by River Jaymes
The movements turned greedy and hot and hard, and now Dylan barely pulled out before thrusting back in. “Alec.”
In response, Alec’s fingers bit into Dylan’s arms, no doubt leaving marks by now. But Dylan didn’t mind. Sweat dampened Dylan’s shirt, his back steaming, but he didn’t care about that either, not while he was busy laying claim to Alec. With so much to see, Dylan grappled with what he preferred most. Alec’s slack mouth or his eyes rolled back in pleasure? The desperate expression or the ruddy color of his cheeks? But, Jesus…
The sight of Alec’s naked ass with Dylan fully clothed made the moment better, hotter, more urgent.
Alec sucked in a breath. “Please—”
Pleasure swelled from the inside out, clenching Dylan tighter, every sensation sharp. The cold teeth of Dylan’s zipper pressed against his cock and the rough rub of denim chaffed his skin. Inhaling enough oxygen became a real challenge. But still he wanted Alec closer, needed more.
And the weight of that want was fucking terrible.
Alec sounded broken. “Dylan.”
Dylan glanced down at Alec’s blood-red cock, swollen and glistening at the tip. The vision sent the mother of all whammies slamming through him.
Desperation made Dylan’s voice hoarse. “Touch yourself.”
“But I’ll—”
“Do it now.”
Alec reached between them and gave several tugs in time with Dylan’s thrusts. Precariously close to spontaneous combustion, Dylan groaned as his hips stuttered, losing the rhythm. Alec arched his neck, his spine stiff as thick, white streaks of cum shot up his chest, and Dylan almost sobbed with relief. He dug his toes into the carpet and gave one final push, pleasure incinerating every cell. All the air punched from his lungs, and Dylan’s eyes rolled back, his vision going black.
~~~***~~~
When Alec finally managed to corral his mind and body back into the same room, he slowly became aware of a crushing pressure. Dylan had collapsed on top of him. Alec shifted, trying to ease the burden currently preventing him from breathing.
Christ, the man consisted of nothing but solid muscle.
Alec managed to wheeze out, “Dylan.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, shifting off.
They scooted higher on the bed, and Dylan plastered himself against Alec’s side, his arm over Alec’s chest. After several seconds, Dylan hooked his leg across the top of Alec’s. Whether to prevent him from escaping or to touch more skin, Alec didn’t know. The lighter weight felt pleasant and the heat reassured him that Dylan was still here. Peace washed over Alec, and everything—the worry and the doubt and the fear of the future—got pushed aside.
Well, everything except the curiosity.
Their breaths slowed as their bodies cooled, and Alec traced the largest scar on Dylan’s back. “Tell me about Rick.”
The pause that followed lasted several beats before filling with the sound of motorcycles pulling into the parking lot outside the window. The roar of the engines was replaced with the laughter of several poker-run participants retiring for the day. Alec waited patiently as the scuffle of footsteps and voices passed outside the hotel door and faded as they headed up the hallway.
Would Dylan respond? Or would he simply ignore the request? After the energy he’d just exerted, pretending to have fallen asleep was a believable option.
“He was…” Dylan paused, as if searching for the right words. “A lamb among wolves.”
Alec remained silent, waiting for Dylan to go on.
“Funny. Kind. Almost sweet.” Dylan tipped his head to look up at Alec. “A lot like you, in some ways.” Alec’s lips quirked until Dylan went on. “Even though his parents had kicked him out because he was gay, he remained an optimist. I was the teen who took out my frustrations by constantly looking for a fight.” He let out a soft snort, his breath tickling Alec’s skin. “And there was no shortage of people willing to take me up on my offer.”
Alec swallowed against the knot in his chest and smoothed his fingers over Dylan’s scar.
“I used to get so pissed at Rick,” Dylan said. “Some asshole would heckle him, calling him a cocksucker or whatever, and Rick never did a thing. He wasn’t a big guy, so it wasn’t like I expected him to fight physically. But he wouldn’t say a word. Just forced a smile and kept on walking.”
Alec’s lips curled up at the ends. “I’m guessing you responded for him.”
