Ste reached over Brendan to shut down the alarm from his phone. Brendan groaned with his eyes shut.
"It's too early."
"Sorry." Ste kissed his cheek. "I have a morning shift, remember?"
Brendan wrapped his arms around Ste and pulled him down against him, buried his face on Ste's neck. "Call Tony and tell that you can't come. You have serious case of Irish cock in you."
"Brendan." Ste laughed and tried to wiggle off because he was seriously tempted to do that. "Come on, let go, I need a shower."
"No you don't."
"I do. I stink."
"Let me check." Brendan took noisy breaths from his neck, then his chest and finally sniffing around Ste's mouth before kissing him. "You smell delicious. Like you had sex the whole weekend."
"Wonder why." Ste stroked his hands on Brendan's hair and when he felt Brendan's arm to relax around him he took the opportunity to scramble over him. Brendan tried to catch him but Ste was quicker and he let out a disappointed grunt when Ste disappeared to the bathroom.
It seemed he couldn't resist the idea of naked Ste in the shower, because it didn't take long for Brendan to join him. They washed each other again, very thoroughly, and shared a quick hand job. Ste was almost embarrassed how fast he came from Brendan's fist around his dick and a soapy finger inside his bum, but Brendan didn't last much longer either. They were giddy and breathless, and Ste wasn't sure had he ever been happier.
When they finally managed to get some clothes on and Ste was making them toasted bagels with salmon topping Brendan seemed to get bit more serious.
"Steven, do you think you'd be okay during your sift if I'm not there?"
"I'd guess so, I'm in the kitchen the whole time anyways. Why? Where you going?"
"I thought about popping into the clinic, you know, get my check up." Brendan took the plate Ste was offering for him and Ste could feel the rush of electricity between them when their fingers touched. "Just in case if we..."
"Yeah, okay." Ste took a quick sip from his coffee, trying to calm himself. It was weird how parts of him felt like their thing had gone on for ever, and same time it felt moving really fast. "I'll be fine, don't worry."
Brendan run upstairs to get his jacket before leaving, but it seemed he still wasn't convinced Ste would be okay. He stopped the car behind the restaurant to let Ste get off, but Ste could see how worried he was.
"I shouldn't be long but if I'm not back when you're off you wait for me inside, yeah? Don't leave until I'm here to get you."
"I'll be fine, Brendan."
"Promise me, Steven." He was resting his hand on Ste's neck, looking like he was sending Ste in the war.
"I promise. Now let me go before people see."
"Maybe I should call Tony, just in case and tell him to -"
"No. Brendan. I'll wait for you, alright? The quicker you go the quicker you get back to me."
Brendan seemed to battle with himself, but then just pulled Ste's head towards him for a kiss. When he let go Ste scrambled out from the car and Brendan stayed put watching him go until Ste reached the door and went inside.
He was working with Tony today which was nice, they usually had different shifts because Tony wanted either himself or Ste in the kitchen as a head chef, but Ste guessed Tony had arranged this so they could spend some time together. It reminded Ste of those times when he was just learning the cooking with Tony's guidance, and there were still things he could pick up from him. And because Mondays were the quieter days they had time to talk alongside with the slow arrival of the lunch orders.
"I guess everything is going okay?" Tony asked while chopping on onions. "I mean you look good so.."
"Do I?" Ste hoped the heat from the pan would hide his flushing.
"Yeah, you look, I don't know, relaxed? Happy? I guess it must ease your mind a lot knowing someone is looking after you." Tony let out awkward laugh. "I mean, I don't think I have seen you like this since you started working on that station."
"Yeah well, to be honest I think it was one of my biggest mistakes to sign on." Ste plated his dish and rang a bell to let the server know he was ready. Then he paused and thought a moment. "Well, no, it wasn't, because I wouldn't have.. Wouldn't have all the experiences I now do. But, you know, stress, fame and a personal stalker ain't fun."
"I can only imagine." Tony gave him a sympathetic smile. "But that Brendan, him being around has helped, right?"
"Yeah." Ste got busy with starting his next order. "He's a lifesaver."
"Actually... I don't know have you seen it already, but.. Can you manage a second on your own?"
"Of course." Ste frowned when Tony suddenly sprinted off the kitchen only to quickly return with a gossip magazine.
"Straight from the press, this one."
"Don't tell me you buy that crap?" Ste hated those, always making a big deal of nothing.
"Just wait." Soon as there was a moment of lull in the orders Tony flipped through it and showed the several pages of press shots form the Friday night event. Ste hated seeing himself on pictures like that, but he was pleased no one couldn't say he hadn't been there. Clarke should be pleased. There was also a page dedicated to Noah, with a small interview where he explained how thrilled he was to return on to his old station and work with the old gang again. Tony gave Ste a concerned look but didn't ask anything. Instead he flipped the pages all the way back, and when he found the right one he handed it to Ste.
It was a opening dedicated to "Readers pics", aka nosy people taking secretly pictures of any celebrities they came across with and sent them to the magazine to published with stupid lines like "looks like someone is out of milk" if some known person were spotted on shopping. There was a picture of Ste and Brendan in the park. Kids were cropped off because it wasn't allowed to show their faces, and it was taken far off so they both looked kinda blurry but still easily recognizable.
New love for our beloved chef? The tag line said, Since his relationship with sports guy Noah Baxter ended Channel five's chef Ste Hay has been unlucky with love. Has he finally found new sweetheart from another man of sports? Our reader spotted the couple on their Sunday activities.
"Oh for fucks sake." He wasn't sure how Brendan would react to it. Ste should have guessed someone would think they'd get an extra quid for taking secret pics of him and Brendan. He wondered had his stalker seen this too and how he would react.
"Thought you should know." Tony said. "Not that it matters what people think, eh?"
"It doesn't." Ste threw the magazine on the counter. "It just.. bothers me that people keep an eye on me."
"I know." Tony gave him a pat on the back and then there were more orders coming in and they got back to work.
Rest of the time Tony tried to take Ste's mind off by asking how the kids were doing, talking about his upcoming wedding and some recipes he had come up with. Ste went with it and it felt nice to talk about the food with someone who was as interested at it as Ste was. They run past some ideas for the new menu and Tony helped Ste to plan the upcoming recipes for his show. At some point Ste burnt his hand on the oven, but just like the cuts he was used to get damages like that in the kitchen and it didn't stop him from finishing the foods.
When the afternoon staff started to arrive they made a switch on the kitchen. Tony asked would Ste like to keep the magazine and he would have much rather burnt it, but then he thought Brendan might want to see it. There had been no buzz on Ste's phone from Brendan so he wasn't sure had he returned yet and there were no sign of him when Ste went to change his clothes. But when he got out from the dressing room Brendan was there, looking like he had just arrived through the back door.
"One of the staff members let me in. Sorry, I got hold up." He indicated Ste to follow him with a nudge of his head and they got out and walked to his car parked a bit further away. Ste was amazed how just seeing Brendan made his whole body tingle all over and how relieved he felt for seeing him even when they had only been few hours apart.
Brendan seemed to feel the same, soon as they were in the car he turned on his seat so he could hold Ste's face and gave him a long studying look. "You okay? Did anything happen?"
"I'm fine." Ste smiled. "Nothing happened. Well, except I was clumsy and burnt my hand."
"Jesus." Brendan grabbed the hand in question, run his thumb gently next to the blister. "I leave you for five minutes and you get yourself hurt."
"It was longer than five minutes," Ste joked but the expression on Brendan's face was grave, like he found nothing funny from it. "I'm a chef, Brendan, cuts and burns are part of my job. Anyways, how was your... thing?"
"You know." Brendan placed Ste's hand to his thigh and started the car. "Lots of questions and swabbing and groping. There are more pleasant ways to spend one's morning."
"You didn't need to do that." Ste stroked his thumb over the fabric of Brendan's jeans.
"I wanted to. In case we... I don't want to risk it."
"Did they say how long it's going to take to get the results?"
"A week or so." Brendan cleared his throat and shifted a little, and Ste could feel the same excitement rush over his own body. It was completely mad that he was ready for this, but nothing had felt so natural to him than being with Brendan did.
Once they were back at Ste's place he showed Brendan the magazine. He wasn't as shocked as Ste had expected.
