The Current Between Us (24 page)

“
I thought we were past all that,” Gage said, wiping his hands with the towel, staying close to Trent, but turning around, leaning back against the counter. His eyes were glued to Trent’s face, but the man wouldn’t look at him as he sprayed the sink down and began putting everything away. “Trent, answer me. I thought we were past all this…”

“
It’s gonna take some time. It’s hard to walk in here and see you at my sink, in this old, small kitchen, knowing where you live, what you do for a living… I think my house is the size of your living room,” Trent said. He fished in a drawer and pulled out another dish towel to dry his hands and matched Gage’s stance, leaning back against the sink. “Are you sure you really want to try and date? We come from such different places.”

“
We aren’t so much different, not really. Not on the things that matter,” Gage said, folding the towel in his hands and placing it on the counter.

“
Oh really?” Trent replied. He turned to face Gage, crossing his arms over his chest, cocking an eyebrow.

“
Sure. We both have a love of family. Although I hide my love from my family, I still adore them. We both have a need to be self-made men. After meeting you, meeting your children, I’m finding out I think I might want a little boy of my own someday who will declare to the entire world my muscles are the biggest and I can beat up all the other dads, or maybe a little girl who will smile up at me as if I have conquered the world just by coming to her birthday party,” Gage said, turning to face Trent who stayed looking at him, a smile spread across his lips.

“
You don’t understand, I could take ninety-nine percent of all the dads at Hunter’s school,” Trent teased, grinning as he said it.

“
I don’t doubt it for a second. Remember, I’ve seen you naked,” Gage said, stepping forward, turning toward Trent to place himself between his legs. He wrapped his arms loosely around Trent’s waist and felt rewarded when Trent did the same. “I wanted to do these dishes. I enjoyed dinner immensely. Please don’t make light of it or make it something less. You’re single-handedly restoring my faith in parenting. I’m in awe of you, baby,” Gage said and lifted his hand to stop Trent from speaking.

“
Shhhh, Trent, listen to me. You think I’m something… well, I truly think you’re something. You’re honor and integrity every single day, all in the way you carry yourself. I’ve never seen anyone like you… I didn’t really think it existed in this world. As I stand here in your arms, you make me feel special knowing someone like you would pick someone like me to spend any time with at all,” Gage said, looking Trent straight in the eye. He slid his hands up Trent’s chest, trailed fingertips along his neck, and used his thumbs to keep Trent’s head in this position. Gage wouldn’t allow him to turn his eyes away as he placed a kiss on Trent’s sweet lips.

“
Gage, you don’t have to say these things,” Trent said, but he pulled Gage in closer, kissing him again.

“
I’m being completely honest with you, and if I come to your house and do your dishes, just let me. It’s the least I can do,” Gage said, taking his thumbs and nodding Trent’s head. “Well good, you agreed, and I’ve found another way to get a yes out of you. I was afraid I would have to put you to sleep before we ever spoke again!”

“
Well, if you want to do something, my garage is an inventory nightmare. Feel free to jump in and clean it up anytime you want.” Trent lifted a brow, biting his lip in the most adorable way to hide his smile.

“
Oh really? The garage’s your office, right? Did I hear that at some point?” Gage asked.

“
Yes, it’s my office and the shop where the guys come every morning. The neighbors love me,” Trent said, smiling big now.

“
Show me,” Gage said, stepping away from Trent, but entwining their hands, pulling Trent forward.

“
It’s a mess. You don’t want to see it,” Trent said, having to be moved step by step.

“
I wanna see. You get to see where I work,” Gage said, proud of his argument.

“
So not the same thing,” Trent said. They were now standing in the middle of the kitchen, Gage cocking his head to look through the laundry room at the garage door.

“
Show me, babe. Is it through here?” Gage asked, pulling Trent toward the door.

