Sweet Temptation

"Why do you think he wants to take you out?" Raven asked eagerly.

"I'm sure it's nothing. We're just overdue for some alone time," Charles assured her calmly.

"I'll bet you are," she waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Nothing like that," he blushed and shoved her over where she was perched on his couch. She fell over dramatically and took the opportunity to sprawl out.

"I wonder if he sees it that way. I bet he wants to invite you to the holidays or on a long weekend," she faded out dreamily. Likely thinking of the long weekend she had just returned from with Azazel. Charles had been half expecting the man to propose on the trip but he hadn't and Raven didn't seem disappointed so he left well enough alone.

"Maybe. But I doubt he'd be willing to leave Nina for a whole weekend. That's when they get the most time together."

"Hmmm, and he's not the only one who would miss her," Raven teased, knowing how attached he was to the little girl.

"No, he's not. She's the best," he said a soft smile playing about his lips.

"Aww, Daddy Charles!" she cooed.

"Not yet," he grinned, "but maybe someday."

"Look at you! All grown up," she smiled. "Let's go pick out an outfit that will make him want to get down on one knee! And I can tell you about Alex and Armando," she cajoled when she saw that he was about to decline in favor of eating more of the blueberry coffee cake she'd brought over.

He perked up immediately, "What? Were we right? They're a thing?"

"A little bird told me there may have been a kiss," she teased playfully before darting up the stairs to his bedroom and rifling though his closet.

He dashed up after her, eager to hear more gossip and plan for his evening with Erik.

~~

"This place is lovely," Charles said softly as they were seated at a white linen table service in a high end steak house. Erik had chosen well.

"Thank you, I've heard good things about this place."

"Me too, but I've never been! I love trying new places!" he smiled and gave Erik's hand a small squeeze where it rested on the table top.

"Even better! You can teach me to scout a good place."

"Well, let's start with the wine menu," he smiled and opened the slim menu. They easily segued into light conversation about their preferred vintages and Erik allowed himself to relax.

He'd been nervous since asking Charles out and he knew the other man had noticed. Even Nina had noted his distraction when he dropped her off at his sister's for the night.

"Erik?" Charles asked gently.

"Yes?" he asked, brought back to the present with a start.

"You seem...preoccupied. Is everything alright?" he asked, concerned. He'd thought tonight was meant to be a relaxing, romantic evening for the two of them but perhaps he'd read this wrong. Erik had so much going on right now; maybe he wanted- needed- to take a break from them for a while.

He'd be heartbroken but understanding. He'd even try to wait until Erik was ready for more. Maybe Nina had reacted badly after finding them in bed together and she needed time to adjust.

"I'm sorry, Charles. I didn't mean to worry you. I've been looking forwards to tonight for a long time. I've wanted to have you to myself and now I'm ruining it," he gave a rueful chuckle, reaching for the other mans hand again.

Charles gave a relieved smile and grasped his hand firmly. It seemed like he'd been getting ahead of himself again. "You haven't ruined anything."

"Good, good. I'm glad," he fiddled with his tie anxiously and took a sip of water. Charles waited patiently for Erik to open up to him.

"Charles. I know we haven't known each other for very long. A few months total. And we've been dating for even less time than that. This has been a...tumultuous time in my life and having your support has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. Please tell me if I'm moving too fast or asking too much of you but...when I picture my future, no matter how far I look, I see you." He paused again to collect his thoughts, trying not to be overwhelmed by the love he felt for his boyfriend.

Charles leaned forwards and grasped Erik's hand in both of his, his eyes shimmered in the candlelight and in that moment he was the most handsome man Erik had ever seen. The vice around his heart loosened as he gazed into those starlight eyes. "I love you, Charles. And I hope to spend the rest of my life proving that to you every day. If it were just me, I'd ask you to go to the courthouse and get married at your earliest convenience."

Charles chuckled at that and tried to hide a sniffle at the same time.

"So instead, I'm stating my intentions formally and asking you to consider what it would mean to be with me-with us for the rest of your life," he paused again and looked down at their entwined hands. Charles squeezed back encouragingly. "If you're willing to give it-us- a try. I'd like for you to move in with us when your lease is up," he concluded softly.

Charles was floored. Erik wanted to spend their lives together, he wanted to get married! He wanted Charles to live with them and be with them every day. He sat in stunned silence, not having expected this in spite of all that Raven had said.

