched his arm.

  “What is it?”

  “We need to make a quick stop in a shop.”

  Scotty frowned. “Okay. Lead the way.”

  They walked past the restaurant and down a few doors to the shop that had the paintings. Preston entered through the door. Scotty followed.

  The same woman from the day before smiled from behind the counter. “There you are, Mr. Reynolds. I’ll go and get it.”

  Scotty watched her go through a door in the back. “Get what?”

  Preston just smiled.

  The woman returned holding a large frame wrapped in brown paper. She handed it over to Preston. “Thank you again. I am sure you will be very pleased with it. It’s a beautiful painting.”

  “I’m sure. Thanks.” Preston nodded toward the door, and Scotty opened it for him.

  When they were out on the sidewalk again, Scotty said, “You bought a painting?”

  Preston grinned. “Yeah, for you.”

  Scotty froze. “For me?”

  “Uh
-huh. The one you admired Friday. Come on, this is heavy.” Preston started walking toward the car, and Scotty automatically followed him.

  “What? But, that’s…that’s too much. That was expensive. I can’t accept that.”

  It was Preston’s turn to stop. He turned and stared at Scotty with a huge frown. “Look, I have the money, and I wanted to buy it for you. Please don’t spoil it.”

  Scotty felt like a giant ass and was instantly remorseful. What an ingrate. He exhaled and then smiled as bright as he could make it. “Okay. I’m sorry. Thank you. It’s great. I love it.”

  Preston nodded. “Much better.”

  “Hmm. I don’t know where I’ll put it though. And if I show up with that to my parents’ house, my dad will throw a fit. He’ll accuse me of being irresponsible with my money. He doesn’t think art is a good investment.”

  “We’ll keep it at my house for now,” Preston said.

  They put it in the trunk of his car. It barely fit with their bags. Scotty wanted to ask if his painting being at Preston’s house meant they had some sort of relationship, but he didn’t want to spoil the weekend or the present by springing the question.

  He went to get in the driver’s side. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you there may be a problem with your case for Mrs. Windham’s grandson.”

  “Problem?”

  “Yeah. He’s guilty.”

  Preston sighed. “It’s my job to prove he’s innocent.”

  Scotty smiled. “Then you definitely have a problem.”

  Chapter 8

  Two Saturday evenings later, Preston hung up after speaking to his children. He didn’t get to see them nearly enough, but at least he kept in touch with them by phone several times a week.

  He was expecting Scott at any time. They’d seen each frequently over the last couple of weeks, all the while striving for discretion at all times. Which suited Preston well.

  He’d begun to accept the possible truth that he might prefer men. It couldn’t be that Scott was so incredibly attractive that he was the only man who tempted Preston. Scott did, of course, but he couldn’t really kid himself into believing Scott would be the only man he would ever find attractive.

  The knowledge that he was most likely gay did not sit well with him, however. More than once Preston had wondered if maybe he should see a psychiatrist. It couldn’t be normal to be attracted to men. It just…couldn’t. Such a thing went against everything he’d ever been taught, how he was raised, how he’d developed every relationship he’d ever had. And it wasn’t as though he couldn’t get an erection with women. He definitely had no problems there.