As Above, So Below - 1

As Above, So Below

by Mychael Black

Chapter One

Sparks leapt from the bonfire, illuminating the faces of the people around it. Kris Sierra sat back
against a cooler half buried in the sand and watched the others, most of them already half-drunk.
They'd come out here to celebrate the last day before three of them left for graduate school. Kris
hadn't decided on whether he was going back to school yet, so he planned on staying behind. He
didn't mind, though. He’d gotten his bachelor’s degree and, for now, it was enough. The small
coastal town might have been close-knit, but at least he had a job.

The rich, heady scent of cloves drifted along the breeze and Kris looked up at the other – secret –
reason why he didn't want to leave. At twenty-four, Ashley Moreau was the youngest of them all,
the last to graduate high school and college. Kris had watched Ashley grow from a quiet,
scrawny geek to a quiet, more toned geek, and the guy's demeanor intrigued him the more time
passed. Despite being the younger brother of Keith Moreau, Kris' best friend, Ashley possessed
something different from the rest of them. Kris had yet to put his finger on it, though. Whatever
it was, it lured him in and wouldn't let go.

“Hey, Kris, toss me another beer,” Keith yelled over the crackling fire.

Kris twisted and grabbed a can out of the cooler, then tossed it over, Keith nearly missing it. Kris
laughed and sat back again just as thunder cracked loud and ominous. Lightning split the sky, the
darkening clouds closing in on them. Kris sighed.

“Think it's about time to pack it in, guys,” he announced, glancing upward.

“Aww, sucks, man.” Keith tipped his head up and back to peer at his girlfriend upside down.
“Wanna go make out?”

She rolled her eyes and shoved him forward. “You're drunk,” she laughed. “Get up.”

Kris smiled as Keith struggled to get on his feet. The rest of the guys and their girlfriends soon
drifted off, leaving Kris to stare into the flames.

“You're not leaving?”

The question snapped Kris' attention back up to Ashley. “Um, nah... Gonna let the rain kill the
fire, then I'll head inside.”

Ashley sat down a few feet away, facing the bonfire. “I meant tomorrow,” he said, lighting up
one of his usual clove cigarettes. The scent, while not much different from a regular cigarette,
still held a touch of spice to it.

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“Oh.” Kris looked down at his hands and toyed with the frayed hem of his denim shorts. “Not
sure. Guess it all depends.”

“On what?”

Kris glanced up again to find himself under an intense green gaze. “A lot of things.”

Ashley finished smoking and tossed the butt into the fire. Then he stood and held out a hand.
Kris studied the long fingers for a moment, then reached up and let Ashley pull him to his feet.
“Come on.”

“Where are we going? We can't leave the fire-” A deluge of rain dumped onto the beach and the
last of the bonfire sizzled out. Kris blinked, mouth hanging open. “That was weird.”

“Just rain,” Ashley said as he led Kris away from the beach, toward the small house they'd all
rented for the week. The rain poured down onto them, soaking them both from head to toe.
Ashley's long black hair lay plastered against his back, and Kris found himself entranced by the
movement of muscles beneath the soaking wet shirt.

“Wait.” Kris stopped just as they got to the sliding glass door. “You're not worried about what
Keith will say?”

One black eyebrow lifting, Ashley smirked. “Keith's known since I was thirteen. Get inside
before you drown.”

Kris wanted to protest. Keith would likely kick his ass if he found out. “But-“

More lightning lit up the sky, and for a brief moment, Ashley’s luminous emerald gaze met
Kris’. Those eyes held Kris spellbound. Ashley possessed a magnetism none of the others could
ever dream of matching. Kris finally got his feet to move and stepped through the doorway.
Ashley closed the door and walked down the hall, obviously expecting Kris to follow. Like the
little lost puppy, Kris kept pace behind Ashley, unable to stop staring.

The moment the bedroom door closed, Ashley stripped off his clothes, revealing tanned skin and
a thick, half-hard cock. Tattooed scales in cobalt blue and brilliant green snaked from the left
side of Ashley’s navel, down to curl around his right thigh. Kris’ mouth went dry within seconds.

“You’re still dressed,” Ashley said, coming closer.

“I…” Kris swept his gaze over the toned body before him. Ashley was definitely not the same
scrawny kid Kris once knew. “My God, you’re gorgeous.”

Ashley smiled. “Thank you.” Ashley’s hands slipped beneath Kris’ shirt, warm skin meeting
bare flesh. Kris shivered and opened, Ashley’s lips covering his.

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Kris moaned, brain shutting down and all blood flowing immediately south. Ashley’s tongue
teased every inch of his own, the man’s hands whisking Kris’ shirt over his head, the kiss barely
breaking before resuming with hunger. Spicy sweet clove filled the kiss, drugging the last shred
of resistance from Kris’ mind. He’d spent so many years wanting this, needing to taste and touch
Ashley. Now he had it, and Ashley proved to be far from the pliant lover Kris thought he’d be.

Ashley ended the kiss and turned them. He urged Kris to sit on the edge of the bed, putting Kris
at the perfect level. Kris glanced up and wrapped a hand around Ashley’s cock, giving it a slow,
languid stroke. Ashley moaned softly, hips rocking into Kris’ fist. Kris swore he felt the man’s
heartbeat through the silken steel, and when he closed his mouth around the head, Ashley
gasped. A loud peal of thunder shook the beach house and Ashley’s fingers threaded through
Kris’ hair, holding it back for him.

“Yes,” Ashley murmured.

Kris swallowed him down slowly, loving the way Ashley filled his mouth, searing his tongue.
Ashley’s hold on his hair tightened and those lean hips began thrusting, pumping the thick
hardness in and out of Kris’ mouth. Kris gripped Ashley’s thighs and encouraged the
movements, head bobbing. He moaned around the heated flesh and caressed Ashley’s legs where
the muscles bunched and shifted.

“Don’t stop. Needed this.”

Kris had no intention of stopping. He sucked harder, faster. Ashley’s fingers dug into his scalp
and with a low growl, Ashley pumped a thick jet of liquid heat down Kris’ throat. Kris
swallowed every drop, then licked the soft skin clean. He pulled back and looked up.

“Ride me,” he said. “God, I want inside you so fucking bad.”

Ashley pushed him backward onto the bed and found a rubber in the night stand. Within seconds,
he had Kris’ cock sheathed and slick. Kris arched into the touch, hissing through his teeth as
Ashley’s hand stroked up and down his shaft. Then it stopped and Ashley crawled over him,
thighs straddling Kris.

“Ohhh… fuck…” Kris’ eyes rolled back as impossibly tight warmth enveloped his cock. Hands
on Ashley’s waist, he thrust up, earning himself a sultry half-moan, half-gasp from his enigmatic
lover. “Jesus, you’re hot.”

Ashley didn’t respond except to smile. He rested his palms on Kris’ chest and started rocking,
grinding back and forth, lifting and sliding back down. Every entry into that snug ass sent Kris’
mind and body reeling, his orgasm sneaking up before he was ready.

