Free Stranded by Andrew Grey Page A

wrapping his arms around Johnny’s neck. Kendall felt Johnny’s weight shift, and then he was pressed back onto the cushions. Intensity built quickly in the touch of their lips, but there was no urgency, no need to rush. Their fires were banked, and for now Kendall was content. He’d rushed into things with too many guys, and all it had gotten him was sex and a quick “see you later” as the guy rushed out the door.
    “I’m warm now,” Johnny said.
    “I’ll say,” Kendall said before tugging Johnny into another kiss. “I think you taste best covered in chocolate.” Kendall licked his lips, and Johnny smiled and sat back up. Kendall swallowed hard and straightened up as well. They picked up their mugs again, and Kendall leaned against Johnny, soaking up his warmth.
    “I do, huh?” Johnny said.
    “The chocolate tastes sweeter when it’s on your lips,” Kendall said and angled for another kiss, which he got. “Is this okay?” Johnny turned to look at him, seemingly a bit puzzled. Kendall continued, “I mean, this is nice, but I mean… well… you know… without sex right away.”
    “There goes that cuteness again,” Johnny told him. “There’s no rush. This isn’t about sex, or maybe I’m hoping it’s about more than that.” Kendall shifted closer, rested his head on Johnny’s arm, and softly hummed his agreement. He certainly hoped so. Kendall turned on the television. A Christmas Story was on. Kendall reached for the remote, but Johnny stopped him.
    “I always liked this as a kid and haven’t seen it in years,” Johnny told him. The two of them laughed through Ralphie’s antics as he schemed to get his “Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.”
     
     
    “Y OU still with us back there?” Guy asked, and Kendall lifted his head off the back of the seat. Housing developments and strip malls dotted the side of the road as they approached the edge of the city.
    “I’m fine, just thinking,” Kendall said. Lyman was on the phone, and Kendall wondered if he’d stopped talking since they’d come back into cell range. He checked his phone, but there wasn’t a message. He decided to call before it got too late, and Johnny answered.
    “How was the trip?” Johnny asked, sounding tired.
    “I think it was good,” Kendall said, catching Guy’s eye in the rearview mirror for a second before he looked away. Kendall knew to be careful about what he said. “The director seems pleased, so that’s good. Tomorrow I have a million appointments at the studio.”
    “‘Hurry up and wait’ type stuff?” Johnny asked.
    “I hope not. From what I’m told, I’m booked back-to-back with the various departments all day,” Kendall explained, but he didn’t want to talk too much about movie stuff where he could be heard, so he changed the subject. “How is the book coming?”
    “I made my deadline, but just barely, and now I’m starting on a new project.” Johnny sounded excited.
    “Does this one require a lot of research?” Kendall probed.
    “Nope. For this one I know all the material I need. But I’m researching some ideas for the next story that’s working its way into my head.” For a second Kendall wondered just what kind of research Johnny was doing with the guy who’d answered Johnny’s phone and with the guy from the cab. He was starting to get paranoid.
    “When do you think you can come out for a visit?”
    “I’m not sure. This book is flowing pretty quickly and I don’t want to break the rhythm,” Johnny said.
    “You can work from out here,” Kendall told him.
    “I know. Why don’t you see what your schedule is going to be like? And when you think you might have a break, I’ll make arrangements to fly out.”
    “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” Kendall said quietly, and Johnny sighed.
    “It isn’t that,” Johnny said. “I don’t like to travel much, you know that. And if you’re going to be busy, there’s