The Player's Protégé

by CJane Elliott

  Arlo grasped Jerry’s cock and slid his hand back and forth as he fucked him with a brutally exquisite rhythm. Jerry’s babble rose to a crescendo, and his orgasm broke like a tidal wave, slamming into him over and over. Arlo cried out and clutched him, and Jerry’s hands slipped off the headboard. They collapsed—Jerry flat with his face smashed into the pillow and Arlo a dead weight on top of him.

  Jerry came back gradually from the celestial plane or wherever the fuck Arlo had taken him. He grunted and shifted, and Arlo took the hint, raised his body off him a fraction and then slowly pulled out. Jerry must have fallen asleep because the next he knew, Arlo was wiping his back and butt with a warm washcloth.

  “Turn over.” Arlo’s whisper tickled his ear, and Jerry obeyed, moving with dreamlike slowness. He grunted again when Arlo wiped his stomach and cock clean. He couldn’t open his eyes. Well, he could, but he sure as hell didn’t want to do anything but lie there, floating on endorphins, and savor the best fuck—

  Jerry’s eyes flew open. Holy hell, what was happening? He’d lost all control. Arlo had taken him and shattered him with his monstrous, magical cock. My lord, if that was what Arlo could do the very first time he topped…. Those undeserving fuckers on Grindr had no idea what a prize they were getting.

  When Arlo gazed down at him like some noble knight who had humbly pled allegiance, Jerry was swept with an unfamiliar sensation… that he was the undeserving one. He didn’t deserve Arlo’s goodness or his devastating prowess that was all the more devastating for its innocence. Arlo had no idea, and for one wild moment, Jerry wanted to keep it that way. He wanted to lock Arlo up and keep him all to himself. Goddamn it.

  Jerry gathered every bit of his insouciance and raised an eyebrow. “Not bad, Arlo. Not bad at all.”

  He sat up because Arlo seemed about to kiss him, and that would never do. “Oh, look at the time. I’m meeting the guys for Will’s first gig tonight. Gotta run.”

  “HOW’S OUR Arlo doing? He out there playing yet?” Tyrone lounged against the wall in The Jam Station. He looked fine, as usual.

  “Not quite. He will be.” Jerry gazed around and hoped Ty would drop the subject.

  Unfortunately Eric was right there, grinning at them. “Sure he will. How come it’s taking so long? And when do I get to collect on our bet?”

  Jerry gave a bored shrug. “We needed to take care of a few things before Arlo felt ready.”

  “What things?” Eric squinted over at him. “I’d have thought getting the boy on Grindr would be a matter of minutes.”

  “Naw, not our boy Arlo,” Tyrone said. “He’s the shy, retiring type. Right, Jerry? He probably has to work up to it.”

  “Which is my point exactly.” Eric waved at Will, who was setting up for his show and gave him a thumb’s up. “Arlo is never gonna be a player, so give up now and make us our Pride outfits. It’ll be Will’s first one, so they have to be fabulous.”

  “Arlo has some issues to work out first. I’m not about to throw him to the Grindr wolves until he’s ready.” He took in Eric and Ty’s disbelieving expressions. “What?”

  “Nothing.” Eric grinned again. “‘Issues,’ huh? I see.”

  Tyrone lit up. “Ah, I get it. You’re liking this mentoring thing a little too much to let your boy go, huh?”

  “Bingo,” Eric said, and they high-fived.

  “Oh, be quiet, you two. I’ve been giving Arlo some extra coaching, that’s all.”

  Ty gave a loud guffaw. “Oh really? Like what? And how come my mind went to a very dirty place?”

  “Because your mind is permanently in the gutter, my dear boy.” Jerry noticed he was jiggling one foot, and stilled it. He wasn’t normally this restless. Maybe he needed to get laid. He surveyed the place for likely pick-ups and then recalled that he’d just been laid spectacularly that afternoon. His stomach tightened, and his body went warm at the memory of Arlo plowing into him, his arm tight around Jerry’s waist….

  “Just let me know when I win the bet. I’m going to check in with Will, make sure he’s ready.” Eric’s face shone. “I’m so psyched for him.”