"It was only matter of time, I guess. You are no Madonna but there are still people who recognize you and get curious. Don't let it get into your head."
"You don't mind? People gossiping about uz being.."
"Well," Brendan cleared his throat, "we are, aren't we?"
Ste wouldn't have been surprised if he'd started to float, the joy of that statement making him feel lightheaded. He was aware he was grinning because his cheeks hurt and Brendan gave him amused smile.
"Anyway." Ste tried to stay on the topic "Do you think it might make the stalker more mad? Do you think he's even interested anymore, he's been quiet for a while now?"
"Don't worry your mind about that, Steven." Brendan quickly said and made a way towards the stairs, "I'll start moving my stuff down, yeah?"
It didn't take much for Brendan to move his belongings, and Ste showed him the places on his closets where he could put them.
"You have a lot of free space," Brendan observed when stacking his shirts on a empty self.
"Well, yeah, like I said, I have the whole house to myself so.." Ste sat on the bed watching Brendan work.
"Not anymore." Brendan said softly, and once he had put away last of his belongings he turned to Ste. "I have something for you." Brendan handed him a brown paper bag.
"Is this why you were almost late? Stuck in shopping?" Ste delved in, pulled out the content and burst our laughing. "Lube?"
"Better than the cheap crap. If you've liked it so far just wait till I rub this into you..." Brendan straddled Ste so he had to lean back to his forearms. His breathing was already getting quicker. Brendan leaned close as he could without touching him.
"Yeah?" Ste swallowed. "Is it, like, those tingly ones?"
"No." Brendan's lips hovered above his and his voice was low and seductive. "It's nice and thick and will make my fingers feel so much smoother inside you. Same for my cock, I can push in nice and deep and you won't be as sore for it the next time. In fact, I think that with this I can have you many times in a row."
"Hnnng." Ste tried to arch up but Brendan kept his distance, close but not touching.
"You like that idea? Wanna try it?"
"Yes please."
And then Brendan got off him with the most evil smile on his face. "Maybe later. If you're a good boy."
"Bastard." Ste groaned. He was already hard in his pants and tried to palm it down while pouting. Brendan laughed at him.
"Good things comes to those who wait, Steven. Now, if you get yourself presentable, I'll take you out."
"Out? You mean..?" As mad as Ste was for being denied sex the thought of having a dinner with Brendan outside their home felt too good to be true.
"Food, yeah? Anything you like."
"Anything?" Ste tried to grab Brendan's crotch but he was faster and held Ste's hand.
"Dinner first. And then I'll fuck you the whole night." His intent was very clear, Ste could tell. He wanted Ste desperate and horny, enjoying to see his frustration before finally giving what he wanted. And no matter how much it annoyed Ste he also loved the build up. He could see Brendan wanted him just as bad but he loved the control. There was no doubt on Ste's mind that Brendan wouldn't do exactly what he said and the thought of it made his insides shiver in anticipation.
"Sounds promising."
::::::
Pub, that what Steven wanted. "Nothing posh, you know, just somewhere where we can relax." So once Steven had his boner down and could control his worst lust Brendan took him into a pub for a bite and a pint. Not the same one where Steven had his date with Douglas, but one bit further away. Steven didn't seem to mind the walk nor did he mentioning anything about avoiding of the closest pub in the area, which indicated that he too rather wanted to forget the whole evening.
Brendan hadn't asked had Steven been in contact with Douglas after that, and his insides were boiling just from the thought. But he reminded himself that it was him who had Steven spread out underneath him and not Douglas. Not that he could imagine Douglas topping anyone anyway, and judging Steven's carnal desire for sex it seemed that the little Yank would have definitely been a wrong choice for him even if Brendan was out from the picture.
They ordered some food and got drinks, and even when the meal couldn't be compared to Steven's it was still good and Brendan was enjoying himself. He never had anyone he wanted to take out like this but it seemed he couldn't get enough of Steven. Even when they weren't touching Brendan was still positive anyone looking at them long enough would see the affection and electricity between them.
Steven was playing it dirty, blowing his food long and thorough, or putting fries in his mouth in a way which was almost obscene. At some point Brendan could feel his feet rubbing against his shin under the table, trying to inch it's way up. Brendan changed his position a bit, blocking it's way and made sure he looked Steven in the eye when he wiped some spilled sauce to his thumb and sucked it clean. He was half expecting someone to come and arrest them from public indecency but it seemed that no one paid any attention to them. They were just two guys having a bite to eat, having fun together and it all seemed so normal that Brendan was surprised he hadn't freaked out yet.
At least Steven didn't seem to suspect anything which was good. The clinic had been a good cover up for Brendan's visit to the police station to take the knife in for investigations. Not that he had high hopes, DC Scott had seemed a bit more interested now when he had went through the events with Brendan (he might have skipped the part of fucking Steven) but he still felt none of the officers took things seriously. Or maybe it was just Brendan, who would have concentrated every officer to Steven's safety. He was starting to realise just how obsessed and possessive he was becoming over the boy.
His trip to the clinic had took much less time than the talk on the station, and the sex shop just happened to be on his way back to Tony's. He had needed new condoms anyway, the ones Steven had were bit tight stretch for his size and while he was at it he had picked up the lube too. He was just as eager than Steven to try it out, but he loved the desperation on the boy and how it made him throw those filthy glances towards Brendan. It had only been few days but Brendan felt he already knew exactly how Steven liked it and how to play with him to get the most out of him.
And it was so much more than just the anticipation towards sex which he enjoyed. Brendan liked to listen Steven talk alongside their dinner. He even talked himself, told Steven more about his old jobs, his boys and his childhood, the parts suitable to be told, things he never shared with any other lad before. The guys he had picked up weren't the kinds to be talked to, they were good for a fuck and nothing more. Even with Vincent things were different, back then Brendan didn't thought of taking him out like this.
Brendan noticed how after they had finished their meal Steven was gulping down his beer, in hopes of getting away sooner. But Brendan took his time with his own drink, and that earned him some annoyed glances from Steven which made him try to make it last even longer. At some point Steven disappeared for the loos and Brendan used the opportunity to check his phone, noticing he had text from Cheryl. She was saying she missed him and wondered could Brendan get a few hours to stop by next weekend for a dinner. As much as Brendan didn't like her foods he did miss her company. Maybe he could take Steven with him. That what people did, right, introduce person they were shagging to their family members? He should run that past to Steven and see what he thought about it.
When Steven was back Brendan thought he had been dragging it on long enough. He paid their bill (Steven protested but Brendan didn't care) and they had a walk back. It was like Brendan had dreamed weeks ago and it felt so unreal that he had to reach out and give Steven's arse a squeeze despite being middle of the street, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Back in the flat they didn't waste any time, both tired of waiting. Brendan had Steven naked and spread on the bed in no time, slicked up fingers deep in him. He could tell the boy loved the thicker lube, the way he was arching up in bed when Brendan stroked his insides, string of pretty moans and curses escaping from his lips. Steven made an attempt to grab his cock but Brendan pushed his hands away.
"I know you can come without touching yourself. I want to see you do it now."
Steven let out a sound half annoyed and half aroused, but after few failed attempt to take hold of himself and getting blocked by Brendan each time he finally took hold of the sheet instead, twisting it in his hands.
"Good boy," Brendan murmured against the skin of his thigh, moving his fingers faster, making sure to rub that spot which made Steven's whole body shake. "Come on, I know you can." He bit down on the hairy thigh while slipping in the third finger. Steven's cries got higher and higher until he arched up and came whit a high pitched moan.
"That's it." Brendan kept rubbing him while kissing Steven's belly until he stopped trembling. Steven was still trying to get his breath back when Brendan pulled his fingers off, quickly rolled on a condom and pushed in him with one smooth motion.
There was no resistance left on Steven's body when Brendan fucked him, he was open and soft for him, legs spread open and hands lazily glazing over his chest like it was taking too much energy to do more. The look Steven gave to him was full of bliss and adoration, making Brendan's chest fill with something he had never felt before. He took his time, trying not to let Steven's small whimpers to pull him over, but instead every time he felt too close for coming he slowed things down because he wanted this to last. He could see Steven getting hard again and feel the energy returning to his body, and this time Brendan took him into his fist so when they came they came together. Their kisses were more like panting each others mouths, and they stayed entwined a long time before Brendan pulled out and cleaned Steven up. He loved to take care of him like that and it was clear Steven loved the aftercare too.
