Kel’s Keeper
KC Wells
M/M Romance, Daddy/boy, Age gap
Release Date: 09.01.19
Cover by Meredith Russell
Photographer by Ben Fink
Models: Adam Keith and Joe Ryan
BLURB
When Kel Taylor’s life changes irrevocably, he finds himself alone in the world. He might have rebelled a little against his parents, but that didn’t mean he was ready to lose them. Unable to cope with his grief and feelings of guilt, he turns to booze, but before he hits rock bottom, someone dives into the murky waters to save him.
Luc Bryant watched Kel grow from the little kid whose football broke a pane in his greenhouse, into the sexy young man who sent heat racing through him. That was when Luc stopped watching and distanced himself, because he didn’t want to be that kind of a man. And that’s how things continued, until he saw to what depths the boy had sunk. Luc will be damned if he’ll let Kel kill himself. What Kel needs is a friend, and Luc’s shoulders are plenty big enough to bear his burdens.
Kel doesn’t need a friend. He needs a pair of strong arms to hold him, a broad chest to curl up against, someone to listen to him, someone who cares for him… and a whole lot more.
What he needs is a Daddy.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
A stand-alone book that contains an age gap relationship between a sexy daddy and a virgin.
Kel put his plate in the dishwasher and closed the door. A glass of juice, and he’d be ready for the afternoon. Luc had called briefly while he was eating, mainly to check if there was anything Kel needed.
He chuckled. That man could read a phone directory for hours and I’d just sit and listen. He loved the sound of Luc’s voice. It was deep, like his dad’s, but there the similarity ended. Luc’s voice had a rich quality to it. It was the kind of voice that made Kel want to curl up on the couch and shut out the world while he listened, enraptured. It inspired feelings of warmth, comfort, and security. It was also that same voice Kel heard in his head when he lay in bed at night, only then it was saying things that sent heat racing through him, until he came with a shudder.
As he removed the juice from the refrigerator, the phone rang, and seconds later Kel heard a man’s voice. A surprisingly young, camp voice.
Surprise! Well, you did say to call you when I got back from the UK. Except you’re not in Raleigh. I asked at Legends and Flex, but no one’s seen you in a while. You okay? And if you’re not, can I kiss your boo-boos and make ’em all better? [laughter] Seriously, Luc, my ass is in desperate need of your magnificent cock, so when you get this—call me. I promise I’ll make it worth your while. [chuckle]
The machine beeped as the message came to an end.
The empty glass slipped from Kel’s hand and fell to the floor, shattering into hundreds of sparkly fragments, and he gave a start. He grabbed a dustpan and brush, and hurriedly gathered up all the shards he could see. Once they were safely deposited in a plastic bag, Kel went over to the phone and played the message.
It was worse the second time, because that only made it clear he hadn’t imagined it. He replayed it, desperately wondering if there was any chance he was mistaking the implications, but the message was as subtle as a sledgehammer.
Luc’s gay.
There was no getting away from it.
Kel replayed the message, but before it reached the end, he clicked on the X button and deleted it. A sudden coldness hit him at his core, and he sucked air into his lungs that didn’t appear to be functioning properly.
He’s gay. And he said nothing. He’s known I’m gay since May, and he hasn’t said a word. Kel sat down heavily at the table, unable to focus his thoughts. A wave of dizziness overcame him, and he put his head in his hands. His emotions tugged him in several directions, and he wasn’t sure which would win out over the others—his deep sense of hurt, his acute embarrassment, or his feelings of jealousy.
How can I face him, knowing this? What on earth will I say to him?
***
Dinner had been enough to bring Luc to a conclusion. Kel had picked at his food, saying very little, but by then Luc was convinced this was nothing to do with his parents. He caught Kel looking at him now and then, only to have his gaze flick away. Something in his expression gnawed at Luc’s insides.
This is to do with me. He was sure of it. Luc racked his brains, trying to figure out what he could have done to elicit such a reaction.
“I’m going to grab a shower,” Kel announced, after filling the dishwasher.
“Now?” The word slipped out before Luc had time to think. He sighed. “Sure. Whatever.” If he wanted a shower, what of it?
Kel blinked, then left the kitchen.
Luc leaned against the cabinet. This is useless. Saying nothing had gotten them nowhere.
Then say something!
He walked to the foot of the stairs, listening. There was no sound of running water yet. Luc went upstairs, his heartbeat speeding up. When he reached Kel’s door, he hesitated, torn between discovering the truth and not rocking the boat.
Boat be damned. Something is badly wrong, and I need to know what the hell is going on.
Luc rapped on the door. “Can we talk?”
“I’m about to get in the shower.”
“But you’re not in there yet.” Luc wasn’t taking no for an answer. He waited, his heart pounding. Come on, Kel.
Finally the door opened slowly, and Kel stood there, still dressed, his expression guarded. “What do you want to talk about?”