“Hell yeah,” he said. “Angry teen pissed at the world? Let me at ’em.” Alec felt Dylan grin against his skin. “Rick used to say the only reason we were friends was because it gave me an excuse to kick the shit out of people if they got rough with him.”
Alec smiled. Picturing Dylan as a cocky adolescent spoiling for a fight came easy.
“Eventually I figured out Rick was on to something,” Dylan said. “He always claimed people hated being ignored more.” He shrugged before going on. “I dunno. Maybe he was right. Me, I was just happy for the excuse to vent my frustrations.”
Vent my frustrations.
Asking about those frustrations weighed heavily on Alec’s mind. But before he could take the risk and question Dylan about his childhood, Dylan went on.
“Rick was so happy the day we finally scraped together enough money for the first and last month’s rent for an apartment. The place was a dump, a real shithole.”
Dylan let out a laugh. “Rick was always trying to brighten the place up, using stuff he found, posters and junk to tack up on the walls. As if covering the holes somehow made the place more appealing.”
Alec could practically hear the roll of Dylan’s eyes. All traces of sarcasm disappeared as he continued.
“But it felt so fucking good to have a place to just be,” Dylan said. “People used to think we were boyfriends. But, hell, I was so happy to have a roof over my head I didn’t care.”
Which explained a lot about Dylan’s willingness to pretend to be with Alec at Noah’s party. If Dylan had had any qualms about being seen as gay, the concerns had been exorcised out of his system long ago.
“We were just starting to get our feet on the ground,” Dylan said. “Noah had come into our lives, and Rick was happy, ya know? But then he started getting sicker.”
Nothing Alec could say would make the words any easier, so he simply waited for Dylan to go on.
“If we’d had the money, could have afforded to take Rick to a doctor sooner, he might still be around today. That’s what sucks so much.”
Dylan lifted his head to look at Alec again. “That’s why I think what you and Tyler are doing is so friggin’ awesome. I wish we’d looked for a place like your clinic when Rick first got sick.”
In Dylan’s gaze, Alec saw admiration, respect, and enough regret to load a landfill.
“It’s not your fault,” Alec said.
“I know. It wasn’t his fault either. Rick wasn’t stupid.” Dylan tucked his head underneath Alec’s chin. “He was careful. He knew the risks. But, in the beginning, when he was really hurting for cash, he’d let a guy fuck him bareback because the money was good.”
Christ.
Alec closed his eyes, his chest aching.
Dylan cleared his throat. “Today would have been his thirtieth birthday.” Though delivered matter-of-factly, sadness infused the spaces between the words. “Fuck, man,” he went on wearily. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore.”
Alec tightened his grip on Dylan’s back. “I’m sorry—”
Rolling on top of Alec, Dylan stretched that hard body between Alec’s thighs and buried his fingers in Alec’s hair, his voice rough. “No more talking.”
As if to ensure Alec followed through, Dylan took Alec’s mouth in a kiss that clearly signaled the beginning of more.
Chapter Ten
Monday after work, Alec rode the elevator up to Noah’s condo, eyes gritty from a lack of sleep. He clutched his latte gratefully. After spending the week since the poker run either at work or in bed with Dylan, Alec needed
the end-of-the-day caffeine infusion. Especially in light of what he’d have to endure before he could meet Dylan back at home for takeout.
His phone beeped, and Alec glanced at the text.
I’m on the way to your place with Kung Pao chicken, wonton soup, and a sex swing.
Alec’s chuckle got lost in the sound of the elevator doors sliding open. But, as he headed up the hallway leading to Noah’s condo, the smile slipped from his face.
During last month’s discussion about the Front Street Clinic Residential Fund, the plan to meet Tyler and Noah here had seemed reasonable. In general, Noah supplied the refreshments and sarcastic comments while Noah and Tyler went over the next phase of their plans. But with recent events, namely Alec’s decision to ignore Noah’s initial advice about sleeping with Dylan, the location now proved tricky. Not only was Alec through listening to Noah’s lectures, he’d spent a good part of the week ignoring the man’s fundraiser-related texts as well.
