Chapter 7
How many sheep did a guy need to
count to get his brain to stop and allow
him to get some shut eye? Kitt never had
a problem sleeping. He never struggled.
He just fell into bed every night, closed
his eyes and sleep came. But in the last
three nights he'd only logged a handful
of hours in. The problem seemed to be
most of his thoughts stayed fully focused
on Austin which apparently translated to
a stout case of insomnia.
After three full days of seeing Austin
every single day it wasn't even so much
a sexual thing anymore. Okay,
completely not true, and Kitt rolled his
eyes at the thought. It totally was a
sexual thing, but that's not what kept him
up night after night.
Tonight, his mind stayed focused on
how hard Austin Grainger actually
worked. It was hard work and they kept
a grueling, back breaking pace. They let
nothing to get in their way. Kitt, Mike
and Micah had worked like this together
for years. They had it all down to a
routine and knew each other well, but
still Austin managed to fit in working
side by side with them without problem.
He instinctively fell in sync well with
their team.
Kitt was sure the guy's muscles had to
ache. No way could Austin be used to
putting in this much physical labor, but
he never complained. Nor did he stop,
and he never showed any sign of fatigue.
Instead, Austin worked hard. On that
first day he'd been pretty rusty, but had
picked it all back up quickly. He'd even
jumped on a stallion, handling him like a
pro. Kitt finally let himself admit Austin
looked hot as hell as he rode that horse.
Austin never had done a Western in any
of the movies he was in. In Kitt's mind,
he'd missed his calling. Austin looked
like a natural up on a horse. Rugged,
manly, strong…
After the day's work was done,
Austin sat on his stepmom's back porch
like he truly was one of the guys. Like it
was the most natural thing in the world
to have a three time Academy Award
winner eating homemade spaghetti at his
parent's house.
The only repeat Kitt made sure didn't
happen was getting stuck together with
Austin in his stepmom's kitchen. Kitt's
body had hardened to painful degrees
when Austin slipped in behind him at the
sink. It was a natural move, normal, and
one he'd himself done a hundred times.
Just sliding your plate in the sink to help
the washer out, but his body freaked. His
heart plunged, his breathing turned into a
pant and he had to get away. And then
Austin turned into a normal decent guy,
apologizing and even complimenting him
in the process.
What person in this world was on
Austin's level in life, yet kind enough to
make sure the two of them were on good
standing after the brawl over the fence?
All those kind words about respect had
caused Kitt to blush like a little girl.
Kitt couldn't have gotten out of that
kitchen fast enough. He tried to stay the
cool guy, feigning easy going and
unaffected, but when his stepmother had
opened that door he'd wanted to holler
'Hallelujah!' and kiss her right on the
lips in appreciation for giving him an
out. After that incident Kitt made
absolute certain he never got left alone
with Austin again. If there was even the
slightest hint of that happening, Kitt
bailed on whatever task he worked and
assigned it to another.
It wasn't easy no matter how much
distance he put between them. At least
for Kitt, the connection between them
sizzled. Kitt needed to stay away from
the Grainger farm. Mike would just have
to understand. Damn! Mike was the
complication in this whole deal. He'd
been so pumped when he landed that
job. Kitt had promised Mike he'd help in
whatever needed, and he knew Mike
wanted the Grainger farm to get
involved in the investment group Kitt
had started to fund his new ponies about
to birth. Breeding quality race horses
was too exciting an opportunity to pass
to the few of them interested, but Kitt
didn't see how he could let Austin
Grainger in. He'd have to figure
something out for Mike. Figure out a
way to explain it to him, get him to
understand. But what could he really
say? Nothing would make sense and the
investment group needed the capital to
keep breeding their horses.
"Damn it," Kitt muttered in frustration
and finally rose from bed. It was way
too early to get up, only three in the
morning. But he'd get up and get started
on his day. He wasn't scheduled to go
back over to the Grainger farm until later
and that was to check a couple of head
of cattle for some possible respiratory
issues. If anything else came up he'd
send Jose, his foreman over in his place.
