***
Shane went to check on the chef to know how soon lunch would be ready since he wanted Chris to eat something. He definitely wasn’t going to allow Chris to starve himself and live on booze on his watch. Shane was standing in the kitchen he remembered so well, talking to Chef Mario when he heard Chris come in. He didn’t turn to look at him but continued to talk to the chef. The next thing Shane knew, Chris was turning him around to face him, cupping his cheeks in his palms and slanting his mouth over his. Shane went very still. He neither pushed Chris away nor responded to the kiss.
Not responding to that kiss was the hardest thing Shane had ever done because everything within him was screaming for him to. He just wanted to melt against Chris, give himself up to the pleasure, allow Chris to make the pain go away…blow his mind like he always did…but Shane just couldn’t bring himself to give in. Not when he was still so angry at Chris. But there was one vital fact Shane seemed to have forgotten… Who he was dealing with!
When he felt Chris’ hot tongue asking for entrance, Shane didn’t open up. He was determined not to. Then he felt Chris’ hand at the back of his head, holding him to the kiss, and his other hand on the small of his back, rubbing lightly on that spot that always drove Shane crazy. Shane moaned uncontrollably, instantly losing the battle. Chris’ tongue slipped into his mouth, deepening the kiss, claiming Shane’s mouth with a pang of wild hunger. And when that wicked tongue stroked the roof of Shane’s mouth, he almost creamed his pants right there in the kitchen, with Chef Mario looking on.
At that point, Shane didn’t care a hoot that they had an audience. All that mattered was Chris’ mouth on his. Just as Shane started pushing deeper into Chris, wanting more of that sweet heaven, Chris pulled back, breaking the kiss. It was all Shane could do not to cry out in frustration. He looked at Chris with eyes glazed with arousal and frustration, his lips feeling achy and swollen.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Chris whispered huskily. Then he turned to look at the chef who actually looked…totally affected. Great, Chris almost muttered. “Hi. I’m Chris.” He stretched forth his hand to shake Mario’s damp and trembling hand.
“Mario.” The chef squeaked.
“Dude, you okay?” Chris asked.
“I’m very fine, Sir.” He responded.
“This gonna be a problem?” Chris flicked his forefinger between him and Shane.
“What?” Mario breathed with an incredulous look. “No, no. Just do your thing whenever you want to. Don’t mind me.” He gave a strained laugh.
“Good.” Chris gave a slight nod and turned to leave the kitchen.
Shane cleared his throat and stared at Mario, who stared back. “Err…how long do you think…”
“Thirty minutes,” Mario said quickly. “As I said, I started preparing something when you guys didn’t take breakfast so…”
“Thanks,” Shane said and turned to leave the kitchen. “Chris?” He bellowed. Shane was pissed. Instinctively he knew Chris would be in his father’s study. Shane opened the door and almost had a heart attack. Chris sat behind the desk with a gun in his hand. “Chris…” Shane breathed.
Chris looked up at Shane and frowned at the terrified look in Shane’s eyes. “What?” Then he saw the direction of Shane’s eyes. “Oh, whatever you’re thinking, don’t.” Chris opened the drawer and placed the gun back in. “I was merely going through the drawers.” Chris stood up and walked towards a still shaken Shane. “Hey, relax.” He grinned.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Chris turned and went back to opening cabinets and drawers.
“I told you to be careful with kissing me in front of people,” Shane muttered. “See what happened back there?”
“What exactly happened?” Chris raised an eyebrow. “Besides, what I remember you saying was not to kiss you in public. That was just one person…in my kitchen.” Mirth danced in Chris’ eyes. Then he pointed a thumb at the door. “Is it my fault Chef Mario decided to get hot and bothered instead of irritated? How was I to know the team he plays…”
“And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t have done that in front of him.” Shane snapped.
“I don’t exactly recall you pushing me away, Shane.” Chris watched as Shane’s eyes widened with incredulity. “Why exactly are you angry again?” Chris purred, turning to walk towards Shane. “Is someone frustrated because I stopped when I did?” He was now in front of Shane. “Do you want me to continue where I left off?” He husked and reached up to rub his thumb across Shane’s lower lip. “All you need to do is ask baby,” Chris whispered, leaning forward to take Shane’s lower lip between his teeth. Then he flicked his tongue against the captured lip, smirking when a moan rumbled within Shane’s chest.
Shane tore his lips away and shook his head to clear the lustful haze he was under. “You’re a jerk.” He muttered and left the study.
Shane was angry. At himself. Didn’t he have any pride at all? All Chris had to do was touch him and nothing else mattered apart from Chris. They’d gone almost two weeks without sex and that, in their relationship, was unheard of. He needed Chris so bad he could taste it. And Chris taunting him with his obvious sexual frustration wasn’t helping matters. Shane was so horny, it wasn’t funny.
But he needed an explanation from Chris before any form of reconciliation could take place between them. He wanted Chris to explain his recent behavior. He needed to know what drove him to that. He needed Chris to help him understand. He wanted an apology from Chris for his lies and the pain he’d caused him. He did believe what Chris had said about not fucking that girl, but what about telling him he was sleeping at home when he was rather in a hotel? Was that too much to ask?
Lunch was a quiet affair. The food was delicious and Chris didn’t hesitate to let Mario know. “Oh damn.” He’d moaned around his very first bite, his eyes closing in pleasure. “This is so fucking good.” Chris opened his eyes and looked at a blushing Mario. “This is pure heaven, Chef.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Mario beamed.
“Chris.” Chris corrected automatically.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. After lunch, Jon, the caretaker, took Chris and Shane around the house, pointing out the renovations that had taken place. The whole house looked tastefully elegant. It was actually bigger and even more beautiful than both Chris and Shane remembered. Though Chris never came there, he always made sure the house was kept in great shape. It was a beautiful house. Shane and Chris went around the house, both remembering all the fun they’d had in there all those years ago.
Swimming in the huge wonderfully heated pool, running around on the seashore, building sandcastles and picking up shells, taking long walks into the woods, and simply having fun. They loved to pretend they were in their own private paradise. Just silently recalling the fun they’d had brought smiles to both Chris and Shane’s faces but neither said much. By some silent mutual agreement, they stayed away from Chris’ childhood bedroom, neither man ready to face whatever demons lay beyond that door. They watched TV for a while, ate supper, and retired to the master bedroom.