52 - All This Open Air

The morning sunlight poured over the sprawling two-hectare property, casting a golden glow on the dew-laden grass stretching far into the distance.

The earth was still cool and damp from last night’s rain, the air sharp and alive with the scent of eucalyptus, freshly turned soil—and beneath it all, the subtle, intoxicating waft of Sebastian’s lavender pheromones, drifting on the breeze, pulling at something deep inside Ezra.

Sebastian padded softly through the yard, oversized rubber boots squelching in the mud, a wicker basket swinging gently at his side.

His sweatshirt hung loose over his slim frame, sleeves pushed up.

His curls were tousled and messy, damp with dew, and his cheeks flushed pink from the crisp morning air—and from whatever invisible pull Ezra could already feel under his skin, heating his blood without a single word.

The twins were in full action mode, their shrieks of laughter cutting through the quiet. Camden, eyes wide and wild with excitement, had spotted a chicken and was flapping his arms, chasing after it like he could somehow take flight.

“Camden! Be gentle with her! That’s not a rugby ball, that’s a hen!” Sebastian called, stepping carefully over a mud puddle, but his voice was softer, almost breathless, as if caught between keeping order and the pull he felt toward Ezra just beyond the yard.

Camden glanced back with wide eyes, clutching the flapping hen—and then made a break for it. Caleb pointed at another hen darting wildly, feathers rustling as she fled. “That one’s running with an egg!”

Sebastian laughed—a quiet, almost shy sound that seemed to float on the morning air. “Someone’s going to be very upset when they see that.”

Ezra’s long, steady stride took him toward the chicken coop. His muscles rippled beneath his rolled-up sleeves, hands dirtied from earlier repairs.

He was calm, collected, strong—the kind of man whose presence alone could silence the world. But today, the invisible thread pulling him taut was Sebastian’s scent—warm lavender with a hint of musk, drifting closer every time Seb moved.

“We’re building a damn fence this weekend,” Ezra muttered, swatting at the air, but his eyes were already tracking Sebastian’s every movement. “That’s the third one this week making a break for it.”

Sebastian moved closer, watching Ezra bend to lift one escapee hen. His hips swayed fluidly, the scent of lavender rising like a soft spell.

“Maybe she just wants to raise her babies somewhere with indoor plumbing,” he teased, voice low, breath catching slightly as he let his gaze drift over Ezra’s broad back.

Ezra shot him a look, one corner of his mouth twitching upward into a half-smile—knowing, teasing. “You’re lucky you’re cute, you know that?”

Sebastian fluttered his lashes in response, a playful glint in his eye. “I’m also deeply resourceful.”

Ezra’s grin deepened, but behind it, the familiar ache stirred again—every time Seb’s scent drifted too close, every time he caught that teasing glance, Ezra’s teeth itched to nip at that soft skin, to claim what was simmering under the surface.

The urge to rut pressed at him like a living thing, growing stronger whenever Sebastian was near.

Later, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long amber shadows over the yard.

The air buzzed with life: trees rustled, children’s laughter carried on the breeze, and the earth smelled of newly planted trees—apple, lime, orange, and mango—mingled with the warm musk of Ezra’s sandalwood and spice and the faint, delicate sweetness of Sebastian’s lavender.

Sebastian knelt in the soil, hands steady and careful as he pressed the roots of a young apple sapling into the earth. Mia was beside him, dark braid bouncing as she mirrored his movements, pressing soil around the tree with delicate care.

Behind them, Caleb and Camden were wild with energy, kicking a football back and forth while Mr. Biscuits barked excitedly. Caleb dove to tackle the ball, rolling in the grass, while Camden chased after it, laughing breathless.

“Watch out, Caleb!” Mia called, brushing dirt from her hands. “Don’t hurt each other!”

“Don’t worry!” Caleb shouted, grinning fiercely. “I’m indestructible!”

From the roof of the shed, Ezra glanced down, his gaze settling on the scene like a slow fire. The laughter, the work, the life—it was grounding.

But more than the work, it was Sebastian—kneeling close to Mia, the curve of his waist catching the light, that soft, intoxicating lavender scent rising around him—that made Ezra’s breath hitch.

