Chapter 69
Ward gave him a ‘What’s she saying?’ expression.
“Maybe not church cuz we’re gonna be up late watching a movie.”
“A movie is more important than hearing God’s word?” Emily Pierce asked stiffly.
“Well, this is kind of a special occasion.”
Ward smiled at him.
“But,” Tyler suddenly felt determined. “We willbe there for dinner and there will be four of us.”
Ward looked shocked.
“Four?” Mother Pierce asked, sounding as if this was the last thing she’d expected to hear
“Yes, that’s what I said, four.”
“Who?”
“That’s a surprise,” Tyler said with a wink at Ward.
“Well…well all right. We’ll…we’ll see you after church then.” Mrs. Pierce sounded flustered.
Tyler hung up. He felt like he couldn’t believe what he’d just done.
Ward just stared at Tyler with his mouth open. “Have you gone crazy?” he asked.
“Yeah…yeah I think I have,” Tyler said and then broke into a laugh. “They’re gonna find out sooner or later, and I want it to be on my terms.” Glancing over at the boys, he mouthed silently to Ward, “They’re gonna shit.”
“I win!” Eddie yelled. “I’m the champ!”
Jack’s loss was placated by Ward suggesting they could make him feel better if Eddie picked the three movies and let Jack decide which one of them they would watch. That seemed to satisfy both the boys. They went into the living room to negotiate.
Ward got up and went to Tyler, who was pouring melted butter on a big bowl of popcorn. He wrapped his arms around Tyler’s waist, pressed himself against Tyler’s back, and kissed the back of Tyler’s neck. Tyler leaned back into Ward’s embrace.
“You’re being brave,” Ward said as he nuzzled Tyler’s neck. “I don’t think even facing the Taliban would be as scary as facing the Pierces.”
Tyler half laughed, half sighed. “They’re pretty scary all right. But if I’m gonna get over this, I gotta start somewhere.”
“But you coulda picked someone a little less formidable, like Sarah Anne and Nancy. This is like David going up against Goliath, don’t you think? Hiram and Emily are about the biggest bigots you could pick to face off with.”
“David won, remember,” Tyler said.
Ward laughed. “Yeah, he did.”
The men took the popcorn into the living room. Eddie and Jack were already on the couch. The DVD was spun up on the television, ready to start. Tyler and Ward sat on either side of the boys.
“What did you pick? Tyler asked.
“Finding Nemo,” Jack said.
Tyler looked at Eddie and smiled. He knew this wouldn’t have been his eldest son’s choice. Eddie shrugged and returned his father’s smile.
After the movie was over, Jack looked at Ward and asked, “Are you and Daddy gonna have a sleepover?”
Ward looked at Tyler, who nodded.
“Yes, sir,” Ward said.
“Oh, good! That means Eddie and I get to have one, too.”
“We don’t have to.” Eddie said matter-of-factly. “Ward will sleep with Dad so you can sleep in your own bed.”
“Oh,” Jack said, pouting.
“But it’s okay if you wanna sleep with me,” Eddie added.
“Pinch me,” Tyler whispered to Ward.
The boys got ready for bed. Ward and Tyler came into Eddie’s room. Jack got The Prisoner of Askabanfrom the bookshelf and handed it to his father. They all got settled and Tyler began reading. When he finished the first page and started the next, Eddie said, “Ward’s turn.”
Ward and Tyler exchanged looks. Tyler knew Ward was thinking of that first night they were together. How Ward had deferred alternating pages with Tyler when he had seen Eddie’s reaction to Ward’s infringement on what used to be the tradition of Tyler and Tiffany taking turns.
Tyler handed the book to Ward, who began to read.
* * * *
Tyler and Ward lay on Tyler’s bed, their naked bodies pressed tightly together. Their arousal was complete, their kisses passionate but not urgent. They had all the time in the world now.
Slowly, Tyler rolled onto his back, pulling Ward over on top of him. Ward ground his hard cock into Tyler’s firm abs as he sucked Tyler’s nipples.
Positioned on his back in supreme expectation of what was to come next, Tyler’s heart pounded with excitement. Ward braced himself on his arms. Looming above Tyler in loving control, Ward looked down into his lover’s eyes. Ward lowered his face and kissed Tyler.
Tyler raised his legs, communicating without words his desire. Straightening up and kneeling, Ward placed Tyler’s legs on his shoulders to either side of his head. Ward, with his powerful arms on the outside of Tyler’s legs, firmly placed his hands on the soles of Tyler’s feet, pressing down as if strengthening his hold on his willing partner.
Tyler reached down, took hold of Ward’s rigid cock, and guided Ward inside. Ward’s eyes burned intensely into Tyler’s as his hard cock entered Tyler’s body. A gasp of joy issued from Tyler’s lips as Ward slid in deeper.
Ward didn’t move. The most astounding silent exchange of fervent love passed between the two men and was reflected clearly in Ward’s eyes. The intensity of Ward’s gaze took Tyler’s breath away.
Ward’s expression didn’t change as he began to slowly set a rhythm. If anything, it became more intense as the passion built between the two men. Ward’s eyes held an animal lust, love, and caring all at the same time as he stared down at Tyler. A great sense of a spiritual connection was clearly evident in the expression on Ward’s face.
Ward seemed to be trying not to rush, to prolong the joy of their union as long as possible. Tyler stroked his cock in unison with Ward’s thrusts, hoping to synchronize their climax.
Ward’s eyes narrowed, his thrusts became deeper and more forceful, his breathing ragged. Soft moans of pleasure escaped his lips. Tyler increased the speed of his stroking. He arched his back and matched Ward’s rhythm.
Ward groaned. Tyler felt him reach his peak. Within a few seconds, and before Ward was completely spent, Tyler’s climax began. He moaned with ecstasy.
Ward began to let himself slip out.
“No,” Tyler whispered softly.
Ward pressed his still hard cock back into Tyler’s body, fully uniting them again. Then, bracing himself on his arms once more, Ward bent and kissed Tyler. As Ward raised up, Tyler took hold of the man’s dog tags that were dangling above him. Tyler slipped them off over Ward’s head and put them around his own neck.
“I’ll never take these off again,” Tyler promised.
“I’ll never let you,” Ward murmured as he lowered himself and wrapped his arms tightly around Tyler.
Tyler pulled Ward into a deep kiss. “Welcome home, soldier.”