“Fuck. Fuck…” He took over and flipped them, pinning Ashley down onto the bed and
slamming into him, lips bruising in a hard, desperate kiss.

Beneath him, Ashley moaned and panted, eyes wide, nails digging into Kris’ hands. “Kris.

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Please… There!” He arched, shouting Kris’ name loud enough to announce to everyone in the
nearby houses what they were doing.

Kris didn’t care anymore. All he wanted was to see that look of utter, naked rapture again. He
thrust harder, rotating his hips and hitting Ashley’s gland again. Ashley shook under him, crying
out as he bucked and came. Kris gave in and followed, rocking into Ashley as an orgasm of epic
proportions took his breath away.

Somehow, through the fuzzy post-orgasmic haze, he heard Ashley sigh, “thank you.”

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Chapter Two

“You fucked my brother, didn’t you?”

Kris winced at the barely masked accusation in the question. He knew this wouldn’t go well.
“Yeah.” Hell, there was no sense in lying about it.

Arms crossed, Keith glared at him from the other side of the kitchen. “You thought I’d take this
with a smile and a pat on the back? He’s my baby brother, for God’s sake!”

Kris sighed and sipped his coffee. He jumped slightly when arms snaked around his waist, and
despite facing the tirade from his best friend, he couldn’t help but lean back against Ashley. The
man’s presence helped calm any turmoil rolling through Kris. If he had a younger brother – or
sister – he figured he’d be just as furious as Keith. It was no secret how protective Keith was of
Ashley.

“Good morning,” Ashley said, sounding awake and well aware of the problem. “Giving my lover
shit already? Jeez, Keith – it’s not even eight in the morning.”

Kris would’ve laughed at the way Keith’s mouth gaped open like a fish, but he thought better of
it and just drank his coffee without comment.

“You. He.” Keith waved a helpless hand toward them.

“Yeah?” Ashley nuzzled Kris’ neck, breath hot on his skin. “Your point?”

“Ash!”

Ashley finally stopped driving Kris insane to look up at his brother. “What? Since when are you
my keeper? Last I checked, I’m a grown man.”

“But-”

Ashley stepped around Kris, crossed the kitchen in two long strides, and jabbed a finger in
Keith’s chest. “Fuck you, Keith. I’m done being the little baby brother in the shadows, got it?
I’m done being in the goddamned closet. If it means leaving this God-forsaken town just to be
myself, then I’ll do it in a heartbeat.” Keith wilted under Ashley’s words and Kris couldn’t blame
him. Kris had never seen Ashley stand up to his brother – or anyone – like this before. “And if I
want to suck Kris Sierra’s cock or take it up my ass, then I’ll do it and fucking enjoy it. Any
fucking questions?”

Keith somehow managed to pick his jaw up off the floor. Kris was still trying to do the same. “I
just don’t want you hurt,” he said, sounding a hell of a lot smaller all of a sudden.

“I know.” The wind seemed to go out of Ashley’s sails a bit and he shrugged. “But it’s my life,
Keith. I’m a big boy. I think I can handle things on my own.”

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Keith stared at Kris over Ashley’s shoulder. “You hurt him and I’ll kick your ass from here to
China.”

“Come on, man,” Kris answered. “You know me better than that.” He figured now probably
wasn’t the time to admit he’d been secretly wanting Ashley for years.

Ashley returned to Kris’ side, arm sliding around Kris’ waist again. “Are you done being an
asshole now?”

Keith slumped back against the counter. “Yeah. Sorry I overreacted.”

“No worries,” Kris said. “I’d do the same thing if I was in your place.”

“Good. We’re all agreed.” Ashley’s hold on Kris’ shoulders tightened in a half-hug. “Hungry? I
perfected Mom’s pancake recipe.”

Kris’ stomach responded for him and he laughed. “Apparently I am.”

“Sit.” Ashley slipped his hand down and swatted Kris’ ass. “I’ll cook.”

Kris started to turn toward the table, but a hand on his shoulder caught him. Before he could
reply, Ashley’s mouth was on his, tongue pushing in to taste. Kris almost pulled away,
wondering what Keith would do or say, but Ashley effectively stole any resistance he might have
had. Kris melted into the kiss, barely swallowing the moan that wanted out. It wasn’t until Keith
cleared his throat that Ashley stepped back, licking his lips.

“This is gonna take some getting used to,” Keith muttered.

***

Breakfast went without any further hitches and Kris retreated to the back porch, coffee mug in
hand as he watched the waves crash onto the beach. Ashley had gone into town to pick up a few
things, but Kris had opted to stay at the house and grab a shower. The salty tang of the air woke
him up better than any caffeine and he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

“He’s not out to anyone.”

Without opening his eyes, Kris nodded. “I know.”

“So who started it?”

“Honestly?” Kris finally glanced over at Keith. “I think it was just one of those silently mutual
things. I mean, yeah, he offered, but I certainly didn’t turn him down.” He sighed and stared back
out at the Gulf of Mexico several yards from their porch. “I’ve wanted him for a while, man.
Can’t lie about that.”

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“So why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Kris snorted. “And risk pissing you off? No thanks. Judging by how you reacted earlier, it was
probably a good thing I kept it quiet.”

“Look, I said I was sorry.” The wooden railing shifted a tiny bit as Keith jumped up to sit on it.
“He was always the little kid, you know? Picked on by bullies, pushed around. No one ever knew
he was gay, but the taunts were there regardless.”

“How did you first find out?” Kris asked him.

“I was sixteen, he was thirteen. Mom and Dad had gone off to some church retreat in Biloxi, I
got to play babysitter. I came home from work, couldn’t find Ash anywhere. I freaked and
barged into his room, only to catch him in the act, solo with a Playgirl magazine.”

Kris squeezed his eyes shut, knowing that had to have been a hell of a day for both of them.
“Yeah. I imagine that was a shock.”

“Yes and no,” Keith laughed. “I kinda suspected for a while, that day just confirmed it. He
begged me to not tell Mom and Dad, or anyone for that matter. I swore to him I never would.”

“How do you feel about it?”

Keith didn’t answer for a few seconds. “I don’t get it. I don’t see the appeal of touching a dude,
much less his dick, but Ash is my brother and I love him, gay or not.”

Kris smiled and bumped Keith with his shoulder. “Good way to look at it, man. Mom and Dad
totally freaked when I came out to them two years ago. Mom’s still convinced I’ll meet some
sweet girl and get out of this ‘phase’ as she calls it. Dad just thinks I’m crazy and he doesn’t
even talk about it.”

“Yeah…” Keith’s legs swung a little, rocking the railing a bit. “Mom and Dad still don’t know.
Hell, nobody does but me. Well, and you now.”

“Look.” Kris turned to face Keith, meeting his friend’s gaze. “I’m not going to hurt him, Keith.
Okay? I care a lot about him -- always have.”

“I trust you. He trusts you. He’s always looked up to you.”

“I know and I’m not going to let him down.”

