Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

doing just fine, happily munching his hay, and by late afternoon, they were pulling into the drive and up to the barn. Preston waited in the truck while Buster and his things were unloaded. He watched as the horse was walked past the truck and through the barn doors. For a man who knew he had no patience for anything or anyone, he was surprised and astonished to find that he'd wait forever for Stone if he asked him.

    The truck door opened, and Stone climbed in, starting the engine. "Is Buster settled?"

    "He seems at home and happy. Geoff said he'd be in soon and that he'd call the vet to take a look at his hooves in the morning." Stone drove in a large circle until they were parked near the house. "Do you have to be home at any particular time?"

    "No, why?"

    Stone turned off the engine and leaned closer to him, angling for a kiss. "I should have asked more clearly. Do you have to go home tonight? I was wondering if you'd stay with me?"
    Preston nodded and smiled, returning Stone's kiss, hardly able to believe his ears. "Are you sure?"
Stone bit his lower lip, clearly nervous and excited at the same time. "Yes, I'm sure."
    Preston looked toward the barn. "Is it okay with Geoff? It's his home, after all." And if they were going to be together, Geoff was going to have to carry him upstairs.
    "When we were in the barn, I asked him if he'd object, and he just smiled at me. I think the man's related to Cupid or something." Stone looked so cute, so kissable, that he couldn't hold himself back and tugged him closer, kissing Stone hard and long before a knock at the window separated them with a start.
    Sheepishly, Preston opened the door and shifted himself into the chair that Geoff had waiting, and he was wheeled backwards through the snow and into the house. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" he asked Geoff as the snow sloshed around his wheels.

    "Yes. Just don't hurt him."

    Preston had a denial on the tip of his tongue, but Geoff's expression said it all. He wasn't accusing, just cautioning, and being Stone's friend. "I don't intend to." That was all anyone could promise.
    Inside the house, Preston stripped off his coat, and Stone zoomed him into the living room, where a football game was on the television and snacks littered the coffee table. To Preston's surprise, the person sitting on the sofa, eyes glued to the game, was Adelle, who shushed them without looking away. He and Stone joined her and cheered right along with her. Preston figured that Stone knew about as much about football as he did, but Adelle's rabid enthusiasm was catching, and Preston knew that if he wanted to keep tasting her incredible food, he needed to make her happy.
    As soon as the game was over, she stood up, grabbed all the now-empty bowls, and walked into the kitchen. Preston didn't know what to say, and he looked at Stone, who simply shrugged and got up, sitting next to him. "I don't ask," he said, as Geoff, Eli, Joey, and Robbie all came into the room together. The couples all took places, sitting together. It felt so natural and accepted--no drama, no expectations, no having to be someone he wasn't.
    Just as Adelle called them to dinner, Preston's phone rang. "Hi, Mom."
"Are you coming home?" She sounded a little strange.
"No." He hesitated. "Is something wrong?"
"No, honey. Are you with that young man from the farm?" Her tone changed, and she actually seemed pleased. "I'll see you in the morning." "Okay, Mom... and thanks." It made him happy that she was pleased for him, but he had the nagging feeling that there was something going on. Shrugging slightly, he closed the phone and rolled himself into the kitchen.
    GEOFF set him carefully on Stone's bed and left the room without saying anything. Having to be carried to the bedroom was about as unromantic as he could imagine, but he'd swim the English Channel for Stone. Preston found himself feeling very nervous, though. Stone had said he'd join him in a minute, and he was trying to keep his stomach from flipping out.
    Stone had been hurt, and hurt in a sexual way. Preston wanted to make this as wonderful for him as he could, and he only hoped he'd be good enough, could make this good enough to blot out the misery and fear he saw in the young man's eyes. It took a great deal of courage for Stone to invite him to stay, something he'd displayed a great deal of already. Movement by the door drew Preston's attention. Looking up, he saw Stone walk in and close the door behind him. "If you