Cade Creek 12 - Heart of a Mountain by Stormy Glenn

he cared about back home at the same time. It made making connections with people almost impossible. It was one of the reasons he was so paranoid about going into town. He couldn’t stand to make a friend and then lose them too.
    He was terrified of losing Aldrin.
    Jonah didn’t realize he was sobbing until he stopped. Somehow, his position with Aldrin had gotten switched around and he was the one now being cradled to Aldrin’s chest. The man was murmuring softly to him in between kisses pressed to his head.
    “I’m sorry, Jonah, so, so sorry.”
    “I never got to talk to my mother again or say good-bye.” That might be the hardest thing of all. Jonah had adored his mother. The five years they were apart had almost killed him. He had just been too stubborn to see what he was doing to himself, and to her.
    He would never forgive himself.
    “I see a therapist for my PTSD,” Jonah said when he could finally talk again. “I know I have issues with intimacy, I have the emotional capacity of a slug, and I’m paranoid. The mere thought of going into town to be around people makes me want to puke.” Jonah glanced up at Aldrin, his gaze hesitant. “But please don’t give up on me. I promise I’ll try to—”
    The rest of Jonah’s words were muffled under Aldrin’s lips as the man leaned in and kissed him. Jonah welcomed the kiss, the connection to the one man he had trusted to share his pain with. He wrapped his hand around the back of Aldrin’s head and held him there as he explored the man’s mouth.
    When Aldrin finally lifted his head to stare down at Jonah, his eyes were wet with tears. “I would love to share the mountaintop with you.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “Yeah?” There was so much need in that question, so much desperate desire, that Aldrin knew Jonah was truly scared he would be rejected.
    He cupped the side of Jonah’s face and smiled. “Yeah.” He could think of nothing he would like more.
    Aldrin shivered at the sudden burst of morning air that blew through the meadow.
    Jonah frowned. “What’s wrong?”
    “I’m cold.”
    Jonah smiled at Aldrin. “Then let me warm you up.” He rolled and partially covered Aldrin’s body. He began trailing kisses across Aldrin’s collarbone. Aldrin’s body melted against Jonah’s, and his world was filled with him. Passion pounded the blood through his heart, chest, and head.
    Jonah’s hand skimmed his thighs as he unbuckled his pants and pulled them down. Aldrin’s impatience grew to explosive proportions while he waited for the feel of Jonah’s body in his.
    As Jonah undressed Aldrin slowly, worshipfully, his hands began a lust-arousing exploration of his silky smooth flesh. Aldrin’s heart danced with excitement. He could feel Jonah’s breath become rapid with each layer of clothes he took off.
    Jonah finished taking off Aldrin’s clothes and then pulled his own clothes off. When their bodies finally pressed together, skin against hot skin, Jonah stared down at him. Aldrin would have gladly given the man his soul in that moment. Jonah looked at Aldrin as if he truly mattered.
    His gaze seemed riveted on Aldrin’s face, then moved over his body slowly. Aldrin felt an excited thrill zip through him at the heat he could see building in Jonah’s eyes.
    He swallowed hard when he felt a hard cock press against his abdomen. Aldrin was afraid to move a muscle. His heart was beating out of his chest as he waited. The man was strong, reassuring, and exuded masculinity, something Aldrin had always craved.
    His breath froze in his lungs when Jonah’s hand skimmed up his body. His fingers made circular motions on his hips and then continued their trek up his side.
    Jonah’s fingers ghosted over Aldrin’s face. Aldrin groaned when Jonah’s lips softly kissed behind his ear and then trailed down his neck. The hot breath blowing across his flesh was spicy, masculine, and welcoming.
    One of Jonah’s hands pushed under Aldrin, pulling him closer as his tongue