“Talking about me again, huh?” Ashley closed the sliding glass door and walked over, tapping
Kris’ arm with a cell phone. “It was buzzing across the coffee table when I got in.”

Kris glanced at the missed calls page and groaned. “Mom.” He grumbled and dialed her number,

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then stepped away while Ashley and Keith talked. “Hi, Mom,” he said when she picked up.

“Everything okay? It’s not like you to go without answering your phone.”

“Yeah. I was outside and left it in the living room. What’s up?”

“Just calling to see how things were going. Oh, and to tell you that we’re having dinner with
Reverend Billings and his wife next Friday.”

Kris stifled the curse before it could slip free. “Um, what if I have to work?”

“Dinner’s not until seven and you get off at five-thirty. Oh, and you can bring someone if you’d
like. Maybe that cute little girl in--”

“Mom,” Kris said, cutting her off. “Don’t go there, okay? Not happening.”

“All right. I just hope you grow out of this before I’m too old to enjoy grandkids.”

Kris didn’t bother trying to tell her that Hell would freeze over first. “Yeah. Okay. Anyway…
I’ll be there.”

“Thank you, honey. I’ll see you then. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Mom.” Kris hung up and slipped the phone into his denim shorts pocket before
bracing his hands on the railing and staring across the long expanse of white sand.

“That didn’t sound too thrilling.”

“My mom wants me to go to their place for dinner Friday,” Kris said. “With their preacher and
his wife. Oh, and I’m supposed to take the front desk secretary from the office because my mom
thinks she’s cute and girlfriend material.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah.”

“So are you?”

Kris scowled over at Ashley. “Just as soon as the Pope announces he’s marrying a guy.”

Ashley laughed. “Dude, not an image I wanted to have.”

“What are you doing Friday?”

Ashley blinked, looking, for the first time, like he was at a loss for words. “Um… nothing…”

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“Will you go with me?”

“As a date?” Ashley chuckled.

Kris shoved away the mortifying thought that he might be blushing. “Sort of? I’ll make it up to
you, I promise. I just don’t want to endure that shit alone.”

“So you’re asking the one person who’s farthest from being an upstanding Christian to join you.”
Ashley grinned. “Hell yes. Anything to make a preacher squirm.”

“You’re so bad,” Kris laughed. “What the hell do you believe, anyway?”

“I’m pagan.” At Kris’ wide-eyed stare, Ashley shrugged. “Have been since I was fifteen, when I
got tired of the whole Christian idea of gays burning in Hell.”

“Good reason.”

“Keith once told me I’m a weather witch.”

“A what?”

Ashley smiled up at the sky, then at Kris. “He thinks I can influence the weather.”

One eyebrow rose and Kris looked at him skeptically. “No one can influence the weather,
Ashley.”

“No?” Ashley closed his eyes and Kris watched as Ashley seemed to relax. Ashley’s breathing
evened out, slow and deep, and Kris swore he felt warmth flowing around his lover’s body. A
rumble of thunder rolled through the sky and Kris shot a disbelieving look upward. No fucking
way. It was just a coincidence. It had to be.

“Um…”

“Storm’s coming,” Ashley said, eyes open and watching Kris again.

“How…?”

“I don’t know. I just can.”

Kris wasn’t sure what to make of the revelation. If anything, it explained the strong attraction
he’d always felt toward Ashley. Magnetism personified.

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Chapter Three

Kris forced himself to focus on his work, but the words on the screen ran together the more his
mind drifted. Normally, he liked his job as a copyeditor, but today, his thoughts kept meandering
off onto long black hair and startling green eyes. Kris groaned and leaned back in his chair, eyes
closing as he rubbed them with the heels of his hands. The phone ringing a second later startled
the hell out of him.

With a mind to get off the phone as soon as humanly possible, Kris answered it. “Harman and
Associates. Kris Sierra speaking.”

“You sound utterly thrilled.”

Kris sat up a bit straighter and grinned. “Well, speak of the devil.”

“Hmm… last I checked, I don’t have horns.”

“So how’s your day going?”

“Oh…” Ashley’s voice lowered a little. “Much better now. Yours?”

Kris glanced up, noted his office door was closed, and sat back in his chair. “Definitely better
here, too. Where are you?”

“Work.”

“Where do you work now anyway?”

Kris heard a door shut, then Ashley chuckled softly. “Look out your window.”

“Huh?” Kris turned his chair and peered out of his second story office window onto the street
below. “Okay. What am I looking for?”

“Building across the street, second row of windows to your right, third window up.”

Kris squinted and laughed when he saw someone waving from the designated window. “Well,
I’ll be damned. What is that?”

“Medical office,” Ashley said.

“Oh… wow. And here I half-expected you to still be working in some pagan shop like you did in
high school.”

“Nah. This pays more, and besides, I have my own office, even if it is rather small.”

“Same here.” Kris waved back, then turned around, propping his feet up on the edge of his

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rather-cluttered desk. “Not a busy day, huh?”

“Not really, thankfully. Had several appointments come in this morning, but things have tapered
off.”

“What do you do there?” Kris toyed with his pen, twirling it between his fingers like he used to
do with drumsticks back in high school.

“Lab tech – been here for a couple of years. I actually thought about going headlong into
medicine, maybe as a nurse, at one point.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“Eh. In a rut, I suppose. Comfortable here for the time being.”

“Yeah, I know that feeling. I like being a copyeditor, even though I have the expertise at this
point to run the magazine myself.”

“So… what are you doing right now?”

Kris grinned and shifted in his seat a little. “Sitting in my chair, feet kicked up on my desk,
wishing to God you were here sucking my cock.”

Ashley groaned, the sound drawing a shudder out of Kris. “I like that idea.”

“What are you doing?” Kris asked when he heard the faint but distinct sound of a zipper
descending.

“Entertaining that wish of yours… at least mentally.” A couple heartbeats passed and Ashley
moaned softly. “God, I’d love to suck you off. Love your cock -- so thick, filling my mouth…”

Oh, fuck. Kris dropped his free hand to his lap and rubbed himself through his pants. “Thank
God I’m wearing black jeans,” he muttered. “What are you doing right now?”

“Stroking.” Ashley hummed and Kris heard him sucking on something. “Licking precome off
my fingers.” Another second passed and Ashley gasped, “Kris. God, that feels good… Wanna
jack off while you fuck my mouth.”

“Aw, shit.” Kris got his pants open and his cock pushed out into his waiting palm. He groaned,
head falling back, phone pressed to his ear. “Yeah… Keep talking, babe.”

“Mmm… Ever come with a plug up your ass?”

“Goddamn.” Kris stroked faster, breathing more shallow now. “Ash.”

“Gonna let me sit on your face, ride your tongue?”

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“Ashley…”

“God… Kris… Close.”

“Uh-huh.” Kris pumped his cock harder, panting into the phone and struggling to keep his voice
low.

“Want… oh, fuck… fuck… wanna feel you slap my ass, spank me over your knees…”

Kris damn near bit his tongue off and he arched, growling Ashley’s name into the phone as he
shot. A split second later, Ashley moaned, the sound strained. Kris imagined spunk spilling over
those long fingers.

