Finally Home

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  2   

Chapter One

THE trial lasted six weeks and four days. In less than three hours, the jury sent word announcing they had reached a verdict. Whether such a quick deliberation was a good sign for the defense or the prosecution was impossible to say with any real accuracy. A host of reporters outside the courthouse offered up an endlessly array of speculation, some based on logical arguments, others on pure speculation, but Kyler Nelson wasn’t interested in either. He wanted, needed, to hear the actual verdict and he prayed, with what waning faith he still possessed that it would all come down to one word. Guilty. On all charges. Guilty. That the verdict could be anything else was a possibility Kyler hadn’t allowed himself to fully consider, despite the D.A’s warning that sometimes, even when faced with undeniable evidence, juries could make bad decisions.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  3    Granted, Brent Drake didn’t believe that would happen in the case he had carefully built against Hoyt Harris, but he had issued the warning nonetheless, just to be certain Kyler wasn’t caught off guard if something did go wrong. He knew, via their many conversations, what it meant to Kyler to see Harris pay for what he had done, for the crime he had committed when he brutally murdered Mason Orrick in cold blood. It was a crime that had shocked even Drake, and he didn’t shock easily after nearly twenty-five years with the D.A’s office. He’d known Mason Orrick personally, through the numerous charitable organizations Orrick had been actively involved with and he had liked and respected the man. He wasn’t the only one. The entire city was in shock, angered, demanding justice for the man many had viewed as a hero, Kyler Nelson included. He was the first to admit that he wouldn’t be alive today if Mason Orrick hadn’t intervened when he was seventeen, pulling him off the streets, getting him back in school and off a path that could only end badly. “He did a lot to help a lot of people. His death was completely senseless.” “Just promise me you will do whatever it takes to get justice for him, Brent.” The D.A had assured him he would give his full attention to the case and sitting in the gallery now, directly behind the D.A., Kyler had to admit that Brent had kept his promise. He had laid out all of the evidence for the jury, painting a clear picture of what happened the night Mason died while making it clear that Hoyt Harris was a dangerous man who, if set free, would kill again because he enjoyed it.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  4    Anyone who could beat a man like Mason Orrick to death with a baseball bat was pure evil in every possible sense of the word. That Mason had invited Harris into his home because he believed he was once again helping someone who needed it only made the crime even more revolting. Mason deserved better; he deserved to live past age sixty-five. Feeling the now familiar grief and guilt, Kyler drew in a deep breath, reminding himself that no matter what, he needed to remain in control. Giving in to his urge to take justice into his own hands would be an insult to everything Mason had done for him and Harris was well guarded at all times, a result of the countless death threats that had been made in the year since he killed Mason. Kyler knew he should feel guilty for wishing that someone would act on those threats, but he couldn’t. He wanted Harris to suffer the way Mason had before he died. The way those who loved and respected him had suffered during the last year. Kyler wasn’t the only one Mason had helped during his lifetime. He had pulled many people from the brink, back from the edge, and during the last year they had expressed their outrage and like Kyler, many had attended every day of the trial as a tribute to their mentor/savior/friend. It was testament to exactly what Mason had meant, what his life had stood for, and Kyler knew Mason would be pleased to see how his generosity, kindness, and strength had shaped so many lives. But what he did for me … I never came close to repaying him. Of course, Mason hadn’t wanted to be repaid. He had only wanted to help when he found a seventeen-year-old Kyler living on the streets and struggling to survive by any means necessary, the never-ending terror he felt concealed beneath the cynicism and bravado Mason saw right through.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  5    “You got two choices, kid. Let me help you, or die out here.” “I can take care of myself.” “Doesn’t look like you’re doing too good a job of that.” Mason never hesitated to cut right to the heart of the matter. He didn’t believe in sugarcoating the truth or allowing people to hide away from reality just because the reality in question wasn’t pretty or pleasant. And Kyler knew, at the time Mason found him, nothing in his life had qualified pleasant. Kicked out of his home when his mother and stepfather discovered him in bed with his then boyfriend, he had nowhere to go. No one to turn to. He had no other family and even if he had, it wasn’t likely they would have helped him so when his mother offered him six hundred dollars and a bus ticket to New York, he accepted it because there was no other choice. Six hundred might have seemed like a lot of money to his mother, but in New York, it was little more than pocket change. Within three weeks, he was broke, terrified, tossed out of the cheap motel he had been staying in and no one was interested in giving a job to a barely sixteen year old kid, even when said kid explained that he had been an A student and basketball star once upon a time. When it came to the real world, Kyler knew nothing. But he learned quick. He had no choice; it was learn to survive by any means necessary or die. By the time he met Mason at a homeless shelter, he’d been on the streets for nearly a year, he was tired, always on edge, too thin and looking for a place to sleep for the night.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  6    He never expected to find Mason Orrick, volunteer, working in the soup kitchen and with one look at Kyler, he knew what he was dealing with and when he sat down in a quiet corner to eat, Mason sat down beside him. “Look, Mister, I just want some food and a bed, not a speech.” “Don’t consider it a speech then. Call it a lesson in reality.” “And what the fuck do you know about my reality?” “I know you can’t be more than seventeen and I’m willing to bet you hate living on the streets and you hate what you have to do in order to stay alive and I’m fairly certain that, if given a chance, you could make something of your life.” An hour later, Mason managed to convince him to stay at the shelter for two more days while he made some arrangements and when he came back exactly forty eight hours later, true to his promise, he had a deal to offer. A chance to finish high school. A job working at Mason’s advertising firm. A place to live. All he had to do? Stay off the streets, work hard at school, and try and trust someone. “And what do you want in return?” “Not what you’re thinking, Kyler.” “Well what then?” “You’re young. You deserve a chance. I was in your shoes once, but someone gave me a real chance and now I can do the same for you. Trust

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  7    me when I tell you that second chances are rare, so you’d be a fool to pass this up.” Listening to the man, it occurred to Kyler that he had nothing to lose. He agreed to what Mason suggested and he was astounded when he found himself in a spacious one room loft apartment in the same building that housed Mason’s penthouse and Mason even hired him a tutor to help catch him up on the year of school he missed. A job in the mailroom at Orrick Advertising five days a week starting at two in the afternoon when school ended allowed him a chance to make money honestly for the first time in a long time and slowly, just as Mason had told him it would, the world started to make sense again. He started to feel as if he had a chance of making something of his life, of becoming someone he could be proud of and he knew he would never be able to thank Mason enough for that. He learned, though, that Mason didn’t expect repayment and that Kyler wasn’t the first person Mason helped nor would he be the last. He met several people working at Orrick Advertising who told him how Mason had pulled them up when they were down and Kyler’s respect for the man grew. Over time, Mason became a friend, a father figure, a mentor. When Kyler earned a full scholarship to NYU, Mason was thrilled for him and happy to allow him to keep working part time and then as a paid intern when Kyler decided to major in advertising and marketing. Now, fifteen years after Mason first pulled him from hell, Mason was gone, brutally murdered by a monster, and Kyler owned half of Orrick Advertising. And the other half….