Kitt desperately needed distance. To
help Kitt find perspective, he decided to
take Sean up on his offer. Even thinking
it caused his heart to drop, but his head
knew it was the right decision and Kitt
had to use his head. He needed time to
get comfortable with Austin living next
door. Surely something regular and
faithful would have to help Kitt get past
this unhealthy consumption.
For God's sake, Austin was a straight
man engaged to be married! Jealousy
spiked up in Kitt at the thought even
though he knew possessiveness had no
place searing through him. So yeah, Sean
as his boyfriend, sex twice a week… It
wasn't the hell he'd thought just two
days ago. It's what he needed to get his
mind back focused right, but he'd have
conditions. Sean would have to stop
with the 'I love yous'. That was the deal
breaker. Maybe.
Besides, being away from here once a
week could help get Austin out of his
system. And, the other night, Sean had
offered to invest in his breeding program
as a silent partner. He needed the money.
If the hay baling didn't pan out like Kitt
hoped, the extra cash would help and
buyers weren't jumping in to buy his hay
as easily as he thought they might.
Maybe Sean had a point. Now that they
were a couple, weren't they supposed to
do things like share with one another?
The bigger question though, why did the
weight of thinking they were a couple
settle so heavily on his shoulders?
Sweat trickled down the side of
Austin's face as he loaded the last heifer
in the chute. Tugging his t-shirt up and
over his head, he wiped the wet cotton
over his dust streaked face. Austin, Mike
and a few of his security guards were the
only ones on the job today and they'd
done it. Job complete. All the animals
were tagged, vaccinated, fed, sectioned
off and quarantined. He didn't know
what anyone else thought, but he
considered this a job well fucking done.
"Good job, boss man." Mike came to
stand on the other side of the stall. He
was taking off his work gloves,
anchoring an arm on the rail.
"Fuck I'm tired." Austin slapped the
heifer out of the rack. She took off, not
needing to be urged twice.
"Yeah, it's a hard day's work out
here," Mike said. He didn't seem to be
in a hurry now that they'd finally gotten
everything done. Austin was ready for a
shower and some food, but he mimicked
Mike's stance and leaned on the rail. If
the guy wanted to talk a minute, he
guessed he could do likewise.
"Thanks for arranging the meals. I'll
do better next time."
"Nah, it's my job to arrange all that.
As we grow, I'll start lookin' for a
regular cook but until then, the place in
town caters the meals. Mrs. Kelly likes
to do it, too. I gave her some money,"
Mike explained.
"Good. Is it still called the Horseshoe
Café?" Austin asked.
"Yeah, they did this meal for us
today," Mike said.
"Everybody still go there on Friday
night for supper?" Austin asked,
searching for conversation now. He
wasn't completely sure why Mike still
stood there so he straightened, searched
his aching muscle out.
"Yeah, but it's got a pool hall and
dance joint now added on to it. The
Baptist church doesn't like it at all, but it
gives everyone a place to gather and
somethin' for the church folk to talk
about," Mike said grinning.
If Mike was going to continue the
conversation, it would have to be while
heading out the door. Austin was done
for the day. "Maybe someday I'll check
that out."
"You need to. The local girls'll go
crazy." Mike followed him out.
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. I'm
digging this quiet thing. Your buddies
didn't treat me any different," Austin
said, pushing open the barn door. The
bright sun hit him and he had to squint
under its glare.
"Nah, they're salt of the earth kind of
people. Work too hard to get lost in the
glitz. Listen, I've got plans in town
tonight. Your hands are gonna be on the
watch for the cattle, but it should all be
fine. We'll stay like this for a few days,
make sure the herds healthy, give the
State time to come out if they want."
"You handle that part," Austin said,
and again stretched his body out. "Have
fun tonight. I'm going in."