“Holy…” Kris fought to get his breath back. “You’re too fucking good at this.”

Ashley chuckled and hummed contentedly. “So are you. God, I needed that.”

“No shit.” Kris’ hips jerked a little while he milked the last drop from the tip of his cock. He
looked around for a paper towel or tissue, and not finding one, licked his hand clean instead. The
taste threatened to make him hard again. “Okay. What the hell are you doing tonight?”

Ashley laughed. “Believe it or not, I was actually calling to ask you that very question. I just…
got sidetracked.”

“To put it mildly. Wanna come over to my place? I’ll cook you dinner.”

“Ooh… And he cooks, too. Sounds like a keeper to me.”

Kris smiled to himself, pleased with that thought. “Seven o’clock okay? Need directions?”

“Nah. I’ll look it up online now that I’ve got your address. Seven o’clock sounds good to me.
Gives me time to grab a shower.”

“Cool. See you then, babe.”

“Later.”

“Bye.”

Kris hung up and sighed, feeling quite melted where he sat. Maybe now he could concentrate on
work.

***

When Kris walked through his apartment door at five-thirty, his tie already loose and his shirt’s

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top button undone. He tossed his keys into the little dish on the bar, dropped his briefcase, and
headed for the bedroom. The answering machine flashed ‘1’ at him and he had a distinct feeling
he knew who’d called. He pressed the play button reluctantly and started undressing as his
mother’s voice filtered through the speakers.

“Hello, Kristopher, it’s Mom. We’ve moved dinner to seven-thirty. Reverend Billings and his
wife can’t make it due to a church emergency, so their daughter Rebecca is coming in their stead.
I also need your measurements. Mrs. Billings is knitting sweaters for all the young college
students. I told her you like green.”

Kris rolled his eyes. “I hate sweaters,” he muttered.

“I really like Rebecca. I think you two might hit it off really well.”

Kris groaned. “Whatever.”

“Anyway, I’ll talk to you this evening sometime to confirm everything. I love you.”

The machine beeped and Kris just stared at it. Regina Billings. He struggled to even remember
the girl’s -- the woman’s -- face. Last time he saw Regina was nearly eight years ago. It figured.
He finished undressing, grumbling under his breath. He tossed his clothes into the hamper and
went to the bathroom. If Mom wanted him there Friday, then he’d be there, but he already had a
date, although he couldn’t exactly call Ashley that in front of anyone. Not yet, anyway.

Before long, Kris stood under the hot spray of the shower, head hanging between his shoulders
as the water drummed down his back. He washed up and shampooed, then did a quick shave
after he got out. He slipped on jeans and a T-shirt, and had just wandered into the kitchen when
he caught a glance of the microwave clock.

Six-fifty. Jesus, had he been in the shower that long?

A knock sounded and Kris gave himself a quick once-over before opening the door. Dressed in
khakis and a black Polo shirt, his hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, Ashley looked positively
sexy as sin. Kris managed to gather his wits and stepped aside.

“Hey. Wow… You look…” He closed the door and turned, only to find Ashley closer than he’d
expected. “Oh. Hi, there.”

Ashley smiled and Kris felt the effects from his head to his feet. “Good evening. Wasn’t sure
what you were cooking, so…” Ashley held up a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white.

Kris took both bottles, set them on the bar, and met Ashley halfway in a kiss. Ashley pressed him
back against the front door, hands and mouth scrambling Kris’ brain within seconds.

“Ash. God…” Kris groaned, head tipping back as Ashley kissed a path along his throat. “What
about… Oh, fuck, yes!” His breath left him, the gasp loud as Ashley tweaked his nipples.

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Ashley chuckled, fingers still circling, the teasing almost too much. “Yes?”

“Please… Can’t get enough of you…”

“You don’t have to beg,” Ashley murmured in Kris’ ear, one hand slipping down to cup Kris
through his jeans. “But I’m not complaining when you do.” Ashley sank to his knees and nuzzled
Kris’ crotch as deft fingers worked open the jeans. Kris’ cock pushed out and he thanked God
he’d gone commando. “Oh, nice.” Ashley exhaled along the shaft, tongue following. When he
reached the head again, he took it in his mouth, humming around the crown.

“Oh, fuck. Ash.” Kris’ head made a thunk when it fell back to the door and he gripped Ashley’s
shoulders to keep himself upright. “Please, God, don’t tease me.”

Ashley sucked him in deeper and moaned, the sound vibrating up through Kris’ cock and into his
balls. Kris couldn’t stop the thrusts and started fucking Ashley’s mouth, pumping in and out,
every slide over that soft, talented tongue driving him mad. Then two of Ashley’s fingers pressed
behind his balls and skated over Kris’ hole.

“Yeah… fuck… in me…” Kris babbled, unable to stand still. He somehow managed to spread
his legs and shouted, hips bucking forward when Ashley pushed into his ass. “Ash!”

Ashley groaned and swallowed, stroking Kris’ gland to milk every last drop. Kris’ head spun and
he rode the sensations, mourning the loss when Ashley finally pulled back and licked him clean.
Kris slumped against the door, panting.

“Holy shit.”

Licking his lips, Ashley just grinned. He palmed his hard cock through his pants. Then he rose
up and tucked Kris back into his jeans. “What kind of toys do you have?”

“Hmm?” Kris struggled to get his brain back into some semblance of working order. “Oh! Sex
toys.” Ashley nodded. “Umm… a few.” Kris swore to himself when he felt his face and neck
heat up. “Bedroom closet.”

“Got a plug?”

Kris swallowed hard, then nodded. “Yeah. It’s not exactly small, either.”

“Even better.” Ashley stood and winked, then disappeared down the hall, leaving Kris to stare
with his mouth hanging open. “Start cooking,” Ashley called out.

“Yeah. Yeah.” Kris finally got his feet working and went into the kitchen. He started taking out
stuff to make steaks and steamed vegetables. When Ashley returned, lube and the not-so-small
plug in hand, Kris watched him, food nearly forgotten. “Ash?”

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Ashley stepped up behind him and nuzzled Kris’ neck. He got Kris’ jeans open and shoved them
down. “Bend over.”

Thighs starting to shake a little, Kris did as he was told and bent forward, arms resting on the
counter top. Two slick fingers entered him and he gasped, rocking back onto them. “Ashley.”
Then the fingers were gone and the plug began pressing into him, stretching his hole open wide.
“Ohh, fuck…” Kris panted and moaned, every nerve and brain cell honed in on the feeling of his
body opening to the plug’s girth. The second his ass closed around the base, Kris arched, cock so
hard, it ached.

“Now,” Ashley said, pulling Kris’ jeans back up, “Feed me.”

Kris glared over his shoulder and Ashley simply smiled. “You’re full of surprises, you know
that?” He yelped at the sharp, swift slap to his ass.

“Not quite as full as you.”

