Hello and Happy Monday, Story Orgy enthusiasts! Did you have a good weekend? Mine was busy busy busy! And it ain't over yet...I have lots more to do. Whew! Gimme some Wheaties!
Okay, this week's prompt, Even Steven part 12, is brought to you by...oh...wait...that's not right. Where am I? Oh, yes...yes, this week is my week for a full 1500-word prompt. I fell short by a few inches...erruh...hundred words I mean. But, I think it will serve its purpose. The prompt used to inspire my words is a quote – "I can't protect you from that." And that purty pic? Yay, you guessed it. Story Orgy's very own Princess of the Pics found that. Sure revs my motor, how 'bout you? *grin*
And now, I present to you...
Even Steven part 12
by
JR Boyd
The urgency in Braden's tone of voice was the only thing that disengaged Steven's blind fury. Not even the random outbursts of rhetoric from the gathered guests were enough to stop Steven's mental pain and anguish. As far as Steven was concerned, Antonio would never hurt anyone again.
By the time Braden had reached Steven, Antonio was lying on the ground choking. Steven's mind was stuck somewhere between the satisfaction of seeing his abductor in pain and regret of him still breathing when Braden called again, forcing him to realize his foot was on Antonio's throat. A final yell from Braden, "Steven!" and he snapped back to reality, quickly drawing his leg back and stepping away. Just in time too. If he hadn't have moved, he would've been brought down by Antonio's reaching arm.
"Steven, what do you think you're doing, sweetie?" Nora's concern was apparent in her inflection. She stepped forward in an obvious attempt to make peace before things got any worse. She always hated chaos. Why she was with that goon she was with was beyond Steven; but, he didn't hold that against her.
"I'm not sure, Nora." Steven responded, quickly following up with, "All I know is why." Walking around the length of Antonio's body, Steven spoke as if he'd prepared a speech. But, what he had to say was none too nice. Antonio didn't move a muscle. And Steven knew he didn't hurt that thick neck and hard head so much Antonio couldn't get back up. It was humiliation. That's what kept him down.
As Steven commenced to speak his mind, sharing his own embarrassment helped him over the final hump. Steven talked for at least twenty-five minutes, airing out his dirty laundry with his foot planted in the middle of Antonio's back.
Braden stepped forward, taking Steven's hand. He said, "C'mon, babe," then guided him several yards away from Antonio. The aroma of the meat on the smoker floated on the breeze, reminding Steven of how hungry he was, and how Braden must've also been just as hungry. Steven's mind stopped entertaining the thought of Antonio as quickly as it had started. "We should really be going now." Steven turned to the small crowd with a raised hand, feeling proud as he curled his arm into Braden's awaiting stance.
Steven heard Antonio's taciturn grunts and mumbles as they walked off arm in arm. "I'm so proud of you." Braden said as he leaned in, touching his head to Steven's.
Unsure of what he'd just accomplished, if anything, Steven slipped his fingers into Braden's back pocket, content in fact that he was tucked securely into Braden's side, and his heart.
***
Braden peered over the rim of the coffee cup, his eyes telling Steven everything he wanted to hear, but nothing that wasn't already known.
"Steven honey, where have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you for days. Been worried sick. Worried sick I tell ya." Steven's mother walked through the dining room doorway, her finger waving in the air.
So, that's where I get it from. Steven cringed at his realization. "Hi, Mom. How're you and Dad?"
"We're good. Just worried about you, dear."
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Malone." Braden chimed in, tipping his head for Steven's mother. She has been kissing Braden's forehead since he was knee high to a grasshopper.
"Worried sick–"
"Alright, Mom. I'm sorry I didn't call. Please stop saying that. I'm okay." Steven interrupted, his stomach knotting as agitation rattled through his bones.
"Oh, sweetie. Don't be disconcerted with me for caring." Mrs. Malone walked the long way around the table to greet Steven, her tennis shoes squeaking on the beige linoleum flooring. "You have dark circles under your eyes. You're not taking care of yourself. Braden? Do you know anything–"
"Mom, I did not come by so we could be put on trial. Where's Dad?"
"Don't you be curt with me, young man. You're not too old for me to bend over my knee you know."
Mrs. Malone thwacked Steven on the back of the head. "I suggest you straighten it up. I didn't raise you to disrespect your mother like you're doing."
What the hell? She's treating me like a teenager. "I thought maybe we could cook steaks on the grill this evening. Do you and Dad have dinner plans already?" Steven gave his best attempt to salvage the afternoon.
"He went around the house after walking me to the front door. Oh, there he is." She smiled and waved at Steven's dad through dining room bay window.
Braden chuckled as Mr. Malone walked by rolling up the garden hose. Not that Steven blamed him. His dad did have the cheesiest smile when he wanted to; his very own trademark. But what stole the show was when Mrs. Malone trotted across the floor yelling, "Yoo hoo," trying to wave down her husband."
"Okay, I've got to ask. Am I on Candid Camera?" Steven said with a breathy whisper.
"I can protect you from a lot of things; but, I can't protect you from that." Braden snorted then disguised his laughter behind a fake cough.
Steven waited until his mom closed the back door behind her before saying anything, but then he couldn't help himself. "Okay. What was that? Is she on medication or something?"
"Your dad didn't look like he was hurting none too much neither." Braden added with a smile, "Which reminds me. Maybe we should freshen up before dinner."
Steven watched Braden waggle his eyebrows, his eyes hinting with that certain I want you enthusiasm Steven has gotten accustomed to seeing over the years. It didn't take long for Steven to shift gears.
Within a matter of seconds, Steven had stuck his head out the back door and told his parents he'd be back in a few hours with the steaks to throw on the grill, put the mugs in the sink and was jangling his keys.
***
Braden unlocked the door to his apartment, put his arm around Steven's waist and guided him inside. With the shutting of the door, all remaining tension had vanished and Steven knew beyond a doubt that he would never be able to refute his love for Braden. His eyes locked with Braden's and the world stood still, silencing everything but the steady heartbeat pounding in his ears. Braden's lips moved to the words
I love you as his hands attentively peeled away the pesky material that separated their skin.
Steven mouthed the words I love you too, closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Braden's smooth chest, breathing in the sweet musky scent of his lover's skin. Steven melted into Braden, letting the moment take him over. Braden's body pressed tightly to his, guiding him to take a step. Steven walked across the living room and down the hall to the bedroom. The heat of Braden's skin against his set Steven on fire as his lover matched Steven's pace step for step, never letting their skin separate.
Steven made love to Braden three times that afternoon before heading back to his parents' house for dinner. And he'd never been happier than he was then. Judging by the twinkle in Braden's eyes, he hadn't either. Braden emptied three drawers full of clothes onto the bed and said, "Let's go to dinner."
"I'm ready when you are. But, why did you dump your clothes out all over the bed?" Steven asked.
Braden said, "So, you'll have a place for yours."
H <<TBC>>
Well? What do you think about all this? I'm still ready to eat! But, I'm sure Steven and Braden got more than their share of chow time *ahem*.
Wonder what the others wrote about? You can find them here...nice and easy like...c'mon, I'll go with you. CLICK...
Hello to all! I hope the new year has been kind to you thus far. I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I plan on getting back into the groove soon. I have two more classes and I will have completed my MBA. Meanwhile, I'm putting together some little swag bags for those who visited me at GRL's Author Signing and signed my book to receive the goodies.