"Will do. Good job, again," Mike
said.
"You too. Thanks Mike," Austin said
the words kind of over his shoulder
never fully looking back. He was almost
afraid that if he didn't concentrate on
moving each sore leg in front of the other
he might not make it all the way to his
house. How embarrassing would it be to
collapse in the middle of the yard in
front of Mike and have to have him carry
him inside?
Once he made it up to his back porch
Austin felt like congratulating himself. If
anyone only knew how sore he really
was… The back porch entry led him
straight into his living room and kitchen
area. The big windows that spread all
along the back part of the house were
now outfitted with remote controlled
planter blinds. Just a touch of a button
would close them all quickly, but since
they had been installed, Austin kept them
pulled up, leaving the windows
completely open. It gave him such a
sense of peace and normalcy to be able
to look out and see nothing but wide
open flat lands.
Austin couldn't wait to get out of the
sweaty, dirty clothes he'd worn all day
and tracked a small trail of dirt across
his marble floor as he made his way to
his bathroom. He peeled off his jeans
and dropped his underwear, kicking both
aside once he hit his bedroom door. The
t-shirt made it close to the hamper in the
bathroom.
Austin had let the decorators come in
and finish the house over the last two
days. He'd stayed discreetly hidden,
tucked away in the barn. He'd also
scheduled the local grocery store to
deliver once a week. They left his order
at Mike's trailer every Friday. His
Spanish, non-English speaking, senior
citizen housekeeper apparently had one
of his hands bring it down to the house.
Mike had hired the housekeeper before
Austin ever arrived, swearing she had
no clue as to his identity and would
absolutely keep things quiet. She turned
out to be one of Mike's aunts and did a
fantastic job. She even cooked for him a
little. Spicy hot, jalapeno filled foods,
but extremely delicious nonetheless, and
he was grateful for it.
Austin padded across the floor of his
bathroom in nothing more than an
exhausted smile. He didn't touch
anything knowing a fine layer of dirt
coated his skin. The shower was hot and
he let the pounding of the water spray
down across shoulders and back. He
rolled his thick muscles under the spray
trying to loosen them. By tomorrow, the
aches would be at an all-time high. He
ran his hand over his stomach, feeling
each defined abdominal muscle and he
could tell he'd already slimmed up. For
years he'd worked out daily to maintain
the bulk and sixpack stomach. Closer to
his retirement he'd let the strict workout
regime go a bit and had put on a few
pounds. But the real work he now did
would slim him back up quick, trim him
out, and it looked to already be
happening.
Austin stepped out from the shower
and took a minute to shave, brush his
teeth and pluck a stray hair or two. As he
stood there looking in the mirror,
combing his sandy blond hair in place,
he again thought about Kitt. Austin had
watched the sway of his ass as he came
by the barn today to check his cattle for
infection. Kitt never came inside the
barn staying outside the whole time, but
it was a perfect angle for Austin to
watch him out of a window. Kitt bent
over checking the animals, as if he was
inviting Austin to take a good long look
at his ass. And he did. Kitt so had that
perfect cowboy swagger thing going on.
He wore it well and pulled it off so
naturally it was like he himself had
invented it.
Even when Kitt had worn those casual
khaki cargo shorts, a loose fitting t-shirt
and flip flops, he couldn't hide that
cowboy strut. He carried his long lean
body with confidence and ease. Austin
had witnessed his temper first hand, but
he also knew it wasn't who Kitt was as
a man. As a man, he was smart,
articulate when necessary, and other
times he was quiet. He never forced
himself on anyone. He was a natural
born leader and Austin wasn't sure Kitt
knew that about himself based on the
blush that rose on his face when Austin
had mentioned it in the kitchen.
From spending time with Kitt and the
others Austin had learned Kitt usually
came to the answer first in the group, but
he always let the others settle into it
before pushing forward with the plan.