  When Eric walked away, Jerry’s eyes lingered on his tall, lanky frame. He was broad-shouldered and sturdy—another beautiful man who was a genuinely nice human being. Jerry could have had that support all to himself. Jesus. Why was he thinking about that now? He hadn’t mourned the loss of Eric back when, because he’d been the one sending him away.

  Will started his set, which provided a welcome distraction. He was good—really, actually good. Jerry had always nodded and gone along with Eric’s enthusiasm about Will’s playing and composing. He never believed that Will could be as talented as Eric made him out to be, but Will was proving Jerry wrong. His lyrics were surprising and evocative, and the music, coupled with Will’s mellow voice, rang inside Jerry’s soul, woke him up and even made him yearn. Lord, Jerry needed to get it together before he turned into a sappy fool.

  They clapped heartily after each number, and Eric and Tyrone added some hollers and whoops. Will dedicated the last song to “my awesome boyfriend Eric” and sang directly to him while Eric swayed and wiped tears from his eyes.

  Okay. That was a little too over-the-top for Jerry. He walked to the bar and ordered a wine, feeling hollow and out of sorts. He was truly happy for Eric and Will—he was the one who championed their getting together when Eric still had his head up his ass about it—but did he want to be all gooey and “in lurve” like them? No way.

  Chapter Five

  THE NEXT day Jerry was at the art school, working on his set design. He was thinking about Arlo some more, but he didn’t follow his impulse to text him. It wouldn’t do to smother the boy.

  His phone buzzed with a text from Arlo. When is our next meeting? I hope it’s as enjoyable as last night. Take care.

  Jerry smiled and then told himself to get serious. Time to move things along with his pupil, who was proving quite capable in the man-snagging department. Arlo was as charming as he was… everything else. And he probably could’ve gotten himself on Grindr ages ago.

  You tell me. I’m at the art school, but I can break away for a short meeting. Time to get you set up on Grindr.

  There. That hit the right detached and professional tone. Jerry wasn’t about to get carried away by one… amazingly unbelievable… fuck. Memories of Arlo’s cock overtook him, and he indulged them for a moment and then sternly shut them away. He was unleashing a great guy onto the unsuspecting world, but that was the aim, and he needed to stick to the goal.

  WHEN ARLO let him in, Jerry realized too late that they should have met in public. His cock immediately rose to high alert just from seeing Arlo in his apartment again looking so rosy-cheeked and sweet.

  “Hi.” Arlo gave him his usual smile. It really wasn’t as shy as Jerry had once thought, but welcoming and modest. “I’m glad to see you,” it said, “and I’m here for you. Let me know how I can be of service.”

  Too bad Jerry was allergic to people taking care of him. It had always irritated him when Eric tried to.

  “Hello,” Jerry answered briskly. “I’ve got about fifteen minutes right now before I need to get back to the art school.” He strode to the couch, sat down, and then winced. That morning he’d turned his head the wrong way in the shower and gotten a stiff neck.

  Arlo sat next to him. “Is something hurting?”

  “My neck is stiff. I turned it somehow in the shower. But anyway….” Jerry forgot what he was going to say, because Arlo hovered his hand over his neck and it immediately felt warmer.

  “Here?”

  “Yeah. That’s the side that hurts.”

  “Turn your shoulders, and let me work on it.”

  Jerry started to protest but paused as pleasant tingling replaced the pain. He turned to let Arlo do his thing. “You’re a man of many talents, Arlo Barnes…. Oh my God, that feels good.”

  “Good. Take a few deep breaths for me.”

  Arlo’s voice was so soothing t
hat Jerry was ready to follow him anywhere. He’d follow him over a cliff at this rate. Dim warning bells were sounding, but Jerry paid them no mind. He didn’t feel Arlo’s hands and didn’t understand how he was doing it, but his neck and shoulder were bathed in warmth, and relaxation traveled down his body.

  “How’s it feeling?” Arlo’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away.

  “Marvelous.”

  “Any more pain or stiffness?”

  Jerry tried turning his head. “No.” He opened his eyes and sat up. “How’d you do that? It didn’t feel like you were even touching me.”

  Arlo looked pleased. “I was, but very lightly. It’s called healing touch. It works with the body’s energy field. I got trained in that and in massage a few years back.”

