by Megan Slayer
“We’re going slow-ish. Normally, I’d be climbing all over you by now.” Josh kissed him again. “Plus, we’ve waited until the second date. The dogs helped encourage the first one at the coffee shop. This is number two.”
“True.” He rested his head on Josh’s shoulder. “I’ve always been glad the neighbors aren’t nosy, but today was a test. No one’s come looking for me, so I think we’re safe.”
“If they listened, they got an earful.”
Cameron kissed the top of Josh’s head. He wanted to pause in this moment all night. The date would have to end, but so fast? He followed his heart, despite the voice in his head reminding him to slow down. “Stay over. The dogs have plenty of space upstairs. I bet Win would share his bed. I’ll share mine.” Although he knew he shouldn’t push, he wanted Josh in his arms as he slept. He wanted to feel Josh surrounding him.
Josh held Cameron’s hand. “Every cell in my body wants me to stick around. I haven’t felt this relaxed and free in forever. I’m in over my head and drowning, but it’s so good. You’re more than I ever could’ve expected, but I should go. Dolly will want to go home eventually.”
“I know.” A man could hope, though. “How about we have a picnic tomorrow? Bring her over. Swimming, kissing…and anything else that might happen.” He tilted his head to look into Josh’s eyes. “We’ve got plenty of time.”
“I would love to, but I can’t. I have to work. Every third weekend, I’m at the office.” Josh sighed. “I don’t have to go in until after ten, but I’ve got to be there.”
“Oh, okay.” He frowned. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were a stripper or something.”
“I wish it were that exciting. Computer problems for the law firm are never that much fun.” He kissed Cameron again. “It’s simple stuff for the SG&G staff. Defrag the computers, remove viruses, streamline the data stream, update the security software…make sure no one is doing anything they’re not supposed to. Thrilling stuff. I can’t tell you how many nasty things I’ve removed from their computers. They work in law. You’d think they’d know better than to open every single pop-up ad or go to the websites that the malware demands they avoid.”
“You’re their Superman.” He envied Josh. The most he knew about computers was how to look things up on the Internet and to save documents in the word-processing program. He wasn’t a fan of computers and bucked, as much as he could, the trend to use them. “I have a hard time inputting my grades into our computers. I like the pen and pencil on paper method. A piece of paper has yet to be hacked.”
“Very true. These people, though. I don’t… They treat me like I’m not cool enough to be one of them. They’re lawyers and I’m just the computer guy. But never mind.” Josh stretched and tucked his now-limp cock back into his jeans.
“They’re wrong to think that,” Cameron said. “I’m not exactly cool, either, but I’m not about to let us quit on each other.” He wriggled his eyebrows. “We should go for round two, instead.”
“I need to get home so I’m useful at work tomorrow, but let’s have round two tomorrow?” Josh asked. “I very much want another date with you.”
“You bet.” He put his dick away, then zipped and stood. “The symphony is playing at the park. It’s an informal concert and pets are encouraged. Want to go? Meet up? I’ll bring the snacks and wine.” He hadn’t wanted the night to end. Maybe they could make another on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Josh patted his hip. “Dolly. We should go home.” She trotted up to him, then sat at his feet and whined. Josh frowned. “Don’t want to leave your lover boy, do you? I know the feeling, but I’ve got to work in the morning. You can come with, since it’s the weekend.” He glanced up at Cameron and clicked the leash onto her collar. “They don’t mind if I bring her since she won’t be under foot. If the clients were there, then no dice.” He turned his attention back to Dolly. “We’ll come back and see him. I have the feeling we’ll see a lot of our boys.”
Cameron’s heart warmed. Our boys. The words sounded so couple-y. He tucked his hands in his pockets. With Winston beside him, he walked Josh and Dolly to the front door. “See you Sunday?”
“Yes.” Josh kissed him. “Text me. Something clean. Something dirty.”
“A bit of everything?” Texting wasn’t his forte, but he’d stumble along for Josh’s sake. “I’m horrible with selfies, but I’ll give it a shot. Can’t say they’ll all be in focus, though.”