There was no doubt Kitt was the boss
out there. The one the others looked up
to and the one Austin desperately wanted
be buried deep inside.
That thought lead Austin to another: he
prayed again Kitt would bottom at least
on occasion. Natural born leaders like
Kitt were rarely bottomers, but the more
Austin waited, the more he wanted in
Kitt's tight ass. He wanted it real bad. It
was absolutely the most prominent
thought in his head.
Austin opted for a pair of blue jeans
and a polo going commando in the
process. His big plan for the evening
was to cook dinner, maybe grill a steak
and watch some television before
turning in. It might seem a boring night to
many, but for him it sounded perfect. As
he walked through the house, a stray
thought slammed into his head and a
smile hit his lips. The only question was,
would he be able to pull it off?
The warm water of the pond soaked
into Kitt's skin as he floated on his back.
The evening was coming on quick, and a
cool breeze blew across his skin in
contrast to the warm water, sending
goose bump springing up along his arms
and legs. They were in the midst of a
true Indian summer. It was quickly
becoming one of the hottest October's on
record with a heat wave breaking
century old temperature highs during the
day, but the nights were still cooling
down nicely. Kitt fought back a yawn
hoping he'd be so badly worn out from
the day's work would he'd have no
choice but to get some sleep tonight.
Thank God, Mike didn't need his help
anymore today. This morning, Kitt had
made the official announcement to his
staff at the barn, that he'd be sending
Jose over in his place for anything Mike
needed in the foreseeable future. He
figured Mike would need some help in
breaking the herd up and sending them
out to pasture. Jose should have no
problem filling in for Kitt.
After their impromptu meeting, Kitt
worked himself into the ground.
Anything requiring manual labor, he did
it himself. He still hadn't called Sean to
let him know of his decision and
decided to put it off another day. He
needed to talk to Jose and Lily first,
check their schedules to find the best
time to go up to Dallas this weekend.
A bonus, as if to reiterate Kitt's need
to exhaust himself, one mishap after
another happened all the way up until
dinner. Once he got done over at Mike's
place where he successfully managed to
dodge Austin, he got a call they had a
fence break back on his property. The
repair only took a minute, but corralling
the herd back inside took some time.
As they broke for dinner, Kitt's
stepmom met him at the barn, panicked.
Some four legged something got into her
prized garden and apparently ate quite a
bit. She'd found enough to know that
whatever did it, dug under the fence this
time instead of going over it. While she
finished preparing everyone's dinner,
Kitt repaired the damage to the garden's
fence, anchoring it better in the ground,
making this long day even longer. This
time when the yawn threatened to come
out, he didn't stop it. Thank God, tonight
he would finally sleep!
He'd opted to skip having dinner at
the house, instead he'd fixed a plate to
eat later and took it back to his cabin.
He'd driven the four-wheeler to the
pond, parked it and jumped off, stripping
as he stalked over to the pond and dove
in. He'd spent almost every night of his
youth in this pond and it had felt just as
good then as it did now. As Kitt gently
kicked his way in a circle, he dove
under the water head first and came back
up again, flipping on to his back as two
blue jean clad horizontal legs caught his
eye. Kitt flipped back around again
lifting his head, slinging water with his
wet hair back in the move. Austin stood
before him.
"I didn't think you heard me, even
though I wasn't being quiet," Austin said
smiling while resting an arm on the fence
standing on his side of the divide. His
four-wheeler was parked a few feet
away and it looked like he'd been there
for a while.
"No, I didn't." It sounded lame even
to Kitt and he checked the urge to roll
his eyes at the obvious.
"I didn't think so." That crooked,
charming as hell smile was still in place
on Austin's face. Neither of them spoke
for what felt like a long time, but in
reality it couldn't have been more than a
minute.
"Did you need somethin'?" Kitt
finally asked ending the silence.
