Free Essence of Time by Liz Crowe

shuddered down his spine but he’d kept quiet. Rob was an adult. Welcome to do whatever the hell he wanted to himself.
    “Looks like it hurts.” He’d brushed at it, wishing he could take it away. Rob met his gaze, leaned into his lips. Kyle tasted the perfection that was his lover, and decided to let it go.
    Now, Rob’s skin had healed, and the perfect hop vine trailed along his shoulder and bicep, but he’d been scarce for over a week. It was making Kyle insane. And horny. He stalked over to the couch, flopped down, ran a hand up his stiff cock. Damn the man. His disappearing acts were beyond frustrating. But he had him tonight, along with Jack and Evan, for their regular poker night. It was Kyle’s night to host. He glanced at his phone, automatically counting the hours until he could have the blond god back in his arms again, as he stroked himself to a loud, yet mostly unsatisfying climax.
     
     
    Rob slid the heavy wood and metal door aside, as Kyle watched from the dark recesses of the room. Kyle’s nerves jumped like a live wire at the sight of him—he was letting his hair grow out, and it brushed below the collar of his soft, white oxford cloth shirt. “Hey.” He called out, tossing his keys onto the antique tabletop as he took a few steps into the room. “You here?” Kyle stayed quiet, just drinking in the sight of him. His long legs were clad in denim, and as usual he smelled of brewery. Taking a long, deep breath, Kyle rose, took the few feet between them in a couple of quick strides and gripped the man’s neck. Rob smiled at him, put a hand to his face.
    Kyle frowned, berating himself for the thousandth time to let it go. Not to get so damn attached, but all logic and thought disappeared as Rob met him halfway and they went down onto the couch in a tangle of long, firm legs, and torsos.  So much for that , Kyle thought, groaning as Rob yanked his jeans down and swallowed his length, sucking and stroking his balls. Fisting his hands in the man’s soft hair, he whispered, just once. “I love you.”
    Rob stopped as Kyle was on the ragged edge of a monster orgasm, licked his way up Kyle’s pebbling skin, biting on each nipple before yanking his hips down to the edge of the couch. Their eyes stayed locked together as Rob rolled a condom down his shaft, and poised, at the edge, pressing in on Kyle’s ass. “Yes.” He grunted. “Now.” Rob eased in, slow, using the lube they kept handy, filling him as he stroked Kyle’s aching flesh. He pulled back and pressed in again, deeper this time, increasing his hand’s rhythm at the same time.
    The orgasm rolled up from the base of his spine, exploded across his vision, filling all his senses as Rob pumped harder into him, their cries combining in the cavernous space and rolling through Kyle’s brain as his body spasmed and pulsed with release. “Dear god!” Rob groaned as he slumped down over Kyle’s torso, licking at the sweat beading up on his flesh.
    “Mmm…” He forced himself to deny the extreme emotion crashing through him, and just cradled the man to him as their bodies calmed and their breathing eased. Rob slipped out of him stood and stretched. “Missed you.” Kyle called to the guy’s retreating form as he headed for the shower. Then winced at himself, Don’t be a sap, Summerlin.
    By the time Rob had re-emerged, Kyle had the full-sized, regulation poker table set up, beer on ice, and snacks on a side table. He jumped at the sensation of Rob’s hand on his shoulder, closed his eyes at the feel of the man’s lips against his neck. “I missed you too. Sorry. I needed to stay in Ann Arbor a few days.”
    “It’s okay. You don’t have to check in with me.” He flipped the switch on the full-loft music system. Rob grabbed his hand and tugged him close, kissing him, making him dizzy and prone to forget his vow to be nonchalant. To treat this for what it was—a fucking hot summer with a new guy, nothing more. Rob gripped his neck,