The Broken Road (8 page)

“Yeah, that’s it,” Ryen gasped, pushing in a little farther. Kason swallowed around him, his nose brushing against the curly hairs of Ryen’s groin.

As Ryen had done, Kason held him for a moment, loving the weight and feel of Ryen on his tongue. He wanted to take his time, stretch it out, and make this good for Ryen like he had for him. He licked lightly at the tip, salty pre-cum making his mouth water.

He sucked Ryen slowly, building up the pleasure until Ryen tugged on his hair and pushed in deeper, wanting more. Holding tightly to Ryen’s hips and likely leaving bruises, Kason relaxed his throat and let Ryen fuck his mouth. His senses reeling, he breathed in musk and Ryen. Ryen’s moans and pleased grunts filled his ears. The world narrowed to the cock filling his mouth, those cries, and Ryen’s strong, hot body wrapped around his. He felt Ryen’s dick swell and he hummed, wanting to taste him. After a few more thrusts Ryen came, a mantra of Kason’s name falling from Ryen’s lips as his hips stuttered and his body shook. Kason swallowed greedily, savoring the bitter and salty taste on his tongue. Ryen pulled out then dropped down on top of him. Putting his arms around him, Kason kissed Ryen gently, rubbing his back. They were both sated and blissed out, the kiss a slow glide of tongue against tongue.

“Fuck, baby.” Ryen panted. “You have a wicked mouth.”

Feeling his heart still pounding, Kason tried to catch his breath. “Right back at you,” he said instead of what he wanted to.
I love you
was on the tip of his tongue. Sure, they had only been dating a couple of weeks, but he did love Ryen. It was that simple, and something that came as easily as breathing now. But he worried it was too soon to say it. He hadn’t been big on saying those three little words before Ryen but it took a lot lately not to.

“What are you thinking about?” Ryen gave him a tender smile that made Kason’s heart skip a beat.

“How happy you make me,” Kason said, staying as close to the truth as he could, without saying those three little words. He could barely stop them from tumbling out.

“Wanna know something?” Ryen kissed his neck.

“Yeah?”

“I-I’m happy too,” Ryen said, but Kason could see he had meant to say something else.

“Good.” Kason gave him a content smile. When the time was right they would say the words. For now it was enough to know Ryen was happy. “You wanna head home now?”

“Yeah, I’m starving.” Ryen gave him a dirty leer. “And not just for food.”

Kason laughed as he gave him a quick kiss. “You’re insatiable.”

Caressing Kason’s cheek, Ryen said, “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”

Kason replied, “Nope, I wouldn’t.”

Chapter Seven

It took some research, help from Lexie and Julie and a week of effort but after what Ryen had done for him, Kason wanted to do something special for him too. So, he enrolled them in a four-class couples cooking course at Chef Scott’s Culinary Classroom. He didn’t tell Ryen until he led his lover into the building. “So, uh, I know I’m not very good at cooking, but I love watching you and thought it’d be fun if we took some classes together.” Kason felt nervous as he gazed at Ryen. “Who knows? I might even learn to cook something decent.”

“This is such a great idea, baby!” Ryen hugged him fiercely. He looked like a kid at Christmas. “I was gonna ask if you wanted to do something like this, but you beat me to it.”

“After playing baseball the other day, I wanted to do something I knew you loved and could share with you.”

“I can’t wait.” Ryen took his hand. “C’mon, let’s go get started.”

Kason laughed. He found Ryen’s enthusiasm to be infectious. “Yeah, okay. Maybe you could even enroll here, get a degree and become a chef.”

“I dunno.” Ryen sighed.

Kason could tell Ryen wanted to but was torn about his responsibilities.

“What about the coffee shop? And if I take night classes, we’ll never see each other. I don’t want that.”

Kason had thought about that and had a solution. “I could help with the coffee shop, run it for you the days you go to school.”

Ryen stared down at their joined hands. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. If this is what you want to do, baby, we will make it happen.” Kason brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed Ryen’s fingers. “You know I think you could be a damn good chef. One bite of your food and you’d have a hit restaurant.”

“I–I want to do this.” Ryen squeezed his hand. “I guess, though—”

“You’ve been putting everyone and everything else ahead of yourself, but now I’m gonna make sure you get to do this. Whatever it takes.” Ryen deserved this chance to go after his dream. Kason knew he could do it—he believed in Ryen.