They curled up side by side, Steven's leg on Brendan's hip and he kept stroking Steven's bum and back, ready to fall asleep. Only after a while Steven started to kiss his neck with more intently and his hand sneaked around Brendan's cock.
"Steven..."
"Whole night, remember?" Steven mumbled while half biting, half kissing his shoulder and his hand got more demanding. "You promised."
Brendan let out a laugh. His own sexual appetite had always been strong and never had he met anyone who'd match that. Not until now, it seemed. He pushed Steven on his back and leaned on top of him, stroked under his balls to discover Ste was still lose for him. Steven spread his legs wider, and who was Brendan to deny anything from him.
::::::
It seemed that the things Ste discovered from Brendan during the next days were better than any fantasy he could have had of him. It was so much more than just those sexual things Ste had imagined from him. It was the comfort of waking up next to someone solid and real. He liked the sounds Brendan made during his sleep, his deep breaths almost a snore but not quite, and it somehow made Ste imagine lions or other big animals when they slept. Hearing that and feeling his chest rise and fall in sync of the sounds made Ste feel safe.
Of course sex which came with that security made it even better. Ste loved the way Brendan's body weight felt on top of him and how close he liked to stay no matter what position they were in. He learned that Brendan wanted to hear him, not just the noises he was unable to stop when Brendan was touching him, but he also constantly prompted Ste to talk more, to tell what he liked or wanted Brendan to do next. Ste's shyness and awkwardness seemed to just encourage him more. Same way he was encouraged when Ste got lost in his pleasure and scraped his fingernails over Brendan's back and bum, scratching red stripes all over his muscles. Ste was always bit shocked afterwards of what he had done, but Brendan seemed to get turned on by it, picking up his pace when Ste dug his nails into him. Brendan also liked to watch Ste's face when they came, asking him to open his eyes if Ste was squeezing them shut when the pleasure was getting too much to handle.
Brendan did pamper Ste afterwards, wipe or lick him clean carefully, or take him into shower where he soaped him thoroughly, cradle Ste in his arms in bed, soothe down any markings he'd left on him. Ste loved that, how it had nothing to do with warming him up for more, even though it usually lead him to get horny again and wanting a second round. Same way than Brendan took a long time to make him ready beforehand he took his time afterwards too to make sure Ste was okay. It was exactly what Ste had craved with Noah but never got from him, how he only seemed to touch Ste when he wanted him, not simply enjoying the possibility of being close to him.
Ste had been worried about running up with Noah at work. Monday had been his first day back but Ste had hardly given him any thoughts during the weekend he had spent legs spread for Brendan, but on Tuesday morning, when Brendan drove him in the studio he got anxious of Brendan seeing him and loosing his temper again.
"Maybe you should just wait in the car or something?" He had tried to suggest but Brendan wasn't listening any of that.
"I'm not gonna let you go there alone. If that fuckface tries to touch you again.."
"That's exactly what worries me! You can't beat him up, you need to promise me! He's not worth of you getting locked up or getting a restraining order. I need you with me, and I can't lose you."
Seemed like since they started to sleep together Brendan had got more protective and even obsessive of Ste's safety. He barely wanted Ste to get out from his sight for a second, even for bathroom or taking out trashes. Ste had a weird feeling that Brendan wasn't telling him something, but when Brendan touched him or kissed him he forgot everything else and could only focus on him. He wasn't sure what it told about him that parts of him felt excited by the idea of Brendan getting so possessive, or that he was ready to beat the shit out of anyone who'd hurt Ste. He still tried his best to keep both Brendan and himself out from Noah's way, and made Brendan wait for him in the dressing room. He had crumbled a lot, but a long, hot tongued kiss had finally silenced him.
Ste had hoped that his soreness didn't show outside when he walked on the set, how there was a pleasant ache on his lower body from all the times he had Brendan in him the night before. They only had few hours of sleep in between, but when Mandy had come in to give him his glow up for the screen she had complimented how well Ste had looked. He had tried not to look Brendan smirking behind her back. But Ste knew she was right, he had looked at himself in the mirror in the morning while quickly brushing his teeth and he had been glowing. Guess that's what satisfied sex life did to a person.
On Tuesday he just quickly rushed back to the dressing room for Brendan after his bit, almost expecting him to gone search for Noah and felt relieved to find him where he left him. Brendan seemed edgy and soon as Ste closed the door he was grabbed into a tight hold, like those twenty minutes without him had been too much for Brendan. Ste had noticed how Brendan liked to breathe him in, face pressed against Ste's neck and sniffing him there like he couldn't get enough of Ste's scent. He was filled with that feeling again, feeling he knew he should be worried about, that the need like this was not healthy and it was too much, but he just melted against Brendan and pushed every other thought away.
On Wednesday he was stopped by Mitzeee while he was getting off the set. She was her usual glamorous self and gave Ste a quick one armed hug.
"I tried to catch you yesterday but you were already gone when I got in. I wanted to know where you and Brendan disappeared on Friday." She looked him up and down and knowing smile was appearing on her face. "But I must say, you look extremely good. Very satisfied if you don't mind me saying."
"Well, yeah, you know." Ste tried to play it cool but couldn't stop grinning. "Had a nice weekend and all."
"Don't be such a tease!" The she lowered her voice a bit. "How are things with you and Brendan?"
"Err. It's good. More than good. We kinda... I don't know, got together I guess?"
"Ste!" She looked like she could burst. "I knew it! Ever since I saw the way you two kept undressing each other with your eyes during your first meeting! Oh, this makes me wish I would have introduced you two earlier! You must tell me everything! How was it? Romantic? Did you confess your feelings towards each other under the moonlight?"
"It was more like a row and a.. you know."
"'You know' meaning.."
"Yeah. There's been a lot of 'you know' after that." Ste felt weird talking about it. It did seem they were getting serious, but Ste hadn't yet told about it to anyone. He was sure Brendan hadn't either, but they both knew Mitzeee so he hoped this was okay.
"Oh my god! You two." She looked very pleased. "I might need to see if Clarke is interested to turn my section for match making show. But where is your hairy beast, I haven't seen him around."
"He's in my dressing room. So I think I need to go back to him before he wonders where I'm at."
"Okay, you run back to your man's arms. But tell him to call me, or maybe I call to him... Oh this is so exciting! All these years I have known him I have never seen Brendan with anyone, I'm so happy for him!"
"Really?" Ste knew he should be going, but also he was very curious to hear more about Brendan's past. "He never had any boyfriends?"
"All I ever knew was all those nameless random shags he was having. I don't think he's been having a same boy in his bed twice since Vinnie." Then Mitzeee saw the look on Ste's face. "But it's all past now, isn't it, he has you now and everyone can see how devoted he is to you! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything!"
"No, it's alright. I think.. I think I need to get back to him. See ya, Mitz." And before she had a chance to say anything else Ste started to rush down the corridor.
He shouldn't have been surprised, man like Brendan would have people lining up for a chance to spend a night with him. None of those random blokes meant nothing to him, right, but Ste did. Didn't he? And who the hell was Vinnie and why Brendan hadn't mentioned him? Who was he? Where was he? Why had he and Brendan ended? Did Brendan still care for him? Had he meant more to him than Ste did?
He had himself completely riled up by the time he reached the dressing room. Brendan jumped up from the sofa soon as Ste stepped in.
"Are you okay? Why were you gone so long?" He held Ste's face in his hands and stroked his cheeks with his thumbs. "Steven, is everything okay?"
"Yeah. I run up to Mitzeee, is all, had a chat with her." It wasn't fake, was it, the worry and adoration on Brendan's eyes. Ste felt all his insecurities washing away, as always when he was with him. "I told her about.. you know, us."
"Yeah? I bet she was pleased." Brendan had the warmth of a smile on his eyes now. Maybe he too forgot to dread when they were together. "Actually I have been meant to ask you... Cheryl asked me to go for a dinner to her place on this weekend. I was wondering would you like that? Go over with me?"
"You mean like a... You would told her about me?" Ste tried not to feel too hopeful but Brendan kept stroking his face and looking at him in a way that made his insides buzz.