"Mike and I were talking about
artificial insemination and I was
wondered if maybe we could talk about
it tonight. If you're not busy. I got three
big, thick steaks ready to go on the grill.
It won't take long," Austin added, still
perched in the same position.
"Umm… Sure…" Kitt was begging
his brain to find a way out.
"So, you'll come?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Kitt said, still
treading water to keep his head above
the surface.
"Alright. So I'll see you in like thirty
minutes?" Austin's eyes seemed to still
be glued to his. Why was he staring at
him like that?
"Sure." No! His brain rejected this so
solidly he worried he'd said the word
out loud.
"Alright then, I'll just go get the grill
started." Austin slowly sauntered off
back to his four-wheeler. Kitt watched
him the entire time, never moving just
keeping his body underwater until the
four-wheeler was out of sight.
"Fuck! What the fuck?" Kitt yelled out
into the night slapping at the water with
his fist. He swam hard to the side,
almost running to his clothes. His giant
hard-on was sticking out like the pain in
the ass it had become.
What the fuck was Mike thinking? He
knew Kitt would be more than happy to
do anything his buddy needed, but why
were they discussing artificial
insemination with the ranch owner right
now? No way the Grainger farm was
even remotely ready to begin anything
like an AI program.
Kitt dug a hand in the pocket of his
jeans, palming his phone. He was all set
to send Mike a straight up, go to hell
message, when he stopped in mid type.
Mike would never get why he was so
upset. And what could he say? Your
boss's about the best looking thing I've
ever seen and I can't think of much else
than fucking his brains out, so why did
you invite me over you fuckin' idiot!?
Yeah, no, he definitely couldn't say that.
"Fuck!" Kitt growled out into the
night.
Feeling much like a fool and
completely out of his element, he forced
the phone back down in his pocket and
stalked to his cabin carrying his bundled
up clothes under his arm. He dumped
them in the general direction of the
laundry room area. He didn't stop but
went straight into the bathroom and
turned the faucet on for the shower. He
stepped under the cold stream and
prayed his cock would calm before he
got to Austin's house.
The grin never left Austin's face as he
drove back to the house. And he
certainly didn't jump right in to making
dinner. Instead he detoured to the
bathroom to jack off before Kitt's
arrival. It didn't take much for him to
come. Seeing Kitt in the pond, easily
making out it was him from at least fifty
yards away, had had him pull the fourwheeler
straight up to the fence line.
He'd watched Kitt swim and float
around in the water, his long legs kicking
up, his ass sliding under water, and that
long thick dick floating freely. Austin
walked to the fence line never trying to
hide he was there.
He anchored a foot up on the first
post, and lifted his Ray-Ban's and just
watched Kitt as he relaxed. Kitt was
completely lost in thought as several
minutes passed by with Austin just
watching that perfect body arch and
twist in the water. When Kitt realized he
stood there, everything changed. The air
between them crackled and intensified.
Kitt's relaxed mood vanished and all he
gave were clipped, one word answers.
Austin wasn't sure where the brilliance
of three steaks came from, knowing Kitt
would think Mike planned to come, but
he said it and Kitt bought it.
Now as Austin stood in the hall
bathroom stroking his dick, he closed his
eyes with the grin on his face
broadening. He let the thoughts of sliding
Kitt's thick cock between his lips take
over and it was all it took. Austin's
orgasm came fast, pumping out into the
sink.
He stayed leaning against the sink
even after he finished, etching the image
of Kitt floating in the pond deep into his
memory. Very much like he'd done
fifteen years ago in the locker room of
the high school when he'd caught Kitt in
the shower. Austin was beginning to
realize everything about Kitt Kelly
called out to him.
Austin let himself feel the romance of
his thoughts as he slowly opened his
eyes to look at himself in the mirror. He
couldn't stop grinning. As crazy as it
sounded, he felt like that boy in high
school all those years ago with his first
crush finally paying attention to him.
Whatever it was that caused the
feeling, Austin wasn't ready to let it go.