“I don’t mind. I can fill in the fuzzy spots with my imagination.” Josh lingered on the porch a moment longer. “I’m glad I finally said hi at the park.”
“Me too.” A part of him wanted to beg Josh to stay, but the rest of him remained in check. Things were going fast enough without him urging them along quicker.
Josh winked, then strolled down the steps and walkway to his car. Within seconds, he had Dolly packed up and was behind the wheel.
Cameron waved and watched as he drove away. He leaned on the banister and scratched Winston. “I think we’ve finally found the guy. He’s cool, collected, has a nice job and is stable…plus he’s cute and his dog likes you, too.” He sat beside Winston on the top step. “Karma, if you’re listening, I like this one. Can I keep Josh? Winston would like to keep Dolly, too.” Talking to himself and the cosmos wasn’t going to do him much good, but he didn’t care. He was tired of being lonely, save for his sister and Winston. For once, he wanted to find the right person and have a solid relationship with someone who wasn’t canine.
Cameron went back inside. As he locked up and switched the lights off downstairs, he made sure he picked up his phone. He ascended the stairs to his portion of the house. Sometimes he wished he had his own place, but other times he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. He flopped onto his bed and the LED light on his phone caught his attention. He swiped the screen. Icons for his social media decorated the status bar along the top of the screen. He ignored those, but he couldn’t dismiss the icon for texts.
He pulled up the messages. Two from his sister.
Nikki: Hope the date went okay. He’s cute.
Nikki: Won’t be home until late Sunday. Hope you’ve got a guest.
He chuckled. At least he had his sister on board. If she liked Josh…great. Her thoughts on his boyfriends had always been spot-on. He trusted her judgment.
Cameron switched to the other text thread. As soon as he read the first message, he cringed. He didn’t want to deal with his ex. Not tonight.
Lance: Saw you out tonight. Cute.
Lance: Seems a little young.
Lance: Left with him already? Too boring? Or are you too boring?
Lance: Come over. I’m lonely.
Lance: You give the best blowjobs.
Cameron groaned. If Lance texted about oral sex, then he’d been drinking.
Lance: I’m coming over.
He hopped up from the bed and left the overhead light off. He doused the glare from the screen against his shirt. There weren’t any cars parked in front of the house or in the driveway. Maybe Lance had forgotten about the text and had fallen asleep. Part of him couldn’t tamp down the guilt over the way he felt about his ex-boyfriend. Lance was a decent guy, but a bad partner for him. Lance had tended to give in to jealousy and belittled Cameron for his decisions.
He sank onto the window seat and sighed. When he moved the phone, the screen lit up with an incoming call from Lance.
Fucking hell. But if he didn’t answer the call, he’d probably get a visitor.
“Hello?” Cameron winced. “What’s wrong, Lance?”
“I miss you,” Lance said. “You were out tonight.”
“I was.”
“Does he like the dog?”
“Lance, I’m not going to do this. I don’t want to argue with you.” He paused. “You’ve been drinking, haven’t you?”
“So?”
“You know how it messes with you.” He might not want to be with Lance, but that did
n’t stop him from worrying about him. “How many have you had?”
“Two.” Lance didn’t say anything for a long moment. “If you’d just get rid of the dog, we’d be happy. He’s dangerous. We had fun. You loved me.”
He had to tread lightly. “I did, but you wanted to be with Andy. I can’t compete with someone so handsome. He’s a better match for you.”
“Guess so.” Lance yawned. “I didn’t want to come over. I’ll see you at the next meeting.”
“Get some rest,” Cameron said. “Put the bottle away and sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“I will.”
He waited for Lance to disconnect the call and moved to his bed. He collapsed on the mattress and waited for Winston to join him. The dog rested his head on Cameron’s chest. Cameron sighed and petted Winston. “I knew when I saw him at the club I’d have hell to pay.” Lance was supposed to have moved on. Why can’t he leave Cameron alone?
He closed his eyes and placed the phone on the nightstand. One day he’d like to find a stable man who could love him… Hopefully Josh.