"Yes." Was all he said but that was all Ste needed. He rose for his toes and kissed Brendan quickly.
"I'd like that. She was nice. I would like to get to know her better."
"Good." Brendan slid his hand on Ste's neck and the physical desire lingered between them, thick and heavy.
"Isn't this a cozy scene."
Brendan's hands dropped down and his whole body went rigid against Ste's, who quickly placed his hands on his chest to keep him still.
"What are you doing here, Noah?" He didn't even want to look at him, trying to focus on keeping Brendan at bay. Again Ste thought he looked like an animal, teeth bared and eyes locked on Noah.
"Came to see if we could have a chat. But it seems you are busy."
Ste turned around then, but made sure he was still directly in front of Brendan so he could stop him from lunging forward.
"Well you saw me. Go away."
Noah looked Ste like he found the whole thing funny. "Don't be like that. I don't see why we can't be mates. That what I was going to talk to you in the party before your... friend attacked on me." He was looking Brendan now and Ste noticed he couldn't completely hide his approve about Brendan's size. Noah was a into sports after all, and Brendan's body was well trained. "Clarke told me about your arrangement, only I think he didn't tell the whole truth about you two."
Ste could feel Brendan's anger. He needed to get Brendan out, soon. "I don't wanna be your mate, Noah. Now piss off."
"Ste, I just wanna talk."
"I don't." He stepped forward and slammed the dressing room door shut so Noah had to step back if he didn't want to get hit by it. Then he quickly removed his chef jacket and pulled on his own hoodie, while keeping his eyes on Brendan and how he clearly struggled to keep himself calm. He reached to touch Brendan's arm. "Let's just go, okay?"
He carefully opened the door, but Noah was gone. They didn't talk until they were back at Brendan's car.
"I hope he got the message now." Ste said. "I don't get what he wants from me."
"You." Brendan said and Ste could tell how hard he focused on driving instead of raging out. "He wants you back."
"Don't be daft." Ste laughed. "It was he who dumped me."
"And now he's regretting it. But he's not gonna have you, is he?" Ste thought he should have been scared the possessiveness on Brendan's voice, but instead it made him excited.
"Of course not. " But what about your ex's? He wanted to ask. What about all those men who you have been touching and kissing, men you have told to open their eyes so you can look at them when they come.
But when Brendan parked the car and leaned over to him, stroked his hand on Ste's neck and pulled him closer for a demanding kiss, it was hard to focus on anything else. All there was was Brendan's lips, soft touch of his tongue, scrape of his beard, his heavy breath, the scent of his aftershave and something more earthy which was just him. There was no room for doubts or thoughts about men who became before him. There was just Brendan and Ste's desperate need to get closer, closer, closer.
::::::
Steven had to work on Sunday so Brendan told Cheryl to expect them on Saturday afternoon. Cheryl sounded delighted from seeing Steven again, but Brendan hadn't told her the whole reason why he was just coming, just that he didn't feel comfortable to leave Steven alone. It was weird to be nervous about it, Steven had met her before and they seemed to come along well, but still he was the first man Brendan was introducing to her as his partner. She has learned about Vincent only after he was long gone, around the time when Brendan's closet had been busted broken by the aftermaths of his death. During the following years she had been trying to encourage Brendan for dating, but he hadn't been interested, not until Steven appeared behind his door.
It was also weird how much Brendan enjoyed doing the everyday things with Steven. There was little change on their routines, the studio, Tony's, groceries, domestic chores and what ever. Yet it all was monumentally different and Brendan had the desire to let everyone in the supermarket or in the restaurant know that he was fucking Steven Hay.
Even when it had just been a few days Brendan felt like what they had was what he had wanted from his marriage with Eileen. Only it had took years to accept that the marriage with her wouldn't work and that all the frustration he had inside him, slowly poisoning their relationship was down to the fact that she didn't have a penis. It wasn't that Brendan hadn't cared for her, or desperately wanted to be like everyone else and have a family thinking she would be perfect for it. He loved his sons and wouldn't change them for anything. But after being forced out, after getting his shit together again, he had been much more stable. His work had been filling that inner need he had to look after someone. Now he had Steven to look after to, to share the routines with and he got to sleep with him. It was the perfect package.
Brendan had never had a partner who would have been his match the same way Steven was. When they were alone he couldn't stop touching the lad and Steven seemed to be just as keen to it. Brendan always had a high sex drive and thought he would never find someone with similar appetite, but Steven was up for it just as much. Even when Brendan worried it would be too much for the boy he surprised him and asked for more. And when Brendan felt pity for his poor sphincter for all the activities there were plenty of other ways to bring each other off. With his randoms things like hand jobs or blowjobs had purely been a foreplay for something more, but with Steven those things felt just as intense and amazing than being buried deep inside him. Brendan knew most of the couples were on at it like bunnies during the first months, but deep down he had the sense that for them it wouldn't be just that. That if this thing of theirs would go on they would remain like this, hungry and passionate for each other till they were old and grey.
Friday had been hectic, first Steven agreed to do a longer shift on the restaurant because one of the chefs had called in sick, and then Amy had called saying she had a job emergency and asking could Steven pick up the kids instead of her. So soon as there was someone else to take over the kitchen they had rushed to pick up Lucas from daycare and Leah from school, and Steven had wanted to bring in his place instead of taking them to Amy's. Kids had loved the idea, they had got fish and chips on the way and once in the apartment it had felt like the kids belonged there. Brendan had worried a bit if they'd question where he slept, but they hand't asked and were more interested to run around the small untamed backyard Steven had. Steven clearly wasn't a gardener but the kids seemed to love the overgrown grass and bushes which were good hiding spots. Then Amy called that she was back home, and they had a drive back to hers to drop the kids off. Brendan waited in the car while Steven took the kids in, because he didn't give Amy any more reasons to suspect something going on between they were finally back home Brendan could see how tired Steven was, so they just watched bit of a telly, had a shared shower and went to bed early. Steven had curled to his place on Brendan's side, hand sneaking down but Brendan took hold of it and placed it on his ribs instead before hugging him against his chest. Steven had let out a pleased sigh before falling asleep instantly, and his steady breath had soon made Brendan drop off too.
Never in his life had he just slept with a man before. Usually he kicked the guys out or sneaked off straight after sex. Sure he had cuddled with Vincent, but only after sex and he never stayed a night without fucking him. But with Steven he seemed to be pleased just for the opportunity to hold him. And even when Steven did give him the best blowjob of his life when they woke up, Brendan was still shaken by all these new feelings he had.
Steven wanted to drop in a shop to get flowers and wine to go with the food on their way to Cheryl's, and Brendan thought he looked as nervous as he felt. Brendan found it endlessly fascinating, how Steven could be so anxious on one moment, and soon as he was cooking, even with all the cameras, he regained his confidence. Same way than in bed he was embarrassed and shy when Brendan prompted him to tell what he liked, and then shamelessly demanding to get fucked or riding Brendan like pro a few seconds later.
"Are you ready?" Brendan asked when they rose up the stairs to Cheryl's front door. Steven gave him a nervous smile and a nod, and Brendan gave the door a knock before letting them in with his keys. "Chez? It's us."
"Bren, come here, I have missed you!" She was on him instantly like a colorful tornado, hugging and kissing his cheek before turning her attention to Steven. He too got a kiss but she didn't cling on him quite as long.
"And it's good to see you Ste! I'm so excited to have you here! Although it does make me a bit nervous to cook for a chef." She let out a shaky laugh.
"Thanks for having me. What are you making?"
Brendan noticed a faint smell of something burning. He glanced at Steven who seemed to notice the same.
"Irish stew." She smiled like nothing was wrong. "And some soda bread, family recipe."
"Um, is there something in the oven?" Steven asked and for a few second her face remained blank before she let out a shriek and ran to check the damages. Brendan rolled her eyes and they followed Cheryl in the kitchen.
"I think it's ruined." She looked like she was going to cry. The bread was pretty dark from the top.
"Don't worry, I'll help ya make another one." Steven put the wine and the flowers down on the table, ready to get on work. She gave him a thankful smile.
"See, I knew there was a reason Bren wanted to bring you in, it's because he doesn't trust my cooking and knew you would step in."
"I would never." Brendan tried to look appalled by the thought, even when though he had been thinking about it. When Cheryl wasn't looking he gave Steven a wink.