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  8    Jordan Hanson. Kyler didn’t need to turn in his seat to know Jordan would be sitting two rows behind him, just as he had throughout the entire trial. Nothing would have kept Jordan away from the trial or hearing the verdict finally read. Like Kyler, he owed the life he had to Mason, and like Kyler, Jordan had never once forgotten that and never would. Eight years Kyler’s senior, Jordan had known Mason longer, worked with him longer, but he had never been troubled by Mason’s tendency to treat both of them like sons, and if forced to be honest with himself, Kyler had to admit that aside from Mason, he trusted Jordan Hanson more than he had ever trusted anyone. Problem is, trust is the least of it. Annoyed by that stray thought, Kyler reminded himself that any issues he had with Jordan had to stay in the past. In the year since Mason died and he and Jordon inherited the company, Jordan had spent most of his time in San Francisco, setting up the west coast firm Mason had just established before his death, but now, he was back in New York and he intended to stay. Kyler knew he could move to San Francisco, but he trusted the team Jordan had put in place there and like Jordan, he considered New York his home. Which simply meant, like it or not, he and Jordan would have to learn to work with one another and ignore not only the attraction that existed between them but the very vivid memory of the one night they had eagerly given in to that desire. And the morning after, when Jordan bolted and, in doing so, broke Kyler’s heart.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  9    I should have known better; I should have known Jordan wouldn’t want me for anything beyond one night and I should consider myself lucky I got that. Of course, Jordan had apologized, had insisted he had a lapse in judgment. “I’m not gay. I mean, I have no problem with anyone that is. You know how I feel about Mason, and I care about you, but I … it might be hard to believe, given what happened between us, but I’m not gay and I’m sorry if I hurt you.” “Listen, I can’t tell you how to live your life, I can’t tell you what you feel, but I can tell you that lying to yourself about who you are will make you miserable.” “I’m not lying to myself.” “Fine. Maybe you aren’t gay. Maybe you’re bi-sexual….” “I’m not….” “Do yourself a favor, Jordan. Get some help, but don’t bullshit me. I deserve better.” For six months after that night, he and Jordan had avoided one another at all cost, while dodging Mason’s questions and then, unexpectedly and so unfairly, Mason was gone and Jordan took on the task of getting the west coast office up and running. And Kyler had told himself he was fine with that; he was content to have as little contact with Jordan as possible. What did he want with a nearly forty-year-old man who insisted on living in denial? Not a damn thing.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  10    He forced himself to ignore the voice that told him he was lying. The same voice that reminded him he had been in love with Jordan Hanson for years before that night and despite it all, he was still in love with the man. Which is proof I’m stupid. Raking a hand through his hair, Kyler resisted the urge to steal a glance at Jordan because it was unnecessary and because likely Jordan would avoid any eye contact. Not that Kyler had to see Jordan’s eyes because he knew they were an amazing golden hazel fringed with dark lashes and when his guard was down, those eyes could dance with an array of deeply felt emotions. Unfortunately, Jordan rarely allowed his guard down. He had been close to Mason, but in a father/son manner and he had once allowed Kyler close, until they crossed the line. Closing his own eyes for a moment, Kyler allowed himself to briefly indulge in the memory of what Jordan had looked like that night with his beautiful eyes bright and his brown hair in disarray and his full lips kiss swollen. Jordan was beautiful, there was no other way to say it. He was over six feet of muscle, rock hard and deliciously defined with golden skin that was smooth and warm. He didn’t look like a man whose career kept him chained to a desk for endless hours. He reminded Kyler of a male model right from the pages of GQ. The glow from the fireplace warmed them as Jordan shrugged out of his shirt, finally allowing Kyler to see chiseled abs and powerful arms. His long legs were still encased in jeans, but Kyler had no doubt they were powerful, just as powerful and beautiful as the rest of the man looking at

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  11    Kyler with desire burning in his eyes so intensely Kyler could hardly draw in a breath seeing it. “I’ve wanted this for so long.” With a smile, a real smile that made his eyes crinkle, he tossed aside his shirt and stepped into the arms Kyler opened for him. “Kyler….” “Just kiss me again, Jordan. Please. Let me taste you.” He moved his hands to cup the older man’s face, feeling the five o’clock shadow stubble scrape the plans of his hands and that aroused him more. Coffee. He clearly remembered it. Jordan had tasted like coffee. Rich, warm, expensive coffee. Blinking the memory away and cursing himself for having indulged in it at all, he looked up as the side door leading into the courtroom opened and tension settled in every muscle at the sight of Hoyt Harris being ushered quietly into the room. He was in a suit, an ugly gray and his blond hair had been chopped short, to give him an aura of respectability but his eyes were still hard and cold and laced with anger and hate. The same hate that had driven him the night he beat Mason to death. The D.A had painted it as a hate crime and it had been just that. Letters found in Harris’s apartment had made it clear that he was a bigot, that he especially hated homosexuals and his killing Mason had been premeditated.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  12    Watching as Harris was taken to his seat, the handcuffs removed from his wrist, Kyler wondered what Mason would say about his killer. Knowing Mason, he would want people to forgive the bastard. He had never been as forgiving as Mason and he never would be and he knew he wasn’t alone in feeling that way. The courtroom was packed with people who had loved and respected Mason Orrick. Harris’s lawyer leaned over to say something to him and Harris nodded, looking cool and calm and Kyler hated him. For a moment, he almost wished the man dead, which made what happened next all the more eerily surreal. Sitting in his seat, watching Harris talk to his lawyer, Kyler didn’t pay much attention to the man who walked slowly past him, but later he would realize he had seen the young man before. Trent Parker. Another kid Mason had been trying to help right before Harris killed him. No more than seventeen. Later, Kyler would be able to compare himself easily to the angry but silently young man who walked to the front of the courtroom and calmly called Harris by name. When the smug bastard turned and looked, Trent Parker easily pulled a gun from his jacket pocket. Without hesitation, he fired his gun four times and each shot struck Hoyt Harris. Two bullets to the head; two bullets to the heart.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  13    Harris was dead before he hit the ground while Parker allowed his gun to fall to the floor. As the room erupted into panic, he lifted his arms and held them directly above his head, allowing three uniformed police officers to tackle him to the ground. There were screams, shouts, police everywhere suddenly and people calling for medical help even if it was obviously too late. Standing, Kyler watched everything unfold as if he were in a dream that turned cold when he saw Harris on the floor, covered in blood and he felt sick at the sight when a hand suddenly came to rest on his arm and he looked to see Jordan. “Let’s get out of here. You don’t need to see this.” Numbly, Kyler nodded, following Jordan from the room, needing to escape the sights and sounds, the smell of blood and the nagging guilt that came with the realization that seeing Hoyt Harris dead didn’t upset him as much as it should.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  14   