“God. Ash.” Every move Kris made, the plug shifted. “Fuck. If I move anymore, I’ll come,” he
muttered.

“Mmm… really?” Ashley rubbed Kris’ ass right over the base of the plug. “So if I do this…” He
pressed hard on the base and Kris gasped, back arching.

“Ash.”

“Gonna come for me?” Ashley whispered in Kris’ ear, pushing on the plug constantly. “Like
having your ass full, Kris?”

Kris gripped the counter top and grunted, cock pulsing in his jeans, ass clamping tight around the
plug. “F-fuck,” he panted as he held himself upright when his knees threatened to give way.
“You. Damn.”

Ashley chuckled. “I have my moments.”

***

“The esteemed reverend and his wife aren’t going to be there Friday, but their daughter will be.
You think you’ll be okay?” Kris asked over dinner. He sat back and sipped his red wine, and for
a moment, thought he saw a glimmer of the younger Ashley.

Ashley poked at his steak a little, gaze downward. “In all honesty, I don’t know. Your folks
know mine.”

Kris leaned forward and linked his fingers with Ashley’s. “It’s okay. I’m not going to do or say
anything to out you, Ash. If you want to go as a friend, that’s fine. I understand.”

As Above, So Below - 16

“But it’s not fair to you,” Ashley sighed. “And it’s not what I want either. I’m not ashamed of us.
But you also know how my folks would react. I still live with them, Kris. If they found out their
‘good, upstanding bright boy’ was queer, they’d freak. I’d be homeless within seconds.”

“No.” Kris shook his head and squeezed Ashley’s hand. “You know you have a place here. I’d
never let you be homeless.”

Ashley looked up, and for the first time since they were kids Kris saw fear in those green eyes. “I
can’t stay here, in this town, if that happens. The news would be everywhere and sooner or later,
someone would find a way to make my life a living hell. You know how this place works. One
person finds out your business, and soon, the entire world knows.”

“Ever thought about leaving?”

One eyebrow rose and Ashley eyed Kris dubiously. “You said you weren’t going anywhere.”

“I said it depends.”

“On what?”

Kris smiled. “On you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“I’m not leaving you here, Ash. I l-” Kris nearly bit off his tongue but managed to recover
quickly. “I just can’t leave you. Here. To fend off the vultures.” The smile Ashley gave him
melted whatever brain cells Kris had left. “God, you’re gorgeous.”

Ashley laughed and stood. He pulled Kris off the chair and tugged him toward the couch. “I’m
not much different than I was as a kid.”

“Oh, yes, you are.” Kris sat down and Ashley straddled him. “You’re not off-limits anymore.”
He held onto the slim hips and tipped his head back, eyes closing as Ashley’s lips covered his.
He’d almost screwed up earlier, but thankfully, Ashley hadn’t seemed to notice. Kris didn’t
know how the man would take knowing just how deep things ran.

“You’re thinking too hard,” Ashley murmured. “What’s up?”

“At least two things that I know of,” Kris said, grinding them together as he thrust up.

“You’re insatiable.”

“And you’re complaining?”

Ashley chuckled. “Oh, hell no.”

As Above, So Below - 17

Kris had his hand on Ashley’s zipper when someone knocked on the door. “Shit.”

Ashley laughed and slid off of him. Then he stepped back so Kris could get up. Dropping a quick
kiss to Ashley’s lips, Kris headed for the door. Whoever it was knocked again.

“I’m coming!” Kris opened the door and groaned inwardly. “Hi, Mom.”

Helen Sierra walked in, carrying a box. “Hi, honey. I was just in the neighborhood and… Oh, hi
there. Wait…” She set the box down and went over to Ashley as Kris shut the front door with a
sigh. “Ashley Moreau? Oh, you’ve grown!”

Ashley shot Kris a pleading look over Kris’ mom’s shoulder before turning a disarming, if
slightly panicked, smile back to her. “Good evening, Mrs. Sierra.”

“Oh, please. Call me Helen.” Hands on Ashley’s arms, she stood back, as if checking him over.
“You certainly grew up handsome. How have you been? We haven’t seen you at church with
your folks in a while.”

Kris bit his tongue – hard – and headed for the kitchen and the wine, figuring Ashley would need
it soon enough. “Mom, come on,” he called. “Don’t harass him.”

“I’ve been working weird hours,” Ashley lied. “Helping out with the physicians in the office.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re working in that medical office across from Kris’. You draw people’s
blood, right?”

Ashley nodded. “Yeah – lab tech.”

“Well, that is just wonderful.” She patted Ashley’s arm and finally released him. “Kris, Regina
Billings is going to be a few minutes late on Friday, but she assured us that she will be there.”

Kris resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “That’s okay. Oh, speaking of Friday.” He met Ashley’s
glance over his mother’s shoulder. “Ash is coming with me. With Keith gone and their folks out
of town, I didn’t want him to spend a Friday night alone. I hope that’s okay.”

“Oh! Absolutely!” She turned and hugged Ashley. Then she gave Kris a hug when he walked
back out of the kitchen. “I have to go. Your father is waiting in the car. Anyway, see you two on
Friday.”

The second the door closed behind her, Kris slumped against it. “Can’t we call in dead on
Friday?”

“Somehow, I think your mother would find a way to summon our spirits to dinner.”

Kris groaned. “God, don’t remind me.”

As Above, So Below - 18

Chapter Four

“We don’t have to do this, you know.” Kris watched Ashley as the man stared out the
windshield. “Ash?”

“Hmm? Oh. Sorry. No, it’s okay. I’m just not good at the whole dinner-with-the-parents thing.”

“At least you’ve met them before.”

“Kris, it’s been years. Besides, your mother seems to think I’m still a kid.”

Kris chuckled. “I’ll be thirty in a few months, and she still thinks I am, too.” He reached over
and cupped the back of Ashley’s head but stopped when Ashley sort of froze. “You okay?”

“I’m not out, Kris,” Ashley murmured, looking at Kris out of the corner of his eye. “To anybody
but you and my brother.”

Shit. Kris let go and nodded. “Sorry. So… want to go in? Get this over with?”

“Might as well.”

Kris wondered, as they headed up to the door, if this was a good idea. Ashley seemed like he was
ready to bolt at any second, and Kris didn’t really blame him. The sky had already started turning
dark and Kris had a bad feeling it wasn’t any normal weather this time. By the time they reached
the top step, his mother had the front door open. It was too late to turn back now.

“Kris, Ashley – come in. Your father is in the living room, Kris. Oh, and Rebecca will be here in
a few minutes. She just called.” She stood to the side and let them into the house.

If there was anything Kris loved about coming to his parents’ house, it was his mother’s cooking.
While she might be a busy-body with her nose in everyone’s business, she at least managed to be
a good cook on top of it. Kris figured it was a fair enough trade for a few hours of dealing with
her and his dad. He resisted the urge to hold Ashley’s hand as they walked into the living room.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Kris. Hi.” His dad barely even glanced away from the television. “Grab a beer. Sit down. Who’s
your friend?”

