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Marked by Grief Page 9


  Again Kit hesitated. "I didn't do laundry last night so I don't have anycleanclothes."

  "Go shower, Kit. I won't tell you again. I'm finding some smaller clothes for you." He began rifling throughhis shirts.

  He heard the door close and breathed a sigh of relief. Kit could be stubborn with the best of them but he could take direction when he needed to. His cock grew at a memory of how very well Kit could take direction from last night. "Dammit," Jason growled. He pulled out a shirt and a pair of shorts he hadn't worn since high school and tossed them onto the bed. They would still be big on Kit so he tossed a belt on the bed as well. He heard the water start running as he tossed their dirty clothes into a basket next to the laundry machines. They were a luxury in the small apartment building and worth every penny of extra rent he had to payfor them.

  He understood Kit not wanting to see Bear's grave. Hell, he hadn't wanted to at first either. But talking to him, whether he believed Bear could hear him or not, had helped. Some people meditated before work or drank a couple gallons of coffee. Jason sat down in front ofhis best friend's grave and talked about how the day before had been. Sometimes, on the days he really missed Bear, he even went after work as well. He also went after work when he'd given some teenager a tattoo they'd be regretting in a few years. Bear had always gotten a kick out of first tattoo stories like that.

  He hoped talking to Bear would help Kit too. It couldn't hurt to tryanyway.

  A few moments later the bathroom door opened and Kit stepped out. Jason was almost disappointed at the low slung towel Kit had tied around his waist, but he was also grateful for it. Until Kit came close enough that he could see the fine droplets of water on his pale skin and Jason's mouth went dry. He quickly turned away as Kit dropped the towel and beganpullingonthe clothes.

  "How long do you want to stay today?" Jason asked him as he fiddled with something on his desk. Anythingto keep fromlookingat Kit as he dressed.

  "You said I didn't have to go home," Kit reminded him, his voice barelyloud enoughto be heard.

  Jason turned around. Could he really mean that? "You're right. Youdon't have to."

  Kit nodded. "I need a few things. Bear's stuff that I saved from my mom's clutches. My laptop. My music." He shrugged. "Crap like that." He looked up, his emerald eyes uncertain. Jason knew the things he spoke of, though they were just things, were far from crap. It was just Kit's way of trying not to force an issue. Jason would make sure he had whatever he wanted from his childhood home and anything else he needed.

  A slow smile came over Jason's mouth. He quickly crossed the room and captured Kit in a tight hug that very nearly suffocated him. "Stay as long as youwant."He placed a kiss onKit's temple.

  "Bear know you were this mushy?" Kit said as he struggled out ofJason's hold.

  Jason laughed and stepped back, giving him room to finish getting dressed. "No, probably not. We were close but I sure as hell didn't go around kissing himallthe time."

  Kit rolled his eyes. "Sure hope not. 'Cause that would make last night weird."

  "And how was last night?" Jason asked him, suddenly serious as he leaned against the wall, quietly watchingKit.

  Kit frowned and his shoulders hunched. "I liked it,"he said after a moment.

  "All of it?" He had to know. Even if he didn't want to hear Kit didn't like what he'd given him, even if he decided he'd changed his mind about things that were integral to Jason's sexual habits. He couldn't change who he was and what he liked and he wouldn't force his preferences on someone he cared so much about. He had to know the truth about what Kit really wanted out of this. And if Jason wasn't the right person for him, then shit, he'd find a way to get over that and make sure Kit was with someone who worked well for himand could treat himright. Kit deserved at least that much.

  Kit slowly nodded. "Does that make me… bad? That I liked it when you spanked me? That I liked when I couldn't use my hands on me because I was handcuffed?"

  Jason tangled his fingers in Kit's fine hair and gave the strands a light, playful tug. "No. Not at all. So what ifyoulike a little kink?"

  Kit gave him a small smile. "You promised something too. If I still wanted this thing between us in the morning."

  Jason's smile grew and he nodded toward the bedside table. "Look for yourself." He held up his bare wrist.

  Kit's eyes grew wide and he scrambled across the bed, over the mess ofblankets and sheets, to snatch up the bracelet. "You're done? Trulydone?"

  Jason nodded. "I'myours and only yours for as long as you want me. No more clubs, no more random strangers."

  "The flogger stays though, right?" Kit asked quicklyas his face turned red.

  Jason laughed. "Yeah, that stays. And you can pick out the next one if you want to. There's a shop about two hours away that specializes in gear for the kinkier side of sex that I'd like to take you to when we've got time."

  Kit ducked his head and grinned. "I'd like that."

  Jason nodded and slung an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. "Me too. Now come on. We need to hurry if we're going to get any of the good donuts. The guys at the shop usually demolish them pretty quickly and I'm not being left with sprinkles and jellyfillingagainthis week. That shit's just nasty."

  Kit's quiet laughter filled the hallway as they left the apartment and headed out into the early morning sunshine.

  The End

  About the Author

  CaitlinRicciwas fortunate growingup to be surrounded byfamilyand teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always beena voracious reader and that love ofthe writtenword easilymorphed into a passionfor writing. Ifshe isn't writing, she canusually be found studyingas she works toward her counseling degree. She comes froma militaryfamilyand the men and womenofthe armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardeningand horseback ridinginthe Colorado Rockies where she calls home withher wonderfulfiancĂ©, their dogand a Blue Tongue Skink.

  Her beliefthat there is no one true pathto happilyever after runs deeplythroughallofher stories.

  Website:

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  authorcaitlinricci@gmail.com

  Also by Caitlin Ricci:

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