"Anyway, Bren's doing the dessert, he always insists." Cheryl had collected the impediments for the soda bread and Steven was already throwing stuff in the mixing bowl without looking any measurements. He clearly knew what he was doing.
"Really?" He looked Brendan frowning. "You hate cooking!"
"It's different, it's Crème brûlée. You get to use the blowtorch in the end. It's awesome."
Steven gave him the softest of smiles and that one didn't go unnoticed by Cheryl. Brendan saw her mouth fall open like she was wanting to say something, but it seemed that for once she didn't know what.
Brendan cleared his throat. "Actually, Cheryl, there's something I want to... You see, me and Steven, we're..." He didn't know what to say. We're fucking? Together? A couple? Dating?
She let out a new shriek, this time from joy and then she was hugging Brendan again, and then Steven who tried to keep his floury hands away from her dress.
"Oh my God, Bren, this is amazing, I knew it, I knew it when I first saw you, I'm so happy for you two!"
"Cheryl, calm down." She looked like she would suffocate Steven and Brendan pulled her away. "Don't freak out."
"It's so wonderful, I'm so pleased for my gay big brother!" The she looked like she had a revelation. "I have pink champagne! It's on my room so it's warm but I'll stick it in the freezer for a while so it'll be good soon!" And off she wen't to retrieve the bottle. Steven looked bit shocked but pleased and Brendan let out a heavy sigh. Telling her had been the easy part. Now they would have to endure the dinner with Cheryl's enthusiasm.
Weirdly, Brendan didn't feel quite as resentful for the thought than he had first assumed.
::::::
Cheryl was more interested to fuss around them than focus on the food, so Ste ended up finishing the bread by himself which was fine. At least he had something to do with his hands not to get so overwhelmed by Cheryl's overflowing affection. Soon as he got over the initial shock of the liveliness of her he started to relax around her, and it didn't take long until they were chatting and laughing together, her sharing things from Brendan which Ste didn't yet know. Brendan's nervousness seemed to ease down too. He was making their desserts while listening Ste and Cheryl talk, barking warnings when Cheryl's stories started to sound like there was some juicy, or maybe even embarrassing detail of young Brendan but Ste could tell he wasn't really mad.
Ste had a sneaky taste of the stew and added some seasoning in when Cheryl wasn't looking, but Brendan gave him a thankful nod. Once everything was starting to get ready to be served Brendan's phone buzzed and he read the message, frowning at first, then his face relaxed and there was a new kind of gleam in his eyes.
"What was it?" Ste asked when Brendan pushed the phone back to his pocket and came to help Ste to take down the plates from the cupboard.
"It was the results. From the clinic." His voice was low so Cheryl couldn't hear. Ste was suddenly very aware how close Brendan was standing and the heat floating between them. "All clear."
"Yeah? That's good." He tried to sound casual but he had to swallow hard, the excitement flooding his whole body. Brendan nodded and slide his hand on small of Ste's back, to stroke his hip.
"Isn't it?"
"Okay you two, if you manage to keep your hands off from each other long enough to eat, that would be great." Cheryl teased from the table, and Brendan pulled his hand away but gave Ste a very promising, intent look before carrying the plates on the table.
It was hard to focus on anything after that. Thankfully Cheryl liked to talk, so she didn't seem to notice how quiet both Ste and Brendan were. Their feet were touching under the table and they were throwing meaningful glances towards each other constantly. Cheryl seemed surprise how well her stew had come along and both Ste and Brendan kept praising it. The dessert was good too, and Ste joked that he would put Brendan cook for them from now on when he had been hiding his talents all the time. That lead Cheryl to tell him some incident from their childhood when they had been baking biscuits, and how Brendan had eaten the whole dough raw and became sick.
Cheryl mentioned some man she had recently met and who was "dreamy" which brought out the protective Brendan Ste liked to see.
"What about Nate? Weren't you two supposed to be serious?" He was frowning. "I just got used to him and now you have someone new?"
"Oh he's back at his mums and I don't know, we are taking a break to decide is this what we really want... So I'm not gonna say no if someone asks me for a coffee! Keeping my options open until Nate can make up his mind."
And when Brendan mentioned that his son, Declan, had planned to come and visit both Ste and Cheryl got excited by the idea, and Ste watched and listened how the siblings run past ideas how to entertain a teenager. Ste enjoyed it, the comfortable anticipation growing inside him by each passing minute, but knowing neither he or Brendan wanted to rush. So they stayed, and ate, and listened Cheryl talking, and Ste tried not to get a hard on from the way Brendan kept staring at him. During the dessert he had his revenge, sucking the Crème brûlée slowly from his spoon and loving the way Brendan's eyes grew darker.
After they had finished and cleaned the dishes away, Brendan said he could get some more stuff to take with him now when they were there. He disappeared upstairs to his room to pack, and Cheryl focused her full attention to Ste.
"You two are so adorable." She smiled when Ste tore his eyes away from the stairs where Brendan had just went. "Such a lovely couple you make, our dark and hairy Bren and you with your model face."
"Ta." He fidgeted on his seat embarrassed.
"Seriously, Ste, I'm so happy my brother has found someone, and you seem such a great guy, I feel like I have known you forever!" Then her face got bit more serious and her tone changed "It is serious between of you two, isn't it? I mean.. I wouldn't want Bren to break his heart again."
Again? "It is. At least it's serious for me. I know it's been such a short time but... I'd like to see where this goes."
"I knew you would." She was all smiles again. "It's just that, he looks all strong, doesn't he, but he can get hurt too. I've been so worried he would never get over what happened with Vinnie and now I don't think I have ever seen him so happy!"
"Vinnie?" There it was again, that name, and Ste's insides took an unpleasant twist. Cheryl's face dropped.
"Oh God, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, if he's not told you.. It's not my place, and I don't really even know everything because it had already happened when he moved here and I had to dig some information out of him... Oh God, me and my big mouth!"
"It's okay." Ste quickly said. "I'm sure he'll tell me when he's ready."
"You're so sweet." Cheryl stroked his hand. "Brendan is so lucky to have you."
She didn't mention Vinnie after that and no matter how curious Ste was he just couldn't bring himself to ask. She was right, it was something only Brendan had the right to tell him, but Ste wasn't sure would he. There was still so many things he didn't know about him, he had just started to scratch under the surface. How could he be this invested to someone he hardly seemed to know?
But when Brendan came down with a small bag and gave Ste a warm smile Ste was certain he knew Brendan better than anyone else. He didn't share a long history with him or hadn't seen how he was as a child, but there were still close in some deeper way. He couldn't explain it, not even to himself, but that didn't matter either. He wanted to be with Brendan, as simple as that.
"All set?" Brendan asked, "Ready to get on going?"
"Yes." He stood up with Cheryl and gave her a hug. "Thank you, Chez, it's been great."
"My pleasure, darling. Please make my brother come here soon again, and you are always welcomed."
She walked them to a door and after a long goodbyes they were finally on their way back home. It was only early evening but Ste was still expecting them to go straight to his place and have sex, so he was surprised when Brendan suggested they'd get a drinks first.
"It's early still, we still have plenty of times after. I just thought it might be nice. To celebrate."
"Okay." Ste agreed. He still wasn't used to the idea that Brendan wanted to take him out. When they were in Ste's place they were like in their own bubble, wrapped on to each other. It was strange, in a good way, to take that thing they had to outside world.
There was a new place opened few streets away from the pub where they had their meal in, and Ste suggested they'd go and check it out. They dropped the car on Ste's street and then had a walk there. Ste enjoyed the way their hands brushed against each other when they walked on a narrow street, and it was like each touch sent more sparks on his body. He was sure it showed, from the way Brendan kept looking at him like a hungry animal.
The place was surprisingly crowded for such a early evening. The music was loud and it was more like a nightclub than a bar. They got their drinks, but it was hard to have a proper conversation in there. People were dancing on the floor and Ste thought that he could have liked the place if he'd come out with friends, have a drink and dance. But it was clear Brendan wasn't enjoying the stay, and right now Ste too would have rather been somewhere else. Home, just with him.
"What do you say if we just finish these and get back home, yeah?" He shouted over the music and Brendan nodded. "I'm just gonna have a wee."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Brendan asked.