“Uh.” Kris looked back at Ashley. “This is Ashley Moreau, Keith’s younger brother. He didn’t
have anything to do, with Keith off to graduate school and their folks out of town.”

“Ah. Well, grab two beers.”

Kris tried not to grumble. Getting anymore out of his father than casual small talk was next to
impossible. “Want a beer?” he asked Ashley.

As Above, So Below - 19

“Sure.” Ashley stood back a bit, hands shoved into his jeans pockets. When Kris met his gaze,
Ashley looked away quickly.

“Cool. Come on. We can sit out on the deck or something.”

Kris led the way into the kitchen, Ashley following behind. “Mom, we’re going out back.”

“Okay. I’ll send Rebecca out there when she gets here.”

Biting his tongue, Kris got two beers out of the fridge and motioned toward the sliding glass door
on the other side of the dining room. They went outside and as soon as the glass closed them off
from his parents, Kris handed a bottle to Ashley and gave the man his best attempt at a smile.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Ashley said as he sat down, unopened beer in hand. He
toyed with a corner of the label, staring down at it. “I can’t…” He sighed. “I can’t be with you
how I want to, Kris. Why the hell can’t I just be me?”

Kris pulled up a deck chair beside Ashley and dropped down into it. “No one’s pressuring you to
come out, Ash. I wouldn’t ever do it. You know that.”

“I know. I want to come out, but I can’t handle the fallout I know will happen if I do in this
town.”

Kris started to respond, but the sliding glass door opened. “Hi, Rebecca.”

“Kris! Oh, hi there! God, you look good. I haven’t seen you in years.” Rebecca Billings waltzed
out onto the deck, closing the door behind her. Given the low-cut, floral sundress and the almost
overwhelming perfume, Kris figured she’d come to impress. “Oh. Are you… are you Keith
Moreau’s little brother?” she asked, sitting demurely and crossing her legs. Kris caught her dress
riding up her thigh and closed his eyes before she saw him roll them.

“Yes, I’m Ashley Moreau,” Ashley said, the slight growl in his tone surprising Kris. On impulse,
Kris lifted his gaze skyward and, sure enough, the gray clouds began filling the sky even more.

Rebecca went on like nothing was out of the ordinary, her blonde curls bobbing all over her head
and framing her face like a dolled-up poodle. “I remember you now. You were a few grades
below us. Didn’t you repeat a grade?”

Shit.

Kris saw Ashley shift in his seat uncomfortably. Keith had warned Kris years ago that the subject
was a sore one. He struggled to think of something to say, but thunder rumbling overhead
stopped him. “Um. I think it’s going to rain. How about we go inside?”

Rebecca stood first, coming a little too close for comfort when she brushed past Kris. “You want

As Above, So Below - 20

to see the pictures I brought back from England, Kris?”

“Uh, maybe later, Rebecca. I promised to find something in my old room for Ash.”

She pouted a little and one manicured fingernail traced Kris’ collarbone. “You sure?” she purred.

A burst of thunder shook the ground and the deck, making Rebecca jump. Ashley stood and half-
walked, half-stomped down the deck steps to the yard below. Kris sighed and got up to follow
him.

“Well, what crawled up his butt?” Rebecca muttered.

“Rebecca.” Kris turned, meeting her gaze head-on. “I’m not interested in you.”

“What? But your mom --”

“She’s convinced I’m going to meet some sweet girl and grow out of this ‘gay phase.’” Kris
shook his head. “It’s not going to happen. I don’t know what she told you. You’re a nice woman,
don’t get me wrong. I’m just not attracted to you. I will never be attracted to you.”

She blinked. “You like guys?”

Kris counted silently to ten. “Yes. I’ve been gay for a long time. It’s not going to change.”

“What about Ashley?”

“What about him?” Kris asked, gaze narrowing on her.

“Is he gay?”

Fuck.

Kris shot a look at Ashley, but Ash had his back to them. “No.”

“Maybe he’ll like me then. I mean, he’s cute. Needs a haircut, but…”

“I’m gay, all right?” Ashley shouted, whirling around so fast, it shocked Kris that anyone could
move that quickly. He flung his hands up in the air, tipped his head back, and shouted it louder.
“I’m one-hundred percent fucking queer!”

Lightning sparked along the clouds and the tempest appeared virtually out of nowhere. A peal of
thunder boomed so loud, Kris’ heart nearly stopped beating. Rebecca shouted when the wind
gusted up around her, whipping her dress all over. Then the sky seemed to open up and rain
came down in torrents, lashing at the trees. Kris ran down the steps, heart racing. He grabbed
Ashley’s face in both hands and forced Ashley to look at him. Wind whirled around them and
Rebecca screamed when another bolt of lightning struck a tree in the backyard. Kris jumped and

As Above, So Below - 21

tugged Ashley to the side as half the tree crashed to the ground. The back door opened and Kris’
mother and father hurried out.

“Kris! Get back in here before you get hit,” his mother yelled over the wind and rain that poured
down around them.

“Ashley!” Kris held Ashley’s face still, close to his. Wild green eyes seemed to see right through
him. “Come on, baby. Calm down. Please. It’s okay.”

Ashley glared at something over Kris’ shoulder, then without warning, kissed Kris to within an
inch of his life. Kris gasped, eyes wide open, and it took a few seconds to respond. When he did,
Ashley groaned and thrust his tongue into Kris’ mouth, sweeping through it as rough and wild as
the storm.

“Home,” Kris panted when they came up for breath. “We’re leaving this damned town.”

Ashley nodded and while the rain continued, the wind and lightning began to calm a bit. Kris
thanked God it hadn’t gotten any worse. “I’m sorry,” Ashley whispered.

“About what?”

“About ruining dinner with your parents and --”

Kris pressed another hard kiss to Ashley’s mouth, effectively shutting the man up. “Enough. You
didn’t ruin a damn thing.”

Kris’ mother shouted his name again and Kris finally turned, hand sliding down to hold
Ashley’s. “We’re leaving, Mom.”

“What?”

Kris urged Ashley toward the deck. “We’re going home. I’m never going to change, whether you
and Dad like it or not. I don’t want a woman.”

“But… what about falling in love and a family and all that?”

“I love Ash, damn it!” Kris snapped his mouth shut the second the words came out. He wanted to
gauge Ashley’s reaction, but Ashley squeezed his hand, giving Kris a glimmer of hope that he
didn’t completely fuck up. “Good night.”

Instead of leaving through the house, Kris led Ashley around the side to the gate. He got them
into the car before finally having the balls to look at Ashley, only to find those intense eyes
watching him.

“Do you?”

As Above, So Below - 22

Kris sighed and nodded. “Yeah. I have for a while.”

Ashley licked his lips, gaze slipping down to Kris’ mouth. “Take me home? We can talk about
other things later.”

“Done.”

Kris started the car and caught his mother’s upset expression as she stood in the doorway. Then
he pulled out of the driveway and headed home.

***

Kris turned the car off and sat gazing out the window. “What are we going to do, Ash?”