It fit perfectly into his new solitary life.
Hell, maybe it was just the glorious
feeling of finally being left alone, but
whatever, he wasn't in a mind set to let
it go, and oddly, he wanted to dress up
for Kitt tonight. He wanted to impress
Kitt, to look his best for him. He decided
to give into the urge.
Austin changed up his sun streaked
hair, adding mousse. He styled it in the
slightly disarrayed look so popular these
days. He chose his Armani slacks with a
matching light weight cashmere sweater,
both in colors to compliment his
complexion. The Italian leather loafers
he pulled out of his closet were from the
shoe collection he started fifteen years
earlier after getting his first real movie
contract. The shoes cost a pretty penny
back then. Made of the softest leather on
the market, they felt incredible on his
feet, giving him confidence. They also
matched his clothing perfectly.
He chose to wear his Rolex on his
wrist and checked his reflection in the
mirror before spraying himself with
cologne. With one last glance in the
mirror, Austin checked his teeth as the
knock on the back door sounded. Judging
by the time on his watch Kitt was
punctual.
As he made his was down the hall the
wide open window showed Kitt finger
combing his hair. The windblown look
did wonders for the guy who stood in his
starched Wranglers, polished boots and
a pearl button, solid white button down.
Standard dress-up cowboy attire. The
thought that Kitt had dressed up for him
made Austin grin. He went straight to the
back door and opened it.
"Thank you for coming over." Austin
used the grin most people said was his
most charming. He looked Kitt over as
he stepped back to let him enter. During
the time they'd spent working together
Austin had studied Kitt enough to know
his hair wasn't copper like he'd
convinced himself in the beginning, but
naturally a darker brown. The sun had
just worked its magic on it bringing out
the natural blond, gold and auburn
highlights, giving it a rich depth. Kitt's
eyes, hair and skin tone all matched, and
as far as Austin was concerned, Kitt was
an embodiment of a tanned chiseled
Greek god standing before him.
"Sure, thanks for invitin' me over."
Kitt stepped inside, tucking his fingers in
his front pockets. He didn't move more
than a step inside the house. "I didn't see
Mike's truck out there."
Austin assumed it was manners more
than nerve that kept Kitt right at the door.
He needed to invite Kitt in.
"Make yourself at home. Would you
like something to drink? Beer, wine,
mixed drink?" Austin asked shutting the
door behind Kitt. He resisted the
overwhelming urge to lean in closer in
and take a deeper breath of Kitt's scent,
because from where he stood, Kitt
smelled fabulous.
"Beer's fine," Kitt said and now
Austin could see it was nerves rather
than manners keeping Kitt back.
"You drink Bud Light, right? I had
some delivered today." Austin walked in
the kitchen to the refrigerator. The living
room led into the kitchen with a large
granite bar separating the two rooms.
"Yeah, but whatever you have that's
cold is fine."
"I was just heading outside to start the
grill. I'm a little behind on the steaks but
the baked potatoes should be done and
warming, and the salad's ready. You do
eat salad, right?" Austin asked handing
Kitt the beer as he placed the steaks on
the kitchen island.
"Sure. I guess," Kitt said, his eyes
constantly tracking Austin, but he didn't
move from his spot.
"Good, I've got an excellent spinach
and feta deal in there. I think you'll like
it. Just a sec, I'll be right back." Austin
stepped out and made quick work of
starting the grill that sat on the porch
close to the back door. It didn't take long
and he was back inside. Austin noticed
Kitt had taken a seat on the bar stool that
he'd stood behind just minutes ago. As
Austin watched him, Kitt took a long,
long, swig of the beer in his hand. Austin
was suddenly struck by how good Kitt
looked in his house. He was a cozy kind
of guy, just like Austin's house had
turned out to be. Okay, well, Kitt was a
cozy kind of guy when he wasn't bowed
up tight like right now.