* * * *
Sunday evening, Josh clicked the leash onto Dolly’s collar as he left the car. She stayed in step beside him as he navigated through the maze of people and blankets scattered on the lawn in front of the band shell. His back ached from being hunched over the computers all weekend. He hadn’t thought three partners and four junior partner lawyers could have that many viruses and bugs on their computers. Unfortunately for him, he’d been wrong. He’d wanted to be out of the office by two, but had ended up spending another three hours at his desk.
Now he was free. He spotted Cameron stretched out on a red and white checked blanket. Winston sprawled beside him. He’d brought along a picnic basket and a metal bucket. The weight of the weekend melted away from Josh. Right now, nothing mattered but being with Cameron and Winston. No demands, no script to fix…no viruses. Just having fun with his man.
He settled next to Cameron. Dolly curled up with Winston. He chuckled. To an outside observer, they’d look like a perfect family.
“Hi.” Cameron kissed him. “You missed the Prokofiev piece. There’s supposed to be something by Mozart next, I think.” He shrugged. “I don’t know classical music. Give me acid rock or coffee house rock and I’m good.”
Josh shook his head. He heard the music, but it didn’t register. The only thing he noticed was Cameron. He breathed the scent of Cameron’s cologne and drank in the way Cameron’s T-shirt clung to his lanky frame. The shirt fit Cameron like a second skin. He loved the sparkle in Cameron’s eye.
“What?” Cameron grasped Josh’s hand. “You’re staring at me.”
“Admiring the view.” He kissed Cameron’s cheek. “You’re sexy tonight.”
“Thank you.” He blushed. “I brought wine and cheese. I wasn’t sure what you’d like so there’s four kinds of cheese in the basket. Just one bottle of wine.”
“I like a man who’s prepared.” He opened the flap on the basket. “I thought you meant you’d brought four bottles of wine and were planning to get me drunk.”
“Nah.” Cameron sat up and opened the bottle. He poured wine into two plastic glasses. “I went by what the television chef said for wine and cheese pairings. If it sucks, then I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” He liked the nervousness in Cameron’s voice and the way he blushed again. Josh sipped the white wine. “It’s good.” He studied Cameron. The music didn’t entice him, but Cameron did. “You know…I don’t care about the concert.”
“No?” Cameron tensed. His lips parted. “Don’t you like the symphony?”
“I’d rather enjoy your company.” He cupped Cameron’s cheek. He’d never get enough of Cameron.
“Flatterer.” Cameron averted his gaze. “I like it.”
He polished off the rest of the wine and tucked the glass into the basket. “How about we get out of here at the intermission? We can take the picnic to my place.”
“I’ve got more room.”
“You’ve got a sister.”
Cameron shrugged. “I’ve got a balcony and the entire second floor, too.”
“Well, hell.” He leaned forward and kissed Cameron again. “I’ll go wherever you lead.”
Cameron grinned and shifted in his seat. He tugged Josh to his chest. “Recline on me. We’ll listen to the music until the break. I want to hold you.”
Josh leaned into Cameron and rested his head on Cameron’s chest. The moment couldn’t be more perfect. He patted Dolly’s rump and tapped his foot to the beat. He didn’t know his Mozart from his Rachmaninoff and none of that mattered.
Cameron trailed his fingers over Josh’s chest, soothing him. Josh shifted his hips. Blood rushed through his body and settled in his dick. He couldn’t wait to get to somewhere private. He wanted to do more than jerk Cameron off. His ass tingled. Soon, he’d be naked with Cameron and fully enjoying the night.
He wasn’t sure how much time passed or how many songs were played when Cameron moved.
“Okay. Intermission.” Cameron pinched Josh’s belly. “Should we go?” He ruffled Josh’s hair. “Have you been punished enough?”
“I have, but it’s been worth the hassle.” Josh sat up and stretched. “I’d listen to elevator music if it meant spending time with you.” He held Dolly’s leash, then helped Cameron fold the blanket. “I can carry the basket.”
“Thanks.” Cameron carried the bucket and Winston’s leash. He tucked the blanket under his arm. “Ready?”