Alec used to drop everything when something needed to be done in regards to fighting Proposition 8 or supporting the housing fund. In retrospect, he realized his schedule had been kind of pathetic. Now that he’d gotten a taste of enjoying his motorcycle and Dylan—and life—he felt less eager to be so blindly available.
He texted Dylan back.
B there ASAP.
As he approached Noah’s door, Alec cracked his neck to relieve the tension, every muscle sore in a way only a week’s worth of sexual activities could produce. A few bruises in the form of fingerprints marked Alec’s wrists. The rug burn on his ass chafed beneath his briefs and left him questioning his brand of fabric softener. But Alec enjoyed the reminders of Dylan’s ruggedly raw…enthusiasm.
Two Sundays ago, Alec had spent all of five seconds considering calling things off again and giving himself hell for landing back in bed with Dylan.
While Alec had no doubt Dylan’s actions that Saturday night had been partially fueled by a fit of melancholy, the man’s attitude afterward had been reassuring. The ride back down to San Francisco had been spectacular, with nothing but clear skies and friendly company. Dylan had returned to his usual easy, relaxed state. He’d continued a hands-off attitude in public, but his behavior and his occasional reassuring wink reaffirmed that the two of them were definitely on more solid ground.
After that, ending things had felt impossible.
As a friend, Dylan made Alec happy. They had sex. Brain-meltingly hot sex. A bonus with the potential for serious complications for sure. Maybe the decision to stick with Dylan made no sense. Maybe Alec was setting himself up for an even bigger fall than before. Because who knew where this crazy relationship would wind up? For once in his life, he’d made a firm decision not to care.
Alec came to a halt in front of the condo and rang the doorbell. Gearing up for the upcoming encounters, he squared his shoulders and gave himself a swift mental kick in the ass.
He heard footsteps and tugged his sleeves to cover the marks on his wrist. Get in. Discuss the next fundraiser. Get out.
Should be simple.
Noah opened the door. “There you are.”
Well, simple except for two things. He had to endure the tension between him and Tyler and deal with Noah, the one who couldn’t seem to comprehend that Alec had finally gone out and found a life.
Refusing to feel guilty, Alec gripped his coffee cup more firmly. “Of course I’m here.” Alec passed his friend and entered the foyer.
“You’ve been avoiding me all week,” Noah said. “And you were supposed to call last night to discuss this meeting.”
Mind searching for a believable excuse, Alec could feel Noah’s eyes on him as he entered the living room done in muted gold and russet, the furniture and decor reflecting his friend’s expensive tastes. Tyler sat on an overstuffed couch in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking San Francisco Bay. Alec headed for the matching loveseat.
No sense lying because he sucked at it. “I was busy, Noah.”
Busy learning that Dylan did indeed like sex. Lots of sex.
Alec dropped onto the cushion and a stab of pain shot up his ass, a reminder to be careful. He went to shift into a more comfortable position and then noticed Tyler watching, his eyes narrowed. So Alec made a show of placing his latte on the coffee table next to a platter with crackers and cheese.
Focusing on the reason for the meeting seemed Alec’s best hope of getting out of here in a reasonable time frame. “How much do we have in the building fund anyway?”
Tyler reached for his computer, powering up his laptop. “I can tell you in a second.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong.” Noah leaned against the doorjamb, eyes on Alec. “But I believe you agreed to print out a financial report before this meeting.”
“I forgot,” Alec said. “I do have a life outside of work and this project of ours, Noah.”
Skeptical lines bracketed Noah’s eyes. “Since when?”
“Since DOMA died and Alec and I broke up,” Tyler said.
Alec tried, but failed, to ascertain if his ex’s statement held any subtext or not. Since the party, they’d generally tried to avoid each other. The constant, low-grade tension was beginning to wear Alec out.
Noah stared at Alec. “Which doesn’t explain why you didn’t return my message yesterday.”
“Which one of the eight messages are you referring to?” Alec said drily.
“Eight in one day?” Tyler looked up from his laptop. “Sounds like it’s time to have Noah’s number blocked.”