"No. I'll be fine. I don't need you to hold it."
"No, but you like when I do." Brendan shouted and gave him a pleased grin. Ste realised he was grinning too, but still shook his head.
"I'll be back in a minute, yeah, and then we get going, alright?"
He made his way to the loos across the crowd, trying to avoid bumbing into anyone. When he was coming back there was more people on the dance floor, and he had to try and walk around it. He was about half way through when there was a hand on his shoulder.
"Ste?"
He turned around to see who it was, and was face to face with a man. He had a brown hair and he was slim but in a muscular way, like a dancer or something. He had something familiar in him and it took a while for Ste to recognise him.
"Oh. Hi."
"Hard to recognise me when I'm not holding a camera on my face, eh?" Man smiled and Ste let out a awkward laugh. "I was at your place, doing the photo shoot."
"Yeah, I remember now. Sorry, I was so busy with the food, it was all such a buzz. Simon, right?"
"That's right. So you too are having a night out?" He had to lean closer so they could hear each other. Ste hadn't notice how tall Simon was during their photo shoot. He was holding a half empty beer glass in his hand.
"I am, yeah. You here with your mates?" Ste glanced through the dance floor and noticed that Brendan had saw them. He stood tall and still in the other side of the room, staring at Ste over the sea of dancers.
"I'm meeting them here, checking out the new place. You here alone? Wanna join us?"
"I can't, sorry." Ste was only half listening, his focus more on Brendan and his desire to get back to him. He was having the same look on his face than he had when Noah was around, or when Ste had been out with Doug. Jealousy and possessiveness. It sent shivers down on Ste's spine. "I gotta go, see ya later."
He pushed his way through the crowd, eyes on Brendan who seemed bit more relaxed now when Ste was getting back to him. Ste was only few feet away when some guy walked on to Brendan and touched his arm to get his attention. Ste guessed the guy was about the same age than he was and it was obvious he fancied Brendan from the way he kept looking at him and leaning closer. He saw them talking to each other but was too far away to hear what they were saying.
"Hiya" he shouted over the noise when he was next to Brendan, and stood as close at him than he could "Sorry I got held up. Who's this then?" He turned to look the guy and hoped he would get the message.
It seemed it worked. The guy looked embarrassed. "Hi, I'm Sean. Me and Brendan, we.. We know each other." He looked Brendan like begging for back up, but he didn't seem like he was up to continue the conversation.
"We did. Not anymore." He turned to look Ste. "Wanna get out from here?"
"Damn right I do." He threw a last glance at the guy. "Bye, Sean."
He started to push his way out from the club. He didn't turn to look at Brendan but could sense him right behind him. Ste was so mad. How many guys like Sean Brendan had know? How many had there been before him? He stormed out to the open air, hoping the fresh air would wash away the jealousy. It didn't.
::::::
That was not how Brendan had planned the night to go. He had wanted them to get drinks and relax, build up the anticipation so when they finally would have got in to bed it would have been all the sweeter. He should have turned around from the club's door, take Steven somewhere more calm instead get stuck in a noisy place full of people in their twenties, which made Brendan feel like everyone's dad.
Then that fucking bloke had appeared like from nowhere, Sean, was it, and now Steven was pissed off. He was walking fast, frowning and pouting in that way which made Brendan balls ache, but also annoyed him. He hadn't done anything wrong, had he, so there was no reason for Steven to be this mad.
"So, Sean." Steven's voice was thick with disgust. "Your ex, was he?"
"Wouldn't call him that." Brendan saw no point of denying ever fucking the guy, it had been pretty obvious.
"What then?" Steven's jaw clenched. "You have slept with him, haven't you?"
"So what if I did?" Brendan had hard time to place the lad anywhere, he hadn't been that memorable. Then he remembered; the night before he met Steven. Somehow it shook him a bit, that he had been having someone in his bed the same day when Steven walked into his life. That there had been anyone before Steven when what they had already felt so permanent.
"Doesn't matter." They had reached the apartment and Steven srcampled with the keys.
"Let me." Brendan tried but Steven pushed him away. It took him a while but he finally managed to get the right key in the lock and open the door.
Steven marched directly in the kitchen and got himself a large glass of water. Brendan watched how his adam's apple moved when he drank.
"Steven, what's the matter?"
"Is this how it's going to be, us going out and your ex's jumping on you where ever we go?"
"I told you, he's not my ex. I fucked him, okay, once, and then he was gone. Never seen him after that, not until tonight."
"Bet you had another one in your bed after him, and another after that." There was so much hurt in Steven's voice that it almost broke Brendan's heart. But then he got rush of anger in him too.
"I got a past Steven, so do you."
"It's not the same, is it?" Steven put the glass down, brushed past him into the bedroom. Brendan followed him. Steven was pacing around, like didn't know what he was supposed to do. "You know I have only been with Noah but you... There's been more than one for you, hasn't it?"
"Yeah. I'm not proud of it, okay." Brendan hated this conversation and he hated seeing Steven so upset. "Can we just drop this?"
"No. No." Steven was shaking his head. "I need to know how many of those 'Sean's' are out there. So you better just tell me!"
"Why? Steven, why does any of that matter?"
"Because I need to know what they meant for you!" He was in front of Brendan now, his hands on Brendan's chest, twisting the fabric on his shirt. "I need to know if you had this with any of them!"
"Are you serious?" He took a hold of Steven's face, made him look at him."I fucked them, okay, that's all I did with them, I never had this, nothing like this with any of them. Only you."
Then Steven surged up, kissing him with desperation, pressing against him. "Prove it."
"What?" Brendan tried to pull back but Steven didn't let him, and his next kiss was more of a bite, making Brendan moan against his mouth.
"Prove it." He said against his lips, his groin pressing against Brendan's and he could feel Steven was getting hard. "Show me you want me. Like you never have want anyone else."
"Steven.."
"You have been holding back, I know it. I can feel it. Just don't, not anymore." Steven looked him with so much demand and need, and it echoed how Brendan was feeling. "Let me feel you."
Brendan grabbed him and crushed them together again. He sucked Steven's tongue into his mouth, while his hands groped his ass, hard enough to bruise him. He nipped Steven's lips with his teeth, licked his way down his throat, pulled down the shirt enough to reveal his collarbone. Brendan bit down hard, and the noise Steven made sent another rush of blood into his groin. Steven was rubbing himself against Brendan, desperate for the friction. Brendan slid his hand into his hair and pulled his head back so he could see his eyes.
"Sure you can handle it?"
"Try me." There was challenge in there which drove Brendan mad with lust. He kissed Steven again, swallowed his moans while walking him back until his legs met the bed and he toppled down on it.
Brendan grabbed Steven's shirt and tore it away, then he took hold of his pants and yanked them down too. He bent down and bit on to that tattoo of his while pulling his underwear away. Steven was already hard and when his dick sprang free Brendan grabbed it and gave it a rough rub. Steven's head was rolling back and his breathing sounded animalistic.
"On your knees." Brendan tossed off his own clothing, while Steven knelt on all fours, feet dangling off the edge of the bed. He watched when Brendan quickly grabbed the lube from the nightstand, but left the condoms there. Brendan could see him shiver with anticipation.
He tossed the lube on the bed and stood behind Steven, hands on his bum, squeezing, stroking. If Steven wanted it rough he would give it to him, and he landed a slap on there, and then another and another, admiring the way Steven kept pushing back despite the little yelps he made each time Brendan's hand landed on his backside. Even when his ass cheek was already turning deep shade of red he was still angling his hips higher for more. Jesus, what had Brendan done to deserve him? He bend down to bite that bum, and the low moans from Steven encouraged him to go on until there was several markings all around his pretty ass.
Brendan took the lube, squirted some of it on his fingers and slicked Steven's hole with it. He could feel the muscle flicked under his touch and pushed straight in with two fingers. Steven arched his back and grabbed the sheets even tighter. Brendan leaned over him, licked his shoulder.
"This how you want it?" He asked and turned his fingers which made Steven cry out. "Steven, tell me."
"Yes. Ohgodyes." Steven pushed against his hand, and Brendan made sure Steven felt his dick pressing hard against his hip.