Chapter Two

KYLER didn’t say much on the cab ride back to his apartment and Jordan didn’t push him. He knew what they had just witnessed was a shock, he could hardly believe it himself and he had no doubt the sight of Hoyt Harris dying was an image neither he nor Kyler would ever be able to put from their minds. For Jordan, it was just one more horrific image to keep company those that already occupied his nightmares, but he was sorry for Kyler. Until today, Kyler had never seen a man die. The man sitting beside him had certainly never taken a life, but Jordan couldn’t say the same. Casting a glance at Kyler, who stared aimlessly out the window as the familiar city sights passed slowly, he wanted to say something to comfort him, to reassure him but the words didn’t come and Jordan sighed. He had so many, many things he wanted to say to Kyler, but he didn’t know how, he didn’t know where to begin and honestly, he wasn’t certain he had any right to say what he wanted to say after the way he walked away from their night together.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  15    He knew that night had been more than casual sex to Kyler. He knew Kyler didn’t do casual sex; Kyler had put his heart on the line that night and Jordan had rejected it because he was a fool, because at the time, he had still been running scared from who he really was. In the year and a half since that night, he had come to terms with a lot of issues. He had faced a lot of his demons and while he knew he wasn’t completely healed, he could honestly admit to himself that he had come a very long way. Mason would be proud of him, Jordan knew. He really wished he could talk to his friend and mentor and ask him what now, what did he do to get what he wanted, even if he didn’t necessarily deserve what he wanted. I love you, Kyler. Saying that … it seemed simple enough, but it wasn’t. Despite the progress he had made, he couldn’t help but wonder why Kyler would want him, if Kyler would still want him, once the truth finally came to light and like it or not, Jordan knew he owned it to Kyler to tell him everything. The decision will be his then, if he can accept me or if he can’t. If he couldn’t, Jordan wouldn’t be able to blame him, but God it would hurt when Kyler Nelson was all he had ever wanted, ever longed for, what he had dreamed about for years. Twenty-five to Kyler’s seventeen, when Mason first introduced them, Jordan didn’t see Kyler in a sexual light. All he saw was a terrified kid trying to appear more confident and cocky than he really was, but like Mason, Jordan knew the score. He knew the bravado was an act, and not a very convincing one, but it took a while, to convince Kyler that the act wasn’t needed, that he could

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  16    trust someone and not regret it. A year on the streets had left the kid pretty jaded and learning that his mother and stepfather had kicked him out went a long way in explaining why he had such a difficult time believing anyone could actually care about him. If his own family didn’t give a damn, why should anyone else? Jordan knew what it was like to be faced with that question, something Mason knew, but Jordan didn’t share the darker details with Kyler. He only told the kid that he knew what it was like to be tossed aside and forgotten. How different his circumstances had been from Kyler’s was something Kyler didn’t need to know anything about. Until now. Because now, Kyler wasn’t a kid. Hadn’t been for a long time. Jordan had watched him grow into a bright, mature, brilliant, beautiful man with a razor sharp wit, a creative mind for business, and a real desire to truly matter to someone. And he did. He just didn’t know how much. He didn’t know that Jordan had been drawn to him from the beginning, but the true physical attraction didn’t begin until Kyler was in his twenties and as incredible as he had been back then, Jordan had to admit he was even more so now. In fact, it seemed to Jordan that each passing year added to Kyler’s appeal. He was about an inch shorter than Jordan, with unruly black hair and eyes that were the purest shade of green. Emerald green.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  17    Those eyes and his quick, dimpled smiled had haunted Jordan’s dreams for years, but more than ever during the last year and a half. Since the night he and Kyler made love. Firelight bathed them in gentle warmth as Kyler laid beside him, finally sleeping and Jordan allowed himself a moment to savor being so close to the younger man. He was so damn beautiful. Simply perfect. His full lips parted slightly in sleep, still red for the force of their kissing and his dark hair tangled, looking almost blue black in the flickering flames. Even now, knowing he had made a mistake, knowing he had crossed a line he should never have crossed, Jordan couldn’t look away, couldn’t stop his eyes from roaming over the hard, defined chest, the washboard abs and narrow hips. Kyler was built like a jock, like the basketball player he had been years ago, and Jordan wanted to touch him again, to hear the sound of his name as Kyler came in his mouth, to feel Kyler’s body around him as he came. Closing his eyes, Jordan turned away from the memory, knowing he couldn’t let it cloud his judgment now. He had to keep a clear mind. Even if Kyler didn’t realize it, he needed a friend now and Jordan wanted to be that. The rest had to wait until they were both ready for a long overdue discussion. “You don’t have to do this.” Hearing Kyler’s voice, his eyes opened and he turned to find the other man still staring out the window as the sky opened and a heavy rain began to fall.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  18    “Do what?” “Go back to my place. I’ll be fine.” “Maybe. Maybe you could use a friend. Or maybe I could.” Kyler turned to look at him and for a moment, their eyes locked. “Are we friends?” “I like to think we are.” “Friends don’t….” He cut himself off and shook his head. “Never mind.” “Listen, Kyler….” “Let’s not do this. Not now. Or ever.” “I can agree to not now, but I can’t … we need to talk, Kyler. If not now, later.” “We can discuss business at the office.” “I don’t want to talk about business.” I want to talk about us, what we can have. Kyler didn’t react to that. He just looked back out the window and Jordan sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to be easy, but he hadn’t expected it to be and in all honesty, he knew Kyler had ever right to be angry with him. Maybe even hate him. God, please let me still have a chance. Turning back to the window, watching the rain fail in waves, he mentally prepared himself for an uphill battle.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  19    One that just might end with him not getting what he wanted. If that did happen, he could only blame himself.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  20   

Chapter Three

DESPITE his protest, Jordan insisted on following him into his apartment and Kyler found he didn’t have the strength to argue. He was tired, still in shock, trying to sort through a tangle of emotions, some of which he didn’t want to deal with at all. Being this close to Jordan again was unnerving. He feared that at any moment he would say or do something that would make it clear he still wanted him, still loved him, and that would not be good. If he and Jordan were going to work together, he had to keep his feelings under control. Shrugging off his jacket, Kyler tossed it onto the sofa before pulling off his tie, turning to look at Jordan, who was looking around the apartment. “You want something to drink?” “Yeah. Have any beer?” “I’ll grab some.” “You sit. I’ll grab a couple.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  21    Kyler started to protest, but then he shrugged and sank to the sofa as Jordan disappeared into the kitchen. Kyler closed his eyes and dropped his head back. He could feel the beginnings of a headache building behind his eyes, which meant a beer likely wasn’t a great idea, but he needed something to take off the edge. It was obvious Jordan had it in mind to stick around for a while and Kyler didn’t feel like arguing to get him to leave. Maybe, despite the mood he was in, they needed to say what needed to be said and get it over with once and for all, for the sake of the business. But having him here… This was where their night together had happened, right beside the fireplace, just feet from where Kyler sat now. Mason had tickets to a basketball game, but business called him away and when he offered the tickets to Kyler, he happily accepted them. Knowing Jordan was a fan, it made perfect sense to ask him to go along. He hadn’t considered it a date. He didn’t let himself hope for that. Despite his attraction to Jordan, he knew Jordan wasn’t ready to face certain truths about himself and Kyler didn’t intend to push, that had been the last thing on his mind, even when Jordan returned to his apartment after the game for a drink. Sitting on the sofa, they had talked for hours, comfortable with one another. And then Jordan leaned close and without warning, kissed him, softly at first, almost hesitantly. The hesitation faded when Kyler responded, tangling a hand in Jordan’s hair and pulling him closer. “Kyler?”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  22    Pulled from his thoughts, from the memories he had no right indulging in, he looked up to see Jordan standing beside the sofa, watching him with curious eyes as he extended a beer. Taking the bottle, Kyler forced a smile. “Thanks.” To his relief, Jordan sat down on the far end of the sofa from him. Kyler was grateful for the physically distance as he took a sip from his beer and Jordan did the same, each seemingly uneager to break the silence. Finally, unable to just sit and listen to the rain splattering against the roof of the brownstone that housed his second floor apartment, Kyler sighed. “What happened today … I had just been thinking how much I hated Harris, how he deserved to die and then….” He shook his head. “I know Mason wouldn’t want me to feel that way, I know he wouldn’t have wanted Trent to take justice into his own hands, but I’ve got to say, I’m not sad that Harris is dead and I know that’s wrong.” “I’m not suffering any heartbreak myself, Kyler. And it’s natural to hate the man.” “But Trent….” “He’s a kid and he’s in a lot of trouble, but he’ll get a good lawyer. I’ll see to that.” Kyler glanced at him. “You mean that?” “I think Mason would want it. And I know about being in trouble….” “Yeah. Same here.” Kyler leaned forward and set his beer on the coffee table. “It all happened so damn fast. I don’t even know how he managed to get a gun in the courtroom.” He supposed the how of it didn’t matter. The fact was, Trent Parker had done it, had murdered the monster