“I don’t know. Your folks know mine. I wouldn’t be surprised if your mother called my mom the
second we left.”

“Neither would I, to be honest.” Kris glanced over at him. “You okay?”

Ashley shrugged and let his head fall back against the seat, eyes closing. “Not sure yet. I just
came out to the entire neighborhood, Kris. My mother is going to be in tears for the next several
years because she overreacts to everything. My father will most likely call me a fag, throw me
out of the house, and disown me.”

Kris winced. He knew Ashley’s folks. They were probably the most intolerant people Kris had
ever known. If a person looked different or lived differently from them, that person obviously
was less of a human being. Add in sexual orientation issues, and it was a breeding ground for
nightmares. Kris hated them as a kid, and he hated them now.

“I can’t go back there ever again,” Ashley muttered.

“Would you hit me if I said I wouldn’t let you anyway?”

Ashley surprised him with a laugh. “No. I just don’t want to impose on you, especially when life
has just become more… interesting.”

On impulse, Kris leaned over and kissed Ashley’s temple, only half-surprised when Ashley
didn’t pull away. “It’ll be fine. You’re not imposing. I’m asking you to move in with me and
we’ll look into places somewhere else, too. Now that I’ve got you, I’m more than ready to leave
this place.”

Ashley nodded and smiled over at him. “Me, too.”

Kris took a chance and kissed Ashley’s lips softly. “Come on. Let’s get inside, and I’ll prove to
you just how much I’ve loved you all these years.”

As Above, So Below - 23

They got out and Kris led the way up to the door. The second it closed behind them, Ashley
pushed Kris roughly against it, mouth crashing down onto Kris’. Kris moaned and held onto
Ashley’s hips, opening himself to the assault. He shifted them just a little and one of them
groaned into the kiss. Their cocks pressed together, hard beneath their jeans. Kris slipped a hand
between their bodies and stroked his fingers along the ridge at the front of Ashley’s pants.

“Too many clothes,” Kris panted. “Need to touch, Ash.”

Ashley ground into Kris’ palm. “Now.”

Kris worked their jeans open and managed to get both their cocks in hand. Ashley gasped, hips
thrusting forward. Kris stroked faster, drowning in the groans Ashley fed him. Hot, silken steel
slid alongside Kris’ shaft and he shuddered. He grazed the head of Ashley’s cock with his thumb
and Ashley jerked, grunting into Kris’ mouth as come coated them both. Kris was right behind
him, moaning Ashley’s name when he shot.

“Jesus,” Kris murmured, breathless.

“Damn, I needed that.” Ashley rested his forehead to Kris’. “Think we can do this?”

“Yeah.” Kris tilted his head until their lips met and he whispered, “I know we can.”

As Above, So Below - 24

Epilogue

“I can’t do this.”

“I’m here, babe. Want me to go in with you?”

Ashley nodded, still staring out the windshield at his parents’ house like a deer caught in
headlights. “Yeah. We won’t be in there long. Trust me.”

“Okay.”

Kris squeezed Ashley’s hand and they got out of the car. Ashley let him go and went up to the
door, took a deep breath, and used his house key to unlock it. As soon as they walked inside,
Ashley set the key on a little table in the foyer. His mother came out of the kitchen, already red-
faced, tears barely dried on her cheeks. The second she met Kris’ gaze, the heartbroken look
gave way to something darker. Her expression hardened.

“Get out.”

“Mom. Please.”

“I don’t want him in here,” Patricia Moreau hissed.

Kris shifted uncomfortably but didn’t attempt to leave. He’d promised Ashley he’d remain, even
when shit hit the fan.

Ashley inhaled slowly. “I’m getting my things. Then we are leaving.”

“Your father is furious.” Patricia crossed her arms and scowled at them. “He can’t believe you’d
throw everything away for… this.”

“This?” Ashley’s voice rose as he glared at his mother incredulously. “This is love. Take it or
leave it, I don’t care anymore. I’ve lived under this roof long enough to know that I’ll never be
accepted for who I am. Nothing was ever good enough -- for you, for Dad. Nobody.”

“You were told to leave.” Speak of the devil. Gerard Moreau walked out of his office and stood
beside his prim but fuming wife, hand on her shoulder. “Ashley, I’ll deal with you later. But he-”
Gerard pointed an accusing finger in Kris’ direction. “He isn’t welcome. Either leave now or I’ll
call the police.”

“For what?” Ashley shouted. “For standing beside me? Fuck that!”

“Ashley!” Patricia’s mouth gaped open like a fish. “Watch your language!”

“Boy, you don’t ever speak like that to your mother,” Ashley's father growled.

As Above, So Below - 25

Ashley glanced back at Kris, then back to his parents. “Screw this. You know what? Sell my shit.
I don’t care anymore.” He jerked the front door open, but turned just before he and Kris walked
out. “I’ve spent all my life hiding, all my life putting up with your bigoted, self-righteous
bullshit. I’m done. I was never smart enough, fast enough, athletic enough, good enough. You
have Keith, so I doubt you’ll miss me. You’re both full of shit.”

He grabbed Kris’ hand and tugged him out to the car without looking back. They left in total
silence, Kris glancing over periodically. Ashley kept his gaze focused out the passenger window,
though, his expression, for the most part, unreadable. When they got home, Kris turned off the
car and reached over, hand on Ashley’s thigh.

“I hate them.”

“I know, babe,” Kris said. “I’ve never liked them. Hell, they’ve never liked me, even when Keith
and I were kids.”

“How can anyone be so fucking arrogant and close-minded?”

Kris didn’t know how to answer that one. He’d wondered the same thing himself many times,
even about Gerard and Patricia Moreau. “I have no idea.” He gave Ashley’s thigh a gentle
squeeze. “How are you holding up?”

“Surprisingly well,” Ashley muttered. “I expected it to be worse.”

“Me, too. What about all your stuff?”

Ashley shrugged. “Don’t know, don’t care. They’re welcome to burn it. I wouldn’t be shocked if
they did. Heaven forbid anyone else catch ‘being gay’ from something I’ve touched. My mother
is probably scrubbing the door knob right now.”

Kris bit his tongue. As sarcastic as the statement was, it also made perfect sense, frighteningly
enough. It sounded like something Patricia would do. “Between us, we’ve got enough money to
find a new place somewhere else and to buy anything you need to replace the old stuff.”

“Yeah.” Ashley smiled over him, though it seemed a bit strained. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“Standing by me through that shit. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect her to attack you
personally.”

Kris laughed a little. “Yeah, well. I’ve known those two all my life, Ash. I’m surprised it took
them this long.”

“No kidding.” Ashley leaned close and kissed Kris. “I vote Bay Minette.”

As Above, So Below - 26

“Sounds good to me. Far enough away that no one will know us.”

“Precisely.”

***

Two weeks later…

“Kris. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes, Mom, I’m sure.” Kris held the phone between his shoulder and his left ear while closing
up a box of books. “The apartment we found in Bay Minette is nice. It has two bedrooms, so we
can use one as an office. Plus the place is close to Ashley’s new job.”