"Can you feel you hard you make me? How much I want you?" Then Brendan spread his fingers wide inside Steven which seemed to make him lost all ability to speak. "Do you know why I picked up that Sean fella all that time ago? Because he looked like you." He bit Steven's ear and his next word were low and thick with lust. "I wanted to fuck you the moment I saw you on that crappy morning show and with every lad I pretended I was fucking you instead. But none of them came even close. None of them felt as good as you do."
Brendan leaned back to watch Steven's hole when he pulled his fingers out. The sight of it blinking made his blood burn with need. Usually Brendan spent more time preparing him, but if Steven wanted it rough he surely could take it now. He quickly lubed himself up, positioned himself and pushed in. It felt amazing, Steven was tight and alive around him, his inner muscles pulsing and grabbing a hold of him, everything feeling more sensitive without the rubber on. Brendan could hear a low moan and realised it was his, and Steven's higher cries echoed that.
Brendan grabbed a tighter hold on his hips and started to pound on him, long hard pushes which forced the moans out from Steven. He looked down where his cock was stretching him, and it turned him on more. He picked up his pace, kept on going while constantly kneading Steven's ass cheeks, slapping them, pulling them further apart for a better view. Steven was punching the sheets in his fists and crying out, tightening in waves around Brendan's cock, pushing back to meet his thrusts.
He had to see his face while coming, so he took a hold of his base to starve his orgasm down before pulling out and turning Steven over. The boy was breathless, and Brendan manhandled him middle of the bed and lifted his ankles on his shoulders, so when he leaned down Steven was folded in half underneath Brendan's weight. Brendan nudged his dick against Steven's hole and it widened to let him in, and when he pushed back in he grabbed Steven's wrists and pinned them down on the bed. There he was, trapped underneath him and yet when their eyes met Brendan knew Steven was exactly where he wanted to be, that this was all because Steven wished so.
Brendan's thrusts were hard and deep, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer but neither would Steven, he was rigid and ready to explore in any second. Few well angled push later Steven was coming, and the tight grip of his body, the sounds he was making and the look on his face made Brendan come too. It had been years when he had been with anyone without the protection, and climaxing inside Steven's body felt so intense, like he was losing himself inside Steven. He looked down on Steven's delighted face while giving him the few last thrust, trying to push himself as deep as he could, before collapsing on top of him.
He was gasping for air against Steven's neck, Steven's legs still trapped between them but at some point Brendan had released his hands because they were now stroking his hair and his back. Brendan realised how heavy he must be and pushed himself up, gently releasing Steven's legs from their bendy position and slowly pulled out from him. There was ooze of cum dripping out and the sight made what had happened feel even more intimate. Brendan stroked the hairs on Steven's leg and looked down on him. The boy was out of breath, completely limbless and he had a big smile of satisfaction on his face.
Brendan considered a second, then he got off the bed and lifted Steven into his arms. He lazily wrapped his hands around Brendan's neck and buried his face there too, expecting Brendan to take him into shower like he had before. Instead Brendan started to carry him off the room.
"What are you doing?" Steven mumbled against his skin.
"I'm gonna look after you." Brendan turned his head so he could kiss the side of Steven's face. He carefully rose up the stairs to the second floor, kicked the bathroom door open and sat Steven on the bathtub. He made sure the water was warm before letting the tub get filled, and while the water was running he poured in some of the bath oils and bubble foams before he went to the quest room and got those extra towels out from the cabinet. When he returned to Steven he indicated him to sit forward and got in carefully, sitting behind Steven so he could lean his weight on Brendan's chest. When the tub was full enough he reached to close the tab and circled his hands around Steven.
The boy let out a pleased sigh and rested his head against Brendan's shoulder. He stroked Steven's belly gently while giving small kisses on the side of his head and neck.
"Are you okay?" He had to ask, because even when they always had been intense and passionate with each other, this was the first time Brendan had gone so rough with him. Steven had been right, he had been holding back, just like with everyone else, because he had been sure no one could handle the passion he had inside him. It seemed that Steven could.
"I am." Steven twisted his head and placed a soppy kiss on Brendan's beard. "Thank you."
They stayed there for a while, just calming down, before Brendan reached for a sponge and started to gently wash Steven. When he was done he carefully helped Steven up and patted him dry with a towel. There were many bite marks all around his body, most on his bum, with darkening bruises from where Brendan had gripped and slapped him hard. There was a massive bruise on Steven's collarbone and grip marks on his wrists too. Brendan studied them all carefully, bit shocked that he had caused them but Steven didn't seem to mind, on the contrary he run his hand over his ass, winced for the soreness and threw a massive smile for Brendan.
Brendan wrapped him in his arms once again, lifted him up and carried down to their bed. Steven tucked himself under Brendan's arm soon as he laid down next to him, and it didn't take long till his breath steadied down and he was fast asleep, contented smile on his face.
::::::
Ste could tell it was early still, even before opening his eyes. There was no bright light behind his eyelids, but something had still woken him up. There was a soft stroking on his shoulder, and he could feel Brendan's steady breathing. Ste carefully peeled his eyes open, and found out that they had moved since he had fallen asleep. Brendan was now half leaning against the headboard of the bed, Ste's head was on his lap while Brendan stroked him. He noticed Ste was awake and gave him a soft smile.
"Hiya." Ste's voice sounded raspy. "What time is it?"
"Hardly morning. Go back to sleep."
"What are you doing up, then?" Ste reached his hand up and gave Brendan's beard a gentle rub.
"Nothing. Thinking."
"About what?"
"You." Brendan leaned to kiss Ste's forehead. Ste shuffled himself so he was now leaning against Brendan's shoulder. He could feel the markings form the last night, his bum felt extremely sore even against the softness of the bed. It felt amazing, to still feel Brendan's desire on him. Brendan must have noticed him flinching though. "You okay, you know, from last night?"
"You gotta stop asking." Ste rested his lips against Brendan's skin. "I'm fine. Just bit sore but I'll live."
"I'm sorry Steven, for going too far -"
"No, don't. You didn't. I liked it. I wanted it."
"What you told me about Noah hurting you -"
"It was not the same." Ste wasn't sure how to explain it. "He hurt me because he wasn't there for me, not really. I don't mind it hurting a bit when you want me so much."
"Okay." Brendan kissed his forehead again. "Not quite how I planned the evening to go, but if you're pleased I have no complains." They settled in a comfortable silence, Ste playing with Brendan's chest hair and his thumb stroking Ste's neck. It felt so nice that Ste almost didn't ask, but he knew he would need know or it would just eat him alive.
"Brendan?"
"Mmh?"
"Who's Vinnie?"
Brendan tensed next to him. Ste continued stroking his chest, hoping it would calm him down.
"Who told you about him?" Brendan's voice was strained.
"Does it matter? I just want to know what happened. To get to know you better." When Brendan was silent for a long time Ste started to regret saying anything. "Look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have -"
"It's okay. It's just..." Ste watched how Brendan struggled to find words. "It was a long time ago. I wasn't the man I am now. I don't like who I was and I can't... You wouldn't have liked me back then." He met Ste's eyes briefly. "I just don't want you to hate me."
"I could never." He put a bit of distance between them just so he could see Brendan without twisting his neck. "Brendan, I'm not gonna hate you."
Brendan nodded but looking at Ste seemed too much of a task. Ste had never seen him this vulnerable and he hated that he had caused it. He was about to tell Brendan again to forget it, when he spoke again.
"You need to understand where I came from, why I was the way I... You see, it was my dad, he was... He hated me. When my mum died and I moved with him and Cheryl and Cheryl's ma... He used to beat me, you know. Call me a filthy queer, even when I was just a kid and knew nothing about any of that."
Ste knew what it was like. His step dad had hit him from every excuse he could come up with, and he always didn't even need a reason. Ste knew what it was like to grow up when the man you were supposed to look up to abused you. His heart was breaking for the thought of small Brendan having to go through it. "Did he hit Cheryl too?"
"No. Just me. She was her girl, he pampered her with toys and treats. Pretended to be the best dad of the world and then when we were alone he just... He told everyone I got into troubles and fights with other lads, that all the cuts and bruises were just from me being a troublemaker. He even broke my arm once and told it was because I fell off a tree."
"I'm so sorry." Ste rested his hand on Brendan's tight. He had to fight back his tears because he needed to stay strong that Brendan could go on.