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  23    who had taken away a man they had all loved and admired and now, the poor kid would pay a hell of a price. Kyler was sorry for him, sorry for the mess he had made of his life and like Jordan, he would go to bat for the kid. The way Mason had for him and so many others, Jordan included. “I’m sorry you saw it. It’s not a pretty image.” “No, I can’t say it was.” “If you want to talk about it….” “There isn’t anything to talk about, is there?” Standing, Kyler crossed the room to look out the window into the still rainy afternoon. “What you saw….” “Everyone in the courtroom saw it. Including you.” “Yeah. Yeah, I saw it, but I … I’ve seen things like that before.” “You’ve seen someone die?” It was a morbid question, but he asked it without thinking. “My stepfather.” Turning, Kyler frowned, but didn’t move from his perch beside the window as he watched Jordan picking the label off his beer bottle. “You saw your stepfather die?” “He was stabbed.” “I’m sorry. I didn’t know….” “I know you didn’t and you don’t have to be sorry. It was a long time ago.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  24    “Still, that had to be hard.” Jordan looked at him then and Kyler was startled to see his eyes burning with emotions, more than Kyler could begin to name and it puzzled him. “I never told you a lot about my life, did I?” “Not a lot. I just figured you were a private person.” But he knew it was more than that. “I’m private because … because I don’t enjoy talking about the past, about what I’ve seen and what I’ve done, but keeping you closed out, not opening up to you was wrong on my part and I want you to know I’m sorry.” “Jordan, you don’t have to apologize to me for anything….” “But I do. I….” He shook his head, sitting his beer on the table. “I’m making a mess of this. I told myself I could handle this, that I owed it to you to tell you everything, but it’s just … it’s hard for me just to push open doors that have been closed for so long.” It was impossible not to sense his stress as he raked a hand through his hair. Kyler wanted to say something comforting, but he didn’t know what because he really didn’t know what was wrong, why Jordan was suddenly so upset and agitated. “Jordan….” “Do you remember telling me I needed to get help?” “I remember.” Recalling the words made him wince. “Look, I had no right saying that….” “No. Please, don’t apologize, Kyler. Please. Because you were right.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  25    “I was?” To his surprise, Jordan smiled. “You were. Very right. And … well, when I went out west, I made up my mind to do it, to find someone I could talk to and I actually found a good doctor. Someone I could feel comfortable with and it did me a lot of good. It forced me to confront some issues that I’d let myself ignore for far too long.” Standing, he drew in a breath. “It’s sad that it’s taken me this long to accept who I am and actually be proud of who I am. I mean, there are teenage kids that can face reality better than me, but for what it’s worth, I can say it now, Kyler.” “Say what?” “I’m gay. After a few thousand dollars in therapy, I can admit I’m gay.” “Jordan….” “You don’t have to tell me how pathetic I am. I know.” “You’re not pathetic.” “But I am. And I … God, Kyler, there is a lot I need to say to you, but before I do, before I get into all of that, I want you to know something else.” “What?” Kyler asked, curious as Jordan smiled. “I love you.” “Jordan….” “I mean it, Kyler. I love you. I have for a long time and I need you to know that now.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  26    Head spinning, Kyler knew he should say something, knew he should react, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t form a rational thought or even remember to breathe. Jordan had just said he loved him. He had admitted he was gay. It was all too much to fathom, too much to process all at once as Jordan watched him, clearly trying to gauge his reaction. I should tell him I love him, too, because I do. I always have. “It’s really unfair of me saying that before I tell you the rest.” Kyler shook his head, trying to focus. “The rest? What does that mean?” “It means it’s time, it’s past time I tell you the truth about my past and after I do, there’s a chance you may never want to see me again, much less have me love you.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  27   