“
Yes.” Gage pulled Trent along through the laundry room, where he noted the laundry basket full of unmatched socks, to the attached garage. Gage walked down a couple of steps as Trent flipped on the overhead lights. The garage seemed almost as large as the house, and from this angle, it was definitely an add-on. Gage hadn’t noticed it while being out front. The room was packed with shelves, filled with tools, boxes, ladders, wire, connectors… Everything an electrician could possibly use.

Directly across from the laundry room door sat a large desk with several chairs scattered around it. Gage knew Trent put the desk right here to be able to see or hear anything coming from the house. The back wall consisted of two large rolling warehouse doors, along with a normal back door off to the left. Gage walked around Trent, stepping out into the garage as Trent stayed close to the laundry room door.

“You run your business from out of here?” Gage said, taking several steps around the room, looking at all the different equipment laying everywhere.

“
Yes. It makes it easier on the kids. I had a shop, but gave it up. My neighbors hate it, but I can get the guys started in the morning and end the day with paperwork, and all that while the kids are able to sleep in their own beds or play in their rooms. It’s easier on all of us,” Trent said, watching Gage closely. He wasn’t sure what Trent expected of him, but he walked to the back door and moved the curtain from the small window. He saw a giant swing set, one of those wooden, homemade deals, an above ground swimming pool, a huge sandbox, and a large covered patio.

“
Your backyard is huge,” Gage said, opening the door, walking through. Trent either had to leave the spot he stood rooted in or be left alone in the garage. The moon shone brightly, lighting Gage’s path outside as he walked into the backyard. What he couldn’t see from the window was a tall wooden fence surrounding the property and a reasonably organized pipe rack sitting to the side. Several large wire spools were also stacked against the fence close to the pipe rack. A chain length fence surrounded the electrical equipment. Gage assumed it kept the kids out of there, unharmed and safe.

The driveway reached all the way around
the house, back where trucks could easily load and unload from the giant warehouse doors. The wooden fence had a huge gate currently closed and locked with a chain and safety lock in place. The light from the garage dimmed as Trent shut the door behind him.

“
One of those first days after I met you, you pulled one of those heavy spools of wire off your truck. It was honestly about the hottest thing I think I have ever seen,” Gage said, then turned back to the play area of the yard not waiting for Trent to answer. “Did you build this?”

“
Last year,” Trent said and came to stand beside Gage who now stood in the middle of the backyard. Trent’s hands were in his jean pockets.

“
When do you fill the pool?” Gage asked.

“
I will this weekend. I’ve been getting it ready, it won’t take long to fill it,” Trent said.

“
I would have loved this as a child,” Gage said, walking to the play set, gripping his hands on the ladder, stopping short of climbing up the steps.

“
Me too,” Trent agreed as he followed behind Gage at a slower pace.

“
They’re lucky to have you.” Gage turned back to face him.

“
I’m the lucky one,” Trent protested, watching Gage.

“
I’m lucky to be here with you,” Gage said and took the steps separating them until he wrapped his arm around Trent, pulling him to his chest while leaning in for a slow soft kiss.

“
I envisioned making out on the sofa tonight, but the moonlight might be just as good,” Gage said, watching the stunning man in his arms as he spoke. His heart swelled with love and romance, everything he wanted with Trent. He didn’t speak, but leaned in sliding his tongue across Trent’s lips, trying to gain access. The kiss started slow but quickly turned demanding and Gage couldn’t seem to get close enough to Trent. He held him tightly, pressed together from toe to chest, nothing separating them.

Trent seemed to innately understand and agree. He pulled Gage tightly to him, slanting his mouth, opening wide and taking everything offered. Several minutes passed as they kissed in the backyard under the moonlight.

Gage pulled Trent’s T-shirt out of his jeans, pushing his hands inside the thin cotton material. He needed to feel Trent’s skin against his. Trent threaded his fingers into Gage’s hair, turning his head farther to the left to help reach the far depths of his mouth. Trent kissed him as if he were making love to him, and it was everything Gage wanted from the world right now. Several more minutes passed before Gage tore his mouth free, tailing kisses along Trent’s jaw, neck, and up to his ear.

