Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

comfortable there." Stone gave him a look that said this was going to be a fight if he disagreed, so Preston found himself back in Geoff's arms. The surprisingly strong man carried him upstairs, with Stone following, carrying up his chair. At the top of the stairs, Stone unfolded his chair, and Geoff set Preston in it, saying good night and then disappearing back down the stairs.
    "Do you need any help?" Stone showed him the bathroom. His first reflex was to say no, but he wasn't sure if he'd need anything. The bathroom wouldn't have any of the hated modifications that he'd come to rely on.

    "I'm not sure."

    "Then I'll stay here in the hall. Call if you need me." Stone must have seen the embarrassment that welled through Preston, because he smoothed his hand over his arm. "My mom used to tell me that we all need help every once in a while."

    Preston nodded, wheeled himself into the bathroom, and cleaned up with no issues. When he was done, he glided out backwards and met Stone, who directed him to the bedroom.

    "You should have everything you need. There are clean sheets on the bed." He turned back the covers. "I'll see you in the morning." The door began to close behind him.

    "Stone." The door opened, and he poked his head back inside. "Please." Preston held out his hand, looking to Stone, waiting to see if he'd accept the invitation. Preston wanted desperately to know what Stone felt like. "Don't sleep on the sofa."

    Stone moved slowly into the room, and Preston breathed a sigh that he hadn't been rejected.
    He'd half expected it, anyway. Their hands touched, and Preston gently tugged Stone to him, his other hand tracing the skin on his cheek, thumb sliding over a quivering lower lip. "Don't be scared or nervous. I'd never hurt you, ever." The force of the sentiment behind the words was almost scary in its vehemence. "I promise."
    Stone nodded, and Preston let his hands slip away and opened his shirt, letting it slip off his shoulders before sliding off his shoes and getting his socks off his feet. Reclining on the bed, he slid off his pants, leaving his underwear on and shimmying beneath the crisp, cool covers. Stone hadn't taken his eyes off Preston.
    The covers lifted and cool air reached Preston's skin, replaced by Stone's furnacelike warmth. "It's been...." Stone's voice a little shaky. "I know. Don't worry, just relax." He put his arm over Stone's tummy and drew them together, Stone resting in the crook of his body. It felt so good to hold someone again, to hear Stone's soft breathing and feel his warmth.
    Preston let his hand wander, making small circles on Stone's smooth stomach, his reward a soft moan.
"I don't want you to go when we get Buster."
    Preston's hand stopped moving, and he began to move away as Stone rolled over. The hurt welled inside him and he almost lashed out, but stopped himself.
    "My dad can be a mean bastard and he might hurt you," Stone's eyes drifted to the pillow.
"Particularly if he thinks you mean something to me."
    "Do I? Mean something to you?" Preston held his breath and lightly ran his hand beneath Stone's chin, needing to see those eyes, even in the dim light.

    "Yes."
    Preston relaxed and began stroking along Stone's hip. "I can take care of myself, and I really want to go." He felt his own eyes narrow. "If he gives you grief, he'll have to deal with me." He let his voice soften and said, "Because you mean something to me too." What, he wasn't completely sure. He wouldn't let himself call it love, not yet. Stone was so young, so inexperienced, and if he didn't shelter his heart, he was afraid he'd get it broken again. Kent hadn't been right for him, he knew that now, but that only convinced him that his choices in men were suspect. Trying not to let those thoughts intrude on the bubble of warmth that surrounded them, he kissed Stone lightly at first, but easily found himself drawn deeper by the intoxicating taste of the man pressed so close to him.
    "Okay." Stone returned his kiss before rolling over, and Preston again held him close, face near his shoulder, warmth surrounding them. "Merry Christmas, Preston." A hand slid along Preston's leg, his nerves firing, excitement growing. To his relief, Stone didn't pull away as his erection rested against warm cheeks.
    Taking a chance, he slid his hand down and found that Stone was equally excited. He wanted to know what Stone sounded like when he was excited, passion filling him, wanted to know what he looked like when he