Chapter Four

WATCHING the emotions play in Kyler’s eyes, Jordan drew in another breath, willing himself not to lose his resolve now. He had come this far, he had told Kyler what he felt, what Jordan knew he would always feel, but in some ways, that had been the easy part. Loving Kyler was … it was right and natural and Jordan was relieved to have finally admitted what he felt. He had held it inside for too long, and regardless what happened when all the truth finally came to light, Jordan knew he wouldn’t regret admitting his love to Kyler. He only regretted he hadn’t said the words before now. “You love me? Did you really just…?” Kyler’s shock was obvious and Jordan smiled. “I really did say it. I love you.” “Jordan….” “I know what I said, after our night together, but the truth is, I was still running scared then and I wasn’t ready to face who I really am or admit what I want.” “And what do you want?”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  28    “Honestly? I want you. I want a life with you. I want to work with you and come home with you. I want to go to sleep holding you close to me, but I don’t know if I have a right to those things, a right to love you.” “Why?” “There is a lot you don’t know about me.” “And there is a lot I do happen to know and I … Jordan, I have loved you….” “Don’t.” He took a single step closer. “Please, please don’t say it. Not yet, Kyler. Even if you feel it, even if you really feel the way I do, don’t say it. Not until I tell you everything about who I am and the things I’ve done because you deserve to know all of it before you say those words to me.” He knew how desperate he sounded, how afraid, but he couldn’t hide his fear as Kyler slowly nodded and Jordan let out a sigh. He wasn’t handling this as well as he had hoped he would, but at least he was doing it. He was facing the past and in doing so, he was taking a risk. Kyler would either accept him or reject him, but at least he would know everything, from start to finish, both the good and the bad. “Whatever it is you want to tell me, Jordan, I’ll listen.” “I know. It’s just … it’s not easy. No one in my life now knows everything.” “Mason did?” He smiled sadly. “Of course. Mason did for me what he did for you. He saved me.” “From what?”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  29    “From the streets. From prison. Mostly, he saved me from myself.” “Prison?” Swallowing back his fear, his fear that at the end of all of this he would be rejected, Jordan forced himself to nod. “It’s a long story and I … I should back up to the beginning so you’ll understand.” “Jordan….” “Please. Let me get this out.” Kyler nodded, leaning back against the wall beside the window. Jordan drew in a breath he held for a long moment as he tried to regain some control over his raging emotions. He had to do this and he had to do it without falling apart. Kyler deserves to know the truth and he needs to hear it from me. Walking back to the sofa, Jordan sat down again, staring down at the floor, unable to look at Kyler for fear of what he would see. “My dad left when I was three. He was never around a lot before that. He and my mom were not even eighteen when they had me and they really weren’t cut out for being parents, but when he left, my mom took it hard.” “I’m sorry. That couldn’t have been easy for either of you.” “At the time, I didn’t really understand what was going on. I just knew my mother was upset all the time and after a while, she started going out a lot at night. She would find a neighbor to babysit me, if one was around, and if one wasn’t, she just put me to bed and went off to have her fun.” “She left you by yourself?”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  30    “She figured if I was in bed, asleep, it would be fine, but I woke up a lot of times at night and she wasn’t there.” “God, Jordan, I’m sorry. I can’t believe a mother could do that.” “Mine did.” He shrugged, still not looking up. “I made excuses for her for a long time. I mean, I told myself she was young and confused, but the truth is, she didn’t care.” She proved as much later, but he didn’t jump ahead to that. “When I was eight, she came home one morning and she told me she had a new boyfriend. Some guy she had met at the restaurant where she worked. His name was Walter and she said he wanted to marry us and be a family and I couldn’t believe it because it sounded like maybe I was going to have a real family.” “When I met him, I … I was young, but somehow I knew right away that the guy was bad news and I knew he would cause trouble, but my mom didn’t want to hear it. She said she was in love and she wouldn’t let some stupid kid screw that up for her.” Leaning forward, he rested his arms on his knees. “She married Walter and she said we weren’t going to settle down in one place right away because Walter wanted us to travel with him.” “Travel?” “Yeah. Walter called himself a preacher. He had a good act.” “An act? Meaning he was a con?” “A first class con, but people bought into it, and he wasn’t one of those happy, God loves people kind of acts. He was all gloom and doom and filled with disgust for anyone who didn’t fall in line with his supposed beliefs.” “A bigot and a con,” Kyler said and Jordan nodded.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  31    “A bigot and a con and … Walter was a lot of things and none of them good.” “Jordan, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I can see how it upsets you.” “It does upset me, but I really need to do this.” He glanced up then, quickly, to see Kyler hadn’t moved from his place beside the window, watching. Jordan told himself he was grateful for the physical distance between them, but a part of him wished Kyler were closer. Pushing the desire from his mind, he forced himself to speak again. “I can’t even begin to calculate the amount of money Walter managed to bilk from people, but he always stayed in a town until he felt he had gotten all he could and then we moved on.” “And your mother was okay with that?” “She was just as good as Walter when it came to running a con.” “Right.” “Having a kid as part of their happy little family added to their appeal. I was window dressing, I guess you could say, but eventually, I got old enough to speak my mind more and more and when I did, Walter made damn certain I regretted it.” “He was abusive.” It was a statement, not a question, but Jordan nodded. “In a lot of ways and my mother … well, she wasn’t about to upset Walter by defending me, so she just pretty much ignored it.” “She let him….”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  32    “Do whatever he wanted. And he did. And fighting back … fighting back just made him angry.” “Jordan….” “I hated it. I hated every second….” He closed his eyes, pulling in a much needed breath. “But my mom wasn’t any help and I couldn’t ever stop him from doing whatever he wanted and it made me sick, when he touched me … I hated him and then I had to sit and listen to him lie to people….” For a moment, it felt as if the memories were about to suffocate him. He couldn’t escape the emotions, the disgust, he felt lost in the past, until two hands wrapped gently around his and he looked up to find Kyler sitting on the coffee table, so close to their knees brushed together. “Kyler….” “I love you.” “Don’t….” “I know you don’t think I’ll be able to say that when you’re finished telling me what you need to tell me, but trust me when I say that I have loved you for too long to stop now.” He smiled despite the tears in his eyes. “And now that I know you happen to love me back … well, I’m afraid that you’re in for a surprise if you think I’m going to go away easily.” “I don’t deserve you. I’m a mess. If you walk away….” “Enough of that. I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.” Jordan looked down at their hands, locked together, and he sighed, unable to deny to himself that being close to Kyler felt right.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  33    He could almost get lost in just being close to him, as they sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the rain slapping against the roof and thunder rolling restlessly in the distance. “It went on for years. Until I was fourteen.” “What happened then? Did your mother finally leave him?” “No. He came after me one night and I … I just couldn’t let it happen again. I couldn’t stand being near him and I….” He lifted his eyes to Kyler’s, his heart racing. “I fought him, harder than I ever had and that just made him angry. More angry than I had ever seen him and I … I ran to the kitchen and I….” “Jordan….” “I managed to get a knife and I used it. I used it to stab him in the chest.” “You mean…?” “I killed him. I killed my stepfather.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  34   

Chapter Five

“JORDAN….” “It wasn’t planned. I mean, I didn’t just decide to kill him, I just wanted it to stop.” “It’s okay. I understand. I really do….” But Jordan shook his head. “I killed him, Kyler. I stabbed him in the chest and….” He closed his eyes suddenly. “I can still see and smell the blood … I can hear the way he sounded, when he fell, to the floor and….” “You were defending yourself.” “I killed him….” “Jordan, look at me, please.” Kyler kept his voice calm, kept his own emotions under control, a task that wasn’t easily accomplished when he thought about the nightmare Jordan had suffered at the hands of a truly twisted bastard and an uncaring mother. Slowly, Jordan opened his eyes and looked at him and Kyler gently squeezed the hands he still held. “I am so sorry for everything your stepfather did to you, and I hate that your mother let him do all of those things, because you were just a kid and she should have defended you. She

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  35    should have taken care of you but she didn’t, so you had to take care of yourself.” “My mother didn’t see it that way.” “What do you mean?” “She called the police and told them I murdered Walter.” “Did you tell them the truth?” “Yeah. It wasn’t easy, but I told them everything and one of the detectives pushed my mother until she finally admitted that everything I said was true.” “What happened?” “I had to go before a judge. I was tried as a juvenile. My mother signed away her rights, which wasn’t upsetting at that point, and I was sent to a state run detention center where I was supposed to stay until I was eighteen.” Jordan paused, taking in several deep breaths and Kyler didn’t push him. He knew how hard this had to be and he hated it. He had wondered why Jordan was so reluctant to talk about his past, but never had he imagined anything so tragic and so very unfair. Kyler had believed his mother and father to be horrible when they threw him out, but Jordan’s mother was worse. She was no better than the man she had allowed to hurt her son and Kyler hated her. “I didn’t stay at the detention center for more than a month.” “You left?”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  36    “I had to. I … the place was horrible. And I … there were people like my stepfather there.” “What did you do?” “I ran. I was in a place in upstate New York and I ran and came to the city where I lived on the streets for a while.” “And I know what that’s like,” Kyler whispered. “Not an easy life, but I … at least I felt like I had some control, even if I didn’t.” “I’m sorry, Jordan. I don’t even know what to say, other than I am so sorry you had to suffer the way you did. I’m sorry your mother failed you and….” He shook his head. “But I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me.” He knew that was a big step, knew that sharing his history had been difficult for Jordan, but knowing it, he now understood more about the man he had fallen in love with and he would prove to Jordan that knowing the truth hadn’t and never would change his feelings. “You don’t have to be sorry. I just needed you to know.” “I’m glad I do.” “No one else knows. Only Mason did. Because he helped me.” “He met you at a shelter?” Jordan smiled. “Yeah. Same as you. And I broke down and told him all of it. He went out and hired me a lawyer who really went to bat for me. He arranged for Mason to be my guardian and because I was so young when I … when I killed Walter, the records were sealed when I became an adult, so it was like having a clean slate.” “Good. I’m grateful Mason could do that.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  37    “He tried to get me to see a therapist, Kyler. I want you to know that.” “Jordan….” “But I resisted. Refused. I insisted I was fine, that I didn’t need to talk. I just wanted to forget.” “It’s not that easy to forget the bad.” “Sometimes, it’s not possible. It wasn’t for me.” Standing, Jordan pulled away from his touch, walking across the room to look out the window. Kyler forced himself to stay where he was, not to go after him. If Jordan wanted, needed, some space he would allow it, respect it. And when the time is right, I’ll show him how much I love him. “I know now that I should have listened to Mason. I should have talked to someone years ago, but I didn’t. I just sort of kept everything inside and I … I tried to force myself to live in the shadows, and that meant denying things that were pretty obvious.” “Like your sexuality?” “Yeah. I was in denial about that for a long time, as you know.” “Did Mason know?” “He never really confronted me about it, but knowing Mason, I’m sure he knew.” “What about relationships, Jordan?” Half smiling as he turned from the window, he shrugged. “I dated a few women. I tried hard, to have a real relationship, but I could never