Then Sebastian turned, catching Ezra’s eyes, a flicker of something unsaid passing between them: heat, tension, something raw and urgent just beneath their easy smiles.

Sebastian gave a small wave before standing, brushing dirt off his hands, hips swaying in that effortless way that made Ezra’s teeth itch to mark him.

The shed was quiet when Sebastian slipped inside, the wooden walls smelling of sawdust, rusted tools, and earth—their refuge from the wildness outside. The light fell in slats across the floor, casting Sebastian’s figure in a soft, glowing halo.

Ezra, still on the ladder outside, glanced down at the closed door. His pulse quickened, every nerve alive with desire and restraint. The scent of lavender mingled with sandalwood and spice in the enclosed space between them, thickening the air until it felt almost electric.

Sebastian stepped forward, two cold drinks in hand, a small smile playing on his lips—soft, teasing, dangerous. Ezra wiped his hands on his jeans as he climbed down, the ache in his jaw sharpening.

“Careful, sweetheart,” Ezra murmured low, voice rough with barely contained hunger. “You keep looking at me like that, I might start charging you for the view.”

Sebastian’s eyes darkened, gleaming with heat and challenge as he handed over a cold can, fingers lingering on Ezra’s briefly—too briefly to be innocent. “That’s fair,” he breathed, voice sultry. “But maybe… maybe I want something else.”

Ezra cocked his head, muscles taut. “What’s that, baby?”

Sebastian’s fingers traced the edge of Ezra’s tank top, the lightest touch igniting fire against his skin as he stepped closer, the scent of lavender wrapping them both. “Mia wants to go to that camp thing,” he murmured, voice low, hypnotic. “Two weeks away. I told her we’d talk about it.”

Ezra’s brow furrowed. “Two weeks?”

“She’s excited,” Sebastian said softly, placing a hand on Ezra’s chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heart beneath the fabric. “It’s structured, with counselors and STEM stuff. She’s ready.”

Ezra’s eyes flicked to the yard, then back. His jaw clenched, voice gruff but tender beneath it all. “No miniskirts. No crop tops. I’m driving there myself if she doesn’t check in on time.”

Sebastian nodded and stepped even closer, bodies nearly touching. His hand slid around Ezra’s waist, warm and sure. Ezra’s own hand moved instinctively to Sebastian’s hip, fingers curling possessively—familiar, yearning. The magnetic pull between them deepened, low and raw.

Ezra’s mouth brushed against Sebastian’s ear, breath hot and teasing. “Do you know how much I want to mark you.”

Sebastian’s breath hitched, soft gasps breaking free. Ezra’s hands were already roaming—fingers dipping beneath shirt hems, cupping ass with firm pressure that made Sebastian arch instinctively, hips pressing back to meet the touch.

“That how you say thank you now?” Ezra’s voice was rough, close to a growl.

Sebastian swallowed hard, voice trembling with want. “I think so.”

Their lips collided—slow, demanding, claiming. Ezra deepened the kiss, hands exploring, pulling Sebastian flush against him, urging him to arch, to give in. The scent of lavender and sandalwood mingled, a heady perfume thick with desire.

Ezra’s teeth grazed Sebastian’s neck, the nip sharper, hungrier than before, a silent promise he’d rut Sebastian’s ass any chance he got—needing to mark him, claim him, in every way.

When they finally broke apart, breath ragged and hearts pounding, Sebastian’s cheeks burned with a flush deeper than the fading sun outside. Ezra’s eyes darkened with lust and tenderness both, fingers tracing slow circles on Sebastian’s skin.

“What do you want for dinner?” Sebastian whispered, voice thick with heat.

Ezra’s gaze flicked toward the coop, a slow grin tugging at his lips. “Rice and chicken,” he muttered. “That rooster’s been eyeballing me all week.”

Sebastian groaned, leaning his forehead against Ezra’s shoulder, laughter soft and breathy. “You’re terrifying.”

Ezra’s hand slid down Sebastian’s back, holding him close, their bodies warm together in the quiet shed. Outside, the kids played and the trees rustled, but inside their small world, the tension simmered, unspoken but undeniable.

This was home—all messy, wild, and utterly theirs.

And it was everything.