“We go at your pace.” Orsen arched an eyebrow that made Santino smile. “Okay. Some things will go at your pace.”
“Tell me. Do you want to kiss me?”
Santino sighed but nodded. “I said I do.”
“Do you want to do other things with me?”
Just how much time had he spent with Cody? “I haven’t moved past the kissing part yet.”
“I asked Cody about it.” So, he had been spending time with Cody. “He told me how it should be. Then we talked about man porn.”
“Gay porn.” Orsen waved Santino’s comment away. “So, gay porn. Two men together? Three? A gangbang?”
“I… what? No, don’t tell me. I like being innocent about that.” Orsen’s eyebrows went up, then down. “Really? Three men? How?”
“Think about it,” Santino murmured dryly. He watched Orsen screw his face up, then his eyes go wide.
“Oh, that’s a no for me. I think.”
“It’s arousing to think about, but not to actually participate in.”
“Have you ever done anything like that?” Santino licked his lips. “Ooh, you have.”
“I was much younger then and I wanted to get out of mamma’s house. Her name’s Luna and I love her, but I needed to get out. I went a little nuts at college.”
“Tell me.”
“Orsen.” Santino exhaled. “It was a long time ago. I was eighteen or nineteen.”
“So around my age.” Orsen arched an eyebrow and sipped his soda. “Tell me. Did you have three men, or what is it called?”
“Threesomes, and I had a couple. I enjoyed it then, but it isn’t something I’d do now. I slept around, fucking anyone. Drank quite a bit, too. It was hedonistic at the time. I was free to do what I wanted, and I did, but then one day I woke up and realized I was wasting my life in the clubs and bars on pointless hookups. My last relationship ended, and I knew I wanted a different life. I’d met TJ on a case and spoke to him about Robinson. I came over to visit and bought this place. I like the easy-going life here. It’s a large town, but not too large, and the city isn’t too far away.”
“I don’t want to sleep around with different men,” Orsen murmured. “I want a home. A place I can go to and know I’m safe. Someone who loves me waiting inside who’s happy to see me. I guess some would say they’re simple things, but they’re good enough for me.”
They were simple things, but ones everyone should have, especially Orsen, who deserved them and so much more. “Then I’ll help you get them.”
Chapter Nine
Orsen blew out the candle on his cake and smiled. He’d never had a birthday cake before, or an actual party, and discovered he liked it. “Make a wish!” Orsen closed his eyes and thought about Santino. He’d been called to the city to work on a case and would miss Orsen’s big day. He’d called that morning to wish him a happy birthday and to apologize for not being there.
It would have been nice to have him there at TJ and Cody’s place. Charlie being there did help and Orsen had planned to sneak a kiss now that he’d turned eighteen, but it wasn’t meant to be. When he came back, Santino had promised to treat him to the takeout meal of his choice and Orsen couldn’t wait for that to happen. He liked how Santino made him feel inside, and how he made his body hard.
Orsen hadn’t come across any other man who’d made him feel that way, and the few men he’d had to hide from had been greasy and smelly and had this look in their eyes that madeOrsen tremble in fear. Every time he’d run away, Ambrose had punished him when he returned.
Selling his virginity would have net Ambrose a lot of money and Orsen had ruined his plans. Not like Orsen might have wanted to save that for someone special. That didn’t matter. Ambrose getting his money had been more important. Orsen hadn’t done what Ambrose demanded. Now that he’d met someone who made his body tighten with the need to touch, he was glad he’d hidden from those men.
Before he’d left, Santino had kept his distance, kept their relationship almost professional, which Orsen could admit hurt him a little, but he understood the reasons why. His age, but that was no longer an issue and Orsen had decided he wanted all his firsts with Santino.
Cody nodded to him as he walked toward the house, and Orsen followed, smiling at Crompton, who scowled at him. Crompton sat with Macy asleep on his lap. How that had happened, Orsen didn’t know, but Macy had taken one look at Crompton and stuck to him like glue. Toni and Carter had tried multiple times to move her away, but in the end, admitted defeat.
Arthur and Lincoln were stuffing themselves with food, and TJ held Christian as he slept. Cassy, Cody’s sister, kept telling the boys not to be so greedy, but they ignored her. A strange family setup to Orsen, but one that worked. Entering the kitchen with Cody, Orsen watched Cody pull a chair out and waited for him to sit.
“How are you doing? You look a little overwhelmed.”
“I think I am. I didn’t expect all this. A cake and presents. It’s nice.”
“Yeah, I had lots of those when I was growing up, but with Cass’ friends, not mine. My parties were all about making connections, not celebrating my big day.” Cody shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now. He’s where he belongs.”