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  38    really let my guard down and more than one woman accused me of being emotionally repressed. And a few didn’t put it near that kindly.” “What about men?” “I ignored that attraction. I can’t explain it, but it scared me. And given my past, I didn’t know if being with a man was possible for me.” “But we….” “Yeah. We did. And that was the first time I let myself act on what I felt.” “Jordan….” “And, as you know, I panicked and I ran and I am so sorry for that.” “Stop apologizing for that. I understand it now. I just … I had no idea….” He could hardly wrap his mind around it as he stood. “I wish you had told me then.” “I wish I had. But I needed to get some perspective first.” “And have you?” “Like I said, I took your advice about getting help.” “I wish I could have been there for you.” “I had to take those steps myself. And I finally did. I’m not perfect, but I have faced the past. I guess I’ve still got some work to do, but I know now that I don’t want to run anymore and I don’t want to deny myself what I want.” “And you want me?” He smiled as he asked and Jordan smiled back. “I love you. I wish I could have said that sooner….” “You’re saying it now. And I’m saying it back, Jordan.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  39    “Kyler….” “I love you. Nothing you’ve told me has changed that.” “My past is….” “Just that. Your past. I have one, too.” “I know you do. But you never killed anyone.” Shaking his head, Kyler crossed the room, stopping when a few feet stood between them. He wanted to reach out to Jordan, but he held back. “Do you really think I could judge you for that? You were defending yourself.” “Some people might not see it that way.” “I don’t give a fuck what some people might think.” “Kyler, I just threw all of this on you. Maybe you should take some time and think about it and then decide if you really want to be with me despite everything.” “I don’t need time. God, enough time has passed. Why should we wait a minute more?” Jordan sighed and pushed away from the wall. “I just want you to be sure. I don’t want you to end up regretting being involved with me.” “Do you regret our night together?” “God, no.” “And did you mean it when you said you love me?” “Yes. Yes, of course I meant it.” “So … what’s the problem?” Kyler smiled, holding out a hand.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  40    “Kyler….” “You’ve come this far, Jordan. Don’t stop now.” He looked down at the hand Kyler held out and then slowly, he reached out, taking Kyler’s hand into his. Kyler released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “No more running?” Kyler asked as their eyes locked and held. Jordan nodded. “No more running. I swear. I’m right where I want to be.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  41   

Chapter Six

LETTING Kyler pull him close, Jordan sighed, lifting his arms and placing his hands on Kyler’s waist, taking a moment to simply savor being this close to the man he loved. The man I could have so easily lost. He knew he had really put Kyler through hell, pushing him away as he did and despite what Kyler said, Jordan swore to himself he would find a way to make up for it. He would get this right, and he would make Kyler happy. Kyler deserved that more than anyone else Jordan had ever known and he wanted to tell him that now, to tell him again how much he loved him, but looking into those startling, emerald eyes, Jordan lost all train of thought. All he could do was feel. “Are you ready for this, Jordan? If you want to wait….” “I think we’ve waited long enough. And I want this. I want you.” “I’m all yours.” Smiling, he pulled Kyler to him, sliding his hands to lock together behind his back as Kyler pressed eagerly against him. Jordan lowered his mouth to capture the lips that had haunted his dreams in a teasing kiss.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  42    Moaning, Jordan deepened this kiss, sinking his tongue into Kyler’s mouth, sliding his hands lower, pressing Kyler against him until he could feel the heat of their combined erections through their pants. He could feel the desire building, every nerve felt electrified and on edge and he wanted more. At the same time, though, he wanted to take his time, not breaking the kiss as he pushed Kyler against the wall. Smiling as Kyler whispered his name, Jordan broke the kiss, trailing his lips down Kyler’s neck, moving his hands between them, tongue and teeth teasing the sensitive skin beneath Kyler’s ear even as he began unbuttoning his lover’s shirt. “Jordan….” He lifted his head, worry in his eyes. “Too fast?” “Are you kidding? I want you naked now. And that’s the problem.” “Really? You sound a little impatient.” “Are you going to tease me?” “Maybe. Kyler smiled at that, the smile that Jordan wanted to see every day for the rest of his life. His heart kicked, knowing he could have just what he wanted because Kyler wanted the same thing. As hard as it was to believe, as much as he had feared it wouldn’t happen, he and Kyler were together and Kyler loved him, despite everything. It was his dream come true and he wasn’t going to let it go. “Jordan? Everything okay?” “Perfect. But you’re right. I think we’re both overdressed.” “We should do something about that.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  43    Smiling, Kyler quickly unbuttoned his shirt, shrugging it off. Jordan’s breath hitched as his eyes roamed greedily over the hard chest, the flat stomach, the golden skin that seemingly begged to be touched. God, he’s more beautiful than I remembered. “The rest. Take off the rest.” “Demanding. Lucky for you, I like that.” Jordan stepped back, allowing him more space as he unbuttoned his pants, pushing them down his hips, to pool at his feet before he kicked them aside. Jordan felt renewed desire rush through him, heating his blood like lava at the sight of Kyler’s straining erection. I was wrong. He’s more than beautiful. Hair a mess, lips swollen, skin flushed, chest rising and falling with each deep breath, he was a sight to behold and Jordan was mesmerized just looking at him. Kyler smiled, tilting his head slightly as he watched Jordan watching him. “God, I love the way you’re looking at me.” “And how am I looking at you?” “Like you want to devour me.” “You’d be right about that.” He stepped closer, but Kyler held out a hand, shaking his head. “I’d like to point out, sir, that you are still dressed and that doesn’t seem fair.” “Are you saying you want me to strip?” Jordan grinned, enjoying their teasing, knowing it was another sign they were comfortable together, comfortable with what they felt.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  44    With a smile that could only be described as cunning, Kyler slipped past him and Jordan turned to watch the younger man walk across the room, casting a glance over his shoulder just before he casually sank down on the sofa, laying down with his head against a throw pillow, one foot planted on the floor, his other leg thrown over the back of the sofa. He was essentially spread-eagled, his cock ridged, the flesh strained, blue veins standing out vividly beneath the pale flesh. Jordan’s mouth felt suddenly dry as he watched Kyler trail a hand down his chest, over his stomach, to wrap gently around his member. “Kyler….” “I’m all naked and ready to have fun, Jordan.” “I can see that.” “So why don’t you get your hot ass undressed and get over here and play with me?” Knowing an invitation when he heard it, Jordan walked to the edge of the sofa where he paused, not breaking eye contact with Kyler as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, resisting his urge to just rip the damn thing off. If Kyler wanted to tease, Jordan would gladly tease back. “I can see I am going to have my hands full with you, Kyler.” “Would you have it any other way?” “Not on your life,” Jordan assured as he pushed the shirt from his shoulders, hands moving to his belt where he paused for a moment. “It might be a bad idea to purposely feed your ego, but I have to say you looked damn good.” He really couldn’t believe he had denied himself this for so long. It was beyond insane and he knew it, as Kyler smiled, hand