“
I want you so badly… When I came here tonight, I just wanted to spend time with you. Nothing could keep me away from being here with you. But you’re so damn sexy, Trent… Your chiseled jaw, this strong chin, your emerald green eyes, the smile… Dear God, I love your smile,” Gage said, holding Trent’s head between his hands, placing small kisses all along his face as he spoke.

“
You’re the beautiful one,” Trent said and slid his tongue forward between Gage’s slightly parted lips. Trent thrust his hips up, driving his hard-on against Gage’s own rigid dick. Gage met the movement with one of his own, making sure Trent knew how much he was wanted. It only seemed to heighten the kiss as Trent devoured him, pulling his shirt free of his jeans, roaming his hands over Gage’s back and then sliding one to the front, shoving it down over his swollen cock, while the other arm kept Gage locked in the embrace.

“
I want you,” Trent said into the kiss, dragging breath deep into his lungs. Trent didn’t pull back for long, but latched himself on to Gage’s neck, nibbling and licking the way up to his ear.

“
You know I want you, baby,” Gage said, bringing his palms to the front of Trent’s chest still under his shirt, running them over the hard muscles of his stomach. He pushed his fingertips down into Trent’s jeans. Gage brushed the tip of Trent’s cock as he leaned his head back, giving Trent’s lips and tongue full access to his neck. He was so turned on, so ready, he rolled his cock into Trent’s hand and ground his jaw together to keep the urge at bay to take this further. When Trent’s tongue plunged into his ear, Gage’s hips pitched forward, bucking several times, and he lost complete control in that moment. He gripped Trent’s hips, digging his fingers into the hard muscle, trying to hold himself together as his own hips rocked back and forth into Trent’s hands.

“
Baby, I can’t take it. You have to stop,” Gage said, leaning his ear into the kiss. Every one of his actions encouraged Trent to do more. Trent didn’t stop, but thrust his tongue forward again, then sucked Gage’s earlobe into his mouth.

“
You liked that?” Trent whispered. The sexy sound of his voice sent shivers running down Gage’s body, causing his legs to buckle. Gage forced his eyes open and hung on to Trent for his life. Trent kept him up, but Gage needed to gain some perspective, fast.

“
You have to stop. You have to.” Trent didn’t. Instead he ground his rigid cock, into Gage’s swollen, thick arousal and thrust his tongue back into Gage’s ear. Gage panted as he tried to speak and pushed himself away from Trent, stumbling backward several feet. His hands were extended out in front of him to keep Trent away and his legs were weak, barely able to hold him up. Gage panicked, his gaze was wild and he dropped one hand to the front of his jeans to see if he’d actually come on himself. Shocked to find he hadn’t. Trent moved toward him, like a predator after his prey. His intentions clear, he wasn’t done, but Gage stepped away again, keeping his hand out.

“
It’s too much. I can’t risk your kid’s still being awake and me standing in the backyard coming on myself,” Gage said, his hand still out, keeping Trent at arm’s length. What he said finally registered, and Trent flipped his head to the window at the corner of the house. It was dark and quiet.

“
They’re asleep, but I need to check. Shit! I’m sorry, Gage,” Trent hissed in a voice a little louder than a whisper. Trent ran his hands through his hair; he panted for breath much like Gage.

“
Shit! Let’s go back inside. I’ll check on them,” Trent said. He took a step back, again running his hands over his face, then through his hair, the ends standing straight up. After the gesture, Trent looked back to Gage and pointed a finger in his direction.

“
You make me forget things, no one has ever made me forget,” Trent said.

“
Yeah, well, I thought I just came on myself, so back at ya, babe,” Gage said, keeping his distance, but grinning at the knowledge his Trent had become as undone as he had.