(54) When all else is lost the future still remains

“Umm, I think I may be walking bowlegged for a while if you don’t move soon,” Race quipped once he had finally recovered from what he considered had been the best orgasm of his life.

Shan’s eyebrows arched in amusement as he pulled out and rolled off the younger man before wrapping his arms around him. Looking at Race’s still flushed face he asked, “Any regrets?”

Race thought about that for so long that Shan thought he was trying to decide how to say there were. Then Race smiled. “Only if this was the first and last time—and even if was, the answer would still be no.”

Pressing a gentle kiss to Race’s mouth Shan murmured against his lips, “If I have my way it was the first time, but far from the last.”

“Then definitely, absolutely no regrets.” Putting his arms around Shan’s neck Race returned the kiss.

Soon they were deeply into another exploration of each others mouths until, with a sigh, Shan pulled away. “Keep this up and we’ll be doing an encore and unfortunately we have other things that are more important right now.” Tapping a finger on Race’s nose he added, “If you ever use that fighting technique with anyone but me, kid, I will…do something drastic.”

“Believe me I have no intention of doing that.” He looked quite seriously at Shan. “I am a one man man.”

“Strangely enough so am I. So that works.” Shan smiled, giving him one more kiss before getting up. Offering his hand he pulled Race up beside him. “I suggest we get dressed now. Addie’s pretty liberal but not quite into ‘clothing optional’.”

Race laughed. “That’s okay, I’m not about to go parading around naked in front of anyone but you.” As he dressed he studied Shan until the man cocked an eyebrow in question. “I was just…Never mind. Just admiring your physique.”

Shan closed the distance between them, taking Race’s face in his hands. “In case you were wondering, and I think you were, I’ll never forget Lav and there will always be a part of me that loves him and misses him. But in my mind, you are not in any sort of competition with him for my affections. I can’t say, yet, that I love you, because I don’t know if I do or not. I do however care for you and want you in my life. Can you settle for that?”

“Yes. It’s more than I hoped for. I probably love you but then, since I’ve never been in love before, it could just be indigestion I’m feeling.”

Shan threw back his head, laughing as he swatted Race’s ass. “If nothing else I have a feeling you’re going to keep me well grounded and amused, kid.”