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  45    moving slowly up and down his cock, not using enough force to release his desire but just enough to add to the wanton image he made. “Do I now?” “As if I you have to ask.” “I like hearing you say it.” The admission made him smile again as he quickly shed his pants, sighing in relief when his desire-swollen cock was finally freed from its confines. He watched Kyler’s eyes move over him slowly, the heat from his gaze almost tangible as a physical touch. He felt his cock jerk in reaction which made Kyler smile. “Jordan….” “Yes, Kyler?” He sighed almost dramatically. “Are you going to make me beg?” Laughing, Jordan shook his head. “Some other time, I just might, because that does sound like a lot of fun, but right now, I don’t have the strength to make you beg.” “And why is that?” “I want you too much to play that game.” “Thank God.” Walking to the sofa where Kyler still rested, Jordan sank to his knees, leaning over Kyler, taking a moment to run a hand through his hair, enjoying the way the silky strands wrapped around his fingers, soft and teasing.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  46    “All kidding aside, I love you, Jordan.” “I love you, too. I’ll never believe I deserve you, but I do love you.” “You deserve so much more than you realize and somehow, someway, I swear I will find a way to make you believe that.” Having no doubt that Kyler would indeed keep that promise, Jordan leaned forward and kissed him, one hand still in his hair as the other moved down his chest, fingers brushing gently over his left nipple, the contact drawing a gasp. Caught up in the passion, the thundering need, Jordan eagerly kissed his way down Kyler’s neck, to his chest, lips following the path of his hands. “Jordan….” He smiled against the warm skin as Kyler tangled a hand in his hair, gasps and whispers urging him on, fueling his desire. Scraping his teeth over one nipple, he licked at the nub, drawing another cry from Kyler as his back arched again and Jordan moved on hand lower, to rest on Kyler’s ridged stomach, fingers gently teasing the warm skin. “I’ve spent a year and a half haunted by the memory of this.” Jordan lifted his head to look into Kyler’s desire filled green eyes. “Do you have any idea how badly I want you? How badly I want to take my time and taste every damn inch of you? Do you have any idea how many nights I’ve woke up so hard it hurt, calling out your name and hating myself because you weren’t there?” “I … I’m here now and I … God, Jordan, I’ve been insane wanting this again….”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  47    “Wanting what? Tell me what you want, Kyler. Let me hear you say it.” “You … you touching me….” “How? Tell me what you want.” Kyler groaned. “I thought you said no making me beg this time.” “Oh, you don’t have to beg, but I want to hear you say it. Please….” His hand inched lower and Kyler shivered in anticipation. “I want you … all of you….” “Kyler….” “Damn … suck me, Jordan. Please. Damn it!” Chuckling, basking in the knowledge, the amazing knowledge, that this beautiful man wanted him, Jordan couldn’t resist giving him what he wanted. What I want, too. “Since you asked so nicely….” Wrapping one hand around the base of Kyler’s straining cock, he lowered his mouth, taking the bulging head gently between his lips, slowly flicking out his tongue as Kyler called his name in a strangled cry. Humming, he slowly, teasingly opened his mouth wider, taking more into his mouth, savoring the feel and the taste as Kyler reached down to tangle a hand in his hair. “God … Jordan….” Smiling again, Jordan removed his mouth and Kyler half whimpered, but gasped again when Jordan shifted his position to slowly lick the

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  48    underside while carefully massaging his balls in one hand, before eagerly turning his full attention to them. Intent on pushing Kyler to the edge, he licked and sucked and teased until Kyler called his name again.Jordan again slowly licked the ridged cock, before taking the straining shank deep into his mouth. Allowing Kyler’s body to dictate his actions, he paid attention to each gasp, each arch, sucking and licking until Kyler’s strangled voice called out to him. “Jordan … I’m about to … to….” His words faded into a wordless scream as Kyler came, hand still tangled in Jordan’s hair, his body convulsing in pleasure. It was the most incredible sight Jordan had ever seen.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  49   

Chapter Seven

“GOD….” “Enjoyed that, did you?” Opening his eyes, Kyler smiled to find Jordan leaning over him, cheeks flushed, full lips a wonderful shade of red while desire danced lively in his golden gaze. “I think the earth shattering orgasm is a good indication I enjoyed it.” Jordan shrugged, dropping a quick kiss to his lips that wasn’t nearly enough for Kyler, who sat up, looping both arms around Jordan’s neck. How did we survive without this for so long? “Y’know, I happen to have an enormous bed in the other room….” “Is that so?” “And I think I owe you an earth shattering orgasm,” Kyler teased with a smile. “Well, I suppose one good turn deserves another.” “And another and another….”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  50    Jordan opened his mouth to respond, but Kyler took the opportunity to lean in for a kiss, easily sliding his tongue into Jordan’s mouth, tasting hints of himself there and it renewed his desire. He knew he would never get enough of this, never get nearly enough of Jordan. He was completely addicted to this man and what it meant to be in his arms. Sliding from the sofa as Jordan stood, Kyler didn’t break the kiss, his hands roaming down Jordan’s back to grip his ass possessively. “Kyler….” “Bedroom?” “Now.” Melting back into another kiss, they stumbled back, nearly tripping twice, before they staggered into the bedroom and Kyler walked them to the bed. Arms and legs tangled, they fell together onto the hunter green spread. Jordan rolled to his back and Kyler straddled him, sitting up to smile down at the man pinned beneath him. God, he’s perfect. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. Smiling, as Jordan’s hands came to rest on his waist, Kyler brush the hair back from his lover’s face, fingers caressing his cheek tenderly. “You’re looking very serious suddenly.” “Just thinking.” “Now is hardly a time for deep thoughts.” He smiled and Kyler grinned and shook his head. “I was just thinking that I … I never thought I would have this again with you.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  51    “I’m sorry I made this so difficult….” “Don’t be sorry. Just know I don’t plan on letting you go.” “Promise?” In answer, Kyler leaned down and kissed him, long and hard, pouring all he felt into the kiss, holding nothing back. Moaning at the feel of Jordan’s strong hands moving up his back and down again, Kyler broke the kiss, deciding to put his lips to another use. “Kyler…” “Payback.” He heard Jordan laugh, then gasp, when his lips teased over his nipples while his hands moved lower and he kissed his way down his lover’s perfect chest. Jordan’s body was unbelievable. Every inch of it was glorious, the hard muscles and hot, smooth skin. He adored the little gasps and groans that told him Jordan was enjoying what he was doing as much as Kyler enjoyed doing it. Moving lower, Kyler took his time kissing Jordan’s stomach, nipping and licking as Jordan sighed his name. “So many, many things I want to do to you and with you.” “Kyler….” “But for now….” He lifted his head. “Tell me what you want.” He wanted to take things as fast or slow as Jordan was comfortable with, but Jordan only smiled. “Anything. Everything.” “Jordan….”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  52    He lifted a hand, brushing his fingers through Kyler’s hair. “I know what you’re thinking. I know you’re worried, but you don’t have to be.” “Are you sure? Is there anything I shouldn’t do?” “Well, you shouldn’t have stopped what you were doing.” “Now who sounds impatient?” “That’s because I am impatient,” Jordan admitted with a grin. Kyler grinned back, before kissing him again and as their tongues met in a familiar but erotic dance, all thought faded. He could only focus on his desire and his longing to please the man he loved, the man he knew he would never be without again. “I love touching you….” “God, Kyler….” He shifted until he was kneeling between Jordan’s spread legs and he looked up to smile again into those remarkable golden eyes. I could get lost in those eyes. Looking back down, he took a moment to openly admire the ridged, cock, his hand reaching out to wrap gently around the base. Jordan’s hiss and the arching of his back told Kyler all he needed to know. Leaning down, he licked the underside of the shaft, teasing Jordan in the same fashion Jordan had teased him and loving every moment of it. “Kyler….” In answer, Kyler repeated the action, slowly, before laving Jordan’s balls with his tongue, hand still holding his penis, moving up and down at