“I know I said I wouldn’t come into your room, but are we really going to have a conversation like this?”
Kel shrugged. “Come on in. It’s your house.” He stood to one side to let Luc enter. Luc sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to join him. To his dismay, Kel stood by the door, leaning against the wall, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans.
Here goes.
Luc took a deep breath. “Okay. Suppose you tell me what’s wrong.”
There was that same shrug. “Nothing’s wrong.”
Luc folded his arms across his chest. “Well, clearly that’s a lie.” He took in Kel’s body language, the way Kel avoided looking at him and studied the rug instead. “You’ve decided you’re ready to move back home, is that it? You want to go home, and you’re feeling awkward about telling me? Well, if that’s it, don’t worry. Don’t feel bad about not needing me anymore.” His chest tightened as he uttered the words. Kel going home was the last thing he wanted.
Slowly, Kel raised his head, until he was looking Luc in the eye. For a moment he said nothing, and the hairs on Luc’s arms stood on end. Kel took a deep breath. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Luc was momentarily stumped. “Tell you? What…” Then something clicked into place. That phone message. In his urgency to answer that stupid letter, it had slipped from his mind. In a flash Luc put two and two together. He unfolded his arms and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I could ask you the same question. Like, maybe something to do with a missing phone message…”
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re gay?” Kel blurted out, his cheeks flushed.
Aw fuck. I should have picked up on this last night. “I didn’t think it would be helpful,” he said simply.
Kel widened his eyes. “Seriously? I came out to you, and you didn’t think saying, ‘Hey, guess what? Me too!” would’ve been helpful?”
“Kel, think for a minute.” Luc gazed at him earnestly. “What have you been like these last few months? Your emotions have been all over the place, which is hardly surprising. I didn’t want to add to your confusion. And besides, I had no idea how you felt about being gay.”
“What does that mean?” Kel regarded him with puzzlement, his brows knitted.
“Some guys, when they realize that’s what they are, don’t want to accept it.”
“But that’s not me. I know what I am, and that’s not gonna change.” Kel swallowed. “At least, now I know. I wasn’t always like that.”
“Okay then. Answer me this. If I’d told you I was gay, and the next thing out of my mouth was, ‘Hey, come stay with me,’ what do you think would have been the first thing to cross your mind?” Luc stared at him. “And be honest. Because I know what I’d have thought. ‘Maybe Luc’s offering more than a place to stay.’” He air-quoted.
“And what would have been wrong with that? Maybe I might have liked that kind of an offer.” Kel yelled. No sooner had the words fallen from his lips than he paled. “Oh God,” he said weakly.
Luc caught his breath. What the hell? “Why did you delete the call?”
Kel swallowed, but remained silent.
“Tell me!” Luc demanded. “You’ve gotten this far, so don’t stop now.”
Kel blinked and gave a little start. “I guess at first I felt awkward listening to him talk to you like that. But mostly… I was jealous.”
It was Luc’s turn to blink. “Jealous? Of what?” When Kel hesitated, Luc pressed on. “Just tell me, all right?” he said softly. Kel’s words had lit a fire in him, and he needed answers.
Kel’s breathing was uneven. “I hated the fact that this guy had obviously already had a taste of what I’ve been wanting for—” He broke off, swallowing hard.
Luc stilled, but his mind was racing. “For how long, Kel? How long have you wanted me like that?” This had to be a dream, and if it was, Luc didn’t want to wake up. Because the implications….
Kel sighed. “The first time I realized I was attracted to you? I was eighteen. As for how long I’ve wanted you? Weeks. I’ve lost track of how many. I’ve driven myself crazy wanting something I couldn’t have. Because there I was, thinking I had the hots for a straight guy.”
Luc couldn’t hold back his smile. “And there I was, trying my damnedest not to show how much I wanted you…” Is this real? Oh God, let it be real.
Kel gazed at him, a tentative smile blossoming. “You want… me?”
This was not a dream.
Only, it couldn’t be that easy. “But… are you sure about this? I mean, a guy my age? How can you—”
Kel was across the room in a heartbeat, falling to his knees in front of him, his fingers pressed to Luc’s lips. “Nope. Don’t even go there. Because I don’t care. Okay?”
Luc nodded, fighting the urge to suck on Kel’s fingers, to watch his beautiful eyes widen, his lips part…
Slowly Kel withdrew his hand. “Show me, Luc. Show me how much you want me.” He paused, then inhaled deeply. “Kiss me?”
K.C. Wells started writing in 2012, although the idea of writing a novel had been in her head since she was a child. But after reading that first gay romance in 2009, she was hooked.
She now writes full time, and the line of men in her head, clamouring to tell their story, is getting longer and longer. If the frequent visits by plot bunnies are anything to go by, that’s not about to change anytime soon.
And for those who like their stories on the hotter side, K.C. also writes under the name of Tantalus.
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