“Honey, I’d follow you anywhere.” Josh watched the sway of Cameron’s ass as he walked. His mouth watered. He couldn’t wait to get to Cameron’s house and bury himself in that body. He might have had a crummy day, but he was about to have a fucking wonderful night.
Chapter Four
Josh pulled into the driveway and parked behind Cameron’s car. He noticed two other vehicles in the drive. Neither looked familiar, but then he hadn’t paid much attention before. He opened the door and before he could grab Dolly’s leash, she darted out of the vehicle and over to where Winston stood with Cameron.
“Dolly, we don’t live here,” Josh said. He clicked his fob to lock the car.
“She just wanted to see Win.” Cameron pulled the basket and bucket from the back seat of his car. Josh scooped the bucket from his hands. Cameron threaded his arm around the handle of the basket. “Thanks,” he said. “If you can, open the door.” He nodded to the side of the house. “We turned the pantry into a set of stairs so I have a private entry into the house. Nikki swore it would be better, but I think she’d rather know my comings and goings.”
“She gets lonely?” He held the door for the dogs and Cameron. “Or is she nosy?”
“A little of both depending on if she’s dating anyone. If she’s between guys, then loneliness, but otherwise, nosiness.”
Josh watched the sway of Cameron’s ass as he ascended the stairs. He wanted to grab a handful of Cameron’s butt. Instead, he held back. He surveyed the layout of Cameron’s half of the house. He wasn’t sure what he’d thought he’d find, but the sparse furniture and overflowing box of dog toys wasn’t it. Other than the overhead light, Cameron only had one lamp—made from a wine bottle—in the room. Framed vinyl records broke up the blankness on the walls. “I take it you’re not into decorating?”
“I’d rather put the money into my kids and Winston. Nikki’s the fashion plate.” Cameron unhooked Winston’s collar. “I’ll get the dogs something to eat.”
“Thanks.” Josh wandered through the living room to the miniscule kitchen. “Sisters. You have to love them.”
“Do you have one?” Cameron poured a second bowl of dog food and added kibble to Winston’s.
“I’ve got a baby brother. He was the book-smart one. I played football, fiddled with computers and came out at seventeen. He married his high-school sweetheart and now works at a college as a financial officer. She’s his secretary.” He wasn’t fond of his broth
er and preferred not to talk about him. “We don’t get along.”
“Because you’re gay?”
“Because he’s an ass.”
“Ah.” Cameron put the bowls on the floor and faced Josh. “Speaking of asses…we have time alone.”
“We do.” He met Cameron for a kiss and slid his hands into Cameron’s back pockets. Finally, he could touch the butt he craved. The heat from Cameron’s body seeped into Josh’s soul. He brushed his crotch against Cameron’s, then nibbled his way along Cameron’s jaw. A thought occurred to him. “Um…do we have to be quiet?”
“I should turn on some music, but we don’t have to.” Cameron tugged Josh down the short hallway. Josh bumped into Cameron and his movements weren’t too graceful as he and Cameron tumbled onto the bed.
Cameron laughed. “Aren’t we slick?”
“Not yet, but we will be.” He focused on Cameron and shoved his shirt up to his chest. Josh kissed along Cameron’s sternum, down to his belly, and swirled his tongue around his navel.
“Damn.” Cameron threaded his fingers into Josh’s hair. He moaned.
Josh took the lead and opened Cameron’s jeans. He wanted Cameron right on the edge before he climbed on. With Cameron’s help, he shoved the denim and boxer shorts down to Cameron’s ankles. Josh licked his lips. He liked the new view. He hadn’t really looked at Cameron in the nude. During the hand job, there wasn’t much time. He knelt between his friend’s knees and breathed Cameron in. “So pretty.”
“Josh.” Cameron propped his feet on the bedframe. “I want you to blow me, but I need to get supplies.”
“What? Blow you?” He flicked his tongue across the blunt head of Cameron’s erection. “Is that what you want?”
“Fuck, yes.” Cameron groaned. “I can’t concentrate when you do that.”