Seeming at a loss for words, Ryen gave him a tender look. He opened his mouth to say something when a man in a chef’s uniform stepped out of the room next to them. He reminded Kason of Morgan on
Criminal Minds
. Tall, strong and confident. He had cropped black hair, dark brown eyes and mocha skin.

“You must be the final couple. I’m Chef Scott. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Kason pushed himself over and shook the chef’s hand. “I’m the one you gotta watch out for in case the kitchen ends up on fire. My partner Ryen, he’s the one who should be on
Masterchef
.”

Chef Scott laughed as he shook Ryen’s hand. “Well then, Ryen, I trust you’ll keep the station from going up in flames.”

Grinning, Ryen nodded. “Yes, Chef.”

They followed the chef in and went to their station. A stool was brought over and Ryen helped Kason out of his chair so he could be level with the counter and stove. They listened as the class began with Chef Scott going over basic preps, walking them through the recipes, and giving advice that Kason found quite helpful. He and Ryen were tasked with making a sautéed chicken breast with a lemon caper white wine sauce and shallot and russet mashed potatoes.

Kason discovered the appeal of cooking and got caught up in Ryen’s passion as they worked effortlessly together. He helped Ryen prepare the sauces from scratch and sauté the chicken, and together they mashed the potatoes. It was fun and he was really glad he had decided to do this. He was already thinking of signing up for another set of classes as they plated their dish and put the finishing touches on it.

“It smells amazing.” Kason was proud of their creation and he could see Ryen was too. They had tasted everything, sharing and communicating all throughout.

“It does.” Ryen wiped away a smudge of something on Kason’s cheek. “Kason?”

“Hmm?” Kason saw Chef Scott at the next station over. He’d be trying theirs next. “Wait ‘til the chef sees. He’ll be agreeing with me about you going on
Masterchef
.”

Ryen turned his head and the tenderness in his eyes took Kason’s breath away. “I love you, baby.”

The dish was forgotten as Kason’s heart pounded. Ryen had said what he’d been wanting to for weeks. He’d known for a while that Ryen felt the same—it was so easy to see.

“I love you, Ryen. So much.”

Wrapping his arms around Ryen, Kason pulled him close and tugged him down for a quick kiss.

There was a cough and, feeling his face heat up, Kason pulled back to see Chef Scott studying them with a kind look in his eyes. “Well now, with such a display I can imagine your dish is going to be delicious. Love and emotion play strong roles while we cook. May I?”

“Yes, Chef.” Kason saw Ryen’s hands nearly shaking as he presented their plate.

Chef Scott examined it closely. “Stunning display.” He picked up a fork and knife, taking a bite of the chicken and the potatoes. “Wow… Well done.” He took another bite, chewing slowly.

A smile split Ryen’s face and Kason was happy that Chef Scott liked the dish. “It was all Ryen, Chef. I just helped.”

“Wouldn’t have the passion without you.” Ryen put his hand on Kason’s back.

Chef Scott nodded. “I look forward to having you in my class again. The chicken is superb. Did you add something to it?”

“A little thyme and some saffron, Chef.”

“Thought so, good choice. You have a great palette, Ryen. I hope that you do enroll here at the cooking school. A talent like yours shouldn’t be wasted.”

“Thank you, Chef.” Ryen shook his hand. “I think I will.”

“Very good.” Chef Scott excused himself and headed over to the next table.

“Pinch me, this feels like a dream or something,” Ryen told him.

The look on Ryen’s face made Kason melt and he lost himself in the gaze. God, he wished they weren’t in a room full of people. He wanted to make love to Ryen, claim Ryen as his. It did almost feel like a dream, but it wasn’t. This was real. Ryen loved him and Kason was never going to let him go.

“It’s no dream, baby.” Kason turned on the stool so he could slip his hand into Ryen’s. He kissed Ryen’s knuckles. He had to distract them before they forgot where they were so he added, “I told you that your food was to die for.”

“No, it’s not only that.” Ryen leaned in close so he could whisper in his ear, “I really want to pick you up and carry you outta here so I can show you how much I love you.”