  “How come? Do you want to be a massage therapist?”

  “Nope. It helps with the dairy cows.”

  Jerry laughed. Arlo continued to surprise him. “I’ve heard of something like that for horses, but never for cows.”

  “Yep. It soothes them, which means better milk output.”

  “Tell me, is running the dairy farm really your goal in life?”

  Arlo’s face clouded, but he answered promptly enough. “Sure it is.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?” The hackles were rising, it seemed. The farm was a touchy subject.

  “Because… well, you have other things you seem passionate about, like Tae Kwon Do. How do you see that fitting in with the dairy-farm business?”

  “It… I don’t…. There are studios in Lancaster. That’s where I got started in it.”

  “Oh, I see. Good, good. So you’ll be able to pursue that when you get back?”

  Arlo shrugged, but the color had risen in his cheeks. “Probably not. The farm’s a full-time job.”

  “Hmm. What is it that excites you about running a dairy farm?”

  “Nothing excites me about it. The farm has been in our family for generations. Dad’s family has always worked on it.”

  “I see.”

  Arlo clenched his jaw. “I don’t know if you do. Not everyone can do whatever they want, you know. Neither of my parents went to college. My mom’s folks are from Mexico and they’ve worked all their lives to get by, just like Dad’s family.”

  Interesting about Mexico. Arlo’s dark hair and eyes took on a whole new context, and Jerry needed to correct Ty’s “white bread” assumption. “I actually understand, perhaps better than you know. My sister and I are the first ones to go to college in my family too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. We’re rich now because Dad worked his butt off and basically got lucky with the oil fields. Could’ve totally gone the other way.”

  “Yeah.” Arlo dropped his shoulders. “Sorry I got so defensive.”

  “No need to apologize.” Jerry paused and then asked gently, “Is there anything else?”

  Arlo gazed at the floor. “My dad’s health hasn’t been great the last several years. I feel like my parents sacrificed a lot for me to be here and not there to help. I’m not gonna bail on them now.”

  “That’s understandable. I’m sorry about your dad.” Jerry was about to ask more, but then he recalled his mission—getting Arlo on Grindr and then ending his mentor role. “Okay. Thanks for sharing all that with me. Let’s move on. How are you feeling about this project we’ve been working on?”

  “Real good. How about you?”

  “Oh, I’d say it’s going swimmingly.”

  “I particularly liked yesterday’s training session.” Arlo smiled, and his eyes glinted mischievously.

  “Well. Good. So now—”

  “But I still feel like I need more practice.”

  Jerry’s mouth fell open. He closed it, cleared his throat, and swallowed against the wave of desire that threatened to capsize his common sense. Arlo’s ardent gaze didn’t help. “No, Arlo. You’re ready to get out there. Believe me.”

  Arlo became serious. “You’ve been teaching me a lot, Jerry, and one of the biggest things is me asking for what I want. I never did that with Jake. So now I’m doing it with you. I want to have one more practice session with you, because you’re amazing in bed. I want to learn all I can from you.”

  Jerry knew he was good, so why was he all flattered and flustered by Arlo’s words? Against his better judgment, which was screaming for his attention, he found himself leaning closer. “And you’re clear that’s all this is? Practice?” Fool! You fool! His higher self yelled, but Jerry had become temporarily deaf to it.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. One more practice session couldn’t hurt.”

  “Awesome.” Arlo’s smiling face suddenly clouded. “Oh, but do you have to leave now? To get back to the art school?”

  “No. I just remembered that was for tomorrow, not today. So what shall we practice first?”

  Arlo’s eyes darkened as he swept them over Jerry’s torso. “Can I try out my blow-job technique on you?”

  Jerry leaned back and opened his legs. “Be my guest.”

  “And then I want to top you again.”

  “I’m glad you’re asking for what you want, Arlo. Who am I to deny you?”

  “HOLY SHIT.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I can’t even….” Jerry sighed, flat on his back, limp with satiation from the exquisite fuck Arlo had just bestowed on him. He turned his head to regard Arlo, who gave him a smile. A sheen of sweat glistened on his neck and chest.

  Arlo shifted to his side and stroked his fingers softly over Jerry’s torso. “All good?”