"You look nice tonight, Kitt," Austin
said.
"So do you." The words came
automatically before Kitt narrowed his
eyes and looked down. His face
reddened and he turned away.
"Thank you, I did a quick change. I'm
glad you decided to come tonight. How
do you like your steak?" Austin asked as
he reached for the plate of steaks.
"Medium rare." It wasn't quite the
one word answer Austin had come to
expect from Kitt, but close.
"Me too." Austin looked up at Kitt
with a grin. "I thought we'd eat inside,
but if you'd rather eat outside, I can
move everything out."
"No, it's fine. Where's Mike?" Kitt
asked. He was up to five words now.
"I'm guessing in town, but I don't
know for sure. I think he's got the hots
for the young woman who brings the
groceries. He may be heading
somewhere else."
"Laura?" Kitt asked, draining his
beer. Austin wound his way back into
the kitchen and reached in the
refrigerator to get him another. He slid it
across the bar before dumping the empty
bottle in the trash.
"I guess. Short, Hispanic, pretty... He
might have said something about a date,
I'm not sure. Let me go put these on, I'll
be back."
The night was full on now and Austin
didn't turn on the porch light, he didn't
want to draw bugs to the food. He
worked from the light shining through the
window to lay the steaks on the sizzling
hot grill.
"I thought you and Mike were needin'
AI information," Kitt said from behind
Austin startling him a bit. He stood a
few feet away and held Austin's beer out
to him. He took it and took a drink as he
weighed his answer. He extended a hand
to the table on the patio for Kitt to take a
seat. Nothing brilliant came to his mind
so he decided on the truth.
"I must confess, I'd love to listen to
you talk about artificial insemination, if
you're so inclined, but this was more of
a get to know my neighbor kind of
invitation."
Kitt stayed quiet for several long
moments, just staring at Austin under the
weight of the moonlight climbing high in
the night sky.
"Okay. So no Mike?"
"I didn't ask him to come. I can call
him up if it makes you more
comfortable," Austin offered taking a
seat next to Kitt.
"No, it's fine." Kitt took another long
drink of his beer.
"You were a great help to us the last
few days. You and I got off on the wrong
foot, I just wanted to make sure we were
good," Austin said.
"I'm good." And he was back to two
word sentences.
"I can see you are." That got Austin
nothing but silence. "Good with
everything."
Kitt nodded. There was more silence
and both men sat staring at the other.
Finally, Austin rose to turn the steaks
and shut the lid before coming back to
the small table.
"Would you like another beer?"
"Sure." Not that the one word didn't
answer his question, but Austin hoped
for a little more.
Awkwardness surrounded them again
and much to Austin's frustration, Kitt
offered nothing for him to grab on to
keep them talking, nor did he seem to
want to instigate conversation himself.
Austin schooled his features, keeping his
face pleasant as he excused himself and
went back inside. Silently he berated
himself. He'd completely failed to make
Kitt comfortable and he was rushing this
dinner. He should have never started
cooking so quickly. What was he
thinking? Well, he knew exactly what he
thought: if they got dinner done and out
of the way, nothing would stop them
from filling the rest of the night with hot
sex.
Austin struggled within himself. He
didn't know how to recover, how to
make Kitt feel more comfortable. He
worked quickly placing the salad and
baked potato condiments on the table.
The steaks were close to being done and
he grabbed two more beers before going
back outside.
Austin took it as a good sign Kitt
hadn't left. He handed one to Kitt before
walking over to check the grill.
Austin forced himself to take a deep
breath and calm down. They'd have
dinner together. They'd sit and talk
during dinner. He would bring the
conversation to their sexuality and let
Kitt know he was gay. Certainly it
would be all it took. Things weren't as
bad as they seemed, he just needed to get
them inside over the intimacy of dinner.
The steaks looked done and he put them
on a plate before looking up at Kitt who
stared out into the night.
"Let's eat."