Alec couldn’t be sure, but the crack from Tyler felt like support.
Noah tossed Tyler a tolerant look, finally crossing into the living room. “I purchased these crackers just for you, Tyler, despite the fact they appear to have been made out of birdseed. Don’t make me toss them out the window.”
Tyler concentrated on his computer. “You know you love me, Noah.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, vegan man.”
“Vegetarian,” Tyler said. “Not vegan.”
Noah dismissed the distinction with a wave of his hand. “Whatever.” Apparently he’d finally realized Alec refused to apologize for being unavailable, because Noah sent them both a grin. “But you two are going to love me even more when I share the news about our fundraising efforts.”
Finally. Now that the meeting had officially started, the tension in Alec’s shoulders eased, and Alec reached for a cracker and took a bite. Alec’s phone beeped again, and he discreetly checked the message.
Climbing in shower. Don’t make me get started without you.
A seed got caught in Alec’s throat, and he coughed, taking a sip of his latte.
“God, Tyler,” Alec said, trying to recover from the mental image of Dylan jacking off while washing away a day’s worth of sweat and dirt. “I forgot how dry these crackers are.”
“I thought you liked them,” Tyler said.
“Alec lied to spare your feelings because he’s too nice.” Noah dropped onto the couch. “No offense, Tyler, but your strict, healthy diet is horrendously dull.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when I’m adjusting the insulin drip treating your red-meat-induced diabetes, Noah,” Tyler said.
A chuckle escaped Alec, and Noah shot him a look.
“Back to our funding issue,” Noah said, his expression turning serious. “Remember Jack Davis from my party, the moody bastard who sits on the board at Charity Regional Hospital? Anyway, I got a call from him today. He and his wife, Sylvia, have a proposition for us.”
Alec sat up higher in his seat. Maybe this discussion would be over even sooner than he’d hoped.
“They want us to throw a charity bachelor bid,” Noah said.
Tyler stared at Noah, obviously unimpressed, and Alec sank back against the couch, his optimism for a quick meeting slipping away.
“A bachelor auction?” Alec said.
The way Noah had spoken, Alec had thought the couple planned to hand over enough to meet their goals.
Problem solved. Back to Dylan. A pipe dream, clearly, but a nice one nonetheless.
“Please tell me you’re kidding,” Tyler said. “An event like that is a waste of time.”
“You haven’t heard the rest of the proposition. If we throw a bachelor bid and raise forty-thousand dollars, then they’ll donate the rest to meet our funding goals.” Noah cleared his throat and picked up a seed from his pants. “With the condition that we include their nephew in the event,” he mumbled.
“We can’t raise that kind of money with a charity auction unless we’re selling sex along with the dates,” Tyler said. “And wait…” He glanced back at Noah. “Who is their nephew?”
“Probably some loser in desperate need of a social life,” Noah said with an indifferent shrug. “But their reasons don’t matter. Except that, lately, Charity Regional has gotten a lot of flak in the news for their lack of community involvement. Jack wants the hospital to team up with us on this and the bachelors to be volunteers from their employees.”
Tyler looked less than convinced, but Alec couldn’t think of a valid reason for continuing to argue against the idea.
“Look,” Noah said, “the hundred grand we’re getting for the humanitarian award is significant. And we could continue to slowly eek forward and eventually meet our goals to secure financing for housing. But we also need to think long term.”
Times like these reminded Alec why he and Tyler had chosen to include Noah in their plans. The man’s fierce dedication and boundless energy were an asset.
Except when applied to Alec’s personal life.
“Starting a popular annual event will provide us funds for future projects,” Noah went on. “I think a bachelor bid has the potential to be a regular draw and pull that kind of figure off, provided we generate a good amount of buzz.”
“How?” Alec asked.
“First,” Noah said, “we sign on someone famous and film a couple of creative commercials.”
Alec barely restrained the groan. Christ, he’d never get home to Dylan with this kind of delusional thinking on Noah’s part. Not without a massive supply of antipsychotics.
“Oh?” Alec knew he sounded as weary as he felt. “Is that all?”