Erik swallowed nervously, "Of course you can take as long as you need to think about it. And I still want to be with you, even if you don't want-"

"I want," Charles hushed him softly, eyes definitely wet with a sheen of tears. "I definitely want. Yes, to it all. I'd be happy too," he leaned in and they shared a chaste kiss over the small table.

"Really?" Erik asked, like he'd been imagining some horrible outcome to his lovely speech and wanted to give Charles the opportunity to back out of this, even now.

"Erik, if you wanted to live as neighbors until Nina left for college I'd do it. I'd do anything to stay with you-both by the way. I love you too, you know?" he concluded warmly.

Erik smiled so wide his face hurt- a passing waitress stumbled and nearly dropped her tray at the sight before scurrying off to his own section, relieved not to be serving the sharp toothed guest.

"Are you gentlemen ready to order?" their waiter asked sotto voce.

"Charles?"

He nodded and placed an order for a half carafe of wine and a starter of sweet chili calamari and speared Ahi tuna with dipping sides.

"That sounds fantastic," Erik smiled, finally able to feel his hunger which had been sublimated by his nerves.

"I think so too," Charles smiled, happier than he could ever remember being. "Let's pick our entrees before we get distracted again."

"It was a good distraction," Erik said smugly.

"The best," he agreed flirtatiously. "I hope you have some other distractions planned for tonight."

"I do indeed. I also have another surprise."

"Oh?"

"Nina is spending the night with my sister," he took smug satisfaction at the way Charles' eyes widened at that.

"What are we doing here when we have the house to ourselves?" he whispered, scandalized.

Erik smothered a laugh at that, "While I'm flattered, I'll remind you that it's still early and we officially have all night." Charles' pupils dilated at his raspy tone and he took a small sip of wine to calm his nerves.

"I think we'll need it," he smirked. It was Erik's turn to blush.

~~

After a leisurely meal of truly divine steak and lobster where they did little else but flirt and tease each other to distraction, they finally called for the check.

"Not a moment too soon," Erik muttered to himself as he filled out the receipt with a generous tip. After Charles' scandalous behavior while eating their shared dessert of creme brulee with fresh berries and cream had him fighting down the urge to push the table aside and have Charles right there on the floor.

"Ready?" Charles asked with a smirk, clearly knowing what he'd done to Erik as he slowly, sensually, worked his way through the decadent treat.

"I'll show you how ready I am," he all but growled before hustling them out the door, more than ready for the rest of their night to begin.

~~

"Erik!" Charles gasped as his boyfriend sucked a kiss just into the sensitive spot just beneath his ear, "Please!"

"Soon enough," he grinned, satisfied at finally having the time to unravel Charles the way he'd always longed to."

They were sprawled across his bed, half dressed, and kiss drunk.

He'd wanted to work Charles out of his indecent grey suit pants and pressed lavender button up since he;d picked him up. His boyfriend had never looked more delectable. Except for maybe now, shirtless in his bed, lips and nipples bruised from Erik's kisses, pants undone, just waiting to be tugged off those perfect thighs.

Charles was gazing back at him in wide wonder, blue eyes dark with desire. "Please, darling," he begged.

Who could resist such a sweet plea? "Please what?"

He blushed a soft pink that swept up his cheeks and down his abdomen, "I want to ride you," he gasped as Erik's hand tightened around his erection where he'd been giving him teasing strokes through his under pants for half an hour.

"Hmmm," Erik grinned and pretended to need a moment to think about that. It was something they had never done, always making love with their hands and mouths until they were sated. The risk of Nina needing something at an inopportune moment or even walking in on them was too great a risk on a regular evening.

He supposed they would have to figure something out once Charles moved in, but they had time to work out the details later.

"Sounds like a plan, why don't I do what I want to do-suck you off- while I get you ready?" he murmured into his boyfriends gasping red mouth.

"Yes, yes, anything," Charles arched up against him and pulled him down into a filthy kiss that had them rutting together desperately until Charles managed to push him away, "Get me ready." He demanded in a no argument tone that had Erik's cock pulsing with desire.

Who knew bossy Charles would be such a turn on?

He pulled back only long enough to grab a condom and lube and shuck his remaining layers of clothes before ranging over his lover once more and settling between his bare thighs.

"How do you strip so quickly?" he murmured against Charles' hip, peppering it with soft bites.

