Free Building Heat by K. Sterling Page B

table.
    “She’ll be here in two months for my birthday. You don’t have to go, if you don’t want to.” He mumbled the last part and Avery turned to face him.
    “Of course I’ll go. I’d love to meet your mother, she sounds delightful.” Avery was being serious. Being introduced to Mason’s mother, two months in the future was exciting because… well, it was the future. The idea of all the nights they would spend together and the breakfasts they’d share made Avery giddy. He saw it reflected Mason’s eyes as he looked at Avery. It seemed almost surreal. Yesterday, they were still awkwardly waiting for someone to make the first move. Today, they were discussing dogs, marriage, adoption and meeting parents. Parents. “Your dad isn’t joining her?” Avery asked carefully. Mason shook his head and his eyes dropped.
    “He didn’t handle my coming out as well as my mom did. It’s getting better but it took him a few years before he could have a conversation with me that didn’t include slurs or voicing his disapproval graphically. We don’t talk very often and it’s still uncomfortable when we do. Mom always calls on Saturday while he’s golfing.” Mason took Avery’s hand and pulled it to his lips and let them brush over the back of his hand. Avery sighed and rubbed Mason’s thigh.
    “I’m sorry. Do you think he’ll come around once he knows you’re in a serious relationship and grandchildren are a possibility?” Avery was hopeful until Mason shrugged.
    “Maybe. One of the first things he asked me was if I wanted a life of sleazy rest stop hookups and picking glitter out of my hair from fucking drag queens. He promised that I’d have AIDS or Hep C by the time I was thirty.” Mason’s lip trembled slightly and Avery felt his body tense.
    “That’s pretty harsh.” Avery managed to keep his voice even. Mason nodded.
    “The first thing I did after I found out that Ryan had cheated on me was get tested. It was like everything but fear was on hold until I got the results back. I was terrified for days, I couldn’t think of anything except facing my dad and admitting he was right. After I got the results and I knew I was clean, I fell apart. All of the anger and grief just destroyed me.” Mason took an unsteady breath and Avery couldn’t stop his body from moving.
    “Come here.” He commanded as he pulled Mason to him. He slid his hand around Mason’s jaw and claimed his lips in a deep, soothing kiss, trying to pull all of the pain from him. Avery wanted to swallow it and suffer it for Mason. He hated the idea of generous, kind, funny, brilliant Mason hurting the way he had. How could anyone hurt him? Avery knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he ever made Mason cry. He pulled his lips from Mason’s and stared deep into his eyes, letting Mason see everything he couldn’t tell him yet. “I never want you to the feel any of that again. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” He promised. Avery saw something inside of Mason flare before his hands grabbed Avery’s face and his lips crashed into his. Mason’s lips and tongue were demanding and need exploded within Avery. He felt the searing heat Mason had described and Avery's clothes started to burn against his skin. Mason groaned into Avery’s mouth and he slid from the couch, pulling Avery with him. He released Avery’s lips as he walked backward, guiding Avery toward the bedroom, his hands wrapped around Avery’s.
    “I’m about to do something very wicked to you.” Mason warned silkily. Avery felt heat flood his groin and he raised a brow in question.
    “Really?” He managed not to shiver when Mason raised Avery’s hand and tuned it so he could bite the inside of Avery’s wrist before he licked it.
    “Really. I think you’re going to get very loud.” Mason predicted as he turned them into his room. Avery raised his arms as Mason pushed his shirt up his chest.
    “That sounds like a challenge.” Avery said as he pulled