Ryen had to know how crazy those words would make him. Kason swore Ryen could read his mind sometimes. “Yeah, me too. I was just trying to distract us from what we’re thinking. But class is almost over and then you can do that.” Kason gazed at Ryen, letting him see his need. Kason wanted to kiss him. “We’ll go home, open some wine, and spend the rest of the night in bed.”

Ryen’s eyes darkened. “Perfect.”

Kason thought so too.

Chapter Eight

It didn’t take long after that for Ryen to enroll in the cooking school. He had to go three days out of the week and only needed Kason to run the coffee shop two of those. It was no trouble—Kason only had to learn the basics then he was all set to go. He was doing inventory in the storeroom when Jenny, the barista, poked her head in.

“Kason, we have a jerk out there who wants to speak to you.”

Kason raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“He says there was a hair in his coffee. I made it myself and I know he’s lying ‘cause the hair was supposedly blonde.”

Kason rolled his eyes as Jenny’s hair was a fiery red. “Just give him his money back. It’ll be easier that way.”

Jenny popped her gum. “I know. I tried, but he said he wants you.”

Frustrated, Kason set down the clipboard and followed Jenny out to the front then stopped in his tracks. The jerk of a customer was Blake. Now what was he going to do? Deciding to be professional, he steeled himself and went over. He was thankful the shop was empty as he was certain Blake would cause a scene. Especially since Kason knew Milo had recently left the jerk.

“Sir, I apologize for the mistake. We’ll refund your money and—”

“Kason, what are you doing here?” Blake stared at him in disbelief.

It had always bothered Kason that Blake never seemed to want to grow out of his college years and do more in life than work odd jobs while partying, or taking trips and getting free meals on other people’s dime. He’d realized some time ago that Lexie was right about the accident being a blessing in disguise. Sure, he wished he could walk again, but he had Ryen now, while Blake was still being an ass.

Kason was going to stand up for himself—well not literally—but still…

“I run the shop while Ryen is gone.”

“Not that dude you were with at the restaurant?”

“Yes. My partner.”

Kason could have slapped the look off Blake’s face when he sneered. “Oh, come on. He only pities you.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Kason glared. “Screw you, not everyone is a heartless bastard like you, Blake.”

“Oh, here we go again with me not being part of your pity party,” Blake said, making Kason see red. “Sorry I didn’t want to mope around with you and be miserable.”

“Right, because it was asking far too much for you to understand the hell I was going through.”

“Understanding was not part of our deal.” Blake threw up his hands. “When did I ever tell you I wanted it to be serious?”

“I dunno, in the two years we were together? I guess I was just stupid. My mistake for assuming you cared. Or were even a decent human being. You cheated on me!”

Blake threw up his hands. “I didn’t do this. I didn’t ask for everything to change or for you to—”

“To what? Realize life is too damn short and want more?” Kason couldn’t stop his voice from rising. All the anger and hurt at what Blake had done came rushing back once again. “I didn’t ask for this either, but it happened.”

“It wouldn’t have if you had listened to me and not gone.”

“I’d do it again. Because unlike you, I actually give a damn about my friend.”

“I liked Milo,” Blake said, his voice rising. “You ruined things between us.”

“No, you did with your lies,” Kason countered. “I just didn’t want him wasting his time with you like I did.”

“Well you got that right.” Blake pointed at him. “Complete waste of time.”

“Agreed, I knew that the second you told my sister you wouldn’t have taken my place.”

“So, I’m a horrible person because I didn’t want to?” Blake’s fists clenched.

“No, you are because of the way you’re looking at me. For calling me a cripple. For all the other crap you put me through.” Kason tried to calm down. He pictured Ryen and that helped. “Never once has Ryen made me feel different. He sees past the chair in a way you never will.”

“Give him a fucking medal.” Blake’s voice rose. “He’ll get tired of you and leave your pathetic ass just like I did.”

“Fuck you. He won’t.” Kason turned his chair away and toward Jenny. “Don’t refund him the money. It was his hair. I’ve seen him pull that stunt before.”

“Hey!” Blake grabbed the back of Kason’s seat and tried to whip him around, but he held onto his wheels.

Ryen had been working out with him, and though it hadn’t been long, Kason was already stronger.

“We’re not done talking.”

Kason pulled away from Blake then faced him. “I have nothing more to say to you other than you leaving was the best thing to happen to me.” Damn, it felt good saying that and he knew Ryen would be proud. “Now get the hell out and don’t come back.”