Coming Clean by Inez Kelley Page B

away.
    “Ground rules.” Scratching in a lust-hoarse voice, his words were feather soft.
    Grant licked his lip before nodding his head.
    The wiggle of their skin made Cade smile. “First, only what you want. No pressure for anything more, got it? Slow is fine and stopping is better than regrets.”
    Grant nodded once.
    “Second, no is no, period. There isn’t any talking around something. If it’s a no, it’s a no.”
    Again, a dark head bobbed his understanding.
    “Third.” Cade tilted his head and smiled softly. “If it feels good, it’s all right. Nothing is off limits until you say so. I just want to make you feel good, Grant.”
    He leaned in to initiate another kiss but Grant moved backward. “I have a ground rule of my own. I have no clue what the fuck I’m doing, so you have to take point. I feel like a virgin on prom night here. I’ll follow your lead and assume if you make a move, it’s all right to return it. Okay?”
    “Deal. Now, why are we standing in your laundry room talking about this?”
    “Just seemed like the right time.” A flirty grin widened Grant’s mouth. “Besides, is there a better place to come clean with you?”
    Cade touched that smile, felt the curves and angles of lips moist from his own. He let his fingers slide down, past Grant’s sternum, over his tight stomach, to the button of his pants. The touch was bold and aggressive and he watched for a reaction. So far, other than a heavy-duty make-out session, no boundaries had been tested.
    Grant didn’t shy away. In fact, the hand on his ass kneaded more firmly.
    No, Grant was definitely not pulling away.
    Cade let his palm shift lower, flattening over the zipper until it cupped Grant’s hard cock through his jeans. The ridges and cords of his neck bulged with a swallow but he thrust his hips slightly, pushing into the touch. Cade stepped back, putting as much sexual need in his expression as he could. “There’s one place that’s better for coming clean. I need to wash up and you need to wash that cut. Shower with me.”
    Grant’s eyes widened a bit but he nodded. “Master shower is bigger.”
    Cade hid his smile. He knew that, had laid the heavy slate tile himself one Friday night while Grant connected plumbing and glued joints. Grant’s nerves shone through with that statement but his hand barely tremored as it secured the bourbon cap. He left the liquor on the kitchen counter and led the way down the hall to the master suite. The slight jerk in his carefully balanced limp drew Cade’s attention to the broad line of his shoulders.
    How far did Grant want to let things go? He hadn’t hesitated with the “get naked” suggestion but then, as Granny used to say, “getting naked” was one thing, but “gettin’ nekkid” was a whole ’nother ballgame. They’d shared showers as ballplayers with a dozen other guys. The circumstances were different now, the stakes higher, the emotions running. At least they were for Cade.
    Cade paused outside the bedroom. To him, this wasn’t a quick fuck. This was something deeper, something more. He was honest enough with himself to admit, finally, that he wanted more out of his best friends. What if it was purely experimentation to Grant? What if he didn’t like whatever was about to happen? Could Cade accept it if, after tonight, Grant wanted to revert to being just friends?
    He steeled his jaw and stepped into the bathroom. He had no choice. Now that this thing was out in the open, he couldn’t walk away. If Grant backed down, then he would have to deal with it. It would hurt like a bitch, but not taking this to whatever level loomed ahead was unthinkable. It was better to be disappointed than never to take the chance, but he’d learned a lot from his divorce. He’d keep his heart under lock and key. He yanked his T-shirt off to hide the fear that shot through him.
    Grant hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and leaned on the vanity, a lost expression rounding his brows.