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  53    an agonizingly leisurely pace that had Jordan gasping, fingers tangling in the spread. “Know what I want, Jordan?” “To drive me crazy?” “Well, yeah. But what I really want is what we did last time.” It took some obvious effort, but Jordan opened his eyes slowly. “Last time….” “You do remember last time, don’t you, Jordan?” “Every detail.” “So what do you think? Think I can have that again? Think you’d be willing to put this incredible cock inside of me, because I really, really loved how it felt to have you buried inside of me when you came.” “You sure?” “I’ve been dreaming about it for a year and a half.” Sitting up, Jordan smiled, sliding his hands up Kyler’s arms to rest on his shoulders. “You have what we need?” “Nightstand. Top drawer. I’ll get it….” “Nope. You lie down. Let me get it.” Willing to comply with that, Kyler crawled to the center of the bed and lay down on his back, head resting against the pillows. Jordan moved to the edge of the bed, opened the drawer and pulled out an unopened tube of lubricant and a new box of condoms. Dropping both onto the bed, he turned back to Kyler, grinning and shaking his head. “You’re incorrigible, Kyler.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  54    “I know. It’s part of my undeniable charm.” “I have to agree with you there.” Stretching out beside him, Jordan leaned in for a kiss and Kyler eagerly returned it, hands in his hair, urging him closer, needing and waning more. “Jordan….” In answer, Jordan kissed his neck and chest, teased his nipples, leaving Kyler quivering with need when Jordan’s slick fingers moved between his legs. Backing arching, he hissed, then moaned, as Jordan began gently stretching him, preparing him. Kyler thought he might die from the building need. He could feel the tension, the desire. His skin felt hot and his insides burned with longing as ever so slowly, Jordan removed his fingers and Kyler opened his eyes to see his lover kneeling between his legs. A smile passed between them, one that conveyed everything they felt, everything they meant to one another. I’ll never let him go; I’ll spend the rest of my life making him happy to make up for the hell he suffered. That thought in mind, he watched as Jordan slipped his hands beneath his thighs and Kyler easily lifted his legs, allowing Jordan room to press gently against him. “Kyler….” “Don’t make me wait any longer, Jordan. Please….”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  55    He watched fresh desire flare in Jordan’s eyes as slowly, carefully, Jordan pushed into him and Kyler eagerly accepted him, needing him, knowing this was just the beginning. This time, Jordan would stay and Kyler would make him glad he did.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  56   

Chapter Eight

JORDAN awakened to the unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and when he forced open his sleep heavy eyes, he found Kyler perched on the edge of the bed, a steaming cup in each hand as he offered a brilliant smile. “Good morning, sleepy head.” Pushing himself up, Jordan stifled a yawn as he reached for a cup, accepting it with both hands, eyes roaming over Kyler. His hair was still damp from a shower and he wore gray jogging pants, but his chest was bare and Jordan decided it was a view he could enjoy seeing each morning. “What time is it?” He asked, before taking a sip of coffee and smiling to realize it was made just the way he liked. “A little after ten. I’ve been up for about an hour.” “You should have woken me up.” “Not a chance. You looked so peaceful. And I figured you needed your rest after last night.” “Don’t be a smartass. I’m only eight years older than you, mister.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  57    “Hey, I needed my rest, too. You’re rather exhausting, love.” Kyler grinned, sitting his coffee on the nightstand. “By the way, I made a call to Nikita Anderson. I met her at a charity event a year ago, and she’s a defense attorney. She has a reputation for being one of the best in the business.” “You told her about Trent?” “She heard most of it on the news, but she’s happy to take the case. She said she would go see him today and she would clear it with the authorities and we can visit with him tomorrow.” “That’s a good idea. I’m sure he needs a friend.” Jordan set his own coffee aside. “Kid has to be terrified, sitting in jail. It’s not a pretty place.” “I imagine not.” Kyler reached for his hand. “I just realized something.” “What’s that?” “I haven’t given you a proper good morning.” “Really? And what exactly would a proper good morning be?” Placing one hand on his shoulder and the other behind his neck, he pulled Jordan into a long, deep kiss that tasted like coffee. When the kiss ended, Jordan pulled back with a smile. “I like that as a good morning.” “Good. Get used to it.” “Really?” “I meant everything I said last night, Jordan. I love you. And I want to be with you.”

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  58    “I want the same thing. I just … I guess I’m still a little amazed that I can have this.” “I am going to make sure you realize you deserve to be deliciously happy.” Jordan smiled, leaning close for another kiss and Kyler responded, allowing Jordan to pull him further onto the bed. “Move in with me, Jordan. Or we can find another place. I just want us to be together.” “I want the same and here is fine. I like this place.” “We have had some good times here.” “And I think we’ll have a few more,” Jordan promised easily. “Maybe we should get started on some more good times now. If you’re up to it, that is.” Laughing, he shook his head. “That could be taken as a challenge.” “And?” “It so happens I love a challenge. And I love you, too.” Kyler smiled, caressing his cheek, their eyes locking, feelings vivid and alive as Jordan knew they always would be. “This is the real deal, Jordan. All the bad stuff, it’s over. And if the memories start to hurt you, all you have to do is lean on me and let me help you.” He nodded, swallowing past the swell of emotions, ignoring the tears that made his eyes sting.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  59    “I know. And I swear I won’t forget that. I won’t ever shut you out again because I need you too much, Kyler.” “That need goes both ways.” Content in that knowledge, knowing it all really would be okay, he allowed Kyler to pull him into another kiss. It might have taken him a while to figure it out, but he knew where he was meant to be. And who he was meant to be with. His days of running where finally over, because he was finally home.

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  60    LISA MARIE DAVIS is a Florida girl, born and raised, who had been writing for  as  long  as  she  can  remember.  There's  nothing  she  loves  more  than  writing.  Her  mind  is  always  wondering,  creating  characters  and  plots.  She's  been  accused  of  daydreaming  too  much  but  doesn't  see  it  as  a  fault.    Check out these other titles from Lisa… 

   

 

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  61              Published by  Dreamspinner Press  4760 Preston Road  Suite 244‐149  Frisco, TX 75034  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/    This  is  a  work  of  fiction.  Names,  characters,  places  and  incidents  either  are  the  product  of  the  author’s  imagination  or  are  used  fictitiously,  and  any  resemblance  to  actual  persons,  living  or  dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.    Finally Home  Copyright © 2008 by Lisa Marie Davis    Cover Art by Dan Skinner/Cerberus Inc.   [email protected]  Cover Design by Mara McKennen    This book is licensed to the original purchaser only.  Duplication or distribution via any means is  illegal  and  a  violation  of  International  Copyright  Law,  subject  to  criminal  prosecution  and  upon  conviction,  fines  and/or  imprisonment.    This  eBook  cannot  be  legally  loaned  or  given  to  others.   No  part  of  this  eBook  can  be  shared  or  reproduced  without  the  express  permission  of  the  publisher.    To  request  permission  and  all  other  inquiries,  contact  Dreamspinner  Press  at:  4760  Preston Road, Suite 244‐149, Frisco, TX 75034  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/    Released in the United States of America  October, 2008   

Finally Home by Lisa Marie Davis  62