"Practice, long hours, work" he panted, sinking his fingers into Erik's short hair.

Excellent, Erik wanted him absolutely incoherent before they were done. He nuzzled Charles' cock ran his tongue up one side, tasting the salt tang of him, loving his scent.

"Erik!" he gasped when Erik swallowed him whole and slid a finger inside him at the same moment. Charles arched into the feeling, desperate for more. Erik gave it to him, sucking him until he was nearly ready to burst then backing off time and again until he was working nearly his whole hand into Charles' tight heat and Charles was on the cusp of orgasm.

He pulled away without warning and rolled onto his back, Charles followed him immediately. Eyes wild with lust, he smirked at Erik and rolled a condom on, quickly slicking it with lube before straddling him in reverse.

"God in heaven!" Erik gripped those pale thighs in a vice grip and watched that plush, perfect ass sink down over his rigid erection until he was entirely sheathed in Charles' slick heat. He'd never seen anything more obscene, he'd never been more aroused.

Charles held still, relishing the feeling of being so very full, until Erik couldn't take it anymore and ordered, "Move, damn you!"

Charles smirked at him over one pale, freckled shoulder and began to ride him like an expert. It was all he could do to keep from coming instantly just from the visual of those strong legs, those slim hips, that faultless ass working him to oblivion.

After long, sweet torture of letting Charles go at his own pace, Erik gripped him by the waist and planted his feet on the bed and thrust up into him in a hard, fast rhythm that had Charles crying his name. He hammered his prostate with each thrust and in a matter of moments Charles was clenching tight around him and collapsing into pleasure with Erik only a few heartbeats behind.

Erik rolled to his side and helped Charles dismount before curling possessively around his boneless wreck of a lover. "I think I have a new favorite position," he admitted breathlessly.

"Mmmm," Charles sighed as Erik smoothed a hand over his belly as sweat rapidly cooled on their skin. "Thank you, it's my specialty," he grinned, eyes closed clearly on the verge of sleep.

He knew they should rise and get cleaned up before falling asleep, but he figured, they could always break in the shower when they woke up. That decided he pressed his face to the back of Charles' neck and allowed himself to drift off into a satisfied sleep.

~~

The next morning after they woke up stuck together and shared a very giddy shower that turned into a rather heated second round, they cuddled on the bed talking.

"What time do you have to pick her up?" Charles asked softly.

Erik glanced at the time, "7:30 at the latest or I'll have to find them at the soccer fields," he grimaced at the thought.

"Why's that so bad?" Charles chuckled at the face he pulled.

"Then my nephew will want us to stay and watch and I'll feel like a jerk for leaving. It's better not to get their hopes up."

"You're such a softie!" he laughed, "I have no idea why people are afraid of you!"

"How dare you!" he faked outrage, "I'll show you why!" he pounced, rolling Charles onto his back and tickling him until he begged for mercy.

They lounged in quiet contentment for a while, catching their breath, before Charles turned to him with curious eyes, "You never told me your plan. What did you and your lawyer figure out?" he snuggled up to his boyfriend who happily pulled him close.

"Right. It completely slipped my mind. I actually got the idea from something my mother said. We're going to go on the offensive and take them to court."

"You can do that?" Charles asked hopefully.

"With what our P.I. has discovered so far, I'd say we have a solid case and my lawyer agrees," he said happily."She's the best a family law in the tri-state area," he added proudly. "I know you already agreed to testify about the day you found Nina but we may need you for the trip to the store and the email as well," Erik said softly.

"Of course, sweetheart, anything I can do to help. We're in this together now," he assured him with a bright grin.

"I know," Erik smiled their conversation from the night before running through his mind. They spent a short while making out before Erik finally pulled back, stopping only to kiss Charles' pout away. "Come on, I have to go get Nina and she's going to be wild to see you after so long."

"It's only been two days!" Charles laughed incredulously.

"If you're out of sight she acts like she hasn't seen you in years," he said drolly. "You should see how she greeted my sister yesterday."

"Well, when you guys get back, I'll be changed and ready to take you to my favorite diner!" he blushed at Erik's surprised look. "What?"

"Have you ever eaten in a restaurant with a child?"

Charles frowned, "No, why?"

He chuckled at his boyfriend's naïveté, "No reason, that sounds great," was all he said. After all, there was no time like the present for Charles to get used to raising a child and apparently he was ready to jump in with both feet.