"Anyway, it's no wonder I grew up such a fuck up, every time I looked a lad and felt something I heard Seamus's voice in my head, telling me how disgusting I was, how he always knew I was a faggot and... You know. I often ended up battering the guys I fancied, just because I was so angry for what they made me feel. And I went out with Eileen, because going out with girls was what other boys did, and I wanted to be normal and prove to Seamus I wasn't what he though I'd be. When the kids came I was like any normal man, wasn't I? Only I couldn't stop the feeling, and I ended up fucking around with lads behind her back. D'you know I used to work in nightclubs?"
"You mentioned it, yeah." During some of their conversations when Brendan had told him about his past in Dublin Ste had got some vague idea what Brendan had done while living there.
"I used to work out back then too, you know, and that was advantage of getting work as a bouncer even when I was young, and one of the club owners kinda took me under his wings, started to get me into it more, showed what it was apart from just standing on the door or throwing out drunk punters... So when he set up a new business in Liverpool he asked me and this other fella, Warren to look after it. It meant I had to stay away from Eileen and the kids but at that point it sounded a good idea because our marriage was just a show so... And that club, that's where I met Vincent."
He met Ste's eyes briefly to see his reaction. Ste was feeling quite numb but gave him a nod to go on.
"He came looking for a job. Just moved in the city himself, because he had a nasty ex, who used to batter him. He was just a lad, barely nineteen, and I wanted look after him. Gave him a job, helped him to settle down. He used to get threats from his ex, just like... And I told him not to care about those things, told him to move on. My first case, in a way. Anyways, soon as I thought the time was right I, you know..."
"Seduced him?"
"Yeah." The thought seemed to embarrass him. "It went on some time. Months. Almost a full year. It was better than having to go for a pull each time I wanted sex and I guess I got... Only I couldn't handle it. I got mad every time he did something at work which I thought might expose me, or if he was being too affectionate in private. We fought a lot. Or like, I screamed and he just.. He was such a sweet guy, you see. He didn't fight back. Like you do."
Ste tried to picture him, this Vinnie, some young sweet lad Brendan had had his eyes on, and he couldn't help the twist of jealousy in him. "What happened then?"
"One day he told me he.. that he loved me. I lost it. I hit him. I left him, wanted to finish it off. Only the next day he left a message for my phone that he needed to see me, he begged me to take him back, that he would be better. And I guess he was coming to see me when his.. You see his ex, who I told him not to worry about, he was still hung up on him and had been waiting in his car outside his apartment. When he saw Vincent leave he drove after him on the street, only he had been drinking and lost the control of the car and... I didn't even know until the day after, when I tried to slither my way back in to his bed, and he didn't come to open his door when I kept banging on it and the neighbor came out and told me that there had been an accident on the street. He had died there, all alone."
"Oh my God."
"The ex had drove away but they caught him later on and he confessed it all, but what good did that do? And that's when I really lost it, started drinking, left the club and went back to Dublin. I was a mess and I think Eileen would have thrown me out anyway if she wouldn't have found me in our marital bed with some lad. It was a messy way to come out and I had nowhere else to go so I came to stay with Cheryl. Grew a beard, got back in touch with Warren to see if he had any jobs going and that's how I met Anne, she was his girl you see, only he wasn't treating her right and I couldn't let anyone else get hurt anymore so I helped her. There were many things Warren could be sent down, illegal stuff, and I kept her safe until he was locked up. She gave me the idea of starting to work in security, and helped me to sober up and get everything back on track. Looked up some support groups where to go and handle my problems. She really helped me. I owe her a lot."
"She's a good friend."
"And when I started my business she told about me to her celeb friends to get me the clientele. And did you know that Joel who works with me is actually Warren's son? Turned out he didn't like his daddy's way to beat up women either. Wanted some other role model and though I might be it. But that's pretty much all there is about it. About my past and Vincent." It seemed to Ste that Brendan had to force himself to look at him, like he was scared what he would see on Ste's face. "Do you still fancy me?"
"Of course I do." If anything, Ste's feelings had just grown stronger. Yet, he had to ask. "Did you love him?"
"No." Brendan was looking openly at him now. "I cared about him, but I didn't love him."
Do you love me? It hanged on top of Ste's tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to ask it. It was too much, too soon, and he was afraid of the answer in both cases. Brendan seemed to sense there was more on his mind.
"I never felt about him, about any of them, like I feel about you."
Ste leaned in to kiss him then. There was a new kind of desperation he was experiencing, not about the physical need, but he was desperate to show Brendan how much he cared about him. How none of what he had told had changed his feelings for the worse, that Ste knew exactly what it was like to be angry and frustrated, what that frustration could lead into. He needed Brendan to know that Ste could see him, all of him, and he wasn't scared of any of it.
He pulled Brendan on top of him, and this time there was no asking was Ste sure or ready; His body was telling Brendan everything he needed to know. He looked around till he found the lube, poured it generously on his hand and then he was kissing Ste all the while when slowly preparing him. None of the aching from the last night could match up the pleasure Ste was feeling from Brendan's touch, and when he finally was ready and Brendan pushed in he had never felt more complete.
They held the eye contact the whole time and there was no space between their bodies when they rocked together. Ste was certain he could see the answer to his unasked question from Brendan's eyes, and it felt like his own heart was beating those words, faster and faster the closer he was getting to his climax, too heavy to be spoken out just yet but still more true than anything Ste had ever said in his whole life. I love you. I love you.
::::::
They had stayed in bed for the whole Sunday morning until it was time for Steven to get into his afternoon shift in Tony's. Brendan had felt weirdly relieved after what he had told Steven about his past, and how the lad reacted to it. Talking helps, was what the people in the therapy groups had repeated to him years ago, and maybe they had been right after all.
There was a 24 hour gym close to Tony's, and during the week Steven had suggested that Brendan might want to check it out during his shifts instead of sitting the whole time getting bored in the restaurant. They had had a long argument over it, Brendan hating the idea of leaving Steven alone even for a five minutes and Steven insisting that Brendan should start to do things for himself, and not just stay focused on Steven all the time. He had reminded how nothing had happened while Brendan had went into the clinic and the boy had a point, so in the end Brendan had took on the idea. That's where he planned to go now too, to clear his mind more with the exercise.
He parked the car on his usual place behind the restaurant as the gym wasn't that far away, and made sure for several times that Steven would in no circumstances leave the restaurant without him. After Steven had promised few times and was clearly getting annoyed Brendan's fussing, he stood and watched him get inside the building before heading to the gym.
It was a decent place, and sold short membership passes so Brendan didn't need to sign up on forever like some gyms wanted. He worked out a nice sweat, and after he felt he was done he made his way back to restaurant to wait Steven's shift to end. He did feel bit awkward to walk in with his sweaty clothes, but the staff knew him already and one of the waitresses went to inform Steven that Brendan was there. Soon he had food in front of him, chicken breast seasoned to perfection and lots of stuff on the side which Brendan was sure were healthy and good for him. After Steven's shift were over they headed back home, and while Brendan hit the shower Steven gave a call to the kids to say them goodnight and promising they would come and see them tomorrow after school.
They had a snuggle on a sofa in front of a movie before getting back to bed, and even when Steven was feeling sore it didn't stop them from slow and passionate sixty-nining. Steven surely knew how to suck a cock and loved Brendan's tongue on his arse.
The next morning they were fooling around in the kitchen, having a late breakfast because neither of them had wanted to get up. Brendan had wanted to do the breakfast for once, alongside with Crème brûlée he knew how to make a mean fry up, and Steven was chatting away in that way of his. He was middle of singing horribly along some crappy song of the radio when they heard the mail box clanging and Steven sprinted on the hall to pick up the letters.
Brendan kept on pushing the sausages around to get them well done from all sides, humming alongside of the music even though he could have sworn he hated it.
"BRENDAN!"
He dropped the spatula and ran to the hallway, where Steven stood, pale and shaking, holding a letter in his hand.
"Steven, what is it, what's the matter?" He cursed to himself, he should have checked the mail before Steven in case there were more nasty surprised. He reached for Steven and he seemed to collapse against Brendan, showing the letter into his hand. Only it wasn't just a letter.
Don't you dare to ignore me.
Alongside was a picture of Leah and Lucas playing in their front yard.