  “My God, boy. Better than good. I am absolutely wrung out. You don’t need to worry about your lack of experience any longer. You’re a natural.”

  Arlo’s eyes grew tender as he cupped Jerry’s cheek and brushed his thumb over Jerry’s cheekbone. “You’re a great teacher, Jerry. I hope you know that.”

  Jerry’s cheek warmed, and his heart expanded. When Arlo leaned in with the clear intention to kiss him, his lips got right with the program and parted of their own accord. Drat. He moved his head away in the nick of time.

  “No kissing, remember?” Jerry sat up, but Arlo looped his arm around his shoulder and pulled him gently back down.

  “Okay, sorry. But what’s the rush? Lie here with me for a while.”

  Jerry opened his mouth to explain that Grindr peeps weren’t generally into snuggling, but he was so tired and pleasantly sore, and Arlo smelled divine and he warmed Jerry to his toes, so it was easier to sink down and let Arlo cuddle him.

  “No rush.” His eyelids grew heavy, and he gave a sigh of pure contentment as he drifted into sleep.

  He woke up to Arlo coming back into the room with a tray of nibbles, a bottle of wine, and two wineglasses.

  “Do you like Prosecco?”

  “Love it.” Jerry looked down when he remembered he hadn’t cleaned up after he came, but he didn’t see any evidence. “Did you wipe me off?”

  “Yeah.” Arlo set down the tray. “You were sound asleep. It was cute.”

  Before Jerry could express his indignation at being called cute, Arlo snapped his fingers. “I forgot the hummus. Be right back.”

  Jerry watched Arlo leave the room and was bemused by the happiness he felt. He usually resented it when people tried to care for him, but it felt different coming from Arlo. That alone floored him. He tried to pull himself together and remember who he was and what he was doing there, but sweet scenarios of him and Arlo being all domestic and couple-y kept floating by.

  Chapter Six

  STOP THINKING about it. You’re his mentor, nothing more. He’s obviously going to do great as a player, so you got the job done and you’ll win the bet. Right?

  Jerry sewed on, trying to let the monotonous hum of the sewing machine drown out his incessant thoughts. He’d at least gotten out of Arlo’s before he made a total fool of himself or let Arlo make a fool of them both. He shuddered at the memory of Arlo leaning down and almost kissing him
. It wasn’t so much that Arlo was about to totally break the no-kissing rule, it was that Jerry nearly… almost… came within a centimeter of kissing Arlo back.

  Damn. Hell. Fuck.

  “Ow. Watch what you’re doing, you doofus.” Jerry had almost run his finger under the needle. Clearly, sewing costumes wasn’t going to calm him down. As it was, he’d need to tear out the seam. He switched off the machine with a sigh.

  Desperate times called for desperate measures. Jerry hit speed dial and prepared to talk with the one person he could always count on to call him on his shit.

  “What?” His older sister never bothered with niceties. Jerry found it soothing.

  “I’m fucked.”

  “Hold on.” Denise called out to someone, “Brandon, no calls until I say so. Thanks.” She came back on the line. “How are you fucked? In a good way or a bad way? Although I’m assuming it’s bad if you’re calling me.”

  “I actually have recently been fucked in such a good way that now I’m royally fucked in the worst possible way. You need to stop me before I do something very stupid.”

  “Why? So you got yourself a hot lover? I fail to see the problem, Jerome. And get to the point. If you were a client, I’d be charging you big bucks for my time.”

  Along with being the only one Jerry trusted to help him get his head out of his ass, Denise was also the only one who got to call him by his given name.

  “I will do my best to summarize. The problem’s name is Arlo Barnes. He’s a farm boy and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I’ve been hired by Tyrone to be Arlo’s sexual consultant, because he wants to get out there after being dumped by his one and only boyfriend.”

  “So? Piece of cake. Why wasn’t this a fifteen minute consultation? And what does fucking have to do with it, unless you crossed about fifty million boundaries and fucked your client?”

  “Er, well…. Actually, he fucked me. Twice.” Jerry could hear Denise’s umbrage in the silence and hastened to explain. “See, one of his problems is he’s never topped because his boyfriend wouldn’t bottom, and he felt awkward about it. So I volunteered to give him some, uh, hands-on coaching.”