His mother sighed. “I understand the need to move. I was talking about living with, well, living
with another man.”

Kris resisted the urge to growl. She just didn’t get it. “Mom. Listen. I’m gay, all right? I like
men. I’ve liked men since I was a teenager. It’s not going to change. I’m not going to change. I
love Ashley.”

“But what about kids?”

Kris did groan at that. “I don’t like kids, Mom. You know that. I don’t have the patience for
them. I work all the time, and when I’m not working, I want that time for Ash. Kids don’t enter
into the equation.”

“Okay,” she murmured. He heard her sniffle a little. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom. And I love Dad, even if he won’t speak to me now.”

“He just doesn’t understand it, Kris. I don’t either. But we do love you because you’re our son.”

“I know. Look, I need to finish the packing. Ashley should be home soon. This is his last day at
the med office and when he gets here, we’re heading out. I start my new job tomorrow morning.”

“All right. Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Bye, Mom.” Kris hung up and flopped back onto the couch with a sigh, staring up at the
ceiling. “She just never gives up,” he muttered.

The door opened a few minutes later and Ashley walked in. “Wow, you’ve been busy.”

Kris laughed and got up. As soon as the door closed, he drew Ashley close for a kiss. Although
the fallout from Ashley’s parents had been rough, he smiled more now than Kris remembered
him doing all throughout school. Kris looked into green eyes that had held him spellbound

As Above, So Below - 27

through most of his life. Ashley hadn’t yet said anything about love, but Kris had the feeling the
sentiment was mutual.

“You ready to get the hell out of this town?” Kris asked.

“God, yes. They didn’t want me to leave work, but they understood. Got a good letter of
recommendation for the new place, though, I think.”

“Cool! Personally, I think they’re convinced you hung the moon, babe.”

Ashley actually blushed and glanced down, fingers toying with the neckline of Kris’ T-shirt.
“Kris, I…” His brow wrinkled a bit and he bit the corner of his bottom lip. Kris tried not to hold
his breath. “I want to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being here, for giving me somewhere else to go.” Ashley glanced up. “For not giving up on
me.”

Despite not having heard what he wanted to hear, Kris smiled. “No need to thank me.” He
cupped Ashley’s face with one hand and placed a soft kiss on Ashley’s lips. “But you’re
welcome anyway.”

Ashley returned the kiss before taking a slight step back. “Let me go to the bathroom and I’ll be
ready.”

When Ashley walked away, Kris spotted something on the top of a box near the door. It wasn’t
there before Ashley got home. Kris realized it was a small card and picked it up.

Kris,

I know I really suck at this whole emotions thing. Guess it comes from being stuck in a closet all
my life. It’s going to take some time getting used to expressing how I feel, but I want you to know
that I’ve always wanted you. I never knew how to just take what I wanted, but that night at the
bonfire, I knew it was then or never. It was a decision I’m glad I finally made.

I love you,

Ash

Kris nearly jumped when arms slid around his waist. Ashley kissed his neck and the lingering
scent from Ashley’s clove cigarette made Kris’ heart skip a beat. He’d never be able to smell
clove and not think of Ashley.

“I love you, too.”

As Above, So Below - 28

Ashley hugged him a little tighter. “Give me time. That’s all I ask,” Ashley whispered.

Kris turned in Ashley’s arms and met him in a deep kiss. Spicy and sweet, the intense flavor of
clove mingled with Ashley’s personal taste. It filled his mouth when Ashley’s tongue swept
through and Kris moaned softly. He threaded his fingers through long, black hair, head tipping
back when Ashley kissed a path down his neck.

“Ash…” Kris shivered and pressed Ashley’s face to his throat as teeth grazed his skin. “We’re
never going to get-” He gasped when a hand squeezed him through his jeans. “God, please, fuck
me.”

Ashley didn’t answer. Instead, he started backing up toward the couch, lips and tongue still
teasing Kris’ neck. When he finally pulled away, his eyes held a mischievous glint. “I checked
the mail before coming in.”

Mail?

Oh.

Kris smiled slowly. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Ashley began working Kris’ jeans open, never looking away from Kris’ eyes. “There
were a couple of letters in there. Some kind of test results.”

Kris licked his lips, his cock so hard, it hurt. “Test results, huh? And what did those results say?”
His jeans ended up sliding down his thighs, his briefs following. Ashley’s hands gripped his ass
and tugged Kris close.

“They said I can fuck you anywhere, anytime, any way,” Ashley murmured on Kris’ mouth. One
finger slipped down along the crease of Kris’ ass and tapped his hole. Kris groaned. “With only
lube between us.”

“Fuck.” Kris’ eyes rolled back as the tip of Ashley’s finger rubbed over the entrance to his body.
“Now. Please, Ash.”

Ashley turned him and bent him over the back of the couch. Before Kris could tell him to hurry,
Ashley grabbed the lube out of one of the nearby bedroom boxes, then dropped to the floor. Kris’
knees nearly buckled when, a couple of seconds later, a wet tongue flicked over his hole. He
moaned and spread his legs as much as possible, pushing backward. Ashley held him open and
tongue-fucked his ass, the sensations driving Kris positively insane. He rocked onto Ashley’s
tongue, muttering ‘don’t stop’ and ‘fuck me’ and Ashley’s name, over and over.

Two slick fingers pushed inside and Kris almost hit the floor. “Fuck!”

“That’s the idea,” Ashley whispered as he stood, fingers pumping in and out. “God, you’re hot.”

As Above, So Below - 29

Kris tried to respond, but the only thing that came out was another deep-seated moan. Ashley
pulled his fingers out and a moment later, began pushing his cock into Kris’ ass. Every last
thought scattered from Kris’ brain and he struggled to just keep himself upright as Ashley fucked
him hard and deep, hands on Kris’ hips as he thrust faster.

“Kris,” Ashley groaned. His hands tightened, strokes quickening.

“Oh, fuck. Fuck.” Kris grabbed his cock seconds before he shouted, ass squeezing Ashley tight
as he shot. Ashley grunted and slammed into him. Hips grinding, he filled Kris with heat, the
pulse of his cock the most incredible feeling in the world.

Kris slumped onto the back of the couch, out of breath. Ashley draped over his back and
peppered his shoulder with a few kisses.

“That…” Kris shook his head. “Fuck, that was intense.”

“Mmmhmm…” Ashley didn’t seem inclined to move and Kris couldn’t blame him one bit.

“You gonna miss this place?”

Ashley withdrew slowly and Kris shuddered at the loss. “Not really. So long as I’ve got you, I’m
fine.”

Kris smiled over his shoulder at Ashley. “Me, too, babe. Me, too.”

As Above, So Below - 30

Spice It Up: As Above, So Below
© 2009 by Mychael Black

All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or
reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680.
Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60370-837-1
ISBN-10: 1-60370-837-5

Torquere Press, Inc.: electronic edition / October 2009

Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX
78680

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